Testing our knowledge on the dawn of animal life: evidence from the fossil record against modern ecological and morphological analogues. The Cambrian 'Explosion', half a billion years ago, is regarded as one of the most important events in the history of the Earth, when most major animal groups first appear in the rock record, and for which South Australia has recently become a significant source of spectacular fossils. However, important questions remain regarding their Ediacaran roots, the spe ....Testing our knowledge on the dawn of animal life: evidence from the fossil record against modern ecological and morphological analogues. The Cambrian 'Explosion', half a billion years ago, is regarded as one of the most important events in the history of the Earth, when most major animal groups first appear in the rock record, and for which South Australia has recently become a significant source of spectacular fossils. However, important questions remain regarding their Ediacaran roots, the speed of evolution at the time, and the environments in which the radiation took place. Studying the fossil evidence in the light of present-day ecological frameworks, and in comparison with modern behavioural and morphological analogues, as well as living relatives, can help us better assess our understanding of this first radiation of animals.Read moreRead less
Plastic brains: Neural adaptations to changing environments in reptiles. The project aims to quantify brain anatomy on an unprecedented scale in comparative neurobiology. Focusing on Australia’s diverse and extensive collection of reptiles, including goannas, dragons and venomous snakes, the project expects to generate new knowledge on the evolution of brains as these animals adapted to new habitats and climates. Data will be collected by cutting-edge micro-CT technology and advanced phylogeneti ....Plastic brains: Neural adaptations to changing environments in reptiles. The project aims to quantify brain anatomy on an unprecedented scale in comparative neurobiology. Focusing on Australia’s diverse and extensive collection of reptiles, including goannas, dragons and venomous snakes, the project expects to generate new knowledge on the evolution of brains as these animals adapted to new habitats and climates. Data will be collected by cutting-edge micro-CT technology and advanced phylogenetic techniques, which will be complemented by detailed neuroanatomy. Expected outcomes include enhanced understanding of the effects of temperature on brains, and a large database of 3D digital anatomical models. A major benefit includes a greater ability to mitigate the effects of environmental change.Read moreRead less
Snake fangs: insights into evolution, palaeoclimate and biodesign . This project aims to generate unprecedented insights into the fangs of venomous snakes, focusing on elapids (taipans, tiger snakes etc). We will examine fang shape diversity, correlation with behavior and ecology, evolutionary history, and biomechanical properties. Data will be collected using cutting-edge micro-CT technology and analysed using 3D geometric morphometrics, computer simulations, and advanced phylogenetic techniqu ....Snake fangs: insights into evolution, palaeoclimate and biodesign . This project aims to generate unprecedented insights into the fangs of venomous snakes, focusing on elapids (taipans, tiger snakes etc). We will examine fang shape diversity, correlation with behavior and ecology, evolutionary history, and biomechanical properties. Data will be collected using cutting-edge micro-CT technology and analysed using 3D geometric morphometrics, computer simulations, and advanced phylogenetic techniques. This should greatly improve understanding of the evolution of venom fangs in all snakes. Other benefits include a large 3D reference database allowing identification of fossil fangs, with applications for studies of past climates, and a characterisation of fang biomechanics, relevant to biodesign and biomimicry.Read moreRead less
Islands of rocks: geckos as a model system to understand patterns of biodiversity, endemism and speciation in the Kimberley. Australia is renowned for its diversity of lizards, yet a plethora of new "cryptic" gecko species continue to be discovered. The project will densely sample the complex Kimberley to understand the evolution of its geckos, which will shed light on true levels of species diversity and the geological and environmental history of this biodiversity hotspot.
