Around the Precinct – 12 November 2020

Welcome to another week at the Alfred Research Alliance, when our researchers count the economic cost of migranes and musculoskeletal diseases, identify new ways to improve recovery after a heart attack, look at the ethics of sharing genetic information and detail how PTSD and depression are rife in refugee communities. They collaborate to devise ways to attract participants to clinical trials, contribute to a new podcast that tackles the hot topics of social media and mental health and on the COVID-19 front we look at the risks of mask wearing and how to safely cut quarantine periods for travellers – and we announce a special event which will give you insight into Australia’s pandemic response!

ALFRED RESEARCH ALLIANCE SPECIAL EVENT

Tuesday 17 November | Australia’s Response to COVID-19: Prof Allen Cheng  

Australia’s success in addressing the COVID-19 pandemic is making global news. Now, you have the chance to get an insight from one of the insiders, Prof Allen Cheng, Victoria’s Deputy Chief Health Officer, in a special keynote address entitled entitled ‘Australia’s Response to COVID-19, at 12 noon on Tuesday 17 November?. Following the presentation, there will be a short opportunity for Q&A, and Prof Cheng will also present the Alfred Research Alliance Annual Research Prizes for 2020. Register now

BAKER HEART AND DIABETES INSTITUTE

Novel anti-inflammatory therapy improves heart recovery after a heart attack

In a pre-clinical study, researchers from the Baker Institute have demonstrated that a single injection of a blood derived protein, Apolipoprotein A-I (ApoA-I, human) immediately after a heart attack could lower the bodies damaging inflammatory response, reducing injury and improving the heart recovery.  Lead researcher, Dr Adele Richart says the treatment is also very practical as it could be given to patients while receiving clinical treatment to stop the heart attack. Read more…

BURNET INSTITUTE

Nature Research Award for Associate Professor Joshua Vogel

Burnet Institute Principal Research Fellow, A/Prof Joshua Vogel has been awarded the 2020 Nature Research Award for Driving Global Impact (DGI) for his outstanding body of work in maternal and child health, including research focused on the prevention of newborn deaths due to premature births in low- and middle-income countries. The judges said they were particularly impressed by his development of sophisticated treatment protocols using antenatal corticosteroids as an effective and affordable intervention for preterm birth. Read more…

New model supports major cuts in quarantine period for travellers

Quarantine periods for interstate and international travellers could be reduced without an increased risk of COVID-19 transmission if travel volumes remained stable, under a new, risk-based mathematical modelling tool presented to government this week. The Burnet Institute-developed traQ (Transparent Risk Assessment of Quarantine) shows quarantine periods for travellers can be effectively and safely reduced by combining a risk assessment approach of each country of origin with enhanced PCR testing. Read more…

MONASH CENTRAL CLINICAL SCHOOL

What Happens Next? Podcast on social media & mental health

A podcast series hosted by Dr Susan Carland provides insights on the hot topics of social media and mental health. In Episode 2, experts including Brady Robards  and Gemma Sharp  from Monash focus on how social media can be a positive tool to help at-risk young people, while Episode 3  features all tips and guidance on how to to help young people manage their social media use for mental health and wellbeing, and how it can be used to build community and share stories.

Face masks and risk of falls – tailoring advice for the elderley

While the WHO and many other experts advocate the routine use of masks to limit the spread of COVID-19, there are implications, particularly for those who experience difficulty negotiating their environment. So what’s the best advice for the elderly or those with restricted mobility? Monash University’s A/Prof Michele Callisaya, Prof Keith Hill and colleagues say slowing down is not enough – more individual strategies are required. Read more…

MONASH PUBLIC HEALTH & PREVENTIVE MEDICINE

Migranes causing pain for the economy

The common migraine causes crippling pain to the Australian economy, costing $8.5 billion in lost productivity just last year. Now researchers from Monash SPHPM, led by Dr Ella ZomerA/Prof Zanfina AdemiProf Danny Liew and medical student Susan Tu, have projected the substantial health, productivity and economic burden of migraines in Australia over a 10-year period and suggested this could be minimised with funding interventions that aim to reduce the prevalence of migraines and/or its effects. Read more…

Refugees living with high levels of PTSD and depression

A comprehensive study of mental health of refugees both in Australia and internationally has found almost one third experience posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression – which is almost eight times that in the general population. Importantly the study found that the prevalence of PTSD and depression persists for years post-displacement, highlighting the need for long term mental health support for refugee communities. Read more…

Recruitment strategies to turbocharge clinical trial participation

Participant recruitment is one of the biggest challenges in delivering successful clinical trials globally, with data showing a significant number of trials are closed or terminated early because they can’t source enough participants, while most trials don’t hit their recruitment targets on schedule. Two trials from Monash SPHPM are tackling this problem with novel strategies that researchers hope will see these life-saving trials deliver on their full potential. Read more…

‘Medically actionable’ genetic results: ethical challenges for researchers

Research generates genetic information on 1000s of participants but, due to a range of ethical and practical challenges, not all are receiving their genetic results, even when they are ‘medically actionable’ – that is, associated with increased risk of adult-onset diseases which can be effectively prevented or treated. Lead author of the study Jane Tiller says, “Returning genetic research results can be life-saving, alerting participants to preventive steps that they would not otherwise have taken.” Read more…

Time for an Australian Centers for Disease Control

In a recent article for the Australian Financial Review, Monash SPHPM Head of School, Prof Sophia Zoungas, says a network of specialists is the best way to counteract the next virus. “In Australia what we could have…is a truly national consortium of experts in epidemiology, statistical analysis, outbreak management, communications and community management, as well as researchers in translational, clinical and basic sciences taking new discoveries from the lab bench to the clinic,” Prof Zoungas says. Read more…

Analysis reveals high burden of musculoskeletal disorder across the globe]

Disorders which affect muscles, tendons, ligaments, bones, and joints can severely affect individuals’ physical and mental health, and they’re especially prevalent among aging adults. Now, a new study in the Arthritis & Rheumatology journal, has provided an overview of the burden of all musculoskeletal disorders, detailing some 1.3 billion prevalent cases, 121,300 deaths and a staggering 138.7 million disability-adjusted life years – the number of years lost due to ill-health, disability, or early death. Read more…