LA TROBE UNIVERSITY SEPTEMBER 2003 Bulletin

CLIVE JAMES FINANCE Poetry From Iraq matters with hope LA TROBE UNIVERSITY NEWS Bulletin IN THIS ISSUE Restoring Iraq’s Restoring Iraq’s financial infrastructure 2 Tough bacteria and discriminating bees 3 Recognising 4 financial infrastructure Speak of languages – but be quick! 5 he Head of La Trobe La Trobe Law goes regional 6 T University’s Department of Economics Water management research in India 6 and Finance, Professor Imad Moosa, is hopeful that Research in Action Iraq will regain its banking and financial infrastructure Bee patient: application of vision research 7 and commercial stability. Coaching to win the game of life 8 Professor Moosa spent Collar that dollar: foreign exchange from early May to mid-July hedging 9 working in Baghdad, Kuwait and Washington as Fragile X may cause more problems 10 an adviser to the US Treasury and a member of a team of economists La Trobe heads Asian studies assembled to rebuild Iraq’s associations 11 financial sector. Books: Plants and their chemicals 12 In Baghdad he stayed in For love of matter 13 the Presidential Palace on the banks of the Tigris River Cyclops – with an eye to today 14 where the Coalition Republican Ned is a possibility 14 Provisional Authority (CPA) for Iraq had its Healthcare honour for Stephen Duckett 15 headquarters. AIDS in South Africa: a message of hope 16 ‘Our job was to revive the Central Bank of Iraq and other financial institutions which had ceased operation by the end of the fighting,’ Professor Moosa said. Professor Moosa negotiated with the Central Bank of Kuwait and the Arab ‘We had to restore the physical as well Cover: Clive James delivers the Planning Institute (Kuwait) for training annual La Trobe University Ð as the financial structures as the major Australian Book Review lecture programs for bank officials. He wrote 14 central bank building was destroyed by at the Mildura campus recently, papers for the CPA regarding ways of see story page 4. fire, while another building was flooded.’ restoring the financial sector. Working from one of the bank’s training One included options for a new buildings, Professor Moosa and his currency, discussing whether it should colleagues appointed new local staff, have fixed or flexible exchange rates. CPA including an Iraqi as Acting Governor and Head, Paul Bremmer, announced recently started a minimal level of banking that a new Iraqi currently was planned for operations, including the accounts of later in 2003. The La Trobe Bulletin is published ten times a year by the government institutions. Public Affairs Office, La Trobe University. Professor Moosa said that war, Professor Moosa: Outside and inside the Articles may be reproduced with acknowledgement. Presidential Palace in Baghdad. sanctions, tyranny and neglect had led to Photographs can be supplied. hardships for the Iraqi people Ð but there Enquiries and submissions to the editor, Ernest Raetz, were signs that things were improving. For La Trobe University, . 3086 example, there was a free press, with 120 Tel (03) 9479 2315, Fax (03) 9479 1387 newspapers now being published. Email: [email protected] Design: Campus Graphics, 52429 ‘Above all there is brisk commercial La Trobe University. activity,’ he added. Printed by Vaughan Printing Pty Ltd. Website: www.latrobe.edu.au/bulletin See also: ‘Collar that dollar’, page 9

2 LA TROBE UNIVERSITY BULLETIN NEWS

NATIONAL SCIENCE WEEK Tough bacteria and discriminating bees

he strange appetite of when exposed to air T arsenic-eating and water, it becomes bacteria Ð and the varied soluble and toxic to cognitive abilities of plants, animals and honey bees… humans. Mining and boring rock for Research into these drinking wells can projects recently won two expose the arsenic and young La Trobe turn it into two toxic University scientists forms: arsenate and coveted places as finalists arsenite. in this year’s ‘Fresh Science’ forum. They are Arsenate is easy and microbiologist, Dr Joanne safe to get rid of. But Santini, and vision arsenite is not, and it is scientist, Dr Adrian Dyer. this form of arsenic Dr Santini hopes can be The ‘Fresh Science’ removed by the use of forum was a highlight of arsenite-eating National Science Week bacteria on a mass held during August. scale. Dr Santini’s ‘Fresh Science’ featured group has found the sixteen of Australia's enzyme directly brightest young scientists responsible chosen from 105 for converting arsenite nominations nation-wide. to arsenate. It is now They presented their work working to identify to the public at media the same enzyme in the conferences, in schools other microbes and and at other special events hunting for other throughout Australia. Above: Dr Santini and Dr Dyer. Below: Dr Santini with members of her laboratory, from left, Steve Lade, Sarah Bydder and Heidi Macklin. proteins and genes r Santini leads a one day, fewer people on the subcontinent involved in eating arsenite. research group that is working out will get sick.’ Theoretically, she says, it is D r Dyer’s research on the significance how to use bacteria with an appetite for cheaper and safer to use bacteria to clean of bee vision deals with multi- arsenic to clean up contaminated up the environmental mess than chemical D spectral colour systems and how these wastewater on Australian and overseas methods using chlorine or hydrogen operate in varied lighting conditions. He mining sites and in drinking wells in peroxide. Arsenic occurs naturally in says bees can discriminate between far Bangladesh and West Bengal, India. rocks and in this form is harmless, but more colours than once thought, even She and her students are studying 13 various shades of blue if they take their rare bacteria that were isolated from gold time. They can also see ultraviolet colours. mines in the Northern Territory and at Possible applications of his research, Bendigo in Central Victoria. Dr Santini which was recently also published in the says her laboratory is the only one in the international science journal, Nature, range world that has isolated these bacteria. from improved greenhouse crop ‘If the iron guts of bacteria that can eat pollination, where most plastic coverings arsenic without dying could be harnessed block ultraviolet light, to the development to process this waste, less damage would of robotic vision. be done to the environment and hopefully, See ‘Bee prepared’, page 7

