An International Comparison Of Systems Of Care, Risk Stratification And Outcomes In TIA And Minor Stroke
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,189,790.00
Summary
Transient ischaemic attacks (TIAs: self-limited brief episodes of stroke symptoms) are high-risk events with an approximately 15% risk of stroke within 90-days. Current practice calls for specialist treatment within 1-7 days. But this recommendation (based on 20 year old overseas evidence) may not apply in contemporary Australia. We will conduct a study of patients with TIA that will document their interactions with Australian health systems and inform contemporary Australian practice.
Circadian Rhythm Disruption And Metabolic Function
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$626,018.00
Summary
Shiftwork is an under-researched risk factor for obesity and diabetes. Because shiftwork disrupts hormonal and sleep rhythmicity, eating patterns and light exposure, abnormal rhythmicity may be a causal factor in metabolic disease. Direct evidence for the link is lacking and the underlying mechanisms responsible are unknown. This project aims to understand how shiftwork may lead to diabetes and obesity, knowledge essential for the design and testing of potential interventions.
The Role Of Bisphenol A In The Development Of Chronic Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$397,549.00
Summary
There is accumulating evidence to suggest that the environment we live in may be important in the development of chronic disease. This project examines a key environmental toxin Bisphenol A (BPA) and explores the role it has in the development of diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular disease (CVD). In this project, we will explore whether there is an independent relationship between BPA and the development of diabetes, CVD and obesity in humans in a prospective setting.
Improving Communication Outcomes For Migrant Cancer Patients
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$609,493.00
Summary
INFORM is a research project designed to improve services available for Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) cancer patients. To achieve this, we are developing a communication aid intervention, which involves audio-recording key patient hospital consultations and Question Prompt List (QPL). The purpose of this communication aid package will be to improve patient health information knowledge, and communication with their healthcare team.
Prospective Study Of Birth Defects From Fetotoxic Agents In The Public Water Supply
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$732,036.00
Summary
Recent research in Australia & internationally shows that birth defects are more common in areas where mothers are exposed to poor quality drinking water, particularly when treatment chemicals known as trihalomethanes (THMs) are present. We will determine the risk that high THM levels pose to unborn babies by accurately measuring individual exposures to THMs & correlating these with adverse birth outcomes. The study will be in Perth where THM levels are very high in a number of suburbs.
Transgenerational Impacts Of Paternal Stress On Offspring Mental Health: Epigenetic Mechanisms And Therapeutic Interventions
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$572,941.00
Summary
We are following up the extraordinary, almost ‘Lamarckian’, discovery that environmental influences on fathers can affect their offspring via ‘epigenetic’ changes to the sperm. We will explore mechanisms whereby increased levels of paternal stress can cause behavioural changes in the offspring, which are relevant to depression and anxiety disorders, and how positive environmental factors, including physical activity, may induce beneficial effects. This will have major public health implications.
The study will look at the effects of air pollution on conditions related to the heart and respiratory systems in 12,000 men enrolled in the Health in Men study in 1996-1998. We will estimate exposure to air pollution at different points in time by modelling the dispersion of pollutants around Perth. We will use data from air monitoring stations for the relevant time period. We will then look at the relationship between air pollution and health effects between 1998 and 2010.
Systems Biology Of Asthma Development In Early Childhood
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$763,800.00
Summary
Recent studies have established that both human genetic susceptibility and viral infections during early childhood are important drivers of asthma development. It has also been noted that asthmatics’ airways are colonized with different bacteria to non-asthmatics. In this project we will examine how genetic susceptibility and interactions between bacteria and viruses in children's airways promote the development of allergy and asthma.
Unlocking Hidden Cancer Drivers Using Transcriptome Data
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$700,473.00
Summary
New sequencing technologies allow us to get an unbiased look at the molecular signalling in a tumour. However this information is very complex and need specialised methods in statistic and computation in order to make new discoveries. Here will will develop analysis methods to find novel transcriptional variants in cancer and then test them in the lab in order to understand if our discoveries are responsible for causing cancer.
Early Environmental Determinants Of Pancreatic Islet Autoimmunity: A Pregnancy To Early Life Cohort Study In Children At Risk Of Type 1 Diabetes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,124,069.00
Summary
The doubling in incidence of type 1 diabetes in children over the last 20 years may be explained by our modern environment, including excessive weight gain in pregnancy and early life, inadequate dietary omega- 3 fatty acids or vitamin D, or viral infections. We therefore aim to study children with a family member with type 1 diabetes from the pregnancy and through early childhood to determine the effects of the environment on their risk of developing type 1 diabetes .This will lead to strategie ....The doubling in incidence of type 1 diabetes in children over the last 20 years may be explained by our modern environment, including excessive weight gain in pregnancy and early life, inadequate dietary omega- 3 fatty acids or vitamin D, or viral infections. We therefore aim to study children with a family member with type 1 diabetes from the pregnancy and through early childhood to determine the effects of the environment on their risk of developing type 1 diabetes .This will lead to strategies to prevent type 1 diabetes.Read moreRead less