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SCS research and awards news

For all our research and awards news, please visit our news page.

Tuesday 28 October 2014

Science Gone Social

Scientists are beginning to embrace social media as a viable means of communicating with public audiences.
See full article here.

Leading paediatric infectious diseases specialist Professor David Burgner joins SCS

Leading paediatric infectious diseases specialist Professor David Burgner joined the Department of Paediatrics, School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health as Adjunct Professor earlier this month.

A highly regarded clinician-scientist, David completed his PhD on host genetics and severe malaria at the University of Oxford and in The Gambia, West Africa in paediatric infectious diseases (PID). 

Further to his medical training in the UK and Australia, David’s post-graduate training was at Great Ormond Street Hospital and St Mary's Hospital, Imperial College, London. 

David has a long-standing interest and solid track record in understanding susceptibility and outcomes in neonatal and paediatric infection and inflammation, particularly in relation to early cardiovascular risk. He is particularly interested in why some preterm infants develop severe infection and what factors might influence this risk and improve treatment. He is also interested in how early life inflammation and infection might affect the very early development of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular risk.

Costs of stroke remain high according to latest research led by SCS

Associate Professor Cadilhac
New data shows that healthcare and personal costs to support survivors of stroke remains high 10 years on.

The Monash University research, published last week in the journal Stroke, is the first to look at the long-term costs for the two main causes of stroke; ischemic where the blood supply stops due to a blood clot, and hemorrhagic, which occurs when a weakened blood vessel supplying the brain bursts.
Previous studies based on estimating the lifetime costs using patient data up to five years after a stroke, suggested that costs peaked in the first year and then declined in subsequent years.

The new findings, led by Associate Professor Dominique Cadilhac and Professor Amanda Thrift from the School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health, provides evidence that healthcare and personal expenses associated with a stroke continue to be substantial over time. The greatest ongoing costs being for aged care facilities and informal care.

New Monash Medicine MD discussed with Singapore Medical Council delegation

Members of the Singapore Medical Council (SMC) visited Monash University’s Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences earlier this month to discuss plans for the new Monash Medicine MD.

Hosted by Professor Michelle Leech, Deputy Dean, MBBS, the SMC delegation learnt about the exciting Monash degree that integrates both the direct entry and graduate entry MBBS programs into one medicine course. 

“The integration of the two programs creates an optimal opportunity to introduce the Monash MD,” said Professor Leech.

“Importantly, with the introduction of the Monash Medicine MD, the undergraduate (direct entry from school) and graduate entry pathways will continue to be available and articulate with the common MD program.”  

Monash Care launch: No Monash Doctor will struggle in silence

Monash Care – the Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy for Monash Doctors was launched last week at Monash Medical Centre by the Honourable Jeff Kennett AC.

Monash Health developed the Monash Care strategy in response to Mr Kennett’s challenge at last year’s Senior Medical Staff Association Christmas Dinner to “do something about the mental health and well-being of doctors”.

Key findings from the National Mental Health Survey of Doctors and Medical Students conducted by beyondblue last year also supported the need for action.  According to the survey, doctors reported substantially higher rates of psychological distress and attempted suicide compared to both the Australian population and other Australian professionals.

BASE launches low cost nutrition clinic

Monash is now offering personalised low-cost nutrition consultations to staff, students and the general public.

The Monash Nutrition Clinic offers personalised consultationson a range of nutrition issues including, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and food intolerances, bone health, child and adolescent nutrition, chronic disease management, pregnancy and breast feeding, high cholesterol as well as weight loss, diabetesand general healthy eating.

The new service is available at the Be Active Sleep Eat (BASE) Facility, part of the School of Clinical Sciences. Individual sessions last for 45-60 minutes for new appointments and 30 minutes for review sessions. The aim is to help people optimise their diet and assist with a variety of nutrition or health issues.    

CID presentation TODAY - 28 October at 12pm

Presented by Dr Yuan Yang
"Regulation of inflammation by Annexin A1 via promoting regulatory T cell activation"

Medicine Seminar Room located on Level 5, Block E MMC

Grand Round -Immunology-29 October 2014

This week's Grand Round, presented by Professor Stephen Holdsworth:  "Biological therapies for inflammatory diseases Current status – Inflammatory renal diseases and future directions"
Wednesday 29 October, 12.30pm 
Main Lecture Theatre, Monash Medical Centre, Clayton
Details here.





SCS research reveals costs of caring for stroke patients

Associate Professor Dominque Cadilhac, School of Clinical Sciences, discusses research into the costs of caring for stoke patients ten years on.

http://www.news-medical.net/news/20141026/Monash-University-research-explores-long-term-costs-for-two-main-causes-of-stroke.aspx


Skipping breakfast proves weight and waist loss winner

Encouraging Australians to skip breakfast and all snacks between 8pm and midday might be the best way to tackle our epidemic of central obesity, fatty liver disease and their complications, says SCS PhD candidate and gastroenterologist Dr Alex Hodge.




NHMRC Standard Equipment Grants for 2014 - CALL FOR APPLICATIONS (due Wednesday 19 November)

NHMRC Standard Equipment Grants are now open for application and we have been advised that a sum of $699,792.36 has been allocated to Monash University for 2014.  
The NHMRC has clearly defined objectives for awarding Equipment Grant funding, which are:
  • The need for institutions to be strategic in the purchase of larger items of equipment that will benefit health and medical research in Australia; 
  • Institutions are encouraged to support equipment that will be used collaboratively; and
  • Where possible, Australian-made equipment should be purchased. 

News from Monash Medical Centre Animal Facilities (MMCAF)

Please read MMCAF quarterly newsletter here.

OHS training requirements

As presented at the last School meeting, our new School Manager, Eugene Fredericks, will be working closely with the OHS Committee to ensure that all staff and students in the School operate in a safe workplace. One way of achieving that status is to ensure that all personnel have undertaken the required OHS training, depending upon their individual roles and responsibilities in the School.

In addition, we are required to regularly report to Faculty on our training completions across the School.

For your information, the OHS training requirements for staff and students can be found here: 

OHS update - Liquid Nitrogen Training, 5 November

Liquid Nitrogen training:
Date: Wed 5 Nov 2014
Time: 2.30pm - 3.30pm
Venue: MIMR Level 2 Meeting Room.

The training is open to all staff and students who use or work in areas where LN2 is used. To register for the training, please email: Ganeema.Tokhi@mimr-phi.org