The Neuromuscular And Biomechanical Gait Risk Factors For Progression Of Hip Ostoearthritis.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$91,367.00
Summary
Hip osteoarthritis (OA) is a common condition in older adults and it is often associated with pain, stiffness and functional limitations particularly in walking. There is no cure for hip OA and the end result is often a total hip replacement. Knowledge of neuromuscular and biomechanical characteristics of hip OA during walking and any relationships to disease progression will provide a better understanding of risk factors for progression of hip OA. This knowledge may guide future hip OA manageme ....Hip osteoarthritis (OA) is a common condition in older adults and it is often associated with pain, stiffness and functional limitations particularly in walking. There is no cure for hip OA and the end result is often a total hip replacement. Knowledge of neuromuscular and biomechanical characteristics of hip OA during walking and any relationships to disease progression will provide a better understanding of risk factors for progression of hip OA. This knowledge may guide future hip OA management plans to slow the progression of the disease.Read moreRead less
Joint Longitudinal And Time-to-event Models For Applications In Health Research
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$86,073.00
Summary
A recently developed statistical technique ("joint modelling") allows for both repeatedly measured biomarker data (for example, blood pressure measurements) and event time data (for example, time until death) to be analysed together. There are several potential benefits to using these models, but since the methods are relatively new their uptake in applied health research remains limited. This PhD will consist of several distinct but interrelated projects which explore the use of these models.
A Dietary Intervention For Sarcopenia In Cirrhosis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$128,224.00
Summary
Patients with chronic liver failure, or cirrhosis, suffer many complications. Sarcopenia, the loss of muscle and muscle weakness, is one of these. It is associated with reduced survival. Patients with cirrhosis have low levels of branched chain amino acids (BCAAs) which are used as building blocks for protein and energy in muscle. We aim to explore how oral supplements of BCAAs might improve muscle in this population. If this improves muscle mass, we also expect it may improve other outcomes.
Quality Of Life, Associated Psychological And Economic Family Impacts, And Trajectory Of Recovery In Aboriginal And Torres Strait Islander Paediatric Burns Patients.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$86,117.00
Summary
Over a third of burns injuries in Australia are paediatric, with over representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children. Burns are a major injury, having devastating long term consequences, connected to psychological distress, trauma, cost and disability. This research focusses on quality of life measures, economic impacts and psychological distress, investigating enabling and inhibitory factors to burns recovery in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and their family.
Determining The Natural History Of Localized High-risk Melanoma And Risk Factors For Melanoma Metastasis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$103,980.00
Summary
This PhD thesis aims to describe 2-year survival rates of patients with localised melanoma. We will investigate risk factors and patterns of melanoma spread in patients with high-risk localised lesions. Risk factors for developing ulcerated versus non-ulcerated melanomas will be explored. We aim to describe support service use in melanoma patients in rural, regional and urban areas in Queensland.
The Capacity Of Non-government Organisations To Improve The Food Supply
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$76,123.00
Summary
Reducing premature death from cardiovascular disease is a health priority and reducing dietary salt is vital to achieve this. Most dietary salt is in processed foods and non-government organisations (NGOs) have long advocated for less salty foods. Little is known about why some companies sell very salty foods compared to others. This research considers the influence of NGOs on the behaviour of food companies and the respective reformulation strategies, and seeks to find out why companies respond ....Reducing premature death from cardiovascular disease is a health priority and reducing dietary salt is vital to achieve this. Most dietary salt is in processed foods and non-government organisations (NGOs) have long advocated for less salty foods. Little is known about why some companies sell very salty foods compared to others. This research considers the influence of NGOs on the behaviour of food companies and the respective reformulation strategies, and seeks to find out why companies respond differently.Read moreRead less
Improving The Policy Development Process In Aboriginal Health: A Case Study Of Food And Nutrition
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$108,845.00
Summary
This research investigates the process through which policy decisions are made in the field of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health. In this project, nutrition will be used as a case study to examine the policy-making process. This research is important because nutrition is a significant public health issue for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population. However, little is known about the process by which nutrition and other health issues become policy priorities for Government
Determining The Genetic Basis Of Skeletal Dysplasias Using Next Generation Sequencing
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$110,068.00
Summary
Osteoporosis is a common condition in Australia, yet treatment options are still limited. Study of rare genetic bone conditions known collectively as skeletal dysplasias have already led to the development of two new osteoporosis drug treatments. My project aims to identify the causative gene for several skeletal dysplasias, and to determine how these genes are involved in the development and maintenance of bone. This knowledge may then translate into new osteoporosis therapies.
Advancing Diagnostics For The Congenital Muscular Dystrophies
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$69,500.00
Summary
The congenital muscular dystrophies are muscle diseases with onset in infancy. They cause slowly progressive weakness and increasing disability. For more than half, a specific diagnosis cannot be achieved with current diagnostic techniques, frequently generating significant anxiety for families. This research will use an exciting new genetic technique called exome sequencing to provide fundamental insights into the genetic basis of these diseases, thus improving diagnosis, counselling and treatm ....The congenital muscular dystrophies are muscle diseases with onset in infancy. They cause slowly progressive weakness and increasing disability. For more than half, a specific diagnosis cannot be achieved with current diagnostic techniques, frequently generating significant anxiety for families. This research will use an exciting new genetic technique called exome sequencing to provide fundamental insights into the genetic basis of these diseases, thus improving diagnosis, counselling and treatment.Read moreRead less
Characterising The Molecular Basis Of Cystic Kidney Diseases Using Kidney Organoids Created By Directed Differentiation Of Patient-derived, Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$122,714.00
Summary
Inherited genetic mutations cause almost half of chronic kidney diseases in children. In most cases we do not know what the mutation is or how it causes kidney disease. In this study we will turn skin cells from children with kidney disease into stem cells and then use these to make a mini-kidney in a dish. This will act as a model of kidney disease allowing us to understand what the problem is at the level of changes within the cells. This may result in new ways of treating kidney disease.