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21 October 2009
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Upgrade / install Flash player for optimum video viewing or refer to the alternative versions below. Brain waves videoAlternative versions: |
An innovative diagnostic technique invented by Professor Brian Lithgow from the Faculty of Engineering could dramatically fast-track the detection of mental and neurological illnesses.
The biomedical engineer has developed electrovestibulography - something akin to an ‘ECG for the mind’ – which measures patterns of electrical activity in the brain’s vestibular (or balance) system against the distinct response patterns found in Central Nervous System (CNS) disorders such as depression and schizophrenia.
Working with researchers at the Monash Alfred Psychiatry Research Centre (MAPrc), he tested volunteers and found distinct response patterns that distinguished different CNS diseases from each other and from regular electrovestibular activity.
"The patient sits in a specially-designed tilt chair that triggers electrical responses in their balance system. A gel-tipped electrode placed in the ear canal silences interfering noise so that these meaningful electrical responses are captured and recorded," Professor Lithgow said.
"The responses are then compared to biomarkers indicative of particular CNS disorders allowing diagnosis to be made in under an hour."
Monash has teamed up with Neural Diagnostics to develop and patent electrovestibulography, or EVestG™. It is hoped the inexpensive screening process will become standard practice in hospitals around the world.
Neural Diagnostics CEO Dr Roger Edwards said EVestG™ could be one of the most significant inventions ever to come out of Monash.
"CNS disorders cost upwards of US$2 trillion globally and affect one in four people sometime in their lifetime," Dr Edwards said.
"At present, diagnosing these conditions is done almost exclusively through questions and interviews and it can take many years for sufferers to be correctly diagnosed."
MAPrc director Professor Jayashri Kulkarni said while engineering and psychiatry were two disciplines that did not usually work together, the collaboration was at the forefront of translating biotechnology into clinical tools for psychiatric practice.
"While there is more work to be done, electrovestibulography could provide a major breakthrough in the diagnosis of serious mental illnesses," she said.
MAPrc is holding an exhibition and silent auction with art work donated by Jane Hicklin from 5 pm on Friday 6 November at the Alfred Medical Research Education Precinct seminar room, Alfred Hospital, Commercial Road, Melbourne, to help raise funds for mental health research.
For more information, or to make a donation or RSVP call +61 3 9076 6924.
21 October 2009
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In a world first, researchers at the Monash Centre for Obesity Research and Education (CORE) will trial the benefits of gastric banding on overweight people with Type 2 diabetes.
Lead investigator Professor Paul O'Brien said until now gastric banding surgery was reserved for people who were obese with a Body Mass Index (BMI) above 30.
"We want to find out if people who are moderately overweight will benefit from weight loss more efficiently and permanently using gastric banding and therefore put their Type 2 diabetes condition into remission," Professor O'Brien said.
Professor O'Brien said the benefits of gastric banding surgery in the reduction of Type 2 diabetes in obese patients was proven following clinical trials at CORE two years ago.
"We cannot assume from that research that the gastric banding procedure would also be the best treatment option for those who are overweight," he said.
"There are possible differences in the background drivers of the disease that may be significant and currently we do not offer the gastric banding procedure to people who are not obese."
At present 50 volunteers are being sought to participate in the randomised trial. Half will undergo gastric banding surgery, while half will have their Type 2 diabetes monitored and be given assistance to lose weight.
"Two out of three Australian adults are overweight and most have tried, often many times, to lose weight and keep it off but are unsuccessful," Professor O'Brien said.
"We know that the most effective treatment for diabetes is weight reduction and we suspect that the more weight you lose regardless of whether you were obese or not, the more likely that your diabetes will go into remission.
"This trial aims to provide the necessary data for people to make an informed decision about their weight and management of their Type 2 diabetes."
21 October 2009
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Monash teachers and programs have once again been recognised by the Australian Learning and Teaching Council (ALTC) for their contribution to improving the student learning experience.
The awards celebrate the exceptional effort made by university teachers and general staff to improve the student experience of Australian higher education.
The Faculty of Law's Prato study program was recognised for its collaboration with international organisations and universities.
The program, established in 2001, brings together students from universities around the world to the Monash Prato Centre, offering them the chance to develop skills and perspectives they will need as lawyers operating in a modern legal environment.
Professor Stephen Barkoczy said it was a great achievement for the faculty and everyone involved in the program.
"The award demonstrates the quality of our programs and the broad opportunities we give our students," Professor Barkoczy said.
"It also demonstrates great teamwork in putting together a quality nomination that was supported by many testimonials from teachers and students."
Teachers Dr Susan Edwards from the Faculty of Education at Peninsula campus and Dr Julia Harrison from the Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences were recognised under the Teaching Excellence category.
Dr Edwards said the award was recognition of the contemporary approach to education at Monash.
"The opportunity to work in an environment that encourages collaboration and innovation is very exciting and I am pleased this award is able to highlight how much work is being done in early childhood and primary teacher education," she said.
Dr Harrison, who also recently received a citation from the ALTC, said the helped emphasise the importance of high-quality education for medical graduates.
