Showing papers by "Cooperative Research Centre published in 2014"
TL;DR: The remediation of heavy metal(loid) contaminated soils through manipulating their bioavailability using a range of soil amendments will be presented.
1,507 citations
TL;DR: The 1000 bull genomes project supports the goal of accelerating the rates of genetic gain in domestic cattle while at the same time considering animal health and welfare by providing the annotated sequence variants and genotypes of key ancestor bulls.
Abstract: The 1000 bull genomes project supports the goal of accelerating the rates of genetic gain in domestic cattle while at the same time considering animal health and welfare by providing the annotated sequence variants and genotypes of key ancestor bulls. In the first phase of the 1000 bull genomes project, we sequenced the whole genomes of 234 cattle to an average of 8.3-fold coverage. This sequencing includes data for 129 individuals from the global Holstein-Friesian population, 43 individuals from the Fleckvieh breed and 15 individuals from the Jersey breed. We identified a total of 28.3 million variants, with an average of 1.44 heterozygous sites per kilobase for each individual. We demonstrate the use of this database in identifying a recessive mutation underlying embryonic death and a dominant mutation underlying lethal chrondrodysplasia. We also performed genome-wide association studies for milk production and curly coat, using imputed sequence variants, and identified variants associated with these traits in cattle.
690 citations
Cooperative Research Centre1, Australian Antarctic Division2, Stanford University3, University of La Rochelle4, British Antarctic Survey5, University of Tasmania6, CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research7, University of Otago8, University of Hamburg9, University of California, Santa Cruz10, Lamont–Doherty Earth Observatory11, National Institute of Polar Research12, Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research13, Old Dominion University14, University of Paris15, Hobart Corporation16, Virginia Institute of Marine Science17, University of Coimbra18
TL;DR: Current and expected changes in ASO physical habitats in response to climate change are reviewed, including how these changes may impact the autecology of marine biota: microbes, zooplankton, salps, Antarctic krill, fish, cephalopods, marine mammals, seabirds, and benthos.
Abstract: Antarctic and Southern Ocean (ASO) marine ecosystems have been changing for at least the last 30 years, including in response to increasing ocean temperatures and changes in the extent and seasonality of sea ice; the magnitude and direction of these changes differ between regions around Antarctica that could see populations of the same species changing differently in different regions. This article reviews current and expected changes in ASO physical habitats in response to climate change. It then reviews how these changes may impact the autecology of marine biota of this polar region: microbes, zooplankton, salps, Antarctic krill, fish, cephalopods, marine mammals, seabirds, and benthos. The general prognosis for ASO marine habitats is for an overall warming and freshening, strengthening of westerly winds, with a potential pole-ward movement of those winds and the frontal systems, and an increase in ocean eddy activity. Many habitat parameters will have regionally specific changes, particularly relating to sea ice characteristics and seasonal dynamics. Lower trophic levels are expected to move south as the ocean conditions in which they are currently found move pole-ward. For Antarctic krill and finfish, the latitudinal breadth of their range will depend on their tolerance of warming oceans and changes to productivity. Ocean acidification is a concern not only for calcifying organisms but also for crustaceans such as Antarctic krill; it is also likely to be the most important change in benthic habitats over the coming century. For marine mammals and birds, the expected changes primarily relate to their flexibility in moving to alternative locations for food and the energetic cost of longer or more complex foraging trips for those that are bound to breeding colonies. Few species are sufficiently well studied to make comprehensive species-specific vulnerability assessments possible. Priorities for future work are discussed.
425 citations
TL;DR: Iron nanoparticles were firstly synthesized through a one-step room-temperature biosynthetic route using eucalyptus leaf extracts using EL-Fe NPs and it was indicated that some polyphenols are bound to the surfaces of EL- Fe NPs as a capping/stabilizing agent.
374 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors used green tea (GT-Fe) and eucalyptus leaves (EL-Fe extracts, which regarded as cleaner productions can be used for the efficient removal of nitrate.
