Latest news with #Dimopoulos
Yahoo
07-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
A mosquito killer may lurk in a Mediterranean bacteria
Mosquito bites are much more than just a red and itchy summertime nuisance. The diseases that they carry are notoriously difficult to control and kill over 700,000 people worldwide every year. What's more, many mosquitoes have developed resistance to the synthetic insecticides–the same substances that can also pose environmental and health risks. As a solution, microbiologists are looking into biopesticides derived from living organisms. According to a study published July 7 in the journal Applied and Environmental Microbiology, a bacteria isolate collected from the Mediterranean island of Crete works as insecticides against Culex pipiens molestus mosquitoes. Nicknamed the London Underground mosquito because they bit people sheltering in the city's underground train stations during World War II, this species can transmit dangerous human pathogens, including West Nile Virus and Rift Valley Fever Virus. Extracts with these metabolites produced by three isolates killed 100 percent of mosquito larvae within 24 hours of exposure. It's those metabolites that could be used to develop biopesticides that have minimal ecological side effects, according to the team. 'They degrade more quickly in the environment and therefore don't accumulate, and they often don't kill such a wide range of different insect species as chemical insecticides,' said George Dimopoulos, a study co-author and molecular entomologist and microbiologist at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore and at the Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (IMBB) in Crete. [ Related: Mosquitoes can sense our body heat. ] In microbiology, an isolate is a single species of bacteria that has been separated out from a mixed culture and also obtained from a pure culture. As a result, all of the bacteria in the culture are the same type. This makes it easier for biologists to study and identify that specific bacteria or bacterium. For this new study, Dimopoulos and IMBB molecular biologist John Vontas collected 186 different samples from 65 locations across the island of Crete. The samples included topsoil, soil from around plant roots, plant tissues, water samples, and dead insects. Then, they exposed C. pipiens molestus larvae to water solutions that had the most promising isolates found in the samples. Killing mosquito larvae before they grow into adult mosquitoes is a common control method since the insects reproduce so quickly. More than 100 of the isolates killed all of the mosquito larvae within a week and 37 of those killed the larvae within three days. Those 37 isolates represented 20 genera of bacteria, many of which have not previously been identified for use in biopesticides, according to Dimopoulos. Additional analysis revealed that the rapid-acting bacteria did not kill the larvae through infection. Instead it spurred the larvae to produce compounds like proteins and metabolites–small molecules produced when an organism is breaking down food. This method is promising because it suggests that an insecticide using this bacteria would not depend on the microbes staying alive. Not being too dependent on living microbes could potentially make the biopesticides work longer. This method could have implications for controlling mosquitoes and potentially agricultural pests. The team is also studying the chemical nature of the insecticidal molecules more closely and pinpointing whether they are proteins or metabolites. They're also mapping out how much pesticidal activity the bacteria is capable of, including screening the isolates against other strains of pathogen-bearing mosquitoes and insects that threaten crops. Since biopesticides often degrade quickly and require multiple applications, finding the right way to formulate and deliver these compounds will be a challenge in the future. 'It's now entering the basic science phase to understand the molecules' chemical structures and modes of action, and then we'll shift to a more applied path, really aiming at prototype product development,' Dimopoulos said. 'There is a major push toward developing ecologically friendly insecticides.'
Sydney Morning Herald
03-07-2025
- Politics
- Sydney Morning Herald
Hopes for a new national park dashed, to the delight of hunters
Hunters and fishers have celebrated a vow from Environment Minister Steve Dimopoulos that the Victorian government will not legislate a new national park spanning more than half a million hectares. Conservationists had for a decade campaigned for the creation of a Great Forest National Park, which would add another 355,000 hectares of forests to triple the area of Central Highlands that is currently protected. The expanded national park, joining seven existing forests and state parks, would have offered critical protections for endangered and imperilled animals like the Leadbeater's possum. But the proposal has been controversial among bush users' groups, who say it would lock recreational park users out. Gold prospectors, 4WD enthusiasts, shooters, horse riders and other groups, backed by the Electrical Trades Union (ETU), have joined forces in a growing campaign against national parks, and have strongly campaigned against the creation of a Great Forest National Park. Sparked by a renewed push to ban duck hunting in Victoria, the ETU (Victorian branch) in 2023 brought together hunters, bush user groups, rock climbers and prospectors to form the Outdoor Recreation Advocacy Group. Speaking at an ETU delegates' conference this week, Dimopoulos assured attendees the Great Forest National Park proposal was not Labor policy, and Labor would not implement it. After the 2014 state election, Labor established a taskforce comprising representatives from environment groups, forestry unions and the logging industry to work towards a consensus on the creation of a Great Forest National Park.
