Early-Stage Medical Diagnostics by Plasmon-Mediated Gas Sensing. This project will investigate the use plasmonic absorption of light in metal nanostructures to activate the selective oxidation/reduction of a gas molecule on a semiconductor nanoparticle. This concept will be used with the aim of developing a sensing technique capable of measuring ultra-low concentrations (ppb) of breath markers for lung cancer detection. It is expected that porous sensing films of semiconductor and metal nanopart ....Early-Stage Medical Diagnostics by Plasmon-Mediated Gas Sensing. This project will investigate the use plasmonic absorption of light in metal nanostructures to activate the selective oxidation/reduction of a gas molecule on a semiconductor nanoparticle. This concept will be used with the aim of developing a sensing technique capable of measuring ultra-low concentrations (ppb) of breath markers for lung cancer detection. It is expected that porous sensing films of semiconductor and metal nanoparticles with well-defined light absorption properties will be fabricated. Superior selectivity will be achieved by matching the wavelength of the absorbed light with the required activation energy for oxidation/reduction. Successful outcomes will enable multi-analyte fingerprint identification by on-chip devices with applications ranging from portable medical diagnostics to national security.Read moreRead less
Identifying Resistance Mechanisms Of Targeted BRAF Inhibitors In Metastatic Melanoma
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$379,015.00
Summary
Late-stage melanoma is an aggressive skin cancer for which traditional treatment strategies such as chemotherapy are ineffective. Recently, a new class of targeted drugs (BRAF inhibitors) has become the standard of care for a subset of melanoma patients; however, long term treatment success is complicated by drug resistance. This study will identify the causes of resistance with the purpose to improve targeted drug strategies and increase survival rates for late-stage melanoma patients.
Pathways To Mental Health And Obesity In Young Adults: A Longitudinal Study
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$698,510.00
Summary
While the health of the population has been gradually improving, there are some health problems which are increasing. The mental health of young people is one such area. Based on data relating to youth suicide, substance abuse, cigarette smoking by females and behavioural or mental health problems in the young, there has been evidence of a marked increase in some important health problems faced by the young. Little is known about the causes of these problems and even less is known about the reas ....While the health of the population has been gradually improving, there are some health problems which are increasing. The mental health of young people is one such area. Based on data relating to youth suicide, substance abuse, cigarette smoking by females and behavioural or mental health problems in the young, there has been evidence of a marked increase in some important health problems faced by the young. Little is known about the causes of these problems and even less is known about the reasons for the increase. Based on the available evidence, 20-25% of young persons manifest a mental health problem. A second area of marked health deterioration concerns youth (and adult) obesity. Existing research points to the accumulation of cardiovascular risk factors associated with obesity from a very early age. Over 10% of youth are obese and a substantially higher proportion are overweight. There is evidence that the rate of obesity has been substantially increasing. Again little is known about the factors that contribute to obesity or the causes of the increase in the rates of obesity in the population. This proposal is for a 21-year follow-up of a sample of youth first enrolled when their mothers attended for their first obstetrical visit. Using a substantial body of existing data, we propose to examine the changes in levels of mental health and obesity and to identify the factors which contribute to these changes. This study involves the largest Australian cohort ever assembled for such research. The main questions asked in this study concern the impact of the mother's social and economic circumstances, her physical health and well-being, her use of addictive substances (including alcohol, cigarettes, illicit drugs) on the youth's health. We will also examine the association between early indicators of mental health and well-being and subsequent youth health and development.Read moreRead less
Discovery Indigenous Researchers Development - Grant ID: DI110100034
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$300,401.00
Summary
Measurement matters: analysis of potential methodological and discrimination biases in assessments of medication treatments for ADHD, and stakeholder views. This research aims to identify multiple stakeholders' views of the nature of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and test if discrimination and survey wording result in bias when assessing the impact of medical treatments. This will result in understandings of discrimination and measurement bias; multiple stakeholders' perceptions; and ....Measurement matters: analysis of potential methodological and discrimination biases in assessments of medication treatments for ADHD, and stakeholder views. This research aims to identify multiple stakeholders' views of the nature of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and test if discrimination and survey wording result in bias when assessing the impact of medical treatments. This will result in understandings of discrimination and measurement bias; multiple stakeholders' perceptions; and better methodology in research.
