Task-Dependent Differences in Learning by Subordinate and Dominant Wild Arabian Babblers
By: Keynan, Oded; Ridley, Amanda R.; Lotem, Arnon ETHOLOGY Volume: 122 Issue: 5 Pages: 399-410 Published: MAY 2016 | Find with Google Scholar »
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Dear all,
Welcome to Kirsten Bilgmann who has joined the department on a 2 year contract. Many of you will remember Kirsten as she was a PhD student in Rob Harcourt’s lab some years ago. Her research interests are using genomic tools to understand marine mammal biology. She will be teaching BIOL115 with Jen Hallinan. Please say hello and make her welcome!
Thanks to all those who came along to this week’s department meeting – it was useful to have a heads up from Michael Hitchens about the new assessment policy which is in force for S2, plus a host of other news and info. I sent around some documents from Michael on Tuesday so all unit convenors should read those and we will have some workshops through the L&T committee soon. The slides are here.
Happy Mother’s Day to all. Be spoiled or spoil someone!
Michelle
Save the Date
This coming week 9th – 13th May
Tue 10th; Supervisor training module: Assessing and ranking prospective domestic and international PhD students; 1:00 – 2:00pm; E8A-280 (tea room).
Wed 11th; Morning Tea with HoD; 10:30 – 11:00am; E8A-280 (tea room).
Wed 11th; Early Career Researcher (ECR) Informal Lunchtime Meet Up; Noon – 12:45am; E8 Courtyard.
Wed 11th; Departmental Seminar: Professor Russ Babcock (CSIRO Oceans and Atmosphere – Brisbane); 1:00 – 2:00pm; E8A-280 (tea room).
Thu 12th; Web Transformation Project update briefing; 2:00 – 3:00pm; E7B-T2 Lecture Theatre. [this is about the next stage of the MQ webpage renewal ie staff and student portals, so go along and find out the plans and have your say]
The following week 16th – 20th May
Mon 16th; Edwards Group Morning Tea; 10:30 – 11:30am; E8A-280 (tea room).
Mon 16th; Eurovision Postmortem; 12:30 – 1:30pm; E8A-280 (tea room).
Wed 18th; Morning Tea with HoD; 10:30 – 11:00am (W19)
Wed 18th; Departmental Seminar: Dr Sarah Hamylton (School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Wollongong); 1:00 – 2:00pm; E8A-280 (tea room).
Thu 19th; HDR Completion Seminar; 3:00 – 3:30pm; E8A-280 (tea room).
Coming up
Wed 15th – Fri 17th June; 2016 Annual HDR Conference; 9am onwards each day; Location E8A labs.
July 31st; applications for PhD scholarships due
Aug 20th; Open Day
General News and Announcements
Congratulations all round
ARC Linkage congratulations to Nathan Hart and to Ian Jonsen & Rob Harcourt for applications through MQ and to Grant Hose for an application with colleagues at the University of Wollongong – well done!
Promotion congratulations to Daniel Falster who is now a Level C academic – well deserved!
Eurovision ahoy!!!
I am v. excited to officially open the 2016 Eurovision season. There will be sweepstakes, blogs, disbelieve and of course the Eurovision finale wrap up! Here is what you need to do:
1) check the blog and familiarise yourself with this year’s entries: https://thescienceofeurovision.wordpress.com/
2) purchase sweep stakes tickets from the HOD front office
4) watch the semi & finals May 13-15 on SBS
3) come along to the Eurovision post-mortem on Monday 16th at 12:30 (sorry, am teaching a prac in the morning) for some delicious nibbles and the announcement of all winners!
adjö
Mariella
Web Transformation Project update briefing
When: Thursday, 12 May 2016 2:00 PM-3:00 PM.
Where: E7B T2 Theatre
All staff are welcome to this presentation.
However invitations and emails to all Macquarie staff are not permitted, so please share this invitation to your colleagues who may be interested in attending this update.
The project and presentation materials are available on the web project blog in the updates section. http://www.mq.edu.au/blogs/web-transformation/
This Week’s Departmental Seminar
Date/Time/Location: Wed 11th, 1:00 – 2:00pm; E8A-280 (tea room).
