ARC Research Network in Enterprise Information Infrastructure. EII targets consolidated research towards the comprehensive development & establishment of advanced information infrastructures. Its prime purpose is to provide a forum for intellectual exchange by diverse yet complementary research groups, to address the fundamental research problems faced by scientific & business communities when dealing with deployment of information technology to globally distributed, and data intensive environme ....ARC Research Network in Enterprise Information Infrastructure. EII targets consolidated research towards the comprehensive development & establishment of advanced information infrastructures. Its prime purpose is to provide a forum for intellectual exchange by diverse yet complementary research groups, to address the fundamental research problems faced by scientific & business communities when dealing with deployment of information technology to globally distributed, and data intensive environments. EII will address 3 tightly coupled research themes: Ability to interoperate across existing heterogenous platforms & applications; Efficient processing of very large data sets; Technology adoption & impact. Generic results will be applicable to e-science and large business information systems installations.Read moreRead less
A Behavioural Intervention For The Adoption & Maintenance Of Physical Activity In Type 2 Diabetes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$334,955.00
Summary
For people with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) it is essential that blood glucose levels are managed well to reduce the risk of developing complications. Physical activity is essential for maintaining glucose levels because it helps make the muscles use glucose more effectively. In particular, being active through strength training not only improves blood glucose levels, but can be very effective for maintaining good physical functioning, which is known to be reduced by having T2DM. This study builds on ....For people with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) it is essential that blood glucose levels are managed well to reduce the risk of developing complications. Physical activity is essential for maintaining glucose levels because it helps make the muscles use glucose more effectively. In particular, being active through strength training not only improves blood glucose levels, but can be very effective for maintaining good physical functioning, which is known to be reduced by having T2DM. This study builds on our earlier research which demonstrated significantly improved blood glucose levels from a strength training program for older adults with T2DM. The strength training program is to be administered nationally in a research to practice trial (Lift for Life); however, the original research found that those who did not complete the program as it was intended (ie, poor adherence) did not show significant improvements in blood glucose levels. Furthermore, maintenance of strength training exercises after completion of the program was poor and resulted in return of blood glucose levels back to pre-starting levels. In people without diabetes, we have collected pilot data that shows that the use of behavioural strategies based on behavioural theories whereby each person's motivations and barriers are taken into consideration is more effective than the traditional one-treatment-fits-all approach. This study will evaluate the effectiveness of using behavioural strategies for improving adherence and maintenance to the Lift for Life strength training program (Enhanced L4L) for older adults with T2DM compared with the Standard L4L program. It will also follow-up participants 6 months later to determine the extent to which the changes in behaviour can be maintained. The study will provide information that will assist in the design, delivery and uptake of programs to improve treatment strategies in older adults with T2DM through the maintenance of healthier behaviours and lifestyles.Read moreRead less
School drug education for junior high school students in Victoria - Assessing the impact of a state-wide, evidence-based intervention
. Young people are faced with numerous and powerful influences to use both legal and illicit drugs, and drug education can play an important counterbalancing role in shaping a normative culture of safety, moderation and informed decision making in this group. The research will develop, implement and evaluate one all encompassing, evidence-based, drug education pr ....School drug education for junior high school students in Victoria - Assessing the impact of a state-wide, evidence-based intervention
. Young people are faced with numerous and powerful influences to use both legal and illicit drugs, and drug education can play an important counterbalancing role in shaping a normative culture of safety, moderation and informed decision making in this group. The research will develop, implement and evaluate one all encompassing, evidence-based, drug education program for junior high school students across Victoria. The study is unique in its size and scope and will be of national benefit because its findings will influence the nature of future drug education in all secondary schools in Australia.Read moreRead less
Impacts of Banned Drinkers Register Re-introduction in Northern Territory. This project aims to investigate the impact of the re-introduction of the Banned Drinker Register in the Northern Territory, where rates of alcohol-related harm are more than twenty times that seen in other Australian states.
This interdisciplinary team will use qualitative and quantitative methods across urban and remote locations to answer complex questions about policy impact.
This Project expects to provide evidence ....Impacts of Banned Drinkers Register Re-introduction in Northern Territory. This project aims to investigate the impact of the re-introduction of the Banned Drinker Register in the Northern Territory, where rates of alcohol-related harm are more than twenty times that seen in other Australian states.
This interdisciplinary team will use qualitative and quantitative methods across urban and remote locations to answer complex questions about policy impact.
This Project expects to provide evidence to inform future policy introduction and refinement. It aims to enhance Aboriginal research capacity for investigating alcohol policy.
