Research Roundup:
February 2016
Welcome Message
Welcome to the first edition of the TSANZ Research Roundup! This new communication is being delivered in collaboration with the limbic . This communication will be circulated monthly, and is our opportunity to request and share knowledge within the Society. The TSANZ Research Roundup will typically give you an update of TSANZ research activities, provide a quick list of open awards, showcase our researchers, and deliver the latest respiratory research to your inbox.
You are all invited to send in your research requests and news to our Research Coordinator, including significant achievements, surveys, and study volunteer opportunities.
This first edition comes as we prepare for the upcoming ASM in Perth (Please remember to register). The current Research Sub-Committee has reviewed over 100 award applications and looks forward to presenting over $500 000 of research funding to our members at the 2016 ASM. Members of the Research Sub-Committee come from a blend of research backgrounds, representing respiratory specialities in areas of basic, clinical, and translational research, or a combination of these. If you are interested in participating in this Subcommittee, I am happy to inform you that expressions of interests for these will remain open until the 25th of March. (Click here to Submit an EoI to join the Subcommittee)
Enjoy your February Research Roundup,
Prof Phil Hansbro
Chair, Research Sub-Committee
TSANZ Open Awards
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TSANZ / AstraZeneca Respiratory Research Fellowship This fellowship is valued at $75 000p.a for two years and supports non-prescribing (health practitioner and scientists) researchers in the field of respiratory medicine.
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TSANZ / AstraZeneca Grant-In-Aid for Severe Asthma Research This grant-in-aid offers $5000 of support to any research venture into severe asthma.
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Vertex Cystic Fibrosis Paediatric Clinical Fellowship This fellowship is valued at $50 000p.a for two years and supports research, diagnosis and management in paediatric cystic fibrosis through clinic-based training of the recipient.
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Vertex Adult Cystic Fibrosis Fellowship This fellowship is valued at $50 000p.a for two years and supports research into adult cystic fibrosis and clinic-based training or professional development of the recipient.
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Vertex Cystic Fibrosis Research Award This travel award is valued at $7500 and supports two cystic fibrosis researchers to travel internationally, one to the European Cystic Fibrosis Society Annual Meeting, and another to the North American Cystic Fibrosis Conference.
The following articles will take you to www.thelimbic.com
the limbic is a free, independent news site for respiratory health professionals that covers the latest in clinical research and medico-political news.
To access any of these articles simply click on one of the links below and create an account using your name and email. There are no hidden costs and your data will not be shared with anyone, ever.
Asthma exacerbations in pregnancy. In this week’s Holy Grail we caught up with research scientist Dr Vanessa Murphy about her work investigating the characteristics, mechanisms and consequences of asthma exacerbations during pregnancy and their health impact on both the mother and baby. Dr. Vanessa Murphy was supported by the 2014 TSANZ-Asthma Australia Travel Award to present her research at the European Respiratory Congress in Munich, Germany. Read More.
A spoonful of salt helps the medicine go down. Hypertonic saline is well tolerated, improves lung function and speeds the resolution of symptoms in people with cystic fibrosis who have been hospitalised with a pulmonary exacerbation, an Australian randomised trial finds. Read More.
Label free approach needed. The current approach to defining a patient’s symptoms using the diagnostic labels of asthma and COPD is out dated and fails to provide optimal care in a significant number of patients, international and Australian experts claim. Read More.
Pleurodesis findings challenge guidelines. It may no longer be necessary to avoid NSAIDs in patients with malignant pleural effusion undergoing pleurodesis a randomized trial shows. The findings also throw up questions around the optimal size of chest tubes to use during the procedure. Read More.
Evidence grows for efficacy of endobronchial coils. Evidence is growing to support the use of endobronchial coils in patients with severe emphysema, with the release of one of the most significant studies to date. We spoke to Brisbane-based thoracic physician Dr David Fielding about the findings. Read More.
E-cigarette review ‘grossly misleading’. Experts have poured scorn on a recent meta-analysis published in Lancet Respiratory Medicine that suggests those who use e-cigarettes are less likely to quit than smokers who don’t. Read More.
If you have any issues accessing the limbic please contact editor@thelimbic.com
Research Project and Survey Requests
Pleural and Lung Ultrasound Survey (For Physicians & Advanced Trainees)
You are invited to participate in this voluntary survey that aims to describe current pleural and lung ultrasound training practices in Australia and New Zealand amongst respiratory physicians and advanced trainees to help improve this training. These data will then be compared to a similar survey conducted in 2011 to determine whether progress is being made in the area of pleural ultrasound training.
We know that your time is valuable and therefore the survey has been kept short and will take only a few minutes to complete (14 MCQs, 5 minutes). All responses will be anonymous and analysed as a cohort. Your assistance will help shape future training provision within the Society.
Survey Link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/PleuralUS
Please find contact details below if you would like more information about this study.
Dr Eve Denton, Respiratory and Sleep Medicine Advanced Trainee, Alfred Hospital, Melbourne
Email: eve.denton@gmail.com
Dr Mark Hew, Head of Allergy Department, Alfred Hospital, Melbourne
Email: M.Hew@alfred.org.au
Interview for physicians’ perspectives on the use of domiciliary oxygen therapy in interstitial lung disease (For Physicians)
Researchers at Austin Health are currently recruiting respiratory physicians for a qualitative study investigating their views with the use of domiciliary oxygen therapy in patients with interstitial lung disease.
Click here to download the invitation letter [PDF]
Click here to download Participant Information Statement and Consent Form [PDF]
To take part in the study or receive further information, please contact Yet Hong Khor on 03 9496 5390 or YetHong.Khor@austin.org.au.
Using drawings to further understanding of people’s perceptions and experiences of their asthma
You are invited to take part in a research study exploring the use of drawings to further understanding of people’s perceptions and experiences of their asthma.
This study is being conducted by researchers from the University of Sydney. You will be asked to complete a survey, a spirometry reading, an interview and a drawing activity. This will be conducted in one sitting and in-person with a researcher. The total time commitment is expected to be approximately one hour. You will be reimbursed for your time.
You can take part in this study if you are over 18 years of age and have been told by your doctor that you have asthma.
Click here to download the invitation letter [PDF]
Click here to download Participant Information Statement [PDF]
If you would like more details or would like to take part, please contact the researchers (details below):
A/Prof Lorraine Smith, Associate Professor, Faculty of Pharmacy, the University of Sydney
Email: lorraine.smith@sydney.edu.au Telephone: 02 9036 7079
Ms Melissa Cheung, PhD Candidate, Faculty of Pharmacy, the University of Sydney
Email: mche7750@uni.sydney.edu.au Telephone: 02 9351 3710