An integrated model for assessing health effects of nanoparticle inhalation. This project aims to examine the associated risks of nanoparticle inhalation on heath by developing a toxicological predictive tool for health risk assessment. The outcomes of this research will lead to greatly improved preventative measures, thereby reducing occupational diseases and the health socio-economic burden of Australia.
A Multiscale Modelling Platform for Nanoparticle Inhalation Risk Assessment. This project aims to explore the health risks caused by nanoparticle inhalation and its penetration through respiratory mucus and tissue cells. Exposure to nanoparticles has the potential to cause serious and possibly fatal health effects. An understanding of nanoparticle toxicology would enable us to appropriately protect the public’s health and safety. The project plans to consider human respiratory anatomy and physio ....A Multiscale Modelling Platform for Nanoparticle Inhalation Risk Assessment. This project aims to explore the health risks caused by nanoparticle inhalation and its penetration through respiratory mucus and tissue cells. Exposure to nanoparticles has the potential to cause serious and possibly fatal health effects. An understanding of nanoparticle toxicology would enable us to appropriately protect the public’s health and safety. The project plans to consider human respiratory anatomy and physiology and use advanced computer modelling and experimental techniques to evaluate the health risk of exposure to the burgeoning number of nanomaterials found in consumer products. The expected outcome of the project is a predictive tool that determines nanoparticle exposure risk and its health consequences.Read moreRead less
Particle deposition in the human lung - Computer Aided Design. Inhaled particles can cause a variety pulmonary injuries and diseases such as asthma, bronchitis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) etc. A limited multiple-path model will be employed to simulate efficiencies of particle deposition in the human lung. The model developed in this work is different from other available models in that it is based on an asymmetrical branching network for first three generations. This project ....Particle deposition in the human lung - Computer Aided Design. Inhaled particles can cause a variety pulmonary injuries and diseases such as asthma, bronchitis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) etc. A limited multiple-path model will be employed to simulate efficiencies of particle deposition in the human lung. The model developed in this work is different from other available models in that it is based on an asymmetrical branching network for first three generations. This project aims to assist people to monitor atmospheric quantity and assess the risk of deposition of particles. A new commercial code will be developed as new marketable software packages.Read moreRead less
Sound practice: Supporting sustainable careers in orchestral musicians through Occupational Health and Safety initiatives. This project will produce new knowledge about musician health, well-being and injury prevention and management. It will establish the first injury surveillance system for musicians internationally and the first set of rigorous studies to evaluate the effectiveness of injury management interventions for orchestral musicians. We will establish musician-specific assessment prot ....Sound practice: Supporting sustainable careers in orchestral musicians through Occupational Health and Safety initiatives. This project will produce new knowledge about musician health, well-being and injury prevention and management. It will establish the first injury surveillance system for musicians internationally and the first set of rigorous studies to evaluate the effectiveness of injury management interventions for orchestral musicians. We will establish musician-specific assessment protocols, practices and interventions leading to effective OHS policies, thus enabling global improvement in OHS in the music industry, preventing economic and personal loss from premature career termination due to injury, and assisting, through mentoring, the new generation of young orchestral musicians.Read moreRead less
Work-related fatal and non-fatal accidents and injuries and exposure to workplace hazards in migrant workers in Australia. Do migrants have worse workplace conditions and more work-related accidents and injuries than Australian-born workers? This project will analyse national deaths and hospital discharge data, and determine best practice methods to include migrant workers in a future cross-sectional study looking at occupational health and safety.
