The aim of this project is to design and implement a broad-ranging research program that produces in-depth knowledge of motorcycle rider behaviour, performance, and safety that can be used to inform and develop a broad, and integrated package of countermeasures and-or public policies to improve the safety of motorcycle riders. A key focus of the research program will be on the identification and characterisation of errors that give rise to incidents and crashes involving motorcycle riders. Austr ....The aim of this project is to design and implement a broad-ranging research program that produces in-depth knowledge of motorcycle rider behaviour, performance, and safety that can be used to inform and develop a broad, and integrated package of countermeasures and-or public policies to improve the safety of motorcycle riders. A key focus of the research program will be on the identification and characterisation of errors that give rise to incidents and crashes involving motorcycle riders. Australian motorcycle riders are three times more likely to be involved in a casualty crash than car drivers, and comprised 14% of the national road toll in 2005. The proposed research program aims to improve motorcycle safety by developing appropriate countermeasures that will be derived from the findings of simulator experiments, on-road studies, focus groups, and surveys. The results of these studies will be used to develop guidelines and recommendations for improving motorcycle safety.Read moreRead less
Surveillance And Analysis Of Avian Influenza Viruses In Wild Birds In Australia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$250,237.00
Summary
Birds are commonly infected with bird flu viruses but most of these viruses do not cause disease. However, certain types of bird flu viruses, such as the H5N1 strain, can cause severe illness and death in 100% of infected birds. There is currently an epidemic of H5N1 bird flu occurring in Asia. Occasionally humans become infected by bird to human transmission and since 2003, 130+ people have been infected with H5N1 resulting in 60+ deaths. There are 3 ways in which dangerous strains of the virus ....Birds are commonly infected with bird flu viruses but most of these viruses do not cause disease. However, certain types of bird flu viruses, such as the H5N1 strain, can cause severe illness and death in 100% of infected birds. There is currently an epidemic of H5N1 bird flu occurring in Asia. Occasionally humans become infected by bird to human transmission and since 2003, 130+ people have been infected with H5N1 resulting in 60+ deaths. There are 3 ways in which dangerous strains of the virus may be brought to Australia by; infected people, domestic birds and migratory wading birds. In order to monitor the import of these viruses by migratory birds we will catch and take samples from large numbers of these birds in important areas where they congregate close to humans and poultry farms. We will identify what types of bird flu viruses these birds are carrying and if the viruses are capable of causing disease in birds and humans. We will also see if they can be treated by the influenza drugs that we currently have and we will study these viruses to find new drug targets. These viruses are commonest in ducks. Migratory wading birds and local ducks live in the same habitats so there is the chance that the wading birds and ducks could pass the viruses to each other. There is an additional concern that non-disease causing viruses could mutate in ducks and become pathogenic and pass from bird to bird or even human to human transmission which could cause a major human epidemic of bird flu in Australia. So we will also take samples from local ducks that occur in the same areas as the wading birds and test them for viruses as well. Our results will show what kinds of viruses are being carried by wading birds and ducks and if these viruses are a danger to people and poultry. We can then manage important areas so that humans and poultry do not come into contact with these viruses.Read moreRead less
Production Of Nasal Filters: Enhanced Prophylactic Protection From Aerosol Exposure
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$147,000.00
Summary
Influenza is a highly contagious disease that is transmitted via infective secretions containing the virus. An infected person produces tiny droplets of these secretions when coughing, sneezing, and talking, and the droplets are disseminated into the air where they are subsequently inhaled by others. A common way of preventing such transmission is to wear a mask to prevent droplet inhalation. While such masks may greatly reduce exposure, they do not eliminate it, as some viruses can pass around ....Influenza is a highly contagious disease that is transmitted via infective secretions containing the virus. An infected person produces tiny droplets of these secretions when coughing, sneezing, and talking, and the droplets are disseminated into the air where they are subsequently inhaled by others. A common way of preventing such transmission is to wear a mask to prevent droplet inhalation. While such masks may greatly reduce exposure, they do not eliminate it, as some viruses can pass around the edges of masks, particularly if it fits poorly, and also a small percentage can pass through the filter material. While influenza is usually not a major health problem in the general community, the emergence of a more hazardous strain will place an additional burden on health care and other facilities, and requires the development and optimization of measures to minimize virus spread and protect those who are exposed. The aim of this project is to build small filters that can be worn in the nose to provide additional filtration of inhaled air. These filters would be worn in combination with a mask in high exposure circumstances, such as by health care workers when treating infected patients or could be used when a mask was not normally worn to provide effective and discreet protection, such as in crowded public places. Developing such filters builds on our experience of making small samplers worn in the nose to measure allergen exposure. This experience is combined with advanced filter materials developed by leading US researchers that permit the efficient filtration of particles as small as viruses. This project will be conducted in collaboration with a leading Australian design group, and we will design and evaluate such filters for their ability to capture virus and thus protect the wearer. The filters should provide an intuitive, effective and inexpensive method to be used in combination with other hygiene measures to increase personal protection from acquiring highly transmissible respiratory diseases, particularly influenza. We expect to have prototypes of the filters available in 6 months so that production can commence.Read moreRead less