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Bismuth Oxide Nanoparticles Influence on ROS generation by Targeted and Bystander Cells under Proton Beam Irradiation
No full textIntroduction: The goals of radiotherapy to achieve a therapeutic dose for the cancer cells and lower the dose for the surrounding healthy tissues might be possible with highly localized proton beam therapy. The lethal effects can further be increased by using nanomaterials as a radiosensitizer.Material and methods: In this study, the effects of bismuth oxide nanoparticles (BiONPs) in combination with a proton beam on the targeted and bystander cells were investigated by measuring the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated. Human colon carcinoma cells (HCT 116) were incubated with 0.5 mM of BiONPs and then were exposed to 150 MeV proton beams with doses of 2 to 12 Gy at the dose rate of 0.1 Gy/s in a single fraction. ROS was measured for targeted cells after irradiation, and the effect on the bystander cells was measured using irradiated cell-conditioned medium (ICCM) with and without BiONPs.Results: The results show an increase in the ROS generation for irradiated cells treated with BiONPs. Meanwhile in bystander cells, the results indicated the increment in the ROS generation for cells with BiONPs ICCM compared to those with ICCM only. Nevertheless, the population means difference in ROS levels among bystander cells at different incubation times is insignificant (pConclusion: The application of BiONPs as a radiosensitizer in combination with proton beam therapy could improve tumor control with minimal risk of normal tissue complication.</p
Cinematic interventions: women filmmakers and the reshaping of Australian cinema, 1990–2005
No full textAustralian women's filmmaking between 1990 and 2005 represents a distinct and formative chapter in the nation's cinema history. This period was marked by a surge of female-directed works that expanded the thematic, stylistic, and cultural scope of Australian film. Women filmmakers brought intersectional perspectives, complex female subjectivities, and greater visibility to multicultural, First Nations, and non-heterosexual narratives – developments that contrasted sharply with the era's dominant currents of the irreverent ‘glitter cycle’ and a wave of dark, masculine social realism. The dismantling of gender-specific funding programmes and a broader backlash against feminism curtailed momentum, even as international recognition for women's work grew. Drawing on key films, this article identifies leading figures, recurrent narrative preoccupations, and defining stylistic tendencies. Policy and historical contextualisation further reveal how women navigated shifting industry conditions to produce enduring contributions to both local and transnational cinema. By situating these developments within broader cultural and industrial currents, the article re-evaluates the significance of this period in relation to female filmmakers, underscoring the era as a time that redefined representation and expanded the possibilities of Australian screen storytelling.</p
Sensory Explorations: A Critical Multisensory Approach to Fashion Pedagogy
No full textThe sensory experience of fashion is complex and nuanced. Yet visual dominance creates an inherent ocularcentric bias that overlooks a rich diversity of sensory knowledge and experience in fashion education. This article explores sensory approaches to fashion design education as a method for cultivating inclusion and innovation. Three fashion educators, two who are sighted and one who is legally blind, offer a critical reflection on their multisensory teaching practice, represented by workshops and course description on sonic fashion, olfactory considerations of clothing, and sensory design. In these case studies, sensory experience serves as both subject and method, inviting a critique of norms while considering multiple embodied ways of exploring, knowing and creating fashion. Situated in an interdisciplinary theoretical framework from fashion studies, sensory studies, and disability studies, the findings suggest that this approach creates deeper engagement and access for disabled and nondisabled students, enriching the creative processes by challenging normative visual-centric methods. The article demonstrates how multisensory fashion pedagogy accomplishes three critical transformations that reimagine fashion education: it displaces visual dominance to expand design possibilities, advocates for the legitimacy and value of embodied knowledge, and builds communities that celebrate diverse ways of knowing to invite authentic representation and counter ableism.</p
Motivations for Slow Fashion Consumption Among Zennials: An Exploratory Australian Study
No full textThis study investigates how Australian Zennials (born 1993–1999) navigate slow fashion consumption in a market dominated by fast fashion and affordability challenges. Using semi-structured interviews with 20 participants, it explores their motivations, barriers, and adaptive strategies. Findings reveal that Zennials are driven by ethical values, environmental awareness, and a preference for quality design, yet face constraints such as cost, limited access to sustainable brands, and skepticism toward greenwashing. Rather than a simple value–action gap, participants demonstrate creative solutions, most notably, strategic engagement with the second-hand market. This enables them to practice slow fashion ideals of durability, longevity, and mindful consumption in a cost-effective way. The study reframes the attitude–behavior gap by identifying Perceived Behavioral Control (PBC) as a key enabler, supported by knowledge, repair skills, and peer norms. These insights offer practical implications for brands, designers, and policymakers, positioning the second-hand economy as the central mechanism that operationalizes Zennial engagement with sustainable fashion.</p
Empowering sustainable and affordable housing through Artificial Intelligence
No full textThe urgent need to deliver sustainable and affordable housing amidst escalating environmental and
economic pressures presents a critical challenge for the built environment sector. This research discusses the
problem of how current housing design practices often fail to balance environmental sustainability, affordability,
and adaptability to future demands. It investigates the transformative potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in
bridging this gap, particularly by enhancing resource efficiency, minimising construction and demolition (C&D)
waste, and supporting circular economy principles. Through a structured thematic approach and case study
analyses, the study identifies how AI-driven design optimisation, predictive energy modelling, and intelligent