SEPTEMBER 2003 3 LA TROBE–ABR ANNUAL LECTURE

RECOGNISING CLIVE JAMES

La Trobe University recently what you have done Ð and quite often the ‘The disadvantage is that there is always person who knows what you have done has some gossip he ought to hear. Knowing sponsored a visit to Mildura by no idea of what you look like. What I did about Hodgins’s possible death sentence celebrated writer and television to get this medal with Philip Hodgins’ earlier wouldn’t have altered my name on it Ð this outstanding emblem of estimation of his qualities, but it would performer Clive James. recognition in a country which has so have drastically affected my appreciation spontaneously developed an outstanding of the way he brought them into action.’ James delivered the La Trobe literature Ð never made me famous while I James quoted excerpts from a number of University-Australian Book Review was doing it. Hodgins poems, for example ‘Question Annual Lecture on The Meaning of ‘As I poet, I spent two thirds of my Time’: Recognition, and was a guest writer at the career without even a reputation. Mildura Writers’ Festival, of which What you knew began with wonder Receiving this award, I feel like someone La Trobe is also a sponsor. The festival On your father’s farm who has run the whole race invisible and featured other well-known writers And though it wouldn’t be that good again popped into sight at the finishing line. To including , Coral Hull, Geoff You could have gone on so easily. be recognised means to be reassured that Page, Lisa Gorton, Peter Goldsworthy, you were right to pursue a course that had And then from one of the death poems. Paul Kane, James Griffin, Diane Fahey and no immediate rewards and got in the road ‘Walking Through the Crop’, starts like a Peter Rose. of activities that had. renunciation, said James: Clive James, who has lived in Britain ‘Poetry is something I gave at least part It doesn’t matter any more since 1962, was educated at Sydney of my life to. Now, to remind me that I had The way the wheat is shivering University Ð where he was literary editor things easy, I have been honoured in the On such a beautiful hot day of Honi Soit and wrote for various other name of a man who gave his whole life to Late in the afternoon, in Spring. university magazines Ð and later at it, and his death as well. So the honour Cambridge University. Author of more ‘But it does matter, or he wouldn’t be seems disproportionate; but I suppose an than twenty books, he is particularly saying so. It’s the writerly paradox that lies honour ought to.’ recognised for his autobiographies, essays at the base of all poetry about despair.’ and literary criticism and, in Australia, is a ames praised Hodgins’ poetry. James spoke at length about Hodgkins’ regular contributor to the Australian Book J ‘Lavishly talented, Hodgins would contribution as one of Australia’s great Review (ABR), of which La Trobe is chief have been a major poet whatever the contemporary pastoral poets. ‘Les Murray sponsor. circumstances,’ he added. James said the was clearly right to salute Hodgins as a pastoral poet without equal,’ he said. At the lecture, James was awarded the prognosis Hodgins received when he was twenty-four, that he would live only three ‘Hodgins defied, as Les Murray did, the annual Philip Hodgins Memorial Medal by inexorable expansion of the sealed more years, was short by almost a decade. Peter Goldsworthy, Chair of the Literature surface’. Board of the Australia Council. Hodgins, ‘At one stage stuck in my study in ‘There is a connection between agrarian an accomplished poet from in London, a long way from the Australian conservatism and peeled-eyed poetic rural Victoria, died in 1995 in his mid- poetic action, I first noticed him in a little realism (but) it has little to do with the thirties, having lived much of his adult life poem about a dam in the country. The rim traditional opposition of left and right. with leukaemia. of the dam featured a pair of ibises: “Two Agrarian poets, indeed, are likely to find ibises stand on the rim like taps”. Delivering the La Trobe-ABR Annual an even bigger enemy on the right than on Immediately, I reached the correct Lecture, James spoke on the difference the left, because it is the capitalist conclusion that Philip Hodgins had the between celebrity and recognition Ð imperative of industrial efficiency that talent to write anything. noting, however, that he was ‘quite content denatures the country.’ to go on having my life distorted by my ‘It was the only correct conclusion I was The full text of Clive James’ lecture own small measure of celebrity.’ to reach for some time,’ James said. ‘For a appears in the September issue of the student of literature the advantage of living Celebrities, he said are recognised in the Australian Book Review. street, usually because of who they are, or abroad is that he is less likely to have his judgment pre-empted by gossip. The photo, top of story, shows Clive James with Literature who they are supposed to be. ‘To achieve Board Chair, Peter Goldsworthy. recognition, however, is to be known for

4 LA TROBE UNIVERSITY BULLETIN HUMANITIES

Speak of languages But be quick – they’re disappearing fast!

