Curtin University

Rare Dust Particle from Ancient Extraterrestrial Meteorite Unveils Insights into Stellar Origins

Retrieved on: 
Monday, April 1, 2024
The Astrophysical Journal, Dust, Isotope, LPI, Universities Space Research Association, Solar System, Research, British Gas, 3D, Noetics, Curtin University

WASHINGTON and HOUSTON, April 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- In a groundbreaking discovery published in the prestigious Astrophysical Journal, scientists have identified a rare dust particle lodged within an ancient extraterrestrial meteorite, shedding new light on the origins of stars beyond our solar system.

Key Points: 
  • WASHINGTON and HOUSTON, April 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- In a groundbreaking discovery published in the prestigious Astrophysical Journal, scientists have identified a rare dust particle lodged within an ancient extraterrestrial meteorite, shedding new light on the origins of stars beyond our solar system.
  • It measures all ions on the periodic table except noble gases, has sub-nm spatial resolution and a detection limit of 10 ppm.
  • The instrument is very new to the field and Dr. Nevill was among the first to use it for planetary sciences.
  • "The results challenge current astrophysical models, indicating processes are occurring in stellar environments we do not yet fully understand."

North American Construction Group Ltd. Announces Appointment to Board of Directors

Retrieved on: 
Friday, March 1, 2024
Natural Resources, Woman, Doctor of Philosophy, Mining, Mineral, TSX, Growth, Santos Limited, NOA, Infrastructure Australia, Chairperson, Curtin University, ASX, Minerals Council of Australia, Policy, Sustainable development, Environment, Management

ACHESON, Alberta, March 01, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- North American Construction Group Ltd. ("NACG" or "the Company") (TSX & NYSE: NOA) announced today the appointment of Dr. Vanessa Guthrie AO to its Board of Directors, effective March 1, 2024.

Key Points: 
  • ACHESON, Alberta, March 01, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- North American Construction Group Ltd. ("NACG" or "the Company") (TSX & NYSE: NOA) announced today the appointment of Dr. Vanessa Guthrie AO to its Board of Directors, effective March 1, 2024.
  • Dr. Guthrie has broad strategic experience in the natural resources sector in Australia, spanning more than 30 years.
  • She has held a diverse array of senior leadership positions across operations, indigenous affairs, corporate development, and sustainability.
  • "We are delighted to welcome such an accomplished executive and board leader to our Board of Directors" commented Martin Ferron, Board Chair.

Climate change is forcing Australians to weigh up relocating. How do they make that difficult decision?

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, February 15, 2024
Disaster, Built environment, Soil, School, Colonization, Heat, Woman, Bird, Weather, Flood, ECU, Fire, Plant, Biodiversity, Nature, Edith Cowan, Government, Humanities, Risk, Hatred, Country, School of Design, Curtin University, Climate change, Climate, Health, Face, City, Disability, Grief, Tree, First Nations, Insurance, Pacific Islander, Aborigine, Housing, Research, Erosion, Environment, Tourism

Big environmental changes mean ever more Australians will confront the tough choice of whether to move home or risk staying put.

Key Points: 
  • Big environmental changes mean ever more Australians will confront the tough choice of whether to move home or risk staying put.
  • Communities in the tropical north are losing residents as these regions become hotter and more humid.
  • Others face rising bushfire risks that force them to weigh up the difficult decision to move home.

We’ve been slow to adapt to increasing impacts

  • It is increasing the frequency and intensity of disasters and extreme weather events such as heatwaves, fires, storms and floods.
  • It is also accelerating environmental changes such as soil erosion, salinisation of waterways, loss of biodiversity, and land and water degradation.
  • Both sudden disruptions and gradual pervasive decline have impacts on the places where we live, work and play.

What factors affect the decision to stay or go?

