Search

Placeholder Content Image

Thousands of Tasmanian devils are dying from cancer – but a new vaccine approach could help us save them

<p>Tasmanian devils are tough little creatures with a ferocious reputation. Tragically, each year thousands of Tasmanian devils suffer and die from contagious cancers – devil facial tumours.</p> <p>We have discovered that a modified virus, like the attenuated adenovirus used in the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine, can make devil facial tumour cells more visible to the devil immune system.</p> <p>We have also found key immune targets on devil facial tumour cells. These combined advances allow us to move forward with a vaccine that helps the devil immune system find and fight the cancer.</p> <p>And we have a clever way to deliver this vaccine, too – with edible baits.</p> <p><strong>A puzzling cancer</strong></p> <p>Tasmanian devils mainly suffer from the original devil facial tumour, or DFT1. A second type of devil facial tumour (DFT2) has begun emerging in southern Tasmania that further threatens the already endangered devil population.</p> <p>DFT1 and DFT2 are <a href="https://www.tcg.vet.cam.ac.uk/about/DFTD">transmissible cancers</a> – they spread living cancer cells when the devils bite each other.</p> <p>This has presented a puzzle: a cancer cell that comes from another animal should be detected by the immune system as an invader, because it is “genetically mismatched”. For example, in human medicine, tissue transplants need to be genetically matched between the donor and recipient to avoid the immune system rejecting the transplant.</p> <p>Somehow, DFT1 and DFT2 seem to evade the immune system, and devils die from tumours spreading throughout their body or from malnutrition due to the facial tumours disrupting their ability to eat.</p> <figure class="align-center zoomable"><a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/495558/original/file-20221116-12-jv29a8.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=1000&amp;fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/495558/original/file-20221116-12-jv29a8.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;fit=clip" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/495558/original/file-20221116-12-jv29a8.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=338&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/495558/original/file-20221116-12-jv29a8.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=30&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=338&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/495558/original/file-20221116-12-jv29a8.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=15&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=338&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/495558/original/file-20221116-12-jv29a8.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=424&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/495558/original/file-20221116-12-jv29a8.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=30&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=424&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/495558/original/file-20221116-12-jv29a8.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=15&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=424&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=3 2262w" alt="Close-up of a Tasmanian devil held by human hands, with a tumour on its lower jaw" /></a><figcaption><span class="caption">A Tasmanian devil with DFT1.</span> <span class="attribution">Andrew S. Flies @WildImmunity</span></figcaption></figure> <p>On the bright side, the immune systems of a few wild devils <em>have</em> been able to overcome DFT1. Furthermore, <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/srep43827">previous vaccine and immunotherapy trials</a> showed the devil immune system can be activated to kill DFT1 cells and clear away sizeable tumours.</p> <p>This good news from both the field and the laboratory has allowed our team to zoom in on key DFT protein targets that the devil immune system can attack. This helps us in our quest to develop a more effective and scalable vaccine.</p> <p><strong>How can we vaccinate wild animals?</strong></p> <p>Even if we succeed in producing a <a href="https://doi.org/10.1080/14760584.2020.1711058">protective DFT vaccine</a>, we can’t trap and inject every devil.</p> <p>Luckily, clever researchers in Europe in the 1970s figured out that <a href="https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0003953">vaccines can be incorporated into edible food baits</a> to vaccinate wildlife across diverse landscapes and ecosystems.</p> <p>In 2019, we hypothesised an oral bait vaccine could be made to protect devils from DFT1 and DFT2. Fast forward to November 2022 and the pieces of this ambitious project are falling into place.</p> <p>First, using samples from <a href="https://doi.org/10.1007/s00432-021-03601-x">devils with strong anti-tumour responses</a>, we have found that the main immune targets are <a href="https://doi.org/10.1098/rsob.220208">major histocompatibility proteins</a>. These are usually the main targets in transplant rejection. This tells us what to put into the vaccine.</p> <p>Second, we tested a virus-based delivery system for the vaccine. We used a weakened adenovirus most of the human population has already been exposed to, and found that in the lab this virus can enter devil facial tumour cells.</p> <p>Importantly, the weakened adenovirus can be modified to produce proteins that can <a href="https://doi.org/10.1099/jgv.0.001812">stimulate the devil immune system</a>. This means it forces the devil facial tumour cells to show the major histocompatibility proteins they normally hide, making the cells “visible” to cancer-killing immune cells.</p> <p>This vaccine approach is much like the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine that uses a weakened chimpanzee adenovirus to deliver cargo to our immune system, getting it to recognise SARS-CoV-2. <a href="https://www.aphis.usda.gov/wildlife_damage/nepa/states/US/us-2019-onrab-ea.pdf">Adenoviral vaccines have also been widely used</a> in oral bait vaccines to protect raccoons from the rabies virus.</p> <p><strong>Edible protection</strong></p> <p>But there were additional challenges to overcome. Our collaborators in the USA who research and develop other wildlife vaccines suggested that developing an effective bait for devils might be as challenging as making the vaccine itself.</p> <p>Our first studies of placebo baits in the wild confirmed this. Contrary to previous studies which showed devils eating most of the baits, we found the baits were also readily consumed by other species, including eastern quolls, brushtail possums, and Tasmanian pademelons.</p> <p>This led us to test an automatic bait dispenser supplied by our collaborators at the US Department of Agriculture National Wildlife Research Center. The <a href="https://www.publish.csiro.au/WR/justaccepted/WR22070">dispensers proved quite effective</a> at reducing the amount of “off target” bait consumption and showed devils could successfully retrieve the baits with their dexterous paws.</p> <figure><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/5BEBfFqOY8k?wmode=transparent&amp;start=0" width="440" height="260" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe><figcaption><span class="caption">Tasmanian devil retrieving a placebo bait from an automatic bait dispenser.</span></figcaption></figure> <p>Encouragingly, a recent mathematical modelling study suggests an <a href="https://lettersinbiomath.journals.publicknowledgeproject.org/index.php/lib/article/view/555">oral bait vaccine could eliminate DFT1</a> from Tasmania.</p> <p>Successful delivery of the vaccine would be a demanding and long-term commitment. But with it, we could prevent the suffering and deaths of thousands of individual devils, along with helping to reestablish a healthy wild devil population.</p> <p><strong>Can’t stop now</strong></p> <p>A bit of additional good news fell into place in late 2022 with the announcement that our international team was awarded an Australian Research Council Linkage Project grant to develop better baits and ways to monitor wildlife health in the field.</p> <p>These oral bait vaccine techniques that eliminate the need to catch and jab animals could be applied to future wildlife and livestock diseases, not just Tassie devils.</p> <p>Building on this momentum, we are planning to start new vaccine trials in 2023. We don’t know yet if this new experimental vaccine can prevent devils from getting devil facial tumours.</p> <p>However, the leap we have made in the past three years and new technology gives us momentum and hope that we might be able to stop DFT2 before it spreads across the state. Perhaps, we can even eliminate DFT1.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/194536/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /></p> <p><em>Writen by Andrew S. Flies, </em><em>Chrissie Ong</em><em> and Ruth Pye. Republished with permission from <a href="https://theconversation.com/thousands-of-tasmanian-devils-are-dying-from-cancer-but-a-new-vaccine-approach-could-help-us-save-them-194536" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Conversation</a>.</em></p> <p><em>Image: Getty Images</em></p>

