Welcome to the first edition of Around the Precinct for 2022, wrapping up all the latest updates from across the precinct over the last four weeks.
Christmas and New Year are typically a quiet time as researchers take a well-earned break, but the recent Omicron wave of COVID-19 has meant long hours and challenging conditions for many of our colleagues, especially those in frontline health services. Below, you can hear from our experts on how the Alliance members are contributing to the pandemic response and their advice for staying safe as cases remain high in the community.
As 2021 came to a close, Alfred Health announced a number of new services including a first-of-its-kind mental health service for women and a new Cancer and Clinical Trials Hub on the Mornington Peninsula. Elsewhere on the precinct, scientists from Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute and Monash University collaborated on a new study that could inform treatment and prevent heart attacks in patients with diabetes, and Monash researchers have investigated how healthy lifestyle programs could improve outcomes for pregnant women.
A study by Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute has shown that death rates for people with type 2 diabetes are declining.
Alfred Health
Home for Christmas: Vanessa’s story
When Vanessa Matheson and her family headed to a friend’s house for a BBQ in late November, her focus was squarely on one thing.
Read more
Home for Christmas: Joe’s story
Two years ago, there was nothing more Joe Russo enjoyed than walking the leafy streets of Camberwell with his wife Anna.
Read more
Trauma rise a concern as holidays beckon
Since restrictions lifted, the number of Victorians needing care in The Alfred’s Emergency and Trauma Centre has risen to almost 100 patients each week.
Read more
First of its kind women’s mental health service announced
Alfred Health is set to play a lead role in overhauling how women access inpatient mental health care, with the delivery of a specialised 30-bed service announced today by acting premier James Merlino.
Read more
Enjoy the BBQ, not a hospital stay this summer
A spate of severe and larger than normal injuries caused by barbecues has burns experts urging caution around barbecues this summer.
Read more
Home for Christmas: Lizzy’s story
When 31-year-old Lizzy Maric woke up in the middle of the night in May this year feeling faint she immediately knew something wasn’t right.
Read more
Another milestone for improved clinical trials access in Victoria
The Australian Clinical Trials Network – TrialHub – which is based at Alfred Health – has hit another milestone in its mission to improve access to clinical trials across Victoria.
Read more
Monash University – Central Clinical School
New study could inform treatment and prevent heart attack in diabetic patients
A new study by researchers at the Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute and Monash University could help inform treatment and prevent serious events like a heart attack or death in diabetic patients at high risk of serious cardiovascular events.
Read more
‘Brain fog’ during menopause is real – it can disrupt women’s work, and spark dementia fears
For nearly two-thirds of women, menopause comes with an undesirable change in memory. Despite great progress in understanding the medical aspects of menopause – a natural part of life that occurs when a woman hasn’t had a menstrual period for 12 months – we’re only beginning to recognise the experience and impact of cognitive changes during menopause.
Read more
Monash University – School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine
New evidence shows the importance of healthy lifestyle programs in pregnancy
Healthy lifestyle programs in pregnancy support mums to achieve healthier pregnancies and improve health outcomes, Monash University research shows.
Read more
Black summer bushfires of 2019-20 led to huge health burden in NSW, study finds
On 14 January 2020, the level of potentially deadly particulate matter in the NSW bushfires was recorded at 14 times higher than the previous record.
Read more
Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute
Machine learning illuminates genetic links between blood cells and disease
Scientists from the Cambridge Baker Systems Genomics Initiative have used machine learning to create genetic predictors of blood cell traits, such as white blood cell counts, that are linked to chronic disease.
Read more
Death rates among people with type 2 diabetes have declined in many countries including Australia
People with type 2 diabetes are living longer, with a new study suggesting that health management strategies developed in recent decades may be working.
Read more
New study could inform treatment and prevent heart attack in diabetic patients
A new study by researchers at the Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute and Monash University could help inform treatment and prevent serious events like a heart attack or death in diabetic patients at high risk of serious cardiovascular events.
Read more
Burnet Institute
A Safe Delivery App: Putting life-saving information in the hands of midwives
We know midwives make a difference, but they need accurate up-to-date information on hand.
Read more
Modelling COVID-19: Can we predict the future?
Scientific models present options to decision-makers and possible consequences of those options, based on prevailing information.
Read more
Let every voice be heard
The Optimise Study gives Victoria’s non-English speaking communities the opportunity to contribute to policy.
Read more
Are vaccines the silver bullet?
Vaccination has helped to reduce the global burden of smallpox, polio and measles, and now, the COVID-19 pandemic.
Read more
2021 in Review: July to December
As the COVID-19 Delta variant sent many into lockdown, Burnet’s public health and infectious disease expertise played a key role in protecting the community and charting a path forward.
Read more
2021 in Review: January to June
As the pandemic continued into 2021, Burnet remained pivotal in the COVID-19 response and continued important work in achieving equity through better health.
Read more
Burnet secures $3m funding to help bolster COVID-19 pandemic protections
Victorian Government funding supports two Burnet research projects – Dimeric IgA therapeutic monoclonal antibody technology and Potent biologicals for the prevention and treatment of COVID-19.
Read more
A national response to COVID-19 is long overdue, but is yet to happen
Professor Brendan Crabb and Professor Mike Toole call for a nationally consistent approach to the current surge in COVID-19 cases, in an editorial for Nine Media publications.
Read more
Burnet and Doherty scientists develop highly accurate point-of-care neutralising antibodies (NAb) test for COVID-19
The test, which provides a readout from a fingerprick of blood in less than 20 minutes, is the first of its type globally.
Read more
How to have a safe(r) summer with COVID-19 cases rising in our communities
As COVID-19 cases increase across Australia, here are 10 THINGS TO CONSIDER to have a safe[r] summer from our public health research experts.
Read more
‘Can’t have business as usual’ with Omicron curveball
As COVID-19 cases rise to record highs in NSW, Professor Brendan Crabb speaks to The New Daily, recommending “non-restrictive” interventions to combat the Omicron variant.
Read more
NHMRC appointment for A/Prof Joshua Vogel
Associate Professor Joshua Vogel has been appointed to the National Health and Medical Research Council Research Committee for a three-year term.
Read more
Social media analysis reveals new insights into antivax movement
Analysis of recent social media posts shows the antivax movement is diverse and complex, with conflicting concepts and interpretations of freedom and human rights.
Read more