Development Of Miniaturized Microwave Catheter Antennas And Monitoring Systems For Transcatheter Ablation For The Cure O
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$161,500.00
Summary
The development of microwave cardiac ablation system is crucial to the development towards a permanent cure for cardiac arrhythmias. Cardiac ablation using microwave energy can overcome the limitations of current ablative energy such as laser and RF ablation. Based on the combined knowledge and experience of UTS and Westmead hospital researchers, the proposed research is to develop a working prototype of cardiac ablation system using microwave energy based on our patent. The ultimate aim would b ....The development of microwave cardiac ablation system is crucial to the development towards a permanent cure for cardiac arrhythmias. Cardiac ablation using microwave energy can overcome the limitations of current ablative energy such as laser and RF ablation. Based on the combined knowledge and experience of UTS and Westmead hospital researchers, the proposed research is to develop a working prototype of cardiac ablation system using microwave energy based on our patent. The ultimate aim would be to attract interested industry parties to take up for full production and commercialisation.Read moreRead less
Australian Centre For Radiofrequency Bioeffects Research (ACRBR)
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,653,680.00
Summary
A new Australian Centre for Radiofrequency Bioeffects Research (ACRBR) commenced operation in early 2004. The Centre is funded by a five year Australian government research grant, with in kind contributions from the five participating research institutions: RMIT University, Monash University, Swinburne University of Technology, the Institute of Medical and Veterinary Science and the Telstra Research Laboratories. The Centre will be administered from RMIT University in Melbourne and will form the ....A new Australian Centre for Radiofrequency Bioeffects Research (ACRBR) commenced operation in early 2004. The Centre is funded by a five year Australian government research grant, with in kind contributions from the five participating research institutions: RMIT University, Monash University, Swinburne University of Technology, the Institute of Medical and Veterinary Science and the Telstra Research Laboratories. The Centre will be administered from RMIT University in Melbourne and will form the hub of RF bioeffects research conducted in Australia. It is anticipated that such an integrated program will engender more comprehensive research than could be achieved by disparate research groups working in isolation. A dominant theme in the Centre's initial research effort is testing for RF neurological effects, including: short- and long-term effects on nervous tissue in experimental animals and tissue cultures; cognitive and EEG human studies; provocation and population studies of symptoms associated with RF exposures; modelling of RF molecular interactions, and; analytical studies of RF human dosimetry. The Centre will train a new generation of Australian RF bioeffects scientists, provide information to the public via a web site, and assist the development of government and standards policies in RF safety.Read moreRead less
Localising Epileptic Discharges In The Brain Using Non-invasive Electro-magnetic Signal Analysis In Patients With Difficult-to-control Epilepsy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$179,782.00
Summary
Epilepsy is a leading cause of chronic morbidity in Australia. A fundamental problem in clinical practice is the accurate identification of the 'hotspot' zone in the brain that is generating epileptic discharges. These discharges can be detected non-invasively (over the scalp) and analysed with electro-encephalographic and magneto-encephalographic source localisation (EMSL) techniques. EMSL is not used in routine clinical practice because we await a large scale prospective study (the aim of this ....Epilepsy is a leading cause of chronic morbidity in Australia. A fundamental problem in clinical practice is the accurate identification of the 'hotspot' zone in the brain that is generating epileptic discharges. These discharges can be detected non-invasively (over the scalp) and analysed with electro-encephalographic and magneto-encephalographic source localisation (EMSL) techniques. EMSL is not used in routine clinical practice because we await a large scale prospective study (the aim of this proposal).Read moreRead less
Effects Of Electromagnetic Radiation On Visual Processing
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$299,564.00
Summary
We are increasingly surrounded by devices such as mobile phones and wireless networks. The effect of this electromagnetic radiation on human physiology is still largely unknown. Recent research has shown increases in "alpha-wave" electrical activity in the human brain after exposure to mobile phone radiation, but no effect has yet been shown on human mental processes. We plan to explore the effects of the electromagnetic environment on human visual processing, using sensitive techniques that wil ....We are increasingly surrounded by devices such as mobile phones and wireless networks. The effect of this electromagnetic radiation on human physiology is still largely unknown. Recent research has shown increases in "alpha-wave" electrical activity in the human brain after exposure to mobile phone radiation, but no effect has yet been shown on human mental processes. We plan to explore the effects of the electromagnetic environment on human visual processing, using sensitive techniques that will help reveal the underlying brain processes.Read moreRead less
Investigating Thermal And Possible Non-thermal Effects Of Radiofrequency Radiation In Brain Tissue
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$245,681.00
Summary
There are ongoing concerns over the possible harm from the prolonged use of mobile phone handsets. The WHO have issued a research agenda to address these concerns. This study aims to study possible mechanisms at the cellular level that was identified as a high priority research need. It aims to find out whether cellular changes that could be harmful follow as a result of slight heating effects within tissue, or whether some other, non-thermal, mechanisms may be involved.
Centre For Population Health Research On Electromagnetic Energy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,658,622.00
Summary
This CRE brings together leading population health researchers to investigate the health effects of mobile phones and magnetic resonance imaging. It will address high priority research questions identified by the WHO. It will generate new knowledge that leads to improved health outcomes through a 5 year research program. The outcomes will be translated into health policy and practice through international and national organisations. The CRE will train PhDs and postdoctoral research fellows.
Why are many fungicide lead compounds active against pathogens in axenic culture but inactive when applied to infected plants? It is much cheaper and easier to screen compounds for fungicidal activity in vivo (that is against the fungus grown in axenic culture) than to test in planta. However, it is commonly observed that compounds active in in vivo screens do not subsequently prove to be active in planta. The aim of this project is to investigate the physiological, biochemical and genetics basi ....Why are many fungicide lead compounds active against pathogens in axenic culture but inactive when applied to infected plants? It is much cheaper and easier to screen compounds for fungicidal activity in vivo (that is against the fungus grown in axenic culture) than to test in planta. However, it is commonly observed that compounds active in in vivo screens do not subsequently prove to be active in planta. The aim of this project is to investigate the physiological, biochemical and genetics basis of this discrepancy and to attempt to provide tools that circumvent the problem. It is expected the project will generate novel information on the environment in the plant experienced by the fungus.Read moreRead less
A novel method of broad-acre weed seedbank management using a naturally occuring germination stimulant. The discovery of a novel butenolide that promotes seed germination has potential to provide significant economic benefits for Australia's agricultural sector, providing a vehicle to move towards minimum-weed agricultural systems achieved through broad-acre stimulation of the weed seedbank. Our aim is for butenolide to promote uniform release of weed seed dormancy, increased germination, and gr ....A novel method of broad-acre weed seedbank management using a naturally occuring germination stimulant. The discovery of a novel butenolide that promotes seed germination has potential to provide significant economic benefits for Australia's agricultural sector, providing a vehicle to move towards minimum-weed agricultural systems achieved through broad-acre stimulation of the weed seedbank. Our aim is for butenolide to promote uniform release of weed seed dormancy, increased germination, and greater synchrony in early stage seedling growth and thus more effective knock-down following herbicide applications.Read moreRead less
Mechanisms and manipulation of seed dormancy maintenance in annual ryegrass and other weed species. A better understanding of seed dormancy in annual ryegrass will lead to a greater variety of management options for removal of this weed from cropping zones, focusing on diminishing the weed seed bank. Additionally, the knowledge gained from the study of ryegrass could be applied to native species in terms of optimising germination of difficult species and conservation of seeds of rare species.