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New biography tells story of a Victorian medical pioneer

New biography tells story of a Victorian medical pioneer


By Eszter Vasenszky, 2 September 2010

For a quarter of a century, the man known as the father of clinical genetics in Australia, Professor David Danks, was at the forefront of research and discoveries following on from the initial discovery of DNA.

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Mobile phones track teens’ mental health in Albury-Wodonga

Mobile phones track teens’ mental health in Albury-Wodonga


By Michelle Trewartha, 4 August 2010

A program that uses mobile phones to track the mental health of young people is being trialed in Albury-Wodonga.

Healthy Development  /  Adolescents

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World-first vaccine candidate for newborns to help combat deadly rotavirus

World-first vaccine candidate for newborns to help combat deadly rotavirus


By Michelle Trewartha, 20 July 2010

Australian researchers have begun clinical trials of a new vaccine to protect newborn infants against rotavirus, a life-threatening diarrhoeal disease that kills half a million children worldwide each year.

Infection, Immunity and Environment  /  Enteric Viruses

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Violence linked to puberty

Violence linked to puberty


By Eszter Vasenszky, 13 July 2010

Violent behaviour dramatically increases during puberty, according to a study of almost 6000 adolescents in Victoria, Australia and Washington State, USA.

Healthy Development  /  Adolescents

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Run Melbourne team gets behind Callum

Run Melbourne team gets behind Callum


By Eszter Vasenszky, 9 July 2010

Mount Martha youngster Callum has inspired his family and friends to both run a marathon and launch a major fundraising campaign to support research at Murdoch Childrens.

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Prems thrive on extra care, home delivered

Prems thrive on extra care, home delivered


By Eszter Vasenszky, 2 July 2010

Providing home-based intervention for very premature babies and their families can significantly improve child behaviour and reduce parental stress, according to new Australian research.

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Funding boost for baby test

Funding boost for baby test


By Eszter Vasenszky, 9 June 2010

A program to test newborns for serious health conditions is among those set to benefit from a State Government equipment funding boost.

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Donations vital for life-saving research

Donations vital for life-saving research


By Eszter Vasenszky, 9 June 2010

Donors play a vital role in helping our research team find answers to pressing child health problems.

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New study on common facial defect

New study on common facial defect


By Eszter Vasenszky, 9 June 2010

Donors have helped fund a new study to investigate the genes that are involved in cleft lip and cleft palate.

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IVF babies followed up as adults

IVF babies followed up as adults


By Eszter Vasenszky, 9 June 2010

In the three decades since the birth of the world’s first test tube baby, thousands of Australian couples have sought IVF treatment to conceive miracle babies of their own.

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Donors give hope to Crohn’s patients

Donors give hope to Crohn’s patients


By Eszter Vasenszky, 9 June 2010

The Royal Children’s Hospital diagnoses 100 new children with Crohn’s disease every year.

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Active lifestyle may hold key to delaying Huntington disease

Active lifestyle may hold key to delaying Huntington disease


By Eszter Vasenszky, 13 May 2010

An active and mentally stimulating lifestyle could delay the onset of Huntington disease, according to a world-first study led by the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Melbourne.

Laboratory and Community Genetics  /  Genetic Health Research (Bruce Lefroy Centre)

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Lower sunlight exposure in pregnancy linked to multiple sclerosis risk

Lower sunlight exposure in pregnancy linked to multiple sclerosis risk


By Eszter Vasenszky, 30 April 2010

A child’s place of birth and their mother’s exposure to sunlight during early pregnancy could play an important role in later life multiple sclerosis risk, according to a new Australian study by the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute and The Australian National University.

Infection, Immunity and Environment  /  Environmental and Genetic Epidemiology Research

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Finding a preventable cause of leukaemia

Reports following seasonal influenza vaccine in Victoria


By Eszter Vasenszky, April 2010

The Victorian immunisation safety service SAEFVIC has received 55 reports of fever and eight reports of febrile convulsions in children under five following the seasonal influenza vaccine, Fluvax, since March. Three children were admitted to hospital with febrile convulsions. All children with febrile convulsions have recovered.

