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Research
Global participatory wastewater surveillance to understand mpox clade diversity in war and conflict-affected countriesWar and conflict severely disrupt public health systems, compromising infectious disease surveillance in many affected regions. Mpox, a re-emerging zoonotic disease, poses a growing global threat, especially in areas where traditional monitoring is inaccessible.The mpox virus has distinct clades with varying transmission and severity.
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The Use of Alcohol Pharmacotherapies and Prescription Contraceptives among Females of Reproductive Age in AustraliaThere is no clear clinical guidance on the use of alcohol pharmacotherapies in pregnancy due to insufficient safety information. Contraception should therefore be considered for reproductive-aged females receiving alcohol pharmacotherapies not wishing to become pregnant. This study evaluated the concurrent use of alcohol pharmacotherapies with prescription contraception and other medications in Australian females of reproductive age compared to those not receiving an alcohol pharmacotherapy.
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Changes in airway inflammation with pseudomonas eradication in early cystic fibrosisNeutrophil elastase is a significant risk factor for structural lung disease in cystic fibrosis, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa airway infection is linked with neutrophilic inflammation and substantial respiratory morbidity. We aimed to evaluate how neutrophil elastase (NE) activity changes after P. aeruginosa eradication and influences early disease outcomes. We assessed participants in the AREST CF cohort between 2000 and 2018 who had P. aeruginosa cultured from their routine annual bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid and who underwent eradication treatment and a post eradication BAL. Factors associated with persistent P. aeruginosa infection, persistent neutrophilic inflammation following eradication and worse structural lung disease one year post-eradication were evaluated.
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New collaboration to boost kids early childhood development outcomes across AustraliaA new collaboration has been launched to fast track research into action to improve outcomes in the crucial early years of child development and learning.
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Role of Tris-CaEDTA as an adjuvant with nebulised tobramycin in cystic fibrosis patients with Pseudomonas aeruginosa lung infections: A randomised controlled trialWe tested if disrupting iron utilisation by P. aeruginosa by adding the Tris-buffered chelating agent CaEDTA to nebulised tobramycin would enhance bacterial clearance and improve lung function in CF patients.
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Phage therapy for multi-drug resistant respiratory tract infectionsThe emergence of multi-drug resistant (MDR) bacteria is recognised today as one of the greatest challenges to public health. As traditional antimicrobials are becoming ineffective and research into new antibiotics is diminishing, a number of alternative treatments for MDR bacteria have been receiving greater attention. Bacteriophage therapies are being revisited and present a promising opportunity to reduce the burden of bacterial infection in this post-antibiotic era.
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A world first for Aussie kids putting Australia's children on the mapIn a world first, 96 per cent of communities in Australia now have vital information about their children's development
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Determinants of lung function development from birth to age 5 years: an interrupted time series analysis of a South African birth cohortEarly life is a key period that determines long-term health. Lung development in childhood predicts lung function attained in adulthood and morbidity and mortality across the life course. We aimed to assess the effect of early-life lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) and associated risk factors on lung development from birth to school age in a South African birth cohort.
News & Events
How mums talk influences children’s perspective-taking abilityNew research shows that kids whose mums talk more frequently about others' thoughts tend to be better at taking another's perspective than other children.
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How climate change degrades child health: A systematic review and meta-analysisChildren are more vulnerable than adults to climate-related health threats, but reviews examining how climate change affects human health have been mainly descriptive and lack an assessment of the magnitude of health effects children face. This is the first systematic review and meta-analysis that identifies which climate-health relationships pose the greatest threats to children.
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WA researchers awarded $9.7 million for ground-breaking child health studiesWA researchers awarded $9.7 million for ground-breaking child health studies
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Fathers’ preconception smoking and offspring DNA methylationExperimental studies suggest that exposures may impact respiratory health across generations via epigenetic changes transmitted specifically through male germ cells. Studies in humans are, however, limited. We aim to identify epigenetic marks in offspring associated with father's preconception smoking.
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New approach needed to tackle child abuse and neglectLeading child advocates have called for a new approach to tackling child abuse and neglect amid rising rates of abuse notifications
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Switching from tobacco cigarettes in very early pregnancy: The effects of in utero e-cigarette exposure on mouse offspring neurodevelopment and behaviourElectronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) are often perceived to be safer than smoking, which has led to some women switching to e-cigarettes during pregnancy. However, the effects of switching from smoking to e-cigarettes on both pregnancy outcomes and the foetus are largely unknown. This study aimed to investigate the effects of switching from tobacco smoking to e-cigarette use in very early pregnancy on birth outcomes, neurodevelopment and behaviour of the offspring.
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Pulmonary bacteriophage and cystic fibrosis airway mucus: friends or foes?For those born with cystic fibrosis (CF), hyper-concentrated mucus with a dysfunctional structure significantly impacts CF airways, providing a perfect environment for bacterial colonization and subsequent chronic infection. Early treatment with antibiotics limits the prevalence of bacterial pathogens but permanently alters the CF airway microenvironment, resulting in antibiotic resistance and other long-term consequences.
News & Events
Improving development and learning of children in Western AustraliaDiscover the EYI Research Profile at The Kids' Institute, showcasing innovative child health research and its impact on young lives.
News & Events
Australia-first Declaration highlights early childhood action requiredMore than 70 leading early childhood experts have come together with CoLab to develop the first-ever Australian Declaration (of evidence) for Early Childhood.
News & Events
Novel CoLab seeks to narrow the early childhood gapA new partnership between The Kids and the Minderoo Foundation is trying to change the ways Government and communities address disadvantage and neglect.
News & Events
Early Years Partnership budget boost welcomedThe Kids Research Institute Australia has welcomed today’s announcement by the Cook Government and Minderoo Foundation of a $34.6 million boost for the Early Years Partnership to achieve better outcomes for children.
Research
Prevalence of breakfast skipping among children and adolescents: a cross-sectional population level studyInterventions to promote breakfast consumption are a popular strategy to address early life inequalities. It is important to understand the epidemiology of children and adolescents who skip breakfast so that interventions and policy can be appropriately considered.