362 citations
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TL;DR: In this article, the authors investigate factors influencing country-level renewable energy growth by applying FEVD and PCSE estimation methods in a unique sample analysis and find that government-backed energy policies impede renewable energy investments, thus implying significant failures in policy design.
Abstract: We investigate factors influencing country-level renewable energy growth by applying FEVD and PCSE estimation methods in a unique sample analysis. With a longer time series (1990-2010) and a broader sample size of countries (including Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) than previous studies, our results reveal new insights. The results suggest that certain government-backed energy policies impede renewable energy investments, thus implying significant failures in policy design. These policies may be failing mainly because of uncertainty and the likelihood of discontinuity. Weak voluntary approaches are introduced in order to satisfy public demand for more sustainable investments and programmes; we find that these may have negative influences on the growth of renewables as well. The insight gained is consistent over the estimation methods employed.
278 citations
TL;DR: The effects of choice of variables, climate models and emissions scenarios can have on future species distribution models using two endangered species: one a short-lived invertebrate species (Ptunarra Brown Butterfly) and the other a long-lived paleo-endemic tree species (King Billy Pine).
Abstract: Choice of variables, climate models and emissions scenarios all influence the results of species distribution models under future climatic conditions. However, an overview of applied studies suggests that the uncertainty associated with these factors is not always appropriately incorporated or even considered. We examine the effects of choice of variables, climate models and emissions scenarios can have on future species distribution models using two endangered species: one a short-lived invertebrate species (Ptunarra Brown Butterfly), and the other a long-lived paleo-endemic tree species (King Billy Pine). We show the range in projected distributions that result from different variable selection, climate models and emissions scenarios. The extent to which results are affected by these choices depends on the characteristics of the species modelled, but they all have the potential to substantially alter conclusions about the impacts of climate change. We discuss implications for conservation planning and management, and provide recommendations to conservation practitioners on variable selection and accommodating uncertainty when using future climate projections in species distribution models.
257 citations
Oeschger Centre for Climate Change Research1, University of Zurich2, University of Melbourne3, Cooperative Research Centre4, Australian Antarctic Division5, Complutense University of Madrid6, Lamont–Doherty Earth Observatory7, National University of La Plata8, National Scientific and Technical Research Council9, University of Bern10, University of Washington11, University of Western Australia12, Australian Institute of Marine Science13
TL;DR: In this article, a new millennial ensemble reconstruction of annually resolved temperature variations for the Southern Hemisphere based on an unprecedented network of terrestrial and oceanic palaeoclimate proxy records is presented.
Abstract: The Earth’s climate system is driven by a complex interplay of internal chaotic dynamics and natural and anthropogenic external forcing. Recent instrumental data have shown a remarkable degree of asynchronicity between Northern Hemisphere and Southern Hemisphere temperature fluctuations, thereby questioning the relative importance of internal versus external drivers of past as well as future climate variability1, 2, 3. However, large-scale temperature reconstructions for the past millennium have focused on the Northern Hemisphere4, 5, limiting empirical assessments of inter-hemispheric variability on multi-decadal to centennial timescales. Here, we introduce a new millennial ensemble reconstruction of annually resolved temperature variations for the Southern Hemisphere based on an unprecedented network of terrestrial and oceanic palaeoclimate proxy records. In conjunction with an independent Northern Hemisphere temperature reconstruction ensemble5, this record reveals an extended cold period (1594–1677) in both hemispheres but no globally coherent warm phase during the pre-industrial (1000–1850) era. The current (post-1974) warm phase is the only period of the past millennium where both hemispheres are likely to have experienced contemporaneous warm extremes. Our analysis of inter-hemispheric temperature variability in an ensemble of climate model simulations for the past millennium suggests that models tend to overemphasize Northern Hemisphere–Southern Hemisphere synchronicity by underestimating the role of internal ocean–atmosphere dynamics, particularly in the ocean-dominated Southern Hemisphere. Our results imply that climate system predictability on decadal to century timescales may be lower than expected based on assessments of external climate forcing and Northern Hemisphere temperature variations5, 6 alone.