Infection, Immunity and Environment  /  Immunisation Research (VIRGo/Immunisation CCRE)

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Finding a preventable cause of leukaemia

Finding a preventable cause of leukaemia


By Rebecca Harford, March 2010

This year alone more than 600 Australian children will be diagnosed with cancer. Whilst survival rates for some childhood leukaemias have improved dramatically, from 20 per cent in the 1970’s to 80 per cent today, the same number of children are still getting cancer.
The Murdoch Childrens is heading up the world’s largest study into the case of leukaemia, the most common cause of preventable childhood cancer.

Early Development and Disease  /  Cancer

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Tiny tots beating the odds

Tiny tots beating the odds


By Rebecca Harford, March 2010

14 weeks premature, Alicia weighed just over one kilogram and spent the first three months of her life in hospital.
Looking at Alicia today, it’s hard to imagine she was once small enough to fit into the palms of her mother’s hands.

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Stuck for words

Stuck for words


By Rebecca Harford, March 2010

Getting words out can be a struggle for some youngsters. Our research shows 8.5 per cent of children stutter by the time they turn three – almost twice the rate previously reported.

Healthy Development  /  Hearing, Language and Literacy

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Employer of Choice for Women

Employer of Choice for Women


By Eszter Vasenszky, March 2010

The Murdoch Childrens Research Institute has been recognised as an Employer of Choice for Women for a seventh year.

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'Controlled crying' technique safe for babies

'Controlled crying' technique safe for babies


By Eszter Vasenszky, March 2010

Using behavioural techniques including ‘controlled crying’ to help infants sleep does not lead to later emotional and behavioural problems, according to new research by the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute.

Healthy Development  /  Children

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Fundraiser to help children like Harry

Fundraiser to help children like Harry


By Eszter Vasenszky, March 2010

Sunbury four-year-old Harry Payne has been a regular visitor at the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute and The Royal Children’s Hospital since he was born with an extremely rare brain disorder.

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Mums' work-life balance shapes children's health

Mums' work-life balance shapes children's health


By Eszter Vasenszky, February 2010

Children whose mothers work part-time are less likely to be overweight than children whose mums are in full-time work or not in the workforce, according to new Australian research.

Healthy Development  /  Mental Health

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Gallery launch supports child health

Gallery launch supports child health


By Eszter Vasenszky, February 2010

The launch of the Red Desert Dreamings Gallery is giving a vital boost to child health research.

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Research Priorities

Research Priorities


By Eszter Vasenszky, February 2010

There are a number of significant health conditions on the rise in Australian children today, which remain unsolved and have the potential to create an enormous social and financial burden on families and the community. Murdoch Childrens has identified four of these areas as strategic priorities for our research team.

Infection, Immunity and Environment  /  Immunisation Research (VIRGo/Immunisation CCRE)

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Swine flu vaccine trial results in children published

Swine flu vaccine trial results in children published


By Eszter Vasenszky, December 2009

An Australian study into the effectiveness of a H1N1 swine flu vaccine has revealed a single dose produces an excellent response against the virus in most children.

Infection, Immunity and Environment  /  Immunisation Research (VIRGo/Immunisation CCRE)

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Sport the leading cause of child head injuries

Sport the leading cause of child head injuries


By Eszter Vasenszky, December 2009

Sports are the leading cause of head injuries among Victorian children and adolescents presenting to hospital, with Australian Rules football accounting for one in three sports-related head injuries, according to a study by the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute.

Critical Care and Neurosciences  /  Child Neuropsychology

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Females battle to suppress their inner male

Females battle to suppress their inner male


By Eszter Vasenszky, December 2009

The discovery by German scientists that turning off a single gene can cause masculinity in female mice could have important implications for humans, according to world renowned genetics expert Professor Andrew Sinclair, from the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute.

Early Development and Disease  /  Molecular Development

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Australian preschoolers get fatter

Australian preschoolers get fatter


By Eszter Vasenszky, December 2009

The number of overweight and obese Australian preschoolers increased by more than 8000 between 2004 and 2008 as children spent more time watching television and less time being physically active, new research shows.

Healthy Development  /  Public Health Hearing

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Video games linked to poor health

Video games linked to poor health


By Eszter Vasenszky, December 2009

Children who play video games are putting themselves at increased risk of poor health and well-being, researchers at Murdoch Childrens have found.

Healthy Development  /  Community Child Health

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Helping mothers beat depression

Helping mothers beat depression


By Eszter Vasenszky, December 2009

Better national strategies are needed to identify and treat depression in women during and after pregnancy, according to researchers at Murdoch Childrens.

