A study by CQU's International Program for Psycho-Social Health Research (IPP-SHR) revealed that standardised questionnaires in hospice practice negatively impacted upon patients' and carers' experiences and wellbeing. Informal conversation was seen as a flexible, sensitive, and consumer-focused alternative to questionnaire use.
Researchers have found that measured doses of ultraviolet light can significantly reduce the development of asthma-like symptoms in mice. Exposure to UV light before allergen exposure also produces a cell type that can prevent some asthma symptoms when transferred into other mice.
Seventeen Australian researchers have been awarded funding from Pfizer Australia to conduct studies on various aspects of cardiovascular medical research. The grants, worth over $900,000, are seen as a stepping stone for researchers and will be recognized at the Sydney Hilton Hotel on October 21.
A study of over 500 eight-year-old children aims to determine the most important factors present in childhood that lead to changes in blood vessel structure and function, including birth weight and rapid weight gain.
A team of researchers, led by Dr Clair Sullivan, aims to understand the link between obesity and cardiovascular disease. They believe that hormones produced from fat may be contributing to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease.
The Shell Questacon Science Circus has been recognised with a Prime Minister's Excellence in Community Business Partnerships Award for its 21-year association with Questacon, Shell, and the Australian National University. The partnership has exposed countless students and families to science education in rural and remote Australia.
A new study will investigate how Australians navigate work-life balance, with a focus on parents and the role of family-friendly policies. The research, funded by the Australian Research Council, aims to provide insight into cross-cultural differences between Western individualistic societies and more collectivist Asian societies.
Monash PhD researcher Ms Fleur Tynan has been awarded a Victoria Fellowship to study advanced cellular imaging techniques at Stanford University. Her research focuses on the human immune response to viruses, which may lead to developing therapeutics that assist in the anti-viral immune response.
WEHI researchers will investigate impaired apoptosis and differentiation in tumourigenesis and therapy, as well as molecular regulation of blood cell production and function. The funding may lead to new approaches for cancer treatment and novel therapeutic strategies for blood disorders.
A national study of medical students will assess their future career aspirations, influences on specialty choice, and work preferences. The research aims to inform health workforce planning and address chronic shortages in rural areas, benefiting underserved communities.
The University of Queensland has been awarded $40.2 million in National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) funding for various medical research projects. The university's researchers are working on spinal pain, cardiovascular and metabolic disease, and health economics evaluation.
Menzies School of Health Research has received $4.6 million in funding from the National Health and Medical Research Council to boost its research capability in Indigenous, remote, and tropical health. The funding will support six projects, including the Aboriginal Birth Cohort Study and scabies diagnosis development.
Researchers at Monash University will use stem cell therapies to treat autoimmune diseases like MS and diabetes by targeting a rogue immune system. The $5.23 million program aims to develop new treatments without excessive immunosuppressive regimes.
A study by ANU researchers highlights the vital role of GPs in containing pandemics, but notes regulatory and funding hurdles. The team's findings emphasize the need for collaborative practices to prepare for influenza outbreaks.
The Australian National University has secured $13.5 million in funding for its medical research initiatives, tackling key areas like cancer treatment and mental health policy. This funding boost reinforces ANU's reputation as a global leader in healthcare research.
A pioneering study has found that people with lower or declining cognitive ability are at greater risk of falling. The research, which followed over 500 participants aged 70 over eight years, identified women and multiple fallers as being more likely to experience falls.
Research finds stroke incidence decreasing in Perth by 43%, largely due to prevention strategies and reduced risk factors like hypertension and smoking. The study suggests successful implementation of healthy lifestyles is contributing to the decline.
Researchers are using a robot named Eliza to provide specialist medical care to children in rural areas via video-link consultations with Brisbane specialists. The robot project aims to deliver high-quality clinical care and professional support to regional health staff.
Researchers have identified a new marker, AZGP1, that can predict which men with prostate cancer are likely to develop aggressive metastatic disease. This marker can help tailor treatment for individual patients and improve outcomes.
Rural India sees a shift from infectious to chronic diseases as the leading cause of death. Cardiovascular disease and injuries now account for over 50% of deaths in rural areas.
A new study published in the British Medical Journal suggests that routine use of anti-inflammatory drugs following hip replacement surgery may do more harm than good. The study found that patients taking ibuprofen for 14 days after surgery reported no significant reductions in hip pain or physical disability.
A new drug has been shown to improve blood flow in diseased arteries by reactivating a damaged enzyme, reducing the risk of high blood pressure and heart attacks. The discovery is a significant development for the treatment of cardiovascular disease and aims to challenge orthodox thinking on heart health.
A new study published in the Lancet found that aggressive treatment to lower blood pressure significantly reduces the risk of stroke and heart attack. The research, which involved over 160,000 individuals in 50 countries, highlights the importance of driving blood pressure down to very low levels rather than choosing specific medications.
New research confirms the human body is designed to resist weight loss efforts due to strong mechanisms defending against caloric deficits. Dr. Neil King's studies demonstrate a 'plateau effect,' where weight loss from exercise and calorie restrictions stalls at a certain point.
Scientists have identified special proteins that help repair and protect the brain after it has been damaged by a lack of oxygen. Dr Nicole Jones and her team found that these proteins increase during oxygen deprivation, regulating processes like red blood cell production and glucose flow to the brain.