Family & Pets

Placeholder Content Image

You can live on this island for free

<p>The daily grind is getting you down and those fantasies of running away to a deserted island are growing stronger. Here's a way to test if that's what your soul really needs.</p> <p>The Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife Service is advertising for a couple to take on the job of looking after Maatsuyker Island off the island state's south coast.</p> <p>It's a six-month contract, the rent is free and the views are stunning (in between rain showers).</p> <p>But there is a catch. No internet, no TV and the relationship better be rock-solid because you might go months before you see anyone else other than your beloved partner.</p> <p>The island has Australia's most southerly lighthouse but the island caretakers aren't lighthouse keepers - it works automatically.</p> <p>Instead, the chores include ocean observations, weather readings, maintaining buildings, lawnmowing, brush cutting, clearing stormwater drains, maintaining the short-tailed shearwater colony's landing pad.</p> <p>Nearly all transport to and from the island is by helicopter and there is one re-supply visit after three months. This means caretakers are expected to be largely self-sufficient, including organising and packing their own supplies. That's another catch. There's no supermarket, deli or dial-up pizza.</p> <p>However, you can take up to 800 kilograms of food, clothing and bedding.</p> <p>The ranger in charge of Maatsuyker Island, Jeremy Hood, says all sorts of people have been caretakers including retirees, sailors, artists and authors.</p> <p>"It's usually older people but we have had young couples. We do need a minimum of two people so it tends towards couples, but not always."</p> <p>The accommodation is the former Lighthouse Keeper's Cottage. It has four-bedrooms and a space heater, radio and telephone. But no internet or TV. That Facebook page will have to take a break.</p> <p>Despite the island's isolation, Hood says former caretakers are positive about the stay.</p> <p>"They are so glad they took the time in their life to have that experience."</p> <p>Would you consider an experience like this?</p> <p><em>Written by Ewan Sargent. First appeared on <a href="http://www.stuff.co.nz/" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Stuff.co.nz</span></strong></a>.</em></p>