236 citations
TL;DR: This paper employed the PerilAUS database of natural hazard event impacts in combination with official sources in an attempt to provide a lower bound estimate of heat-associated deaths in Australia since European settlement.
231 citations
TL;DR: Kinetics for the degradation of MG using these Fe NPs fitted well to the pseudo first-order reaction kinetics model with more than 20 kJ/mol activation energy, suggesting a chemically diffusion-controlled reaction.
230 citations
TL;DR: The importance of addressing non-audiological factors in order to assist older adults achieve success with hearing aids is highlighted, with participants who had greater support from significant others and more difficulties with hearing and communication in everyday life before getting hearing aids more likely to be successful hearing aid owners.
Abstract: Objective: To examine associations between audiological and non-audiological factors and successful hearing aid use in older adults. Design: In a retrospective study, audiological factors, attitudinal beliefs (as derived from the health belief model), client demographics, psychological factors, and age-related factors were evaluated. Study sample: Participants included 160 individuals, 60 years or older, with unilateral or bilateral hearing impairment (HI), fitted with hearing aids for the first time in the previous two years. Participants were assigned to either an unsuccessful hearing aid owner group (n = 75) or a successful hearing aid owner group (n = 85) based on their self-reported hearing aid use and benefit. Results: A multivariate, binomial logistic regression model indicated five factors associated with group membership: participants who had greater support from significant others; more difficulties with hearing and communication in everyday life before getting hearing aids; more positiv...
TL;DR: Nanoscale zero-valent iron (nZVI) was used as the catalyst to remove amoxicillin (AMX) using a heterogeneous Fenton-like system as discussed by the authors.
TL;DR: Iron-based nanoparticles synthesized using oolong tea extracts demonstrated that kinetics fitted well to the pseudo first-order reaction by removing 75.5% of MG, indicating that OT-FeNP has the potential to serve as a green nanomaterial for environmental remediation.
TL;DR: The concentrations of heavy metals were considerably higher in brown rice varieties than white rice varieties, indicating Australian brown rice as a potential source of dietary heavy metals for Australian consumers.
TL;DR: In this paper, an iron-polyphenol nanoparticles (Fe-P NPs) were synthesized using the extracts obtained from Australian native plant leaves, these being Eucalyptus tereticornis, Melaleuca nesophila, and Rosemarinus officinalis.
Abstract: In this paper, iron–polyphenol nanoparticles (Fe–P NPs) were synthesized using the extracts obtained from Australian native plant leaves, these being Eucalyptus tereticornis, Melaleuca nesophila, and Rosemarinus officinalis. The Fe–P NPs synthesized from the extracts were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The results show that the reaction between iron ions and polyphenols can form complex nanoparticles with sizes ranging from 50 to 80 nm, the surface of which presents organic characters. The synthesized nanoparticles were then utilized as a Fenton-like catalyst for decolorization of acid black 194 in solution. The batch experiments showed that 100% of acid black was decolorized, and over 87% total organic carbon (TOC) was removed. In addition, removal of acid black 194 fitted well to the pseudo-first-order model. Compared with the conventional Fenton reaction, the Fento...
Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research1, Monash University2, Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences3, University of Canterbury4, Australian Antarctic Division5, British Antarctic Survey6, Cooperative Research Centre7, University of New South Wales8, Ohio State University9, University of Cambridge10
TL;DR: The continent includes about one-tenth of the planet's land surface, nearly 90% of Earth's ice and about 70% of its fresh water, and is crucial for regulating climate and the uptake of carbon dioxide by sea water.
Abstract: Antarctica. The word conjures up images of mountains draped with glaciers, ferocious seas dotted with icebergs and iconic species found nowhere else. The continent includes about one-tenth of the planet's land surface, nearly 90% of Earth's ice and about 70% of its fresh water. Its encircling ocean supports Patagonian toothfish and krill fisheries, and is crucial for regulating climate and the uptake of carbon dioxide by sea water.
