Stories

Agriculture, Plants, Biosecurity

Dodging Banana Diseases and Monoculture Farming Challenges

Many of us grab a banana for a quick snack, however have you ever considered what exotic diseases could wipe out our favourite fruit overnight? It’s happened before… once in the 1950’s. A new report from the Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation reveals that investing in disease prevention could save the Australian banana industry over $52 million, all the while shining a light on the dangers of monoculture farming. 4ZZZ's Eliot Rifkin chatted about dodging banana threats and building a resilient future for bananas with Professor Andrew Geering from UQ's Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation (QAAFI).

Animals, Disability, Social Services

Guide Dogs Queensland supporting vision loss

Have you ever wondered how a specially trained dog can transform the life of someone with vision loss, helping them navigate the world with confidence? Guide Dogs Queensland has been empowering Queenslanders with low vision or blindness for over 65 years, providing life-changing services through their remarkable dogs and dedicated volunteers. 4ZZZ's Eliot Rifkin is joined by Jock Beveridge, CEO of Guide Dogs Queensland to chat about their impactful work and how the community can support this vital mission.

Science and Technology, Emergency Services, Insects

Cyborg beetles and their use in search and rescue

Imagine if beetles could be heroes, just for one day? Well, that dream might just become a reality for darkling beetles, who are being studied at UQ to become cyborg beetles and could be used for search and rescue operations. 4ZZZ's Anita Diamond chatted with Lachlan Fitzgerald a PhD researcher from UQ on 'Cyborg' beetles and their use in search and rescue.

Animals, Animal Welfare and Rescue, Environment

Exploring conservation efforts to protect the vulnerable Brush-Tail Rock Wallaby

We often hear about species of bandicoots, bilbies or quolls facing the risk of extinction… but did you know there are populations of Brush-Tail Rock Wallabies facing serious decline. This Rock Wallaby subspecies is still relatively common in areas such as Southern Queensland, though in other regions of Australia… serious conservation efforts are now being done to protect this vulnerable marsupial from the numerous threats it faces. 4ZZZ's Toni Pankaluic spoke with Jessica Guidotti, Project Officer from the Wildlife Preservation Society of Queensland to learn more on protecting the Brush Tail Rock Wallaby as well as understanding the animal.

Homelessness, Education

New research and school curriculum unveiled by Orange Sky on Homelessness

With a housing and a cost of living crises, some Australians have no choice to sleep rough. However, a new research conducted by not-for-profit OrangeSky shows Australians lack an understanding of what being homeless is, with 1 in 10 saying they can clearly define homelessness. OrangeSky has also launched a school curriculum course to teach school kids about homes and what homelessness is, so they have a clear understanding of it and become more sympathetic towards this sector. 4ZZZ's contributor Eduardo Jordan spoke with Shayne Herriot, Chief Operating Officer at Orange Sky about the research and school curriculum Orange Sky launched last week.

Animal Welfare and Rescue

SEQ's Parvovirus outbreak affecting our pets

Have you ever wondered how a simple vaccine could save your pet from a deadly disease sweeping through Southeast Queensland? The The Animal Welfare League of Queensland (AWLQ) is tackling outbreaks of canine parvovirus and feline panleukopenia in suburbs like Ipswich and South Brisbane, offering free vaccinations to protect our furry friends.

The IRL Prisoner Solidarity Network

Once a month, the IRL prisoner solidarity network gather together in South Brisbane to write letters to people in prison - most of whom they have never met in person. 4ZZZ reporter Andy Paine to spoke to Nik from the solidarity network to find out what they do and why

Health, Mental Health, Medical, Science and Technology

Mental Disorders and Brain Energy Levels – A New Direction in Psychiatry

Could the energy levels in our brains hold the key to understanding mental disorders? New research from James Cook University’s Professor Zoltan Sarnyai and 40 global neuroscientists suggests that disruptions in ʻhowʻ the brain uses energy may be at the core of such conditions such as depression, psychosis, and epilepsy to name a few. 4ZZZ's Eliot Rifkin chats with Professor Zoltan Sarnyai of James Cook University’s Margaret Roderick Centre for Mental Health Research about how this “landmark” discovery could revolutionise psychiatry and what it may mean for future mental health treatments.

The Farm Transparency Project

Yesterday a group of animal rights activists gathered outside the state government building as part of a week of action called by the Farm Transparency Project. The Project are a group of people who covertly film slaughterhouses around Australia. In the last couple of years they have filmed 30 slaughterhouses and found legal breaches in all of them. 4ZZZ reporter Andy Paine spoke to Harley Mcdonald-Eckersall about the project.

Mead, Mutton and Merriment at The Abbey Medieval Festival

For most of the year, the field between the Abbey Museum and St Micheal's School lays relatively empty.

But for one weekend every winter, the area transforms into the medieval village of Abbeystowe, drawing thousands upon thousands of lords, ladies and lieges to participate in the Abbey Medieval Festival.

4ZZZ's Grace Harris spoke to volunteers and attendees to discover more about the yearly tradition.

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