  • Systemic inequalities mean some people are more at risk from environmental change and have less capacity to respond than others.
  • This makes it more likely to be owned or rented by people with fewer financial resources, compounding their disadvantage.
  • For First Nations peoples and communities, connections to and responsibilities for places (Country) are intimately intertwined with identity.
  • For them, the impacts of climate change, colonisation and resettlement interact, further complicating the question of relocation.

So who stays and who leaves?

  • They nominated bushland, beaches, fauna and flora, and the climate/weather as characteristics they valued and feared changing or losing as climate change progressed.
  • One study participant wrote:
    It would be hotter and much more unpleasant in summer.
  • I would miss being able to cycle or walk to the local lakes to connect to nature and feel peaceful.
  • We also found place attachment was associated with people acting to protect that place, such as protesting environmentally destructive policies.

Proper planning for adaptation is long overdue

  • It causes significant economic and non-economic losses for both individuals and communities.
  • A changing climate and inappropriately built or located housing interact to create conditions where some people can or should no longer stay.
  • We need co-ordinated, well-governed, long-term planning for people to move in the face of environmental change to ensure equitable and positive transitions for individuals and communities.


Justine Dandy received funding for this work from the Centre for People, Place and Planet, Edith Cowan University. Zoe Leviston received funding for this work from the College of Health and Medicine, Australian National University

Olema Oncology Announces Palazestrant Demonstrates Attractive Combinability with CDK4/6 Inhibitors Ribociclib and Palbociclib in Phase 1b/2 Studies

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, December 5, 2023
CBR, Master of Medicine, Hollywood Private Hospital, ESR1, Metabolism, Breast cancer, FDA, Ribociclib, Incidence, SAN, Disclosure, Partial, Mutation, Curtin University, Toxicity, CDK, Webcast, Patient, Safety, Pharmaceutical industry

However, on December 5, 2023, the 2023 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium (SABCS) published the posters ahead of schedule.

Key Points: 
  • However, on December 5, 2023, the 2023 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium (SABCS) published the posters ahead of schedule.
  • “OPERA-01, our Phase 3 monotherapy pivotal trial of palazestrant, has initiated, with multiple trial sites now activated and patient dosing started.
  • Palazestrant did not affect ribociclib drug exposure in patients, and ribociclib had no clinically meaningful effect on palazestrant drug exposure.
  • There was no observed drug-drug interaction between palazestrant and palbociclib, and there was no induced metabolism or increase in exposure of either palbociclib or palazestrant when administered in combination.

SPEE3D Appoints New Chairman to its Board of Directors

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, December 5, 2023
McKinsey & Company, State, Radio, Business administration, Engineering, HPS, University, 3D, Curtin University, Growth, Partnership, Management

Melbourne, Australia, Dec. 05, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- SPEE3D , a leading metal additive manufacturing company, today announced the appointment of Adam Lewis as the Chairman of its Board of Directors.

Key Points: 
  • Melbourne, Australia, Dec. 05, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- SPEE3D , a leading metal additive manufacturing company, today announced the appointment of Adam Lewis as the Chairman of its Board of Directors.
  • “We are delighted to have Adam Lewis lead our Board of Directors,” said Byron Kennedy, CEO of SPEE3D.
  • “I’m honored to be joining SPEE3D as Chairman of the Board,” said Adam Lewis.
  • He currently serves as Chairman of Palette Pty Ltd, Chairman of Southern Innovation, Chairman of Deliciou Pty Ltd, Chairman of HPS Technology, and Board member of SelfWealth Pty Ltd and the State Library of Victoria, bringing a unique combination of leadership, vision, and expertise to the boardroom.

Pender Growth Fund Inc. Appoints New Director to the Board

Retrieved on: 
Monday, November 20, 2023
Taleo, Computer science, Fred Hemmes, New product development, Acquisition, Commerce, University, Knowledge, Software, Minor, Curtin University, PTF, Growth, Organization, Management

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Nov. 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pender Growth Fund Inc. (“PGF”; TSXV: PTF) is pleased to announce the addition of Derek Hemmes to its Board of Directors, with immediate effect.

