A Multi-centre Randomised Controlled Trial To Compare Nasal Balloon Autoinflation Versus No Nasal Balloon Autoinflation For Otitis Media With Effusion In Aboriginal And Torres Strait Islander Children (the INFLATE Trial)
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,534,580.00
Summary
Otitis media with effusion (OME) or ’glue ear’ is a common ear problem in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children. In OME, fluid accumulates in the middle ear. This can cause hearing loss and learning difficulties and lead to surgery. We will see if the use of a simple device in which a child blows up a balloon with their nostrils (nasal balloon autoinflation) helps resolve glue ear, improves hearing and is acceptable for the management of this important ear health problem.
Treatment Of Acute Otitis Media (AOM) In Low Risk Aboriginal Children
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,640,326.00
Summary
A randomised clinical trial design will be used to compare two different approaches to the treatment of acute middle ear infections in Aboriginal children living in urban communities: initial observation or immediate antibiotic prescription. The relative acceptability and cost effectiveness of treatment options will be studied. The evidence will allow primary care clinicians to confidently recommend treatment that maximises health benefits and reduces complications such as hearing impairment.
Centre Of Research Excellence (CRE) In Partnership Pathways To Better Care And Outcomes For Aboriginal Young People
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,497,872.00
Summary
Childhood and adolescence is a critical period during which chronic disease in Indigenous Australians can be prevented. Using long-term data and established partnerships developed over 10-15 years from two large studies of young Aboriginal people, this team of Indigenous and non-Indigenous researchers with expertise in child health, epidemiology, health services research, and implementation science will identify and test pathways to improved care and health outcomes for young Aboriginal people.
Mathematical Modelling Of Bacterial Carriage In Children
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$421,746.00
Summary
Children exposed to larger numbers of other children are at risk of persistent bacterial infections. Such circumstances explain the high rates of ear and chest infections, and skin sores seen in children in historical times. Changing social circumstances (smaller families, better housing, nutrition and hygiene), as well as the introduction of antibiotics, explain the decline of such infections in affluent communities since the early 20th century. However, even today, in affluent countries, child ....Children exposed to larger numbers of other children are at risk of persistent bacterial infections. Such circumstances explain the high rates of ear and chest infections, and skin sores seen in children in historical times. Changing social circumstances (smaller families, better housing, nutrition and hygiene), as well as the introduction of antibiotics, explain the decline of such infections in affluent communities since the early 20th century. However, even today, in affluent countries, children attending group child care are at high risk of ear infections. As many bacteria are resistant, antibiotics are now much less effective than when they were first introduced. Furthermore, there is a continuing load of infection for children in Aboriginal communities, in PNG and other developing countries, causing hearing loss, chronic respiratory problems, and heart disease and renal disease in later life. Using data previously collected from other studies in Indigenous communities and children in child care, mathematical models allow us to ask what if?, and answer important public health questions: 1. What environmental and public health measures can reduce the cycle of cross-infection in child-care and high-risk populations? 2. What coverage rates with pneumococcal vaccine will eliminate the vaccine-specific bacteria from child care centres, from the wider community, and from high risk populations? 3. Will infections with bacteria not covered by vaccine then increase? 4. Will the resistant bacteria tend to disappear if antibiotic use is restricted? 5. Under what circumstances will antibiotics help to control infection? The modelling will promote understanding of the social and health costs of bacterial infection in Aboriginal communities and child care and use educational scenarios to promote uptake of the most cost-effective and socially acceptable interventions.Read moreRead less
A Study To Investigate Alternative Regimens For Pneumococcal Vaccination Of Infants In A Developing Country
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,622,210.00
Summary
Streptococcus pneumoniae (Pnc) is the leading vaccine preventable cause of serious infection in infants. The current Pnc conjugate vaccine is very expensive (approximately USD $200-infant) so it is unlikely to be affordable for most developing countries. Moreover, as health care access in developing countries may be episodic and unreliable, many children do not receive either complete or timely vaccine courses. Therefore, it is important to investigate affordable and flexible ways to deliver thi ....Streptococcus pneumoniae (Pnc) is the leading vaccine preventable cause of serious infection in infants. The current Pnc conjugate vaccine is very expensive (approximately USD $200-infant) so it is unlikely to be affordable for most developing countries. Moreover, as health care access in developing countries may be episodic and unreliable, many children do not receive either complete or timely vaccine courses. Therefore, it is important to investigate affordable and flexible ways to deliver this vaccine, which are safe and effective. A recent WHO-GAVI meeting to address impediments to the introduction of these vaccines in developing countries recognized the need to evaluate other regimens of Pnc conjugate vaccine as an important research priority. This study has been deliberately formulated with that need in mind. The site for this research is Fiji. Although health services are good, Pnc disease, particularly pneumonia, remains the commonest cause of childhood morbidity and mortality. Fiji has good vaccine coverage and was the first Pacific country to introduce Hib vaccine. The arrival of the new, expensive Pnc conjugate vaccine presents a dilemma for Fiji and many similar countries. The expense of this vaccine would consume a large portion of the health budget. This study has two components: 1. A Phase 2 immunogenicity study (involving 750 infants) to evaluate regimens using reduced numbers of doses of Pnc conjugate vaccine, and using timing of dosing and combinations with the Pnc polysaccharide (PS) vaccine that may be more suited to the epidemiology of Pnc disease in developing countries. 2. An epidemiological study will measure the burden of invasive Pnc disease and pneumonia in Fiji. This will be part of a global effort to address these issues, and will be used to develop rapid assessment tools for these diseases in developing countries. We will seek cofounding for this component.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE190100458
