AusBiz – August-September 2023

86. A DOGGONE DISCOVERY

Dog or dingo? New research suggests that dingoes have far less dog ancestry than previously thought, changing how we view the species and conservation efforts.

A DISCOVERY OF DRAGONS

In South Australia, four new species of sand dragon lizards have been discovered.

Dr Daniel Edwards, the curator of terrestrial vertebrates at The Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory, is responsible for finding and identifying these animals.

The lizards, which belong to the Ctenophorus family, have all been given Indigenous names: they are the tjakalpa, kartiwarrui, ibiri and the tuniluki lizards. Tjakalpa is the Indigenous name for the Great Victorian Desert, where that lizard was first identified. Kartiwarrui means red-backed lizard in the Dieri language, and is located in the Strzelecki Desert. Ibiri is a Bangarla term meaning ‘small lizard’, and tuniluki means ‘sand lizard’ in the Ngarrindejeri language.

The search for these newly identified species began back in 2008, when Daniel and Mark Hutchinson from the South Australian Museum began wondering if more sand dragon species may exist in the wild.

At the beginning of their studies, only

Positive prevention

Scientists are calling for an end to unnecessary vitamin D testing in children. According to research from Macquarie University, blood tests for vitamin D deficiency have become 30 times more common over the last 15 years. However, this hasn’t led to an increase in detection. The university is instead suggesting that children take supplements to ensure essential nutrients are being delivered to their body, rather than continuing with these invasive and costly tests.

Vitamin D deficiency is a serious condition, putting children at risk of nutritional rickets and fatal diseases within the first 12 months of their life. To prevent this, the current global measure recommends children receive vitamin D supplements over their first year of life. However, the use of these supplements rapidly declines after the first year.

In a study carried out by Macquarie University, 46,960 children had their blood tested for the level of vitamin D. Researchers found that while rates of testing have become 30 times greater since 2003, the chance of detecting deficiency has remained roughly the same. As such, the experts are pushing for prevention over testing, arguing that by encouraging the continued use of vitamin D supplements for children, rates of vitamin D deficiency will decrease, while also reducing the cost and resources associated with testing for this illness.

three species were known to exist. Now, they have found a total of 11 species, including the four previously completely unknown to science. Interestingly, each of the lizard species can be identified due to differences in colour and markings. They also differ based on their environment. Daniel is excited about the scientific and environmental insights these lizards can offer about the Australian ecosystem.

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AI: THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE BUBBLE

What's more likely: 1. AI stocks keep climbing, 2. interest rates stay high or 3. a deep recession? Steen Jakobsen, Chief Economist and CIO of Saxo takes a deep dive into the economy and predictions for the next quarter.

words: Steen Jakobsen

“Recessions are periods when the economy goes on a diet,” said Paul Samuelson, an American economist. In normal economic cycles, central banks raise interest rates in response to high inflation, a tight labour market and easy financial conditions –essentially, the reality we see all around us. The central banks tightening of policy is meant to cool the economy and prevent an overheating that worsens the eventual recession. However, since the 2008 financial crisis, central banks have been reluctant to trigger a recession and have become very nervous about tightening policy and taking interest rates into truly activity-dampening territory.

The market believes that the Federal Reserve has done enough with its 500 basis points of hikes, but the reality is that in most economic cycles, the Fed Funds rate needs to at least match the nominal GDP growth rate in order to slow down economic activity enough to take the pressure off both inflation and a tight labour market. As of Q1 data, US GDP was growing at a nominal rate of 720 basis points year-on-year, suggesting that Fed policy is not tight, but neutral at best.

It seems that the dual mandate of price stability and full employment has been replaced with a number one priority of no recession ever, or in Samuelson’s metaphor quoted at the head of this article, “no diet!”

THE DAM WILL BREAK

After the COVID-19 pandemic, many people believe that the economy is returning to a normal path. They believe that low interest rates will continue to support growth and that a “soft landing” is possible. However, this view is naive. The economy is currently loaded with excess debt and asset valuations are at all-time highs. A “soft landing” is very unlikely in this environment and, as an economic concept, is extremely rare!

The global economy is currently more like a river that has been dammed up. The dam represents the various factors that have been

holding back economic growth, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, supply chain disruptions and the war in Ukraine.

As these factors start to dissipate, the dam will begin to break and the river will flow more freely. This will lead to an extension and resurgence of economic growth and inflation, contrary to the prevailing consensus of an imminent recession together with a credit crunch and housing crisis. The freeing of obstacles will allow the overall economy to steer clear of a deep recession and possibly a minor recession, even in real GDP terms.

This means that the Fed and the

economy will have a run rate in nominal GDP terms that is higher than expected. There is ample pent-up demand at state levels, company levels, and from the IRA (the Inflation Reduction Act) and the CHIPS and Science Act to keep employment firm.

THE AI BUBBLE

An insufficiently restrictive policy backdrop has set up a potential bubble in the stock market. The valuation this year has been driven by three impulses: the Silicon Valley Bank and regional bank mini-crisis, the trouble lifting the debt ceiling, and the super-valuation of the sub-set of mega caps and large cap stocks most associated with the introduction of generative AI applications (OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Google’s Bard).

