Libby Kettlestring Orientation 2024 Interview (Wildlife)

Rainbow lorikeets in North-east NSW and southern QLD are experiencing what is being called Lorikeet Paralysis Syndrome, or LPS. The cause of LPS isn't known, but it's thought to be a toxin from ingesting a fruit or nectar from a flower. LPS is seasonal, with a higher occurrence between December and February. 

Following on from the previous episode, we catch up with Professor David Phalen from the University of Sydney, who is working on a study aimed at identifying the cause of LPS.

Rainbow lorikeets in North-east NSW and southern QLD are experiencing what is being called Lorikeet Paralysis Syndrome, or LPS. The cause of LPS isn't known, but it's thought to be a toxin from ingesting a fruit or nectar from a flower. LPS is seasonal, with a higher occurrence between December and February. 

In this first part of our two part discussion on the topic, we catch up with neurobiologiust Lucy Farrow from UNE, to discuss what's happening to these beautiful birds.

Charlotte the stingray is pregnant. This wouldn't be unusual, except for one thing: she hasn't had any contact with a male stingray. 

We caught up with Jaelen Myers, a stingray expert and PhD candidate at James Cook University, to talk about how this is possible. 

Roughly 11% of Australians experience social anxiety. It can affect their friendships, their careers, and even their education. 
We caught up with Associate Professor John Malouff to talk about how social anxiety affects us and what we can do about it. 

Climate change is an ongoing topic. Though we have previously touched on the effects of climate change on the environment, the effects of climate change on mental health are not talked about as often.

Associate Professor Amy Lykins joins us in the studio to discuss the concept of ecogrief, how climate change is affecting the mental health of communities who have ancestral and cultural connections to the land, particularly in Fiji. 

We were honoured to be joined in the studio by Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley AC KC, Governor of New South Wales. Her Excellency was visiting the New England area this week and has been engaging with people across the region. Among other engagements, Her Excellency toured the University of New England campus, visited the Tamworth Country Music Hall of Fame, met the young men and women within the Inverell High School's Star Foundation, and attended Armidale's Pride in the Park event. 

TuneFM is very grateful to Her Excellency for making the time to squeeze us in for a conversation on our airwaves! Her Excellency and Ben spoke about her visit to Armidale and the New England area, UNE's natural beauty, the importance of visiting regional areas, and the benefits of community engagement.

Today (February 21) is International Mother Languages Day! Language plays a vital role in community and cultural identity. 45% of the estimated 7000 languages in the world are considered to be endangered, and only a few hundred languages have been given a place in education systems. 

TuneFM volunteer Sayed Ahmed and guest Momena Khandaker discuss the history of International Mother Language Day, and its importance to Bangladesh - the country that first put forward the idea to celebrate the date to the United Nations. 

As part of our Orientation content this week, we are presenting a series of interviews with some academics, UNE staff, and UNE Life personnel to help new students learn a little bit more about their study journeys at UNE. In this episode, we'll be talking with one of UNE's most well known academics, Unit Coordinators, and lecturers, Professor Thomas Fudge! Professor Fudge has been teaching history to students for years and is always happy to sit down and talk about his most interesting periods throughout history. Professor Fudge passes on some advice for students, recalls his time studying in the Vatican and seeing some of the oldest documents and records in the world. If that wasn't enough, Ben and Professor Fudge also talk about how students can avoid accidentally committing academic misconduct.

As part of our Orientation content this week, we are presenting a series of interviews with some academics, UNE staff, and UNE Life personnel to help new students learn a little bit more about their study journeys at UNE. In this episode, we'll be talking with UNE academic and lecturer, Kyle Mulrooney! Kyle is one of the lecturers within the field of Criminology, and he was only too happy to join us to talk about studying criminology, what he enjoys about UNE, and the differences between rural and urban Criminology.

As part of our Orientation content this week, we are presenting a series of interviews with some academics, UNE staff, and UNE Life personnel to help new students learn a little bit more about their study journeys at UNE. In this episode, we'll be talking with UNE lecturer, fossil fanatic, and Tune royalty, Dr. Marissa Betts! We talk to Dr. Betts about her work in the field of Earth Science, the hands-on and practical work that students can expect within her units, and the benefits of studying Geoscience.