International Travel

Placeholder Content Image

5 Tasmanian national parks you must visit

<p>It might be small, but Tasmania has an incredible diversity of pristine natural wilderness not found anywhere else on earth. These are some of the best ntional parks you must visit next time you’re on the Apple Isle. </p> <p><strong>1. Freycinet National Park</strong></p> <p>Tasmania’s oldest national park, Freycinet was officially designated in 1916. It really has everything – towering forests, rugged pink granite mountains, soaring sea cliffs and white sand beaches, including Australia’s prettiest crescent-shaped bay, the stunning Wineglass Bay. Keep your eyes peeled for sea eagles or tottering little penguins along the shore. If you don’t fancy roughing it, Freycinet is also unmatched in terms of luxury accommodation and after a day of exploring you can retire to the plush Saffire Freycinet lodge.</p> <p><strong>2. Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park</strong></p> <p>The jagged peak of Cradle Mountain is one of Tasmania’s most recognisable landmarks and is the centrepiece of this park. The environment here is made up of lush temperate rainforest and alpine mountains dotted with cascading waterfalls and tranquil lakes. It’s also one of the best places in the state for wildlife with abundant wombats, possums, quolls, echidnas and wallabies, and even some elusive Tasmanian devils. Try one of the great multi-day hikes in the park, including the famed Overland Track.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img width="498" height="245" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/34199/image__498x245.jpg" alt="Image_ (107)"/></p> <p><strong>3. Tasman National Park</strong></p> <p>The word ‘dramatic’ can be overused in travel circles, but there really is no other way to describe the Tasman National Park. It clings onto the edge of the Tasman Peninsula off the southeast coast, close to historic Port Arthur, and striking rock formations meet the pounding ocean. If you’re feeling brave, you can stand on the edge of Australia’s highest sea cliff, some 300 metres above the water. The newly opened Three Capes Track runs for 46 kilometres through the park’s stunning natural landscapes.</p> <p><strong>4. Maria Island National Park</strong></p> <p>The whole of Maria Island, off the east coast of Tasmania, is included within the national park, which also includes a marine national park extending out into the waters. There are no vehicles or shops on the island, just peaceful beaches, open forests, rolling grassland and rocky slopes. It is also home to the country’s most intact convict probate station, giving a fascinating insight into the island’s history.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img width="498" height="245" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/34200/image__498x245.jpg" alt="Image_ (108)"/></p> <p><strong>5. Bay of Fires Conservation Area</strong></p> <p>While technically not a national park in its own right, this glorious region along the northeast coast of Tasmania is too good to miss. Impossibly blue waters lap against sparkling white sands while huge, orange flecked granite boulders dot the landscape and look like they have been dropped from the sky. Lonely Planet chose this region as one of the world’s top destinations only a few years ago, yet you can go for days and never see another person.</p> <p>What’s your favourite Tasmanian national park? Share in the comments below.<em><strong> </strong></em></p>