University of East Anglia1, Geophysical Institute, University of Bergen2, Bjerknes Centre for Climate Research3, Joint Institute for the Study of the Atmosphere and Ocean4, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration5, National Institute for Environmental Studies6, Oak Ridge National Laboratory7, University of Exeter8, Polish Academy of Sciences9, CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research10, Cooperative Research Centre11, Cooperative Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Studies12, Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences13, University of Paris14, Centre national de la recherche scientifique15, University of Delaware16, Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory17, Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute18, Chinese Arctic and Antarctic Administration19, State Oceanic Administration20, University of Gothenburg21, National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research22, University of Alaska Fairbanks23, Norwegian Polar Institute24, Oregon State University25, Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research26, University of New Hampshire27, National Fisheries Research & Development Institute28, Plymouth Marine Laboratory29, Leibniz Institute of Marine Sciences30, Federal University of Ceará31, Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology32, Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences33, Korean Ocean Research and Development Institute34, Spanish National Research Council35, Japan Meteorological Agency36, National Institute of Oceanography, India37, Lamont–Doherty Earth Observatory38, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology39, University of Groningen40, University of Connecticut41, Dalhousie University42
TL;DR: The Surface Ocean CO2 Atlas (SOCAT) as mentioned in this paper is an activity of the international marine carbon research community, providing access to synthesis and gridded fCO2 (fugacity of carbon dioxide) products for the surface oceans.
Abstract: The Surface Ocean CO2 Atlas (SOCAT), an activity of the international marine carbon research community, provides access to synthesis and gridded fCO2 (fugacity of carbon dioxide) products for the surface oceans. Version 2 of SOCAT is an update of the previous release (version 1) with more data (increased from 6.3 million to 10.1 million surface water fCO2 values) and extended data coverage (from 1968–2007 to 1968–2011). The quality control criteria, while identical in both versions, have been applied more strictly in version 2 than in version 1. The SOCAT website (http://www.socat.info/) has links to quality control comments, metadata, individual data set files, and synthesis and gridded data products. Interactive online tools allow visitors to explore the richness of the data. Applications of SOCAT include process studies, quantification of the ocean carbon sink and its spatial, seasonal, year-to-year and longerterm variation, as well as initialisation or validation of ocean carbon models and coupled climate-carbon models.
TL;DR: Inbreeding depression can be reduced by minimizing overall inbreeding but maybe also by avoiding the production of offspring that are homozygous for deleterious alleles at specific genomic regions that are associated with inbreeding depression.
Abstract: Background
Inbreeding reduces the fitness of individuals by increasing the frequency of homozygous deleterious recessive alleles. Some insight into the genetic architecture of fitness, and other complex traits, can be gained by using single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) data to identify regions of the genome which lead to reduction in performance when identical by descent (IBD). Here, we compared the effect of genome-wide and location-specific homozygosity on fertility and milk production traits in dairy cattle.
TL;DR: Investigation of strategies for selecting individuals for sequencing, based on either pedigree relationships or haplotype diversity, found the optimum number of individuals to sequence by fold coverage given a maximum total sequencing effort.