Healthy Development  /  Healthy Mothers Healthy Families

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‘Preparing couples for life with a new baby

Preparing couples for life with a new baby


By Eszter Vasenszky, December 2009

Relationship problems, tiredness, guilt and anxiety are among problems experienced by many new mothers, a study has found.

Healthy Development  /  Healthy Mothers Healthy Families

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Australian boys more violent than US peers

Australian boys more violent than US peers


By Eszter Vasenszky, November 2009

Australian school boys have admitted to being more violent than their US counterparts.

Healthy Development  /  Adolescent Health

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‘Hearts and Minds’ study celebrates young patients

‘Hearts and Minds’ study celebrates young patients


By Eszter Vasenszky, November 2009

A celebration was recently held to thank families involved in a study looking at the impact of heart surgery on babies’ brains.

Critical Care and Neurosciences  /  Paediatric Intensive Care

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Gates grant funds pneumonia research

Gates grant funds pneumonia research


By Eszter Vasenszky, November 2009

Murdoch Childrens Research Institute has received a US$1.25 million (AUD$1.34 million) grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to help combat childhood pneumonia.

Infection, Immunity and Environment  /  International Child Health

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What kind of doctor gives Botox to a five year old?

What kind of doctor gives Botox to a five year old?


By Rebecca Harford, October 2009

Chances are, if the child has cerebral palsy, then the doctor would be a specialist at the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute.

Musculoskeletal Disorders  /  Orthopaedics and Gait Analysis

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You breathe a sigh of relief that she’s alive. Then you discover she can’t breathe.

You breathe a sigh of relief that she’s alive. Then you discover she can’t breathe.


By Rebecca Harford, October 2009

It’s a miracle that little Montana, 16 weeks premature and weighing less than a pound of butter, has actually survived. But she is not out of the woods yet.

Critical Care and Neurosciences  /  Victorian Infant Brain Studies (VIBeS)

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Teens and young adults most at risk of death

Teens and young adults most at risk of death


By Eszter Vasenszky, September 2009

Young people from developed countries including Australia are up to four times more likely to die in their late teens and early twenties than in earlier childhood.

Healthy Development  /  Adolescent Health

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Better policies needed to fight childhood obesity

Better policies needed to fight childhood obesity


By Eszter Vasenszky, September 2009

Current national guidelines for GPs to help overweight and obese children lose weight are costly and ineffective, according to a new Australian study published online in the British Medical Journal.

Healthy Development  /  Public Health Hearing

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Reassessing alcohol in pregnancy

Reassessing alcohol in pregnancy


By Eszter Vasenszky, September 2009

Women are told not to drink during pregnancy to protect their babies, but can the odd glass of wine actually cause any harm?

Laboratory and Community Genetics  /  Public Health Genetics

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Very premature toddlers face social-emotional problems

Sex determining gene in birds identified


By Eszter Vasenszky, August 2009

The key gene that determines sex in birds has been discovered by researchers at the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, University of Melbourne and CSIRO, as published online today in the prestigious journal Nature.

Laboratory and Community Genetics  /  Metabolic Research

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Very premature toddlers face social-emotional problems

Very premature toddlers face social-emotional problems


By Eszter Vasenszky, August 2009

More than a third of children born very premature display symptoms of social-emotional problems including anxiety and depression by the time they turn two, according to a new study by the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute.

Critical Care and Neurosciences  /  Victorian Infant Brain Studies (VIBeS)

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Pandemic H1N1 swine flu vaccine trial set to start

Pandemic H1N1 swine flu vaccine trial set to start


By Eszter Vasenszky, July 2009

Children are being recruited for a pandemic H1N1 swine flu vaccine trial set to begin in Melbourne next week.

Infection, Immunity and Environment  /  Immunisation Research (VIRGo/Immunisation CCRE)

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Head injuries strike youngsters

Head injuries strike youngsters


By Eszter Vasenszky, July 2009

Babies and toddlers are twice as likely to present to hospital with head injuries as older children, according to new research from the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute.

Critical Care and Neurosciences  /  Child Neuropsychology

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Premature birth: Angus’ story

Premature birth: Angus’ story


By Rebecca Harford, July 2009

Realising Angus would be born 15 weeks early and with less than 50 percent chance of survival was terrifying for his parents Michael & Andrea

Critical Care and Neurosciences  /  Victorian Infant Brain Studies (VIBeS)

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Childhood leukaemia: Jordans story

Childhood leukaemia: Jordans story


By Rebecca Harford, July 2009

Chemotherapy was traumatic for five-year-old Jordan.

