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
Workplace Interventions To Reduce The Cost Of Neck Problems In Office Personnel
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$660,834.00
Summary
Neck pain in office workers is a major burden in industry in terms of lost productivity and personal suffering. This research will evaluate a novel intervention for the prevention and management of neck pain in computer users. The impact and value of neck specific exercises and best practice office ergonomics will be evaluated from the employers (productivity loss) and workers perspective (severity of neck pain). The findings will directly benefit future management of this significant health iss ....Neck pain in office workers is a major burden in industry in terms of lost productivity and personal suffering. This research will evaluate a novel intervention for the prevention and management of neck pain in computer users. The impact and value of neck specific exercises and best practice office ergonomics will be evaluated from the employers (productivity loss) and workers perspective (severity of neck pain). The findings will directly benefit future management of this significant health issue.Read moreRead less
Stabilisation of Titania Pigment Slurries During Processing. This project aims to improve the stabilisation properties of titania pigment slurries during production. Current polyphosphate dispersants used by Tiwest are unstable under processing conditions. Tailored, robust dispersing reagents will therefore be investigated in order to provide improved stabilisation of pigments during processing. Enhanced understanding of the dispersing reagents interaction with the titania pigment surface and th ....Stabilisation of Titania Pigment Slurries During Processing. This project aims to improve the stabilisation properties of titania pigment slurries during production. Current polyphosphate dispersants used by Tiwest are unstable under processing conditions. Tailored, robust dispersing reagents will therefore be investigated in order to provide improved stabilisation of pigments during processing. Enhanced understanding of the dispersing reagents interaction with the titania pigment surface and the subsequent stability of the pigment will allow advances in processing and consequently improved final products. The potential growth in market share, by improved product performance, is in excess of $50M pa.Read moreRead less
An Australian storm wave damage and beach erosion early warning system. This project aims to develop a new coastal hazard early-warning system capability for Australia, to alert coastal communities, emergency managers and coastal engineers to impending storm wave damage and coastal erosion. Emergency preparedness informed by early warning is expected to significantly benefit vulnerable communities and infrastructure along Australia’s coasts.
Ionic lquids for scalable production of monolayer two-dimensional materials. This project aims to produce stable solutions of high quality, two-dimensional materials (2DMs, exemplified by graphene) in ionic liquids by spontaneous exfoliation. The project will develop processes for producing significant quantities of high quality 2DMs for use in a diverse range of technologies, and train graduate students in experimental and computational chemistry techniques.
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0561233
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$434,000.00
Summary
State-of-the-Art Solid State Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Facility. This proposal seeks funds for the purchase and installation of a state-of-the-art 400 MHz Wide-Bore Solid-State NMR spectrometer. Research projects utilising this euipment will benefit from the ability to probe the structure of solid samples that are difficult to characterise in any other way. These materials represent advances in nanotechnology, new materials and will impact on the analysis of environmental contaminants in pota ....State-of-the-Art Solid State Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Facility. This proposal seeks funds for the purchase and installation of a state-of-the-art 400 MHz Wide-Bore Solid-State NMR spectrometer. Research projects utilising this euipment will benefit from the ability to probe the structure of solid samples that are difficult to characterise in any other way. These materials represent advances in nanotechnology, new materials and will impact on the analysis of environmental contaminants in potable water supplies, with a particular Australian focus on the identification of compounds formed as by-products during disinfection processes.
The upgraded facility will be the only one of its kind in Western Australia.
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Heat capacities of Bayer liquors to 300C. Alumina refining is one of Australia's most important industries, earning ~$6 billion per year export income. However, major productivity gains are required for Australian producers to remain globally competitive. More accurate thermodynamic calculations, covering the full plant operating range, are seen by the industry as an important way to increase productivity, minimise energy consumption and cut greenhouse emissions. To achieve these aims, we must e ....Heat capacities of Bayer liquors to 300C. Alumina refining is one of Australia's most important industries, earning ~$6 billion per year export income. However, major productivity gains are required for Australian producers to remain globally competitive. More accurate thermodynamic calculations, covering the full plant operating range, are seen by the industry as an important way to increase productivity, minimise energy consumption and cut greenhouse emissions. To achieve these aims, we must extend current theoretical understanding and establish an experimental capability, hitherto unavailable in Australia, for measuring heat capacities and densities of solutions to temperatures as high as 300 C.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0989747
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$400,000.00
Summary
Ultrafast Dynamics Measurement Facility for the Physical, Biochemical, and Materials Sciences. The term "ultrafast revolution" describes the transformations in science due to ultrafast laser technology. Today, ultrafast lasers are used in surgery, nanomaterial fabrication, biomedical imaging, spectroscopic investigations, and new applications are still emerging. This facility will draw together leading chemists, physicists, and engineers to investigate key ultrafast processes and phenomena in th ....Ultrafast Dynamics Measurement Facility for the Physical, Biochemical, and Materials Sciences. The term "ultrafast revolution" describes the transformations in science due to ultrafast laser technology. Today, ultrafast lasers are used in surgery, nanomaterial fabrication, biomedical imaging, spectroscopic investigations, and new applications are still emerging. This facility will draw together leading chemists, physicists, and engineers to investigate key ultrafast processes and phenomena in the physical, biochemical and material sciences. This is of strategic importance to keep Australia at the global forefront for scientific endeavours, supporting new research and commercial opportunities. This facility will also produce highly trained graduates, who will find employment in industry throughout Australia and globally.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0347797
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$263,000.00
Summary
A Versatile High-resolution X-ray Diffractometer for Materials Research. The aim of this project is to establish a state-of-the-art triple-axis x-ray diffraction facility capable of non-destructively analysing complex semiconductor materials and structures investigated by all Australian semiconductor-growing groups. Growers and device engineers will be able to control growth processes accurately and correlate device performance with structural analysis. Modern triple-axis instruments can also b ....A Versatile High-resolution X-ray Diffractometer for Materials Research. The aim of this project is to establish a state-of-the-art triple-axis x-ray diffraction facility capable of non-destructively analysing complex semiconductor materials and structures investigated by all Australian semiconductor-growing groups. Growers and device engineers will be able to control growth processes accurately and correlate device performance with structural analysis. Modern triple-axis instruments can also be used for high-resolution texture analysis and surface reflectivity measurements on numerous types of materials. Thus chemists, geologists, and materials scientists with interests outside of the semiconductor growth community will gain substantial benefit from this instrument for the investigation of materials of technological and economic importance.Read moreRead less