Speaker: Prof Russ Babcock, CSIRO Oceans and Atmosphere – Brisbane
Title and Abstract Pending.
Early career researcher (ECR) informal lunchtime meet up **this Wednesday, May 11**!
Biol. Sci. faculty and postdoc ECRs will be having our very informal, 4 x per year, lunchtime meet up just before Dept. Seminar this week. Everyone is welcome! BYO lunch. Details are below.
Who: all postdoc and faculty ECRs (ECR status is by self-nomination!)
Frequency: 4 x per year
Dates for the rest of the year: 2nd Wednesday of the first month of each half-term, i.e….
— May 11
— Aug. 10
— Oct. 12
Time: Noon-12:45 (just before Dept. Seminar)
Location: Biological Sciences Courtyard in between buildings E8A/B/C (whoever gets there first, please try to snag one of the picnic tables!)
See you there!
Plant of the Week – Chrysanthemum – The Traditional Mother’s Day Flower
PLOS Early Career Travel Award Program is Back!
Presenting research findings and participating in the scientific dialogue are important experiences in the career development of researchers. To support their growth as effective communicators, PLOS is once again pleased to announce its Early Career Travel Award Program. New this year are multiple award cycles.
ARE YOU ELIGIBLE?
If you are…
- Presenting at a conference taking place between July 1, 2016 – March 31, 2017
- An author on an article published in any PLOS journal by the application date, AND
- Currently part of a graduate program or have received a graduate degree within the last five years as of the application deadline
…apply to be considered for the PLOS Early Career Travel Award Program.
APPLICATION DEADLINE: MAY 31, 2016
More information is available at plos.org/ecr-travel-awards. Watch this space for announcements on future Award cycles.
23-26 JUNE 2016 EXPEDITION / COURSE IN SHARK BIOLOGY IN AUSTRALIA
If you are interested in learning more about sharks, and are available during the dates listed in the title, please have a look at the attached poster.
Sub-seafloor life: Call for applications for IODP Expedition 370
We are now accepting ANZIC applications from our member institutions for scientific participation in the IODP Expedition 370 “Temperature Limit of the Deep Biosphere off Muroto” (T-Limit). The drilling vessel Chikyu will explore the limits of subseafloor life and the biosphere in the proto-thrust zone of the Nankai accretionary prism off Japan. Expedition 370 is planned to be from 10th September to 10th November in 2016, including 3 days of port call, and accompanied by shore-based activities at Kochi Core Center (KCC). This expedition is based on IODP Proposal 865, “Constraining the temperature limit of the microbial deep biosphere in the Nankai Trough subseafloor”. More details are shown in the attachments.
The shipboard team will include the following specialties: microbiologists, organic and inorganic geochemists/biogeochemists, physical properties specialists, sedimentologists, structural geologists, paleontologists, paleomagnetists, petrologists and hydrogeologists. A shore-based team will gather at KCC from around 27th September to November 24 for additional, but essential, microbiological and (bio-)geochemical sub-sampling and analyses to achieve major scientific goals of the project. Applicants to join the science party of Expedition 370 are encouraged to read the summary prospectus (http://www.jamstec.go.jp/chikyu/e/exp370/index.html). A total of ~30 scientists (including graduate students) will be assigned to shipboard and shore-based teams based on their research plans and skills. Applicants are encouraged to document any preferences between shipboard and shore-based teams according to their scientific purposes.
Expedition 370 aims (1) to study the factors that control biomass, activity and diversity of microbial communities in a subseafloor environment where temperatures increase from ~30°C to ~130°C and which thus likely encompasses the biotic-abiotic transition zone, and (2) to determine geochemical, geophysical and hydrogeological characteristics in sediments and the underlying basaltic basement and elucidate if the supply of fluids containing thermogenic and/or geogenic nutrient and energy substrates may support subseafloor microbial communities in the Nankai accretionary complex. To achieve these scientific objectives, the expedition will retrieve sediment and basalt core samples from a site near ODP Site 1174 (Leg 190 in 2000), located in the landward proto-thrust zone of the Nankai Trough accretionary prism down to ~1.2 km below seafloor (water depth: 4730 m). Because of the high heat flow, temperatures of ~103-106°C are expected at the décollement zone (870-900 m below seafloor [mbsf]) and ~133°C at the sediment-basement interface (1210 mbsf).