Abstract: Genomic prediction from whole-genome sequence data is attractive, as the accuracy of genomic prediction is no longer bounded by extent of linkage disequilibrium between DNA markers and causal mutations affecting the trait, given the causal mutations are in the data set. A cost-effective strategy could be to sequence a small proportion of the population, and impute sequence data to the rest of the reference population. Here, we describe strategies for selecting individuals for sequencing, based on either pedigree relationships or haplotype diversity. Performance of these strategies (number of variants detected and accuracy of imputation) were evaluated in sequence data simulated through a real Belgian Blue cattle pedigree. A strategy (AHAP), which selected a subset of individuals for sequencing that maximized the number of unique haplotypes (from single-nucleotide polymorphism panel data) sequenced gave good performance across a range of variant minor allele frequencies. We then investigated the optimum number of individuals to sequence by fold coverage given a maximum total sequencing effort. At 600 total fold coverage (x 600), the optimum strategy was to sequence 75 individuals at eightfold coverage. Finally, we investigated the accuracy of genomic predictions that could be achieved. The advantage of using imputed sequence data compared with dense SNP array genotypes was highly dependent on the allele frequency spectrum of the causative mutations affecting the trait. When this followed a neutral distribution, the advantage of the imputed sequence data was small; however, when the causal mutations all had low minor allele frequencies, using the sequence data improved the accuracy of genomic prediction by up to 30%.
Jessica Blunden1, Derek S. Arndt1, Kate M. Willett2, A. Johannes Dolman3 +445 more•Institutions (114)
TL;DR: The State of the Climate for 2013 as discussed by the authors is a very low-resolution file and it can be downloaded in a few minutes for a high-resolution version of the report to download.
Abstract: Editors note: For easy download the posted pdf of the State of the Climate for 2013 is a very low-resolution file. A high-resolution copy of the report is available by clicking here. Please be patient as it may take a few minutes for the high-resolution file to download.
Victoria University of Wellington1, Ghent University2, Macquarie University3, University of Canberra4, Stanford University5, Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation6, Geoscience Australia7, National Institute of Polar Research8, Colgate University9, British Antarctic Survey10, University of Otago11, University of Bordeaux12, GNS Science13, University of Cologne14, Cooperative Research Centre15, Pierre-and-Marie-Curie University16
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors review geological evidence from East Antarctica that constrains the ice sheet history throughout this period (∼30,000 years ago to present), including terrestrial cosmogenic nuclide dates from previously glaciated regions, 14C chronologies from glacial and postglacial deposits onshore and on the continental shelf, and ice sheet thickness changes inferred from ice cores and continental-scale ice sheet models.
TL;DR: In this paper, the effects of organic and inorganic foulants on the membrane performance were investigated in direct contact membrane distillation, and an adsorption-desorption foulant migration mechanism was proposed.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors describe the development and analysis of a dataset covering bushfire related life loss in Australia over the past 110 years (1901-2011). Over this time period 260 bushfires have been associated with a total of 825 known civilian and firefighter fatalities.
TL;DR: The authors provide an overview of climate model outputs and issues that need to be considered when applying projections of future climate in ecological studies, and highlight some of the challenges in using model projections in ecology studies and suggest how to effectively address them.
Abstract: Climate projections are essential for studying ecological responses to climate change, and their use is now common in ecology. However, the lack of integration between ecology and climate science has restricted understanding of the available climate data and their appropriate use. We provide an overview of climate model outputs and issues that need to be considered when applying projections of future climate in ecological studies. We outline the strengths and weaknesses of available climate projections, the uncertainty associated with future projections at different spatial and temporal scales, the differences between available downscaling methods (dynamical, statistical downscaling, and simple scaling of global circulation model output), and the implications these have for ecological models. We describe some of the changes in the Fifth Assessment Report (AR5) of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), including the new representative concentration pathways. We highlight some of the challenges in using model projections in ecological studies and suggest how to effectively address them. © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. How to cite this article:
TL;DR: A global database developed to facilitate an analysis of arthropod eradication programs and determine the factors that influence eradication success and failure believes GERDA, as an online database, provides an objective repository of information that will play an invaluable role when future eradication efforts are considered.
