Research stories

Highlights included an address by our Vice Chancellor, Tyrone Carlin, who outlined Southern Cross University’s close collaboration with emergency services and the Lismore community in the immediate aftermath of the floods. He also spoke of the excellent collaborative work the University has since undertaken with UTS, the NSW Reconstruction Authority and key stakeholders to inform future responses to climate change-driven adaptation as the region recovers.

Being focused on designing for the future, The Living Lab Northern Rivers (LLNR) expert team – comprising academics from Southern Cross University, University of Technology (Sydney), the University of Sydney and the University of Virginia – distils both cutting-edge research and community input into rebuilding the region to thrive amidst change and uncertainty.

This is informed by ongoing community consultation including surveys, exhibitions, information sessions and the presence of a Lismore CBD shopfront for raising questions or concerns with LLNR staffers.

You can find out more about this work from the Living Lab Northern Rivers website.

The discovery of 51,200-year-old cave paintings in Indonesia by Professor Renaud Joannes-Boyau from the Faculty of Science and Engineering at Southern Cross University is a significant archaeological milestone. High in the mountains of Sulawesi, a remote cave unveiled a stunning hunting scene painting featuring three human figures and a wild beast. This finding predates previous discoveries by 5,000 years, highlighting the complexity of early human symbolic behaviour. The research builds on prior studies of cave art and early human cognitive development, with specific advancements in dating techniques through laser-ablation technology.

The research was made by possible through the development of advanced laser-ablation technology funded by the Australian Research Council [ARC DP220100462; ARC LE200100022]. Using a laser beam thinner than human hair to analyse geochemical samples from the cave's walls, the team, in collaboration with researchers from Southern Cross University, Griffith University, and the National Research and Innovation Agency in Indonesia (BRIN), accurately dated the art. This revealed it to be 5000 years older than the previously oldest known cave art.

This meticulous process has allowed the team to date the artwork to a staggering 51,200 years ago.

‘Our precise measurements of the carbonate layers directly over the painting revealed its incredible age,’ Professor Joannes-Boyau explains. ‘This discovery not only pushes back the timeline for storytelling but also highlights the sophisticated spiritual and cultural practices of our early ancestors.’

The advanced dating techniques employed not only enhance the accuracy of such discoveries but also preserves the integrity of these priceless cultural artifacts. Using laser ablation, the team accessed the earliest layers of calcite directly in contact with the pigments. This remarkable technique enables researchers to accurately date these new cave discoveries and allows for the redating of earlier findings in Europe and around the world. Such redating offers a more nuanced understanding of the development of this art and its place in human evolution.

Explore more about this ground-breaking research in their publication in Nature: ‘Narrative Cave Art in Indonesia by 51,200 Years Ago’.

Congratulations to Professor Joannes-Boyau and the team on this outstanding discovery and its coverage in Nature!

Supported by the prestigious Australian Research Council Early Career Industry Fellowship and funded with a grant of $417,391.00, Dr Lehoczki-Krsjak is collaborating with Natural Rice Co Pty Ltd in the Northern Rivers to innovate rice growing methods that conserve water and reduce carbon emissions.

Australia's rice industry faces significant environmental challenges due to its traditional reliance on intensive water use and its contribution to methane emissions. Dr. Lehoczki-Krsjak's project employs a speed-breeding approach to combine drought and cold tolerance traits in rice. This field-based method will rapidly develop and select stress-tolerant rice genotypes, generating new knowledge on the genetic drivers of combined stress tolerance. Expected outcomes include the development of 'climate smart' dryland rice varieties that save water and lower the carbon footprint.

The research is expected to significantly boost the productivity and cultivation area of dryland rice in the Northern Rivers. Dr Lehoczki-Krsjak highlighted the anticipated outcomes: ‘This research will help us develop climate-smart rice varieties that require less water and emit fewer greenhouse gases. These improvements are essential for enhancing the sustainability and profitability of rice farming in Australia.’

Initial engagement involves collaboration with Natural Rice Co Pty Ltd, who noted: ‘This research has the potential to revolutionise our farming practices, making them more sustainable and profitable.’

This research aligns with several UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) including Zero Hunger, Clean Water and Sanitation and Climate Action. By developing sustainable rice cultivation methods, the research supports global efforts to improve food security, conserve water resources and combat climate change.

The impact of this research will be sustained through ongoing collaboration with industry partners and continued funding for further studies. Future research will focus on refining breeding techniques and expanding the cultivation of climate-smart rice varieties across Australia. These efforts will not only benefit the environment, but also enhance the economic vitality of the Northern Rivers region.

By increasing the profitability of local rice farming and opening new market opportunities, the research will support the growth of regional businesses and contribute to the overall economic development of the area. Next steps include field trials and commercialisation of the new rice varieties, ensuring long-term benefits for the environment and the agricultural sector.

You can read more about Southern Cross University's research into rice growing, and find Dr Lehoczki-Krsjak’s research profile here.

‘I’d like to thank everyone involved in the RERP program; particularly Professor Mary Spongberg, Professor Renaud Joannes-Boyau, Associate Professor Joanne Oakes and Ms Julia McConnochie for their support and assistance.’

If you’re interested in participating in the Re-establishing Research and Publishing Program (RERP), look out for information on forthcoming courses in future newsletters.

Dr Griffani’s research uncovered a critical yet previously unknown factor that influences how climate change impacts plants and the global water cycle. Her study explores how temperature differences between leaves and the surrounding air impact water movement within plants, which is key to understanding plant behaviour and water dynamics in a changing climate.

Transpiration, the process where water moves through plants and evaporates from leaves, stems and flowers, plays a vital role in the global water cycle. Each year, around 40 trillion tonnes of water pass through plants but, despite this, the effect of thermodiffusion—a process where temperature differences drive water movement—had gone unnoticed until Dr Griffani's research brought it to light. Her findings show that thermodiffusion significantly affects how much water plants lose, especially when there’s a temperature difference between the plant and the air.

This research has important implications, particularly for agriculture, where understanding these mechanisms could lead to the development of crops that are more resilient to heat and drought. Stakeholders in agriculture are already considering how to apply these findings to breed more resilient crops, with an expert noting, ’This opens new possibilities for creating crops that can thrive under the extreme conditions expected with climate change.’

Dr Griffani’s work aligns with the UN Sustainable Development Goals – particularly Goal 13: Climate Action – by helping predict and mitigate climate impacts on agriculture and water resources. It also supports Goal 2: Zero Hunger, by contributing to the development of crops that can endure future climate conditions.

Looking forward, Dr Griffani plans to expand her research to explore how thermodiffusion interacts with other plant processes, particularly under extreme weather conditions. Her goal is to develop models that predict plant behaviour in diverse climates, ensuring long-term food and water security.