New multi-scale seed dispersal models for improved regional weed management. This project will exploit recent advances in ecological and atmospheric modelling with the aim to build improved models of seed dispersal across landscapes to anticipate weed spread. Damaging invasive plants are rapidly transforming landscapes and altering ecosystem function worldwide. The speed and direction of weed spread determines the success or failure of costly containment and control actions, however we lack the ....New multi-scale seed dispersal models for improved regional weed management. This project will exploit recent advances in ecological and atmospheric modelling with the aim to build improved models of seed dispersal across landscapes to anticipate weed spread. Damaging invasive plants are rapidly transforming landscapes and altering ecosystem function worldwide. The speed and direction of weed spread determines the success or failure of costly containment and control actions, however we lack the ability to adequately predict spread. New models that combine micrometeorological measurements, within-canopy turbulence and topographic variation in wind flows will be designed to better predict where dispersal will occur. In this project, these improved predictions are planned to be combined with decision models to direct the management of invasive species across entire landscapes.Read moreRead less
The Effects Of Tonic Muscle Pain On The Sympathetic And Somatic Motor Systems In Human Subjects
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$462,948.00
Summary
The main objective of this proposal is to reveal the effects of nociceptive reflexes in humans, and thus identify their functional and clinical implications. By performing invasive recordings from the nerves that control blood vessels and muscles in healthy volunteers subjected to long-lasting (~1 hour) experimental pain, this work will increase our understanding of the adaptive changes that pain induces and improve treatments to prevent pain from becoming chronic.
The Carina Nebula: a massive star factory and the anchor for calibrating extragalactic star formation. Massive stars are vital to the life cycle of a galaxy, providing material and controlling the environment where new stars are made. This project will use the Australia Telescope to map the spectacular Carina Nebula, a hotbed of massive stars, to provide a picture of its stars and gas and a template for understanding star formation in distant galaxies.
Supernovae as the origin of antimatter in our galaxy. This project aims to uncover the origin of the bulk of the antimatter in our Milky Way Galaxy. Astrophysicists have known for forty years that our Galaxy glows with gamma-rays emitted by the annihilation of huge numbers of positrons, the antimatter partners to electrons. Certain supernovae are the likely source of these positrons. To fully investigate this idea and its ramifications, this project will perform three-dimensional supercomputer s ....Supernovae as the origin of antimatter in our galaxy. This project aims to uncover the origin of the bulk of the antimatter in our Milky Way Galaxy. Astrophysicists have known for forty years that our Galaxy glows with gamma-rays emitted by the annihilation of huge numbers of positrons, the antimatter partners to electrons. Certain supernovae are the likely source of these positrons. To fully investigate this idea and its ramifications, this project will perform three-dimensional supercomputer simulations of thermonuclear supernova explosions. This project aspires to resolve a long-standing mystery in astrophysics and provide an exemplar for best usage of Australian investment in astronomy and supercomputing infrastructure.Read moreRead less
How does orography enhance precipitation in Australian wintertime storms? This project aims to employ targeted field observations, numerical simulations and new satellite capabilities to identify the dynamical and microphysical mechanisms that enhance and redistribute precipitation across the alpine regions of south eastern Australia and Tasmania. These observations will be used to evaluate operational numerical weather simulations specifically focusing on quantitative precipitation forecasts an ....How does orography enhance precipitation in Australian wintertime storms? This project aims to employ targeted field observations, numerical simulations and new satellite capabilities to identify the dynamical and microphysical mechanisms that enhance and redistribute precipitation across the alpine regions of south eastern Australia and Tasmania. These observations will be used to evaluate operational numerical weather simulations specifically focusing on quantitative precipitation forecasts and estimates. The observations will also be used to extend known biases in the national gridded precipitation analysis that are a result of the complex mountain terrain. This identification of the physical processes that enhance and redistribute precipitation over the alpine regions across south east Australia and Tasmania will lead to better precipitation estimates and forecasts and better water management.Read moreRead less
