Resilient ageing and the oldest-old in the Australian longitudinal study of ageing. This project will provide a better understanding of resiliency (positive adaptation) in oldest-old Australians (85 plus). At a time in history when the population is ageing at an unprecedented rate, understanding how the oldest-old respond adaptively to age-related challenges is critically important to informing ageing policies and service provision.
The effect of mitochondrial and nuclear-cytoplasmic variation on longevity, metabolism and stress resistance in Drosophila. Much research points to a major role of free radical damage in aging, thus the belief that antioxidants might be beneficial in delaying aging. Free radicals are mostly formed in the subcellular organelles which consume oxygen and produce energy, and this may be the major site of age-related damage. This project seeks to understand the degree to which variation among these ....The effect of mitochondrial and nuclear-cytoplasmic variation on longevity, metabolism and stress resistance in Drosophila. Much research points to a major role of free radical damage in aging, thus the belief that antioxidants might be beneficial in delaying aging. Free radicals are mostly formed in the subcellular organelles which consume oxygen and produce energy, and this may be the major site of age-related damage. This project seeks to understand the degree to which variation among these subcellular organelles affect free radical damage and aging, using the fruitfly Drosophila melanogaster as a model organism.Read moreRead less
Plasma protein profiles in normal brain ageing and early stages of dementia. Brain changes related to ageing and dementia are associated with altered proteins that can be detected in the blood. This project will examine blood samples from a number of well-characterised ageing cohorts to discover proteins that may serve as potential markers of brain ageing and the early stages of dementia.
Sensory impairments and driving: can older drivers cope with distracters? This research adopts a multi-disciplinary approach to investigate the problems of older drivers, and drivers in general. The research will provide a clear understanding of how visual and auditory distracters impact upon the driving behaviour and safety of individuals with vision and hearing impairment and those experiencing age-related declines in cognitive skills. The research is highly significant in terms of improving o ....Sensory impairments and driving: can older drivers cope with distracters? This research adopts a multi-disciplinary approach to investigate the problems of older drivers, and drivers in general. The research will provide a clear understanding of how visual and auditory distracters impact upon the driving behaviour and safety of individuals with vision and hearing impairment and those experiencing age-related declines in cognitive skills. The research is highly significant in terms of improving our understanding of how sensory impairment and age-related changes impact upon driving performance, the impact of an increasingly complex driving and in-vehicle environment and will provide tangible benefits for the road safety of the wider community.Read moreRead less
How Individual and Societal Resources Contribute to Ageing Well through the Fourth Age: The Australian Longitudinal Study of Ageing. People aged 85 and over represent the fastest growing sector of the Australian population. It is estimated that by 2051 Australia will be home to between 1.6 million and 2.7 million 85+ year olds. This project fills a pressing need for knowledge about determinants of quality of life, resilience and successful ageing in this rarely studied age group. Detailed inform ....How Individual and Societal Resources Contribute to Ageing Well through the Fourth Age: The Australian Longitudinal Study of Ageing. People aged 85 and over represent the fastest growing sector of the Australian population. It is estimated that by 2051 Australia will be home to between 1.6 million and 2.7 million 85+ year olds. This project fills a pressing need for knowledge about determinants of quality of life, resilience and successful ageing in this rarely studied age group. Detailed information drawn from over 300 participants, all aged 85 and over, will lead the way to providing Australian communities and policy-makers with the understanding needed to plan for and manage this important demographic transition, and develop services directed at optimising health, functioning and meaningful engagement.Read moreRead less
Prefrontal and medial temporal lobe cortices' interactions to episodic long-term memory. Current models of episodic memory in humans are incomplete. They mostly consider only one of the two brain systems known to be critical to this cognitive ability. This project will propose the first comprehensive model of episodic memory and, in doing so, will advance our knowledge of human memory systems and will maintain Australian research competitiveness in a domain that is fast evolving. This research c ....Prefrontal and medial temporal lobe cortices' interactions to episodic long-term memory. Current models of episodic memory in humans are incomplete. They mostly consider only one of the two brain systems known to be critical to this cognitive ability. This project will propose the first comprehensive model of episodic memory and, in doing so, will advance our knowledge of human memory systems and will maintain Australian research competitiveness in a domain that is fast evolving. This research contributes to ageing well, ageing productively. Because memory deficits are becoming increasingly common in our ageing population and may represent a sign of dementia, accurate evaluation of episodic memory integrity is essential.Read moreRead less
