In the Northern Territory, about twenty per cent of Indigenous children have perforated ear drums. Menzies research already shows medical treatments in high-risk Indigenous settings to be less effective than in non-Indigenous settings. I will lead an interdisciplinary team to develop, pilot, design and evaluate the effect of a comprehensive intervention program including best use of vaccines, reducing risk factors and maximising hygiene to prevent early age of first infection.
Increasing Value, Reducing Waste From Incomplete Or Unusable Reports Of Medical Research
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$788,486.00
Summary
We estimated that the avoidable waste in research - from design flaws, non-publication, and inadequate reporting - results in over $85 Billion annual loss. I will research innovations to reduce this waste. My focus is particularly on non-drug interventions - exercises, dietary changes, self-monitoring, e-health applications – which are often effective but more difficult to use in clinical practice, and being compiled in my recently founded Handbook of Non-Drug Interventions (see RACGP website).
Pathophysiology And Treatment Of Malaria In Our Region
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$951,005.00
Summary
Malaria continues to kill 420,000 people/year. I will lead a team of clinical scientists in identifying how each of the different malaria parasites cause damage to small blood vessels, kidneys and other organs, and will test whether two different drugs can improve these processes and reduce illness. Many of my previous research findings have changed malaria treatment in Australia and across SE Asia, and, where appropriate, I will use new research findings to improve treatments.
Diabetes and heart disease are major causes of premature death, disability and high health care costs in Australia. Better strategies for the prevention and treatment of these conditions are needed. Professor Keech will continue to design and lead clinical trials and related laboratory research to evaluate and develop strategies to improve the lives of people with or at high risk of these conditions. He will also mentor the next generation of researchers.
I conduct research in physiotherapy, especially physiotherapy treatments for muscle contracture. Over the next 5 years I will investigate mechanisms of normal muscle growth and muscle contracture in adults with stroke and children with cerebral palsy. I will also conduct clinical studies investigating prophylaxis for haemophilia, prevention of complications after spinal cord injury, and multi-level surgery for contracture in children with cerebral palsy.
Developing Innovative Pathways For The Prevention Of Lifelong Cardiovascular Risk
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$753,300.00
Summary
My research aims to develop better ways to predict the risk of heart disease, better approaches to disease prevention and treatment and to ultimately develop more effective approaches to implementing these strategies into health care delivery.
I am interested in using new technologies to understand how and why cancers develop. I am focused on sarcomas, cancers that particularly affect the young, but rare and neglected cancers more generally. I want to use the knowledge we can gain from basic research to develop new models of clinical care, that will reduce the morbidity and mortality from these deadly diseases.
Improving Outcomes In Heart Failure Through Basic, Clinical And Translational Research
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$951,005.00
Summary
Heart failure (HF) is a common, chronic cardiovascular condition characterised by a reduced capacity of the heart to function. Patients with HF have a poor quality of life and significantly reduced survival. My proposed programme of research will improve the understanding of heart failure (HF) and lead to better treatments.
Improving The Prevention, Treatment And Management Of Cardiovascular & Chronic Disease In The Community
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$774,540.00
Summary
The identification, prevention and management of cardiovascular and chronic disease risk factors and understanding impact on clinical outcomes is fundamental to improving health and well-being. The program of work encapsulated in this application utilises modern epidemiological research methods involving large scale clinical trials, registries and epidemiological modelling to advance our understanding and provide new directions for cardiovascular disease prevention and management.
Innovations In Cancer Imaging And Targeted Radiotherapy To Improve Human Health
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$926,980.00
Summary
Through a process of discovery, development and investigation we will create medical devices and methods to improve cancer imaging and targeted radiotherapy. Successful completion of this program will directly impact on the treatment and lives of Australian cancer patients in the foreseeable future.This program will substantially build research capacity and productivity within Australia, raise Australia’s profile in cancer research and foster international collaboration.