title: Public understanding of climate change-related sea-level rise.

authors: Priestley, Rebecca K.

abstract: Sea-level rise resulting from climate change is impacting coasts around the planet. There is strong scientific consensus about the amount of sea-level rise to 2050 (0.24-0.32 m) and a range of projections to 2100, which vary depending on the approach used and the mitigation measures taken to reduce carbon emissions. Despite this strong scientific consensus regarding the reality of climate change-related sea-level rise, and the associated need to engage publics in adaptation and mitigation efforts, there is a lack of empirical evidence regarding people's understanding of the issue. Here we investigate public understanding of the amount, rate and causes of sea-level rise. Data from a representative sample of New Zealand adults showed a suprising tendency for the public to overestimate the scientifically plausible amount of sea-level rise by 2100 and to identify melting sea ice as its primary causal mechanism. These findings will be valuable for scientists communicating about sea-level rise, communicators seeking to engage publics on the issue of sea-level rise, and media reporting on sea-level rise.

text: Public understanding of climate change-related sea-level rise. Sea-level rise resulting from climate change is impacting coasts around the planet. There is strong scientific consensus about the amount of sea-level rise to 2050 (0.24-0.32 m) and a range of projections to 2100, which vary depending on the approach used and the mitigation measures taken to reduce carbon emissions. Despite this strong scientific consensus regarding the reality of climate change-related sea-level rise, and the associated need to engage publics in adaptation and mitigation efforts, there is a lack of empirical evidence regarding people's understanding of the issue. Here we investigate public understanding of the amount, rate and causes of sea-level rise. Data from a representative sample of New Zealand adults showed a suprising tendency for the public to overestimate the scientifically plausible amount of sea-level rise by 2100 and to identify melting sea ice as its primary causal mechanism. These findings will be valuable for scientists communicating about sea-level rise, communicators seeking to engage publics on the issue of sea-level rise, and media reporting on sea-level rise.

year: 2021

title: The Effect of Myostatin-antagonist4 on a Severe Muscle Burn Injury

authors: Laurenson, Rachel Marie

subjects: murine muscle burn injury model

abstract: Myostatin is a growth and differentiation factor which belongs to the transforming growth factor-beta superfamily of genes. Mutations or deletions in the myostatin gene leads to the heavy muscling phenotype seen in various cattle breeds, including Belgian Blue and Peidmontese, and also in myostatin knockout mice. More recently, a human child with the heavy muscling phenotype was also found to carry a mutation in the myostatin gene. Conversely, increased expression of myostatin has been linked to various muscle wasting conditions induced by ageing or disease. Myostatin is therefore regarded as a strong inhibitor of muscle growth. In addition, myostatin has also been shown to control satellite cell activation post-natally, and is therefore considered a potent negative regulator of muscle regeneration and repair.

The ability to block myostatin function has enormous potential in the treatment of muscle injuries and various muscle wasting conditions. The Functional Muscle Genomics group at AgResearch Ltd. have recently developed several myostatin antagonists, produced by truncating the biologically active mature myostatin sequence. The following thesis describes the first in vivo study using the myostatin antagonist, Mstn-ant4, where its effect on wound healing was evaluated using a murine muscle burn injury model. Some promising results that Mstn-ant4 could improve muscle wound healing after a severe burn injury were obtained. Specifically, Mstn-ant4-treated mice recovered from the burn-induced loss of body weight earlier than the saline-treated mice. Mighty gene expression,which is a downstream target of myostatin and is involved in muscle hypertrophy, was also significantly higher in the burnt muscles of mice treated with Mstn-ant4 compared to saline-treated mice. In addition, histochemical analysis indicated that administration of Mstn-ant4 may have been terminated too early during the in vivo trial, as reflected by the sudden decrease in centrally formed nuclei in the burnt muscles of Mstn-ant4-treated mice at day 14, with the last subcutaneous injection of Mstn-ant4 occurring at day 15.

