Around the Precinct – 14 October 2021

A new trial offers hope for heart transplant patients, with cardiac specialists at Alfred Health using a new method known as ‘hypothermic ex-vivo perfusion’ that could potentially double the amount of time donor hearts remain viable for transplantation.

Elsewhere, forensic scientists from Monash’s School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine are using a new technology in an Australian-first that enables the identification of cold case suspects or unknown deceased persons through their family trees.

And experts at Burnet Institute are speaking out against “pandemic levels of abuse” against scientists and public health experts in the media throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

Alfred Health XVIVO

Prof David McGiffin and Prof David Kaye with Alfred Health’s new XVIVO box.

Alfred Health

Community Vaccination Series Session 2
Alfred Health Infectious diseases physician and immunisation expert Prof Michelle Giles is joined by A/Prof Kate Stern, Head of Reproductive Services at The Royal Women’s Hospital, to share all you need to know about vaccination and fertility.
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Keeping hearts alive outside the body
A ground-breaking trial taking place across Australia and New Zealand could change the future of heart transplantation, potentially enabling up to 15 per cent more heart transplants to occur each year.
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Monash University – School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine

Forensic scientists identify long-term Jane and John Does in Australian first
Department of Forensic Medicine (DFM) researcher Dr Dadna Hartman has led colleagues within DFM and partner organisation the Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine (VIFM), and other agencies, in applying Forensic Genetic Genealogy (FGG) in an Australian context for the first time.
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Burnet Institute

Pandemic levels of abuse directed at COVID-19 experts
Burnet Institute leaders are among surveyed scientists prepared to call out threats they received for speaking to the media about COVID-19.
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Time for Australia to get serious about global vaccine equity
Ending COVID-19 everywhere is not just an ethical imperative, it is essential for a healthier, more open, and economically stronger Australia.
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The RTS,S malaria vaccine explained
Burnet’s Dr Liriye Kurtovic examines why has it taken until now for the WHO to recommend a malaria vaccine, and what it means for malaria elimination.
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Westpac grant for project to protect children 
A Burnet-led project to prevent the online exploitation of children has been awarded a Westpac Foundation research grant.
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Vaccinate the world before virus mutates
Burnet co-authors ‘A Shot of Hope’ report, outlining Australia’s role in vaccinating the world against COVID-19.
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WHO recommends first malaria vaccine for children at risk
Ground-breaking RTS,S vaccine found to be safe and effective at preventing malaria.
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