The first two created a liquidity injection of more than $1 billion. The third became the driver of superexponential prices for the most

directly AI-linked names. The hype surrounding AI is the chief driver of the latest stock market surge, with talks of this being a new iPhone moment or even akin to the introduction of the internet. This is not a knock on AI, as we are keenly aware of the potential for generative AI to increase productivity over time. But the market is getting ahead of itself in selecting winners, and current valuations are already discounting too much of the longer-term future gains to be had.

The surface of this economic sea may be calm, with volatility at extremely low levels. However, beneath the waterline, there are strong currents and counter-currents, which, to our minds, set up a difficult second half of 2023.

We don’t have the ability to time and project where the markets are going, but we do have the ability to recognise when a bubble is forming and where data doesn’t support the narrative. This bubble, and all bubbles, are accelerating when the fundamentals don’t support the narrative.

The good news is that a deep recession is unlikely to happen. The bad news is that interest rates will need to stay high for longer. We simply don’t think the “audio matches the video” looking at complacent market expectations versus the likely path from here.

Extract from Saxo Australia’s Quarterly Outlook. For more, visit home.saxo/en-au.

“The hype surrounding AI is the chief driver of the latest stock market surge, with talks of this being a new iPhone moment or even akin to the introduction of the internet.”

SOWING THE SEEDS OF INNOVATION

Two new agricultural innovations are set to shake up Australia's growing industry, improving efficiency and production.

words: Matilda Meikle

NOT JUST ANOTHER BERRY

A new initiative hopes to breed strawberries for automated picking. Run by Hort Innovation, the program aims to develop strawberry varieties that can be harvested by robots, and integrate them into the national market. If successful, these plants could improve the efficiency of growth and production, enhancing the strawberry market for farmers and consumers alike.

In 2021/22, Australia’s strawberry industry had an estimated value of $417 million. The industry supplies around 11,000 jobs, with growth occurring most commonly in Queensland.

In fact, the country has an Australian Strawberry Breeding Program, which was developed by the Queensland Department of

Agriculture to test new varieties of strawberries created through natural breeding. Each year, experts sample all new varieties of strawberries to identify the best tasting and yielding crops for the upcoming season. This ensures farmers are growing varieties best suited to the Australian climate, and consumers are offered the best tasting fruit.

THE POWER OF TECHNOLOGY

Over the last three years, the size of Australia’s horticulture workforce has decreased by around 20 per cent. This has led to 40 per cent of growers turning to machinery to support their business.

According to Hort Innovation chief executive Brett Fifield, this highlights a need to move with the times and integrate technology into everyday farming practices.

THIS PAGE: NEW STRAWBERRY VARIETIES AND KIKUYU GRASS ARE TWO INNOVATIONS SET TO IMPROVE THE AG INDUSTRY.

“The development of a sweet, rich red and aromatic strawberry that is ideal for automation will prove a game changer for growers who want to apply new technologies on-farm,” he says.

“While harvesting strawberries using automation is not common practice yet in Australia, it will be before we know it.”

The focus of Hort Innovation’s program will be on growing strawberries with unbranched flower stems. Without these stems, the fruit can be picked faster and easier. Scientists also want to breed strawberries that are a consistent size, an aesthetic preferred by consumers.

FRUITS OF LABOUR

The program received $11.5 million from the federal and Queensland governments, and will take place over four years. Run by Hort Innovation and the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries Queensland, the primary focus is on developing technological capacity within the industry.

Already, conversations have begun with tech companies and scientists to better understand how technology could play a role in the harvesting process. Tech has the capacity to

reduce the time needed for picking, packing and shipping strawberries, resulting in increased financial outcomes for farmers. It will also increase the efficiency of their production.

Mark Furner, Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries Queensland, says: “Queensland remains on the cutting edge of ag-tech, which will be vital to the future of agriculture and the thousands of good jobs it supports in our state.

“I commend the great work of Hort Innovation and my department and look forward to seeing the fruits of this investment benefitting the industry for years to come.”

With technology becoming an increasing part of mainstream farming, the research into its

implications for strawberry picking has the opportunity to significantly improve this sector. It remains to be seen what the program will uncover, but experts are hopeful that the strawberry industry will thrive as a result.

GREAT GREEN GRASS

Experts have successfully bred disease-resistant grass, and it’s set to result in major opportunities for commercial exports. What started as an accidental opportunity has led to the development of disease-resistant Kikuyu grass. This new seed has major benefits for dairy farmers across the country, as well as providing new trade opportunities for Aussies.

Kikuyu grass first came to Australia all the way from the Belgian Congo in 1919. Today, it is mostly used in

LEFT TO RIGHT: HORT INNOVATION IS GROWING STRAWBERRIES WITH UNBRANCHED FLOWER STEMS; FLOWERING KIKUYU GRASS. IMAGE: FOREST AND KIM STARR.

“The development of a sweet, rich red and aromatic strawberry that is ideal for automation will prove a game changer for growers who want to apply new technologies on-farm.”

agricultural regions in NSW and south-east Queensland. It has become popular as an inexpensive and relatively drought resistant crop, which grows and repairs itself quickly.

Kikuyu grass is commonly used as cattle feed on dairy farms.

However, it also had several initial setbacks. It was known to become diseased regularly, and was also sensitive to common herbicides. Plus, if black spots grew on its leaves, cattle would refuse to eat it.

