Social Media To Enhance Indigenous Tobacco Control
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$922,680.00
Summary
Smoking prevalence among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people is more than twice as high as the overall Australian population, and smoking is the leading cause of mortality and morbidity of Indigenous Australians. Accelerating the decline in smoking prevalence is an urgent priority to Close The Gap in health outcomes. The aim of this project is to understand how social media can be harnessed to enhance the impact of proven tobacco control strategies among Indigenous Australians.
Using Genomics To Understand And Interrupt Transmission Of Sexually Transmitted Pathogens In Australia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$798,714.00
Summary
Prevention and control of STIs in the 21st century requires timely, effective and high-resolution investigations which may be provided by genomic technologies. Building on existing datasets and expertise, we will provide a blueprint for genomics-based tracking of bacterial STIs in Australia, including the translation of this information to effect novel targeted public health actions, including screening, monitoring for outbreaks, and focused interventions to enhance control.
Understanding The Roles Of Dendritic Domains In Neuronal Function
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$491,509.00
Summary
We aim to find cellular basis to cognitive function and dysfunction by understanding the input/output characterstics of individual neurons. Since neurons are fundamental computational units in the brain, we aim to understand how synaptic inputs to different dendritic regions are processed prompting the neuron to fire an output. We also aim to seek distinct roles of certain dendritic branches in gating sensory inputs onto the neuron.
Suicide Prevention In Schools: A Social Connectedness Approach
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$825,989.00
Summary
Suicide is the leading cause of death in Australians aged 15-24 years. This project will investigate the effectiveness of an intervention to promote help-seeking for suicidal behaviours in adolescence. Taking a whole school approach, peer leaders in 16 Australian high schools will receive training in the Sources of Strength program. The primary aim of the project is to determine whether peer leadership training and messaging improves help-seeking attitudes, intentions and behaviour for suicide.
Drugs On The Darknet: Assessing The Global Health Risks Of A Rapidly Expanding Market
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$399,692.00
Summary
Cryptomarkets facilitate the trade of illicit drugs in online environments using anonymising networks and virtual currencies. This project will identify and characterise the net health outcomes of drug cryptomarkets, using anonymous self-report data, archival monitoring and forensic profiling. Without this kind of research, health services and policy makers will be ill-equipped to respond effectively to the expansion of drug cryptomarkets.
Active Team – Examining An Online Social Networking Intervention To Increase Physical Activity In Controlled (RCT) And Ecological (ET) Settings
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$814,041.00
Summary
Lifestyle diseases, such as heart disease and diabetes, are key health problems facing Australia. Effective, low-cost, mass-reach physical activity interventions are urgently needed. This project uses online social networks to deliver an innovative physical activity intervention. This project will determine how effective the software is in changing people’s lifestyle over 12 months, and whether viral marketing techniques can be used to disseminate the program on a mass scale.
Micro-elastography - A New Tool For Microscopic Intraoperative Tumour Margin Assessment In Breast Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$195,956.00
Summary
In breast cancer surgery, it is vital to completely remove the entire tumour. Unfortunately, in 30% of breast-conserving surgeries, re-excision is required because microscopic analysis after the surgery indicated some tumour had been missed. This has traumatic consequences for the patient and places a huge economic burden on the healthcare system. Using micro-elastography, we will enable the surgeon to detect small regions of tumour during the initial surgery. This probe may significantly reduce ....In breast cancer surgery, it is vital to completely remove the entire tumour. Unfortunately, in 30% of breast-conserving surgeries, re-excision is required because microscopic analysis after the surgery indicated some tumour had been missed. This has traumatic consequences for the patient and places a huge economic burden on the healthcare system. Using micro-elastography, we will enable the surgeon to detect small regions of tumour during the initial surgery. This probe may significantly reduce the number of additional surgeries required.Read moreRead less
Is The Eye A Window To The Brain In Sanfilippo Syndrome?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$852,967.00
Summary
Study of the retina and optic nerve permits evaluation of central nervous system – these structures contain both neurons and glia and are outgrowths of the developing brain. Therefore, eye examination may allow us to study the brain and monitor brain disease and the effect of therapy. This project will determine whether brain disease in a childhood-onset disorder (Sanfilippo syndrome) and treatment of it, can be monitored in this way.
Non-invasive Near-infrared Optical Imaging Of Neurodegeneration
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$312,033.00
Summary
Dementia currently affects over 240,000 Australians with an increasing health cost. A common cause of dementia occurs when proteins in the brain form deposits and brain cells degenerate and die. This project will develop a novel medical imaging method that will facilitate the detection of dying brain cells. This will enable a better understanding of the causes of cell death and the opportunity to identify the best time for meaningful therapeutic intervention.
Using Collaboration Networks To Measure Bias And Inefficiency In The Production And Translation Of Evidence About Cardiovascular Risk
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$219,806.00
Summary
Doctors rely on clinical trials comparing the safety and efficacy of cardiovascular treatments but are often unable to find or trust the information they seek because of problems in evidence translation. This project will examine the networks of collaboration amongst researchers and their research to identify the source of these problems. The research will be used to identify where to intervene in the process, in turn helping doctors to make safe and cost-effective decisions for their patients.