Epidemiology Of Unexplained Antepartum Fetal Death In Australia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$450,350.00
Summary
The death of a baby before birth is a devastating event for the parents and families. In the vast number of these deaths, no cause can be found leaving no clues for parents and care providers struggling with decisions about future pregnancies and how the risk may be reduced for all women in pregnancy. Fetal death before the onset of labour without an apparent cause (Unexplained Antepartum Fetal Death (UAFD) constitutes the most common cause of fetal death. In Australia, the rate of UAFD is appro ....The death of a baby before birth is a devastating event for the parents and families. In the vast number of these deaths, no cause can be found leaving no clues for parents and care providers struggling with decisions about future pregnancies and how the risk may be reduced for all women in pregnancy. Fetal death before the onset of labour without an apparent cause (Unexplained Antepartum Fetal Death (UAFD) constitutes the most common cause of fetal death. In Australia, the rate of UAFD is approximately 2 per 1 000 births, contributing 30% to all fetal deaths. The rate of UAFD is over three times the current rate of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) in Australia. Despite this, little research has been undertaken in this area. The research which has been undertaken suggests that factors which are present during pregnancy may identify women who are at risk. However, the results of these studies are not consistent, largely due to the problems with study design, and therefore the available information is not sufficiently reliable to assist in identification of women at risk. Well designed, large scale studies are urgently needed to determine, from the reported list of risk factors, those factors which truly identify a woman at increased risk in the antenatal period where appropriate care can be provided to decrease the likelihood of fetal death. Recently, a collaborative effort involving clinicians and consumers in Australia has commenced to support and undertake research and related activities and to collaborate with international groups in reducing the risk of UAFD (ANZ Fetal Death Collaborative Group). This study forms the basis for this work within Australia. This study is designed to identify women who are at risk of unexplained antepartum fetal death. The study involves a review of 800 unexplained antepartum fetal deaths in three States of Australia and an analysis of information on all births in Australia which is routinely collected by Health Departments.Read moreRead less
Development And Assessment Of Methods To Reduce The Predation Of Pot-caught Southern Rock Lobster (Jasus Edwardsii) By Maori Octopus (Octopus Maorum)
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$205,592.00
Summary
The predation of 'pot caught' rock lobsters by octopus is the major cause of direct loss to fishermen in South Australia. In the Southern Zone Fishery it is estimated that on average 10% of all pots are predated by octopus. Octopus kill between 200-250,000 legal sized lobsters each year which represents and annual loss to the industry of between $5-10 million.
In the Northern Zone Fishery (input regulated) predation results in direct financial cost to fishermen associated with the lo ....The predation of 'pot caught' rock lobsters by octopus is the major cause of direct loss to fishermen in South Australia. In the Southern Zone Fishery it is estimated that on average 10% of all pots are predated by octopus. Octopus kill between 200-250,000 legal sized lobsters each year which represents and annual loss to the industry of between $5-10 million.
In the Northern Zone Fishery (input regulated) predation results in direct financial cost to fishermen associated with the loss of saleable lobsters. In the Southern Zone Fishery (output regulated) predation results in indirect costs associated with increased time and effort expended to catch quota.
Prevention of octopus predation would generate greater income to fishermen in the Northern Zone and reduce costs and number of days required to catch quota in the Southern Zone.
