Discoveries
Tailoring treatment for asthma
The Woolcock Institute of Medical Research is tailoring treatment to severity for asthma: best practice guidelines/ optimal use of therapy including a method for measurement of airway responsiveness, now widely used in epidemiological and clinical settings.
World first soft artificial cornea
After 18 years of intense research and development, the world's first soft artificial cornea was developed by the Lions Eye Institute. The artificial cornea, AplhaCor is marketed all over the world. Research is now continuing on a next-generation artificial cornea.
Folate prevents spina bifida
Scientists at the Telethon Institute for Child Health Research along with collaborators, described the connection between lack of folic acid in the maternal diet and spina bifida. They have driven a campaign to have mandatory fortification of food with folate, which aims to prevent up to 70% of spina bfida cases.
One hour Mitral Annular Constraint Device invented for heart failure
The Baker Heart Institute has invented the "One Hour" Mitral Annular Constraint Device, which will revolutionise heart failure patient care and become as commonplace as pacemakers. For many patients with advanced heart failure, secondary failure of the mitral valve, where the valve does not close properly, causes blood to leak during each heartbeat, putting greater pressure on the failing heart and further increasing the risk of heart attack. This tiny devide, which reduces the size of the valve, is inserted through the jugular vein under local anaesthetic, avoiding the need for major surgery.
Colony Stimulating factors (CFSs) which control white blood cell formation promote recovery from cancer treatment
The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research and the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research discovered Colony Stimulating factors (CFSs) which control white blood cell formation promote recovery from cancer treatment and severe infections.