A Randomized Clinical Trial Comparing Effectiveness Of 4RIF And 9INH For Treatment Of Latent TB Infection
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$496,875.00
Summary
Treatment of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) is one intervention that is known to prevent the occurrence of active TB. Current treatment is based on a six to nine month course of isoniazid. The treatment has side effects in some people and many people do not complete the treatment. The present study is to test an alternative treatment regimen (4 months of rifampicin) which has fewer side-effects and is more likely to be completed.
Preventing Weight Gain In Young To Mid-aged Women Living In Rural Communities;a Cluster Randomised Controlled Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$896,169.00
Summary
Women living in rural communities are gaining weight faster than their urban counterparts. The prevention of weight gain in young rural women presents an opportunity that is urgently needed with potential for major benefits to physical, metabolic and reproductive health. The aim of this project is to prevent weight gain in women of reproductive age living in small rural communities, to improve the preventable risk factors for chronic disease such as poor diet quality and physical activity and to ....Women living in rural communities are gaining weight faster than their urban counterparts. The prevention of weight gain in young rural women presents an opportunity that is urgently needed with potential for major benefits to physical, metabolic and reproductive health. The aim of this project is to prevent weight gain in women of reproductive age living in small rural communities, to improve the preventable risk factors for chronic disease such as poor diet quality and physical activity and to conduct a comprehensive economic evaluation.Read moreRead less
A Population-based Family Study Of Follicular Lymphoma
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,703,070.00
Summary
Annually more than 900 Australians are diagnosed with follicular lymphoma. The proposed research aims identify the environmental and genetic causes of this serious blood cancer. People diagnosed with lymphoma, and a family member, will provide detailed personal and family histories, and a blood sample. Exposure to specific chemicals, types of work, sun exposure, and body size are some of the factors the study will examine. The 5-year study will be conducted in NSW, ACT and Victoria.
Inhibiting Tumour Growth By Targeting EphA3 And Disrupting Tumour Stromal And Vascular Microenvironment
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$645,136.00
Summary
Tumours consist of cancer cells, tumour blood vessels and connective tissue, all of which are different to normal tissues. Many of the cells making up tumour vessels and connective tissue are recruited, during initial growth and subsequent spreading of tumours, from the bone marrow. Our research will examine the presence and function of the EphA3 receptor on these cells during tumour development and assess how our anti-EphA3 antibody inhibits tumour growth by targeting stroma and vasculature.
Case-Control Study Of Genetic And Environmental Risk Factors For Pancreatic Carcinoma
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,003,411.00
Summary
Pancreatic carcinoma is the fourth most common cause of cancer death in developed countries, and is approximately sixty percent more common in men than in women. In Australia approximately 1800 people are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer each year and there are a similar number of deaths. The five-year survival is less than five percent, and the majority of patients die within the first year. Surgery is frequently not possible due to the advanced stage of disease at diagnosis, and chemotherapy i ....Pancreatic carcinoma is the fourth most common cause of cancer death in developed countries, and is approximately sixty percent more common in men than in women. In Australia approximately 1800 people are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer each year and there are a similar number of deaths. The five-year survival is less than five percent, and the majority of patients die within the first year. Surgery is frequently not possible due to the advanced stage of disease at diagnosis, and chemotherapy is largely ineffective. A better understanding of the causes of pancreatic cancer is essential in order to develop strategies to prevent this lethal cancer. Currently the causes of pancreatic cancer are poorly understood. Family history and smoking probably account for approximately 30% of cases, but for the remainder the cause is unknown. This study will assess a new hypothesis, namely that too much acid in the stomach possibly caused by infection with a bacterial organism, could increase the risk of pancreatic cancer. We will include people who are diagnosed with cancer of the pancreas (cases), and match these to people selected from the electoral roll who have not ever been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer (controls). Participants will be asked a series of detailed questions about their diet, smoking, occupation and medical history. We will collect blood to look for antibodies to the bacteria and to examine specific genes, and we will compare all these factors in cases and controls. This is one of the first large studies of pancreatic cancer in Australia and we will take an integrated approach to examining interactions between genetics and exposure to environmental factors.Read moreRead less
PlaTFORM: PrevenTing Falls In A High Risk, Vision Impaired Population Through Specialist ORientation And Mobility Services: A Randomised Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$773,768.00
Summary
While many older people fall causing injury and loss of confidence, people with vision impairment and blindness have a dramatically increased risk of falls. In the PlaTFORM study we will deliver and comprehensively evaluate a falls prevention program through instructors with specialised training in orientation and mobility. This fills a gap in services and if effective will prevent injury in this vulnerable population and promote mobility.
The ASPREE-fracture Sub-study: Does Daily Low-dose Aspirin Reduce Fracture Risk In Healthy Older Adults?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,351,150.00
Summary
Disability, mortality and healthcare burden from fractures in older people is a growing problem worldwide. This is despite decades of clinical research, best practice guidelines and advances in therapies that aim to reduce fracture risk. The World Health Organization has identified fracture prevention as a public health priority. This study will determine whether a widely available, simple and inexpensive health intervention—aspirin—can reduce the incidence of fracture and associated disability ....Disability, mortality and healthcare burden from fractures in older people is a growing problem worldwide. This is despite decades of clinical research, best practice guidelines and advances in therapies that aim to reduce fracture risk. The World Health Organization has identified fracture prevention as a public health priority. This study will determine whether a widely available, simple and inexpensive health intervention—aspirin—can reduce the incidence of fracture and associated disability amongst older Australians.Read moreRead less
Effectiveness Of An Ambient Intelligence Geriatric Management System (AmbIGeM) To Prevent Falls In Older People In Hospitals: The AmbIGeM Stepped Wedge Randomised Trial.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,649,946.00
Summary
Falls are common in hospitals, especially among older patients and those with cognitive impairment. We will investigate if our newly developed ambience intelligence geriatric management system (AmbiGeM), which recognises when patients are undertaking risky movements related to increased risk of falling (e.g. walking without a necessary aid), and alerts staff so that they could offer help earlier, could reduce the number of falls in hospitals and is acceptable to staff and patients and/or carers.
Preventing Falls In Older People With Dementia - A Randomised Controlled Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,349,410.00
Summary
There is no evidence to date that has shown it is possible to prevent falls in older people with dementia. This proposal builds on a number of years of research by this group to try and address the question of how to prevent falls in people with dementia. We will undertake a study looking at the impact of a professionally prescribed, carer assisted, individualised exercise and home hazard reduction program on falls in people with dementia.
Extending The MIS BAIR Randomised Trial Of BCG To Prevent Childhood Allergy And Infection
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$939,504.00
Summary
BCG (used till recently to prevent tuberculosis) is a potential low cost and readily available vaccine which could reduce the rates of allergy and infection in Australian children. We propose to extend our existing NHMRC-funded trial, which studies whether BCG vaccinatinon given at birth prevents the development food allergy, eczema and infection in the 1st year of life, to see if this effect continues until 5yrs of age. At this age, we can also see if BCG vaccination at birth prevents asthma.