Cash Transfers And Behaviour Change Communications To Reduce Child Undernutrition In Rural Bangladesh: A Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial To Determine The Most Effective Combination Of Interventions.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$3,415,801.00
Summary
Under-nutrition of children remains a major global public health problem. Tackling this problem will require more evidence about what combination of nutrition-specific and nutrition sensitive interventions is most effective in reducing child undernutrition. We plan a large scale trial in rural Bangladesh to compare the effects of communications about nutrition with mobile phones and cash transfers in preventing child malnutrition.
Development Of Novel Methods For Non-invasive Measurement Of Cardiac Output And Lung Volume During Anaesthesia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$257,970.00
Summary
In Australia approximately 2 million anaesthetic procedures are performed annually. Approximately one patient in 20,000 dies during or shortly after an anaesthetic from complications related to the anaesthetic itself, and as many as one in 170 suffers severe complications. Mortality and severe morbidity are often ultimately associated with lack of oxygen in the tissues. Oxygen is transported from the lungs to the tissues by the blood. The oxygen content of arterial blood is monitored by pulse ox ....In Australia approximately 2 million anaesthetic procedures are performed annually. Approximately one patient in 20,000 dies during or shortly after an anaesthetic from complications related to the anaesthetic itself, and as many as one in 170 suffers severe complications. Mortality and severe morbidity are often ultimately associated with lack of oxygen in the tissues. Oxygen is transported from the lungs to the tissues by the blood. The oxygen content of arterial blood is monitored by pulse oximetry during every anaesthetic, but blood flow is not. Cardiac output is measured in only a very small proportion of anaesthetised patients using intravenous catheters that pass through the heart to the lungs. This procedure is invasive and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. At present there is no easy way to monitor cardiac output non-invasively during anaesthesia. Our proposed research project, currently underway in conjunction with an industrial partner, is aimed at the development of a reliable, rapidly repeating, non-invasive method for monitoring total cardiac output and lung volume in every patient who has an anaesthetic. The purpose of the new monitor is to ensure that potential problems with oxygen supply to the tissues are detected and corrected promptly. Our new monitoring technique is computer-controlled, can function without intervention by the anaesthetist and has very few side-effects. It can be added to any anaesthetic machine. Such a measurement technique is likely to have an impact on anaesthesia similar to that of pulse oximetry in the 1980's, and, if suitably adapted, is likely to find applications in other fields, such as intensive care, sports medicine, the respiratory function laboratory and in veterinary medicine.Read moreRead less
Investigation Of Shear-sensitive Signalling Pathways In Human Platelets
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$196,527.00
Summary
Platelets are extremely important cells that control bleeding by sticking to injured blood vessels to form a blood clot. Excessive clotting can lead to fatal vascular events such as heart attacks and strokes. On the other hand, defects in blood clotting can result in life threatening bleeding problems. Platelets stick to the wall of a blood vessel when receptors on the surface of these cells interact with materials (ligands) that are exposed when the vessel wall is injured. The stickiness or adh ....Platelets are extremely important cells that control bleeding by sticking to injured blood vessels to form a blood clot. Excessive clotting can lead to fatal vascular events such as heart attacks and strokes. On the other hand, defects in blood clotting can result in life threatening bleeding problems. Platelets stick to the wall of a blood vessel when receptors on the surface of these cells interact with materials (ligands) that are exposed when the vessel wall is injured. The stickiness or adhesive behaviour of platelets is controlled by many proteins (enzymes) which are contained inside these cells. These enzymes transmit messages from platelet receptors on the surface into the cell interior, thereby controlling platelet behaviour. We are in the process of identifying several types of enzymes which are responsible for controlling platelet stickiness. Our research will provide a better understanding of the complicated pathways regulating platelet stickiness and clot formation. The knowledge gained from these studies may ultimately asssist in the design of specific drugs for the prevention and-or treatment of heart attacks and strokes.Read moreRead less
Many dietary recommendations are inconsistent and based on inadequate research based on 1970s technologies. As a result, the current recommendations are almost impossible to meet from foods, without nutritional supplements. Using state-of-the-art technology, this research aims to redefine the nutritional requirements omega-3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, iron and iodine, as well as the correct balance of energy producing macronutrients in the diet of mothers and their children.
Good nutrition is a vital element in a healthy start to life. Determining the correct foods to ensure that pregnant women meet both their needs as well as those of their new baby can be very confusing. Do I need to take iron supplements? How can I ensure I get enough iodine? This project will develop new methods for evaluating the effects of nutrients and to pass that information on to health practitioners so that Australian mothers will be in no doubt about the best diet for them and their chil ....Good nutrition is a vital element in a healthy start to life. Determining the correct foods to ensure that pregnant women meet both their needs as well as those of their new baby can be very confusing. Do I need to take iron supplements? How can I ensure I get enough iodine? This project will develop new methods for evaluating the effects of nutrients and to pass that information on to health practitioners so that Australian mothers will be in no doubt about the best diet for them and their children.Read moreRead less
Perth Aboriginal Breast Feeding Study: Reasons For Not Breast Feeding And For The Early Cessation Of Breast Feeding.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$207,237.00
Summary
Perth Aboriginal Breast Feeding Study : Reasons for not Breast Feeding and for the Early Cessation of Breast Feeding. Breastfeeding has many advantages for the nutrition and health of infants and mothers. Recent research has shown the importance of longitudinal studies of breast feeding and the importance of family support systems, especially the attitude of the baby's father. In urban Aboriginal families the rate of breast feeding is lower and the duration is shorter than for those living in ru ....Perth Aboriginal Breast Feeding Study : Reasons for not Breast Feeding and for the Early Cessation of Breast Feeding. Breastfeeding has many advantages for the nutrition and health of infants and mothers. Recent research has shown the importance of longitudinal studies of breast feeding and the importance of family support systems, especially the attitude of the baby's father. In urban Aboriginal families the rate of breast feeding is lower and the duration is shorter than for those living in rural areas. There have been no longitudinal studies exploring the factors involved in the initiation and the continuation of breast feeding by Aboriginal women. A sample of 440 Aboriginal women will be recruited from Perth maternity hospitals. After an initial interview the women will be followed up at monthly intervals to find out their progress with breast feeding. In addition a number of focus group discussions will explore attitudes of Aboriginal women and men to breast feeding. The outcome of the studies will be information to feed back to the community through Aboriginal organisations. It will provide the basis for specifically targeted health promotion programs to maintain and to improve breast feeding rates in the Aboriginal community.Read moreRead less
Prophylactic Early Parenteral Nutrition In Patients Undergoing Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation: A Multi-centre Randomised Controlled Trial.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,131,673.00
Summary
We intend to conduct a multi-centre clinical trial in patients receiving bone marrow transplants to determine whether very early nutrition support improves overall survival.
Analysis Of Metabolic Profiles In Young Adults From The The Western Australian Pregnancy Cohort (Raine) Study By Metabolomics: Biomarkers For Metabolic Consequences Of Early Programming By Infant Feeding Type
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$337,681.00
Summary
Increasing evidence from European and other investigators around the world demonstrates that early nutrition has long-lasting programming effects for later health and disease risk. The most convincing evidence is for obesity and its associated disorders, that include metabolic syndrome, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, asthma and certain cancers. The focus of this project is on the increasing public health importance and intergenerational nature of these problems.