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$406,716.00
Summary
Understanding algorithmic distribution in the Australian media industry. This project examines how the use of algorithms to distribute content on social media platforms is affecting the Australian media sector. It will investigate how media professionals work with algorithms, what sort of media content is prioritised on these platforms and whether these algorithms affect content diversity and competition. This project will significantly advance our understanding of how social media platforms fun ....Understanding algorithmic distribution in the Australian media industry. This project examines how the use of algorithms to distribute content on social media platforms is affecting the Australian media sector. It will investigate how media professionals work with algorithms, what sort of media content is prioritised on these platforms and whether these algorithms affect content diversity and competition. This project will significantly advance our understanding of how social media platforms function as media distributors and the role of algorithmic systems within the workplace. Findings will inform current policy debates around the role of major social media platforms in a transforming media sector.Read moreRead less
Willing collaborators: Negotiating Change in East Asian Media Production. This project examines how media producers and investors from China, Korea, Taiwan, and Hong Kong are moving into flexible and innovative forms of collaboration. Focusing on cinema, television, online video and mobile content in East Asia, the study enhances academic, industry and policy understandings of the dynamics of regional media production. In addition, the project investigates opportunities and challenges for Austra ....Willing collaborators: Negotiating Change in East Asian Media Production. This project examines how media producers and investors from China, Korea, Taiwan, and Hong Kong are moving into flexible and innovative forms of collaboration. Focusing on cinema, television, online video and mobile content in East Asia, the study enhances academic, industry and policy understandings of the dynamics of regional media production. In addition, the project investigates opportunities and challenges for Australian and other international media companies. It addresses the urgent need to foster understanding of the media industries and cultures of Australia's regional neighbours in order to better equip the nation and its screen sectors to participate in the forthcoming "Asian Century". Read moreRead less
The ABC, its Archives and its Audiences. This project aims to enable deeper understandings of the role of Australia’s principal public service broadcaster in the lives of audience members across the country, and the community needs and interests that have shaped it. The project, in partnership with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation and the National Archives of Australia, is significant because it will uncover and interpret paper records relating to listeners and viewers during the broadcas ....The ABC, its Archives and its Audiences. This project aims to enable deeper understandings of the role of Australia’s principal public service broadcaster in the lives of audience members across the country, and the community needs and interests that have shaped it. The project, in partnership with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation and the National Archives of Australia, is significant because it will uncover and interpret paper records relating to listeners and viewers during the broadcaster’s first 50 years. Expected outcomes include an enlarged and more discoverable media archive for the benefit of researchers, industry and all Australians; an innovative audience-centred approach to the ABC’s history; and enhanced academic, archival and media collaborations. Read moreRead less
Border Crossing: The Transnational Career of the Television Crime Drama. This project aims to shed new light on the evolving dynamics of the global television industry in an era of post-broadcast production and distribution with particular attention to the television crime drama. As one of television's most enduring and popular genres, the crime drama has routinely reflected local, regional and national concerns about law and order issues. Through a series of case studies, this project plans to ....Border Crossing: The Transnational Career of the Television Crime Drama. This project aims to shed new light on the evolving dynamics of the global television industry in an era of post-broadcast production and distribution with particular attention to the television crime drama. As one of television's most enduring and popular genres, the crime drama has routinely reflected local, regional and national concerns about law and order issues. Through a series of case studies, this project plans to explore how national frames of reference in terms of policy and content are being negotiated in different production contexts within the global market place. The television crime drama may thus provide an illuminating lens through which to examine the impact of globalisation on the rapidly evolving television industry as it enters a new era.Read moreRead less
Amplifying Indigenous news: a digital intervention. This project aims to road-test, document and analyse an innovative strategy for amplifying Indigenous voices in news media. The project will deploy and assess the impact of a new digital application designed to enable access to a diverse range of Indigenous voices, stories and agendas. The anticipated outcomes will assist the project’s industry partners meet their strategic goals of increasing the level of Indigenous media representation in Aus ....Amplifying Indigenous news: a digital intervention. This project aims to road-test, document and analyse an innovative strategy for amplifying Indigenous voices in news media. The project will deploy and assess the impact of a new digital application designed to enable access to a diverse range of Indigenous voices, stories and agendas. The anticipated outcomes will assist the project’s industry partners meet their strategic goals of increasing the level of Indigenous media representation in Australia, and consolidate their roles as leading outlets for Indigenous content and coverage. These outcomes are also expected to improve public understanding of issues affecting Indigenous Australians and contribute to more informed and inclusive policy discussions.Read moreRead less