Participants sought: A2 milk, IBS and constipation

Participants are sought for a study investigating whether A2 milk influences constipation in IBS sufferers. The study aims to determine whether A2 Milk improves symptoms of constipation in people with non-diarrhoea predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The research involves working with both healthy people and those with non-diarrhoea predominant IBS.

You may be eligible to participate if:

• you are healthy with no GI complaints OR
• you have non-diarrhoea predominant IBS

5 Feb Deadline: Learning and Teaching Research Grant Scheme 2016

The Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and  Health Sciences Learning & Teaching Research Grant Scheme (L&T RGS) is an initiative to assist in the development of high quality learning and teaching research activity in the Faculty.

The scheme is funded to the value of $200,000 with individual grants of up to $20,000 being available although research for smaller amounts for targeted activities are encouraged. Funding will be for 1 year commencing 1 March 2016.

Expected outcomes from the L&T RGS would include data collection that enabled the research team to apply for external national competitive grants, publications in high quality peer reviewed journals and implementation of new L&T activities in the Faculty.  Cross discipline collaborative projects are encouraged.

·        Submission Deadline: COB 5 February 2016.

Further details and application form available at http://www.med.monash.edu.au/intranet/education/ Under Teaching Grants and Outcomes,  Learning & Teaching Research Grant Application

·      Please send completed applications to fmnhs-dde@monash.edu

Perspectives on Women in Science

A recent publication in Baker IDI's Perspectives has focused on Women In Science. The article by A/Professor Rebecca Ritchie and Professor Bronwyn Kingwell was also published on Women’s Agenda last month.

A/Prof Rebecca Ritchie (left) and
Professor Bronwyn Kingwell (right)

"It is widely agreed that there is a great deal more work to be done to improve the representation of women at senior levels in Australian medical research. In this edition of Perspectives, we focus on gender inequality in the Australian science sector and explore how individuals and organisations are taking steps to effect change."

This publication is digital-only and is available via the Baker IDI website.

Odd spot: Multitasking is a myth - neuroscientists explain why

US TV program 'Today' asked two top neuroscientists at MIT, Earl Miller and Bob Desimone the following questions. See the article for Earl's answers, and the video for both scientists' explanations.

• Does using devices change how the brain functions?
• Why do devices so easily distract people?
• Why is multitasking a problem?
• Why do we think we are better at multitasking than we really are?
• What are some ways to combat digital distractions?

"Focus on one thing at a time. If I am writing a paper and working and I am checking my email every minute, I am incurring a switch cost every minute." Earl Miller.

Link: www.today.com/health/multitasking-doesn-t-work-why-focus-isn-t-just-hocus-t69276

International Congress of Immunology 2016 - Call for abstracts!

The International Congress of Immunology is to be held in Melbourne, August 21-26, 2016. The meeting is only held every 3 years. Please check the website for details on abstract submission and the excellent scientific program: ​http://ici2016.org/

ASI will support postgrad and junior postdoc members at this meeting with bursaries of a combined value of more than 100k, so get in fast with your applications. See more details here  To be eligible for a bursary, you will need to be a member of ASI and submit your abstract by 25 January 2016.​

This is a great opportunity to see the world's best immunologists and impress them with your questions and knowledge. Also, you may score an invite for an overseas post-doc! 

Note: Early bird registration for ICI 2016 closes by 11 May, 2016.

Final issue of CCS blog for 2015

This is the final issue of the Central Clinical School blog for 2015. It's been a busy year and we wish everyone a happy, safe and restful break over the Christmas and New Year period.

The CCS blog resumes on Friday 5 Feb 2016.

Photo of the week: Prof Wendy Brown's group

Bariatric Surgery Registry (SPHPM) and Centre for Obesity Research and Education (CCS).
L-R Back row. Anna Palmer (Ethics Assistant), Brittany Smith (Customer Relationship Officer), Prof Wendy Brown (Director, Professor of Surgery, CCS), Cheryl Laurie (Research Nurse), Dianne Brown (Project Manager), Lucy Davenport (Administrative Assistant), Tiffany Tei (Summer Scholarship student)
Front row. Aileen Heal (Administrative Assistant), Jazz Padarath (Data entry assistant), Berihun Zeleke (Data entry assistant/PhD student), Margaret Anderson (Data Manager), Geri Ooi (PhD surgical trainee)