The Australian Research Data Commons (ARDC) invites you to participate in a short survey about your
interaction with the ARDC and use of our national research infrastructure and services. The survey will take
approximately 5 minutes and is anonymous. It’s open to anyone who uses our digital research infrastructure
services including Reasearch Link Australia.
We will use the information you provide to improve the national research infrastructure and services we
deliver and to report on user satisfaction to the Australian Government’s National Collaborative Research
Infrastructure Strategy (NCRIS) program.
Please take a few minutes to provide your input. The survey closes COB Friday 29 May 2026.
Complete the 5 min survey now by clicking on the link below.
A Prospective Randomised Trial Comparing Nasogastric With Intravenous Hydration In Children With Bronchiolitis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$886,817.00
Summary
This project aims to compare the two methods currently being used of providing fluid to young children who have a viral infection of the lungs called bronchiolitis. The methods of giving fluids are through a tube placed though the nose, down the food pipe, into the stomach (nasogastric tube), or through a drip in the child's vein (intravenous). We hope to show that one of these methods is better than the other and allows children to be sent home from hospital earlier, and cost less.
The Significance Of Human Metapneumovirus In The Australian Paediatric Population
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$457,625.00
Summary
A newly discovered paramyxovirus, human metapneumovirus (hMPV), shows clinical and virological charcteristics very similar to those of human respiratory syncytial virus (hRSV). Human RSV is the major cause of acute lower respiratory illness in infants and accounts for more than 1 million deaths world wide annually. Most infants are infected in their first year of life, and re-infection is common. Genetic variation of the virus is thought to play a critical role in its ability to escape the immun ....A newly discovered paramyxovirus, human metapneumovirus (hMPV), shows clinical and virological charcteristics very similar to those of human respiratory syncytial virus (hRSV). Human RSV is the major cause of acute lower respiratory illness in infants and accounts for more than 1 million deaths world wide annually. Most infants are infected in their first year of life, and re-infection is common. Genetic variation of the virus is thought to play a critical role in its ability to escape the immune response and establish multiple sequential infections in the same host. Currently, we have no knowledge of the extent that hMPV exists in the Australian population, nor do we know if hMPV is a significant respiratory pathogen in paediatric patients. This research aims to determine the importance of hMPV as a respiratory agent, and will establish the rate, age of exposure, and incidence of hMPV infection in Australian children. In addition, we will identify the hMPV strains (genotypes) that infect local children, and the difference, if any, between these and virus strains detected in children from other community groups, and from overseas. Such data is invaluable in devising a future vaccine strategy for hMPV, and the study of the genetic variability among Australian strains will have profound implications for public health. This research project is a preliminary study into the clinical and virological significance of hMPV, in children, and will form a basis for future research projects. Once this preliminary data is obtained, further studies are possible to determine the cellular immune response to hMPV infection and its role in long-term protection. Also,it is likely that hMPV, like hRSV, may prove to be an agent associated with long-term decreased pulmonary function and airflow limitation perhaps developing to asthma.Read moreRead less
A Prospective Study Of The Development Of Innate Immunity In Preterm Infants And Susceptibility To Neonatal Infection
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$377,773.00
Summary
Life-threatening infection is extremely common in preterm infants, affecting at least 25% of those born before 28 weeks. Infection results in huge human and economic costs. There is currently no way of predicting which preterm infants will develop infection. This project will enrol preterm infants at birth and track the development of their protective immune system over the period of greatest vulnerability. This will lead to development of targeted treatement for those at greatest risk.