orth America’s foremost expert on ‘Lose your language and you lose the and of the Tuscarora Nation. Professor N the indigenous languages of the intellectual heart of your culture Ð the Mithun also trains native speakers of USA and Canada, Professor Marianne ability to interpret your experience,’ she American Indian languages to become Mithun, recently gave a public lecture at told the audience. linguists for their own languages, and has La Trobe University. A Special Visiting Professor Mithun has written more than published on literacy issues and on Fellow in the University’s Centre for 100 books, chapter, articles, and orthography planning. Linguistic Typology, she delivered the conference papers in her field. She is La Trobe’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor lecture in English Ð one of the estimated President of the International Association Michael Osborne, conferred on Professor 5,000 languages currently spoken on earth. for Linguistic Typology, a member of the Mithun the Honorary degree, Doctorate of But not for long. According to language editorial board of the language journal, Letters, for her contributions to the experts, including the Director of Studies in Language, and is involved in advancement of linguistic knowledge, and La Trobe’s Centre for Linguistic Typology, grammar and dictionary projects for many our understanding of the cognitive Professor Bob Dixon, who hosted her visit, native American peoples. language ability of the human race.’ between 50 and 90 per cent of these Her consultancies include working with languages will be dead within a century. the consortium of the six Mohawk Nations, Professor Mithun: Lose your language and you lose the intellectual heart of your culture. Professor Mithun, from the University of California at Santa Barbara, spoke on the topic: Alternative worlds in peril Ð What do we lose when a language disappears? She said the loss of linguistic diversity world-wide was cause for concern, not just among local communities and linguists but also among the thinking public. Each language was vital and irreplaceable and should be recognised as the cumulative product of the creative capacities of the human mind. It was built up piece by piece as generations of speakers made sense of their experiences and communicated on a daily basis. New sponsorship for Writers’ Festival La Trobe University helped sponsor this year’s was chaired by La Trobe historian, Dr John Hirst. Historian Writers’ Festival which show-cased more than 200 of and author, Professor Marilyn Lake, led a session titled: ‘Can Australia’s, and the world’s, best writers. Dean of Humanities We Change the Past?’ which examined this most contentious and Social Sciences, Professor Roger Wales, said the new of questions facing historians. Professor Lake is co-author of sponsorship formalised La Trobe’s strong relationship with the the prize-winning book Creating a Nation. Her most recent festival in previous years. book is Faith: Faith Bandler, Gentle Activist. Members of the University involved in this year’s festival Professor of Politics, Dennis Altman – following his recent included Adjunct Professor Morag Fraser, Chairperson of the controversial ‘La Trobe University Essay’ in the Australian Festival Board of Directors. Reader in Politics, Dr Judith Book Review on ‘Superstition and Idolatry’ – spoke at sessions Brett, author of the recently released book, Australian Liberals on ‘God’ and ‘Transgressions’. Mr Richard Thompson, from and the Moral Middle Class – From Alfred Deakin to John Cinema Studies, contributed to a number of events on crime Howard spoke on biography writing, the state of the nation, writing. A discussion about some of today’s best women crime and George Orwell. writers was chaired by lecturer in Media Studies, Dr Sue Professor of Politics, Robert Manne, launched his book Turnbull. Dr Turnbull also led various individual sessions Whitewash at the festival. He also appeared in a session with featuring women crime writers. Patrick Dodson, Henry Reynolds and Malcolm Fraser on the La Trobe University also sponsors the Mildura Writers’ Festival, Fabrication of Aboriginal History. A key debate between see previous page. Professor Manne and the book’s author, Keith Windschuttle,

SEPTEMBER 2003 5 NEWS

La Trobe Law goes regional

rom next year La Trobe University will teach three five-year F undergraduate combined law programs at its Bendigo campus. This will make La Trobe the only university to offer on-campus law education outside the metropolitan areas of Melbourne and . The three La Trobe Law programs to be taught at Bendigo are the Bachelor of Laws degree combined with Arts, Business and Science. Head of La Trobe Law, Dr Oliver Mendelsohn, said students will undertake the first two years of study at Bendigo and then complete the program at the main Melbourne campus at Bundoora. ‘These five-year combined degrees provide an accredited professional qualification in law as well as a degree in arts, business or science,’ he said. ‘They are intended for school leavers and, initially, admission will predominantly be limited to commencing, rather than transferring students.’ While the general admission requirement is the satisfactory completion of the VCE or equivalent, Dr Mendelsohn said that as part of its regional mission, the University may adjust upwards the ENTER score of applicants from local schools. He said the new course has already attracted considerable interest, with many enquiries at the recent Open Day at La Trobe University, Bendigo. ‘A lot of people are pleased that it will make studying law easier and more affordable for country students if they can spend the first two years studying locally while living at or near home.’ Law Institute Victoria President, Mr Bill O’Shea, has welcomed La Trobe University’s initiative as a way of grooming Bendigo’s The eight law subjects undertaken at Bendigo will be taught by lawyers for the future and creating new opportunities for school tutorials and seminars delivered by Bendigo staff and by video- leavers in the region. replays of lectures delivered at the Bundoora campus. The President of the Bendigo Law Association, Mr James Leach, The arts, business and science studies will be taught on-campus said the Law School at La Trobe University was strongly supported for the first two years exclusively by Bendigo staff. by the legal profession in Bendigo. Research to improve water management in India esearchers in the School of Business University of South Australia. R at La Trobe University’s Albury- Dr Crase is the Australian team leader. Wodonga campus have won a $344,000 He says many of the problems with grant to help improving water resource irrigation in India are institutional in management in India. nature, rather than engineering or The grant, from the Australian Centre hydrologically driven. for International Agricultural Research, is Problems frequently arise from funding research in a country where inappropriate rules governing the use of agriculture contributes to most water, which has led to widespread employment and is critical to alleviating deterioration in water quantity and quality. poverty. A workshop on issues relating to water The research team includes La Trobe’s institutions was held recently at the Dr Lin Crase and Dr Gamini Herath, La Trobe Beechworth campus, attracting Professor Vasant Ghandi from the Indian bureaucrats from state and national water Institute of Management in Ahmedabad management agencies in Australia and Professor Jennifer McKay from the and India.

6 LA TROBE UNIVERSITY BULLETIN RESEARCH IN ACTION BEE PATIENT A new study by vision scientists confirms that just buzzing about won’t help you make the most honey.

