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Oral diseases such as tooth decay and erosion are the most prevalent diseases of humankind and create a substantial economic and social burden. The cost of treating oral diseases and disorders in Australia is $10 billion per annum, with the full global economic impact of oral diseases in 2010 estimated at US$442 billion.1 NHMRC-funded researchers at the Melbourne Dental School and the University of Melbourne have developed new technologies that significantly improve dental health, and that are being used worldwide.
Commonly referred to as a ‘second brain’, the role of the gut extends beyond being a digestor of food and drink. In fact, research has demonstrated time and time again the profound partnership between the gut and the brain, and the range of actions elicited by the chemical factory that is our gut microbiome. The gut-brain-axis operates through several pathways and chemical signals that have an influence over our mood, stress levels and cognitive function. So, with the support of the 100 trillion microbes that live within the human digestive system, Australian researchers are discovering how we can improve mental health conditions through diet.
As nutritional and psychological sciences advance, the evidence grows that diet is not only vital for physical health but also plays a significant role in mental wellbeing. While the burgeoning field of Nutritional Psychiatry shows correlations between not only what we eat and how we feel and behave, there is still so much to explore.
Colorectal adenocarcinoma, also known as colorectal cancer (CRC) or bowel cancer, is the second most common cause of cancer-related death in Australia. With one of the highest rates of CRC in the world, Australia was also the first country in the world to implement and sustain a national population-based organised CRC screening program using faecal immunochemical tests. NHMRC-funded researchers made key contributions to the program’s initial development and ongoing conduct.
Leukaemias are difficult-to-treat blood cancers, which are common among both young and older people. In Australia in 2023, around 20,000 people were diagnosed with a blood cancer and blood cancers accounted for an estimated 38% of all cancer cases among the 0–19 year-old age group. Over 5,000 Australians die each year from blood cancers.1 NHMRC-funded researchers at WEHI have made revolutionary breakthroughs in our understanding of leukaemia biology, leading to the development of a new type of anti-cancer drug, venetoclax, that has significantly improved treatment for leukaemia patients.
Professor Julie Bines from Murdoch Children's Research Institute is doing some inspiring work, developing the RV3-BB rotavirus vaccine. 'Funding for this research from the very early days has become very critical and NHMRC has provided much of that critical funding through the course of this project'. Listen to Professor Bines' story below.
Dr Clara Chow is Professor of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Academic Director of the Westmead Applied Research Centre and Academic Co-Director of CPC Westmead. She is a National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Investigator Grant Leadership awardee and with this leads a research program focused on innovation for health service provision and clinical management of cardiovascular disease prevention. Professor Clara Chow shares her research on cardiovascular disease prevention.
NHMRC caught up with Professor Andrew Lloyd from The University of New South Wales who develops vaccines for Hepatitis C, which effects 750,000 Australians. Find out how his research is not only helping treat Hepatitis C but working on prevention strategies.
Professor Louisa Jorm is the Foundation Director of the Centre for Big Data Research in Health at UNSW Sydney.
Professor Joanne Reed from the Garvan Institute's research focuses on autoimmune diseases, particularly the origin and role of autoantibodies. 'It's really promising research and NHMRC has been able to fund this. This is something that's capable of having a big impact'. Watch her story in the video below.
Associate Professor Antony Cooper from the Garvan Institute of Medical Research is a cell and molecular biologist / geneticist with strong interests in elucidating how cellular dysfunction results in human diseases, with a specific interest in neurodegenerative disease such as Parkinson’s Disease. His research on neurodegenerative diseases focuses on understanding the basis of Parkinson’s Disease. Watch his story in the video below.
Professor Hannan from the John Curtin School of Medical Research is an internationally recognised laboratory scientist, whose work on ribosome biogenesis has led to new treatment paradigms in cancer, centred on drugs that activate nucleolar stress. Professor Ross Hannan is a great detective of cancer research—finding and developing new cancer treatments for patients. Watch his story in the video below.
Professor Sandra Eades from Curtin University has dedicated her career to research in Aboriginal health improvements. Professor Eades works with National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) to advise and develop strategic guidelines focused on closing the gap.
International Women’s Day represents a day of collective global activism and celebration that belongs to all of those committed to forging women’s equality.In this Speaking of Science webinar held for International Women’s Day, we were joined by members of NHMRC’s Research Committee to discuss this year’s theme of ‘Inspire Inclusion’.