Viral Infection And TGFbeta Impair Glucocorticoid Activity In Epithelial Cells
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$617,699.00
Summary
Chronic inflammatory lung diseases like asthma and smokers lung are treated with combinations of anti-inflammatory drugs. Powerful anti-inflammatory types of steroid drugs are used in more severe disease. Even these powerful drugs are sometimes not effective enough. Our work is developing an understanding of how inflammation limits the anti-inflammatory effects of steroids and we are devising ways to overcome this with new drugs. We aim to improve treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases, espe ....Chronic inflammatory lung diseases like asthma and smokers lung are treated with combinations of anti-inflammatory drugs. Powerful anti-inflammatory types of steroid drugs are used in more severe disease. Even these powerful drugs are sometimes not effective enough. Our work is developing an understanding of how inflammation limits the anti-inflammatory effects of steroids and we are devising ways to overcome this with new drugs. We aim to improve treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases, especially those affecting the lung.Read moreRead less
Reducing Prolonged Workplace Sitting Time In Office Workers: A Cluster-randomised Controlled Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$524,613.00
Summary
Groundbreaking Australian research shows that sitting for too long, which is routine for most office workers, contributes to overweight and to a greater risk of developing diabetes and heart disease. In over 300 desk-bound office workers, this world-first study will assess the effectiveness of an innovative workplace program aimed at reducing and breaking up sitting time. It will identify practical ways for Australian office workers to minimise unhealthy effects of sitting too much at work.
Occupational injury prevention in high temperature environments. This project aims to explore the contribution of heat as a risk factor in work-related illness and injury. Approximately 600 000 Australians experience a work-related illness or injury each year. Hot weather may directly or indirectly lead to accidents, but heat as a risk factor has not been systematically explored, and is particularly relevant in a warming climate. This project aims to improve safety and productivity in Australian ....Occupational injury prevention in high temperature environments. This project aims to explore the contribution of heat as a risk factor in work-related illness and injury. Approximately 600 000 Australians experience a work-related illness or injury each year. Hot weather may directly or indirectly lead to accidents, but heat as a risk factor has not been systematically explored, and is particularly relevant in a warming climate. This project aims to improve safety and productivity in Australian industry by generating new evidence and predictive models to inform injury prevention policy and guidance, and facilitating the development of practical, targeted resources. This project expects to add to the body of knowledge regarding workers’ health and safety and to be of benefit to industry and subpopulations at risk.Read moreRead less
Improved identification of patients 'at risk' of depression, and optimal targeting of rehabilitation post-stroke through novel brain imaging and biomarkers. Use of novel brain imaging and biomarkers for identification of stroke survivors at risk of depression and recurrent stroke will permit early access to preventative and effective treatments for depression and improve capacity to benefit from rehabilitation. Development of predictive models to guide selection of most optimal rehabilitation st ....Improved identification of patients 'at risk' of depression, and optimal targeting of rehabilitation post-stroke through novel brain imaging and biomarkers. Use of novel brain imaging and biomarkers for identification of stroke survivors at risk of depression and recurrent stroke will permit early access to preventative and effective treatments for depression and improve capacity to benefit from rehabilitation. Development of predictive models to guide selection of most optimal rehabilitation strategies based on viable brain will maximise the capacity for persons with stroke to reach their full potential for recovery and ensure rehabilitation is more targeted and cost efficient. Improved capacity to benefit from treatment will have ongoing benefits for activity participation and productive living in Australians who experience stroke.Read moreRead less
From data to action: a new process for developing injury countermeasures. This project aims to understand how reporting systems can improve workplace safety. Workplace injury affects over 600 000 Australian workers per year at a cost of approximately $60 billion. Although the introduction of incident reporting systems has enabled organisations to better understand the causes of injuries, how to translate this knowledge into effective countermeasures remains ambiguous. Moreover, it is not clear w ....From data to action: a new process for developing injury countermeasures. This project aims to understand how reporting systems can improve workplace safety. Workplace injury affects over 600 000 Australian workers per year at a cost of approximately $60 billion. Although the introduction of incident reporting systems has enabled organisations to better understand the causes of injuries, how to translate this knowledge into effective countermeasures remains ambiguous. Moreover, it is not clear whether adopting incident reporting systems actually leads to a safety benefit. This research intends to tackle these critical knowledge gaps by developing, implementing, and testing a process for translating incident reporting system outputs into appropriate and effective injury countermeasures, and then evaluating the safety effects of adopting the new incident reporting and learning cycle.Read moreRead less