The Age
03-07-2025
- Politics
- The Age
Hopes for a new national park dashed, to the delight of hunters
Hunters and fishers have celebrated a vow from Environment Minister Steve Dimopoulos that the Victorian government will not legislate a new national park spanning more than half a million hectares. Conservationists had for a decade campaigned for the creation of a Great Forest National Park, which would add another 355,000 hectares of forests to triple the area of Central Highlands that is currently protected. The expanded national park, joining seven existing forests and state parks, would have offered critical protections for endangered and imperilled animals like the Leadbeater's possum. But the proposal has been controversial among bush users' groups, who say it would lock recreational park users out. Gold prospectors, 4WD enthusiasts, shooters, horse riders and other groups, backed by the Electrical Trades Union (ETU), have joined forces in a growing campaign against national parks, and have strongly campaigned against the creation of a Great Forest National Park. Sparked by a renewed push to ban duck hunting in Victoria, the ETU (Victorian branch) in 2023 brought together hunters, bush user groups, rock climbers and prospectors to form the Outdoor Recreation Advocacy Group. Speaking at an ETU delegates' conference this week, Dimopoulos assured attendees the Great Forest National Park proposal was not Labor policy, and Labor would not implement it. After the 2014 state election, Labor established a taskforce comprising representatives from environment groups, forestry unions and the logging industry to work towards a consensus on the creation of a Great Forest National Park.
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Calls to release documents behind helicopter shooting of koalas in controversial plan dubbed 'medieval'
Three months after an Australian state authorised a plan to shoot over 1,000 koalas after a bushfire scorched their national park habitat, a fiery clash over what led to the decision has erupted. At Victoria's budget estimates late on Tuesday, the state government was grilled for seven minutes about the lethal program carried out at Budj Bim National Park. It was repeatedly asked when it would publicly release documents that led to the world-first decision to kill the marsupials using shooters in helicopters. John Bradley, the secretary of the Environment Department (DEECA), justified the aerial shooting plan, saying a veterinary expert plan that was peer reviewed judged it to be the most 'humane' response following a "rigorous process". But the Deputy Chair, the Liberal's Nick McGowan hit back, quipping that if being shot from a helicopter was doing the koalas a 'favour' then he wouldn't want any favours from the department. 'To be frank with you, it does sound like gobbledygook. And what's more, it sounds medieval,' McGowan said of DEECA's explanation of the so-called cull. 'How anyone with a shotgun from a helicopter can make these kinds of split-second assessments in killing and culling koalas seems to me somewhat barbaric.' Related: Fear for joeys as Australia guns down hundreds of koalas from helicopters During the session, Environment Minister Steve Dimopoulos explained that only 13 per cent of Budj Bim was accessible on foot due to the topography and the risk of falling trees. At this point McGowan chided him, saying, 'It's not Mount Everest we're talking about here.' Due to the extraordinary circumstances following the bushfire, Dimopoulos maintained it was better to complete health checks from helicopters than on the ground. 'The people who briefed me in the department over multiple meetings… [said] you could get a better view of a koala from a helicopter because they're at the top of the tree, than you could at the bottom of the undulating ground looking up at the tree canopy,' Dimopoulos said. 'So it was actually all done in the interest of actually assessing the koala better. And while it sounds interesting, the helicopter was flying very, very low to the canopy, and that way it was more effective.' During regular health assessments of koalas at Budj Bim, it's normal practice to bring them to the ground, according to a source who has worked on the program. But this year, DEECA took expert advice following the extraordinary situation which made access to the park difficult to stop koalas from suffering. Of the 2,219 koalas assessed, 1,091 were examined from the ground and 1,128 from the air. In total 1,061 (48 per cent) were euthanised. Of those shot from helicopters, the bodies of 14 were recovered. And during the operation, one was taken into care for treatment. Australia blasted for 'sniper shooting' hundreds of koalas Devastating photos captured after Australia gunned