BREAKING NEW GROUND

In 2014, retired agricultural research scientist Dr Bill Fulkerson was offered thousands of Kikuyu seeds that were heading straight for the dumpster. Realising a possible opportunity, he took the seeds and began a decadelong research program that sought to replace typical commercial grasses with a variant that could withstand harsh conditions and diseases.

Bill created a type of Kikuyu which was resistant to disease and black

spots on its leaves, working out of his own backyard. This project was recently purchased by Nick Eykamp, a commercial seed producer, who obtained exclusive marketing rights to this plant variety. He could see the great potential of the plant, including the possibility for export and trade opportunities.

“Everyone’s been planting the same variety for 30 years and something that has disease resistance is a benefit for everyone,” he says.

To ensure the seed was marketready, many dairy farmers offered to plant seeds in their paddocks to test whether lab results would withstand real-world conditions. So far, they’ve discovered that this new Kikuyu variety has a yield increase of 24 per cent, while also being resistant to disease.

IMPACT ON HOME SOIL

As well as opening up several opportunities in the international market, the plant has repercussions on home soil as well.

Almost all dairy farmers along the east coast of Queensland plant Kikuyu grass to feed their cattle. Therefore, this new strain of plant could have major benefits for the industry, removing fears of disease and fungus as well as increasing the reliability of the crop.

This means farmers can confidently invest in Kikuyu grass, without concerns over whether their cattle will eat the crop, or if it will be overrun by fungus. It is also a more economically viable solution.

With many farmers still recovering from recent floods, which eroded pastures and destroyed crops, the search for reliable and consistent seeds has only increased. This is just another way the new Kikuyu grass can support Aussie farmers.

There’s no telling what would have happened if Bill hadn’t rescued those Kikuyu seeds years ago. Thanks to his quick thinking and research, many doors have been opened for Australian farmers, and others around the world.

THIS PAGE: KIKUYU GRASS HAS MAJOR BENEFITS FOR THE AG INDUSTRY, INCLUDING REMOVING FEARS OF DISEASE AND FUNGUS, AND INCREASING THE RELIABILITY OF THE CROP.

THIS PAGE: AERIAL VIEW OF SILVER PEAK LITHIUM MINE, NEVADA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA. IMAGE: SIMONKR.

THE FUTURE OF LITHIUM PRODUCTION

Words: Matilda Meikle

ElectraLith, a start-up from Monash University, has created an extraction system that takes lithium from brine in a clean and environmentally conscious way. This means the essential metal could be extracted from salt lakes, mine tailings and other similar brine solutions while remaining affordable for businesses.

WHAT IS LITHIUM?

Lithium is a metal used in batteries and renewable energy storage. It is most commonly found in batteries for mobile phones, laptops, cameras and electric vehicles.

Lithium resources occur in two categories: lithium minerals from the mineral spodumene, and salts from lithium-rich brines in salt lakes. Canada, China and Australia have significant resources of lithium minerals, while lithium brine is produced predominantly in Chile, Argentina, China and the US.

According to recent studies, the demand for lithium is set to increase by up to 800 per cent before 2050 due to an increased call for renewable energy alternatives. This is equivalent to around one million additional tonnes of lithium every year, meaning the development of new extraction methods has never been more important.

WHAT IS ELECTRALITH?

ElectraLith’s project was led by Professor Huanting Wang, Director of the ARC Research Hub for Energy-efficient Separation at Monash University’s Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering.

According to Huanting, “current lithium extraction methods involve either roasting hard rock at high temperature and dissolving it with hot sulphuric acid, or evaporating brines in a solar pond, both of which use chemicals to precipitate lithium out. It is time consuming,

An Australian start-up has discovered a way to produce greener, cheaper lithium.

disruptive, expensive and wasteful. My research in nanostructure membranes is all about efficiency and ingenuity to make the most of this limited mineral resource.”

The project uses electro-filtration membrane technology to extract the mineral from brine. It draws on sources of renewable electricity, such as solar panels, to produce greater amounts of lithium without large amounts of wastage.

This low-impact, high-efficiency method reduces production costs by 40 per cent, making ElectraLith competitive in the global market and acting as an incentive for businesses to adopt this environmentally conscious method.

Already, this start-up is making waves both nationally and

internationally. ElectraLith was chosen by Aussie tech incubator Cicada Innovations to share its project at Cicada x Tech23 in July, one of the country’s top deep tech conferences. This demonstrates the potential of the project to help reduce emissions while increasing renewable energy production.

WHAT ’ S NEXT?

ElectraLith is hoping that its new technology will transform the battery market, offering a more environmentally friendly processing option. However, while it is sparking plenty of interest, there is still work to be done before it reaches its full potential.

According to Dr Zhouyou Wang, who was awarded an Australian

Research Council Early Career

Industry Fellowship thanks to her role in the project, “even though seawater is a brine, the concentration of lithium is too low for cost effective extraction, but we are already thinking about designing the next generation of membranes to improve lithium extraction, so maybe in the future we can extract lithium from new sources.”

There is more work and research to be done before this sustainable start-up can be integrated into all aspects of the industry, but it is certainly sparking hope that green, environmentally conscious energy practices are becoming more accessible than ever.

CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: THE ELCTRALITH TEAM. IMAGE: ELECTRALITH; LITHIUM IS MOST COMMONLY FOUND IN BATTERIES FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLES AND MOBILE PHONES.

“The concentration of lithium is too low for cost effective extraction, but we are already thinking about designing the next generation of membranes to improve lithium extraction, so maybe in the future we can extract lithium from new sources.”

HOW THE PANDEMIC IMPACTED FIRST HOME BUYERS

The dream of owning a home has become increasingly elusive for first home buyers, and experts point to Australian government intervention during the COVID-19 pandemic as a significant factor.

Words: LJ Charleston

A recent study on first home buyers (FHBs) highlights the potential consequences of economic measures implemented to stimulate recovery during the pandemic.

The research has been published in the journal Buildings – and it’s significant because it’s one of the few qualitative studies examining the impact of financial stimuli on FHB entry amidst the unprecedented circumstances of the pandemic.

THE STUDY

To gather insights, researchers conducted a survey involving 61 FHBs in NSW. The respondents shared their experiences of navigating the housing market during a period marked by significant COVID-19 economic policies, including interest rate cuts, superannuation withdrawals, mortgage payment pauses and income supplementary programs.

The findings are alarming, with approximately 71 per cent of respondents indicating that their purchasing price range had escalated throughout the pandemic. Moreover, 83 per cent of FHBs expressed that the process had become more arduous and complicated, presenting substantial barriers to home ownership.

The study highlights a potential link between government intervention and the inflationary impact on property prices. While these economic responses aimed to stimulate recovery and alleviate financial strain, the consequence is a more arduous road for aspiring homeowners.

As FHBs continue to grapple with the obstacles in home ownership, it’s crucial for stakeholders such as the government and industry players to collaborate and implement targeted measures that support this vital segment of the housing market.

According to Associate Professor Chyi Lin Lee, discipline director of construction management and property at UNSW and co-author of the study, the economic policies that were aimed at promoting home ownership – such as the first home loan deposit schemes – might have harmed people by heating the market.

“The pandemic saw extraordinary economic responses from the government to stabilise the economy and businesses, but they arguably had

unintended consequences for FHBs that put them in a more disadvantageous position than before the pandemic.”

LOCKED OUT OF THE MARKET

Home ownership in Australia has been on the decline for decades. Chyi says one of the main barriers to entry for FHBs is a widening deposit gap, which increased significantly with rising house prices during the pandemic.

“Capital city property prices increased by nearly 20 per cent, raising the time and money needed to make a down payment. As income-to-house-price ratio continued to expand during the pandemic, FHBs reported taking longer to save up a deposit,” Chyi says.

“Meanwhile, investors, particularly those already in the market who benefited from soaring house prices, can refinance for another purchase and are seen to outbid FHBs easily.”

The survey participants

highlighted market inequality as the primary hurdle, with 48 per cent identifying investors and the advantages enjoyed by existing homeowners due to favourable tax policies regarding holding or selling property.

During the pandemic's peak in mid-2021, there was a notable increase in investor activity in the market, accompanied by a decline in the number of FHBs.

“Not only do policies of discount capital gains tax and negative gearing encourage investor activity and further pressure house prices, but monetary policy, such as record low-interest rates during the pandemic, may be considered further stimulus to encourage investing,” Chyi says.

STILL JUST A DREAM

FHBs acknowledged an escalating dependence on financial assistance from their parents, assuming higher levels of economic vulnerability and opting to move to regional areas to enter the housing market.

PREVIOUS PAGE: FIRST HOME BUYERS ARE BEING LOCKED OUT OF THE HOUSING MARKET.

Only 27 per cent of survey participants contemplated paying a 20 per cent deposit, whereas 21 per cent received a monetary gift to aid their deposit, and approximately 12 per cent obtained a guarantee. Additionally, a significant 77 per cent stated that acquiring any property held greater significance than finding their dream home.

“Even before the pandemic, many FHBs were finding it difficult to get into the market, with many predicting the situation will likely get worse,” Chyisays.

“This is driving a fear of missing out, resulting in many taking on higher levels of debt, rushing into purchases without completing thorough due diligence, relocating for affordability reasons or reducing their expectations for their first property.

“Policymakers should consider expanding support for FHBs beyond demand-side subsidies and invest more resources into supply-side interventions, primarily introducing more housing into the market.”

Sydney has reached a point where gaining entry without substantial aid has become exceedingly difficult. It already holds the title of the least affordable city in Australia for housing and ranks second-least affordable globally, according to the latest Demographia International Housing Affordability survey. Meanwhile, Melbourne ranks fifth-worst due to high demand brought on by low interest rates and dangerous borrowing levels.

All Australian mainland state capitals are among the 20 most expensive for housing globally, with Adelaide 14th, Brisbane 17th and Perth 20th.

THIS PAGE: SYDNEY RANKS AS THE LEAST AFFORDABLE CITY IN AUSTRALIA, AND THE SECOND-LEAST AFFORDABLE CITY GLOBALLY.

“Capital city property prices increased by nearly 20 per cent, raising the time and money needed to make a down payment.”

A BYTE TO EAT

As technology continues to evolve and permeate every aspect of our lives, it’s no surprise that the hospitality industry is also being transformed by robotics and Artificial Intelligence.