Aristotle was the first scientist on record to The study also included a ‘carrot and The study was carried out with Dr Lars note that bees displayed considerable stick experiment’ Ð or the aparian Chittka at the University of Würzburg in ‘brand loyalty’ when shopping for nectar, equivalent: sugar and quinine. Dr Dyer Germany where Dr Dyer worked at as an by settling repeatedly on the same flowers. believes this was the first ‘penalty-reward’ Alexander von Humboldt Research Fellow But it has taken until now, some 2,500 study involving bees. It revealed that bees before joining La Trobe in September of years later, to demonstrate that some bees can be ‘taught’ to improve their accuracy 2002. It also involved Ms Fiola Bock are more focused and successful on their when foraging for food. (Würzburg) and Dr Anna Dornhaus from shopping trips than others Ð and that, ‘We found that when we punished bees the University of Bristol. given a suitable ‘incentive scheme’, all for making errors, they slowed down and Starting out with a degree in bees can become more discriminating performed better.’ photography and a passion for problem ‘shoppers’, thus improving the outcome of For example, the ‘best’ of the bees, solving, Dr Dyer says his chosen field of their foraging expeditions. normally displaying accuracy of up to 75 research Ð vision Ð is both fascinating and These findings emerge from an per cent, slowed down and achieved 100 useful in many areas, from plant evolution international study into the cognitive abilities of bees carried out by La Trobe Dr Dyer – from bee vision to computerised face University vision scientist, Dr Adrian Dyer recognition research. in collaboration with three researchers in Britain and Germany. The study has just been published in the scientific journal Nature. Dr Dyer says while bees have impressive cognitive capacities, the strategies used by individual bees in solving foraging tasks had been largely unexplored until now. The main message from the study is that bees trade off speed for accuracy Ð in other words they choose their source of nectar wisely or rapidly Ð and that this trade off varies greatly among individual bees. ‘To our knowledge, bees are the first example of an insect where we have demonstrated speed-accuracy trade-offs,’ says Dr Dyer. Although task discrimination studies are common using other animals, these studies have been usually more per cent accuracy after being ‘punished’ concerned with accuracy of for errors with a taste of quinine. The to forensics, even fine art. For example, discrimination, and not speed. ‘worst’, on about 50 per cent accuracy, why are certain flower colours rare in nature? Why are some of us colour blind Testing bees in colour discrimination only boosted their performance to 65 per when others, like Monet, can see light in a tasks on a ‘virtual flower meadow’ in their cent after ‘penalty’ training. certain way and revolutionised modern laboratory, the researchers found that Ð as For biological scientists, Dr Dyer says painting? is the case in humans Ð accuracy of choice the important conclusion is that whenever depended on how much time was allocated accuracy is quantified in discrimination A post-doctoral research fellow in to solving the task. tests on animals, response time should also orthoptics, Dr Dyer says ten years ago scientists thought bees could discriminate Some bees consistently made rapid be measured Ð and the possibility of speed- between only 100 colours. Now with much choices but with low precision, whereas accuracy trade-offs should be evaluated. finer training and testing regimes the bees others were slower, but highly accurate. Continued page 11

SEPTEMBER 2003 7 RESEARCH IN ACTION

Good coaching wins the Game of life

Good coaching motivates footballers to heart disease and renal failure. In most manage their skills to win games. cases these consequences are preventable. Equally, good coaching enables health Because of the disturbing number of professionals to motivate and support patients’ failing to ‘self-manage’, the patients to better manage their health Whitehorse Division of General problem – and therefore ‘score’ better in Practitioners obtained funding under the game of life. Federal Government’s Better Health But health professionals need coaching Outcomes initiative to investigate ways to skills. Here is where La Trobe University improve self-help for people with type-2 health psychologist, Dr Helen Lindner, has diabetes. stepped in with an innovative coach They sought assistance from Dr Lindner, training program. who is Chair of the Victorian Section of the A lecturer in Psychological Science and Australian Psychology Society’s College a world-renowned health psychologist, Dr of Health Psychologists and a consultant to Lindner is involved in a novel two-year the World Health Organisation. program designed to train 45 health In a program called Good Life Project professionals in how to inspire 360 Coach Training Ð which started in April sufferers of type-2 diabetes to better ‘self- 2002 and runs until April 2004 Ð she manage’ their illness. conducted workshops for three groups of In doing so, she believes she has forged 15 allied health professionals who a new field for psychologists Ð teaching volunteered to coach people with type-2 groups of health professional ‘coaches’ the diabetes for a year. The volunteers skills to motivate patients to deal with their included nurses, dieticians, physio- chronic illness. therapists, speech pathologists, social workers, occupational therapists, health This training and supervision role adds promotion officers, diabetes and asthma to the traditional role of psychologists. It educators, counsellors, and exercise enables the benefits of basic psychological trainers recruited from community health interventions to reach a larger number of services and general medical practices in patients, improving the health and Melbourne’s eastern suburbs. The diabetes emotional consequences of chronic illness. sufferers they ‘coached’ were recruited Moderately and severely distressed through general practitioners. patients would still benefit from one-to- one intervention from a psychologist, Dr Coaches did not have face-to-face Lindner says. contact with their patients. All contact was by telephone. In this way, Dr Lindner says, Research in Australia and abroad the program can be readily adapted to rural indicates that only about 50 per cent of and remote areas, especially inland and people with chronic illnesses adhere to northern Australia, where long distances recommended medical treatments and life- make personal contact difficult. styles. One British survey found that as few as seven per cent of people with She says people who manage their diabetes maintain optimal self- illness are less likely to succumb to depression. success when the program finishes next management behaviours. April Ð but all indications are that it is She says people with type-2 diabetes Interim results indicate that coaches running very successfully for coaches and who neglect basic self care Ð such as were satisfied with the content and patients.’ dieting, taking prescribed medicine, usefulness of the skills they acquired during the program. Findings from patient Word of the program has spread. Dr monitoring their blood glucose levels and Lindner has been invited to conduct a exercising Ð face serious consequences. data indicate a significant improvement in treatment goals. workshop at the National Asthma These include circulation problems Conference in Melbourne in April next resulting in amputations, loss of sight, ‘We will have a better idea of the overall