A molecular/morphological view of animal evolution based on marsupials. This project aims to provide high-accuracy methods of evolutionary inference extendable to nearly all other organisms. It aims to research the evolution of animal diversity and calibrate evolutionary timescales on a case study of marsupial mammals, and differentiate between internal and external factors that govern animals’ ability to adapt and diversify. The project will collate a large, open-source three-dimensional catalo ....A molecular/morphological view of animal evolution based on marsupials. This project aims to provide high-accuracy methods of evolutionary inference extendable to nearly all other organisms. It aims to research the evolution of animal diversity and calibrate evolutionary timescales on a case study of marsupial mammals, and differentiate between internal and external factors that govern animals’ ability to adapt and diversify. The project will collate a large, open-source three-dimensional catalogue of the evolving marsupial skeleton, which could provide a detailed and publicly accessible narrative of the evolutionary past and future adaptability of Australian marsupials. The proposed development of methods to quantify the effect of past and present biodiversity crises (e.g. environmental change) is expected to inform longer-term conservation planning.Read moreRead less
Ecology, morphology and the diversification of Australian lizards. This project aims to determine the factors driving the spectacular radiation of lizards in Australia. To date, most investigations of lizard anatomy have focused exclusively on external characteristics. This project will examine the underlying internal anatomy to investigate whether morphological innovation is associated with enhanced rates of ecological, life-history and species diversification. The project expects to shed light ....Ecology, morphology and the diversification of Australian lizards. This project aims to determine the factors driving the spectacular radiation of lizards in Australia. To date, most investigations of lizard anatomy have focused exclusively on external characteristics. This project will examine the underlying internal anatomy to investigate whether morphological innovation is associated with enhanced rates of ecological, life-history and species diversification. The project expects to shed light on the evolution of Australia’s most diverse vertebrate lineage, and provide comparative data with which to interpret the lizard fossil record in Australia, and the range declines and relative extinction risks of native lizard species.Read moreRead less
Advanced studies of QCD and the strong interaction. This project will significantly advance our knowledge of the subatomic structure of the universe. It will maintain excellence and strength in an area where Australia has built an outstanding international reputation over the past decade. It will place Australia at the cutting edge of fundamental and computational science research and it will maintain and grow strong international links. It will produce Australian graduates and research associa ....Advanced studies of QCD and the strong interaction. This project will significantly advance our knowledge of the subatomic structure of the universe. It will maintain excellence and strength in an area where Australia has built an outstanding international reputation over the past decade. It will place Australia at the cutting edge of fundamental and computational science research and it will maintain and grow strong international links. It will produce Australian graduates and research associates of high quality, who will benefit from participating in these state-of-the-art studies and from the advanced training in modelling, high-performance computer simulation and visualisation. This training will have major economic benefits for and provide strong links to Australian industry.Read moreRead less
The Essence of QCD Vacuum Structure. This first-principles study of quantum field theory will elucidate an outstanding mystery of modern particle physics. Understanding confinement is recognized as one of the top 10 Physics Questions to Ponder for a Millennium or Two. In support of the National Research Priorities, new scientific data visualization techniques will be transferred to industry, facilitating smart information use. Further economic benefits are realized through the training and devel ....The Essence of QCD Vacuum Structure. This first-principles study of quantum field theory will elucidate an outstanding mystery of modern particle physics. Understanding confinement is recognized as one of the top 10 Physics Questions to Ponder for a Millennium or Two. In support of the National Research Priorities, new scientific data visualization techniques will be transferred to industry, facilitating smart information use. Further economic benefits are realized through the training and development of expertise in high-performance parallel computing, promoting an innovation culture and economy. The opportunity for young Australian Honours and Postgraduate students to work at the forefront of nuclear and particle theory is an obvious social benefit.
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Advanced Studies of Non-Perturbative Quantum Electrodynamics (QED) and Relation to the Standard Model. The project is a high-precision study of nonperturbative quantum electrodynamics (QED). It will finally allow a detailed look into the inner workings of the "best theory we have". It will provide valuable guidance in understanding and constructing the "holy grail" of theoretical physics the so-called "theory of everything". It will place Australia at the cutting edge of fundamental theoretical ....Advanced Studies of Non-Perturbative Quantum Electrodynamics (QED) and Relation to the Standard Model. The project is a high-precision study of nonperturbative quantum electrodynamics (QED). It will finally allow a detailed look into the inner workings of the "best theory we have". It will provide valuable guidance in understanding and constructing the "holy grail" of theoretical physics the so-called "theory of everything". It will place Australia at the cutting edge of fundamental theoretical research. Australian graduate and undergraduate students will benefit from participating in this work and the state-of-the-art expertise that they will develop has a clear social and economic benefit for Australia.Read moreRead less
Advances in Nonperturbative Studies of Subatomic Physics. Fundamental research into physics always leads to unpredictable technological breakthroughs. Fundamental physics research has led to the development of transistors, world wide web, carbon dating, cancer treatments, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scans, satellites and many applications too numerous to mention. The collaboration will allow Australia access to technologies, research infrastructure, expertise and intellectual knowledge that ....Advances in Nonperturbative Studies of Subatomic Physics. Fundamental research into physics always leads to unpredictable technological breakthroughs. Fundamental physics research has led to the development of transistors, world wide web, carbon dating, cancer treatments, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scans, satellites and many applications too numerous to mention. The collaboration will allow Australia access to technologies, research infrastructure, expertise and intellectual knowledge that wouldn't be available otherwise. This will enable Australian institutions to pursue breakthrough science, to develop frontier technologies and to have a great impact in the international scientific community. It will also provide advance training in simulation and high-performance computing to postgraduates and research associates.Read moreRead less