Neural Trajectories Towards Vulnerability Versus Resilience: A Longitudinal Twin Study
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,258,288.00
Summary
Resilience not only defines the absence of mental disorder; it defines the ability to positively adapt in the face of adversity. Due to this conceptual ambiguity, little is known of its underlying neurobiology as compared to symptoms like depression and anxiety. This knowledge would aid the development of effective interventions following trauma exposure. We aim to define the first neural profile of resilience in 270 adults, using the twin method to decide novel gene-environment influences.
Resilient Brain Networks In Patients With Schizophrenia And Their Unaffected Siblings
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$474,226.00
Summary
An individual’s risk for schizophrenia is usually evaluated in terms of their familial, environmental and neurobiological risk factors. Our research indicates that factors conferring resilience to becoming ill are just as important. This study will use brain imaging techniques to study individuals with schizophrenia and their unaffected siblings, aiming to identify factors that have provided the unaffected siblings with resilience to becoming ill, despite their familial risk.
Network Biomarkers Of Traumatic Stress Resilience And Sensitivity
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$647,344.00
Summary
Psychosocial stress is a major risk factor for several of the most debilitating mental illnesses including major depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and post-traumatic stress disorder. By understanding the genomic basis of resilience and adverse response to traumatic stress in humans, we may predict and prevent psychopathology. This international collaborative research will use blood from soldiers exposed to extreme combat experience to identify biomarkers of stress and resilience.
The Childhood Resilience Study: Building The Evidence To Reduce Health Inequalities Across The Lifecourse
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,075,842.00
Summary
Children exposed to social adversity, family violence and trauma have higher risks of emotional, developmental and physical health problems. Despite this, many children experiencing social adversity and trauma grow up with positive outcomes. This will be the first international study of resilience in middle childhood. The study will examine factors promoting resilience in Aboriginal children, children exposed to family violence and children in families of refugee background.
Aboriginal Families Study: 5-6 Year Follow-up Of An Intergenerational Birth Cohort
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,676,056.00
Summary
This study will extend follow-up mothers and children in an existing cohort of 344 women who gave birth to an Aboriginal baby in South Australia between July 2011 and June 2013. The study will investigate the health of mothers and children, as the children in the study start school. The study will provide important information about the contribution of early life experiences to health and developmental trajectories of children, and the complex interplay of maternal and child health.
Turning Points: Breaking Intergenerational Cycles Of Intimate Partner Abuse And Social Adversity
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,328,354.00
Summary
Intimate partner abuse (IPA) is estimated to affect one in four women at some stage in their lives, and to impact on the lives of at least one million Australian children annually. This study will investigate the extent to which exposure to intimate partner abuse during pregnancy and in the first 12 months postpartum predicts child outcomes in middle childhood. The study will provide foundations for better targeting and tailoring of early intervention strategies to support children at risk of ad ....Intimate partner abuse (IPA) is estimated to affect one in four women at some stage in their lives, and to impact on the lives of at least one million Australian children annually. This study will investigate the extent to which exposure to intimate partner abuse during pregnancy and in the first 12 months postpartum predicts child outcomes in middle childhood. The study will provide foundations for better targeting and tailoring of early intervention strategies to support children at risk of adverse outcomes.Read moreRead less
Forecasting The Impact Of Climate Change On Dengue Transmission
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$506,432.00
Summary
Dengue fever (DF) is the most important mosquito-transmitted viral disease in the world. The large-scale re-emergence of DF in the Asia-Pacific region during the past few decades has renewed its status as a serious international public health problem. Global climate change is anticipated to impact upon the biology and ecology of vectors and consequently the risk of DF transmission. The principal research aim of this study is to project the impact of future climate change on DF.
Identifying Optimal Sustainable Cooling Strategies For The Most Vulnerable During Heatwaves
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,115,640.00
Summary
Current guidance warns against electric fan use in heatwaves without any supporting evidence. This Project aims to identify how fans and other parallel low-resource strategies can reduce the risk of heat-related illness in the most vulnerable during simulated hot/humid and very hot/dry heat wave conditions. This information will be used to develop simple heat adaptation strategies that also mitigate unsustainable energy demands and the destructive environmental impact of air conditioning.
New Vectors, New Diseases: Understanding The Risk Of Chikungunya Transmission In Australia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$522,580.00
Summary
Chikungunya is a febrile illness that can lead to chronic, debilitating joint pain in adults and severe neurological complications in children. Introductions of this virus into Australia have steadily increased in recent years. We will estimate the risk of chikungunya transmission in Australia now and into the future, and deliver the results to public health authorities to reduce the risk of outbreaks in Australia.
Dengue Transmission Under Climate Change In Northern Australia: Linking Ecological And Population Based Models To Develop Adaptive Strategies
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$444,293.00
Summary
The mosquito-transmitted viral disease, dengue, is likely to be influenced by climate change. It has been accorded priority for human health adaptation research (National Adaptation Research Plan, Human Health). Dengue has major health impacts in North Queensland, and causes major losses to the Queensland blood supply. The research will develop a model for climate-related changes in the future occurrence of dengue to predict risk in North Queensland and other parts of Australia.