Analysis Of The Effectiveness Of A Simple, Inexpensive, Saliva-based Caries-risk Test
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$29,688.00
Summary
The project aims to develop a test with the capacity to identify children at risk of developing caries (dental decay) so they can benefit from preventive care. The effectiveness of the test will be assessed by how well it correlates with currently available tests and whether it can predict caries development in children classified into risk groups on the basis of the test. The test promises to be predictive of caries-risk, inexpensive, easy to interpret and rapid when compared to those currently ....The project aims to develop a test with the capacity to identify children at risk of developing caries (dental decay) so they can benefit from preventive care. The effectiveness of the test will be assessed by how well it correlates with currently available tests and whether it can predict caries development in children classified into risk groups on the basis of the test. The test promises to be predictive of caries-risk, inexpensive, easy to interpret and rapid when compared to those currently available commercially.Read moreRead less
Cancer And Low-dose Radiation - Possible Effects Of CT Scans In Childhood
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$476,650.00
Summary
Despite 100 years of research there is uncertainty about effects of low dose radiation from background and medical X-rays. We will measure the incidence of cancer in Australians exposed to CT scans (medical X-rays) as children between 1985 and 2005. Our results, from follow-up to 2009, will show whether there is a small but signicantly increased risk of cancer and guide further improvement in radiation safety standards if these prove to be necessary.
The proposed program of work aims to shed light on dietary, environmental and genetic factors that may be related to the risk of childhood cancers. Identifying these risk factors, and how they interact with each other, will provide clues as to how childhood cancers may be prevented. The research program includes a number of Australian and international studies, which will involve collaboration between doctors and research scientists from a range of disciplines.
Nutritional And Genetic Factors Associated With Genome Damage In Children
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$715,131.00
Summary
This project will investigate the link between children's diet and damage to their DNA. Damage to DNA is known to accumulate throughout life, and to be associated with risk of cancer and other diseases in adulthood. If we can show that poor diet in childhood increases DNA damage in childhood, it suggests that poor diet early in life may also increase risk of cancer and other diseases in adulthood. This will underpin important, salient health promotion messages we can provide to parents.
Buckle Up Safely: Pre-school Based Interventions For Appropriate Use Of Child Restraints.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$731,552.00
Summary
Despite overwhelming evidence that child restraints dramatically reduce the risk of death and injury there are currently a large number of children globally who either do not use appropriate child restraints, or misuse them, contributing to the overwhelming burden of road traffic injury in children. This project, using rigorous methodology, will assess the efficacy of feasible, evidence based interventions aimed at increased use of appropriate restraints, and decreasing misuse.
Antiplatelets For Prevention Of Pre-eclampsia: An Individual Patient Data Review
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$274,000.00
Summary
High blood pressure is a common complication of pregnancy affecting ~20,000 Australian women each year. Although most women and their babies do well, pre-eclampsia, defined as high blood pressure together with protein in the urine is a more serious problem. Severe pre-eclampsia is associated with 10-15% of maternal deaths. Fetal and newborn baby deaths are also increased. Mother and baby morbidity is high principally due to the associated complications in pregnancy, increased obstetric intervent ....High blood pressure is a common complication of pregnancy affecting ~20,000 Australian women each year. Although most women and their babies do well, pre-eclampsia, defined as high blood pressure together with protein in the urine is a more serious problem. Severe pre-eclampsia is associated with 10-15% of maternal deaths. Fetal and newborn baby deaths are also increased. Mother and baby morbidity is high principally due to the associated complications in pregnancy, increased obstetric interventions, fetal growth restriction and preterm birth. As yet we have no safe and effective way of preventing this life threatening condition. Aggregation of platelets (involved in blood clotting) is known to be part of the disease and could lead to the disturbances in the circulation of the mother and the placenta. Antiplatelet agents, low dose aspirin in particular, might prevent or delay the development of pre-eclampsia. Some trials and a Cochrane systematic review of all trials (involving over 30,000 women) suggest that pre-eclampsia, preterm birth and perinatal death could be reduced. However, it is still not clear which women will benefit, when in pregnancy the treatment should start and what dose of aspirin is both effective and safe. This proposed individual patient data review in which data on all women who have been entered in trials is gathered from the original investigators, including missing information on potential harms. This proposal represents a good investment of resources to obtain the information needed by women and health professional to make decisions about the use of aspirin. International investigators from all the primary trials have already formed a collaboration to oversee the project: the Perinatal Antiplatelet Review of International Studies (PARIS) Collaboration Furthermore, working through an international collaboration will ensure the highest quality in data availability, as well endorsement and implementation of the results in practice.Read moreRead less