This project will take robust evidence regarding inflammation based management, comorbidity and self management and translate it into practice using a national implementation framework.
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
Localised Airway Reactivity As A Determinant Of Asthma Control And AHR
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$306,562.00
Summary
Asthma morbidity and mortality remain high, with drug cost, days lost from school and work. This may be due to severe asthma in which control cannot be attained. This may be due to localised regions of lung that remain persistently responsive to inhaled irritants. We will examine the location and size of these regions using 3-dimensional ventilation scanning. The potential importance of our findings is in providing a basis for improving treatment in resistant, severe asthma.
Centre Of Research Excellence In Asthma Treatable Traits (CREATT)
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,500,000.00
Summary
This CRE will focus on personalised medicine in asthma, specifically using the treatable traits approach. We have identified disease management areas of highest importance to people with asthma and health care providers. We will generate new knowledge, develop and strengthen collaborations and train translation focused researchers to develop high quality evidence and translate this to practice.
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
National Clinical Centre Of Research Excellence In Severe Asthma
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,597,952.00
Summary
Severe Asthma remains a large burden for the Australian community. It does not respond to current management approaches. We will develop and implement a targetted therapy approach to severe asthma that will involve assessment of needs of people with severe asthma, community burden form severe asthma, biomarkers and linked treatment strategies, as well as knowledge transfer tools and training of the health and medical workforce.
Elucidating The Roles And Mechanisms Of Activation Of NLRP3 Inflammasomes And Developing Therapeutic Interventions For Severe Steroid-resistant Asthma
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$961,929.00
Summary
Severe asthma is a major clinical issue. There are no effective treatments because we don’t understand how it occurs. We have identified a factor called an “inflammasome” that we think causes severe asthma. We have produced a new inhibitor of this factor, and shown experimentally that it may suppress important symptoms of severe asthma. We now aim to work out precisely how this inflammasome causes severe asthma and progress our new inhibitor towards therapeutic development.
Targeting Neutrophil Extracellular Traps To Reduce Inflammation In Severe Asthma
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$585,240.00
Summary
People with severe asthma, a chronic disease of the lungs, often have many inflammatory cells in the airways called neutrophils. Neutrophils release a meshwork of fibers in a web like trap called NETs, which are made of the cells DNA and other proteins that fight infection. These NETs can promote inflammation in the persons airways. Current asthma treatments have no effect on NETs. This project will measure NETs in the airways and test a new treatment to reduce NETs, and relieve asthma symptoms.