title: Palaeolimnology in New Zealand

authors: Green, John D.

abstract: The study of lakes has attracted many scientists over the years and those who specialise in attempting to understand the complex workings of the entire lake ecosystem are now known as limnologists (Wetzel 1983). Most of them deal specifically with what is happening in lakes today, but in recent years some have begun to appreciate that the present character of the lakes they study is the result of a Jong history. It is now realised that to fully understand the functioning of lakes and how to manage them for the future we have to understand their past.

text: Palaeolimnology in New Zealand The study of lakes has attracted many scientists over the years and those who specialise in attempting to understand the complex workings of the entire lake ecosystem are now known as limnologists (Wetzel 1983). Most of them deal specifically with what is happening in lakes today, but in recent years some have begun to appreciate that the present character of the lakes they study is the result of a Jong history. It is now realised that to fully understand the functioning of lakes and how to manage them for the future we have to understand their past.

year: 1992

title: Effects of naltrexone on energy- and palatability-driven consumption and neuronal activation in feeding-related forebrain areas: relationship with age

authors: McColl, Laura Kathryn

abstract: Intake of energy as well as interest in palatable foods diminish during the ageing process. One of the likely reasons underlying this phenomenon is an age-related decrease in the opioid tone in the brain. To further substantiate this hypothesis, the current project was aimed to elucidate the effects of an opioid receptor antagonist, naltrexone, on energy- and palatability-driven consumption in 6-, 16- and 22-month old mice and on the activation of feeding-related forebrain circuitry (hypothalamic and accumbal) in adult vs old male mice. The findings indicate that old (22-month old) mice exhibit diminished responsiveness to anorexigenic properties of naltrexone in deprivation-induced intake of “bland” chow and eating for reward (consumption of low-/non-calorie solutions containing sucrose and saccharin). Interestingly, in the pilot studies performed in rats, sensitivity to anorexigenic action of naltrexone was similar at two different phases of adult lifespan prior to reaching the old age (2 months and 18months). The c-Fos immunoreactivity analysis in mice indicated that unlike in adult animals at a younger age, in old animals, naltrexone fails to activate the nucleus accumbens shell, the ventromedial and hypothalamic nuclei, and it activates the lateral hypothalamus. These c-Fos data provide an insight into neural responsiveness changes that might underscore differential feeding regulatory outcomes seen after naltrexone administration in old animals compared to their adult yet younger counterparts.

text: Effects of naltrexone on energy- and palatability-driven consumption and neuronal activation in feeding-related forebrain areas: relationship with age Intake of energy as well as interest in palatable foods diminish during the ageing process. One of the likely reasons underlying this phenomenon is an age-related decrease in the opioid tone in the brain. To further substantiate this hypothesis, the current project was aimed to elucidate the effects of an opioid receptor antagonist, naltrexone, on energy- and palatability-driven consumption in 6-, 16- and 22-month old mice and on the activation of feeding-related forebrain circuitry (hypothalamic and accumbal) in adult vs old male mice. The findings indicate that old (22-month old) mice exhibit diminished responsiveness to anorexigenic properties of naltrexone in deprivation-induced intake of “bland” chow and eating for reward (consumption of low-/non-calorie solutions containing sucrose and saccharin). Interestingly, in the pilot studies performed in rats, sensitivity to anorexigenic action of naltrexone was similar at two different phases of adult lifespan prior to reaching the old age (2 months and 18months). The c-Fos immunoreactivity analysis in mice indicated that unlike in adult animals at a younger age, in old animals, naltrexone fails to activate the nucleus accumbens shell, the ventromedial and hypothalamic nuclei, and it activates the lateral hypothalamus. These c-Fos data provide an insight into neural responsiveness changes that might underscore differential feeding regulatory outcomes seen after naltrexone administration in old animals compared to their adult yet younger counterparts.

year: 2017

title: The Seedling: Students' perceptions of science education-How do our students see their science classes?

authors: Taylor, Simon

abstract: What is learning like in Years 9 and 10 science from a student’s viewpoint? What is really going on? Let’s take the opportunity to get up close to their learning world.

Dr Simon Taylor’s current research examines the perceptions of secondary students – how they see learning in their science lessons. This article centres on what we as teachers can learn from student voice, how personally relevant learning contexts used in lessons were particularly significant for Māori and Pacifica students, and how established collaborative practices influenced student engagement.

text: The Seedling: Students' perceptions of science education-How do our students see their science classes? What is learning like in Years 9 and 10 science from a student’s viewpoint? What is really going on? Let’s take the opportunity to get up close to their learning world.

Dr Simon Taylor’s current research examines the perceptions of secondary students – how they see learning in their science lessons. This article centres on what we as teachers can learn from student voice, how personally relevant learning contexts used in lessons were particularly significant for Māori and Pacifica students, and how established collaborative practices influenced student engagement.

year: 2014