Understanding The Pathogenesis, Phenotypic Variation And Risk Prediction Of Childhood Asthma Using Computational Approaches
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$122,714.00
Summary
Asthma is a common respiratory illness in Australia. It is important to be able to predict who gets asthma, because those who get early treatment tend to fare better. We plan to run complex tests on data collected from hundreds of Australian children. The collected data includes genetic variations, chest infections, and differences in immune responses. From this data we hope to achieve a better understanding of the driving forces behind asthma, and to make better predictions for those at risk.
An Integrated “omic” Approach To Neurodevelopmental Disorders Using Disease-discordant Monozygotic Twins
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$84,800.00
Summary
This project targets neurodevelopment disorders such as autism spectrum disorder, cerebral palsy and epilepsy and focuses on studying the environmental factors (epigenetics) affecting the disease mechanisms in these disorders. The study will be performed on twin samples and will help in the diagnosis of the disease risk at an earlier stage. It will also help to understand the causes of these important neurological diseases.
Transferring International Models Of Aboriginal-centered Health Care Into Australian Hospital Settings
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$83,666.00
Summary
Chile and Australia have similar health care systems, levels of economic development and Indigenous demographics. Effective approaches to improve Chilean Aboriginal health may therefore be transferable to Australia. The research will examine barriers and facilitators to Aboriginal-centred health care practices within Chile and use these findings to understand how similar strategies may be applied to an Australian context and the possible benefits of successful implementation.
Determinants Of Outcomes In SLE: Impact Of Models Of Care, Socioeconomic Factors And Biologic Variables In A Multiethnic Australian Population
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$134,124.00
Summary
Lupus is a chronic disease where the immune cells attack multiple systems in the body, which can lead to severe organ damage and even death. It is known that genes, socioeconomics and models of care all individually influence the outcomes in lupus. The exact contribution of each one is poorly understood, because they are studied in isolation. This project will take an integrated approach to investigating the factors that influence outcomes in lupus, looking for potentially addressable effects.
Treating Adult Obesity: Can A Tailored, Low Cost Dietetic Service Turn Around The Obesity Epidemic?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$90,567.00
Summary
Dietitians are trained to treat obesity, yet Australia is in an obesity crisis. In this study we investigate the clinical service dietitians offer to treat obesity in adults from the dietitian and the client perspective. From this information, we will model a computer-based system with the ability to report financial, and health progress. This work will result in a model of care that is better, faster, more accessible, and improves the health of Australians.
Improving Health Services Around The Time Of Childbirth In Places Where Death Rates Are High And Home-births Common
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$119,335.00
Summary
In settings close to Australia where death rates among mothers and newborns remain high, it is common for childbirth to take place outside of health facilities. This research will develop feasible options for countries aiming to simultaneously improve care in first-line health facilities (which often takes some years), and simultaneously provide some limited services in the home that can reduce deaths immediately.
Understanding Current And Future Opportunities To Promote Healthy Maternal Weight During Pregnancy And The Postpartum Period
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$75,620.00
Summary
The PhD will document clinical management of maternal weight gain during and post pregnancy, across a range of antenatal care providers and deliver a nine month pilot intervention study for first time mothers, aimed at reducing post pregnancy weight retention and promoting healthy nutrition and physical activity behaviours. Findings from this PhD will inform important future development of healthy weight interventions across the reproductive years.
The Impact Of Infections, Anaemia, And Micronutrient Deficiencies On Infant Birth Weight And Growth
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$83,613.00
Summary
This research aims to determine the impact of infectious diseases, anemia and nutritional deficiencies on low birth weight and infant growth in rural Papua New Guinea. The health of pregnant women and their babies will be assessed during pregnancy and up to 12 months post birth. We will determine which health indicators cause low birth weight and poor infant growth to enable development of interventions to improve health and pregnancy outcomes.
Measuring Hypoxia Induced MRNA In Maternal Blood To Determine Acidaemic Status Of Growth Restricted Fetuses In Utero
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$120,253.00
Summary
Small babies are at greater risk of dying while inside their mothers and the right time to deliver them is an obstetric conundrum. Currently obstetricians rely on ultrasound measures of the baby's wellbeing which do not always correspond with how sick the baby truly is. There is a great need for a more accurate test. This research intends to show that a blood test from the mother can more accurately tell how sick the baby is and provide an answer to when is the best time to deliver the baby.
Facial palsy is a devastating condition which has a very significant psychological and cosmetic impact. A simple and effective treatment does not exist for facial palsy. Our research goal is use state-of-the-art technology to define the types and the severity of the underlying nerve injury so that effective treatments can be developed to treat this terrible disorder.