For ANZIC scientists all travel costs should be covered. In addition the ANZIC IODP Office may provide up to $A40,000 for post-cruise activities (mainly analytical costs) for Australian and New Zealand university and research institution scientists and post-graduate students, if funding cannot be obtained in any other way. Applications for such funding can only be made after expeditions are completed and samples are in hand.
The deadline for scientists to submit applications to ANZIC is Friday, 10 June, 2016. This is an excellent opportunity for scientists, doctoral students or post docs to collaborate with an international team of scientists, either aboard or on land. Assuming we have suitable applicants, we expect to have one member of the science party, but a larger team potentially could be assembled about that person. The ANZIC Science Committee will review the applications and we will submit our list of suitable applicants to Japan by 8 July. The selected applicant should hear from Japan in August.
Australians should visit www.iodp.org.au<http://www.iodp.org.au> for a link to the application form, a completed version of which should be sent to Neville Exon (Neville.Exon@anu.edu.au<mailto:Neville.Exon@anu.edu.au>) and Rob McKay (robert.mckay@vuw.ac.nz<mailto:robert.mckay@vuw.ac.nz>). New Zealanders should contact Giuseppe Cortese (NZODP@gns.cri.nz<mailto:NZODP@gns.cri.nz>)
Volunteers Available
The department has a list of people who have offered to volunteer in various areas of research to gain experience. If you’d like to take a young scientist under your wing, please contact <ray.duell@mq.edu.au> for a copy of the list (too many personal details to directly link here).
RESOURCE TRIAL: Informit EduTV on trial until May 30th
Informit EduTV is an online TV streaming resource for Australian tertiary institutions providing content across a range of learning areas including Business, Economics, Health, History, Indigenous studies, Legal studies, Media studies, Performing arts, Politics, Government, Religious studies, Science, Technology, Society, Culture, Visual arts and design. As well as significant documentaries, it also includes several programs broadcast on Pay TV channels such as The History Channel, National Geographic, NITV, BBC Knowledge and Discovery. Contents are accessible via computer, tablet or smartphone.
The trial runs from Monday 2nd May until Monday 30th May and is available both on and off campus.
You are encouraged to provide the library with feedback in regards to the content and performance of the platform. Feedback can be sent to either Fiona Jones <fiona.jones@mq.edu.au> or to my colleagues Jo Hardy and Carmi Cronje.
This is a small example of the Informit “how-to” guides that should give you an idea of how it works:
Informit EduTV Curatorial Statement
Informit EduTV ‘how to’ guide
Request to Borrow a Thermal Camera
Fleur Ponton needs access to a Thermal Camera, If anyone can help, please contact her <fleur.ponton@mq.edu.au>.
Old Phone Books Wanted!
If anyone has any old yellowpages phone books lying around in the home or office and would like to donate them for science, please contact me at <samiya.tabassum@mq.edu.au>. The pages make great pot liners.
MRes student employment enquiry (Caroline Candebat)
Motivated and reliable student looking for a job at University.
“I graduated 2014 at the University of Hamburg with a Bachelor of Science in “Biology”, specializing on the physiology and ecology of fish larvae. Afterwards I started my Master of Science degree in 2014 at the University of Hamburg in “Marine Ecosystem and Fisheries Science”, but currently I am enrolled as an exchange student at Macquarie University. I am interested in animal physiology, marine ecology, sustainable management, aquaculture, fisheries science. I gained experience during my employment at the German “Nature and Biodiversity Conservation Union” and as a research assistant at the University of Hamburg. The occupations included the data collection in the field, in terms of counting’s on birds at the German Wadden Sea, educational work in schools, cultivation of algae (Rhodomonas baltica) and copepods (Acartia tonsa), rearing of fish (Clupea harengus), video editing for activity measurements with MATLAB, animal and nature reserve monitoring as well as sampling fish fauna with a research vessel. During my time at Macquarie University, I had the opportunity to attend to several workshops in relation to tutoring. I am always eager to extend my knowledge and would be glad to help out! Please don’t hesitate to contact me, if there are further questions. E-mail <caroline.candebat@students.mq.edu.au> or phone 0472 542 016.”
