Is High-school Screening For Hereditary Haemochromatosis Acceptable And Feasible?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$728,573.00
Summary
Hereditary haemochromatosis (HH) is a preventable adult onset genetic iron overload disorder. In this research project we will offer senior high school students the opportunity to be tested for their risk of developing HH. Testing will be by a painless cheek brush test. Using questionnaires and interviews we will assess the psychological impact on the students. We will also assess whether those who are at increased risk of HH take steps to prevent disease.
Increasing Appropriate Screening For Colorectal Cancer Patients And First Degree Relatives. A RCT.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,372,866.00
Summary
Adoption of guideline recommendations is difficult to achieve. This research aims to improve adherence to guideline recommendations for surveillance for people with colorectal cancer and screening in their first degree relatives using an educational intervention. People with colorectal cancer and their first degree relatives will be randomly assigned to an educational intervention or to usual care, and adherence to guideline recommendations will be compared between groups.
Environmental Risk Factors For Iron Overload-related Disease In A Cohort Study Of Hereditary Haemochromatosis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$152,936.00
Summary
Results published last year from our Melbourne HealthIron study of hereditary haemochromatosis (iron overload disease) show that almost one third of the 50,000 men genetically at risk of iron overload in Australia will develop symptoms of disease including fatigue, arthritis and liver damage. We will use data from the recent follow-up of the Health2020 cohort, of which HealthIron is a sub-study, to determine environmental risk factors for progression to disease in people with iron overload.
Early Versus Delayed Therapeutic Venesection For The Prevention Of Hereditary Haemochromatosis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$196,012.00
Summary
This study will investigate treatment by blood removal for the inherited iron overload condition hereditary haemochromatosis: Is treatment more effective in reducing risk of disease if performed early as a preventive measure rather than later after diagnosis with symptoms? Details of the lifetime history of blood donation from the Australian Red Cross Blood Service will be combined with existing information from questionnaires and clinical examination of 1,439 study participants in Melbourne.
A Population Based Investigation Of Early Life Lung Development And Immune Programming
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$176,719.00
Summary
Asthma and allergic diseases cost Australia in excess of 7.8 billion per year. We are yet to identify any substantially effective preventative strategies. The applicant is a highly successful early stage clinician-researcher based in regional Victoria. This collaborative project will involve extending two existing NHMRC projects, in addition to establishing a new unselected Australian birth cohort, in to investigate the early life gene-environment determinants of asthma and allergic disease.
Several natural chemicals in the brain and gut that regulate food intake and body weight have been identified. Their actions in regulating these processes are achieved through a complex yet little understood interaction with various molecules and receptors which leads to a cascade of reactions in the central nervous system. The aim if this PhD project is to elucidate the mechanisms of these interacting molecules to develop novel and effective leads for the prevention and treatment of obesity.
Does Regular Tai Chi Practice Delay Ageing Of Cells And Improve Cellular Energy Functions?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$417,873.00
Summary
Tai Chi is a popular traditional health exercise that has been shown to be effective in improving health-related quality of life in aged populations and patients with acute and chronic conditions. However, the scientific evidence and mechanisms of Tai Chi at the level of the cells in the body is not clear. This project aims to investigate the mechanisms of Tai Chi to provide a better understanding of the scientific basis and offering greater confidence in using Tai Chi to promote health. We prop ....Tai Chi is a popular traditional health exercise that has been shown to be effective in improving health-related quality of life in aged populations and patients with acute and chronic conditions. However, the scientific evidence and mechanisms of Tai Chi at the level of the cells in the body is not clear. This project aims to investigate the mechanisms of Tai Chi to provide a better understanding of the scientific basis and offering greater confidence in using Tai Chi to promote health. We propose to do a study to compare cellular measures in a group of established Tai Chi practitioners with a group who have not practised Tai Chi. It will include at least 400 members of the general public aged 30 years and over. One group will comprise long-term Tai Chi practitioners (3 years or more) and the comparison group will be those who are just starting to learn Tai Chi. The participants will come from many Tai Chi centres around Melbourne. Our collaborators (2 renowned Tai Chi teachers) will facilitate recruitment. We will collect mouth wash samples from participants and measure two major biomarkers (telomere and mitochondria). The end sections of a chromosome are called the telomere and there is evidence that telomeres get shorter as we age and when we get sick with conditions such as heart problems. Mitochondria are the powerhouse within cells that convert energy from food into a form that cells can use. The mitochondria and its function can be affected by stress in a person’s life and this might be helped by Tai Chi. Since this study aims at analysing the much-claimed benefits of Tai Chi using a scientific evidence-based approach, the two biomarkers we are planning to measure will tell us whether such benefits are reflected in the improvement of the function of cells. Using the biomarkers and some questionnaire information, we will analyse the data to see whether Tai Chi practitioners have longer telomere and better mitochondrial function than those who have not practiced Tai Chi.Read moreRead less