Key Points: 
  • VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Nov. 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pender Growth Fund Inc. (“PGF”; TSXV: PTF) is pleased to announce the addition of Derek Hemmes to its Board of Directors, with immediate effect.
  • With over two decades of entrepreneurial and management experience, Mr. Hemmes brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the PGF Board.
  • In 2001 he co-founded one45 Software, where he served as CEO until its acquisition by Cytiva Software in 2008.
  • Mr. Hemmes is a valued addition to the PGF Board and his extensive experience and strategic vision will undoubtedly contribute to the continued success and growth of the organization.

2U Convenes Over 350 Academic and Industry Leaders for 2023 edX Global Forum

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, October 4, 2023
Online, Association of American Universities, Workforce, Learning, Partnership, National Advisory Council (India), Global Forum on Agricultural Research and Innovation, University, Education, Autism spectrum, 2U, Mental health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Royal Geographical Society, Innovation, Spectrum, TWOU, Student, Natural history, American Museum, Entomology, Curtin University, Faculty, Knowledge, AI, EdX, AOL, National Geographic Society, Automation, Tutoring, Management, Nursing, Entrepreneurship, Revolution, Teaching

LANHAM, Md., Oct. 4, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- 2U, Inc. (Nasdaq: TWOU), the company behind global online learning platform edX, this week convened more than 350 attendees from over 150 institutions and 17 countries at the 2023 edX Global Forum. The invite-only event celebrated the impact of the more than 4,300 online courses and programs on the edX platform and brought together diverse voices in education, business, and the nonprofit sector to share expertise and insights on how high-quality online education can create a better future for all.

Key Points: 
  • Top voices share insights and expertise to create a better future through online education; Curtin University presented with 2023 edX Prize for Exceptional Contributions in Teaching and Learning
    LANHAM, Md., Oct. 4, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- 2U, Inc. (Nasdaq: TWOU), the company behind global online learning platform edX, this week convened more than 350 attendees from over 150 institutions and 17 countries at the 2023 edX Global Forum.
  • Leaders shared their vision for increasing access and affordability, innovating online education delivery, meeting the needs of today's learners, and training the workforce of the future.
  • "Our partnership is an important tool in our toolkit, and my job is to give our team access to the world's best tools and resources."
  • "The future is in the hands of our students," said Barbara Snyder during a panel discussing the essential mission of the university.

7 years, billions of kilometres, a handful of dust: NASA just brought back the largest-ever asteroid sample

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, September 26, 2023
Mineral, Travel, University, OSIRIS-REx, Johnson Space Center, Life, Atmosphere, Hayabusa2, University of Southern Queensland, Orbit, Asteroid, Moon, Spacecraft, Itokawa, Carbon, Element, JAXA, Apollo, Hayabusa, Planet, NASA, OSIRIS, Risk, Water, Dust, Curtin University, Desert Fireball Network, Meteorite, Sound, Physics, Solar System, Telescope, Palladium, Communications satellite, Computer data storage, Paraffin wax, Mars, System

Inside is likely to be the largest ever sample of dust and rock returned from an asteroid.

Key Points: 
  • Inside is likely to be the largest ever sample of dust and rock returned from an asteroid.
  • Extracted and brought back with great technical ingenuity from an asteroid called Bennu, scientists will now study in search of clues about the origins of the Solar System and life itself.

The origins of the Solar System – and life

    • Most asteroids are the rocky leftovers of failed planets and destructive collisions in the early Solar System, orbiting in a belt between Mars and Jupiter.
    • These primitive bodies – some more than 4.5 billion years old – can also shed light on the origins of life, because they tell us about the distribution of water, minerals and other elements such as carbon.
    • There is also an element of self-interest in studying these asteroids, to understand the risk they may pose if they are heading Earth’s way.
    • There are more than 70,000 meteorites in collections around the world, but we know the origins of less than 0.1% of them.

