Physiological Thermoregulation and Cardiovascular Function in Reptiles. This project will be important in advancing the concept of physiological thermoregulation in reptiles from a descriptive to a mechanistic basis, thereby providing a better conceptual framework within which the evolutionary processes and selection pressures acting on modern animals and their ancestors can be evaluated.
Benefits of conducting this research will include:
maintaining the high international profile of Aust ....Physiological Thermoregulation and Cardiovascular Function in Reptiles. This project will be important in advancing the concept of physiological thermoregulation in reptiles from a descriptive to a mechanistic basis, thereby providing a better conceptual framework within which the evolutionary processes and selection pressures acting on modern animals and their ancestors can be evaluated.
Benefits of conducting this research will include:
maintaining the high international profile of Australian comparative physiology;
the training of post-graduate students, both Honours and Ph.D.s;
stimulating collaboration between two of Australia's research intensive universities (Sydney and Queensland);
and show-casing Australia's impressive reptilian fauna.
Read moreRead less
From Periphery to Central: the Politics of China's Central Banking Reform and the Building of a Financial Infrastructure in an Age of Transition. China's rapid economic growth and gradual integration with the international system, in particular the increasingly strong economic links between Australia and China, means Australia now has a big stake in China's financial and economic stability. By explaining the dynamics of China's central banking reform, monetary policy and banking reform since 197 ....From Periphery to Central: the Politics of China's Central Banking Reform and the Building of a Financial Infrastructure in an Age of Transition. China's rapid economic growth and gradual integration with the international system, in particular the increasingly strong economic links between Australia and China, means Australia now has a big stake in China's financial and economic stability. By explaining the dynamics of China's central banking reform, monetary policy and banking reform since 1979, this project will significantly enhance our capacity to interpret monetary policy management and financial development in China, to support our commitment to states in the Asia Pacific region that are dealing with economic reforms and transition, and more importantly, to exert influence on the desired direction of change in China through engagement with the Chinese monetary authority.Read moreRead less
Radical right populist parties. This project aims to explain why some radical right-wing populists in Western democracies enter governmental alliances with mainstream parties while others remain isolated. The emergence, spread and electoral success of radical right populists is a problem facing liberal democracy in the twenty-first century. While these parties’ policies, ideologies and rhetoric are similar, their relationships with mainstream parties are different. By examining explanatory facto ....Radical right populist parties. This project aims to explain why some radical right-wing populists in Western democracies enter governmental alliances with mainstream parties while others remain isolated. The emergence, spread and electoral success of radical right populists is a problem facing liberal democracy in the twenty-first century. While these parties’ policies, ideologies and rhetoric are similar, their relationships with mainstream parties are different. By examining explanatory factors that Political Science studies have so far been neglected, this project seeks to explain this variation and explore its implications for coalition theory.Read moreRead less
Healing the Achilles Heel: the Politics of China's Banking Reform since 1997. China's rapid economic growth and gradual integration with the international system, in particular the increasingly strong economic links between Australia and China, means Australia now has a big stake in China's financial and economic stability, especially under the current global financial crisis. By examining the path and process of China's banking and regulatory reform, this project will significantly enhance our ....Healing the Achilles Heel: the Politics of China's Banking Reform since 1997. China's rapid economic growth and gradual integration with the international system, in particular the increasingly strong economic links between Australia and China, means Australia now has a big stake in China's financial and economic stability, especially under the current global financial crisis. By examining the path and process of China's banking and regulatory reform, this project will significantly enhance our capacity to interpret macroeconomic and financial development in China, to support our commitment to states in the Asia Pacific region that are dealing with economic reforms and transition, and more importantly, to exert influence on the desired direction of change in China through engagement with the Chinese polity.Read moreRead less
Changing East Asia's Economic and Political Regimes: What Kind of Markets? What Kind of Polities? The East Asian financial crisis in 1997 highlighted economic and political problems in the strategically pivotal region. In the wake of the crisis there was an expectation that East Asian governments and businesses would be forced to adopt 'western' political practices and economic structures. This project will demonstrate why these expectations have not been realised, and how markets and political ....Changing East Asia's Economic and Political Regimes: What Kind of Markets? What Kind of Polities? The East Asian financial crisis in 1997 highlighted economic and political problems in the strategically pivotal region. In the wake of the crisis there was an expectation that East Asian governments and businesses would be forced to adopt 'western' political practices and economic structures. This project will demonstrate why these expectations have not been realised, and how markets and political authority continue to be shaped by contingent domestic imperatives. Our explanation of the divergent outcomes will force a fundamental re-thinking of existing theoretical and policy paradigms, potentially influencing Australian policy towards the region.Read moreRead less
Reconceiving Australian federalism: fundamental values, comparative models and constitutional interpretation. Through systematic comparison with other federal systems, this project identifies the range of fundamental principles and values that could underlie the Australian system of government, explores their application to the interpretation of the Australian Constitution and scrutinises proposed reforms to the Australian system on the basis of that analysis.