Words: LJ Charleston

From robot bartenders to smart rooms that adjust to guests’ preferences, technology is revolutionising the way we experience hotels, resorts and restaurants.

As the hospitality industry is a key contributor to the economy, many businesses are embracing AI to provide customers with a personalised and efficient experience. Let’s take a look at how tech is changing the hospitality industry and what it means for businesses and customers alike.

STREAMLINING OPERATIONS

Robotic process automation (RPA) is one of the most significant advancements in the hospitality industry. RPA is a technology that automates repetitive and timeconsuming tasks, allowing staff to focus on more important responsibilities.

Hotels and restaurants use RPA to streamline operations, such as front desk check-ins, cleaning and restocking. This technology helps businesses to save time, reduce labour costs and improve efficiency.

IMPROVED CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE

The hospitality industry is all about providing excellent customer service. Technology and robotics are helping businesses to achieve this goal in a more efficient and effective manner. This includes the introduction of chatbots: computer programs that simulate conversation with human users. Chatbots can be used for a variety of tasks, such as making

reservations, answering FAQs and even ordering food. It’s all about enhancing the customer experience. They also provide instant responses and 24/7 availability.

PERSONALISED RECOMMENDATIONS

With the rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI), hotels and restaurants can now provide personalised recommendations to their guests. AI algorithms can analyse customer data, such as past bookings, food preferences and reviews, to suggest services and products.

A hotel can recommend local attractions based on a guest’s interests, or a restaurant can suggest dishes based on a diner’s dietary requirements.

ENHANCING SAFETY AND HYGIENE

Robotics and technology have played a critical role in enhancing safety and hygiene measures in hotels and restaurants. Robots can be used for cleaning and disinfecting rooms and public areas. They can also be used for contactless delivery of food and beverages, reducing the risk of contamination. Technology such as sensors and cameras can also monitor compliance with safety protocols, such as social distancing when required.

EFFICIENT INVENTORY MANAGEMENT

Robotics and technology are making inventory management more efficient, accurate and cost-effective. “Smart shelves” can monitor stock levels and

THIS PAGE: A HOSPITALITY ROBOT AT WORK. IMAGE: ISTOCK/ KINWUN.

“Robotics and technology have played a critical role in enhancing safety and hygiene measures in hotels and restaurants.”

automatically reorder products when they run low. This technology eliminates the need for manual inventory checks and reduces the risk of overstocking or understocking.

AI-powered systems can analyse sales data and suggest the optimal amount of inventory to keep on hand, reducing waste and increasing profitability.

AUTOMATION OF FOOD PREPARATION

Robots can be a great help when it comes to food prep: such as chopping vegetables, mixing ingredients and even cooking food. This technology helps to reduce labour costs, increase

efficiency and maintain consistency in quality.

Restaurants such as Dodee Paidang in Melbourne use robots known as Bellabot to help with staffing issues. The Bellabot is able to carry many more plates than a waiter, and navigates itself around the tables using lasers to prevent it from bumping into furniture… and people!

SMART ROOM TECHNOLOGY

Hotels are increasingly incorporating smart room technology into their rooms, enhancing the guest experience. Smart room technology allows guests to control various

THIS PAGE: A HOTEL SERVICE ROBOT. IMAGE: ISTOCK/CHESKY_W; FACIAL RECOGNITION TECHNOLOGY. IMAGE: ISTOCK/ZEPHYR18.

aspects of their room, such as lighting, temperature and entertainment, using a smartphone or tablet. This technology also allows hotels to monitor and adjust room conditions remotely, improving energy efficiency and reducing costs.

FACIAL RECOGNITION FOR CHECK-IN

Facial recognition is also being used in some hotels and resorts to streamline the check-in process. Guests can simply scan their face to check in, eliminating the need for traditional check-in procedures, such as presenting identification and credit cards.

This improves the guest experience, and also increases security measures by reducing the risk of fraud.

Binu Matthews, CEO of hospitality solutions provider IDS Next, stated in a recent opinion piece: “Leveraging data and analytics can revolutionise the effectiveness of digital marketing and help personalise the guest experiences for hotels to improve the overall ROI.”

ROBOTIC BARTENDERS

Robotic bartenders are becoming increasingly popular in the hospitality industry. The machines can mix and pour drinks with precision and speed, without the need for human intervention. Robotic bartenders typically have a touchscreen interface that allows customers to select their preferred drinks and customise them to their liking.

But as fascinating as these AI developments are, there are still several things AI cannot do: it certainly isn’t able to develop new theories based on original insight or indulge in any kind of critical thinking. But, perhaps most importantly, AI cannot empathise with people – a trait that is critical when it comes to customer service.

DINGO DNA DISCOVERY

DNA testing has revealed that wild dingoes have less dog lineage than previously believed.

Words: Matilda Meikle

Scientists from UNSW discovered that wild dingoes have significantly less dog ancestry than expected, contradicting the widely held belief that pure dingo populations were disappearing due to crossbreeding. This discovery has implications for conservation efforts around the country and could change the way we view these native animals as a whole.

DINGOES IN THE SPOTLIGHT

Dingoes are golden or gingercoloured canids native to Australia. They mostly hunt small game such as rabbits, rodents and birds, however they also eat fruit and plants. Dingoes inhabit a wide range of habitats, but are found most often in woodlands and grassy areas.

