Geology and geochemistry of Permian and Triassic sediments in Perth Basin for exploration of petroleum in WA. A mutlidisciplinery approach using molecular organic geochemical analyses combined with geological information will innovatively contribute to a coherent portrayal of the decline, collapse and subsequent recovery of biological species at the Permian/Triassic extinction event in Western Australia and other parts of the world. The proposed study will particulary focus on environmental ch ....Geology and geochemistry of Permian and Triassic sediments in Perth Basin for exploration of petroleum in WA. A mutlidisciplinery approach using molecular organic geochemical analyses combined with geological information will innovatively contribute to a coherent portrayal of the decline, collapse and subsequent recovery of biological species at the Permian/Triassic extinction event in Western Australia and other parts of the world. The proposed study will particulary focus on environmental changes closely related to deposition of petroleum source rocks globally but also focussing on the Perth Basin of the Triassic. This information will then be used to better identify rocks in Australia offering good sources of petroleum.Read moreRead less
Do perceptions of morality of alcohol, tobacco & cannabis use influence uptake in high school? In Australia, the cost of drug use was estimated at $34.4 billion in 1998-89. Preventing or delaying alcohol, tobacco and illicit drug use among adolescents is a way of reducing substance use among adults, and therefore, reduces the health, social and economic costs associated with substance use. This study will assess the protective/vulnerability effect of a range of variables on youth substance use i ....Do perceptions of morality of alcohol, tobacco & cannabis use influence uptake in high school? In Australia, the cost of drug use was estimated at $34.4 billion in 1998-89. Preventing or delaying alcohol, tobacco and illicit drug use among adolescents is a way of reducing substance use among adults, and therefore, reduces the health, social and economic costs associated with substance use. This study will assess the protective/vulnerability effect of a range of variables on youth substance use including morality and legitimacy concepts. These data will guide the development of curriculum components to enhance the effect of school-based interventions with respect to substance use, and provide practical recommendations for community interventions targeted at substance use.Read moreRead less
What works best for youth smoking prevention messages? In Australia, tobacco smoking is the leading cause of preventable death and disease, resulting in over 19,000 deaths annually. The morbidity and mortality associated with smoking costs the community over $21 billion a year. People who start smoking when they are young are more likely to smoke heavily as adults, to become more dependent on nicotine and to be at increased risk of smoking-related illness or death. This research study will provi ....What works best for youth smoking prevention messages? In Australia, tobacco smoking is the leading cause of preventable death and disease, resulting in over 19,000 deaths annually. The morbidity and mortality associated with smoking costs the community over $21 billion a year. People who start smoking when they are young are more likely to smoke heavily as adults, to become more dependent on nicotine and to be at increased risk of smoking-related illness or death. This research study will provide practical recommendations for future tobacco control television advertising targeted at youth in terms of the elements featured in tobacco control advertisements that increase advertising effectiveness. Read moreRead less
Understanding and reducing alcohol-related harm among young adults in urban settings: Opportunities for intervention. Alcohol use is a major contributing factor to injury and death, with 2634 young Australians dying from alcohol-related causes in the decade to 2004. Local governments (LGs) urgently require research evidence on which to base policy to reduce alcohol-related harms. The project will provide an analysis of patterns of alcohol consumption by young adults in inner and peri-urban (grow ....Understanding and reducing alcohol-related harm among young adults in urban settings: Opportunities for intervention. Alcohol use is a major contributing factor to injury and death, with 2634 young Australians dying from alcohol-related causes in the decade to 2004. Local governments (LGs) urgently require research evidence on which to base policy to reduce alcohol-related harms. The project will provide an analysis of patterns of alcohol consumption by young adults in inner and peri-urban (growth corridor) LG areas, along with information about how young adults view alcohol use. In collaboration with industry partners VicHealth, the Victorian Department of Human Services, the Municipal Association of Victoria and LGs in Hume and Yarra, specific policy recommendations for implementation at LG, state and national levels will be developed and disseminated. Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0347945