8 LA TROBE UNIVERSITY BULLETIN RESEARCH IN ACTION

COLLAR THAT DOLLAR! New foreign exchange hedging techniques iven the billions of dollars Federal Government has lost through currency fluctuations G in defence contracts with the USA, any new techniques to hedge against currency movements has potential interest. So La Trobe University economists have proposed to use two operational hedging techniques to minimize the effect of currency fluctuations. Developed by the Head of Economics and Finance, Professor Imrad Moosa and associate lecturer Mr Brien McDonald, the two techniques were the subject of a paper presented by Mr McDonald at the annual meeting of the European Financial Management Association in Helsinki in June. Professor Moosa was to have delivered the paper Ð but shortly before the event he was recruited to join the US Treasury team of economists to work on the re-construction of the financial sector of Iraq, being the only non-American on the team. (See page 2.) Mr McDonald said that the two techniques were well received by economists from around the world. He explained that while the possible solutions stemming from the underlying models were still theoretical, he believed the research was a significant contribution to the literature on hedging foreign exchange risk. ‘Those entering agreements across national borders and currencies traditionally used hedging techniques to protect themselves from currency fluctuations over the period of the agreement. Currency fluctuation is hedged by resorting to derivatives such as forwards, futures and options, or by using money market hedging,’ he said. However in some cases, financial hedging may not be possible or too expensive and other methods may not be appropriate. For example, forwards, futures and options may not be available for some currencies or for long maturities, and it may not be possible to obtain credit lines in certain currencies which are seldom traded Ð such as the Nepalese rupee and Papua New Guinea kina. In these circumstances, Professor Moosa and Mr McDonald have proposed to use ‘currency collars’ and a ‘risk sharing agreement’ instead of currency derivatives. A currency collar ensures there is an upper and lower limit set on the value payable. In practice, these levels are negotiated between the parties. In a risk sharing agreement signatories to a contract agree to share equally any upside or downside currency movement. Again, the parameters would be negotiated. year for health professionals who help asthma sufferers. ‘Based on historical data and using six currency combinations, we showed that currency collars can be highly effective if the upper and lower values of the conversion rates are close She has also been asked to provide to each other. On the other hand, a risk sharing arrangement can be highly effective if the advice on coach training to a Hospital neutral zone is wider.’ Admissions Reduction Program incentive conducted by the Inner and Eastern Health The techniques provide a viable alternative hedging technique in the absence of forward Care Network Ð a group of hospitals in contracts on the exposure currencies. Melbourne’s inner and eastern suburbs.

SEPTEMBER 2003 9 RESEARCH IN ACTION

Fragile X Syndrome may cause even more problems

ew studies carried out by researchers Psychological Science at La Trobe Over the past 12 months, Dr Loesch N at La Trobe University indicate that University.’ recruited 13 men aged over 50 years who a number of illnesses in older people may Dr Loesch, and her colleagues and were carriers of ‘premutation’ and whose be caused by a small change in a gene collaborators at the University of families had a history of Fragile X . Their known as fragile X. California, deliberately kept their studies medical conditions were closely examined Ð and six of the 13 were found to have In 1991 Dr Danuta Loesch, a Senior apart so that they could compare results obvious tremors, imbalance, and some Research Fellow in La Trobe’s Department when both were complete. other neurological problems or memory of Psychological Science, helped discover They told the research world about their loss, all of which has only become evident that a mutation in this gene, called FMR1, findings at the International Fragile X as they aged. was responsible for Fragile X Syndrome. Syndrome Workshop held in Cyprus in This mutation, she says, is caused by August. Dr Loesch says that every such case expansion of trinucleotide (CGG) repeats. seen in adult neurology clinics has been Dr Loesch says an important discovery Nucleotides are the building blocks misdiagnosed because adult neurologists resulting from this collaborative study is of DNA. are not generally aware of Fragile X and, that carriers of a small-size FMR1 gene especially, that it can cause problems in Since then it has been established that mutation, who show no effects from it older people. carriers of large size CGG expansions Ð early in their lives, may be affected by FMR1 gene ‘full mutations’ Ð suffer from neurological problems as they get older. ‘Our findings in Melbourne are for a range of behavioural problems and remarkable in their similarity to the ‘This neurological disorder occurs by cognitive deficits, named ‘Fragile X assessment in California although the completely different mechanism than those Syndrome’. degree and progression of neurological and involved in developmental delay in Fragile cognitive involvement appear lower in the While it has been known for more than a X Syndrome and affects different Melbourne sample. However, this may be decade that the carriers of the ‘full individuals. But it is caused by the same attributable to the smaller sample size of mutation’ are affected by intellectual and gene and therefore further research on how the Melbourne survey, and a larger more learning disability since early childhood, and why this disorder occurs in comprehensive investigation of bigger the carriers of small expansions of CGG premutation carriers may help us to sample groups is required,’ Dr Loesch says. repeats were generally thought to be understand how the fragile X gene works.’ spared most of the problems associated ‘It was recently shown by our ‘Because premutation carriers are as with full mutation Ð hence small collaborators from the University of common as one in 300 females and one in expansions were defined as ‘premutation’. California that small expansions of CGG 750 males in the general population, the repeats lead to elevation of a messenger However, the latest research carried out practical implications of these findings for RNA (mRNA) level. Indeed, all our by Dr Loesch in collaboration with the entire population loom large and we patients had elevated FMR1 mRNA levels. Professors Randi and Paul Hagerman from have an urgent need to investigate this,’ the University of California Medical says Dr Loesch. ‘We are considering a possibility that School, has established a link between this changed mRNA may excessively bind premutation and a range of health a corresponding protein, which then problems. becomes depleted in brain cells and leads to their death. These problems, which involve progressive severe tremor and difficulty ‘By conducting detailed investigation with walking and balance, appear to along these lines, an answer can be found specifically affect some older people not only why premutation causes carrying premutation, generally neurological disorder, but also why full grandfathers of children with Fragile X mutation causes developmental delay.’ Syndrome. Both the California and La Trobe Dr Loesch says: ‘This connection was studies were funded by the National only a hypothesis at the time. However it Institutes of Health in the USA. Dr Loesch has been confirmed by the results of a says it is important to expand this research parallel project conducted over the past independently in Australia. three years at the University of California Medical School, and in the School of