While they are genetically distinct from domestic dogs, crossbreeding can occur. This threatens pure species as they become more susceptible to genetic dilution, and possible extinction. The term ‘wild dog’ is commonly used to refer to dingoes, due to the long-held belief that most modern animals contain dog DNA.

DNA DETECTION

Scientists previously believed that pure dingoes were less common due to crossbreeding. However, the recent research published in Molecular Ecology challenges this view, suggesting the prevalence of dogdingo mixes has been overstated. According to UNSW conservation biologist and lead author of the study

Dr Kylie Cairns, “for decades, there was fear that dingoes were breeding themselves into extinction. But our findings suggest this isn’t the case, and dingoes are largely maintaining their identity, which has implications for their management and conservation.”

The study involved analysing the DNA of 391 dingoes across different regions in Australia. Researchers were then able to perform ancestry modelling and analysis, which revealed that dingoes had much lower levels of dog lineage than was previously assumed.

“The old method, which relied on a relatively small number of genetic

markers and limited reference population, overestimates the amount of dog ancestry in dingo samples – sometimes by over 30 per cent,” says Kylie.

“But with the new text, we can look at 195,000 points across the genome compared with just 23 previously. It’s a huge step up in reliability and accuracy.”

HYBRID HYPOTHESIS

Over the course of the study, scientists were able to completely revise their understanding of dingoes.

In Victoria alone, it was found that 87.1 per cent of dingoes tested as pure, contrasting the previously held

“We now have a more advanced approach using higher-density genomic data that can be applied to dingoes to assess populations more accurately and inform management strategies with bestavailable evidence.”

THIS PAGE: DINGOES ARE FOUND IN VARIOUS HABITATS IN EVERY STATE AND TERRITORY IN AUSTRALIA, EXCEPT TASMANIA.

belief that only 4 per cent of the population was pure.

Interestingly, no animal tested as a 50 per cent hybrid, meaning no dingoes were a direct offspring of a dog and dingo. For dingoes that weren’t pure, crossbreeding occurred four or five generations in the past.

“While there has been some hybridisation in the past, it’s not occurring at a rapid pace today,” says Kylie.

The team was also startled to discover four distinct regional variations in dingoes across Australia.

CALLS FOR CONSERVATION

This new discovery has several implications when it comes to conservation and management of dingo populations. According to Professor Mike Letnic, UNSW conservation biologist and senior author of the study, existing management decisions have been based on the findings from old DNA testing technology with limited resources.

“We now have a more advanced approach using higher-density genomic data that can be applied to dingoes to assess populations more accurately and inform management strategies with bestavailable evidence.”

Currently dingoes are classified as ‘wild dogs,’ due to assumptions about their hybridisation. This means they are classed as an invasive species and subject to eradication methods, even in national parks where native species are protected. This is dangerous, because without the presence of dingoes, habitats can become overrun by foxes and feral cats that hunt native animals and damage local flora.

“It’s convenient to paint all dingoes as wild dogs. But the term obscures the reality that many pure dingoes and dingo-dominant backcrosses are being killed,” Kylie says.

“In fact, no other native species is treated in quite the same way as the dingo, which is subject to lethal control measures across all landscapes, including ones where they should be protected.”

Researchers are hoping that this new discovery will lead to stronger conservation efforts for dingo populations. By separating them from feral dogs in conservation legislation, efforts to maintain their population levels and save this vital native species can be increased.

Greater education and awareness is another key step for the team, who believe that by better understanding these animals, they can be protected against extinction.

THIS PAGE: ON K'GARI (FRASER ISLAND), QLD, DINGOES ARE OF SIGNIFICANT CONSERVATION VALUE, AS THERE IS LIMITED CROSSBREEDING.

“It’s convenient to paint all dingoes as wild dogs. But the term obscures the reality that many pure dingoes and dingo-dominant backcrosses are being killed.”

HUNGRY HUNGRY CATERPILLARS

Caterpillars could be the key to reducing Australia’s plastic waste, according to a recent study from Macquarie University.

The research, undertaken as part of a collaboration between Macquarie University researchers and enviro-tech startup Samsara Eco, has made significant progress towards developing recycling practices for highly damaging single-use plastics. And the results are astounding.

AUSTRALIA’S PLASTIC PLIGHT

Each year, Australians are responsible for consuming 1 million tonnes of single-use plastic. Around 130,000 tonnes of this plastic ends up in the ocean and other marine environments, resulting in higher levels of carbon emissions and threatening the life of local marine animals. Australia recycles only 18 per cent of its plastic packaging, with the rest ending up in landfill or as litter in our natural environment.

In fact, unless serious action is

Words: Matilda Meikle

taken, experts believe that the amount of plastic in our oceans will outweigh the number of fish by 2050. This statistic has propelled many scientists into action in order to find sustainable solutions for plastic waste. For a team from Macquarie University, the results are already sparking hope.

ANALYTICS AND ANSWERS

The new research is thanks to a collaboration between Microbiologist and ARC Future Fellow Associate Professor Amy Cain, as well as partners such as Samsara Eco.

Amy was granted around $675,000 as part of the Australian Research Council’s Linkage Projects scheme to fund her work on polyurethane (PU) recycling.