Early Development and Disease  /  Cancer

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Children who stutter: Caleb’s story

Children who stutter: Caleb’s story


By Rebecca Harford, July 2009

Five year old Caleb started stuttering two years ago.

Healthy Development  /  Language and Literacy

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Nut allergy: Monte’s story

Nut allergy: Monte’s story


By Rebecca Harford, July 2009

It just took a hint of cashews in a piece carrot cake for eight-year-old Monte to be covered head to toe in hives and struggling to breathe.

Infection, Immunity and Environment  /  Allergy and Immune Disorders

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Alcohol in teens risky for adult health

Alcohol in teens risky for adult health


By Eszter Vasenszky, June 2009

Drinking ‘safe’ amounts of alcohol does not protect teenagers from developing alcohol-related problems as adults.

Healthy Development  /  Adolescent Health

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Common anti-clot drug less safe in children

Common anti-clot drug less safe in children


By Eszter Vasenszky, June 2009

New research has shown Heparin is neither as safe nor as effective in children as previously thought

Critical Care and Neurosciences  /  Haematology Research

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Good bugs in pregnancy ward off infant allergy

Good bugs in pregnancy ward off infant allergy


By Eszter Vasenszky, June 2009

Giving probiotics to women in the final weeks of pregnancy leads to a healthy gut flora in their babies and may reduce the risk of eczema in young children.

Infection, Immunity and Environment  /  Allergy and Immune Disorders

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Placenta a vitamin D gatekeeper

Placenta a vitamin D gatekeeper


By Eszter Vasenszky, June 2009

Vitamin D levels are usually tightly regulated by the liver but double during pregnancy. The reason why this happens is beginning to be understood.

Early Development and Disease  /  Developmental Epigenetics

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National Award for Professor Melissa Wake

National Award for Professor Melissa Wake


By Eszter Vasenszky, June 2009

Professor Melissa Wake is the recipient of the 2009 Federal Health Minister’s Award for Excellence in Health and Medical Research.

Healthy Development  /  Community Child Health

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Hip disease scale

Hip disease scale


By Kylie Skotnicki, April 2009

Researchers at Murdoch Childrens, in collaboration with Melbourne University and the Royal Children’s Hospital, have created the first classification system for hip displacement in children with cerebral palsy (CP).

Musculoskeletal Disorders  /  Orthopaedics and Gait Analysis

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GPs & prenatal screening

GPs & prenatal screening


By Kylie Skotnicki, April 2009

General Practitioners need better support with informing women of prenatal screening tests for foetal abnormality, according to new research at Murdoch Childrens.

Laboratory and Community Genetics  /  Public Health Genetics

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Understanding food allergy and anaphylaxis in adolescent school students

Understanding food allergy and anaphylaxis in adolescent school students


By Kylie Skotnicki, March 2009

Childhood food allergy such as peanut allergy has become a major public health problem. The apparently-rising incidence is magnified by the extremely rare but devastating consequences of sudden death in a healthy child following food-induced anaphylaxis.

Infection, Immunity and Environment  /  Allergy and Immune Disorders

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Stuttering in preschool common but recoverable

Stuttering in preschool common but recoverable


By Kylie Skotnicki, March 2009

Stuttering is much more common during the pre-school years than previously thought, new research has found.

Healthy Development  /  Language and Literacy

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Finding a new trigger for stomach cancer

Finding a new trigger for stomach cancer


By Kylie Skotnicki, March 2009

New research by Murdoch Childrens could lead to early detection of stomach cancer and the development of new drugs to prevent the disease.

Infection, Immunity and Environment  /  Gastrointestinal Research in Inflammation and Pathology (GRIP)

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Andrew Sinclair

2010 program grant winner


By Kylie Skotnicki, February 2009

Professor Andrew Sinclair has been awarded $5 million from the Federal Government for research into Disorders of sexual development.

Early Development and Disease  /  Molecular Development

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Disclosing genetic research results


By Kylie Skotnicki, February 2009

Information obtained from performing genetic tests on stored tissue samples can be highly valuable, but is it ethical?

Laboratory and Community Genetics  /  Genetics Education and Health Research

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Helping children grow tall and strong

Helping children grow tall and strong


By Kylie Skotnicki, February 2009

More than 1000 children born in Australia every year have skeletal formation problems which lead to poorly formed and fragile bones, early arthritis and short stature.