Technical Position available @ Monash University
We have an opening for a Geography/Environmental Earth Science Technical Officer here at Monash University. Please spread the word to anyone who might be interested in applying. The closing date for applications is Tuesday, 31 May, 2016.
Monash website http://www.jobs-monash.jxt.net.au/professional-jobs/technical-officer/640322
Earthworks – Geography http://www.earthworks-jobs.com/geoscience/monash16051.html
Science Communicator (Environment Officer Class 10) Position available in the Sydney CBD with the NSW Government
http://iworkfor.nsw.gov.au/job/science-communicator-29715
Biotechnologist seeking employment (Noman Bakhshi)
I am looking for a job opportunity at the university. It can be from full-time, part-time, to casual. My CV is available from <ray.duell@mq.edu.au> on request, to give you an understanding of my previous background. I would appreciate it if all science supervisors would possibly consider me for a job position.
Friends of Ryde Hunters Hill Flora and Fauna Preservation Society
Our next planned event will be a morning with the birds around the Field of Mars Visitor Centre 9am-11am on Saturday 7 May 2016.
Cathy Goswell of the Cumberland Bird Observers’ Club and active member of our Society will be sharing her expertise and knowledge of our local birds. Morning tea will be available afterwards at the visitor centre.
For planning purposes, please let us know in advance if you are coming; RSVP by return email <rhhffps@gmail.com> or phone / SMS Phillip 0417439456.
Housemate Wanted
Looking for a new housemate. We have a big house overlooking “the spit” in Seaforth. Large Backyard with a veggie patch and a small doggy. House is two floors, with a kitchen and bathroom on each and a shared lounge and balcony upstairs. Top floor has 2 bedrooms. Bottom floor (where the bedroom is) has three bedrooms. One of two rooms available: Large room $200p/w including bills, small room $150 p/w including bills. Has some furniture but no bed. We have a cellar and a shed and another room for storage.
Contact Monique Ladds <monique.ladds@students.mq.edu.au> for more information or to express interest.
New Publications
A new fouling Hydroides (Annelida, Sabellida, Serpulidae) from southern Gulf of California
| Find with Google Scholar »A tropical cleaner wrasse finds new clients at the frontier
By: Luiz, Osmar J., Elizabeth MP Madin, Joshua S. Madin, Andrew H. Baird, and Alexandra S. Grutter. Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment 14, no. 2 (2016): 110-111. | Find with Google Scholar »Applying landscape genetics to the microbial world.
By: Dudaniec, Rachael Y. and Tesson, Sylvie V. (2016) Accepted Online. doi:10.1111/mec.13691 | Find with Google Scholar »Two oyster species that show differential susceptibility to virus infection also show differential proteomic responses to generic dsRNA.
| Find with Google Scholar »Integrating social network analysis and fine-scale positioning to characterize the associations of a benthic shark
By: Armansin, N. C., K. A. Lee, C. Huveneers, and R. G. Harcourt. Animal Behaviour 115 (2016): 245-258. | Find with Google Scholar »In the Media
Vincent Raoult spoke with ABC Radio National about research into predatory sharks.
Vincent Raoult from the Department of Biological Sciences spoke with ABC Radio National about research into predatory sharks. He discussed a WA Department of Fisheries report looking at years of research into the movements and behaviours of sharks.
Rob Harcourt and Nicolette Armansin’s research was covered in the Macquarie Newsroom & Australian Geographic
New research suggests that the spotted wobbegong shark aggregates in ‘social’ groups, as opposed to previous assumptions that shark groupings were chance occurrences influenced by available food, mates or other environmental factors. Read more. Also featured in Australian Geographic.