10 LA TROBE UNIVERSITY BULLETIN APPOINTMENTS

BEE PATIENT La Trobe Asian specialists from page 7 head study associations

have been shown to have colour discrimination abilities that approaches that of human discrimination. ‘The colour of flowers has evolved to suit the colour visual capabilities of their most important pollinators, bees Ð so research into bee vision is interesting from an evolutionary point of view, helping explore questions such as why some Professor Fitzgerald, left and Professor Jeffrey. colours are rare in nature and others common.’ a Trobe University professors have Fitzgerald held a number of honorary recently been elected to head the two positions in the Association. His research also has critical L largest Asian Studies professional implications for our understanding of He has also been heavily involved in associations in Australia. visual systems and their operation in ASAA, the Melbourne China Study different situations. How the human eye Professor Robin Jeffrey is President of Group, and the Asia Education and brain recognise faces, and how might the Asian Studies Association of Australia Foundation, and has worked in an advisory this be applied to face recognition (ASAA) and Professor John Fitzgerald is capacity with National Library of computer software, is Dr Dyer’s major President of the Chinese Studies Australia, the Australian Research Council concern at the moment. Association of Australia (CSAA). and the Australia-China Council. He was awarded the 1998 Levenson Prize for Convenor for the Politics Program in the ‘I am examining how and why different Twentieth Century China by the US School of Social Sciences, Professor individuals look at different parts of the Association for Asian Studies. face. Is there one type of strategy that Jeffrey teaches about India and Pakistan allows more successful recognition?’ and politics and media. His most recent The Chinese Studies Association held book is about the revolutionary growth of its inaugural conference in Melbourne Dr Dyer concludes that major advances newspapers in Indian languages. He has in 1989 and its next conference in science and technology have often also written about politics and social is scheduled to be held at La Trobe in relied on animal studies. ‘It is extremely change in Kerala in south India and about July 2005. interesting to look at animals, how they go the 1980s insurgency in Punjab state in about their tasks and how they learn to north India. solve real world problems. After all, it ANTHROPOLOGIST was close observation of birds that led to The Asian Studies Association publishes HEADS TO HELSINKI the development of modern aircraft.’ an international refereed quarterly journal, Anthropologist, Dr Alberto Gomes, is the Asian Studies Review, an electronic spending five months as a Visiting Dr Dyer’s ‘bee laboratory’. journal and a monograph series. As part of Professor at the University of Helsinki his role as president, Professor Jeffrey is from August to December 2003. convenor of the Association’s 15th Dr Gomes is a specialist in biennial conference to be held in anthropology and sociology of in July 2004. development, environment and ethnicity, He is also involved in disseminating and cultural identities in South and South- Maximizing Australia’s Asia Knowledge, a east Asia. The Finnish Government is report on the state of the study of Asia in funding his appointment as part of a bid to Australian universities, published last year. encourage intellectual and research Associate Dean (International) and interest in South-east Asia. Chair of Asian Studies at La Trobe, The University of Helsinki teaches in Professor Fitzgerald teaches East Asian Finnish and Swedish, with some units also politics and history. Before becoming taught in English. Currently four Finnish President of the Chinese Studies students are enrolled at La Trobe, in Law Association of Australia in July, Professor and Management and Humanities and Social Sciences.

SEPTEMBER 2003 11 CONFERENCES

Civic leaders and the University

Many of the world’s great universities such as Oxford, Cambridge and Yale are located in regional areas. While much has been written overseas on universities and their economic and cultural impact on communities, very few studies have been conducted in Australia on this theme, particularly in regional areas. That’s now been remedied with a new book by La Trobe University, Bendigo Head of Education Studies, Dr Anthony Potts. Titled Civic Leaders and the University: State and Municipal Politicians Perspectives on Higher Education in Australia, the book follows seven years of research in Australia and overseas by Dr Potts and describes the role of civic leaders in the development of their ‘GIDEON'S BIBLE’ universities. Dr Potts says universities do not simply of plants and their chemicals arise from nowhere. Throughout history, t’s only been published for a few biochemistry such as neurotransmission, civic leaders have supported their I weeks – but it's already known among hormone action, gene expression and establishment and growth for various biochemists, chemists and biomedical odour receptors. social, political, economic and other professionals as ‘Gideon’s Bible’. The culmination of many years of reasons. It is the 864-page Biochemical Targets research and analysis of scientific He interviewed current and past of Plant Bioactive Compounds. A literature, the book devotes more than politicians to obtain their views on the role pharmacological reference guide to sites 500 pages to detailed, cross-referencing and value of regional universities. He said of action and physiological effects, by tables which list compounds, plant Bendigo and Ballarat politicians are very Dr Gideon Polya, La Trobe University sources, biochemical targets and supportive of regional universities in their Reader in Biochemistry in the School of physiological effects. cities Ð as are most politicians in most Molecular Sciences. Designed both for biomedical parts of the world. Published in New York and London professionals and scientifically literate ‘While many are quick to admit they are by Taylor & Francis, the book is a timely lay people, it contains many ‘human not experts in the area, they have highly addition to the literature of plant interest’ and surprising scientific, developed notions of the role of universities, properties given the current debate in cultural and historical snippets. and what they can do for their cities, Australia on complementary medicines Dr Polya says his new work should be especially in an increasingly global age. – most of which are plant-based. extremely useful for students and Published by Peter Lang, Bern, Comprehensive, highly-indexed and professionals in medicine, paramedical Switzerland, the book has already cross-referencing, the book details the disciplines, pharmacology, chemistry, generated considerable interest in structure, sources, molecular targets and biochemistry, life sciences, veterinary educational circles. physiological effects of thousands of science, toxicology, ecology, herbal bioactive chemical compounds isolated medicine and complementary medicine. and characterised from plants and ‘If you know the common or scientific shown to have particular molecular name of a plant, you can look up one of targets such as neurotransmitter or the four detailed indexes and rapidly hormone receptors, enzymes and DNA. access a wealth of information about its It includes summaries of plant natural bioactive chemical constituents.’ product chemistry, biochemistry in general and specific relevant areas of

