Hypoxia-induced Suppression Of Respiratory Sensations And Reflexes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$276,750.00
Summary
Many diseases that effect the respiratory system have their primary effect on the lungs and airway themselves but in some conditions, such as obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and asthma, increased breathing load can induce periods of low blood oxygen which could further contribute to morbidity in these diseases. OSA is a disorder associated with snoring. Patients experience periods of sleep fragmentation and oxygen deprivation due to obstruction of the floppy portion of the upper airway (pharynx) d ....Many diseases that effect the respiratory system have their primary effect on the lungs and airway themselves but in some conditions, such as obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and asthma, increased breathing load can induce periods of low blood oxygen which could further contribute to morbidity in these diseases. OSA is a disorder associated with snoring. Patients experience periods of sleep fragmentation and oxygen deprivation due to obstruction of the floppy portion of the upper airway (pharynx) during sleep. It affects 4% of men and 2% of women and causes excessive daytime sleepiness leading to increased risk of accidents, high blood pressure and premature cardiovascular disease. Asthma produces airway inflamation and narrowing and affects a wide range of people. Both OSA and asthma are associated with episodes of impaired breathing and reduced levels of oxygen in the blood. Low levels of oxygen in the blood (hypoxia) is well known to impair functioning of the central nervous system. We have recently found that hypoxia blunts sensations of increased breathing load in healthy people and in asthmatics. Hypoxia might therefore contribute to worsening of attacks in these diseases. This study aims to investigate how changes in blood oxygen levels affect brain processing of respiratory signals, how this translates to perception of sensations and the physiological adaptations that people make to cope with increased breathing load. We will also investigate whether the inhibitory effects of hypoxia on central nervous system function extend to other vital protective respiratory reflexes such as cough, awakening from sleep to increased breathing load and upper airway reflexes that are important for maintaining an open airway.Read moreRead less
Defining The Role Of The Ubiquitin Protein Ligase Nedd4 In Vascular Development.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$702,166.00
Summary
Blood and lymphatic vessels are vital components of the cardiovascular system. Abnormalities in the growth and development of these vessels are associated with human disorders including cancer and cardiovascular disease. The focus of this application is to characterise the role of the ubiquitin protein ligase Nedd4 in vascular development, with the aim of identifying targets to which novel therapeutics for the treatment of blood and lymphatic vascular diseases could be generated.
Punish them or engage them? Identifying and addressing productive and unproductive student behaviours in South Australian schools. This project will provide a contemporary understanding of productive and unproductive student behaviour, which is a key educational concern in Australia. Evidence will be obtained to inform educational decisions to engage and promote positive student behaviour and improve academic achievement.
Would more highly-qualified teachers and trainers help to address quality problems in the Australian vocational education and training system? This project examines whether and how higher-level qualifications for vocational education and training (VET) teachers would improve quality in the VET system. Government documents and public commentary indicate that the VET sector suffers from some fairly serious quality problems. This is significant because VET provides training that underpins all Austr ....Would more highly-qualified teachers and trainers help to address quality problems in the Australian vocational education and training system? This project examines whether and how higher-level qualifications for vocational education and training (VET) teachers would improve quality in the VET system. Government documents and public commentary indicate that the VET sector suffers from some fairly serious quality problems. This is significant because VET provides training that underpins all Australian industries. Most VET teachers are qualified only to a Certificate IV level. A more highly qualified VET teaching workforce is likely to lead to improvements in quality; however there is currently no firm evidence to establish this link, as the 2011 Productivity Commission report on the VET workforce pointed out. This project aims to provide much-needed evidence to guide policy.Read moreRead less
Characterising Signals Important For Lymphangiogenesis During Development And Disease.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$604,938.00
Summary
Lymphatic vessels are a vital component of the cardiovascular system. Abnormalities in the growth and development of lymphatic vessels are associated with human disorders including cancer, lymphoedema and inflammatory diseases. The focus of this application is to characterise signals that direct the construction of lymphatic vessels, with the aim of identifying targets to which novel therapeutics for the treatment of lymphatic vascular diseases could be generated.
Pursuing equity in high poverty rural schools: improving learning through rich accountabilities. Poor performance of students in schools located in high poverty communities is a pressing educational problem for Australia, with educational disadvantage in poor rural communities in particular demanding amelioration. The evidence suggests the equity and quality of schooling outcomes are centrally important to the nation's economic future, the strength of Australian democracy, social inclusion and a ....Pursuing equity in high poverty rural schools: improving learning through rich accountabilities. Poor performance of students in schools located in high poverty communities is a pressing educational problem for Australia, with educational disadvantage in poor rural communities in particular demanding amelioration. The evidence suggests the equity and quality of schooling outcomes are centrally important to the nation's economic future, the strength of Australian democracy, social inclusion and a unified nation. In strengthening policy and practice knowledge about educative usage of performance data and the development of rich forms of accountability, the research will advance the academic literature and provide an evidence base for success of the national partnership on low socio-economic status schools.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE120100635
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$375,000.00
Summary
The effects of international commodity price shocks on state fragility. This project examines the effects that commodity price shocks have on state fragility in developing countries. Outcomes that will be analysed include, but are not limited to, the transition from autocracy to democracy, the stability of democracy, the risk of civil conflict, food riots, and the survival probability of dictators.
Novel Methods For Promoting Organ Development And Growth
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$390,203.00
Summary
A revolutionary new therapy for treatment of growth restricted fetuses and premature babies is being developed through the administration of Colony Stimulating Factor (CSF-1). We have evidence that CSF-1 therapy can promote kidneys and lungs to continue development and maturation after birth. This exciting new finding allows for the application of CSF-1 therapy for both the treatment of premature babies and unborn babies with kidney defects.
Generativity in young male (ex)prisoners: caring for self, other, and future within prison and beyond. As strategic basic research, the project will provide practitioners and academics with much needed qualitative data on the social, cultural and emotional dimensions of incarceration and how these impact life within and beyond custody. Such knowledge is critical for developing policies and practices capable of meaningfully reducing the high rates of reincarceration in all Australian states and t ....Generativity in young male (ex)prisoners: caring for self, other, and future within prison and beyond. As strategic basic research, the project will provide practitioners and academics with much needed qualitative data on the social, cultural and emotional dimensions of incarceration and how these impact life within and beyond custody. Such knowledge is critical for developing policies and practices capable of meaningfully reducing the high rates of reincarceration in all Australian states and territories. Importantly, the focus on generativity offers a new conceptual lens through which to reconsider the philosophy and practice of imprisonment, and, more specifically, to prisoner management or 'through-care' with regard to those who constitute the majority of the prison population nationally and internationally (young males).
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Preventing Diabetes In Pregnancy From Progressing To Type 2 Diabetes: Macrolevel System Change In South Australia And Vic
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,338,281.00
Summary
The greatest predictor of the likelihood of developing diabetes is having diabetes during pregnancy. This project will invite women who have developed diabetes during pregnancy to be registered for recall every two years. They would go to their general practitioner to be tested for diabetes and to be advised on risk factors for diabetes. A lifestyle modification program will be developed for these women to reduce the risk of progressing to diabetes.