The Australian Research Data Commons (ARDC) invites you to participate in a short survey about your
interaction with the ARDC and use of our national research infrastructure and services. The survey will take
approximately 5 minutes and is anonymous. It’s open to anyone who uses our digital research infrastructure
services including Reasearch Link Australia.
We will use the information you provide to improve the national research infrastructure and services we
deliver and to report on user satisfaction to the Australian Government’s National Collaborative Research
Infrastructure Strategy (NCRIS) program.
Please take a few minutes to provide your input. The survey closes COB Friday 29 May 2026.
Complete the 5 min survey now by clicking on the link below.
Sensory Exposure Of Neonates In Single-room Environments (SENSE)
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$108,902.00
Summary
Preterm babies are often slower to reach developmental milestones than term babies. Extremely preterm babies spend a long time developing in the neonatal unit, which is suboptimal to the womb. Evidence suggests that open neonatal units are bright and loud and single rooms may be better for neonatal development. However, a recent study found poorer neurodevelopment with single rooms. This study aims to improve outcomes in single rooms through the application of a sound and language intervention.
The Neonav ECG Tip Location System: Better & Safer Care For Paediatric Intensive Care Patients
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$879,010.00
Summary
Babies and children can be critically ill. When they need intensive care, thin, flexible tubes (catheters) are placed in their blood vessels to deliver fluids and medications. Despite best efforts, catheters may not reach or move from the correct location inside the patient and the procedures may need to be repeated. Our solution is an innovative medical device that tracks where the catheter is during and after the procedure; this makes care safer and less stressful for the babies and children.
Generating And Applying Clinical Research To Improve The Outcomes Of Neonatal Intensive Care
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$568,892.00
Summary
Birth is a complex process and sometimes babies require help to make the transition to independent life. Professor Peter Davis is conducting research into how best to support this transition. This involves helping the lungs to work efficiently and supporting the changes in circulation of the blood to the brain and to the rest of the body. His work aims to quickly identify babies who need help and then provide better treatments to make sure they have the best chance of a healthy life.
The Impact Of The Life Trajectory Of Extremely Low Gestational Age Neonates On Moral Distress Of Healthcare Professionals Within Neonatal Intensive Care Units
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$46,622.00
Summary
The provision of care to the smallest and least mature babies (known as Extremely Low Gestational Age Neonates) within neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) is recognised as a frequent source of distress to family and healthcare professionals alike. This study aims to explore how illness severity of preterm babies and predictions of the babies’ long-term outcomes impacts moral distress of doctors and nurses within NICUs. The results of this study will guide interventions to reduce its presence.
A Study Of The Impact Of Treating Electrographic Seizures In Term Or Near-term Infants With Neonatal Encephalopathy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,365,184.00
Summary
Seizures in the newborn infant are common and may be harmful to the developing brain. They are not always recognised. This study investigates whether or not treating all seizures detected using a bedside brain activity monitor improves developmental outcome, compared to just treating seizures that doctors recognise.
Optimising Early Respiratory Support For Preterm Infants: The HIPSTER Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$696,791.00
Summary
Premature babies who need breathing support are often given ‘nasal continuous positive airway pressure’ (NCPAP) via large nasal prongs. It works well but is uncomfortable. A newer, popular support is ‘high flow’ (HF) which uses smaller nose prongs and may be more comfortable, but HF has not been well studied. The HIPSTER trial will compare these systems in 750 premature babies, at random half will have NCPAP, half will have HF. We will assess whether babies do equally well with each system.
Right From The Start: Improving Respiratory Support For Preterm Infants From Their First Breath To Independent Breathing
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$266,623.00
Summary
My research program with the world leading research team at the Royal Women’s Hospital, Melbourne aims to improve the journey of preterm babies from birth, through the neonatal nursery, to a healthy start at home. Too many preterm babies die or have long term health problems. I will study gentler methods to support breathing from birth, investigate better ways of supporting them until they can breathe independently, and assess how to support more babies to stay in their birth hospitals.
Necrotising enterocolitis (NEC) is a devastating bowel condition afflicting almost 1 in 10 of very preterm babies. About a third of babies with NEC do not survive. Currently, there is no cure. We propose the use of stem-like cells from the human placenta as a targeted therapy for NEC, working by minimising gut damage and accelerating gut repair.
Neuroprotective Role Of Sulphate Among Preterm Babies (SuPreme Study)
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$749,338.00
Summary
Magnesium sulphate administered to mothers shortly before preterm birth, reduces the risk of cerebral palsy. The mechanism of its neuroprotective effect is unknown, and our studies suggest sulphate is the protective element. Preterm babies rapidly become sulphate deficient, and magnesium sulphate mitigates this deficiency in most infants. In this study we will investigate whether low blood sulphate levels at 1 week of age correlate with cerebral palsy.
Novel Methods For Early Bedside Detection And Prognosis Of Preterm Brain Injury
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$630,880.00
Summary
Quick and robust assessments of preterm brain activity are critical for identifying early markers of brain injuries. We need to predict poor outcomes before they develop in order to give clinicians the best chance of helping sick infants. This project will develop and validate new non-invasive methods for assessing early brain activity in preterm infants at risk of developing poor neurodevelopmental outcomes.