down koalas from helicopters Sad truth behind koala that was rescued from Aussie national park According to Bradley, an assessment of the "euthanasia" operation found DEECA "had been successful in humanely euthanising fire-impacted koalas in areas of the park that were not safely or readily accessible by foot and that would otherwise have been left to suffer unnecessarily." In ordinary circumstances, scientists usually release peer-reviewed research. But the killing of koalas at Budj Bim was conducted without public scrutiny until Yahoo News was given a tip-off and began asking questions of DEECA. Several wildlife agencies were aware of the program, but later said they were unaware of its scale. As the operation continued, DEECA responded to questions from Yahoo about how many koalas were being euthanised and what methods were being used with open, frank and detailed answers. But now politicians and critics of the program face a new challenge. Three months after the operation began, the government has dodged requests to publicly release documents relating to why it was necessary to shoot the koalas from helicopters in the first place. Another pressing argument for them to do so is that the Victorian state government claims the operation was a success. Because of this, many wildlife advocates are concerned DEECA could authorise aerial culling of wildlife again – something they oppose. During budget estimates, the government was asked on three occasions when the full veterinary reports and operational data from that aerial koala cull would be released for independent scrutiny. It did not commit to doing so during the session. Described as "euthanasia" by DEECA, and a "cull" by some ecologists and critics, the operation lasted from March 14 to April 25, and eventual publicity sparked fierce debate, making international headlines. While koalas are federally listed as endangered in Queensland, ACT and NSW, the populations in Victoria and South Australia are considered abundant. During budget estimates, Dimopoulos described Victoria's population as "healthy" but said there was "over-population" in locations including Budj Bim, which caused a "problem" for koalas as they were already "stressed". According to experts with knowledge of the region and koalas, the problem has been caused by the logging of eucalypt plantations that surround the national park. When trees are cut down, koalas that live in them have nowhere to go except for Budj Bim. After the government "euthanised" the 1,061 koalas, wildlife advocates called for it to halt timber harvesting in the surrounding area. It is yet to commit to doing so. More than 5,000 people have signed a petition calling for an inquiry into the bluegum industry and its impact on koalas. Love Australia's weird and wonderful environment? 🐊🦘😳 Get our new newsletter showcasing the week's best stories.
Time Out
26-05-2025
- Time Out
Melbourne's Luna Park is getting a much-needed multi-million dollar facelift
The huge moon face on St Kilda Esplanade, aka the entrance to the beloved Luna Park, is one of Melbourne's most iconic sights. It's been there since 1912, making the theme park the oldest in the country – so it makes sense that it's in need of some TLC. Thankfully, the century-old site is set to get a glow-up with a $22 million upgrade. The restoration works will target the Luna Palace, a building inside the park that's been there from the beginning. Once upon a time, it hosted the Dodgem cars and the Penny Arcade. But after falling into disrepair, it was closed to the public for safety reasons. Fortunately, the park is now undergoing heritage repairs to bring it back to life so that it can be enjoyed by visitors once again. The palace will even get an expansion, creating the capacity to host exciting events. Luna Park's entrance towers will also benefit from a makeover to revitalise the facade, with a fresh coat of paint and revamped lighting. The restoration works are already underway, with the park able to stay open throughout. The revamped Luna Palace is expected to be ready to open in November 2025. To recognise the value of this heritage attraction, the state government has contributed $5 million in funding through the latest budget. Victorian minister for environment Steve Dimopoulos said Luna Park was an important part of Melbourne's history. 'With the help of this funding it can not only return to its former glory but grow and thrill new generations,'' Dimopoulos said. 'We are so lucky to have places like this in Melbourne, which are nationally and internationally significant and we are proud to make sure it continues to be a family favourite for locals and international visitors to our great state.' To find out more about the Luna Park restoration works, head to the website.