12 LA TROBE UNIVERSITY BULLETIN BOOKS

Matter matters! Life, the universe – let’s rethink everything

our environmental crisis which in turn is a ‘If we see matter as "dead stuff", as in symptom of a larger, metaphysical crisis. physics, then our basic way of being in the She believes we need to look at our basic world will be instrumentalist. We will treat attitude not only to living nature but to the material furniture of our world any way matter itself. If we do, we will start caring we like, because we will assume that how for our planet. we treat it cannot matter to it. Dr Mathews’ views are expressed in a ‘But if this is our basic way of being in new book, For Love of Matter: a the world, then it will be difficult for us to Contemporary Panpsychism published by switch over into a different Ð caring or SUNY (State University of New York) mutualistic Ð modality when we are faced Press. with living things,’ she said. In it she argues that if our relation to ‘We are in a metaphysical crisis. We matter is wrong, then everything will be have to go back to the most basic wrong, including our attitude to knowledge metaphysical level and re-think the whole as well as to living nature. thing. The new work builds upon concepts first ‘Any adequate philosophical response to developed in her book The Ecological Self the so-called “environmental crisis” published 12 years ago. In that work Dr cannot be encompassed within the minor Mathews argued that the physical universe discipline of environmental philosophy, but must instead address the full range of ost humans regard matter as was a self-realizing unity with ends of its existential questions.’ M nothing but an inert backdrop to own, in which we were implicated. human presence. The new book goes even further, This attitude, according to La Trobe attributing a dimension of subjectivity to the University senior lecturer in Philosophy, Dr universe, with the consequence that it is Freya Mathews, is the deepest root cause of seen as capable of ‘communicating’ with us.

ROMANCING Top award for multimedia artist

THE TOMES La Trobe University, Bendigo Visual Arts student, Qing Huang, has won two awards in this Romancing the Tomes: Popular Culture, year’s prestigious ATOM Awards for excellence in film, television and multimedia. Law and Feminism, edited by La Trobe His 3D computer animation entitled, The Way was recognised as the ‘Best Tertiary Law’s Professor Margaret Thornton, is a Animation’ and ‘Best General Animation’ in the awards which attract entries from across collection of essays by scholars from the Australia, including work commissioned by Film Australia. UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand exploring the relationship between law Mr Huang’s animation and popular culture from a feminist combined traditional Chinese perspective. art forms and brush stroke methods with modern computer The essays consider the representation technology. of law in film, crime fiction and the media, and the representation of popular culture He is completing a Masters in legal texts. They show that while degree in Multimedia on the popular culture is bewitched by law Ð Bendigo campus and studying for particularly anything to do with sex and a Diploma of Education at crime Ð law is anxious to resist the La Trobe University's main unruliness of popular culture. Melbourne campus at Bundoora.

SEPTEMBER 2003 13 PUBLIC LECTURES

Cyclops – with an eye to the present

reek myths and Homeric tales of G ancient gods … do we suspend belief and read them for entertainment? Or are they symbols, illuminating things which still bear upon the modern soul? La Trobe University’s Dr Roger Sworder recently treated his audience to a fascinating perspective on this theme when he delivered the annual Worner Research lecture on the Bendigo campus. Head of Arts in the Faculty of Regional Development in Bendigo, Dr Sworder is about to have published a book, Homer on Immortality: the Journey of Odysseus as a Path to Perfection. His lecture, a ‘mystical and philosophical journey’, asked: Is the ‘This well-known story reveals a His previous book, Mining, Metallurgy Poetry of Homer Philosophical? permanent state of affairs which we might and the Meaning of Life, dealt with the Referring to Odysseus’ expedition to the prefer to ignore,’ he said. consecration and, more recently, the cave of the Cyclops, Dr Sworder examined Dr Sworder holds a Master of Arts from desecration of these crafts in Western how the Cyclops ate some of his men and the University of Oxford, and a Doctorate history. how Odysseus and the others escaped. from the Australian National University. The text of the lecture is available on www.latrobe.edu.au/bendigo

Republican Ned? Wildlife reward It’s a possibility for British visitors A group of Britain’s top young fund- Did Ned Kelly have a declaration of a republic movement to clothe rumour and raisers Ð each of whom has raised more Republic of North-Eastern Victoria in his legend with an ‘aura of reality’. than five thousand dollars for cancer pocket when he was captured at Legend has it that the declaration found victims Ð recently visited La Trobe Glenrowan? on Kelly was passed by police to the University as part of an Australian tour Was it passed on by police to the government, who suppressed its existence that rewarded their fund-raising efforts. government, who suppressed its existence because of the unsettled nature of the Aged from 16 to 18, the 58 visitors were because of the unsettled nature of the north-eastern region of the colony. from Britain’s Joshua Foundation which north-eastern region of the colony? Justice Phillips’ oration was a highlight provides holidays and other experiences These questions were canvassed of the Beechworth 150th Anniversary for children with terminal cancer. recently by the Chief Justice of Victoria, celebrations which also included a heritage To learn about Australian native John Phillips, in the inaugural Telstra- forum and an anniversary ball held on the wildlife, the young fundraisers worked La Trobe University George Briscoe University’s campus. with Conservation Volunteers Australia on Kerferd Oration, held on the La Trobe The Oration is named after G. B. the Melbourne Wildlife Sanctuary at La University Beechworth campus. Kerferd, (1831Ð1889) a local businessman Trobe University’s main Melbourne Titled The North-Eastern Victoria who went on to become one of Victoria’s campus at Bundoora Ð and then hosted a Republic Movement Ð Myth or Reality?, early Supreme Court Judges, Attorney- party for thirty children from the Royal the oration outlined Justice Phillip’s General and Victoria’s 15th Premier. Children's Hospital, which was attended research which has turned up sufficient by a celebrity guest from the television references about the possibility of a show, Neighbours.