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$182,000.00
Summary
Extension to Stable Isotope Facility: Elemental Analyser and GC-GC Preparative Systems. To carry out compound specific stable isotope analysis, compounds need to be resolved by GC, and with samples such as petroleum, this is uncommon. We therefore seek to explore GC-GC as a novel additional preparative system in isotope ratio mass spectrometry. Within our new State Centre of Excellence we will be confronted with samples such as soils, sediments, and natural organic matter which require examinati ....Extension to Stable Isotope Facility: Elemental Analyser and GC-GC Preparative Systems. To carry out compound specific stable isotope analysis, compounds need to be resolved by GC, and with samples such as petroleum, this is uncommon. We therefore seek to explore GC-GC as a novel additional preparative system in isotope ratio mass spectrometry. Within our new State Centre of Excellence we will be confronted with samples such as soils, sediments, and natural organic matter which require examination by bulk isotope analysis. If equipped with a customised elemental analyser as an inlet system, both our existing mass analysers will be capable of measuring carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen and sulphur isotope values of whole samples.Read moreRead less
Stable Carbon and Hydrogen Isotope Signatures of Chemical Fossils to Infer Palaeoenvironmental Change. Aims are to selectively measure the stable carbon and hydrogen isotopic composition of individual chemical fossils (biomarkers) in sediments and petroleum. Biomarkers are derived from biochemicals in algae, bacteria and higher plants and their isotopic compositions reflects important information about the climate and environment under which the precursor organisms lived. Periods of palaeoenvir ....Stable Carbon and Hydrogen Isotope Signatures of Chemical Fossils to Infer Palaeoenvironmental Change. Aims are to selectively measure the stable carbon and hydrogen isotopic composition of individual chemical fossils (biomarkers) in sediments and petroleum. Biomarkers are derived from biochemicals in algae, bacteria and higher plants and their isotopic compositions reflects important information about the climate and environment under which the precursor organisms lived. Periods of palaeoenvironmental change will be established through the varied stable isotope compositions of certain biomarkers within samples sectioned from sediment profiles of different age. This information will then be used to better identify rocks in Australia offering good sources of petroleum.Read moreRead less
What difference does treatment make? Psychometric properties of a measure of young people's progress in residential rehabilitation. This research is expected to: enhance evidence-based treatment outcome measures in residential rehabilitation services in WA, NSW and the ACT; provide high-quality research training for alcohol and other drug service staff; and contribute to long-term collaborative relationships between five partner organisations, five universities, and addiction specialists which w ....What difference does treatment make? Psychometric properties of a measure of young people's progress in residential rehabilitation. This research is expected to: enhance evidence-based treatment outcome measures in residential rehabilitation services in WA, NSW and the ACT; provide high-quality research training for alcohol and other drug service staff; and contribute to long-term collaborative relationships between five partner organisations, five universities, and addiction specialists which will assist ongoing service quality improvement. Enhancing the effectiveness of alcohol and other drug treatments for young people will also address the National Health Priority of injury prevention as young people are one of three groups at higher risk of harm.Read moreRead less
School drug education for junior high school students in Victoria - Assessing the impact of a state-wide, evidence-based intervention
. Young people are faced with numerous and powerful influences to use both legal and illicit drugs, and drug education can play an important counterbalancing role in shaping a normative culture of safety, moderation and informed decision making in this group. The research will develop, implement and evaluate one all encompassing, evidence-based, drug education pr ....School drug education for junior high school students in Victoria - Assessing the impact of a state-wide, evidence-based intervention
. Young people are faced with numerous and powerful influences to use both legal and illicit drugs, and drug education can play an important counterbalancing role in shaping a normative culture of safety, moderation and informed decision making in this group. The research will develop, implement and evaluate one all encompassing, evidence-based, drug education program for junior high school students across Victoria. The study is unique in its size and scope and will be of national benefit because its findings will influence the nature of future drug education in all secondary schools in Australia.Read moreRead less