Musculoskeletal Disorders  /  Skeletal Biology and Disease

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Smell ability linked to ADHD

Smell ability linked to ADHD


By Kylie Skotnicki, February 2009

For the first time, a link has been made between a child’s sense of smell and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Critical Care and Neurosciences  /  Developmental Neuropsychiatry Research

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Clinical trials for Rotavirus vaccine

Clinical trials for Rotavirus vaccine


By Kylie Skotnicki, December 2008

MCRI has announced a new partnership with a Seattle based non profit health organisation called PATH, to produce a rotavirus vaccine candidate for clinical trials.

Infection, Immunity and Environment  /  Enteric Viruses

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Improving diagnosis of childhood stroke

Improving diagnosis of childhood stroke


By Kylie Skotnicki, December 2008

Stroke is among the top ten causes of death in children and over half of stroke survivors will experience long term disabilities.

Critical Care and Neurosciences  /  Neuroscience Research

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Embryonic heart exhibits capacity to regenerate

Embryonic heart exhibits capacity to regenerate


By Kylie Skotnicki, December 2008

A new study demonstrates that the embryonic mouse heart has an astounding capacity to replace diseased tissue through the regeneration of healthy cells.

Laboratory and Community Genetics  /  Metabolic Research

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Type 1 diabetes – identifying a cause

Type 1 diabetes – identifying a cause


By Kylie Skotnicki, December 2008

The National Medical Research Council has announced it will provide funding for MCRI to intensify work into the environmental determinants of type 1 diabetes in childhood.

Infection, Immunity and Environment  /  Environmental and Genetic Epidemiology Research

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Infant sleep beats mum's long-term depression

Infant sleep beats mum's long-term depression


By Kylie Skotnicki, December 2008

Managing infant sleep problems significantly reduces maternal depression symptoms, and shows no long term adverse effects to the mother or the child.

Healthy Development  /  Community Child Health

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Finding Cancer's Cause

Finding Cancer's Cause


By Kylie Skotnicki, November 2008

MCRI is embarking upon the world’s largest study into the cause of leukaemia, the most common type of childhood cancer.

Early Development and Disease / The Children's Cancer Center

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Sleepy kids suffer

Sleepy kids suffer


By Kylie Skotnicki, September 2008

Primary school children with sleep problems are falling behind in their early years at school because their disrupted nights are leaving them tired, grumpy and unable to concentrate.

Healthy Development  /  Community Child Health

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Sugar helps the pain go away

Sugar helps the pain go away


By Kylie Skotnicki, September 2008

Babies under intensive care often require frequent painful procedures, but the long-term impact of exposure to pain on a baby's health is not known.

Critical Care and Neurosciences  /  Anaesthesia and Pain Management

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Peanut allergy myth debunked

Peanut allergy myth debunked


By Kylie Skotnicki, September 2008

MCRI PhD student and epidemiologist Jennifer Koplin was recently presented with the Fresh Science award for her research into peanut allergies.

Infection, Immunity and Environment  /  Allergy and Immune Disorders

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Mitocarta: the mitochondria blueprint

Mitocarta: the mitochondria blueprint


By Kylie Skotnicki, September 2008

MCRI researchers David Thorburn, Canny Sugiana and Avihu Boneh, in conjunction with Harvard University researchers, have created a world-first blueprint of the mitochondria, our body’s “powerplants”.

Laboratory and Community Genetics  /  Metabolic Research

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Environmental factors lower risk of Multiple Sclerosis

Environmental factors lower risk of Multiple Sclerosis


By Kylie Skotnicki, September 2008

Both sun exposure and having younger siblings can affect the risk of developing Multiple Sclerosis (MS).

Infection, Immunity and Environment  /  Environmental and Genetic Epidemiology Research

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MCRI health and medical research makes top ten again

MCRI health and medical research makes top ten again


By Kylie Skotnicki, September 2008

MCRI research has been included in the NHMRC’s publication ‘10 of the best’ for the fourth time in the last three years, which is the most a research institute or University has been recognised.