According to Amy, “PU is ubiquitous in our lives, from lacquer coatings and elastane clothing to durable foam padding in car seats, cushions and mattresses. There are currently few avenues for recycling and much ends up in landfill.”

In fact, the only method for recycling PU currently involves re-using the material in other products like benches. However, this is only achievable once, as the process erodes the integrity of the plastic and limits its capabilities.

Some forms of PU aren’t recyclable at all. Polyurethane foam is used in mattresses, car seats and more. However, there is currently no process to recycle this material. As mattresses can hold up to 20 kilograms of foam, this can result in large amounts of waste ending up in landfill.

CLEVER CATERPILLARS

In an exciting discovery, Amy and her partners found that there are some

insects that can naturally support the biodegradation of PU.

Using molecular discovery, microbe bioprospecting and synthetic biology, the scientists found that insects have developed the capacity to break down plastics and other synthetics over a long process of evolution. In Macquarie University’s Applied Biosciences laboratories lives the only fully-functional facility for Galleria caterpillars, one such insect that is capable of breaking down single-use plastic.

“Galleria caterpillars attack beehives in Europe and eat the wax which has a similar chemical structure to polyurethane,” Amy explains.

“We are figuring out how they do what they do, picking out the relevant enzymes then creating platforms – in this case synthetic microbes – that eat the plastic more efficiently than the original.”

The team is currently working to better understand this process of plastic biodegradation, and how it can be utilised to sustainably recycle PU. If it is possible to turn PU into other plastics or biofuels, it may result in continued life for this otherwise harmful product.

“This process, which translates nature’s solutions into flexible and efficient synthetic enzyme technologies, will allow plastics to be infinitely recycled,” Amy adds.

The team believes that waste products such as carbon dioxide and water can serve as feedstock for other processes and products, giving them a renewed purpose and limiting the damage to the environment.

These caterpillars can break down more than just traditional single-use plastics. When they were fed polyurethane foam, they were able to eat through roughly 95 per cent in less than three days.

According to Amy, “The caterpillars’ appetite for plastics is so great that they will even eat right through plastic cages and have to be kept under lock and key in glass and metal enclosures.

“Once we fully understand how they are doing this, we will take out the active component and create a safe, synthetic microbe that can be scaled up to become industrially relevant.”

It’s an exciting prospect, and one which many experts believe will lead to more permanent recycling solutions.

OPPOSITE: THE GALLERIA CATERPILLAR. IMAGE: WAYNE BOO/USGS BEE INVENTORY AND MONITORING LAB; 130,000 TONNES OF OUR PLASTIC WASTE ENDS UP IN MARINE ENVIRONMENTS.

RIGHT: GALLERIA CATERPILLARS EAT THE WAX IN BEEHIVES, WHICH HAS A SIMILAR CHEMICAL STRUCTURE TO POLYURETHANE. IMAGE: ROSENDO SERRANO VALERA.

THE LINK BETWEEN ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE AND YOUR RETINA

Aided by a retina map developed by Macquarie University researchers, a major international study has identified protein markers in the eye that mirror changes in the brain, offering hope for early detection of Alzheimer’s disease.

Words: Fran Molloy

Changes in the eye could signal Alzheimer’s disease, according to new research showing that physical changes in cells of the retina can occur at the same time as brain changes found in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease.

A major international study into shared molecular markers and pathways by brain and eye in Alzheimer’s disease, has used the world’s first ‘proteome map’ of both eyes and brains concurrently affected by Alzheimer’s disease developed by Macquarie University researchers.

“Researchers have recognised in recent years that there could be changes in the retina quite early in the disease process, but trying to identify these in the eyes of live patients has proved tricky,” says Professor Stuart Graham, head of Ophthalmology and Visual Science at Macquarie University.

Stuart says that research at Macquarie is investigating how two proteins, called betaamyloid and tau, which are known to build up in the brain of Alzheimer’s patients, can also be found in cellular tissue of the eye, often long before symptoms are apparent. This research could potentially contribute to the future development of an imaging technique with the potential to detect Alzheimer’s disease with a non-invasive eye test.

“The accumulation of beta-amyloid and tau in the central nervous system might be a key initiating factor in the development of Alzheimer’s disease,” says Associate Professor Vivek Gupta, a visual neurobiologist who leads Macquarie’s Vision Neurodegeneration research group. He says while the specific cause of Alzheimer’s disease remains unclear, “recent studies by our group and others have reported similar pathological processes and alterations in the retina.”

INTERNATIONAL STUDY

Together with proteomics expert Associate Professor Mehdi Mirzaei from Macquarie University’s Vision Science team, Stuart and Vivek have contributed to an important new international study that analysed donor brain and retina tissue from 86 people.

The group developed a holistic proteome map of human retinas, and of the brain of people who had Alzheimer’s disease, showing

protein changes at the molecular, cellular and structural levels of both eye and brain, and associated cell death and inflammation.

Donors included people with normal brain function, some with mild cognitive impairment, and others who were diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, as well as 39 people who had donated both retina and brain tissue, so researchers could directly compare protein levels in each.

The research spanned seven years and involved scientists from 18 different institutions in Australia, Italy and the US, headed by neuroscientist Maya Koronyo-Hamaoui, from Cedars Sinai Medical Center in California.