International Travel

Placeholder Content Image

What you didn’t know about feeding Tasmanian devils

<p>Auckland zoo have posted a video giving viewers a backstage pass into how they feed their Tasmanian devils.</p> <p>Zookeeper Anneke Haworth loves the native Aussie animal so much she hopes everyone else will fall in love with them.</p> <div id="fb-root"></div> <div class="fb-post" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/57062666983/posts/10154361693036984" data-width="600"> <div class="fb-xfbml-parse-ignore"> <blockquote> <p>Zookeeper Anneke would like everyone to fall in love with Tasmanian devils as much as she has! Head to our devil encounter at 2.45pm today and find out why they're so special and why this precious species needs our help.</p> Posted by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/57062666983">Auckland Zoo</a> on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=10154361693036984">Friday, 10 February 2017</a></blockquote> </div> </div> <p>Anneke wore a GoPro camera on her arm to capture what is involved in feeding these tiny carnivores.</p> <p>Anneke explains in the video the diet and eating habits that Tasmanian devils have.</p> <p>In the video, Anneke explains that although they only weigh around 8kg, “They have the bite of about a 40kg dog, so it’s more similar to a hyena.”</p> <p>Two of the Tasmanian devils’ favourite foods are possums and rabbits.</p> <p>To find out more about the Tasmanian devils eating, watch the video above.</p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/news/news/2017/03/kangaroo-bouncing-through-melbourne-streets/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>Kangaroo spotted bouncing through Melbourne streets</strong></em></span></a></p> <p><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/news/news/2017/03/emu-loves-morning-cuddles/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>Sweet emu loves her morning cuddles</strong></em></span></a></p> <p><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/news/news/2017/02/joyful-giraffe-plays-soccer/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>Joyful giraffe plays soccer</strong></em></span></a></p>

News

Placeholder Content Image

Tasmanian government flags potential campervan ban

<p>Tasmania could ban the "vile, sexist and misogynistic" Wicked campervans from entering the state, says Infrastructure Minister Rene Hidding.</p> <p>The vans are emblazoned with controversial slogans, often insulting women and girls and also depict cartoon characters using drugs and alcohol, and can spend up to three months in Tasmania.</p> <p>"I have been investigating possible regulatory or legislative options to stop these vile, sexist and misogynistic vans from operating in Tasmania," Mr Hidding said.</p> <p>On Thursday, Queensland Attorney-General Yvette D'Ath said the government would introduce legislation that would see vehicles with slogans that "fail to comply with determinations by the Advertising Standards Bureau" face deregistration.</p> <p><img width="500" height="334" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/26944/shutterstock_354404441_500x334.jpg" alt="wicked campers" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"/></p> <p>However, the legislation would only affect Wicked Campers' Queensland-registered vehicles, meaning there was nothing to stop the company's interstate-registered vehicles being driven on the state's roads.</p> <p>Meanwhile, another Wicked campervan was recently classified as objectionable and banned by the NZ Classification Office.</p> <p>The van has a picture of Goofy smoking a bong, with the statement: "Stoned!" The censors said it was another example of the chain using a well-known children's character to present drug use in a subversive way.</p> <p>Do you agree with the potential ban? What’s your take on the situation?</p> <p>Let us know in the comments below.</p> <p><em>First appeared on <a href="http://Stuff.co.nz" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Stuff.co.nz</span></strong></a>.</em></p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><a href="/travel/international/2016/07/6-best-animal-experiences-you-can-have-in-australia/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>6 best animal experiences you can have in Australia</strong></em></span></a></p> <p><a href="/travel/international/2016/07/5-of-the-best-national-parks-in-australia/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>5 of the best national parks in Australia</strong></em></span></a></p> <p><a href="/travel/international/2016/07/5-reasons-to-book-a-winter-trip-in-australia/"><strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">5 reasons to book a winter trip in Australia</span></em></strong></a></p>

