Iron and phosphorus recovery from ferric precipitation sludge. To minimise health risks and environmental pollution, water and wastewater treatment processes often use iron salts to eliminate phosphate and other pollutants. This generates large amounts of chemical sludge that is typically sent to landfill. The benefits of this new process will be the recovery of both the iron, which can be reused in the process, and the phosphate, which is a key component in fertiliser. Since phosphate is a limi ....Iron and phosphorus recovery from ferric precipitation sludge. To minimise health risks and environmental pollution, water and wastewater treatment processes often use iron salts to eliminate phosphate and other pollutants. This generates large amounts of chemical sludge that is typically sent to landfill. The benefits of this new process will be the recovery of both the iron, which can be reused in the process, and the phosphate, which is a key component in fertiliser. Since phosphate is a limited natural resource with an increasingly high value, the recovery and recycling of this critical element in food production is highly important. The process will also avoid a large part of the sludge production and will make the water treatment processes more cost-effective.Read moreRead less
Novel hybrid silica membranes for desalination. This project aims to produce high flux, highly stable ceramic membranes for use in desalination. This will result in novel, low energy desalination processes, delivering potable water at a greatly reduced cost.
Bacterial Pathogenomics: Whole-genome Sequencing To Investigate Infection Transmission, Pathogenesis And Antibiotic Resistance
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$475,946.00
Summary
As bacterial superbugs – resistant to multiple antibiotics – dominate the headlines, the pipeline for new antibiotics has all but dried up. High-throughput DNA sequencing heralds a golden opportunity for infectious disease research. By studying the entire collection of genes - the genome - of large numbers of multidrug resistant bacterial strains, we aim to better understand the genetic changes that govern the emergence and global spread of superbugs and translate these findings into the clinic.
A Cluster RCT Of A Novel Psychological Intervention To Reduce Depression Among At-risk Older Adults Transitioning To Residential Aged Care
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$893,152.00
Summary
Depression is common in aged care facilities, with many older adults finding the transition extremely difficult. We have developed a simple intervention to help new residents, including those with dementia, to adjust to life in aged care. This program focuses on key aspects of psychological wellbeing, and is designed for widespread use in aged care. We will evaluate the intervention to determine if it is superior to current care approaches in reducing depression and improving quality of life.
Improving Treatment Strategies For Chronic Alphaviral Arthritic Diseases
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$643,624.00
Summary
Chikungunya virus and Ross River virus cause epidemics of acute and chronic arthritic disease in humans, which is often poorly managed with current treatments. This grant seeks to understand the mechanisms that give rise to disease in order to identify improved treatment strategies. Both the persistence of viral replication in joint tissues and unnecessary inflammatory responses appear to be important factors driving chronic disease.
Probiotic Prawn Oral Immunotherapy (ProPIT) For Treatment Of Prawn Allergy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,865,369.00
Summary
A ‘curative’ food allergy treatment is needed to prevent deaths and improve care. We recently showed that probiotic peanut oral immunotherapy (PPOIT) was highly effective for treating peanut allergy. 82% of PPOIT treated children gained tolerance compared to 4% of the placebo group. We will now test the combined probiotic-food OIT approach for treating prawn allergy. If successful, we will have identified the first treatment for prawn allergy and a platform treatment for other food allergies.
Evolution And Pathogenicity Of NDM-1 Positive Escherichia Coli
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$643,275.00
Summary
Antibiotic resistance (AR), as highlighted by the WHO, is the most pressing medical need of the 21C – some infections are now untreatable. Our research will focus on the new "superbug" NDM-1 positive E. coli. We will correlate AR and pathogenicity and explore the evolution of these "superbugs" using state-of-the-art sequencing. This research will benefit Australian medicine by predicting timelines of AR epidemics and by conducting the first analyses on the virulence potential of these strains.
A New, Low-cost E-health Treatment For Alcohol Use Disorder Using Mental Imagery
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$895,032.00
Summary
This project offers the first large-scale test of phone-based Functional Imagery Training (FIT), a new, low-cost way to help people change behaviours using mental imagery, regardless of where they live. The trial addresses Alcohol Use Disorder—a common problem with substantial health and social impacts, comparing FIT with verbal motivational treatments, and testing effects on alcohol use and quality of life over 12 months. Cost-effectiveness and predictions of outcome are also examined.
Functional Dyspepsia: Characterisation Of The Immunopathology And Testing A Novel Therapeutic Strategy.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$739,604.00
Summary
Dyspepsia, unexplained stomach discomfort and pain, is a common and costly problem; few effective treatments exist and the causes are unknown. We have found that the numbers of a type of immune cell, the eosinophil, are increased in the top of the small bowel in patients with dyspepsia. This study will explore the mechanisms that lead to increased eosinophils and then test the effectiveness of a treatment to suppress this overactive immune response which could rapidly change clinical practice.
Translating Genetic Determinants Of Glaucoma Into Better Diagnosis And Treatment
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$9,466,000.00
Summary
Glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide. By 2020, it will affect 80 million people, and in Australia over the next decade, the overall cost of glaucoma will reach $4.3 billion per annum. This Program will use genetic advances to personalise treatment. Blindness will be prevented in individuals at highest risk, new ways to treat patients will be developed, and better outcomes for patients will result from less treatment and monitoring of low risk cases.