Healthy Development  /  Obesity, Physical Activity and Nutrition

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Improved outcomes following heart surgery

Improved outcomes following heart surgery


By Kylie Skotnicki, July 2008

Improved outcomes following heart surgery

Critical Care and Neurosciences  /  Heart Research

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Our research priorities

Our research priorities


By Alyssa Jones, May 2008

Our research priorities

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Mobile phones used in battle against depression

Mobile phones used in battle against depression


By Alyssa Jones, May 2008

Mobile phones used in battle against depression

Healthy Development  /  Adolescent Health

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Mitochondrial disorders passed on by healthy mums

Mitochondrial disorders passed on by healthy mums


By Alyssa Jones, May 2008

Mitochondrial disorders passed on by healthy mums

Laboratory and Community Genetics  /  Metabolic Research

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Adult influenza vaccine study


By Alyssa Jones, April 2008

Adult participants needed for influenza vaccine study

Infection, Immunity and Environment  /  Immunisation Research (VIRGo/Immunisation CCRE)

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Iron overload affects men


By Kellie Furey, January 2008

Men's health at risk from iron overload

Infection, Immunity and Environment  /  Gut and Liver

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2000 Stories


By Kellie Furey, January 2008

2000 Stories

Healthy Development  /  Alcohol and Drug Use

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Top research discoveries


By Kellie Furey, December 2007

A life saving vaccine

Infection, Immunity and Environment  /  Enteric Viruses

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Diabetes affects mental health


By Kellie Furey, December 2007

Mental health is the leading complication of diabetes according to researchers.

Early Development and Disease  /  Diabetes

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$10 Million - A Life Saving Investment


By Kellie Furey, September 2007

Murdoch Childrens Research Institute will receive a $10 million injection for vital child health research, from the National Health & Medical Research Council (NHMRC), as announced by the Prime Minister John Howard today.

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Cord blood gives second chance


By Kellie Furey, September 2007

Cord blood is found in the placenta and umbilical cord which is usually discarded after childbirth. It is rich in blood-forming haemopoietic stem cells which when transplanted can replace blood cells destroyed by chemotherapy.

Early Development and Disease / Cord Blood Bank

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SMILE Foundation supports innovative research at MCRI


By Kellie Furey, September 2007

The SMILE (Supporting Medical Innovation for Life Enhancement) Foundation was launched in Sydney on 21 July. SMILE has been established by like-minded business people to support research into diagnosis, treatment and cures for rare childhood diseases and helps affected families.

Laboratory and Community Genetics  /  Metabolic Research

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Family finds a cause in loss of a son to allergy


By Kellie Furey, August 2007

A father whose son died from a severe allergic reaction was joined by his Macquarie Bank colleagues to fund important research into the condition at the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute.

Infection, Immunity and Environment  /  Allergy and Immune Disorders

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Australia’s obese children need help now


By Kellie Furey, July 2007

Australian children are fatter and less fit than they have ever been. It is estimated that more than 200,000 of our two–18 year olds are obese.

Healthy Development  /  Obesity, Physical Activity and Nutrition

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Can probiotics prevent eczema in children?


By Kellie Furey, July 2007

In the past 30 years the number of children affected by eczema, asthma and allergic rhinitis has more than doubled, with one in three Australian kids now suffering some kind of allergy.

Infection, Immunity and Environment  /  Allergy and Immune Disorders

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Circus training for children with cerebral palsy


By Kellie Furey, July 2007

Murdoch Childrens Research Institute recently collaborated with the Brain Research Institute (BRI), Circus Oz and the YMCA to trial an innovative approach to rehabilitation for children with cerebral palsy using circus training.

Critical Care and Neurosciences  /  Victorian Infant Brain Studies (VIBeS)

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Creating new bone gives hope for craniofacial repair


By Kellie Furey, July 2007

What happens when the bones in the skull are damaged by trauma or a baby is born with insufficient bone to form a normal sized skull, as in the case of one in 2000 infants affected by craniosynostosis?

Musculoskeletal Disorders  /  Craniofacial Research

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Finding the cause of cancer


By Kellie Furey, July 2007

Solid tumours cause one third of all malignant cancer in children, of these brain tumours and sarcomas are the most significant causes of death.

Early Development and Disease / Cell Biology Laboratory

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A Healthy Start to Life for All Australians


By Kellie Furey, July 2007

The National Health & Medical Research Council (NH&MRC) has announced the recipients of ‘A Healthy Start to Life for All Australians’ grants.

Early Development and Disease  /  Developmental Epigenetics

Healthy Development  /  Mental Health, Behaviour and Wellbeing

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What do Marilyn Monroe and Winston Churchill have in common?