Although no other statistically significant results were obtained by histology, immunocytochemistry or gene expression analysis to support these results, it would be difficult to conclude that significant results could not be generated when the antagonist was used under optimised conditions. That is, further studies into the administration schedule of the antagonist need to be undertaken, particularly with regard to the frequency of administration and duration of treatment. Overall, Mstn-ant4 has significant potential to improve wound healing following a severe muscle burn injury.

text: The Effect of Myostatin-antagonist4 on a Severe Muscle Burn Injury Myostatin is a growth and differentiation factor which belongs to the transforming growth factor-beta superfamily of genes. Mutations or deletions in the myostatin gene leads to the heavy muscling phenotype seen in various cattle breeds, including Belgian Blue and Peidmontese, and also in myostatin knockout mice. More recently, a human child with the heavy muscling phenotype was also found to carry a mutation in the myostatin gene. Conversely, increased expression of myostatin has been linked to various muscle wasting conditions induced by ageing or disease. Myostatin is therefore regarded as a strong inhibitor of muscle growth. In addition, myostatin has also been shown to control satellite cell activation post-natally, and is therefore considered a potent negative regulator of muscle regeneration and repair.

The ability to block myostatin function has enormous potential in the treatment of muscle injuries and various muscle wasting conditions. The Functional Muscle Genomics group at AgResearch Ltd. have recently developed several myostatin antagonists, produced by truncating the biologically active mature myostatin sequence. The following thesis describes the first in vivo study using the myostatin antagonist, Mstn-ant4, where its effect on wound healing was evaluated using a murine muscle burn injury model. Some promising results that Mstn-ant4 could improve muscle wound healing after a severe burn injury were obtained. Specifically, Mstn-ant4-treated mice recovered from the burn-induced loss of body weight earlier than the saline-treated mice. Mighty gene expression,which is a downstream target of myostatin and is involved in muscle hypertrophy, was also significantly higher in the burnt muscles of mice treated with Mstn-ant4 compared to saline-treated mice. In addition, histochemical analysis indicated that administration of Mstn-ant4 may have been terminated too early during the in vivo trial, as reflected by the sudden decrease in centrally formed nuclei in the burnt muscles of Mstn-ant4-treated mice at day 14, with the last subcutaneous injection of Mstn-ant4 occurring at day 15.

Although no other statistically significant results were obtained by histology, immunocytochemistry or gene expression analysis to support these results, it would be difficult to conclude that significant results could not be generated when the antagonist was used under optimised conditions. That is, further studies into the administration schedule of the antagonist need to be undertaken, particularly with regard to the frequency of administration and duration of treatment. Overall, Mstn-ant4 has significant potential to improve wound healing following a severe muscle burn injury.

year: 2009

title: Inside the Resource Management Act:  A Tainui Case Study

authors: Greensill, Angeline Ngahina

subjects: Maori

abstract: Under the Resource Management Act (RMA) 1991 councils are required to promote the sustainable management of physical and natural resources within their respective areas.    In carrying out their duties, councils are obliged to recognise and provide for the relationship of Māori with their culture, traditions, lands, waters and other taonga.  They are also required to have regard to kaitiakitanga, and to take into account the principles of te Tiriti o Waitangi when making decisions.    
This thesis focuses on the RMA experiences of Tainui, a hapū in Whaingaroa. It sets out to prove that in the last 19 years, since the enactment of the RMA, Waikato councils have failed to honour these obligations to Tainui.  While the RMA specifically provides for Māori interests, in reality those interests are contested and eroded by decision makers who write and enforce rules which inequitably affect Māori relationships with land and other taonga. 
The thesis engages multiple theories and methodologies including Kaupapa Māori, critical theory, autobiography, and a longitudinal case study to expose personal experiences that   bring the realities of planning impacts on Tainui to life.    The fact that Tainui has successfully appealed several council decisions to the Environment Court indicates that councils are failing to meet their obligations as laid out in the legislation.

text: Inside the Resource Management Act:  A Tainui Case Study Under the Resource Management Act (RMA) 1991 councils are required to promote the sustainable management of physical and natural resources within their respective areas.    In carrying out their duties, councils are obliged to recognise and provide for the relationship of Māori with their culture, traditions, lands, waters and other taonga.  They are also required to have regard to kaitiakitanga, and to take into account the principles of te Tiriti o Waitangi when making decisions.    
This thesis focuses on the RMA experiences of Tainui, a hapū in Whaingaroa. It sets out to prove that in the last 19 years, since the enactment of the RMA, Waikato councils have failed to honour these obligations to Tainui.  While the RMA specifically provides for Māori interests, in reality those interests are contested and eroded by decision makers who write and enforce rules which inequitably affect Māori relationships with land and other taonga. 
The thesis engages multiple theories and methodologies including Kaupapa Māori, critical theory, autobiography, and a longitudinal case study to expose personal experiences that   bring the realities of planning impacts on Tainui to life.    The fact that Tainui has successfully appealed several council decisions to the Environment Court indicates that councils are failing to meet their obligations as laid out in the legislation.

year: 2010