Non-linear modelling for predicting patient presentation rates for mass-gatherings. Mass-gatherings are events where crowds gather. Access to health care at these events is critical, though difficult. Complex interrelationships exist between characteristics of events and presenting patient profiles. To prevent overwhelming local hospital and emergency services it is important to accurately predict patient volume. A predictive model constructed through linear modelling has been widely used. Key f ....Non-linear modelling for predicting patient presentation rates for mass-gatherings. Mass-gatherings are events where crowds gather. Access to health care at these events is critical, though difficult. Complex interrelationships exist between characteristics of events and presenting patient profiles. To prevent overwhelming local hospital and emergency services it is important to accurately predict patient volume. A predictive model constructed through linear modelling has been widely used. Key features affecting patient presentations are non-linear in character and non-linear modelling may provide more accurate patient predictive models. This project provides prospective analysis of data to develop a non-linear predictive model.Read moreRead less
Preclinical Evaluation Of The Novel Therapeutic Compound APP96-110 In An Ovine Model Of Traumatic Brain Injury
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$874,734.00
Summary
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a significant cause of death and disability, and yet there are currently no effective treatments to improve outcome following such an insult. Our laboratory has developed a novel therapeutic compound, by identifying an endogenous neuroprotective molecule, in the amyloid precursor protein and then identifying the active site and modifying it to improve its efficacy. We will be testing this compound in our sheep model of TBI.
The development of vaccines and better treatments for HIV-AIDS and Hepatitis C are urgent global health priorities. This Program will undertake studies to better understand effective immunity against HIV and hepatitis C, allowing the rational design and testing of novel vaccines and treatments. The Program brings together a team of researchers with skills in basic virology and immunology with those providing expertise in translating findings in the laboratory into human clinical trials.
An Examination Of The Relationship Between Alcohol-related Injury (ARI) And Licensed Premises
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$78,686.00
Summary
There is growing interest in acute alcohol-related problems, and especially injuries. These are often experienced by young people, frequently as a consequence of intoxication or drinking in unsafe settings. Little work has been undertaken in Australia to systematically examined alcohol-related injuries (ARIs). This study will examine ARIs, identify the frequency with which such problems present to a local hospital, record the nature of the injuries, details of the person sustaining it, and the d ....There is growing interest in acute alcohol-related problems, and especially injuries. These are often experienced by young people, frequently as a consequence of intoxication or drinking in unsafe settings. Little work has been undertaken in Australia to systematically examined alcohol-related injuries (ARIs). This study will examine ARIs, identify the frequency with which such problems present to a local hospital, record the nature of the injuries, details of the person sustaining it, and the drinking location. Characteristics of drinking locations and drinking settings, in particular licensed premises, will be examined to determine their association with ARIs. Then an intervention will be undertaken in conjunction with local police, to address the conditions of the drinking environment with the aim of reducing ARIs and other alcohol-related problems stemming from licensed premises. The intervention will form part of a randomised controlled trial where licensed premises, identified through monthly police data as hot spots, receive either an intervention or act as a control. In the following month, controls receive the intervention (a cross-over design). The intervention was established in 1998 by Gold Coast police and involves police, fire and liquor licensing officers undertaking an on-site inspection and taking prescribed actions. It is hypothesised that this action should result in a decreased level of ARIs being generated from premises which receive the intervention, compared to those that do not. This is an intersectoral, collaborative project aimed at improving community safety through a concerted effort by police, health and the licensees.Read moreRead less
Addressing significant product safety knowledge gaps for older Australians . This project addresses significant gaps in contemporary knowledge of consumer product safety risks for older persons, with 25 years since the last Australian product safety research found older persons are at high risk of product-related injury/death. Products have evolved substantially and aged care models have changed in that time. This project generates contemporary knowledge of unsafe products causing injuries/death ....Addressing significant product safety knowledge gaps for older Australians . This project addresses significant gaps in contemporary knowledge of consumer product safety risks for older persons, with 25 years since the last Australian product safety research found older persons are at high risk of product-related injury/death. Products have evolved substantially and aged care models have changed in that time. This project generates contemporary knowledge of unsafe products causing injuries/deaths, risk factors/behaviours, and human rights issues. Outcomes benefiting the Australian community are improved prediction/characterisation of product safety issues for older Australians informing safer product design and use, targetted regulatory responses, ageing-in-place strategies, and creating safer home environments.Read moreRead less
