Social learning about predators: is it just Pavlovian conditioning? Australia has a strong tradition of studying the basic principles that control learning in animals and humans. In step with recent developments in animal cognitive research, Australia has begun to acquire an international reputation in cognitive ecology. By studying social learning within a controlled, but nevertheless ecological framework, the proposed research builds upon these strengths, while opening new research avenues. Fi ....Social learning about predators: is it just Pavlovian conditioning? Australia has a strong tradition of studying the basic principles that control learning in animals and humans. In step with recent developments in animal cognitive research, Australia has begun to acquire an international reputation in cognitive ecology. By studying social learning within a controlled, but nevertheless ecological framework, the proposed research builds upon these strengths, while opening new research avenues. Findings will attract international attention and contribute to enhancing Australia's research profile and its ability to attract overseas scientists. Charismatic animal behaviour research coupled with potential implications for wildlife management will help promote science careers amongst young Australian people.Read moreRead less
Discovering genes for singing ability in Australian families. Music abilities are core to what makes us human, with singing ubiquitous in all cultures. Anecdotal evidence suggests that singing ability runs in families, supporting its genetic basis, however no research has systematically traced it across generations. Using an innovative web-based singing program and the latest molecular genetic techniques, this project aims to discover singing ability genes through the first Australian study of l ....Discovering genes for singing ability in Australian families. Music abilities are core to what makes us human, with singing ubiquitous in all cultures. Anecdotal evidence suggests that singing ability runs in families, supporting its genetic basis, however no research has systematically traced it across generations. Using an innovative web-based singing program and the latest molecular genetic techniques, this project aims to discover singing ability genes through the first Australian study of large families with many talented singers. This will generate new knowledge on the origins of human musicality and help Australia develop a sustainable source of cultural capital. It will build interdisciplinary research capacity and inform bespoke music learning programs that account for individual differences.Read moreRead less
The genetic basis of singing ability. This project aims to explore the heritability of music ability, focusing on singing and the contribution of genetic and environmental influences. Research suggests that deliberate practice (more than 10,000 hours) produces skilled musicianship, with minimal investigation of genetic influences. Mapping the human genome has opened up a new scientific frontier, and this project’s findings are expected to lead to the discovery of genes for singing. This will hel ....The genetic basis of singing ability. This project aims to explore the heritability of music ability, focusing on singing and the contribution of genetic and environmental influences. Research suggests that deliberate practice (more than 10,000 hours) produces skilled musicianship, with minimal investigation of genetic influences. Mapping the human genome has opened up a new scientific frontier, and this project’s findings are expected to lead to the discovery of genes for singing. This will help design and deliver music education programmes that take individual differences into account, differentiating between heritable aspects of musicianship and those more influenced by training.Read moreRead less
Managing increasing challenges in motorcycle safety: strengthening research evidence for effective policy and countermeasure development. Through in-depth crash investigations and motorcyclist interviews, this project will determine risk factors for serious motorcycle crashes in an environment of increased riding, more older riders, and changing traffic conditions. Outcomes will be evidence-based strategies to improve road system management and road safety.
