University of Canberra

Love is blind, the saying goes, and thanks to a new study we are now a step closer to understanding why. Researchers have measured how a part of the brain is responsible for putting our loved one on a pedestal in that first flush of romance. Love is blind, the saying goes, and thanks to a world-first Australian study, we are now a step closer to understanding why. It is well known that romantic love changes the brain, releasing the so-called love hormone oxytocin, responsible for the euphoria we feel when falling in love. Now, researchers from the ANU, University of Canberra and University of South Australia have measured how a part of the brain is responsible for putting our loved one on a pedestal in that first flush of romance. In the world's first study investigating the link between the human brain's behavioural activation system (BAS) and romantic love, researchers surveyed 1556 young adults who identified as being "in love." The survey questions focused on the emotional reaction to their partner, their behaviour around them, and the focus they placed on their loved one above all else. It turns out that when we are in love, our brain reacts differently. It makes the object of our affections the centre of our lives. ANU lead researcher and PhD student Adam Bode says the study -- recently published in the journal Behavioural Sciences - sheds light on the mechanisms that cause romantic love. "We actually know very little about the evolution of romantic love," Bode says. As a result, every finding that tells us about romantic love's evolution is an important piece of the puzzle that's just been started." "It is thought that romantic love first emerged some five million years ago after we split from our ancestors, the great apes. We know the ancient Greeks philosophized about it a lot, recognising it both as an amazing as well as traumatic experience. The oldest poem ever to be recovered was in fact a love poem dated to around 2000 BC." University of Canberra academic and UniSA Adjunct Associate Professor, Dr Phil Kavanagh, says the study shows that romantic love is linked to changes in behaviour as well as emotion. "We know the role that oxytocin plays in romantic love, because we get waves of it circulating throughout our nervous system and blood stream when we interact with loved ones," Dr Kavanagh says. "The way that loved ones take on special importance, however, is due to oxytocin combining with dopamine, a chemical that our brain releases during romantic love. Essentially, love activates pathways in the brain associated with positive feelings." The next stage of the research involves investigating the differences between men and women in their approach to love, and a worldwide survey identifying four different types of romantic lovers.

Primus CF steering wheel. Photo credit: Cobra International, Schmitt Marine Cobra International (Chonburi, Thailand) has announced its latest marine industry collaboration with Schmitt Marine (Lancaster, Pa., U.S.). A provider of performance steering wheel systems, Schmitt Marine has joined forces with Cobra and engineering firm Talon Technology (Springfield, Mo., U.S.) to create the new Primus CF wheel. Looking to offer carbon fiber as a top-of-the-range option for premium vessel owners, Schmitt Marine aims to combine the style of its classic steel wheel designs with a new, strong and lightweight carbon fiber composite construction. Working together with engineer Geoff Germon, CEO of Talon Technology Pty. Ltd. and adjunct professor of design at the University of Canberra (Australia), Cobra concentrated on creating a production methodology for the Primus CF that could seamlessly transfer parts from tool to polyurethane (PU) clear coating with minimum process steps and materials. As a result, the wheel’s carbon fiber prepreg skins, featuring UV-resistant black Santoprene rubber grip patches, have been combined with a toughened epoxy glass fiber core to create a luxury-grade carbon fiber steering wheel that has been optimized to meet all NMMA and CE testing regulations for U.S. and European end markets. “Talon and Cobra have shown how easy it is to switch to composites,” Jed Schober, product development specialist, Schmitt Marine, says. “They have created an innovative design and production process that improves performance at a smart price point. Thanks to Cobra’s commitment to product quality and on-time delivery, we’re creating a stronger and lighter future for our customers.”

Sydney-based SimConverse has collected A$1.5 million (around $987,000) in a seed funding round led by Folklore Ventures, with participation from Artesian. WHAT IT DOES Founded in 2020, SimConverse is a simulation platform that uses generative AI to play the role of any patient, colleague or casualty for healthcare communications training. It is made to be adaptable and customisable to suit the curriculum needs of learners. WHAT IT'S FOR According to a media release, the seed funding will be used to attract more users across the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Among its early adopters include Queensland Health in Australia and the NHS Lothian in the UK. It has also partnered with global universities, such as the University of Canberra, Liverpool University and King’s College London. WHY IT MATTERS SimConverse focuses on enhancing the verbal communication skills of learners at every level. It claims that ineffective communication among healthcare professionals contributes to medical errors and patient harm "with around 70% of medical errors attributed to communication breakdowns." "Communication is the number one determinant of the quality of care a patient will receive. Without good communication you cannot treat, you cannot diagnose, and you cannot provide care," said CEO and co-founder Aiden Roberts. MARKET SNAPSHOT The use of virtual reality technology is the latest trend in medical education and training in Australia and elsewhere. Vantari VR, a major player in this space, has been helping fast-track the training of nurses and doctors across big hospitals in Australia, such as Fiona Stanley Hospital, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Westmead Hospital and Nepean Hospital. It has also supported medical institutions outside metropolitan areas like the Latrobe Regional Hospital. Even the Department of Defence is also using VR to enhance the training of their combat medics. The VR-based Virtual Tactical Combat programme by first responder training company Real Response was recently launched with support from the Defence Innovation Hub. ON THE RECORD According to Alister Coleman, a partner at Folklore, one of SimConverse's investors, existing healthcare education simulation tools "lack effective training and breadth." He said that they decided to invest in SimConverse as the platform equips medical professionals with skills to "engage in meaningful conversations" with their patients, and in turn, develop a "more holistic understanding of their well-being, reduce the risk of errors, and ultimately deliver better care."