Latest news with #MurdochUniversity
SBS Australia
2 days ago
- Science
- 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
4 days ago
- Science
- 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.
Perth Now
4 days ago
- Science
- Perth Now
New cattle breed a boost for WA farmers
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. A Nguni calf at Whitby Falls Farm. Credit: supplied / Murdoch University 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. Veterinary student Caitlin Cooper and Associate Professor Pete Irons at Whitby Falls Farm. Credit: Suppled / Murdoch University '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.
ABC News
14-07-2025
- Science
- ABC News
Hardy, 'eco-friendly' Nguni cattle may be a value breed as climate changes
Farmers and researchers hope the birth of a new generation of hardier, more heat-resistant cattle on a West Australian farm will spur the breed's adoption across the country. Originally from Eastern Africa, Nguni cattle are bred to survive in tough landscapes, which advocates say makes them ideal for regional Australia. The new herd was born on Whitby Falls Farm, run by Murdoch University south of Perth, to educate veterinary students and research the breed. Murdoch University animal reproduction expert and research lead Pete Irons said Nguni cattle had adapted over many centuries to harsh environments. "They're very light on the land … they're very efficient at utilising resources … their ability to conserve nitrogen [and] recycle nitrogen in their bodies is all very highly developed," he said. The cattle's skin contains an oily substance that reflects the sun's rays, and they are also able to regulate their body temperature very effectively. Dr Irons said these characteristics contributed to the breed's ability to tolerate tough conditions, making them a desirable livestock option in drought and heatwave-prone regions like WA. "[They're also] highly disease resistant and very fertile," he said. "So despite being in very harsh environments, they're able to breed and reproduce very successfully." Nguni breeder Ed Rous said they produced less methane than other breeds, and were the best cattle for any sustainable farming operation. The red-meat industry recently abandoned its target of net-zero emissions by 2030, claiming the goal was not possible. However, Dr Irons said the beef industry needed to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions, and the Nguni offered an environmentally friendly step in the right direction. "Anything we can do to address [those emissions] by creatively using different breeds of animals with unique genetics like this and farming efficiently … that will, by its very nature, reduce methane emissions," he said. "This breed has real advantages here in Western Australia that the farming community should take seriously, especially as we move more and more into drought conditions [and] resource constraints. "We think it's a breed we should be looking at." Mr Rous said while interest in breeding Nguni cattle had been growing, the market remained focused on larger breeds such as Angus and Hereford. "I feel the place in the sun for the Nguni is definitely more sustainable operations where people are farming paddock to plate because of their good meat … you can value-add by selling the product directly yourself," he said. Mr Rous said he hoped research, like the studies being done by Murdoch University, would raise awareness about the breed. "I have no doubt that they are capable of doing exceptionally well and they've proven to me that they [can], but I'm hoping we get more and more Australians interested in them," he said. Murdoch student vet Caitlin Cooper said she expected the breed to have a "huge impact" moving forward. "They truly are [the ultimate survivors] … they're tick resistant, heat resistant and in this current climate we need a resistant breed," she said. "It's just about getting the word out about the Ngunis because I think that's the way into the future."
ABC News
10-07-2025
- ABC News
Murdoch University student fights accusation of illegal AI use in assignment
Mark McLauchlin is close to completing his nursing degree at Perth's Murdoch University, but an incident involving one assignment has "challenged his integrity in every way" and landed him in a protracted fight with the university's administration. In April, he was told a workbook he handed in had raised concerns. Excerpt from an email sent to Mr McLauchlin on April 3, 2025: "Data collected from sources such as Turnitin, in conjunction with academic insights from our experienced marking team, have led to the submission being deemed high risk for academic misconduct. These concerns relate to the potential use of artificial intelligence in the generation of your work, plagiarism, and/or collusion." A few days later, he was told an analysis of his work showed low editing time, evidence of chunks of text being cut and pasted into the document, and unusual formatting. Mr McLauchlin insists he has not cheated and the reason his assignment metadata shows evidence of "chunks of text being cut and paste" is because he used a grammar checking software, Grammarly, approved by the university. "I've been open and honest, right from the very first accusation, however the AI component of Grammarly was turned off," he said. "The tool is widely advertised and encouraged by the university for students to use to help them with their studies." The university conducted its own investigation and concluded that, on the balance of probabilities, Mr McLauchlin had used AI for part of his assignment. It also noted he had successfully completed nine units of his course and had no record of previous misconduct. It decided Mr McLauchlin would receive only 70 per cent of the marks allocated to his workbook. He said while he had enough marks from other assignments to pass the unit — even with the reduced mark from the workbook — and was on track to complete the degree this year, he was not willing to let the matter go. "I guess my overall issue is that, still to date, Murdoch can't give me a word, sentence, paragraph, phrase or a pattern of AI [in my assignment]," Mr McLauchlin said. "I haven't used AI in the way that they believe that I've used AI. In a written statement, Murdoch University said it could not comment on Mr McLauchlin's case for privacy reasons, but all students were "required to complete an academic integrity module that includes instruction on the appropriate and inappropriate use of AI". "Where the use of generative AI in assessments is indicated, the university takes a considered and educative approach under established academic integrity processes," the statement read. "Our first priority is to support students in understanding appropriate academic practices. "Where concerns arise, our processes are designed to be fair, transparent and proportionate, with education and engagement prioritised before any punitive measures are considered." The issue of AI detection is playing out on campuses around Australia, as universities and students grapple with the widespread availability of generative AI programs like ChatGPT. Students are also increasingly worried about accusations, with some students choosing to run their assignments through checkers before handing them in, to make sure programs that check for plagiarism, like Turnitin, do not falsely accuse them of not doing original work. One student told ABC Radio Perth she and her peers were now taking pre-emptive action against accusations of cheating. Dale, a recently retired TAFE teacher, said the practice of using AI to complete assignments was widespread. "I found students used AI to write assignments, but actually had little knowledge of the subject," he said. "The machine has done the work, [the] student has no inherent knowledge." Mr McLauchlin said his latest appeal of the university's decision had failed, and he was now seeking legal advice on where he could go from here. He said it was not just about clearing his name, but about making a point to the university about its processes, which he said were impersonal and had not allowed him to fully make his case. "That's the other reason why I'm kind of really going for this … I really believe that they're not 100 per cent informed of the impact of what they do, and how that can have [an affect] on people," he said. Murdoch University said it welcomed "appeals and constructive feedback on our administrative processes" and was "committed to continuous improvement".
