Lumen Wirltuti:Warltati 2025 - Flipbook - Page 34
News in brief
The University of Adelaide
receives significant media
coverage locally, nationally
and internationally for our
world-class teaching and
research.
Recent media stories illustrate
the breadth of our research —
ranging from backyard
chickens to lunar rovers.
More of our amazing stories
can be found on our University
Newsroom website.
Backyard chooks
Chickens have been a mainstay in Australian
backyards for generations. New research
from the University of Adelaide reveals that
owners see their chooks as a blend between
pet and livestock as well as a trustworthy
source of produce.
“Our research indicated backyard
chickens are seen as both companion
animals and as a source of food, falling
within a hybrid space of human-animal
relations,” explains Dr Emily Buddle from
our School of Humanities. “They blur the
line between what we traditionally call
livestock and a companion animal or pet.”
However, chickens do not receive the
same level of care as more traditional
companion animals, such as cats and dogs.
“A surprising finding was that, while being
loved companions, most participants were
unlikely to take their chickens to the vet,”
Dr Buddle says. “They were unable to
justify the veterinary cost versus the
monetary value of the chicken.”
New road warnings
Heat and mental health
New road markings have been trialled on
Adelaide roads as part of a project aiming
to slow motorists in busy suburban
business and pedestrian areas.
Rising temperatures across Australia
could increase the burden of mental and
behavioural disorders (MBD) by almost
50 per cent by 2050, according to a new
study from the University of Adelaide.
The research highlights the urgent need
to act now to protect mental health as the
climate warms.
Blue and white 3D-style triangles have
been used by the University’s Centre for
Automotive Safety Research to create an
“optical illusion”, making drivers aware
they are approaching a 40 km/h zone with
high pedestrian activity.
THE MARKINGS COMPRISE A
SERIES OF SIMPLE TRIANGLE
SHAPES ON LANES LEADING
INTO A 40 KM/H SECTION.
THESE TRIANGLES APPEAR
TO BE SLIGHTLY FLOATING
OVER THE ROAD SURFACE
THROUGH A PERCEPTUAL
VISUAL ILLUSION.
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Published in Nature Climate Change,
the study shows high temperatures
contributed to an annual loss of 8,458
disability-adjusted life years (DALYs),
representing 1.8 per cent of total MBD
burden in Australia. Young Australians
aged 15 to 44 are particularly affected,
with most losses linked to living with
poor mental health.