Improving the Well-Being of Low Socioeconomic Status Students at University. This project aims to investigate a new approach to improving the mental well-being of university students from low socioeconomic status (SES) backgrounds. University students have a high risk of experiencing mental health problems, and students from low SES backgrounds have a particularly high risk. This project aims to investigate university-relevant Facebook groups as a method of improving the mental well-being of low ....Improving the Well-Being of Low Socioeconomic Status Students at University. This project aims to investigate a new approach to improving the mental well-being of university students from low socioeconomic status (SES) backgrounds. University students have a high risk of experiencing mental health problems, and students from low SES backgrounds have a particularly high risk. This project aims to investigate university-relevant Facebook groups as a method of improving the mental well-being of low SES students by improving their online social integration at university. Expected outcomes and benefits include a scalable, low-cost approach to reducing an SES inequality that costs Australia billions of dollars each year.Read moreRead less
Locating genes for cognitive traits using linkage and association analyses. Our study is the 1st in the world to find significant linkage for IQ.The dataset is one of only 2 such in the world (based on sample size, range & type of measures).Identifying genes for cognitive ability using healthy subjects is important in understanding individual differences in normal cognitive functioning, but it may also provide clues into the underlying mechanisms of impaired cognitive ability. Diverging conditio ....Locating genes for cognitive traits using linkage and association analyses. Our study is the 1st in the world to find significant linkage for IQ.The dataset is one of only 2 such in the world (based on sample size, range & type of measures).Identifying genes for cognitive ability using healthy subjects is important in understanding individual differences in normal cognitive functioning, but it may also provide clues into the underlying mechanisms of impaired cognitive ability. Diverging conditions like reading disorder, schizophrenia, depression, alcoholism, and dementia all share deficits in cognitive ability.Downstream practical applications of identifying 'genes for cognition' include better educational, behavioural and biomedical management of learning and memory disorders, and other intellectual disabilities.Read moreRead less
Behaviour-genetic studies of literacy, language and attention. The primary national benefit will be the unrivalled picture that emerges about how genetic factors interact with aspects of the family and educational environment to determine the course of a child's progress in literacy and language. Policy makers will be able to use the information to guide curriculum refinement, and to develop policies for the identification and instruction of children at developmental risk in these domains. The p ....Behaviour-genetic studies of literacy, language and attention. The primary national benefit will be the unrivalled picture that emerges about how genetic factors interact with aspects of the family and educational environment to determine the course of a child's progress in literacy and language. Policy makers will be able to use the information to guide curriculum refinement, and to develop policies for the identification and instruction of children at developmental risk in these domains. The project will also strengthen Australia's position in the cutting-edge field of behavioural genetics through the postdoctoral support of a young scientist.Read moreRead less
How effective are disclaimer labels on fashion magazine images? Commentators and researchers from a number of Western countries, including Australia, have suggested that idealised media images in fashion magazines should carry some sort of disclaimer informing readers when these images have been digitally enhanced. The overall aim of this project is to investigate the impact of disclaimer labels on women's mood and body dissatisfaction. Expected outcomes include recommendations to policy makers ....How effective are disclaimer labels on fashion magazine images? Commentators and researchers from a number of Western countries, including Australia, have suggested that idealised media images in fashion magazines should carry some sort of disclaimer informing readers when these images have been digitally enhanced. The overall aim of this project is to investigate the impact of disclaimer labels on women's mood and body dissatisfaction. Expected outcomes include recommendations to policy makers as to the most effective form of intervention, as well as increased theoretical understanding of the operation of disclaimer labels.Read moreRead less
Identifying genes for cognition. We have established a large twin sample and are the Australian arm of an international consortium to identify genes for cognition. This work will transform our understanding of brain functions that affect normal cognitive functioning. It has potentially enormous public health significance by providing clues into the underlying mechanisms of impaired cognitive ability. Many different conditions affect people's ability to think and remember (e.g. schizophrenia, dem ....Identifying genes for cognition. We have established a large twin sample and are the Australian arm of an international consortium to identify genes for cognition. This work will transform our understanding of brain functions that affect normal cognitive functioning. It has potentially enormous public health significance by providing clues into the underlying mechanisms of impaired cognitive ability. Many different conditions affect people's ability to think and remember (e.g. schizophrenia, dementia). By understanding how cognitive processes work in healthy individuals, we can better identify the fundamental mechanisms of impaired cognitive ability. This may have future applications for treating brain dysfunction, and managing memory of intellectual disabilities.Read moreRead less
A behaviour-genetic study of the National Assessment Program - Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) results. The National Assessment Program - Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) tests are designed by educational authorities, are objective, and have been administered Australia-wide since 2008 so are unquestionably the most valuable national database on school achievement available. This project's twin studies of this data will provide a more solid base for public policy debates on educational policy and pr ....A behaviour-genetic study of the National Assessment Program - Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) results. The National Assessment Program - Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) tests are designed by educational authorities, are objective, and have been administered Australia-wide since 2008 so are unquestionably the most valuable national database on school achievement available. This project's twin studies of this data will provide a more solid base for public policy debates on educational policy and practice.Read moreRead less