FODMAP workshop for dietitians working with IBS sufferers

The CCS Department of Gastroenterology (DoG) held a workshop for dietitians on May 31. Entitled 'Manipulating FODMAP Intake, Gut Microflora and the Brain Gut Axis for IBS Management', this workshop provided valuable updates following recent departmental developments in the area of Translational Nutrition. The workshop attracted great feedback, particularly regarding the catered food which was all FODMAP friendly and prepared by DoG's research chef Debbie King, pictured.

Professor Frank Rosenfeldt wins Surgical Research Award

Prof Frank Rosenfeldt was awarded the 2012 Surgical Research Award in May 2013 at the 82nd Annual Scientific Congress of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS). This is an honour created by RACS to recognise the contribution of a pre-eminent surgical scientist who has made significant contributions to surgical research. One of Prof Rosenfeldt's major research interests is to increase the viability of donor hearts for heart transplants.

FODMAP diet research study for Irritable Bowel Syndrome sufferers

The low FODMAP diet is the best diet therapy to control gastrointestinal symptoms in people with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). The restriction of FODMAPs aids in preventing these symptoms from occurring. However, some FODMAPs are known to have health benefits as they can promote the growth of beneficial bacteria, and bacterial fermentation can have anti-inflammatory and anti-carcinogenic properties.

Social media use a possible index for bipolar relapse

beyondblue have made a research grant of $72,000 over 12 months to Prof Paul Fitzgerald (pictured), Monash Alfred Psychiatry research centre (MAPrc) and medical student Rowan Miller, to investigate whether a bipolar patient’s use of social media can be used as an indicator of prodromal [very early] symptoms before the onset of a relapse of bipolar disorder (both manic and depressive relapses).

Diabetes reduces long term survival of lung transplant patients

Dr Kathryn Hackman is a PhD student in the Department of Medicine, supervised by Professor Leon Bach, and a practising endocrinologist at Alfred Health. She and colleagues have recently published research showing that patients with diabetes had about a five-fold increased risk of death after a lung transplant compared with transplant recipients who didn't have diabetes.

Happiness and women's mental health

Prof Jayashri Kulkarni, Director, Monash Alfred Psychiatry research centre (MAPrc), looking happy with the Dalai Lama. She presented on a panel titled Science of the Mind, at the "Happiness & its causes" conference on Thursday 20 June, then had lunch with the Dalai Lama. Jayashri's presentation was about women and mental health, for which she is a very active advocate. See more about Jayashri's research at: http://www.maprc.org.au/professor-jayashri-kulkarni.

OBE Queen's birthday honour for Professor Jeffrey V. Rosenfeld

Congratulations to Professor Jeffrey V. Rosenfeld, HOD Surgery, who was awarded Officer of The Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to neurosurgery and the University of Papua New Guinea School of Medicine, Queen’s birthday honours list 2013: Commonwealth.  For story, see Monash Faculty ebulletin: "One of my first cases in Goroka was a woman who’d been axed in the head.