The inhibition of muscle disuse atrophy in burrowing frogs. Prolonged muscle disuse, as a consequence of limb immobilisation, extended bed-rest or space travel, can lead to pathological changes resulting in muscle wasting. By examining a unique Australian frog that burrows underground and remains immobile for 9-12 months, and which shows no muscle wasting, we will significantly advance our understanding of the physiological mechanisms that inhibit muscle atrophy.
Benefits of conducting this r ....The inhibition of muscle disuse atrophy in burrowing frogs. Prolonged muscle disuse, as a consequence of limb immobilisation, extended bed-rest or space travel, can lead to pathological changes resulting in muscle wasting. By examining a unique Australian frog that burrows underground and remains immobile for 9-12 months, and which shows no muscle wasting, we will significantly advance our understanding of the physiological mechanisms that inhibit muscle atrophy.
Benefits of conducting this research will include:
- understanding the role of antioxidants and endogenous opioids in reducing muscle wasting
- training of postgraduate students
- stimulating collaboration between The University of Queensland and CSIRO Livestock Industries.Read moreRead less
Improving the growth rate and flesh quality of cultured Barramundi: Investigating the effects of temperature, diet, and population. Barramundi fillet is one of the premier seafoods available in Australia and the decline of wild fisheries has increased the demand for the cultured product. Accordingly, there has been a rapid growth of the barramundi farming industry, but competition from cheaper overseas imports has cut the sale price and profit margins of local growers. By developing methods to i ....Improving the growth rate and flesh quality of cultured Barramundi: Investigating the effects of temperature, diet, and population. Barramundi fillet is one of the premier seafoods available in Australia and the decline of wild fisheries has increased the demand for the cultured product. Accordingly, there has been a rapid growth of the barramundi farming industry, but competition from cheaper overseas imports has cut the sale price and profit margins of local growers. By developing methods to increase growth rates, this research has the potential to substantially increase profit margins by reducing production costs and increasing turnover. Improvement of flesh quality will also increase the attractiveness of barramundi fillet. Increasing the viability of barramundi culture in Australia will attract more growers and increase employment opportunities.Read moreRead less
Agents of Disinformation: The Rise of Counterfeit Election Observers. This project investigates the rise of “counterfeit” election observers as agents of disinformation. Using four case studies and four qualitative methods, it identifies how autocratic regimes entice partisan individuals to imitate genuine international observers. The expected project outcome is an explanation for the origins, features and impact of counterfeit election observers that is practically applicable to our foreign aff ....Agents of Disinformation: The Rise of Counterfeit Election Observers. This project investigates the rise of “counterfeit” election observers as agents of disinformation. Using four case studies and four qualitative methods, it identifies how autocratic regimes entice partisan individuals to imitate genuine international observers. The expected project outcome is an explanation for the origins, features and impact of counterfeit election observers that is practically applicable to our foreign affairs and national intelligence communities as well as genuine observation organisations. The knowledge gained from this project will not only help defend Australia from malign disinformation, but advance its interest in the promotion of good governance and stronger democratic institutions everywhere.Read moreRead less
The evolution of energy metabolism in ectotherms. Metabolic rate is the rate at which organisms take up, transform, and expend energy and materials. The primary outcome of this initiative is a comprehensive understanding of the effect of climate on the metabolic rate of ectothermic vertebrates, including goannas, fish and toads. Our research will encompass aquatic and terrestrial environments; temperate and tropical habitats; and include both iconic native species and alien invasive ones. We se ....The evolution of energy metabolism in ectotherms. Metabolic rate is the rate at which organisms take up, transform, and expend energy and materials. The primary outcome of this initiative is a comprehensive understanding of the effect of climate on the metabolic rate of ectothermic vertebrates, including goannas, fish and toads. Our research will encompass aquatic and terrestrial environments; temperate and tropical habitats; and include both iconic native species and alien invasive ones. We seek to understand not only how and why species in these environments vary in their metabolic rate, but also the consequences of this variation. Such knowledge will be important in understanding how climate change does and will affect animals and in predicting its consequences.Read moreRead less