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Scientific Research
WINNER - Steve Simpson
Jekyll and Hyde Grasshoppers Teach Us About Obesity
Australian research which revealed a possible cause of obesity, while exploring the Jekyll and Hyde traits of grasshoppers, has been awarded the University of New South Wales Eureka Prize for Scientific Research. Professor Stephen Simpson received the prize for work which initially sought to understand the swarming of locusts, and resulted in a hypothesis about human protein intake and obesity.
This prize is part of the Australian Museum Eureka Prizes, the Oscars of Australian science. Coveted among science prizes, the Australian Museum Eureka Prizes were announced at a glittering event in Sydney on 19 August attended by a ‘who's who' of Australian science, government, academia and industry.
Hunger for protein is the reason locusts swarm and the reason the obese continue to over eat, according to Simpson's novel research.
Simpson, who is a Professor at the School of Biological Sciences, University of Sydney, discovered that locusts move en masse when they detect a protein shortage. The locusts ‘march', eating everything, hoping they'll consume sufficient protein along the way. Such is their hunger, that locusts who do not march soon get cannibalised by others - for protein. Simpson's laboratory studies show that locusts satiated with protein stop swarming and marching.
Simpson has shown that other animals, including humans also have this tightly regulated protein-driven appetite, just like the locusts.
In humans, this can have a devastating effect. He says the person on a modern diet of high carbohydrates and fat, but low protein, is like the swarming locust. They will over-eat until they consume enough protein, just as locusts only stop swarming when their protein intake is satisfied. This is now known as the ‘protein leverage' effect.
To test this theory further in humans, studies are now under way in Sydney, Cambridge, Jamaica and The Gambia. Simpson hopes that by selecting populations from different regions of the world will provide an insight into how different eating habits affect the protein target.
Simpson's protein leverage effect is also being applied to studies in gerontology, aquaculture, livestock feed, conservation biology and of course, locust control.
Director of the Australian Museum, Frank Howarth, says Simpson's work is causing a major rethink in fields of nutrition and gerontology. "It's extraordinary that Professor Simpson's work with locusts has influenced so many different fields. It is an indication this was pure scientific research, which is what this prize rewards."
The $10,000 University of New South Wales Eureka Prize for Scientific Research is awarded for outstanding curiosity-driven scientific research.
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Sponsor
The University of New South Wales Eureka Prize for Scientific Research is sponsored by University of New South Wales.
Description
The University of New South Wales Eureka Prize for Scientific Research is awarded to a researcher(s) for outstanding curiosity-driven scientific research.
prize
$10,000
Purpose
The University of New South Wales Eureka Prize for Scientific Research is awarded for outstanding curiosity-driven scientific research.
Research entered may be an individual project or a body of work. In either case, the research is required to have been:
• undertaken in Australia by an Australian scientist(s)
• published in an internationally respected, externally-refereed scientific journal(s), book(s) or equivalent electronic publication(s), and
• undertaken no more than 5 years before the closing date for entries.
Judging Criteria
Entries should specifically address how their work meets the following judging criteria:
1) Originality of research
2) Employment of a conceptual or investigative approach not normally used in the field of research
3) Rigour of the research program
4) The probability that the contribution will lead to a significantly new investigative approach to problem-solving in the field of research
Conditions of entry
The prize is open to individuals or groups. Entrants can either enter themselves or be nominated by others.
Research entered for this prize must have been undertaken:
• in Australia by an Australian citizen(s) or Australian resident(s)
• no more than five (5) years prior to the closing date for entries.
Research entered for this prize must have been published in an internationally respected, externally-refereed scientific journal(s), book(s) or equivalent electronic publication(s).
Online entry forms close 5pm AEST Friday 2 May 2008. Hard copy entries will not be considered until and unless an online entry form has been completed.
Completed entries must be received by the Australian Museum no later than 5pm AEST on Friday 9 May 2008. Entries delivered to the Australian Museum after this time will not be considered.
Entries with insufficient sets of documentation will not be considered. Submitted material will not be returned.
The research entered/nominated for this prize may not be entered/nominated for another Australian Museum Eureka Prize.
The deliberations of the judging panel remain confidential. All recommendations and decisions taken are binding and final and no correspondence will be entered into on such matters.
Information provided by the entrant(s) in relation to the Australian Museum Eureka Prizes (including photos), may be used by the Australian Museum for promotional/publicity purposes.
Personal information provided in connection with the Australian Museum Eureka Prizes will be used only by the Australian Museum and only in connection with the Australian Museum Eureka Prizes.
How to enter
1. Complete an online entry form
Complete the online entry form by 5pm AEST on Friday 2 May 2008. Make sure you print out a copy.
2. Prepare five (5) sets of the entry, with each set consisting of:
1. a printed copy of the online entry form as submitted
2. a brief description of the research entered, including objectives and results to date (two page maximum)
3. a brief description of how the research entered addresses each of the judging criteria (two page maximum)
4. evidence of publication of the research in an internationally respected, externally-refereed scientific journal(s), book(s) or equivalent electronic publication(s), and
5. a maximum of four (4) written reports addressing each of the judging criteria from assessors who are familiar with the entered research. NOTE: Judges rely on assessor's reports to provide additional perspective and informed opinion on the entry. Assessors should not be personally or directly involved in the work entered in this prize.
3. Submit the entry
Submit five (5) complete and separate sets of the entry clipped together (not bound). Please do NOT bother with elaborate presentation when submitting the entry. This will be removed before material is sent to judges. The five (5) sets of the entry should be sent to:
UNSW Eureka Prize for Scientific Research
Australian Museum
6 College Street
SYDNEY NSW 2010
4. DEADLINE for submission of entries
The five (5) sets of the entry must be received at the Australian Museum by 5pm AEST on Friday 9 May 2008. Entries received after this time will not be considered.
