Prevalence report by the Australian Advisory Board on Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) estimated that 1 child in every 160 children in the 6-12 year-old age group is affected by ASD. There is no cure for ASD and the causes are not understood. We propose that sex hormones may play a role in the development of these disorders. We will test this hypothesis using knockout and transgenic mouse models which have social interaction deficits and brain structure reminiscent of these disorders.
A Randomised Trial Of The Augmentation Of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy With Fluoxetine For Anxious School Refusing Youth
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$539,191.00
Summary
School refusing youth consistently suffer from anxiety and sometimes depression. They become severely emotionally distressed when taken to school and experience social and academic difficulties in the short and long term as well as psychiatric illness in adulthood. Our program investigates whether treatment can be improved by enhancing psychotherapy (cognitive behaviour therapy) which helps over half of anxious school refusing children, with antidepressant-anxiety medication compared to placebo.
Mental Health Of Young People With Developmental Disabilities
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$5,622,916.00
Summary
Mental health problems of people with developmental disabilities are a substantial public health problem. A large Australian study shows that the problem begins early and persists without intervention. We will evaluate the Stepping Stones Triple P model of parenting early intervention after adding newly developed modules for specific causes of ID. The effectiveness of the program across three states will be evaluated.
Testing theoretical models of age and disease related changes to inform prevention. Pathological brain changes associated with future cognitive decline become detectable in the 40s or earlier. Yet little is known about what constitutes normal brain ageing in mid-life. Using a number of neuroimaging and epidemiological techniques this project will scrutinise brain and cognitive ageing in middle-age and their significance.
The Australian Centre For Research Excellence In Offender Health
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,646,826.00
Summary
Offenders are one of the most marginalised groups in society and endure the worst health outcomes in regards to mental health, exposure to bloodborne viruses and sexually transmissible infections, and engagement in health risk behaviours. Incarceration devastates Indigenous communities and we urgently need for solutions to reduce Aboriginal prisoner numbers. The research proposed by this CRE in mental health and infectious diseases will improve health outcomes for offenders and provide treatment ....Offenders are one of the most marginalised groups in society and endure the worst health outcomes in regards to mental health, exposure to bloodborne viruses and sexually transmissible infections, and engagement in health risk behaviours. Incarceration devastates Indigenous communities and we urgently need for solutions to reduce Aboriginal prisoner numbers. The research proposed by this CRE in mental health and infectious diseases will improve health outcomes for offenders and provide treatment solutions rather than incarceration.Read moreRead less
Abalone Aquaculture Subprogram: Early Life History Of Abalone (Haliotis Rubra, H. Laevigata): Settlement, Survival And Early Growth
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$313,217.00
Summary
Abalone farming can be improved in Australia. The profit will be increased and the cost of production reduced:
· increased knowledge of the settlement process and development of a better settlement system resulting in low cost juvenile abalone is essential for both integrated abalone farms and for the supply of seed to growout farms;
· the development of a practical settlement protocol for abalone requires a greater understanding of microalgae requirements and their culture and ....Abalone farming can be improved in Australia. The profit will be increased and the cost of production reduced:
· increased knowledge of the settlement process and development of a better settlement system resulting in low cost juvenile abalone is essential for both integrated abalone farms and for the supply of seed to growout farms;
· the development of a practical settlement protocol for abalone requires a greater understanding of microalgae requirements and their culture and reduces the cost for abalone at the growout stage;
· the project will be integrated into the abalone aquaculture sub-program and has extensive industry involvement in developing the practical aspects;
· the aquaculture industry in Victoria is developing into a major growth area and investment opportunity and production is intended to triple by the end of 2001;
· the success of the Australian abalone aquaculture industry is dependent on developing methods that reduce costs in labour and growout time;
· the project will deliver information that can result in technically advanced culture methods that will maintain the competitive edge over low labour cost countries. Objectives: 1. To test performance of different settlement inducers at both the laboratory and commercial scale. 2. To improve the rate and consistency of abalone larval settlement. 3. To compare different microalgal diets for their nutritional value in terms of digestibility and growth. 4. To quantify the suitability of different microalgae for their ease of use, both for maintaining mass cultures and ability to recolonise settlement surfaces. 5. To increase growth and survival for the first two months of post-larval life at a commercial scale. Read moreRead less
A Study Of The Movement And Behaviour Of The Sand Crab (Portunus Pelagicus) Using Ultrasonic Tags
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Summary
Objectives: 1. Develop ultrasonic tags suitable for tracking & monitoring behaviour of sand crabs. 2. Develop simple methods of tracking tagged free-ranging crabs in Moreton Bay. 3. Obtain positional & Behavioural information over 24-hour periods to map movement of individual crabs
Understanding The Acute And Cumulative Metabolic Effects Of Prolonged Sitting In Adults
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$416,597.00
Summary
Sedentary behaviour (sitting time) has been linked to an increased risk of chronic illnesses, including type 2 diabetes and obesity, but recent evidence suggests that light-intensity activity (non-exercise activities of daily living) is associated with reduced risk. These studies will examine whether breaking up sitting time with frequent short periods of activity can overcome the negative effects of prolonged sitting on blood glucose and blood fats in overweight older adults.
