Researchers are conducting a year-long study on pastoral care for older Australians, gathering insights from elderly individuals, relatives, and caregivers. The project seeks to understand the value and practice of pastoral care in Australia's rapidly aging population, with a focus on its spiritual significance.
Researchers are working on developing new diagnostic tools using nanotechnology to identify biomarkers for diseases. This could lead to earlier detection and more effective treatment, reducing the economic and social impact of diseases.
The e-cohort study aims to provide information on factors affecting the work and health of nurses and midwives in Australia. The research also hopes to examine population health outcomes, retention rates, and workforce shortages.
A new study by the University of Queensland research has found a link between cannabis use and marital changes in children up to age 21. Children who experienced more frequent changes in their parents' marital status were more likely to report cannabis use, with almost half having used cannabis at some point.
A team led by Dr Josephine Bowles and Professor Peter Koopman discovered that retinoic acid, a derivative of Vitamin A, triggers the beginning of meiosis in female embryos, resulting in egg production. In males, an enzyme suppresses meiosis until after birth, leading to sperm production.
Researchers at the University of Queensland have received four significant grants from the Australian Rotary Health Research Fund, totaling over $128,000. The grants will support studies on parenting programs designed for families with autistic children and female teachers who are also mothers.
A new salt substitute with high potassium content significantly reduced blood pressure in rural Northern China, comparable to single-drug therapy. The study suggests that a population-wide switch to this salt substitute could prevent hundreds of thousands of serious vascular events annually.
A new study is recruiting over 3,500 rugby union players aged 16-35 to gather data on head injuries and recovery. The research will inform the development of evidence-based guidelines to manage player return to sport after concussion.
The Australian government has pledged $50 million to support the expansion of the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute's (WEHI) research capabilities in cancer and infectious disease. This funding will enable significant expansions in the institute's research programs, focusing on targeted therapies for cancer treatment and malaria control.
Research projects focusing on Aboriginal women's self-care, mental health consumers' recovery, and psychologists' role in the Mental Health Service have been allocated funding. The programs aim to build research capacity with the health region through collaborative education processes.
A male-specific gene, SRY, has been found to be linked to the control of physical movement and may contribute to the higher incidence of Parkinson's disease in men. The protein, which determines male gender, was discovered in British scientists in 1990.
Research shows that a unique brain region acts as an integrative centre, modifying pain sensations when people are thirsty. Elite athletes can push through normal thresholds of pain and thirst due to their ability to balance this 'priority switch',
A collaboration between Centre for Eye Research Australia and Pfizer Australia has led to a breakthrough in predicting cardiovascular disease through retinal analysis. The research uses advanced imaging software to identify subtle damage in blood vessels, which can predict stroke, hypertension, diabetes, and heart failure.
Top-ranked pharmaceutical companies, GlaxoSmithKline, Merck and Bristol Myers Squibb, demonstrate a genuine commitment to ethics through their actions. The ranking highlights the importance of human development criteria, including labour standards, waste management, and product social utility.
Researchers have discovered that breast stem cells with genetic errors can produce tumours even after chemotherapy. The discovery could lead to the development of new treatments targeting these faulty stem cells.
Scientists have identified the DNA sequence controlling the malaria parasite's ability to change its disguises, a key virulence factor. This breakthrough could lead to the design of a drug candidate molecule that freezes the parasite's disguise capability, allowing the human immune system to respond effectively.
Melbourne-based researchers Dr Anthony Hannan and Dr Stephen Nutt have won $1 million Pfizer Fellowships to investigate environmental factors affecting brain diseases and blood cell development. Their work aims to develop new therapeutic approaches for devastating conditions like Huntington's disease, schizophrenia, and leukaemia.
Dr Anthony Hannan from the Howard Florey Institute has won a $1 million Pfizer Australia Research Fellowship to study environmental factors that delay degenerative brain diseases. His recent work showed that mental and physical exercise can slow down HD progression in mice, challenging genetic determinism.
A $1.75 million grant will establish the Australian Schizophrenia Research Bank, a nationally coordinated facility to support schizophrenia research. The bank will provide access to comprehensive, cross-referenced data on over 3,000 participants with schizophrenia and their families.
Seven Australian scientists have been awarded $1m Pfizer Australia Research Fellowships to explore critical fields like brain stem cell activity, HIV, and neuropsychiatric disorders. The grants will support research into the genetic inheritance of glaucoma and the replication of HIV pathogens.
Researchers found that the amygdala becomes increasingly hyperactive when patients look at threatening faces, correlating with social phobia symptoms. The study suggests functional magnetic resonance imaging could predict clinical symptom severity and monitor treatment effectiveness.
Researchers found that teenage children of mothers who drank one or more drinks a day had a twofold risk of problem drinking in young adulthood. Maternal depression and early teenage behavior increased the risk of alcohol disorders in young adults.
A study found that positive parenting programs, such as Group Triple P, are highly effective in reducing behavior problems and improving family relationships. The program reduced clinically significant behavior problems by 36% among four-year-old children.
A study by Research Australia highlights the importance of commitment, funding, and collaboration in sustaining primary health care programs. The research examined five regional programs across Australia, finding that effective partnerships between organisations, leadership, and financial sustainability are crucial for long-term success.
The Australian healthcare system is expected to face significant challenges in the coming years due to an aging population and chronic conditions. To address this, experts are calling for urgent changes in training models to prioritize team-based care and primary care training.