DISEASE BIOMARKERS

The international study found thatpeople who had Alzheimer’s disease showed nine times the amount of beta-amyloid protein in their retina compared to people who didn’t show any signs of cognitive impairment during their lifetime.

This protein is a specific marker of Alzheimer’s disease, and the study also found that these markers occurred at around five times the rate in people who had not been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease during their lifetime, but had shown signs of mild cognitive impairment.

The researchers were also able to track patterns in the location of these markers within the retina, with higher levels found in the tissues of the retina’s inner layer.

“We don’t have a device in the clinic to identify these changes in a living eye yet; but if we can label these proteins, then develop an imaging device that can spot change at the

“The accumulation of beta-amyloid and tau in the central nervous system might be a key initiating factor in the development of Alzheimer’s disease.”

LEFT TO RIGHT: DR VIVEK GUPTA, DR MEHDI MIRZAEI AND DR STUART GRAHAM.

earliest stages, we may have a way to clinically diagnose diseases such as Alzheimer’s,” says Stuart.

COMMON PATHWAYS

Stuart says that a range of degenerative diseases (including Alzheimer’s) share common cell deterioration pathways, and identifying patterns in the types and locations of abnormal proteins in retinal cells may also help diagnose such diseases as glaucoma.

“We can readily diagnose advanced glaucoma now by imaging the back of the eye, but we also know there are changes occurring at the molecular or cellular level, long before we can see those structural changes when nerve fibres start to drop out,” he says.

The sooner a diagnosis is made in degenerative disease, the sooner treatments can be targeted at stopping the damage at an early stage.

Key to our ability to identify the progress of different degenerative diseases through changes in the eye is likely to be via understanding the ‘proteomics,’ or the protein make-up, of cells in the retina.

PROTEIN BARS

The development of a proteome map involved a detailed analysis of brain and eye tissue at molecular level, and drew on Macquarie University’s deep proteomics expertise.

“Proteomics is the study of the entire set of proteins present in a particular tissue or biological sample level,” explains Mehdi.

He says that quantitative proteomics has become a powerful tool in understanding, diagnosing and treating disease. It can help find markers to identify and predict diseases and mark disease progression. It can reveal potential new medicine targets, be used to create personalised treatments and even show the effectiveness of disease treatments.

“We’ve been applying these techniques in vision neuroscience for the past few years, in collaboration with Stuart Graham’s group, and with a range of other internal and external partners,” he says.

“Initially we focused on identifying the molecular mechanisms that were apparent in glaucoma, which paved the way for our ground-breaking

research into deciphering the shared molecular markers and pathways in Alzheimer’s disease.”

Mehdi says their work was meticulously compared against other crucial Alzheimer’s brain datasets available online, and also unearthed a remarkable similarity between human tissues and animal models of the disease.

“This underscores the immense potential of further studies on the proteome of the eye and brain in various animal models of Alzheimer’s disease, bringing us closer to developing future treatments,” he says.

Professor Stuart Graham is Head of Ophthalmology and Visual Science at Macquarie University. Dr Mehdi Mirzaei is an Honorary Associate Professor at the Macquarie Medical School. Dr Vivek Gupta is an Associate Professor at the Macquarie Medical School.

THIS PAGE: THIS RESEARCH COULD CONTRIBUTE TO A FUTURE IMAGING TECHNIQUE THAT DETECTS ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE WITH A NONINVASIVE EYE TEST.

Ghost catsharks live just above the seabed in deep ocean water, mostly sticking to depths of around 2,000 to 6,000 feet. They grow to around 85 centimetres in length and lay their eggs in coral colonies far beneath the ocean’s surface.

There is little known about these unique creatures, mostly due to their deep-sea habitat. However, a ghost catshark egg collected by scientists around 40 years ago – which has remained in an Australian museum every since – has provided greater insight into this mysterious animal.

Recently, this egg sparked newfound interest when scientists noticed it was unlike any other shark egg they had seen, with strange ridges across the surface. While the egg was previously attributed to a

THE GHOST IN AUSTRALIAN WATERS

A new species of ghost catshark has been discovered by Australian scientists after an unusual egg, housed in an Australian museum for decades, sparked questions by experts.

Words: Matilda Meikle

species of freckled catsharks, further research suggested the egg belonged to an entirely new category of catshark. This resulted in an egg hunt through museum archives, eventually leading experts to conclude that the egg came from an entirely unidentified species. This new species of has been named Apristurus ovicorrugatus due to its corrugated eggs. Already, there are several theories as to the need for this rough egg surface. Many suggest that the ridges provide the eggs with additional strength and protection to defend against predators. Sea snails often drill holes into shark eggs for food, however this becomes significantly more difficult if the shell is covered in hard spikes.

Similarly, deep-sea trawling and mining pose a major threat to these animals, as they lay their eggs in coral ecosystems which are commonly trawled. Again, the shell surface may act as a last defence against these dangerous machines, which pose a major risk to the survival of all ghost catshark species.

The new discovery has prompted further research into the habits and habitats of these unique creatures. It opens up questions about their evolution, and also provides scientists with insight into the greatest risks facing these sharks. Armed with more information, they will be able to make better decisions when it comes to conservation and expand their knowledge on this new species.

CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: Egg casing on coral; An adult ghost catshark; Embronic egg casing. Images: William White/CSIRO.

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