Do Exposures Before Conception Influence The Risk Of Asthma In Offspring?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$688,586.00
Summary
Asthma and poor lung function are major causes of public health issues. Emerging evidence suggests adverse exposures even before the conception of a child may cause these conditions. The proposed project is part of an international study across generations to identify these factors. This study will provide novel evidence to guide interventions and identify studies to advance this area further. These original findings will be of great importance both nationally and internationally.
Young Adult Myopia: Genetic And Environmental Associations
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$809,271.00
Summary
Myopia affects 80% of school leavers in the cities of East Asia, 45% of Asian Australian school leavers and is probably on the rise in European Australian adolescents. Increased levels of education and lack of time outdoors are known to increase the risk of myopia. We will examine 2,000 young adults to find the genes that interact with these risk factors. In addition to confirming when these risk factors are most important, identifying molecular pathways opens the avenue of new treatments.
Identifying Glaucoma Risk Variants In The Norfolk Island Genetic Isolate
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$658,447.00
Summary
Primary open angle glaucoma is the most common form of glaucoma. In this project we will focus on the identification of functional genetic variants influencing development of this disorder, using a powerful whole exome sequencing approach in a large multigenerational pedigree from the Norfolk Island population isolate. The identification of genes influencing glaucoma development would provide invaluable clues to aid in defining the pathophysiology of this common disease.
One of the current challenges in public health is to translate the progress from the Human Genome Project into reduced morbidity and mortality from disease. Once genetic defects are characterised, knowledge about the variability in severity of disease in mutation carriers, is important from a public health perspective. Hereditary Haemochromatosis (HH) is a common genetic disorder of iron overload that results in a wide spectrum of disease, varying from non-specific symptoms to severe damage to l ....One of the current challenges in public health is to translate the progress from the Human Genome Project into reduced morbidity and mortality from disease. Once genetic defects are characterised, knowledge about the variability in severity of disease in mutation carriers, is important from a public health perspective. Hereditary Haemochromatosis (HH) is a common genetic disorder of iron overload that results in a wide spectrum of disease, varying from non-specific symptoms to severe damage to liver, heart, pancreas and joints from iron deposition. It is easily treatable by regular blood donation, and population-based screening for HH has therefore been advocated. In this study we aim to address gaps in the existing data on HH regarding dietary and lifestyle factors that contribute to the variable clinical picture of HH. The study will be based on the Melbourne Collaborative Cohort Study, a cohort of 31,500 men and women who have been followed for approximately 10 years. Information on dietary and lifestyle factors was collected at initial enrollment, along with a blood specimen. We will test all non-Southern European participants (31,176) for the common HH mutations in the HFE gene and then select a subgroup of 1150 people, including all people with the main genetic defect as well as a comparison group, for further clinical followup. Participants will have genetic counselling and informed consent will be obtained. Participants will complete a short questionnaire and give a blood sample for measurement of iron overload, liver function, and other relevant blood tests, then undergo a brief clinical examination. Results of all tests will be given at a followup visit by genetic counsellor or physician. This study will provide important data on natural history of HH risk factors that influence variability in clinical presentation and the association of HFE mutations with chronic diseases and all cause mortality.Read moreRead less
Art of Peace: New perspectives in visual art on peacekeeping from the 1990s. Art of Peace investigates the important role of art in Australia’s engagement in international peacekeeping. Australian artists such as George Gittoes and Wendy Sharpe have created powerful and memorable images of Australian forces as peacekeepers and nation-builders. Yet, what of the less-visible perspectives of artists from the countries to which Australia sends peacekeepers? Art of Peace will create new knowledge aro ....Art of Peace: New perspectives in visual art on peacekeeping from the 1990s. Art of Peace investigates the important role of art in Australia’s engagement in international peacekeeping. Australian artists such as George Gittoes and Wendy Sharpe have created powerful and memorable images of Australian forces as peacekeepers and nation-builders. Yet, what of the less-visible perspectives of artists from the countries to which Australia sends peacekeepers? Art of Peace will create new knowledge around those artists’ perceptions of peacekeeping missions, through a new body of scholarship, public engagement and an exhibition in Perth and Sydney curated by Art Gallery of WA. It engages a national audience to focus on the important role of Australia in international affairs since 1990 through new contemporary art.Read moreRead less
Non-local equations at work. This project aims to study non-local fractional equations. These problems arise naturally in many fields of pure and applied mathematics. This project will consider symmetry and rigidity results; problems from atom dislocation theory; nonlocal minimal surfaces; symbolic dynamics for nonlocal equations; and free boundary problems. This project aims to obtain substantial progress in this field, both from the point of view of the mathematical theory and in view of concr ....Non-local equations at work. This project aims to study non-local fractional equations. These problems arise naturally in many fields of pure and applied mathematics. This project will consider symmetry and rigidity results; problems from atom dislocation theory; nonlocal minimal surfaces; symbolic dynamics for nonlocal equations; and free boundary problems. This project aims to obtain substantial progress in this field, both from the point of view of the mathematical theory and in view of concrete applications. This project should contribute to the development of the mathematical theory and give insight for concrete applications in physics and biology.Read moreRead less
Art in conflict: transforming contemporary art at Australian War Memorial. This project aims to investigate conflicts and compromises arising within official schemes for commissioning Australian contemporary war art, in partnership with the Australian War Memorial (AWM). The AWM has built on its Official War Artist scheme to transform the commissioning of war art, engaging high profile contemporary artists to produce often challenging work. This project will focus on this important yet under-res ....Art in conflict: transforming contemporary art at Australian War Memorial. This project aims to investigate conflicts and compromises arising within official schemes for commissioning Australian contemporary war art, in partnership with the Australian War Memorial (AWM). The AWM has built on its Official War Artist scheme to transform the commissioning of war art, engaging high profile contemporary artists to produce often challenging work. This project will focus on this important yet under-researched national collection of art, placing it at the centre of current discussions around contemporary art and war. The project seeks to continue to transform the AWM’s curatorial approaches and build an enduring digital archive of analysis and interpretation.Read moreRead less
A Case-control Study Of Environment And Breast Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$808,948.00
Summary
Breast cancer is the most common cancer in Australian women and there have been a number of recent events which have raised public concern that occupational exposures are contributing to the increasing occurrence of this cancer. In this study, we will investigate occupational causes of breast cancer, particularly shift work, industrial solvent use and combustion products. We will compare occupations of 1000 women with breast cancer and 2000 women without cancer.
A stochastic geometric framework for Bayesian sensor array processing. This project develops a mathematical framework, and a new generation of techniques, for sensor array processing to address real-world problems with uncertainty in array parameters and number of signals. The outcomes will enhance the capability of sensors in many application areas including, radar, sonar, astronomy and wireless communications.
Modelling and estimation methods for discrete multi-dimensional systems. Multi-dimensional signal processing plays a role in a variety of application areas, ranging from remote sensing for environmental monitoring and geological mapping, to medical imaging and the automatic control of industrial processes. The success of the project will provide mathematical tools for the advancement of the state-of-the-art in these broad areas.