Elucidating the mechanics of facet dislocation and fracture in the neck. This project aims to address shortcomings in understanding the mechanics of neck trauma. Understanding the mechanical factors leading to cervical facet dislocation and fracture is necessary to improve injury prevention strategies and their assessment. This project expects to generate new knowledge in the area of spinal injury biomechanics, developing and using new experimental techniques. The project expects to provide know ....Elucidating the mechanics of facet dislocation and fracture in the neck. This project aims to address shortcomings in understanding the mechanics of neck trauma. Understanding the mechanical factors leading to cervical facet dislocation and fracture is necessary to improve injury prevention strategies and their assessment. This project expects to generate new knowledge in the area of spinal injury biomechanics, developing and using new experimental techniques. The project expects to provide knowledge necessary to improve crash test dummy design, associated injury criteria, and computational models, which provide the potential for improved injury prevention measures and methods for assessing existing and new technologies. The anticipated benefits of this project will be significant in reducing the personal and economic burden of spinal injuries.Read moreRead less
The Molecular Basis of Nanoparticle Resistance in Mixed-Species Biofilm. The project aims to understand how the globally significant mixed-species growth of pathogens develop resistance to silver nanoparticle, currently one of the most important alternative antimicrobials to antibiotics. The integrated research is to elucidate, for the first time, the nanoparticle multi-targeting toxicity on mixed-species bacterial community and how, in turn, the bacteria activate their cell-to-cell signalling f ....The Molecular Basis of Nanoparticle Resistance in Mixed-Species Biofilm. The project aims to understand how the globally significant mixed-species growth of pathogens develop resistance to silver nanoparticle, currently one of the most important alternative antimicrobials to antibiotics. The integrated research is to elucidate, for the first time, the nanoparticle multi-targeting toxicity on mixed-species bacterial community and how, in turn, the bacteria activate their cell-to-cell signalling for a synergistic defence to adapt to the nanoparticle toxicity. The pioneering knowledge is the foundation for technologies targeting the interspecies metabolite cross-talking to overcome the resistance phenomena, ensuring a long-term efficacy of the alternative antimicrobial on the difficult-to-control pathogenic growth.Read moreRead less
How we remember and misremember traumatic experiences. The project addresses a significant and important problem: the role of memory distortion in Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), a global disorder with significant personal, societal and economic costs. The aim of this project is to empirically investigate the extent, causes and triggering conditions of errors in memory for traumatic experiences; particularly exaggeration of these memories, which has been linked to poor psychological adjus ....How we remember and misremember traumatic experiences. The project addresses a significant and important problem: the role of memory distortion in Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), a global disorder with significant personal, societal and economic costs. The aim of this project is to empirically investigate the extent, causes and triggering conditions of errors in memory for traumatic experiences; particularly exaggeration of these memories, which has been linked to poor psychological adjustment. Understanding how people exposed to trauma remember, and misremember, aspects of their experiences in ways that influence their recovery is both theoretically and practically important. Indeed, it will help us refine theory and identify possible points of intervention for PTSD sufferers.Read moreRead less
Special Research Initiatives - Grant ID: SR0566924
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$52,825.00
Summary
Develop and pilot an e-cohort research technique for longitudinal studies using multiple international cohorts. The aim of this project is to develop and pilot an e-cohort research methodology suitable for longitudinal studies with multiple international cohorts. Historically, studies of this nature are expensive as they are conducted in traditional paper-based mode and the studies are therefore confined to one country. Population-based epidemiological studies of this type have led to major scie ....Develop and pilot an e-cohort research technique for longitudinal studies using multiple international cohorts. The aim of this project is to develop and pilot an e-cohort research methodology suitable for longitudinal studies with multiple international cohorts. Historically, studies of this nature are expensive as they are conducted in traditional paper-based mode and the studies are therefore confined to one country. Population-based epidemiological studies of this type have led to major scientific advances in global health for the last sixty years. Developing and employing e-research techniques in longitudinal studies will significantly reduce the costs of this important research and enable multi-national cohorts of participants that will result in high quality research.Read moreRead less
Understanding and preventing gun violence: A qualitative study. Gun violence causes significant harm across Australian communities. Excluding sexual assault, firearms feature in nearly one in 10 violent crimes. The annual costs of gun violence run into tens of millions of dollars. This project aims to make an original qualitative contribution to understanding and preventing gun violence in three contexts: drug dealing/trafficking, other organised crime activity, and armed robbery. The proposed r ....Understanding and preventing gun violence: A qualitative study. Gun violence causes significant harm across Australian communities. Excluding sexual assault, firearms feature in nearly one in 10 violent crimes. The annual costs of gun violence run into tens of millions of dollars. This project aims to make an original qualitative contribution to understanding and preventing gun violence in three contexts: drug dealing/trafficking, other organised crime activity, and armed robbery. The proposed research would be the first study nationally - and one of the very few internationally - to interview convicted gun crime users about the acquisition and use of firearms in criminal life. Project results are expected to have direct implications for reducing the impact of gun violence in Australia.Read moreRead less