Author: admin

  • Dialysis patient hope as world-first trial tracks breakthrough in infection testing

    A world first project – led by Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital Consultant Nephroloigst Dr Aron Chakera – centres on two tests which have the potential to minimise complications of the more lifestyle friendly form of dialysis.

    Peritoneal Dialysis (PD) can offer patients a better quality of life than conventional haemodialysis because it can be delivered outside the clinical setting. PD offers great flexibility for dialysis patients to pursue everyday activities, including employment. Haemodialysis is usually undertaken for periods of four to five hours at a time, three times a week, all year. It’s rarely available outside a hospital setting, preventing many patients from travelling far from their treating hospitals.

    Doctors and patients are often wary of PD due to its heightened association with peritonitis – an infection within the abdomen – which can lead to treatment failure and death. What can make peritonitis fatal is determining the cause of infection can take time and delays the start of appropriate treatment. These delays can be even longer for patients living in remote areas.

    Dr Chakera and his research team believe the solution could lie in two tests which slash the time taken to identify the cause of infection, enabling earlier treatment and reduced severity of infection.

    One of the new tests is used like a home pregnancy test, with the appearance to two lines in a panel providing almost immediate confirmation of infection. The second test which has been developed in Western Australia by PathWest scientists, can not only reduce the wait time for a diagnosis by hours or even days but also predict antibiotic resistance.

     

    Read the full media statement

  • Discovery Indigenous Funding 2021

    The Discovery Indigenous scheme provides grant funding to support research projects led by an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander researcher.

     

    The scheme aims to:

    • Support excellent basic and applied research and research training by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander researchers as individuals and as teams
    • Support national and international research collaboration
    • Enhance the scale and focus of research in Australian Government priority areas
    • Support and retain established Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander researchers in higher education institutions

     

    The intended outcomes of the scheme are:

    • Expanded knowledge base and research capacity in Australia
    • Economic, commercial, environmental, social and/or cultural benefits for Australia

     

    To be eligible the application must:

    • Be submitted through the Research Office of an Eligible Organisation listed in the Grant Guidelines
    • Must nominate at least one Chief Investigator (CI) or a Discovery Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Award (DAATSIA) candidate
    • The first named CI must be an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander researcher and will be the Project Leader
    • To be eligible to apply as a DAATSIA candidate, the individual nominated must be an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
      • As at the grant opportunity closing date not be nominated for more than one DAATSIA in any given year
    • To be eligible to apply as a CI, DAATSIA candidate or Partner Investigator (PI), the individual nominated must as the grant opportunity closing date:
      • Have met their obligations regarding previously funded projects, including submission to the ARC of satisfactory final reports
    • A CI or DAATSIA candidate must meet at lest one of the following criteria at the grant commencement date:
      • Be an employee for at least 20% full time equivalent (0.2 FTE) at an Eligible Organisation
      • Or be a holder of an honorary academic appointment at an Eligible Organisation

    For further eligibility requirements please read the Grant Guidelines

     

    Application Submission Instructions:

    • Must be submitted as a mature research plan presenting the proposed project ready for implementation and must contain all the information necessary for its assessment without the need for further written or oral explanation, or reference to additional documentation (unless requested by the ARC)
    • Applicants should note the eligibility criteria for access to other funding schemes, as expressed in the Grant Guidelines for those schemes
    • Administering Organisations must submit applications through the Research Management System (RMS) unless otherwise advised by the ARC
    • All applications must meet the format and content requirements, including certification, as set out in the RMS online form and the Instructions to Applicants for Discovery Indigenous for funding commencing in 2021

     

    There is between $30,000 up to $2.5 million available for funding.

     

    Applications close 2pm (AWST), Wednesday 18 March, 2020. Read more information

  • Endometriosis Research Grant Opportunity (EPCDR Initiative)

    The Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) Emerging Priorities and Consumer Driven Research (EPCDR) Initiative aims to enable or support:

    • High quality biomedical, clinical, health services and/or population health research which improves patient care
    • Translation of new discoveries into clinical practice
    • New diagnoses, treatments and cures to those suffering from rare and debilitating conditions
    • Joint collaboration of consumers and researchers in undertaking research in emerging priority areas, and
    • Many Australians with debilitating conditions

     

    The objectives of the 2019 Endometriosis Research grant opportunity aims to:

    • Facilitate innovative, high quality research which will lead to:
      • Improved diagnosis and treatment of endometriosis
      • Research which will address the gaps in research, leading to a better understanding of the causes and underlying factors which contribute to the development and progression of endometriosis
      • Facilitate consumer involvement in the design and evaluation of the research project (including participation in the conduct of the research)
      • Provide high-quality evidence for the new health treatments and/or drugs (where appropriate)
      • Enable rapid translation of consumer-relevant research into clinical practice, health policy and/or health advice which will lead to positive impacts for consumers
      • Encourage the development of multi-disciplinary research teams which deliver measurable outcomes which are a priority for consumers
      • Encourage collaboration between research teams, policy makers, healthcare funders and the health delivery sector (e.g. education, community, industry and/or healthcare)

     

    The total amount available is $9 million. Applications must be submitted electronically via the Research Grants Management System (RGMS). More information

     

    Applications are now open, with minimum data due 22 January, 2020. Applications close 2pm (AWST), Wednesday 5 February, 2020.