Benefits should include world’s best evidence on the impact of supply restriction policies on treatment needs and the massive levels of harm seen in the Northern Territory.Read moreRead less
ARC Centre of Excellence for Indigenous Futures. ARC Centre of Excellence for Indigenous Futures. The ARC Centre of Excellence for Indigenous Futures aims to transform and improve the life chances of Indigenous Australians by utilising Indigenous knowledges in unique trans-disciplinary cross-sector designed research to enhance our understanding about the complex nature of Indigenous intergenerational inequity. The Centre expects to generate new knowledge to enable evidence-based policy formulati ....ARC Centre of Excellence for Indigenous Futures. ARC Centre of Excellence for Indigenous Futures. The ARC Centre of Excellence for Indigenous Futures aims to transform and improve the life chances of Indigenous Australians by utilising Indigenous knowledges in unique trans-disciplinary cross-sector designed research to enhance our understanding about the complex nature of Indigenous intergenerational inequity. The Centre expects to generate new knowledge to enable evidence-based policy formulation and implementation including best practice models. The Centre will be entirely led by Indigenous researchers working with communities, government agencies and practitioners to strengthen the delivery of outcomes and linkages intentionally focused on all four of the National Agreement Close The Gap -2020’s Priority Reform areas.Read moreRead less
Assessing supportive care needs of Indigenous cancer survivors' caregivers. This project aims to gather data about the needs of partners and caregivers of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cancer survivors. The project will undertake a comprehensive exploration of the experiences of caregivers and develop a psychometrically tested tool to assist in identifying unmet needs. The project expects to provide new knowledge about the needs of this population and a validated tool to better assess th ....Assessing supportive care needs of Indigenous cancer survivors' caregivers. This project aims to gather data about the needs of partners and caregivers of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cancer survivors. The project will undertake a comprehensive exploration of the experiences of caregivers and develop a psychometrically tested tool to assist in identifying unmet needs. The project expects to provide new knowledge about the needs of this population and a validated tool to better assess these needs. The project will result in improvements in the assessment of unmet supportive care needs in caregivers of Indigenous cancer survivors, leading to more timely interventions, and a better quality of life for patients and caregivers.Read moreRead less
Arresting declines of arboreal mammals in the tropical savannas. This project aims to evaluate the hypothesis that arboreal species are limited by the abundance of tree hollows, and that historical increases in the frequency of intense fires may be reducing hollow abundance. Northern Australia’s mammals are in severe decline, and arboreal species are among those that have fared worst. There is abundant anecdotal evidence that a decline in hollow abundance is the cause. Working with the Western A ....Arresting declines of arboreal mammals in the tropical savannas. This project aims to evaluate the hypothesis that arboreal species are limited by the abundance of tree hollows, and that historical increases in the frequency of intense fires may be reducing hollow abundance. Northern Australia’s mammals are in severe decline, and arboreal species are among those that have fared worst. There is abundant anecdotal evidence that a decline in hollow abundance is the cause. Working with the Western Australian Department of Parks and Wildlife in the Kimberley, the last region on the Australian mainland with an intact mammal fauna, the project aims to explore management options for increasing the availability of hollow denning sites for arboreal mammals (e.g. fire management, artificial nest boxes), and evaluate the likely impact of such actions on mammal populations across northern Australia.Read moreRead less
Evaluating the impact of Indigenous preferential procurement programs. This project aims to conduct a multi-disciplinary, multi-method evaluation of the implementation and impacts of Indigenous preferential procurement programs (IPPPs) on Indigenous businesses, Indigenous communities, procurers’ operations and outcomes. Bringing together researchers in partnership with corporate and government procurers, Indigenous data custodians and the Australian Bureau of Statistics we aim to produce a signi ....Evaluating the impact of Indigenous preferential procurement programs. This project aims to conduct a multi-disciplinary, multi-method evaluation of the implementation and impacts of Indigenous preferential procurement programs (IPPPs) on Indigenous businesses, Indigenous communities, procurers’ operations and outcomes. Bringing together researchers in partnership with corporate and government procurers, Indigenous data custodians and the Australian Bureau of Statistics we aim to produce a significant national program evaluation of IPPPs and the impact at the community level. The project aims to highlight ways in which IPPPs can be [re]designed to reduce implementation friction, facilitate access and participation among Indigenous businesses and help guarantee positive effects on Indigenous communities.Read moreRead less
Improving Delivery Of Secondary Prophylaxis For Rheumatic Heart Disease: A Stepped-wedge, Community-randomised Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,913,074.00
Summary
Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) is a major health problem in Indigenous communities. Continued progress in controlling RHD requires an understanding of how to improve delivery of regular injections of penicillin - secondary prophylaxis (SP). We will evaluate a systems-based approach to improving delivery of SP, using a stepped-wedge trial in 12 communities in NT and Qld. If successful, this model will provide a practical and transferable model.
Excessive sitting and population health: strengthening the science and the relevance to policy and practice. The majority of Australian adults spend most of their waking hours sitting; this increases the likelihood of developing diseases of inactivity, including diabetes, heart disease and some cancers. New research will investigate what factors encourage excessive sitting and what the health benefits are for people who deliberately do less sitting.