Green Tea Polyphenols And Cancer Prevention: Use Of Population Controls And Biomarkers To Elicit Causal Pathways
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$956,189.00
Summary
There is laboratory evidence that chemicals in green tea (poloyphenols) protect against cancer. Epidemiologic studies in humans have generally supported these findings, especially for breast cancer. This project is a crucial stepping stone towards future prospects of a large-scale trial using green tea extract. It will see if the protection extends to leukaemia and bowel cancer, and will identify the genetic makeup of people who are able to benefit the most from green tea polyphenols.
TB is a global public health problem, responsible for the deaths of 2 million children and young adults annually. Drug resistant strains of TB are emerging and pose a threat even in countries where TB is well controlled, such as Australia. Research undertaken in this CRE will translate into improved treatments, diagnostics and strategies to prevent transmission. The CRE will build capacity for research on TB in our region and provide a legal framework to support public health policy.
Breast CAncer STratification: Understanding The Determinants Of Risk And Prognosis Of Molecular Subtypes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$472,984.00
Summary
Breast cancer is not one disease, but many different types with different causes, treatments and outcomes. The aim of this project is to use genetic, lifestyle/environmental, mammographic breast density, pathologic and clinical data froma very large number of studies from all over the world to develop ways of predicting which women are at risk of particuar types of breast cancer, and if breast cancer develops what the likely outcome will be.
Maternal And Neonatal Vaccination - How Early Can We Protect Infants?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$196,331.00
Summary
Currently, only hepatitis B vaccine is routinely given at birth and for all other vaccines the earliest recommended administration is at 6 weeks old. This is too late to protect infants against pertussis and the most severe cases (hospitalisation or death) occur before 4 months. This research aims to assess if birth pertussis vaccination can protect infants earlier, measure the longevity of immunity following birth hepatitis B vaccination and examine the potential role for maternal vaccination
Developing The Epidemiological Evidence Base For Eczema Prevention
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$476,728.00
Summary
Eczema, food allergy, asthma and hay-fever are all common conditions that are a substantial burden for individuals and families. To prevent them, we need to know their causes, but these are not yet well understood. We need better studies to identify what is causing our children to develop these allergic diseases, and rigorous studies to prevent them. In this fellowship, I will explore the causes and consequences of these conditions and test ways to prevent children from developing them.
Targeting Depression For The Primary Prevention Of Cardiovascular Disease (CVD): The Role Of Diet In Risk Reduction
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$311,860.00
Summary
Traditionally, efforts to prevent people from developing cardiovascular diseases (CVD) like heart disease have focused on reducing smoking and alcohol intake and improving physical activity and diet. There is now evidence that having depression might also lead to CVD and that unhealthy eating might contribute to this relationship. This research will determine whether targeting people with depression and improving their mood through healthy eating ultimately reduces their CVD risk.
Population-level Vaccine Safety Monitoring: Risk Assessment And Policy Implications
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$85,649.00
Summary
Vaccines prevent millions of deaths worldwide but events can occur after vaccination which may or may not be related to the vaccine. It is vital to ensure vaccines are safe and that both the public and medical providers remain confident in vaccination programs. The PhD thesis will look at the various methods for monitoring vaccine safety in Australia, and compare the usefulness of each system. This will provide information for policy makers on the safety of vaccines in Australia.
Molecular dissection of the functional regions of genes that encode actinins (ACTN2 and ACTN3) and their contribution to normal variation in skeletal muscle function. The project has discovered a common genetic variant that affects skeletal muscle structure, function and metabolism and influences athletic ability, and response to diet and exercise. The project will study how this gene influences muscle bulk and strength, the metabolic efficiency of muscle and the risk of obesity in the general ....Molecular dissection of the functional regions of genes that encode actinins (ACTN2 and ACTN3) and their contribution to normal variation in skeletal muscle function. The project has discovered a common genetic variant that affects skeletal muscle structure, function and metabolism and influences athletic ability, and response to diet and exercise. The project will study how this gene influences muscle bulk and strength, the metabolic efficiency of muscle and the risk of obesity in the general population.Read moreRead less
Protecting Australia And The Region From Emerging And Re-emerging Infectious Diseases.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$774,540.00
Summary
The world is facing unprecedented threats from epidemics. In 2014 Ebola showed that issues such as quarantine, personal protective equipment and improved health system capacity are just as critical as drugs and vaccines, yet these are under-researched. Professor MacIntyre is an international expert epidemic control. She will lead a strategic research program to improve control of emerging and re-emerging infections, using her expertise in vaccines, personal protective equipment and biosecurity.
The Effectiveness, Acceptability And Cost Effectiveness Of The 'BALatrine'
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$792,169.00
Summary
We will undertake an intervention trial to assess the effectiveness of the “BALatrine” (a novel latrine) and hygiene education in the prevention of intestinal worms in Indonesia. This will provide an evidence base for translation of the intervention into public health policy and practice in Indonesia, the Asian region and beyond.