     

     

  • Lions Eye Institute Research Week Lectures now free to view

    Good eye sight plays an integral role in people’s quality of life. The Lions Eye Institute (LEI) shares important developments in research into vision loss and blindness during its inaugural LEI Research Week. LEI hosted a series of free lectures during their Research Week, and have made the below available for viewing.

     

    The videos now available for viewing include:

  • Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) Grant Opportunities

    There are two grant opportunities in the Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) space in the category of Health Promotion and Prevention Programs.

     

    • FASD – Consumer Resources – the purpose of this opportunity is to develop FASD consumer resources to increase the general awareness of FASD, and contribute to the prevention of FASD, as well as outline the potential consequences of drinking whilst pregnant.

     

    • FASD – Early Childhood Identification Guide – the purpose of this opportunity is to develop a FASD Guide for people working in early childhood education settings. The FASD Guide is to support educators to assist children with FASD, and to encourage positive outcomes for children and their families.

     

    Applications for both close on 11am (WST), Tuesday January 10. Click the links above for more information.

  • CT:IQ – Clinical Trials: Thinking Smarter Survey

    CT:IQ Clinical Trials: Thinking Smarter is a cross industry, collaborative group which aims to improve recruitment into clinical trials within Australia. As a part of this project the team are seeking opinions from all parts of the community, including researchers, clinicians, consumers and community members on the barriers and enablers to a site which will be designed to recruite participtants to clinical trials.

     

    The introduction of the survey provides details of the project, confidentiality and privacy of responses. The survey will take approximately 10-20 minutes to complete.

    The survey will close on Saturday November 30.

    Click here to take the Survey

     

    The ethical conduct of this survey has been approved by the Macquarie University Human Research Ethics Committee (Project ID 5764) and will be carried out according to the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research (2007) produced by the NHMRC.

     

    If you have any questions about this survey or the project please contact the CT:IQ Project Manager, Sonia Harvey

  • Rare Cancers, Rare Diseases and Unmet Need Grant Opportunities

    The Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) Clinical Trial Activity in the Rare Cancers, Rare Diseases and Unmet Need Grant Opportunities are now open. The Minimum Data submission date is 2pm (AWST), Wednesday January 22.

     

    Applications must satisfy all the requirements set out in the 2019 Rare Cancers, Rare Diseases and Unmet Need Grant Opportunity Guideline.

     

    The following opportunities are open:

    • 2019 Reproductive Cancers Grant Opportunity – Read More
      • Applicants to this opportunity must propose a clinical trial which addresses a gap in current research and/or knowledge in reproductive cancer
      • Total amount available = $15 million
    • 2019 Childhood Brain Cancer Grant Opportunity – Read More
      • Applicants to this opportunity must propose a clinical trial which addresses a gap in current research and/or knowledge in childhood brain cancer
      • Total amount available = $5 million
    • 2019 Neurological Disorders Grant Opportunity – Read More
      • Applicants to this opportunity must propose a clinical trial which addresses a gap in current research and/or knowledge in neurological disorders, including (but not limited to) Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD), spinal cord injuries (SCI), and Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD)
      • Total amount available = $20 million
    • 2019 Rare Cancers, Rare Diseases and Unmet Need Grant Opportunity – Read More
      • Applicants to this opportunity must propose a clinical trial which addresses a gap in current research and/or knowledge in rare cancers, rare diseases and areas of unmet medical need
      • Total amount available = $15 million

     

     

  • Centre for Nursing Research 2017-2018 Biennial Report

    Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital believes that high quality research is fundamental to the future of nursing.

    As a result of this core belief, the Centre for Nursing Research was developed in conjunction with Edith Cowan University and has more recently established partnerships with Curtin University and Murdoch University.

    This innovative and unique framework gives Sir Charles Gairdner nurses the opportunity to work with experienced academic researchers to advance nursing practice through practical research programs, explore clinical practice issues relevant to nursing and work towards improving outcomes for patients and their families.

    The Centre for Nursing Research 2017-2018 Biennial Report was launched during Research week last month and can be viewed on the Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital website.

  • Webinar recording: Get your scientific paper (journal article or research report) finished and submitted!

    Publishing your research is essential if you want an academic career. Despite knowing this, many scientists are unable to make the time required to write and submit their papers. During the past 15 years working as an academic editor and writing coach, Dr Malini Devadas has met countless academics who have half-finished drafts sitting on their computers, with no sign of submission in sight. If one of your New Year’s resolutions for 2020 is to write and submit your academic journal articles in a timely manner, join Malini for this free webinar which takes you through the four essential stages of writing a paper.

    Watch the webinar recording.

  • Monash Partners Healthcare Improvement and Implementation Science MOOC

    The Monash Partners Healthcare Improvement and Implementation Science massive open online course (MOOC) opens Monday November 11. This course is freely available to all staff across the Australian Health Research Alliance (AHRA).

    This short course has been co-designed by the Monash-Warwick Alliance, a partnership between Monash University and Warwick University, and Monash Partners especially for health professionals working in the area of healthcare management and administration.

    During the course participants will increase their understanding of complex healthcare systems, the capabilities and skills needed to mobilise new knowledge and identify processes for building ‘agency’ across the levels of the individual, the organisation and the wider system.

    The course begins on 11 November 2019 and can be access here

    Please contact Laura Robson, Monash Partners Workforce Development Coordinator, if you require any further information.