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Massey Research Online

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Recent Submissions

Widespread cis-regulation of RNA-editing in a large mammal
(2018-04-19) Lopdell TJ; Couldrey C; Tiplady K; Davis SR; Snell RG; Harris BL; Littlejohn MD
Do stress, depression, and anxiety lead to beliefs in conspiracy theories?
(SAGE Publications, 2025-09-29) Fox N; Williams M; Hill S
Previous research has found positive correlations between manifestations of psychological distress, such as anxiety, depression, and stress, and belief in conspiracy theories. However, it remains unclear whether these relationships represent causal effects. We therefore tested whether anxiety, depression, and stress affect (and are affected by) belief in conspiracy theories in a preregistered longitudinal study. We sampled participants from Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom (N = 970) in seven monthly waves (October 2022–March 2023). Using multiple-indicator random-intercept cross-lagged panel models, we found support for only one of 15 preregistered hypotheses: a small cross-lagged effect of anxiety on belief in conspiracy theories. We also found no evidence of belief in conspiracy theories itself provoking psychological distress. Our findings provide grounds for skepticism of the notion that beliefs in conspiracy theories are often motivated by psychological distress or feelings of “existential threat.”
Transforming teaching through cooperative inquiry: Meaningful research for university teachers.
(Taylor and Francis Group, 2025-08-08) Green J; Napan K; Julich S; Stent W; Thomas J; Lee DJ; Green MD
In this article, seven participants from nursing, social work, accounting, fine arts, bioscience, and learning support disciplines share insights gained through participation in a transdisciplinary cooperative inquiry research group aimed at developing excellence in teaching. This Cooperative Inquiry for Reflection and Collaboration on Learning Effectiveness (CIRCLE) group promoted transformation of individual participants’ teaching as well as development of interdepartmental collaboration and camaraderie within the context of contemporary, performance-based academic environments. Collaborative, pedagogical, action research was undertaken through cooperative inquiry (CI) to explore transformative learning activities that increased teachers’ and students’ engagement while covering prescribed learning outcomes using creative approaches. The results are presented in a reflexive, collaborative autoethnography through seven authentic teacher stories. Reflections on the process and the impact of being in the research group provide evidence of the potential transdisciplinary, CI research groups offer to enhance research and teaching outcomes in higher education. These findings are significant internationally in light of the necessity to meet the increasing expectations of all stakeholders in the global tertiary education sector.
Automated Computational Detection, Quantitation, and Mapping of Mitosis in Whole-Slide Images for Clinically Actionable Surgical Pathology Decision Support
(Elsevier Inc on behalf of the Association for Pathology Informatics, 2022-04-14) Puri M; Hoover SB; Hewitt SM; Wei B-R; Adissu HA; Halsey CHC; Beck J; Bradley C; Cramer SD; Durham AC; Esplin DG; Frank C; Lyle LT; McGill LD; Sánchez MD; Schaffer PA; Traslavina RP; Buza E; Yang HH; Lee MP; Dwyer JE; Simpson RM
Background: Determining mitotic index by counting mitotic figures (MFs) microscopically from tumor areas with most abundant MF (hotspots [HS]) produces a prognostically useful tumor grading biomarker. However, interobserver concordance identifying MF and HS can be poorly reproducible. Immunolabeling MF, coupled with computer-automated counting by image analysis, can improve reproducibility. A computational system for obtaining MF values across digitized whole-slide images (WSIs) was sought that would minimize impact of artifacts, generate values clinically relatable to counting ten high-power microscopic fields of view typical in conventional microscopy, and that would reproducibly map HS topography. Materials and Methods: Relatively low-resolution WSI scans (0.50 µm/pixel) were imported in grid-tile format for feature-based MF segmentation, from naturally occurring canine melanomas providing a wide range of proliferative activity. MF feature extraction conformed to anti-phospho-histone H3-immunolabeled mitotic (M) phase cells. Computer vision image processing was established to subtract key artifacts, obtain MF counts, and employ rotationally invariant feature extraction to map MF topography. Results: The automated topometric HS (TMHS) algorithm identified mitotic HS and mapped select tissue tiles with greatest MF counts back onto WSI thumbnail images to plot HS topographically. Influence of dye, pigment, and extraneous structure artifacts was minimized. TMHS diagnostic decision support included image overlay graphics of HS topography, as well as a spreadsheet and plot of tile-based MF count values. TMHS performance was validated examining both mitotic HS counting and mapping functions. Significantly correlated TMHS MF mapping and metrics were demonstrated using repeat analysis with WSI in different orientation (R2 = 0.9916) and by agreement with a pathologist (R2 = 0.8605) as well as through assessment of counting function using an independently tuned object counting algorithm (OCA) (R2 = 0.9482). Limits of agreement analysis support method interchangeability. MF counts obtained led to accurate patient survival prediction in all (n = 30) except one case. By contrast, more variable performance was documented when several pathologists examined similar cases using microscopy (pair-wise correlations, rho range = 0.7597-0.9286). Conclusions: Automated TMHS MF segmentation and feature engineering performance were interchangeable with both observer and OCA in digital mode. Moreover, enhanced HS location accuracy and superior method reproducibility were achieved using the automated TMHS algorithm compared to the current practice employing clinical microscopy.
NZ’s small music venues are struggling – but there are ways to help them thrive
(The Conversation Media Group Ltd, 2025-09-11) Carter D; Hoad C; Austin-Stewart J; Wilson O