Maternal Exposure To Air Pollution And Perinatal Outcomes In Victoria, Australia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$99,841.00
Summary
In 2014, the Hazelwood open cut brown coal mine in the Latrobe Valley, Victoria caught fire. The Hazelwood Mine Fire resulted in nearby towns being covered in plumes of smoke and ash over a period of six weeks. Little is understood about the health effects following exposure to smoke events of this nature and duration. This proposal will specifically explore the impact of the smoke event resulting from the fire on birth outcomes, such as preterm birth and birth weight.
A Risk Stratification Tool For The Prevention Of Avoidable Perinatal Mortality And Morbidity
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$645,205.00
Summary
Stillbirth is more common in Australia than in some high-income countries. Babies born early may experience lung or other problems. Many current stillbirths and preterm birth can be prevented. Using a cohort of >4.5 million births from WA, NSW, SA and NT (N >4.5 million), this project will develop a strategy to predict the risk of stillbirth, preterm birth, and low birth weight. Better identification of risk in pregnancy will improve antenatal care to reduce stillbirth and neonatal morbidi ....Stillbirth is more common in Australia than in some high-income countries. Babies born early may experience lung or other problems. Many current stillbirths and preterm birth can be prevented. Using a cohort of >4.5 million births from WA, NSW, SA and NT (N >4.5 million), this project will develop a strategy to predict the risk of stillbirth, preterm birth, and low birth weight. Better identification of risk in pregnancy will improve antenatal care to reduce stillbirth and neonatal morbidity.Read moreRead less
A Record Linkage Study Of The Relationship Between Intra-uterine Growth, Birth Weight And Childhood Acute Leukaemia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$126,000.00
Summary
Little is known about the causes of childhood leukaemia and cancer, and this has been the subject of intense study over many years. Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL) and Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML) are the most common types of childhood cancers. The early age of onset of diagnosis of cancer-leukaemia in childhood has focused attention on factors related to pregnancy. Many studies have investigated the relationship between birth weight and risk of leukaemia. Some studies have reported finding ....Little is known about the causes of childhood leukaemia and cancer, and this has been the subject of intense study over many years. Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL) and Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML) are the most common types of childhood cancers. The early age of onset of diagnosis of cancer-leukaemia in childhood has focused attention on factors related to pregnancy. Many studies have investigated the relationship between birth weight and risk of leukaemia. Some studies have reported finding an increasing risk of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia with increasing birth weight, but not all studies have reported this relationship. The relationship between birth weight and Acute Myeloid Leukaemia has been even less well described. Many previous studies have not taken account of important factors when analysing the results. This study will use an existing pool of routinely recorded health information, thus ensuring accurate information on birth weight and factors such as maternal height and age and the length of the pregnancy. We will also have complete and accurate information on childhood cancer in Western Australia. Our results will contribute to knowledge about the causes of childhood leukaemia and the biological pathways involved in its development. If growth-related factors do prove to be integrally involved in the aetiology of childhood leukaemia, then the rapidly increasing prevalence of juvenile diabetes, overweight and obesity in Australia and other developed countries could have even more serious implications for the health of our children. It is important that we investigate this question as soon as possible.Read moreRead less
Neurodevelopmental Risk Factors For Depression From Childhood To Early Adulthood
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$470,144.00
Summary
To understand who is at risk for depression, we need to understand how both the environment and biological factors promote risk at specific times in the life cycle. This research project will examine such risk factors in different phases of life (from in utero to early adulthood) using a developmental framework. The results of this research will provide a clearer basis for the design of prevention strategies that target individuals, their families and/or broader environmental factors.
Genetic Epidemiology Of Endometrial Cancer: Towards Understanding Aetiology And Improving Risk Prediction.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$353,573.00
Summary
Studies investigating thousands of genetic markers have revolutionised our understanding of genes involved in cancer, and shown that a single gene can be associated with multiple cancers. We will conduct the largest ever study to find new genes for endometrial cancer, the most common gynaecological cancer. Our unique approach will examine >11million markers across the genome, some specifically in regions known to be important for other cancers. Findings will be used for risk prediction models ....Studies investigating thousands of genetic markers have revolutionised our understanding of genes involved in cancer, and shown that a single gene can be associated with multiple cancers. We will conduct the largest ever study to find new genes for endometrial cancer, the most common gynaecological cancer. Our unique approach will examine >11million markers across the genome, some specifically in regions known to be important for other cancers. Findings will be used for risk prediction models.Read moreRead less
Clinical, Environmental And Genetic Factors And The Risk Of Oesophageal Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$145,685.00
Summary
Oesophageal cancer is a rapidly fatal disease which is becoming more common in Australia, the United States and other industrialised nations. This study will examine the mechanisms leading to the development of oesophageal cancer and aims to measure the effects of genes and environment on the burden of cancer. Ultimately, this research will help target persons at highest risk so that screening, prevention and surveillance efforts can be directed more effectively.
Novel Genetic And Environmental Modifiers Of The Risk Of Iron Overload-related Disease In HFE-associated Hereditary Haemochromatosis In Cohort Of Middle-aged Australians
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$451,716.00
Summary
People who carry mutations in the HFE gene are pre-disposed to body iron overload but not all of them developed subsequent disease. According to the investigators of the “HealthIron” study in Melbourne, only 28% of men and 1% of women with faulty HFE genes go on to develop disease. This study has recruited more than 1,000 people from the community, and will determine which environmental and genetic risk factors stop people with iron overload from getting symptoms of disease.
Cardiovascular disease is the biggest killer in Australia. It describes diseases of the heart and blood vessels including heart attack and stroke. The risk of developing these diseases is affected by our diet and lifestyle and also by our genetic makeup that we inherit. In this project we are aiming to identify the specific heritable genetic differences between individuals that put us at greater risk of cardiovascular disease. We are studying large families from the Busselton Health Study.
Allergies And Chronic Respiratory Diseases: Causes, Biological Pathways And Interventions
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$420,872.00
Summary
Allergies and chronic respiratory diseases are major causes of illness and death in Australia. Worryingly there are still many gaps in knowledge on how best to prevent and manage these diseases. The proposed program will investigate these questions and provide evidence to guide health policy and clinical management. As this program is built on state-of the-art methods and technology, these original Australian findings will be of great importance internationally.
Genetic And Environmental Risk Factors For Colorectal Cancer: Anatomic Site Specificity
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$560,000.00
Summary
Cancer of the large bowel (colorectal cancer) is the second most common cancer in Australians and is becoming more common. Despite this, there is still much uncertainty about what causes some people to develop this cancer. We believe that some of this uncertainty arises because there are actually different causes of cancer for different sections of the colon and rectum. This study aims to collect information from 1000 people with colorectal cancer and 1000 people without colorectal cancer, and c ....Cancer of the large bowel (colorectal cancer) is the second most common cancer in Australians and is becoming more common. Despite this, there is still much uncertainty about what causes some people to develop this cancer. We believe that some of this uncertainty arises because there are actually different causes of cancer for different sections of the colon and rectum. This study aims to collect information from 1000 people with colorectal cancer and 1000 people without colorectal cancer, and compare various factors such as their genetic makeup, diet, AND lifestyle. We expect to find that some factors are more common in people with cancer in the upper parts of the bowel, while other factors are more common in people with cancer in the lower parts of the bowel. This kind of information can be used to design programs to prevent colorectal cancer. For example, we might advise people to exercise more or eat more fish in order to decrease their chances of developing this cancer.Read moreRead less