A Randomised Controlled Trial Of A Fluid Containing 140mmol/L Of Sodium Compared To A Fluid Containing 77mmol/L Of Sodium For Maintenance Intravenous Fluid Therapy In Hospitalised Children.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$183,959.00
Summary
Intravenous fluid therapy is one of the most common and important treatments for children in hospital. In spite of this we know very little about what fluid should be used and there is now good evidence that children are experiencing adverse outcomes because of fluid treatment. The aim of this trial is to determine which intravenous fluid is best in children. It will be the largest and most relevant intravenous fluid trial performed in children. The results will have an immediate impact on treat ....Intravenous fluid therapy is one of the most common and important treatments for children in hospital. In spite of this we know very little about what fluid should be used and there is now good evidence that children are experiencing adverse outcomes because of fluid treatment. The aim of this trial is to determine which intravenous fluid is best in children. It will be the largest and most relevant intravenous fluid trial performed in children. The results will have an immediate impact on treating children worldwide.Read moreRead less
We are an international team committed to clinical trials to improve survival without disability in newborn babies. We plan a randomised trial to confirm if bovine lactoferrin, an inexpensive dairy protein, reduces death or major morbidity and increases total breast milk intake in 1,500 very low birthweight babies in neonatal intensive care units
Genetic And Environmental Factors And Early Lung Problems Can Be Related To Allergy And Poor Lung Development In Preschool Age Children
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$122,032.00
Summary
This important new collaboration between the Murdoch ChildrenÍs Research Institute and Barwon Health explores the impact of early lung development on longer term respiratory health. It utilises a newly validated, accurate and safe technique to measure lung function in young babies and children. Data on environmental factors and lung function will help us explore the risk factors for the development of allergy, asthma and lung infections in early life.
High Flow Cannula Therapy In Bronchiolitis, A Randomised Controlled Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,283,342.00
Summary
Bronchiolitis is the leading cause of paediatric hospitalisation in Australia. Despite multiple research studies the outcome has not changed. Our recent studies supported by other international studies have shown that the use of high flow nasal cannula oxygen may reduce the severity and prevent progression of the disease. We aim to investigate if HFNC in regional hospitals can reduce the number of infants transferred to specialist children’s hospitals and reduce the socio-economic burden.
Is There Cytomegalovirus In Mothers Breastmilk And Does It Cause Infection In Very Premature Babies?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$235,970.00
Summary
The hypothesis behind this study is that some very premature infants become infected with cytomegalovirus (CMV) from their mother's breast milk. This proposal is for a study of 200 CMV antibody positive mothers who are expressing breast milk for their very premature infants. We believe this is likely to be about 50% of all mothers. It has been well established that some full term infants are infected with CMV from their mother's breastmilk. The question now is do very premature infants with poor ....The hypothesis behind this study is that some very premature infants become infected with cytomegalovirus (CMV) from their mother's breast milk. This proposal is for a study of 200 CMV antibody positive mothers who are expressing breast milk for their very premature infants. We believe this is likely to be about 50% of all mothers. It has been well established that some full term infants are infected with CMV from their mother's breastmilk. The question now is do very premature infants with poor immunity develop serious infections from cytomegalovirus. This project has the overall aim of determining what proportion of very premature infants become ill with CMV excreted in their mother's breast milk, and then determining the nature and severity of those illnesses. It will also define how many mothers of premature infants are excreting CMV in their breast milk, the time this starts after birth, the viral load transmitted to the infant, the age after birth when the infants first become infected, the proportion who become ill with the infection, the details of the diseases and whether freezing breast milk kills the CMV.Read moreRead less
What Is The Profile, Burden And Consequences Of Cerebral Palsy (CP) Due To Congenital Cytomegalovirus (CMV) Infection?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$87,130.00
Summary
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a virus that can be transmitted from mother to the unborn child. It is a potentially preventable cause of cerebral palsy (CP). The incidence of CP due to CMV remains unclear in Australia as screening for CMV is not routinely performed in the newborn. Our preliminary data suggests that severe CP is strongly associated with CMV. Here we will use link recorded data and test CMV in newborn screening cards to determine the burden and profile of CP due to congenital CMV in Aus ....Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a virus that can be transmitted from mother to the unborn child. It is a potentially preventable cause of cerebral palsy (CP). The incidence of CP due to CMV remains unclear in Australia as screening for CMV is not routinely performed in the newborn. Our preliminary data suggests that severe CP is strongly associated with CMV. Here we will use link recorded data and test CMV in newborn screening cards to determine the burden and profile of CP due to congenital CMV in Australia.Read moreRead less