Tidal Moon leveraging traditional knowledge to bring banc Australia's first ever export the sea cucumber
Jennifer Verduin, a marine scientist at Perth's Murdoch University, agrees that the relationship might be 'mutually beneficial,' saying sea cucumbers are 'the worms of the ocean.'
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ABC News
an hour ago
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VitalTrace fetal monitoring device touted as 'absolute revolution' in childbirth
For the first time ever, health professionals will be able to accurately monitor oxygen levels in babies during childbirth to prevent major health issues and unnecessary emergency procedures. Experts have described the "breakthrough technology", developed in Western Australia, as a world-first and the biggest development in fetal monitoring in 50 years. The VitalTrace device attaches to the baby's head and transmits small, continuous electrodes to measure the baby's heart rate and level of lactate, which can detect fetal distress. University of WA professor Jane Pillow described the device as "the first breakthrough in fetal monitoring that we've had since the 1960s". She said the current method of fetal monitoring was not a "good predictor" of how well oxygen was being delivered to the baby during labour, she said. "The problem with that is … sometimes we miss babies that are not getting oxygen all that well," she said. "And at other times the diagnosis of when they aren't getting oxygen might be significantly delayed, and the consequence of that for babies is really devastating." A lack of oxygen could result in death but often it's the cause of significant health issues like cerebral palsy, brain damage and organ function complications. Emily Stone said it could provide re-assurance to mothers. "There were times during the birth of my daughter, when her heart rate couldn't be detected," she said. "It can be quite frightening in what's already an intense experience. "If this device was available, it just would have given me greater piece of mind that she was healthy and safe." Obstetrician and associate professor and the University of WA Scott White said the new development had the potential to halve unnecessary emergency caesareans, describing it as "an absolute revolution in childbirth". "It allows us to better identify those babies who are compromised," Ms Scott said. "But equally as important, it allows us to reduce the interventions we unnecessarily apply to women, which is a real profound improved health outcome." Mr Scott explained one of the well-known side effects of traditional heart rate monitoring is its inaccuracy. "At the moment, we look at changes in the babies heart rate pattern, that requires a lot of training, skill and interpretation and therefore errors can happen," Mr Scott said. "Whenever you use an indirect measure, you get false positive results and false negative results … [and] it tells us babies are unhappy when frequently they're not. "But this device is much more accurate which allows us to safely leave babies in when they're safe and to more accurately recognise those babies that truly do need to be delivered early." The device has taken about seven years to develop and the technology is similar to what people with diabetes use to monitor their glucose levels. VitalTrace co-founder and chief executive Arjun Kaushik said the response to the device had been overwhelming. "The enthusiasm to adopt this device cannot be overstated, I think this is an area of medicine that has long been under-served in technology," he said. Both the state and federal government have backed the device, with the state government contributing about $5 million to the technology's development. Early trials of the technology involved 20 mothers who participated nationwide. But professionals are hoping another larger trial will start next year to test the devices efficacy and dependability with the aim of getting regulatory approval in 2027.
SBS Australia
a day ago
- SBS Australia
Tidal Moon leveraging traditional knowledge to bring banc Australia's first ever export the sea cucumber
Tidal Moon draws on traditional knowledge to harvest sea cucumbers one by one, the marine animal will soon be dried and processed at a brand-new export facility in the West Australian town of then they're sent to a Singaporean partner for export across South East Asia Gathaagudu is home to the planet's largest reserve of seagrass both a food source for marine life and a carbon storage powerhouse. Tidal Moon is leading one of the world's largest seagrass restoration projects. While scouring the seafloor for sea cucumbers, the divers also replant seagrass reserves. "One of the key things that we're trying to do is keep the carbon captured in the sea floor. So without seagrass restoration, you have these carbon bombs that go off and there's about 40 million tons of CO2 that are at risk in Shark Bay" Jennifer Verduin, a marine scientist at Perth's Murdoch University, agrees that the relationship might be 'mutually beneficial,' saying sea cucumbers are 'the worms of the ocean.'
West Australian
3 days ago
- West Australian
‘Advantage to beef farmers': New cattle breed set to boost industry for WA
They are a long way from where researchers hope they might end up but these calves — the first of a breed new to WA born here — could offer bright change for the State's beef industry. Murdoch University is looking into whether Nguni cattle, which are indigenous to southern Africa and renowned for maintaining optimal production even under harsh conditions, could be suitable alternative for WA farmers to breed, feed and send to market. The first eagerly anticipated calves in its program were born just two months ago at the university's Whitby Falls Farm, about an hour away in Mundijong. Dean of veterinary medicine Henry Annandale said it was the first time Nguni cows had been bred in WA and they were now being studied for their growth and development in comparison to traditional breeds. There are 32 newcomers in the Whitby Falls paddock, including a set of twins. 'This breed offers the opportunity of a unique, economically sustainable advantage to beef farmers,' Dr Annandale said. 'Nguni cattle are an ancient breed acknowledged for optimal production under harsh conditions and sustainable breeding, with a lower methane output than other breeds. 'Having acclimatised over centuries to extreme environments, Nguni cattle have proven to be the ultimate survivors, thriving despite challenges such as infectious diseases, drought and tick infestations.' Veterinary student Caitlin Cooper said it was exciting to carry out research that ultimately might lead to changes within WA farming. 'Studying Nguni cattle will give us the chance to learn about the animals but also to share what we learn to help the local farming industry, and perhaps to undercover information, which will impact the industry in years to come,' Ms Cooper said. 'And seeing the calves right from the beginning of their lives is certainly a special experience for me as a student.' Nguni cattle are characterised by multicoloured skin that can present in various patterns. They are medium sized, with bulls growing to 600kg, and can be both dairy and beef cattle.