International Travel

Placeholder Content Image

6 incredible Tasmanian whisky distilleries

<p>If you’re a whisky aficionado or simply just curious, you could do worse than visit Tasmania, home to some of the world’s most fascinating distilleries. Here are six of the best:</p> <p><strong>Lark distillery</strong></p> <p>The first cellar door on the list is also the first distillery to start in Tassie, after an 1839 ban on distilling by then governor John Franklin who was trying to curtail public drunkenness (he allowed brewing though, 'cos he didn't want a riot).</p> <p>As the first person to challenge the ban, Bill Lark is recognised as the grandfather – or godfather depending on whom you talk to – of the Tasmanian whisky industry.</p> <p>Lark Distillery was started in 1992 with barley borrowed from the Cascade brewery, which Lark believes gives Tasmanian whisky a distinctive terroir: "Tasmania is getting a name for itself throughout the world market for having that very creaming, oily texture as it rolls across your palate," he says.</p> <p>The distillery produces a range of aged single malts, Forty Spotted gin (the baby of Lark's wife Lyn) and whisky liqueurs and they can all be found at the Hobart waterfront cellar door.</p> <p>"We at Lark Distillery believe the future for Tasmanian whisky is through tourism," says Lark. "The vast majority of us travel to experience the culture of a place through its food and beverages and I see for us the greatest marketing tool is to look after visitors who come to our distillery."</p> <p><strong>Hellyers Road</strong></p> <p>Named after one of the first European explorers to arrive in north-west Tasmania, this distillery sprang from an unlikely source.</p> <p>Boutique milk co-operative Betta Milk was established in 1956 and now consists of over 30 farming families. Looking to diversify, CEO Mark Littler decided if they could make great milk, they could also make great whisky. "In 1999 and $10 million later we invested in a distillery in Burnie and opened a visitors centre in 2006," says Littler.</p> <p>The distillery now exports to 20 European countries and has a special whisky finished in Tassie's own pinot noir barrels, as well as the more traditional bourbon and port barrel options.</p> <p>The visitor's centre, overlooking the Emu Valley, offers a fully licensed restaurant and a Tasting Bar to sample the wide range of whiskies on offer – and given the company's dairy history, you cannot go past the whisky milk!</p> <p><strong>William McHenry and Sons</strong></p> <p>Tree-changer William McHenry left a Sydney biotech company to move to Tasmania for the purpose of making whisky and with the handful of others in this fledgling industry he formed the Tasmanian Whisky Producers Association.</p> <p>The distillery sits on the Tasman Peninsula making it the country's southernmost distillery, the land has excellent spring water too, the basis for a great whisky.</p> <p>As the name suggests McHenry's is a family affair and offers tours of the distillery by appointment and while the Three Capes single malt whisky is a cracker it is the gin that makes McHenry's stand out.</p> <p>The McHenry Classic Dry Gin is a wonderfully floral gin with the botanicals taking centre stage. It was recently named Australia's finest gin by Australian Gourmet Travel in a tasting of 23 Aussie gins.</p> <p><strong>Sullivans Cove</strong></p> <p>Founded in 1995 at the titular cove in Hobart, that once housed one of the island's first British settlements in 1804, this distillery recently moved to brand new digs in Cambridge.</p> <p>Master distiller Patrick Maguire has helped boost Tasmanian whisky's already growing reputation by taking out the World's Best Whisky at the World Whiskies Awards in London last year.</p> <p>It was a great birthday present for Sullivans Cove as the distillery celebrated its 20th anniversary and just the latest in a string of awards for their Sullivans Cove French Oak whisky. The Sullivans Cove Cellar Door offers hourly tours during the week, but bookings are preferred.</p> <p><strong>Nant Distilling Company</strong></p> <p>Specialising in just a handful of single malt whiskies, Nant was started by Keith Batt. Nant single malts are aged in American Oak sherry barrels, bourbon barrels and French Oak pinot noir barrels and you can visit the cellar door most days.</p> <p>The estate dates back to the 1800s and is also home to Australia's oldest water-powered flour mills which are part of the guided tour.</p> <p>Plan to have a meal at the Atrium restaurant that has sweeping views of the Tasmanian highlands as well as a seasonal menu and tasting flights of whisky matched with the food.</p> <p>Nant means "stream" and the whole area was named that by Welsh settlers after it's pure drinking water, so it is the perfect place for a distillery.</p> <p><strong>Redlands Estate</strong></p> <p>This is the new kid with the first release of single malt only becoming available later this year and the business moving next month (February) to an old coaching in at Kempton, about 50 kilometres north of Hobart.</p> <p>Stables built from convict-made bricks once hosted 20-or so horses and now house Redlands' copper still. The main residence of the old inn will be the cellar door and cafe.</p> <p>While you wait for the release of the single malt, you can taste Redlands other offerings; apple schnapps, apple liquor, XO brandy and New Malt – a spirit, based on the barley that will eventually be seen in the newest whisky off the Tasmanian block.</p> <p><em>Written by Paul Chai. <em>First appeared on <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.traveller.com.au/" target="_blank"><strong>Traveller.com.au</strong></a></span>. </em></em></p> <p><strong>Related links (NZ):</strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/travel/international/2016/02/a-look-inside-first-class-cabins/">Inside 8 first class cabins that will amaze you</a></strong></em></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/travel/international/2016/02/most-photographed-locations-in-london/">London’s 8 most photographed locations</a></strong></em></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/travel/international/2016/02/holiday-ideas-for-animal-lovers/">8 holiday ideas every animal lover needs to experience</a></strong></em></span></p> <p> </p>

International Travel

Over 60

© Copyright 2024 OverSixty.All Rights Reserved.