Southern Cross University

Through the magnifying glass: how cutting-edge technology is helping scientists understand baby corals

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, July 27, 2023

In a study just published, researchers from Southern Cross University and CSIRO describe how advanced imaging techniques offer new ways to monitor baby corals.

Key Points: 
  • In a study just published, researchers from Southern Cross University and CSIRO describe how advanced imaging techniques offer new ways to monitor baby corals.
  • So it’s useful to better understand how baby corals select and attach to reefs, establish themselves and grow into adult corals.

The secret life of corals

    • They all rise to the surface where the eggs are fertilised, developing into embryos and then later, into larvae.
    • If things go according to nature’s plan, the larvae eventually fall through the water, attach to a reef and grow into adult corals.
    • Once corals have established themselves, the plates are taken back to the lab to be inspected under a microscope.
    • Read more:
      Safe havens for coral reefs will be almost non-existent at 1.5°C of global warming – new study

Capturing the reef in incredible 3D detail

    • The technology combines macrophotography – photographing small objects close-up, at very high resolution – and photogrammetry – taking measurements from photos.
    • The three round objects in the model are “targets” we placed to help the software stitch the photos together.
    • Photogrammetry software was used to process the photos, creating precise 3D models that represent the small sections of reef at very high resolution.
    • Read more:
      Record coral cover doesn't necessarily mean the Great Barrier Reef is in good health (despite what you may have heard)

Looking ahead

    • For example, coral larvae can be dyed various colours before release, making them more visible when they swim to and settle on the reef.
    • This could be captured in 3D models to allow even better tracking of larval restoration efforts.
    • The use of macrophotogrammetry will deepen our understandings of why some larvae settle and survive on reefs, and others do not.

JMIR RESEARCH PROTOCOLS | WHAT IS THE ROLE OF HUMAN DECISION-MAKING IN AN AI-DRIVEN FUTURE IN HEALTH?

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, March 21, 2023

TORONTO and PHILADELPHIA, March 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Australian researchers have established a set of protocols for a research project in JMIR Research Protocols that aims to explore whether humans will continue in meaningful decision-making roles in an AI-driven future. The researchers, Dr Nandini Doreswamy and Dr Louise Horstmanshof from Southern Cross University, found that there is a dearth of guidance in establishing whole sets of protocols for methods used in complex health research.

Key Points: 
  • TORONTO and PHILADELPHIA, March 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Australian researchers have established a set of protocols for a research project in JMIR Research Protocols that aims to explore whether humans will continue in meaningful decision-making roles in an AI-driven future.
  • They have now established protocols that focus on non-clinical health services such as health regulation and health policy.
  • These health services can be complex, the researchers say, and even more extensive in their scope and scale than clinical healthcare.
  • During the pandemic, these services formed a continuum of rules, laws, and public health measures that varied from country to country.

Health Food Symmetry Ltd Launches World First Dietary Fiber Solution Derived from Sugarcane to Benefit Gut Health

Retrieved on: 
Friday, September 23, 2022

Ayr, Queensland--(Newsfile Corp. - September 23, 2022) - Health Food Symmetry Ltd (HFS) has become the first company in the world to launch a dietary solution called Kfibre delivering virgin sugarcane prebiotics to benefit gut health.

Key Points: 
  • Ayr, Queensland--(Newsfile Corp. - September 23, 2022) - Health Food Symmetry Ltd (HFS) has become the first company in the world to launch a dietary solution called Kfibre delivering virgin sugarcane prebiotics to benefit gut health.
  • The human digestive system or gut is home to trillions of bacteria that collectively form the gut microbiome.
  • What people eat can affect their gut health and when they take fiber ingredients to boost their gut health, it can have a beneficial effect on their metabolism and immunity.
  • Kfibre manufactured by HFS is the only gut health prebiotic that is derived from virgin sugarcane.