Electrodynamics of magnetic explosions in astrophysics. The project aims to develop a new model for solar flares and pulsars that more realistically describes these phenomena. Solar flares and pulsars involve strong magnetic fields changing rapidly as a function of time, implying enormous inductive potentials. The project aims to show how the inductive field and the plasma response to it can be included in an electrodynamic theory. It plans to apply this theory to solar flares, and show how it c ....Electrodynamics of magnetic explosions in astrophysics. The project aims to develop a new model for solar flares and pulsars that more realistically describes these phenomena. Solar flares and pulsars involve strong magnetic fields changing rapidly as a function of time, implying enormous inductive potentials. The project aims to show how the inductive field and the plasma response to it can be included in an electrodynamic theory. It plans to apply this theory to solar flares, and show how it can resolve the long-standing ‘number problem’. It also plans to apply the model to pulsars, and show how the long-standing dichotomy between the vacuum-dipole and rotating-magnetosphere models can be resolved by synthesising them. The project intends to combine these ideas into a new model for the most extreme examples of magnetic explosions: superflares and giant bursts on magnetars.Read moreRead less
Magnetic skeletons, solar flares, and space weather. This project aims to investigate how magnetic reconnection occurs during solar flares through accurate reconstruction of coronal magnetic fields from solar data before and after flares, and by reliable determination of field skeletons. Solar flares are dynamic events in the Sun's corona which cause local space weather storms. Magnetic reconnection is the accepted mechanism for flares but conventional models neglect the three-dimensional (3D) n ....Magnetic skeletons, solar flares, and space weather. This project aims to investigate how magnetic reconnection occurs during solar flares through accurate reconstruction of coronal magnetic fields from solar data before and after flares, and by reliable determination of field skeletons. Solar flares are dynamic events in the Sun's corona which cause local space weather storms. Magnetic reconnection is the accepted mechanism for flares but conventional models neglect the three-dimensional (3D) nature of the process. The project will improve 3D reconnection models for flares, and advance the ability to predict large events and hence space weather storms.Read moreRead less
Fragmentation of rocks upon impact. The project aims to create a new understanding of how rocks fragment upon impact to allow more realistic predictions of rockfall hazards. Rockfall results in loss of human life, damage to infrastructure and economic loss; each year in Australia, millions of dollars are spent on rockfall protection. To mitigate rockfall risk, it is important to understand and predict how blocks break as they fall down a slope. Unfortunately, there is limited data and knowledge ....Fragmentation of rocks upon impact. The project aims to create a new understanding of how rocks fragment upon impact to allow more realistic predictions of rockfall hazards. Rockfall results in loss of human life, damage to infrastructure and economic loss; each year in Australia, millions of dollars are spent on rockfall protection. To mitigate rockfall risk, it is important to understand and predict how blocks break as they fall down a slope. Unfortunately, there is limited data and knowledge on this phenomenon. This project aims to produce a comprehensive, high-quality database of fragmentation events and develop an innovative fragmentation model that can be included in existing rockfall codes. This project is expected to lead to optimised and cost-effective rockfall barrier protection measures.Read moreRead less
A general soil spatial scaling theory. Soil diversity is crucial for maintenance of sustainable ecosystems. Soil varies on a continuum from microbial habitats to fields, regions, continents and the globe. This project will take a unifying approach to derive a general spatial scaling theory that will allow us to estimate the likely behaviour of soil properties at all scales. Understanding the scaling behaviour of soil means one can be certain about describing the changes in relationships between ....A general soil spatial scaling theory. Soil diversity is crucial for maintenance of sustainable ecosystems. Soil varies on a continuum from microbial habitats to fields, regions, continents and the globe. This project will take a unifying approach to derive a general spatial scaling theory that will allow us to estimate the likely behaviour of soil properties at all scales. Understanding the scaling behaviour of soil means one can be certain about describing the changes in relationships between soil properties and processes. It will enhance the ability to monitor soil property changes through time, essential for gauging effects of climate change and achieving food security. Read moreRead less
Understanding the role of terrain geometry in eruptive bushfire behaviour. This project aims to improve understanding of the physical processes that cause eruptive bushfire behaviour, otherwise known as fire blow-up. Eruptive fire behaviour, characterised by rapid and unexpected escalation in fire intensity and rate of spread, is a global phenomenon that poses a major threat to fire-fighter safety and can seriously compromise bushfire suppression efforts. This project will address the role that ....Understanding the role of terrain geometry in eruptive bushfire behaviour. This project aims to improve understanding of the physical processes that cause eruptive bushfire behaviour, otherwise known as fire blow-up. Eruptive fire behaviour, characterised by rapid and unexpected escalation in fire intensity and rate of spread, is a global phenomenon that poses a major threat to fire-fighter safety and can seriously compromise bushfire suppression efforts. This project will address the role that terrain geometry plays in the incidence of fire eruption, through consideration of its effect on the attachment of flames to a surface. Expected outcomes include a dynamic fire spread modelling framework and the provision of better advice to bushfire authorities concerning fire blow-up.Read moreRead less