Despite new treatments and research, doctors may be slow to change their practices. Professor Huw Davies emphasizes the need for collaboration between researchers and healthcare professionals to improve patient outcomes.
The University of Queensland is leading a world-first consortium to create an Australian Minerals Science Research Institute, funded by a $8.6 million ARC grant. The five-year research program will focus on sustainable mining and mineral processing, with potential applications in industries such as pharmaceuticals and food production.
Monash University has received $32 million in ARC funding for diverse research projects, including investigating immunity and infection control. The university's Civil Engineering department will use the grant to predict and reduce water and gas leakage in underground pipes.
Researchers mapped how genes are shared between bacteria through lateral genetic transfer, a process where genes are transferred between unrelated organisms. The study reveals that this phenomenon is widespread and can occur even between distantly related organisms, contributing to the rapid spread of disease-causing bacteria.
A PhD study found that younger people are more likely to change their bodies to prevent age-related stigma, while older individuals redefine themselves through non-physical means. As the population ages, this trend has significant implications for how we perceive and treat older adults.
Associate Professor Peter Dodd's team is using microarray analysis to study brain tissue from dead alcoholics, aiming to identify genes responsible for the damage. The research could lead to a better understanding of neurological diseases and potentially develop a drug to reduce alcohol dependence.
A recent Australian study found that teenagers who regularly eat with their families are less likely to be overweight. The study suggests that a healthy maternal attitude towards family eating and diet is more important than the frequency of shared meals.
Researchers urge Australia to issue compulsory licences, enabling local generic manufacturers to produce antiviral therapies at lower costs. This move would enhance the country's preparedness for pandemics, particularly in high-risk regions like Indonesia.
The research discovered the structure of JAK2 kinase, a well-validated drug target for cancer and other disorders. The discovery will enable the development of specific molecules to treat diseases where JAK kinases play a pivotal role, leading to a rapid growth of phase I therapeutics.
Research using fMRI technology found reduced activity in the caudate nucleus, a critical part of prefrontal brain circuits, in boys with autism. This impairment affects attention, problem-solving, and learning abilities. The study's findings may help develop better therapies for children with autism.
Experts from UWS Men's Health Information and Resource Centre argue that worsening men's health statistics are due to social causes such as education, socio-economic status, and housing stress. They advocate for a national health policy to address these underlying factors and improve men's health outcomes.
Research Australia highlights 12 pressing health concerns affecting Australian children, including rising obesity rates, asthma, and increasing cases of child abuse. The list aims to raise awareness about these issues and promote action from researchers to improve children's health.
Dr Wayne Thomas will investigate the role of the sonic hedgehog signalling protein in medulloblastoma development and identify target genes that contribute to its formation. His research aims to improve treatment options and potentially prevent this childhood cancer.
Dr Frederic Meunier's research explores how powerful nerve toxins like Botox selectively dissect basic nerve cell processes, leading to a novel angle in understanding neuronal diseases like Parkinson's and Alzheimer's. He has also discovered that Botox-intoxicated nerve cells can recover by emitting little sprouts.
Australia's Director of Obesity Research highlights lack of access to life-saving bariatric surgery for those who need it most. Over 2.6 million Australians struggle with obesity, a growing public health crisis requiring urgent attention and action from hospitals and governments.
A new research project will look at the Australian healthcare system's performance and identify areas for improvement. The study aims to create a more accessible and sustainable primary healthcare system, especially for people with chronic illnesses.
The Australian Primary Health Care Research Institute funds three South Australian projects to enhance healthcare communication and address chronic disease management. Researchers will investigate best practices in general practice, rural health care, and mild chronic lung disease management.
The project aims to evaluate the effectiveness of self-help and information technology in delivering better services for people with mental health problems. It is part of a larger funding round aimed at improving primary health care policy.
A new study aims to develop models of care that address socio-economic and environmental issues threatening the health of Aboriginal children. The research will investigate successful models of care in rural and remote areas, with a goal of establishing an evidence-base for future use.
Research Australia-funded project explores ways to tackle childhood obesity in Australia, focusing on parental involvement and early intervention. The study aims to identify effective models for reducing overweight and obesity in young children.
The Australian Primary Health Care Research Institute has funded 12 projects to improve healthcare delivery, governance, and policy formulation. The projects aim to enhance the collaboration between hospitals, general practice, and community care organisations to provide better health outcomes for Australians.
The Australian Primary Health Care Research Institute (APHCRI) has funded 12 projects across NSW, focusing on primary care models, integration of care, and chronic disease management. The research aims to improve health care outcomes for Australians through collaborative efforts between researchers and policy makers.
The US government has awarded a $20 million grant to develop novel synthetic catalytic scavengers (SCS) to protect against and treat the effects of radiation exposure. Proteome Systems will provide its SCS compounds for clinical application, aiming to create medical products for victims of radiological terrorism or radiation accidents.
The FANTOM consortium's findings provide a major step towards identifying all protein building blocks, using multiple mechanisms to produce different forms of proteins in mammals. The research also explores the importance of non-coding RNA in development and evolution, revealing why complex organisms evolved beyond simple genes.
Research by Dr Andrew Lawrence and Cameron McPherson found adolescent rats exposed to amphetamine had a more sensitised reaction when re-administered as adults, increasing the risk of heart attack. The study suggests teenage experimentation with drugs may have long-term effects on brain function.