Abstract: Despite substantial increases in public awareness and biosecurity systems, introductions of non-native arthropods remain an unwelcomed conse- quence of escalating rates of international trade and travel. Detection of an established but unwanted non- native organism can elicit a range of responses, including implementation of an eradication program. Previous studies have reviewed the concept of erad- ication, but these efforts were largely descriptive and focused on selected case studies. We developed a Global Eradication and Response DAtabase (''GER- DA'') to facilitate an analysis of arthropod eradication programs and determine the factors that influence eradication success and failure. We compiled data from 672 arthropod eradication programs targeting 130 non-native arthropod species implemented in 91 countries between 1890 and 2010. Important compo- nents of successful eradication programs included the size of the infested area, relative detectability of the target species, method of detection, and the primary feeding guild of the target species. The outcome of eradication efforts was not determined by program costs, which were largely driven by the size of the infestation. The availability of taxon-specific control tools appeared to increase the probability of eradica- tion success. We believe GERDA, as an online database, provides an objective repository of infor- mation that will play an invaluable role when future eradication efforts are considered.
TL;DR: Findings highlight the importance of non-audiological factors in hearing rehabilitation to improve consultation for HI and hearing aid adoption.
Abstract: Objective: To examine the influence of audiological and non-audiological factors on help-seeking for hearing impairment (HI) in older adults. Design: A retrospective research design was employed. Participants completed 14 measures, after which two multivariate, multinomial logistic regression models were fitted to the data to determine which factors were associated with consultation for HI and hearing aid uptake. Study sample: Three-hundred-and-seven individuals who were 60 years or older and who presented with a unilateral or bilateral HI participated in the study. Non-hearing aid owners were assigned to a non-consulter group (n = 55) or a consulter group (n = 92); hearing aid owners were assigned to an unsuccessful hearing aid owner group (n = 75) or a successful hearing aid owner group (n = 85). Results: A similar combination of factors was associated with the decisions to consult a health professional about HI and/or to adopt hearing aids. The most important factors related to attitudinal beli...
TL;DR: In this paper, magnetic, gravity, and subglacial topography data from the East Antarctic Ice Sheet (EAIS) were used to map lithospheric domains and their bounding faults.
Abstract: Wilkes Land is a key region for studying the configuration of Gondwana and for appreciating the role of tectonic boundary conditions on East Antarctic Ice Sheet (EAIS) behavior. Despite this importance, it remains one of the largest regions on Earth where we lack a basic knowledge of geology. New magnetic, gravity, and subglacial topography data allow the region's first comprehensive geological interpretation. We map lithospheric domains and their bounding faults, including the suture between Indo-Antarctica and Australo-Antarctica. Furthermore, we image subglacial sedimentary basins, including the Aurora and Knox Subglacial Basins and the previously unknown Sabrina Subglacial Basin. Commonality of structure in magnetic, gravity, and topography data suggest that pre-EAIS tectonic features are a primary control on subglacial topography. The preservation of this relationship after glaciation suggests that these tectonic features provide topographic and basal boundary conditions that have strongly influenced the structure and evolution of the EAIS.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors measured biodiversity value using readily available data and tools in order to identify conservation priority sites in a heavily modified and fragmented production landscape, and assessed trade-offs among biodiversity and other ecosystem services.
TL;DR: The capacity of genomic selection to reduce generation intervals by accurately evaluating traits at an early age makes it an effective tool to deliver more genetic gain from plant breeding in many cases.
Abstract: Genomic selection is now being used at an accelerating pace in many plant species. This review first discusses the factors affecting the accuracy of genomic selection, and then interprets results of existing plant genomic selection studies in light of these factors. Differences between genomic breeding strategies for self-pollinated and open-pollinated species, and between-population level v. within-family design, are highlighted. As expected, more training individuals, higher trait heritability and higher marker density generally lead to better accuracy of genomic breeding values in both self-pollinated and open-pollinated plants. Most published studies to date have artificially limited effective population size by using designs of bi-parental or within-family structure to increase accuracies. The capacity of genomic selection to reduce generation intervals by accurately evaluating traits at an early age makes it an effective tool to deliver more genetic gain from plant breeding in many cases.
TL;DR: Several measures of meat quality appear to have potential for inclusion in meat sheep breeding objectives, with notable exceptions of intramuscular fat and fresh meat redness.