A Study Of The Distribution Of Post-larval And Juvenile Western King Prawn In Spencer Gulf, South Australia
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Summary
Objectives: 1. To identify settlement sites and seasonal variation in sites of post-larval P. latisulcatus; 2. identify common parameters of these preferred areas that may condition settling (salinity, temp, sediment type)
Establishment Of A Professional Association Of Australian Fisheries Managers
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$49,961.47
Summary
The Commonwealth and States have shared responsibility for the management of Australia’s fisheries resources under a Federal system of Government. This can create a number of challenges, foremost of which is incompatible management arrangements applying to the same fish stock across jurisdictions. Other issues include the lack of awareness, engagement and communication between fisheries managers working on common fisheries problems across jurisdictions and reductions in government funding for fi ....The Commonwealth and States have shared responsibility for the management of Australia’s fisheries resources under a Federal system of Government. This can create a number of challenges, foremost of which is incompatible management arrangements applying to the same fish stock across jurisdictions. Other issues include the lack of awareness, engagement and communication between fisheries managers working on common fisheries problems across jurisdictions and reductions in government funding for fisheries management and research.
There is a recognised need to increase cross-institutional engagement so line managers (as in those staff engaged in the development and implementation of fisheries management and policy) are made more cognisant of the work being undertaken across jurisdictions, thereby increasing their knowledge, skills and understanding of fisheries issues and solutions, with the aim of achieving management efficiencies. Due to budgetary cuts and increased workloads, Australian fisheries managers have very little time or opportunity to communicate and network with their associates within other institutions. The establishment of a professional association of Australian fisheries managers would facilitate collaboration and engagement by providing a forum for discussion/debate as well as acting as a repository for information and coordinator for future workshops and meetings on key focus areas. Qualified and experienced fisheries managers, despite their pivotal role in sustainable fisheries, are largely unrecognised as inter-disciplinary professionals in their own right. This is in contrast to fisheries biologists and economists. The formation of the association could lead to increased recognition of fisheries management as a profession. There would also be a value to industry through synergizing management approaches across jurisdictions, increasing efficiency and thereby reducing possible costs of management.
Objectives: 1. Establishment of Professional Association of Australian Fisheries Managers 2. Improved accessibility and transparency of jurisdictional fisheries management information (technical papers, policy and legislation) through hosting of a central website 3. Increased recognition of the profession of fisheries management within Australia and the current work undertaken by managers to ensure fisheries remain sustainable 4. Exposure of fisheries managers to innovations and developments in fisheries ecological, economic, social and political fields in Australia and overseas 5. Improved consistency and transparency in management approaches between jurisdictions through greater information-sharing and liaison 6. Establishment of linkages between fisheries managers for future interactions and collaborative engagement 7. Improved public confidence in Australian fisheries management through greater stakeholder outreach and communication 8. Ensuring the Association has appropriate support (financial and logistical) to operate beyond the completion of the two year project Read moreRead less