By Kellie Furey, July 2007

They both stuttered as children. So did Nat King Cole, Isaac Newton & Sam Neil.

Healthy Development  /  Language and Literacy

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Rural children need better dental care


By Kellie Furey, July 2007

Children in rural Victoria are four times more likely to be hospitalised for dental problems than those in metropolitan Melbourne.

Musculoskeletal Disorders  /  Oral Health Research

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Improving the future for children with traumatic brain injury


By Kellie Furey, July 2007

A Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is a relatively high-prevalence injury, often affecting younger children and adolescents.

Critical Care and Neurosciences  /  Child Neuropsychology

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Crohn’s disease


By Kellie Furey, March 2007

Researchers aim to learn more about the incurable bowel inflammation which affects 70,000 Australians.

Infection, Immunity and Environment  /  Intestinal Failure and Clinical Nutrition

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The long term effects of anaethetics on babies


By Kellie Furey, February 2007

Our new study will investigate whether giving infants a general anaethetic causes long term neurological damage

Critical Care and Neurosciences  /  Anaesthesia and Pain Management

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Why are children now more likely to have immune disorders?


By Kellie Furey, February 2007

Our new research aims to understand why auto immune disorders, where the body's defense system attacks its own healthy cells, are on the rise among Australian children.

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Our tall poppy


By Alyssa Jones, January 2007

Dr Rony Duncan was recently awarded The Australian Institute of Policy & Science's Young Tall Poppy Science Award

Healthy Development  /  Adolescent Health

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$2 million to support the future health of children


By Alyssa Jones, January 2007

Children's health recently received a massive boost, thanks to $14 million in funding awarded to the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute from the National Health & Medical Research Council.

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Primary students show high rates of alcohol use


By Alyssa Jones, December 2006

Australian primary and secondary school aged children are drinking alcohol at twice the rate of their American counterparts, a new study has shown.

Healthy Development  /  Adolescent Health

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Rested parents give nod to sleep study


By Alyssa Jones, December 2006

Our world first study has found that postnatal depression can be dramatically reduced.

Healthy Development  /  Community Child Health

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Stepping Out


By Alyssa Jones, August 2006

Stepping Out, a report detailing the activities of the first 18 months of the Gait Centre for Clinical Research Excellence, was released in August 2006.

Musculoskeletal Disorders  /  Orthopaedics and Gait Analysis

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Children's cancer research goes world class


By Alyssa Jones, June 2006

The fight against children's cancer was given a major boost with the opening of new world class cancer research laboratories.

Early Development and Disease  /  Cancer

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The impact of diabetes on brain development


By Alyssa Jones, May 2006

If glucose levels in the brain are too high or low, skills such as attention, memory, processing and problem solving can be affected.

Early Development and Disease  /  Diabetes

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A website to help Australian parents raise their children


By Alyssa Jones, May 2006

A landmark Australian website is helping parents and carers raise young children.

Healthy Development

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Drug hope for Friedreich's ataxia


By Tanya Hollis, March 2006

An antioxidant drug that is hoped to slow the progression of the neurological genetic disease Friedreich's ataxia is about to enter trials.

Laboratory and Community Genetics  /  Genetic Health Research (Bruce Lefroy Centre)

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Gastro vaccine on hold for more funding

By Tanya Hollis, March 2006

An affordable vaccine that could ward off the most common cause of gastroenteritis is a small step closer.

Infection, Immunity and Environment  /  Enteric Viruses

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Viagra helps critically ill babies


By Alyssa Jones, January 2006

The erectile dysfunction drug Viagra has been found to have a new life saving use.

Critical Care and Neurosciences

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MRI predicts risks for premature babies


By Alyssa Jones, November 2005

New research has revealed that imaging the brains of premature babies give doctors vital clues as to how those babies will develop as children.

Critical Care and Neurosciences

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Bird flu vaccine trial a success


By Alyssa Jones, November 2005

The vaccine was tested in 400 healthy adults aged 18 - 45 and the trial showed that it was well tolerated among recipients.

Infection, Immunity and Environment  /  Immunisation Research (VIRGo/Immunisation CCRE)

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Solving the puzzle of childhood disabilities


By Alyssa Jones, March 2005

Solve is a new research project seeking to uncover the cause of disabilities including cerebral palsy, intellectual disability and autism.

Critical Care and Neurosciences

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