14 LA TROBE UNIVERSITY BULLETIN PEOPLE

Top health honour for Stephen Duckett

a Trobe University Dean of Health L Sciences and Pro Vice-Chancellor (Health Developments), Professor Stephen Duckett, has won the 2003 Sidney Sax Medal Ð the most prestigious award of the Australian Healthcare Association. The Association’s Executive Director, Ms Prue Power, said the medal recognised Professor Duckett’s commitment to policy leadership in the health sector over the past twenty years, including his role as a former Secretary of the Commonwealth Department of Human Services and Health. ‘His past and continuing contribution to the fields of health services policy, organisation, delivery and research are unequalled in this country,’ she said.

Professor Duckett’s latest national Professor Duckett: Grave fears for Australia’s healthcare system. health care study has warned that the $2.4 billion a year private health insurance Sandringham and District Memorial physiotherapists, occupational therapists, rebate could eventually lead to the collapse hospitals speech pathologists, orthoptists, health of Australia’s health care system. The Australian Healthcare Association information managers, podiatrists and prosthetists/orthotists per annum. He said the rebate was insufficient award citation noted that as Professor of incentive to encourage young people to Health Policy, Stephen Duckett ‘maintains ‘In most of these fields, it is Victoria's take out insurance. His study revealed a an active research program, currently in sole provider of undergraduate and four per cent decline in people aged 30 to casemix and co-ordinated care, as well as postgraduate education. In addition to 59 years of age taking out health leading and managing the Faculty’. initial professional education, it has a large insurance, thereby adding to pressure on ‘The Faculty of Health Sciences at La postgraduate program, both coursework the public health system. Trobe University has a major role in health and research, leading to graduate diplomas, masters and doctorate degrees.’ ‘The last year of data shows that we've professional education in Victoria, gone back more or less to the pre-existing graduating about 1,000 nurses, trend so that the shift from public to private was a one-off effect.’ Health and water Professor Duckett has also been an influential advocate of a ‘no-fault’ medical appointments indemnity system and a hospital ‘culture of La Trobe University School of Public Two academics from the University’s openness and innovation’ so that, should Health staff members, Judith Dwyer and Albury-Wodonga campus have been adverse events occur, they are reported and Sophie Hill, were among ten new expert appointed to Albury’s new five-member analysed to minimise the risk of similar members recently appointed to the Water Board. They are ecologist Professor events in the future. National Health and Medical Research Terry Hillman, Adjunct Professor in the In August he addressed the National Council’s Health Advisory Committee. Department of Environmental Manage- Health Summit in Canberra on innovative Ms Dwyer, an Associate Professor and ment and Ecology and former Director of arrangements for the care of acutely ill senior health care manager, works in the the The Murray-Darling Freshwater older patients. areas of health system and clinical Research Centre; and economist, Dr Lin Crase, Deputy Head of the School of An economist with a PhD in Health governance. Ms Hill is co-ordinating Business, a specialist in public policy and Administration, Professor Duckett is also editor of the Cochrane Consumers and regional microeconomic reform, including Chair of the Board of Directors of Bayside Communication Review Group. Based at the water issues. Health, which incorporates the Alfred, La Trobe, the group reviews consumer Caulfield General Medical Centre and interactions with the health system. See, also ‘Water management research in India’, page 6

SEPTEMBER 2003 15 INTERNATIONAL HEALTH

HIV/AIDS IN SOUTH AFRICA A message of hope

s it possible to improve the future social I and economic well-being of South Africa where, according to UNAIDS reports, half of all 15 year-old-boys may not reach the age of 50 Ð and up to10 per cent of university students may be HIV positive? According to prominent South African social scientist, Mary Crewe, recently a weeks at La Trobe’s Australian Research of education needed for people with an La Trobe University Distinguished Centre in Sex, Health and Society. average life expectancy of only 45 years.’ Visiting Fellow, the answer is ‘yes’, provided we look beyond the orthodox There has been a slight increase in the She says South Africa must train public health interventions used in the past. incidence of HIV/AIDS in Australia graduates to ensure that the country following initial successful awareness survives the epidemic. These were judgemental, cautious and campaigns. Research by the Centre’s ‘anti-desire’, she says, and ignored the ‘If up to 20 per cent of students – Deputy Director, Associate Professor Gary complexities of modern day South Africa particularly at the level of Masters and Dowsett and two colleagues, Dr Jon Willis and its ‘debilitating youth culture of PhD Ð come from homes and communities and Mr Michael Hurley, is concerned with fatalism and bravado’. dealing with HIV/AIDS and ten per cent this increase. may be infected themselves, how does a She believes, instead, in an approach Ms Crewe cites in particular Dr university cope with its alumni dying so that involves a range of issues including Dowsett’s work on sexuality, masculinity young? This situation impacts on the race, colour, class, sexuality and human and gender as relevant to her own whole life of a university.’ rights. concerns. Working with university students, a ‘If you ask “status quo” questions, you Paradoxically, she says, the AIDS privileged group in South African society, get “status quo” answers – and they have epidemic in South Africa has provided an her centre, founded in 1999, also trains not worked. We need to spark the insight into the social conditions which student volunteers as counsellors and peer intellectual interest of students in the brought about the epidemic. educators. epidemic.’ ‘Therefore, I can find hope in this Ms Crewe believes that through AIDS Honing this approach is one of the epidemic,’ she said, ‘because now we are and a more complex and detailed reasons why Ms Crewe, Director of the starting to look at things differently. We understanding of it, a transformed society, Centre for the Study of AIDS at the know we must make up the backlog of with new families and new communities, University of Pretoria, recently spent six education (as well as) determine the kind can be created. 16 LA TROBE UNIVERSITY BULLETIN