In addition to the economic costs, a significant consequence of octopus predation is its impact on rock lobster stocks and the sustainability of the fishery. The loss of lobsters to octopus results in increased fishing pressure on stocks. Fishermen catch more lobsters than required to compensate for those killed by octopus. A reduction in the number of lobsters killed by octopus would enable fishermen to catch less lobsters without affecting existing income levels resulting in reduced pressure on an already heavily exploited resource. Elimination of predation may provide an important buffer against the threat of overfishing and significantly enhance the sustainability of the industry by reducing harvest levels by 200,000+ lobsters each year. Objectives: 1. Describe the spatial and temporal changes that have occurred in octopus predation level over the last 15 years. 2. Determine how environmental factors influence octopus predation levels over a fishing season. 3. Identify pot modifications that have the potential to prevent/reduce octopus predation of pot caught Southern Rock Lobster. 4. Trial pot designs to prevent/reduce octopus predation under laboratory conditions. 5. Develop a pot that under commercial fishing conditions, prevents/reduces octopus predation, maintains lobster catch rates and is cost effective to implement. 6. Ensure industry participation and consultation at all stages of the project. 7. Ensure adoption of the modified pot(s) by industry where appropriate. Read moreRead less
Mortality And Survival Among Clients Of The Aboriginal Medical Service At Redfern
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$483,290.00
Summary
The aims of the mortality study are to: (a) document current age-sex specific and cause-specific Indigenous mortality; (b) establish trends in age-sex specific and cause-specific Indigenous mortality over time; (c) compare age-sex-cause specific mortality in the AMS Redfern cohort with patterns documented in other Aboriginal populations, and in the general Australian population. The null hypotheses for general and cause-specific mortality (age-adjusted) are that: (a) there has been no decline in ....The aims of the mortality study are to: (a) document current age-sex specific and cause-specific Indigenous mortality; (b) establish trends in age-sex specific and cause-specific Indigenous mortality over time; (c) compare age-sex-cause specific mortality in the AMS Redfern cohort with patterns documented in other Aboriginal populations, and in the general Australian population. The null hypotheses for general and cause-specific mortality (age-adjusted) are that: (a) there has been no decline in mortality in Aboriginal people attending AMS Redfern over 30 years covering 1972-2001; (b) survival in the AMS cohort is similar to that recorded in Aboriginal people from NT and WA (mostly rural) for similar time periods; (c) comparisons of the AMS cohort mortality with overall NSW mortality are similar to previously published comparisons of NT-WA Aboriginal mortality compared to overall Australian mortality data. Major causes of mortality will centre on endocrine (mainly diabetes), cardio- and cerebro-vascular diseases, and on external causes, including suicide-violence and accidental death. The mortality study will be extended back to the inception of the AMS, and will rely on computerisation of name(s), sex, date of birth and date of first and last AMS attendance for the whole AMS patient data base, to provide information for matching of patient records with the National Death Index (for deaths from 1980) and for matching with the NSW mortality data for 1971-79 (as there is no nationwide mortality data available from a single source prior to 1980).Read moreRead less
ESTIMATION OF INDIGENOUS MORTALITY WHERE DESIGNATION OF INDIGENOUS STATUS ON DEATH CERTIFICATES IS UNRELIABLE
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$158,840.00
Summary
Mortality of indigenous Australians is regarded as unacceptably high compared to other Australians and compared to indigenous minorities in other similar countries. Indigenous mortality is based on data from WA, SA and NT, although some of the data are unreliable. There are few reliable data available in Qld, NSW, Vic or Tas because Indigenous status is significantly under-recorded on the death certificate. The objective of the research is to devise and validate indirect methods for estimating i ....Mortality of indigenous Australians is regarded as unacceptably high compared to other Australians and compared to indigenous minorities in other similar countries. Indigenous mortality is based on data from WA, SA and NT, although some of the data are unreliable. There are few reliable data available in Qld, NSW, Vic or Tas because Indigenous status is significantly under-recorded on the death certificate. The objective of the research is to devise and validate indirect methods for estimating indigenous mortality in sub-populations where there are significant proportions of indigenous people, and where designation of indigenous status on death certificate is unreliable. This would permit assessment of mortality differentials and trends in a significant number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in Qld, NSW, Vic and possibly Tas and provide new perspectives in the study of determinants of mortality in indigenous populations through comparisons of communities with relatively high and relatively low mortality, and allow population-based evaluation of the effectiveness of services and programs through surveillence of mortality trends and differentials. The methods rely on the basic premise that the total mortality of a population is contributed to by the mortality of its components in relation to their proportion of the total population. The units of analyses will be mainly municipalities. Mortality and proportion indigenous will be used in the comparison of municipalities with similar socio-economic and geographic characteristics, and mortality by municipality will be statistically modelled using various characteristics of these populations, including proportion indigenous (using ABS data). Methods will be validated by employing them on selected WA, SA and NT mortality data where designation of indigenous staus is considered reliable. Mortality estimates will then be made for indigenous communities in NSW, Qld, and other states.Read moreRead less
Application Of ELISA/PCR Tests Developed In Japan To The Detection Of A Barramundi Picorna-like Virus In Australia
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$9,812.00
Summary
Objectives: 1. Using techniques developed in Japan for the detection of a virus lethal to striped jack and a very similar one that occurs in barramundi, examine the various material from Lates calcarifer 2. Objectives as stated in B4 of the application.
Workshop To Facilitate Epidemiological Analysis Of Unexplained Mortality Of South Australian Pacific Oyster
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$36,000.00
Summary
For at least the last 12 years SA growers have noticed unexplained mortality of Pacific Oysters. Tests for Pacific Oyster Mortality Syndrome (OHSV-1uvar) have come up negative each time.