material selection can significantly advance sustainable housing outcomes. Key findings suggest that AI
applications can streamline design processes, reduce overall project costs, and create more adaptable,
personalised living environments that meet diverse community needs. By integrating AI with green building
practices and circular economy strategies, the research proposes a new framework for the housing sector that
fosters environmental responsibility, economic accessibility, and resilience to climate change.</p
Investigating the Relationship Between Nature-Relatedness and Mental Health in Young Vietnamese Adults: A Structural Equation Modelling Approach
No full textNature-based interventions for youth’s mental health are becoming common. More empirical evidence is needed to support policymaking in schools and communities due to the limited studies on young individuals. This study aims to test a structural model to examine the role of nature-relatedness on subjective positive well-being (life satisfaction) and mental disorders (depression, stress and anxiety) in Vietnamese young adults. A set of questionnaires was completed by 515 university students (Mage = 19.30, SD = 0.69). The used measurements were the Nature Relatedness Scale, the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21) and the Life Satisfaction Scale. The Vietnamese version of the Nature Relatedness Scale was validated as a previous step. The structural model demonstrated fit (χ²/df = 1.23, CFI = .97, RMSEA = .07, SRMR = .03). According to path analysis results, NR-Self was associated with greater life satisfaction with lower stress and lower depression. However, the NR-Perspective was associated with lower life satisfaction, and higher levels of stress, anxiety and depression. NR-Experience also unexpectedly significantly predicted depressive symptoms. Results were interpreted in the light of the related literature; acknowledgement of limitations and future research directions were also discussed.</p
Self-evacuation Behaviour in Bushfires: Evidence from Pomonal, Victoria
No full textThis report presents the findings of a research project titled ‘Investigating Bushfire Evacuation Travel Behaviour in High-risk Communities’, led by RMIT University and funded by the Australian Research Council (FT220100618). The report focuses on understanding residents’ self-evacuation decision-making during the Bellfield Fire that occurred in Pomonal in 2024. The research highlights residents’ risk perceptions and previous fire experiences, their decisions to self-evacuate and why, their travel behaviour and when they returned home (specific to self-evacuees), as well as providing an overview of the recovery process.</p
Catalytic activation of liquid gallium by discretely dispersed copper atoms
No full textDespite the rising use of liquid metal alloys in catalytic applications, the nature of synergistic effects between constituent metals which are central to achieving enhanced reactivity, remains unclear. Herein, we report the synthesis of liquid metal alloys consisting of discretely dispersed Cu in the eutectic gallium-indium alloy EGaIn and investigate the role Cu plays in the activation of Ga. The performance of Cu-based liquid metal alloys was assessed for the synthesis of solketal and in situ hydrogen generation applications. Molecular dynamics simulations combined with experimental investigation indicated that the activation of Ga atoms by adjacent Cu atoms is responsible for the observed enhanced activity of the Cu-EGaIn alloy. This research clarifies the role dissolved metallic species play in liquid metal catalysis and also highlights opportunities for the use of liquid metals as reducing agents in organic synthesis and in situ hydrogen generation applications.</p
A systematic review of science outreach: characteristics and research quality
No full textThis systematic review presents the first comprehensive analysis of international research on science outreach in educational settings, seeking to understand the aims and characteristics of science outreach aimed at young people (i.e. 0–18 years) and the quality of research in the field. A total of 86 publications were reviewed. The analysis revealed a lack of conceptual clarity around science outreach across the publications. It identified that fostering science learning was a key aim of science outreach, along with longer-term aspirations such as increasing participation in science at university or future science careers. The analysis of program characteristics highlighted hands-on experimentation as the dominant pedagogy reported in the literature, with university-based providers typically targeting secondary students. Methodologically, quantitative approaches to researching science outreach in educational settings were most common; however, studies varied in quality, with over a third of publications describing or evaluating science outreach programs without addressing specific research questions. High-quality studies were predominantly university-led and published in education journals. This review illuminates the challenges hindering systematic research and highlights opportunities to develop rigorous, theory-driven research aligned with the intended outcomes of science outreach programs.</p
Impact of treatment methods on recycled concrete aggregate performance: a comprehensive review.
No full textThe disposal of construction and demolition waste (CDW) poses a critical global environmental challenge, driven by the low recyclability of concrete due to the limitations of recycled aggregates (RA). These aggregates suffer from the high porosity of attached mortar, resulting in elevated water absorption, reduced density, and diminished mechanical performance, restricting their application in structural concrete. This comprehensive review examines innovative treatment methodologies-either removing or strengthening the attached mortar layer-aimed at mitigating these issues. The paper synthesizes findings from over 150 studies, offering a critical analysis of treatment effects on physical, mechanical, and durability properties of RAs and their corresponding concretes. The review highlights the most effective removal treatment methods, including ball milling and autogenous cleaning, and strengthening methods such as carbonation, polymer impregnation, and nano-silica treatments, demonstrating significant improvements in density, strength, and chloride resistance. Recommendations are provided for scaling these treatments, integrating durability testing, and exploring life-cycle assessment to ensure the environmental and economic feasibility of RA applications. This work underscores the transformative potential of RA treatments in advancing circular economy principles, making recycled concrete a sustainable solution for structural and non-structural applications.</p