Scientists replicated HCV in mouse cells using a gene called protein kinase R, blocking the virus's high rate of replication. This breakthrough may lead to better understanding of why some patients respond to treatment, potentially shedding light on new therapeutic strategies.
Researchers confirm four new cases of Rett syndrome in boys with no family history, highlighting need for prenatal diagnosis and pediatrician awareness. The condition affects mostly females due to the presence of a single X chromosome, but its incidence may be higher than initially thought.
A study found that driver distraction leads to one in five crashes and affects young drivers significantly. The research also revealed common distracting activities while driving, including adjusting equipment and talking to passengers.
A five-year project funded by The Atlantic Philanthropies aims to improve Vietnam's health system by gathering detailed birth and death data. UQ health experts will work with Vietnamese researchers and government personnel to develop policy, advanced mortality, and cost-effectiveness analyses.
Researchers discovered that breast stem cells lack receptors for female hormones oestrogen and progesterone, resembling the aggressive 'basal' subtype of breast cancer. The findings support speculation that breast stem cells may give rise to basal tumours, which are more common in BRCA1 carriers.
The Australia-US Free Trade Agreement could lead to a decline in Australia's blood safety standards if plasma fractionation is opened up to overseas tender. The move could also affect products in other countries, including New Zealand, which may be forced into 'piggy-backing' with new arrangements.
A study published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation found that a fatty acid binding protein called aP2 plays a crucial role in controlling inflammation in asthma. The research suggests that blocking aP2 function may be a novel approach for asthma treatment and other inflammatory lung diseases.
A large study has found that parents are not to blame for late talking toddlers, as environmental and neuro-developmental factors play a greater role in language emergence. Children with siblings or family history of late talkers are at higher risk, while education, income, and mental health have no impact.
A study led by Associate Professor Barbara Fazekas de St. Groth found that healthy individuals have up to twice the number of disease-fighting regulatory T cells compared to IBD patients. This discovery has significant implications for diagnosing and preventing autoimmune diseases.
The Human Variome Project aims to catalog human mutations, providing valuable information for people in developing countries. The project has already yielded significant results, including identifying genetic variants that make people resistant to asthma drugs and those predisposed to schizophrenia.
Researchers find that female mice can maintain a steady number of eggs throughout adulthood, contradicting the long-held assumption that eggs decline with age. The study's findings suggest potential directions for ovarian stem cell research and fertility treatments.
A literature review provides evidence-based recommendations on treating severe asthma exacerbations with oral corticosteroids and questioning the practice of doubling ICS doses. The review also explores increasing ICS to high doses as an alternative to OCS.
Researchers discovered a key mechanism by which TUS stops the replisome in a directional manner. This finding has significant implications for bio- and nano-technology applications.
A study of over 600 newborns found that reducing exposure to house dust mites and increasing omega-3 fatty acids through diet had no impact on the development of asthma. Researchers recommend further research into alternative interventions for preventing asthma and allergic disease in children.
A new study reveals that less training in psychological medicine and counselling is linked to a high reported wish to hasten death by patients. Doctors' reactions to patients' emotional distress can inadvertently lead them to support assisted suicide.
Researchers report improved survival rates with RP101, a novel compound being investigated as a potential therapeutic for advanced pancreatic cancer. In two studies, patients showed significant improvements in median survival and time to progression, offering hope for patients affected by the disease.
Researchers have discovered gene SLIRP with the potential to shut down oestrogen in breast cancer cells and testosterone in prostate cancer cells, depending on the cancers' survival. This breakthrough could lead to the development of 'smart' drugs that target specific genes, potentially reducing side effects and improving survival rates.
A recent study found that women who have undergone Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) are more likely to experience difficulties during childbirth and their babies are at a higher risk of death. The study also estimated that in the African context, an additional one to two babies die per 100 deliveries due to FGM.
Researchers have developed a new approach to target different diseases using short interfering RNA (siRNA) with tailored cellular properties. Human trials for siRNA-based anti-cancer and anti-viral treatments are currently underway in the USA and Europe, offering promising results.
The Australian Diabetes, Obesity and Lifestyle Study found that approximately 100,000 adults develop diabetes annually, with nearly 600 people progressing to obesity every day. The study also revealed a significant increase in hypertension and chronic kidney disease among the Australian population.
Dendritic cells are specialized white blood cells that patrol the body for infections. The new discovery reveals they have a highly organized structure, acting as specialized squads to deal with specific problems. This breakthrough sheds light on their role in preventing autoimmune diseases and could lead to new immune therapies.
The study reveals that genes use a broad distribution of start sites, allowing for subtle differences in species control. This knowledge could help explain why complex organisms like humans have more genes than simple ones despite similar numbers.
Researchers have found cancer cells suppress entire chromosome bands through epigenetic changes, silencing genes that prevent tumor growth. The discovery could lead to new treatments targeting DNA demethylation.
The study found that the three-dimensional structure of SOCS3 enables the design of selective inhibitors, which may extend the activity of G-CSF in restoring white blood cells. Additionally, an engineered version of SOCS3 with improved stability and repressive functions shows potential for treating inflammatory diseases.
The UQ Centre for Integrated Preclinical Drug Development is developing new tools to streamline the preclinical trials process. This will improve productivity across the pharmaceuticals industry and address a blockage in the drug production pipeline.