Raf Epstein on life in the media machine during the COVID-19 pandemic

Hear from journalist and host of ABC Drive, Raf Epstein, about life in the media machine during the COVID-19 pandemic and his insights into the role of the media during a public health crisis. 

Video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=CGyqoupNWIw

Professor Steve Jane, Dean of the sub-Faculty of Translational Medicine and Public Health at the Alfred Precinct, also announced the winners of the Alfred Research Alliance publication prizes for 2021.

Alfred Research Alliance video showcase 2021

The Alfred Research Alliance precinct is home to more than 1500 researchers and 1100 postgraduate students, all committed to solving some of the biggest health challenges of our time.

To celebrate Alfred Health Week, we asked 20 of them, including CCS's Matt Snelson (Diabetes), Narelle Cox (Respiratory Research@Alfred), Emily Edwards (Immunology and Pathology), Tiffany Phillips (Melbourne Sexual Health Centre), Jason Palazzolo (Australian Centre for Blood Diseases), Julia Sewell (Medical Education) and more to tell us a little bit more about their research, and how it will improve health outcomes for all Australians. Check out their videos!

Video gallery: www.alfredresearchalliance.org.au/research/alfred-health-week-2021/video-showcase-2021/

Imaging of brain tumours (gliomas) research supported by The Aftershock

Prof Meng Law (right) with a colleague. Image: The Aftershock

In 2019, The Aftershock committed to support research within the Department of Neuroscience at Monash University (CCS, Alfred Hospital) led by Professor Meng Law, Dr Jarrel Seah, Dr Andrew Dixon and Dr Jennifer Tang. 

The research aims to show the potential of using information from MRIs of patients with brain tumours (gliomas) for the prediction of characteristics and future growth with artificial intelligence. The current project aims to collect a large dataset of brain tumours on MRI with associated pathology results, and apply unsupervised deep learning techniques to improve the diagnosis and classification of gliomas and other brain tumours.

See The Aftershock full update.

Looking after your wellbeing and mental health in this pandemic, endemic, and beyond

October is Mental Health Month

By Dr Zhouije Ding and the CCS GEDI committee
 
COVID-19 has significantly changed our daily life, an outcome shared across the world. Here in Melbourne, endless lockdowns and the question of “Will we ever be back to normal?” haunts us all.

When my 6-year old child asked me, “Could we go abroad and visit grandpa and grandma because I miss them so much”, it was definitely a heart-breaking moment, in which all I could think to say was “Yes, we will, one day”.

Petition for NHMRC to create gender equity needs your signature

Female senior academics inequitably receive less funding than males.

Forwarded on behalf of the CCS GEDI committee

A petition has been released calling on medical researchers and the greater scientific community of Australia to challenge the NHMRC to urgently commence at strategic overhaul of current funding schemes to ensure Equitable funding for Women in STEMM.

Participants sought: Treatment for Behavioural Variant Fronto-temporal Dementia (bvFTD)

Imaging of Behavioral Variant Frontotemporal Dementia (bvFTD)
Image: © Bradford Dickerson

We are seeking participants with behavioural variant Fronto-temporal dementia (bvFTD) for our study.

This research project is looking at whether the trial drug, sodium selenate, decreases the rate of brain shrinkage in patients with bvFTD.

Participants are randomly assigned to one of two groups. One group will receive the study drug, sodium selenate, and the other group will receive a placebo.

Mental health survey of frontline health care workers highlights need for better support

A national survey of COVID-19 frontline healthcare workers found more than half reported mental health symptoms during last year’s pandemic second wave – yet less than one in 10 accessed formal support programs.

The study, published in the journal, General Hospital Psychiatry, was led by Associate Professor Natasha Smallwood, from Monash University’s Central Clinical School and The Alfred hospital, and Professor Karen Willis, from the Royal Melbourne Hospital and Victoria University.

See full story