Bringing pieces of space back to Earth

    • They can bring pieces from a different planet or asteroid back to Earth to study.
    • The first such mission was to the Moon, bringing back lunar samples for analysis.
    • The Hayabusa mission, launched in 2003 by the Japanese space agency, JAXA, returned less than 1 milligram from asteroid Itokawa.
    • We will know for sure once the sample is carefully examined at Johnson Space Centre over the coming days.

The sound of fireballs

    • There are six OSIRIS-REx mission scientists from Curtin (including one of us – Nick Timms), and they will be among those receiving the first wave of samples in the coming weeks.
    • Read more:
      The Hayabusa2 spacecraft is about to drop a chunk of asteroid in the Australian outback

      Fireballs, or really bright shooting stars from large space rocks, are quite rare and impossible to predict.

    • When objects from outer space enter the atmosphere, travelling much faster than the speed of sound, they ignite the air to create a fireball and also trigger other less-studied phenomena such as shockwaves – which can be hazardous.

What’s next?

    • Both of these spacecraft dropped their precious samples to Earth and have continued on with the aim of future asteroid fly-bys.
    • The mission, now renamed “OSIRIS-APEX”, has already begun to redirect itself towards an asteroid called Apophis, which it will intercept not long after the asteroid zooms past Earth in April 2029.

NRL Astronomers Track New Stellar Phenomenon

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, July 19, 2023
Universe, Field line, Murchison Widefield Array, Defense, MWA, National Radio Astronomy Observatory, NRL, International Centre, Pulse, Science, International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research, VLA, Navy, ICRAR, Curtin University, Physics, Radio, Observation, GPM, Department of Defence, Lithium, Telescope, Nature

Naval Research Laboratory’s Very Large Array (VLA) Low-band Ionosphere and Transient Experiment (VLITE) telescope has helped astronomers confirm findings of a new stellar phenomenon that challenges current scientific understanding of the physics of neutron stars.

Key Points: 
  • Naval Research Laboratory’s Very Large Array (VLA) Low-band Ionosphere and Transient Experiment (VLITE) telescope has helped astronomers confirm findings of a new stellar phenomenon that challenges current scientific understanding of the physics of neutron stars.
  • VLITE’s 18 antennas collect over 6000 hours of data per year, which are archived at NRL.
  • NRL astronomers quickly reprocessed stored VLITE data, identifying previously hidden emission from the stellar object.
  • NRL astronomers will continue to search data sets produced with VLITE to lead future discoveries and a better understanding of the Universe with the fascinating objects it contains.

Newmont Promotes Suzanne Retallack to Chief Safety and Sustainability Officer

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, June 7, 2023
Mining, Minerals, Natural Resources, University, Marketing, Occupational therapy, Multimedia, Security, Bullying, Business administration, NEM, Gold, Corporation, Curtin University, NGT, Biophysical environment, TSX, Assault, Environment, Social, Chief sustainability officer, NYSE, Rio Tinto, Management, Science, Psychology, Safety, Health, Newmont

Newmont Corporation (NYSE: NEM, TSX: NGT) announced today the promotion of experienced leader Suzanne Retallack as the Company’s Chief Safety and Sustainability Officer.

Key Points: 
  • Newmont Corporation (NYSE: NEM, TSX: NGT) announced today the promotion of experienced leader Suzanne Retallack as the Company’s Chief Safety and Sustainability Officer.
  • “Suzanne has demonstrated exceptional values-based leadership throughout her career and has led significant improvements in the design and execution of health and safety systems across global operations,” said Newmont President and Chief Executive Officer, Tom Palmer.
  • Prior to joining Newmont, Suzanne held senior roles in Health and Safety, Environment and Security with Rio Tinto.
  • Peter Toth, Executive Vice President and Chief Strategy and Sustainability Officer, will transition leadership of Newmont’s sustainability function to Suzanne and will continue to lead corporate strategy, corporate development and external relations.