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Development Of Quality Indicators For The Frail Elderly In Acute Care
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$372,311.00
Summary
Frail older people are particularly vulnerable to a range of mishaps while in hospital. Good care can reduce the frequency and extent of these problems. Quality indicators (QIs) assist hospitals, and clinical service units within them, to appraise their performance, and to compare it to other hospitals. QIs for the measurement of outcomes for the frail aged in the acute care setting do not exist in Australia or overseas. We aim to develop these indicators during this study.
New high energy density cathode materials for lithium ion batteries. This project aims to develop new high-energy-density and low-cost lithium-rich cathode materials for advanced lithium-ion batteries that can store solar energy for Australian households and power the next generation electric vehicles. The project will design innovative strategies to suppress the voltage decay and capacity decline of the lithium rich materials over long-term cycling. The project expects to significantly improve ....New high energy density cathode materials for lithium ion batteries. This project aims to develop new high-energy-density and low-cost lithium-rich cathode materials for advanced lithium-ion batteries that can store solar energy for Australian households and power the next generation electric vehicles. The project will design innovative strategies to suppress the voltage decay and capacity decline of the lithium rich materials over long-term cycling. The project expects to significantly improve battery performance at a lower price and make a substantial impact to the energy supply technologies and industries in Australia and benefit the environment in the long run.Read moreRead less
Promoting the positive mental health and well being of young Australians. This project will test an innovative multidimensional model of positive mental health and mental illness in young Australians. It will also determine if the application of this model to the development of six online positive mental health tools, improves the mental health and well-being of young people.
Bereavement of suicide and sudden death. Losing someone to suicide can have devastating affects on the survivors left behind. The aims of the present study include the identification of the processes and impacts of bereavement on survivors in various age groups. It also aims to identify critical points during the bereavement and factors which exacerbate and moderate negative impacts. This has been previously neglected in suicide research in Australia and its findings will add a multi-dimensional ....Bereavement of suicide and sudden death. Losing someone to suicide can have devastating affects on the survivors left behind. The aims of the present study include the identification of the processes and impacts of bereavement on survivors in various age groups. It also aims to identify critical points during the bereavement and factors which exacerbate and moderate negative impacts. This has been previously neglected in suicide research in Australia and its findings will add a multi-dimensional aspect to postvention not currently understood. It is expected that findings will help develop guidelines to ensure more effective detection and intervention for survivors, as well as enhancing social support and personal resilience.Read moreRead less
The role of short tandem repeat DNA variation in the evolution of human psychological diversity. The proposed work addresses fundamental questions about human nature. It ties together the evolutionary processes that have shaped us as a species with the way our genes influence: our personalities, the way we think and how we behave. It introduces a novel approach to addressing questions about the role of genetics in human variation that will contribute substantially to the way we understand, perce ....The role of short tandem repeat DNA variation in the evolution of human psychological diversity. The proposed work addresses fundamental questions about human nature. It ties together the evolutionary processes that have shaped us as a species with the way our genes influence: our personalities, the way we think and how we behave. It introduces a novel approach to addressing questions about the role of genetics in human variation that will contribute substantially to the way we understand, perceive and manage important aspects of human diversity.Read moreRead less
MOLECULAR APPROACHES TO OVERCOME SCABIES AND ASSOCIATED DISEASE. Scabies causes childhood pyoderma predisposing to severe disease in later life. It is a major increasing health burden in Indigenous people of Northern Australia. Drug resistance is developing in mites and bacteria. The lack of clinical material has hampered molecular research and this work will use comparative genomics of parasitic and free living mites and microbiome analysis to understand fundamental aspects of mite biology and ....MOLECULAR APPROACHES TO OVERCOME SCABIES AND ASSOCIATED DISEASE. Scabies causes childhood pyoderma predisposing to severe disease in later life. It is a major increasing health burden in Indigenous people of Northern Australia. Drug resistance is developing in mites and bacteria. The lack of clinical material has hampered molecular research and this work will use comparative genomics of parasitic and free living mites and microbiome analysis to understand fundamental aspects of mite biology and pathogenesis. The understanding of proteins that are essential for mite survival and interfere with host defences will allow the informed design of peptide inhibitors as a new strategy to develop alternative treatment options.Read moreRead less