The mortality was first documented in Smokey Bay and is now documented in all the major producing Bays in South Australia, including Coffins Bay, Smoky Bay, Cowell and Ceduna (Denial Bay). Mortality rates have been increasing over time. Losses of between 5-20% each year which equates to between $1.8-$7 ....For at least the last 12 years SA growers have noticed unexplained mortality of Pacific Oysters. Tests for Pacific Oyster Mortality Syndrome (OHSV-1uvar) have come up negative each time.
The mortality was first documented in Smokey Bay and is now documented in all the major producing Bays in South Australia, including Coffins Bay, Smoky Bay, Cowell and Ceduna (Denial Bay). Mortality rates have been increasing over time. Losses of between 5-20% each year which equates to between $1.8-$7 million per annum.
Mortalities are generally associated with seasonal temperature related stress in the animals. The timing of the mortalities varies from year to year within specific bays. Mortlaities do not follow a geographical distribution with some sites more affected than others. Anacodatal advice from growers indicates that sites with slower growth rates don’t suffer as badly has highly productivity bays.
In recent years, mortalities have been experienced in the major producing bays. Anacdotal adivce from growers indicates that mortality is particularly in smaller to medium size oysters, but mortality is also occuring in mature stock.
There does seem to be a genetic link to the mortality with anacdotal reports of 100 % mortality of certain “batches”. Given this link the breeding program is breeding for resistance to these unexplained mortality events. Susceptibility varies depending on the family line.
In response some growers are lifting the height of the oysters which reduces the mortlaity rate but slows the growth rate and increases the growout time. There is concerm within the industry that this is not an economically viable solution in the long term.
Research has been proposed to investigate unexpained mortality however industry are supportive of an epidemiological analysis of exisiting data and knowledge to narrow the likely causes so that any future research is focused on likely causes.
Objectives: 1. Bring together growers and epidemiologists to define, describe and quantify the scope of unexplained mortality of Pacific Oysters in South Australia 2. Develop and test range of hypothetical causes of the mortalities based on best available information and expertise 3. Identify any gaps in the knowledge or expertise required to test the hypothetical causes 4. Refine and seek agreement on a future Research and Development plan that addresses unexplained Pacific Oyster mortality in South Australia Read moreRead less
QX Disease In The Hawkesbury River's Sydney Rock Oyster Fishery - Workshop
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$8,462.63
Summary
Objectives: 1. Document current knowledge on QX and winter mortality. 2. Provide recommendations to government and industry on options to mitigate or prevent the adverse impacts of QX and winter mortality through management, policy and practice. 3. Develop an R&D plan to address priority gaps in knowledge and processes to improve the advice to industry and Government.
Seafood CRC: Maximising Value By Reducing Stress-related Mortality In Wild Harvested Abalone
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$190,987.19
Summary
The Abalone Council of Australia (ACA) has clearly identified in their Strategic Plan (2007-2017) goals to have an Australian national wild abalone brand driven by a national Quality Assurance and Product Integrity Program, and to increase the industry GVP (in real terms) by 25% to $268 million in 2012 and by 50% to $321 million by 2017.
This project supports these goals, particularly a desire to increase the value of the abalone, by ensuring that animals in the best possible physiologi ....The Abalone Council of Australia (ACA) has clearly identified in their Strategic Plan (2007-2017) goals to have an Australian national wild abalone brand driven by a national Quality Assurance and Product Integrity Program, and to increase the industry GVP (in real terms) by 25% to $268 million in 2012 and by 50% to $321 million by 2017.
This project supports these goals, particularly a desire to increase the value of the abalone, by ensuring that animals in the best possible physiological condition are provided to the processor for live export. This project also encompasses the development of practices that ensure marine environmental sustainability, because animals that are not suitable or which cannot be transported to maintain optimal physiological status will not be harvested. The development of handling and transport protocols delivers into the desire for the industry to develop uniform Codes of Practice and product standards. Ultimately this will be about effectively managing harvest and the integrity of product going to market. This project will supporting ACA’s vision to work with fishers, processors and value adders to establish a whole-of-chain approach to creating premium Australian products and servicing consumers
Objectives: 1. Quantify changes in stress levels in abalone from the time that they are removed from the reef to the point of export from the processors, including the live-holding period 2. Quantify how the magnitude of stress and the capacity to recover from stress is affected by the different natural factors time spent on the deck prior to packing in crates post-harvest, the extent and use of seawater immersion on the boat, the timing and frequency of water changes during transport, the influence of reproductive condition, and season of harvest. Read moreRead less