An anti-senescence nanoplatform and its underlying mechanism. The project will bring together complementary expertise and skills by combining biomaterials, cell and molecular biology, and engineering, to develop a novel nano-biomaterial platform for anti-senescence and gain an in-depth understanding of its underlying mechanisms. The underlying mechanisms of senescence remain elusive and bone substitutes with anti-senescence property have not been explored and becoming a growing field of interest ....An anti-senescence nanoplatform and its underlying mechanism. The project will bring together complementary expertise and skills by combining biomaterials, cell and molecular biology, and engineering, to develop a novel nano-biomaterial platform for anti-senescence and gain an in-depth understanding of its underlying mechanisms. The underlying mechanisms of senescence remain elusive and bone substitutes with anti-senescence property have not been explored and becoming a growing field of interest in bone regeneration. The project will develop a well-defined and efficient nanomaterial platform with optimal combination of nano-surface features and chemistry for cell rejuvenation, and it will give unprecedented depth of interdisciplinary understanding of senescence rejuvenation mechanisms.Read moreRead less
Changing modes: A study of the knowledge economy of human service research in Australia. Significant national benefits will accrue through this study of the human services knowledge economy. The creation of human services employing knowledge-based interventions will address the real needs of Australians in the current socio-political environment. In investigating how current systems of knowledge production contribute to the creation of relevant and effective human services, the research will ide ....Changing modes: A study of the knowledge economy of human service research in Australia. Significant national benefits will accrue through this study of the human services knowledge economy. The creation of human services employing knowledge-based interventions will address the real needs of Australians in the current socio-political environment. In investigating how current systems of knowledge production contribute to the creation of relevant and effective human services, the research will identify the restraints to innovation in human services and the structures in which knowledge production is articulated. In modelling an 'ideal-type' of knowledge transfer conducive to the development of socially accountable research, it will inform changes needed for effective human service delivery. Read moreRead less
Crimes, Places and Communities: A Spatial and Temporal Analysis of Collective Capacity with implications for community-based crime prevention. This project seeks to provide policy makers in Australia with better evidence on which to protect Australia from crime. Our project will provide insights as to how communities might more effectively insulate themselves from crime over time. Our research has the potential to lead the future direction in Australian approaches to community-based crime preven ....Crimes, Places and Communities: A Spatial and Temporal Analysis of Collective Capacity with implications for community-based crime prevention. This project seeks to provide policy makers in Australia with better evidence on which to protect Australia from crime. Our project will provide insights as to how communities might more effectively insulate themselves from crime over time. Our research has the potential to lead the future direction in Australian approaches to community-based crime prevention and crime control programs.
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Attachment security and relationship outcomes in adult adoptees: The moderating effects of family experiences and recent relationship events. Personal relationships are vital to well-being and to the structure of society; hence, factors involved in maintaining satisfying relationships are of prime importance. The relationship experiences of adult adoptees deserve particular attention. These individuals have lost the major persons with whom attachments normally form; further, given legislative ....Attachment security and relationship outcomes in adult adoptees: The moderating effects of family experiences and recent relationship events. Personal relationships are vital to well-being and to the structure of society; hence, factors involved in maintaining satisfying relationships are of prime importance. The relationship experiences of adult adoptees deserve particular attention. These individuals have lost the major persons with whom attachments normally form; further, given legislative changes, an increasing number are facing issues related to the search for birth parents. These studies, based on adult attachment theory, represent the first research program to systematically examine the links among adoption, family experiences, attachment security and relationship outcomes. The research has implications for policy and practice regarding adoption and post-adoption counselling.Read moreRead less