Development And Validation Of A Finite Element Model For Orthopaedic Screw Insertion Into Trabecular Bone
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$420,454.00
Summary
Osteoporosis is a disease of the bones that results in reduced bone strength and susceptibility to fragility fractures. Due to the spongy nature of osteoporotic bone, surgeons face major difficulties in obtaining secure fixation of bone screws. Our aim is to develop and validate a computer model of orthopaedic screw insertion into trabecular bone based on micro-computed tomography image data. This will allow an assessment of the most appropriate screw designs for stable fixation of implants.
Clinical Utility Of A Novel Serum Marker, Serum Mesothelin Family Protein (SMF) In Mesothelioma Patients
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$323,250.00
Summary
Asbestos fibres can cause a number of cancers, one of the most aggressive and untreatable being mesothelioma. Unfortunately mesothelioma is largely resistant to the main forms of therapy: surgery, chemotherapy and radiation treatment. The average survival from diagnosis is only 8.5 months. It is sometimes difficult to diagnose mesothelioma and additional tests would be useful. Also, a simple screening test may be able to detect the earlier stages of this disease, and allow for early treatment, w ....Asbestos fibres can cause a number of cancers, one of the most aggressive and untreatable being mesothelioma. Unfortunately mesothelioma is largely resistant to the main forms of therapy: surgery, chemotherapy and radiation treatment. The average survival from diagnosis is only 8.5 months. It is sometimes difficult to diagnose mesothelioma and additional tests would be useful. Also, a simple screening test may be able to detect the earlier stages of this disease, and allow for early treatment, would be of widespread value to the community. Markers of cancer can be detected in the blood for a number of cancers e.g. prostate, colon, liver and ovary. No reliable serum marker for the presence of mesothelioma has been described and this study describes work aimed at further evaluating a novel marker that we have been researching in collaboration with a group from Seattle, USA. Mesothelin is a protein made in mesothelial tissue such as mesothelioma. When an individual develops mesothelioma the levels increase in the blood. Also, a proportion of individuals increased levels of this molecule can be detected prior to presentation. This means that it may become a useful screening tool in asbestos-exposed individuals and might be a clinical indicator of the need for further testing and, if early disease is found, early treatments. Given that early treatment of cancer is more effective than late treatment in most clinical situations, this is likely to improve the prognosis for this disease. For this marker to be clinically useful, a careful correlation between its level in the blood and the exact amount of tumour that is present (based on precised computerised tomography x-ray measurements of the tumour) are important. The findings of this study may have widespread implications for patients with mesothelioma and individuals at risk of developing mesothelioma after exposure to asbestos.Read moreRead less
Economic stress, non-cognitive skill development and life outcomes. This project aims to identify policies in which the fostering of non-cognitive skills (NCS) can break the persistence of economic disadvantage. The project seeks to investigate the mechanisms behind differential development, intergenerational transmission of NCS between "rich and poor," how exposure to economic stress inhibits NCS development and the role of schooling in boosting NCS of disadvantaged children. Expected outcomes ....Economic stress, non-cognitive skill development and life outcomes. This project aims to identify policies in which the fostering of non-cognitive skills (NCS) can break the persistence of economic disadvantage. The project seeks to investigate the mechanisms behind differential development, intergenerational transmission of NCS between "rich and poor," how exposure to economic stress inhibits NCS development and the role of schooling in boosting NCS of disadvantaged children. Expected outcomes include evidence-based policy advice on how human capital investments in NCS can be beneficial for health, educational and labour market success, and how NCS can survive despite economic stress. Intended benefits include new cost-effective policies to reduce inequality and maximise the welfare of society.Read moreRead less
Managing an ageing population for income adequacy and fiscal sustainability. This project aims to improve understanding of the impacts of existing key reforms intended to ease fiscal pressures associated with population ageing. The right mix of retirement income policies is vital to Australia's fiscal sustainability, however the effectiveness of existing policies is unknown. The project expects to identify impacts of key reforms on employment, re-training, income, savings and future retirement i ....Managing an ageing population for income adequacy and fiscal sustainability. This project aims to improve understanding of the impacts of existing key reforms intended to ease fiscal pressures associated with population ageing. The right mix of retirement income policies is vital to Australia's fiscal sustainability, however the effectiveness of existing policies is unknown. The project expects to identify impacts of key reforms on employment, re-training, income, savings and future retirement income and public pension receipt. The project will develop a new tax records-based dataset to facilitate future research on tax and welfare systems.Read moreRead less
Australian labour market adjustment to technology, trade and policy. This project aims to examine how the Australian labour market has adjusted over the past 30 years to several major developments: increased use of computers, growth in international trade and the mining boom, microeconomic reform, and the expansion of higher education. The analysis is designed to encompass the effect on labour market outcomes including workers’ pay, the skill composition of employment, migration flows and indivi ....Australian labour market adjustment to technology, trade and policy. This project aims to examine how the Australian labour market has adjusted over the past 30 years to several major developments: increased use of computers, growth in international trade and the mining boom, microeconomic reform, and the expansion of higher education. The analysis is designed to encompass the effect on labour market outcomes including workers’ pay, the skill composition of employment, migration flows and individuals’ decisions about acquiring education. Having a richer understanding of how the labour market has adjusted in the past may help policy-makers to infer how adjustment will happen in the future. For example, a better understanding of the effects of new technologies would provide a stronger basis for judging trends in job creation and hence the types of skills and training that will be required in Australia in future years.Read moreRead less