"I am grateful for the many opportunities Monash has given me, both through my undergraduate years and subsequently in my professional development as a member of staff," she said.
Monash South Africa's Foundation Program was recognised in the First-Year Experience category.
The program is designed as a pathway to a Monash undergraduate degree, enabling students whose scores may not meet requirements for direct entry to bridge the gap between their highest education qualification and academic requirements.
The awards will be officially presented at a ceremony on 24 November when a further 12 awards including the Prime Minister's Award for Australian University Teacher of the Year will be announced.
Last year the Prime Minister's award was shared by Professor Barkoczy and new Monash Pro Vice-Chancellor (Learning and Teaching) Professor Marnie Hughes-Warrington.
21 October 2009
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A comprehensive study has revealed the impact of swine flu on the health of the general public in Australia and New Zealand.
The lessons learned in Intensive Care Units (ICUs) across the two countries are being shared with countries in the Northern Hemisphere to help them prepare for their upcoming flu season.
The three-month study, conducted at the height of the pandemic between June and August, revealed 722 patients were admitted to ICUs and that at the peak of the epidemic up to 20 per cent of ICU beds were occupied by patients with swine flu.
The study was co-coordinated by the Monash-based Australian and New Zealand Intensive Care Research Centre (ANZIC-RC).
Dr Ian Seppelt, a specialist in Intensive Care Medicine and based at Sydney's Nepean Hospital, said the impact of the virus on ICUs across Australia and New Zealand was dramatic.
"The most severely affected patients had pneumonia affecting both lungs that was caused by the virus," he said.
"The number of patients admitted to ICUs with this complication represented a 600 per cent increase compared to previous years."
Associate Professor Steve Webb from the Intensive Care Unit at Royal Perth Hospital said that unlike previous seasonal influenza strains, which impacted heavily on elderly people and people with pre-existing medical conditions, the H1N1 virus affected infants, middle-aged people, pregnant women, the overweight, and Indigenous patients.
"Overall, about one-third of patients admitted to an ICU because of swine flu had no underlying health problems," he said.
Director of Intensive Care Research at Austin Health Professor Rinaldo Bellomo said many countries in the Northern Hemisphere would benefit from the lessons learned in Australia and New Zealand.
"Fortunately a vaccine is now available to prevent the complications of swine flu," he said.
"It is important that the community, especially those with risk factors, consider being vaccinated."
21 October 2009
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Monash is going Google. The University announced last week it would offer customised Google Apps for Education to all of its students.
Monash Vice-Chancellor Professor Ed Byrne said the University's 58,000 students would be given sign-up details for their opt-in Monash gmails next month, along with information about how they could use other online tools available through Google Applications.
Professor Byrne said adopting Google email and applications was a clever solution to the ongoing challenge of providing accessible, user-friendly and cost-effective e-communication tools to a growing Monash community.
"Online communication is one of the dominant mediums through which our students and staff exchange information, build knowledge and interact with the global community, so naturally we want to adopt the technology that will best ultilise this medium," Professor Byrne said.
"We want to give students the best online tools on offer in order to boost their communication and information-sharing capabilities and in terms of our e-technology capital, we are giving the University plenty of room to grow in the future."
Monash Vice-President (Administration) Peter Marshall said the move reflected the University's commitment to using the best technology available and to continually find better ways to facilitate quick, efficient and versatile communication and information-sharing capabilities.
He said the advantages of switching to Google Apps from the current in-house email system included increased storage capacity (up to 7GB from the current 40MB for each user), instant chat functionality, the integration of email with online calendar and the ability to work collaboratively on shared documents.
There was also the potential to spread the benefits of the new email system to Monash alumni.
"We are investigating the potential of email for life and email-forwarding services for our global alumni community," Mr Marshall said.
21 October 2009
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| View looking north from new south entry. |
The first stage of a $75 million redevelopment of the Menzies Building is set to commence next month.
The well-known Clayton campus building is undergoing a facelift, with stage one of the project to include the installation of new lifts, stairs and services to the building, the removal of the building’s escalators and upgrade of the ground floor foyer space.
Stage two of the development will include the development of state-of-the-art teaching spaces and contemporary office environments.
Clayton campus director Professor Rob Willis said the works would enhance the use of the building for high-end research, teaching and learning.
"The Menzies Building plays a major role in the life of the University, in particular at the Clayton campus, where it accommodates some 900 staff and provides teaching space for 2600 students," Professor Willis said.
"The redevelopment will give the building a new 40-year plus life cycle and improve its environmental performance, working conditions and navigation."
The eleven-story building opened in 1963 and was designed along modernist lines.
Professor Willis said although there would be minimal disruption to normal operations, staff and students needed to be aware of changes in access to the building.
"Safety is our number one priority during the project works, so please abide by the restrictions of a construction site and any additional signage in place around the building," he said.
The stage 1 works are scheduled for completion in September 2011.
Details of the hoarding plan and changes to people and vehicle traffic in the precinct are on the project website. For further information contact project manager Troy Brooks on +61 3 9902 0284 or troy.brooks@adm.monash.edu.au.
21 October 2009
A group of 25 Monash students from the Australian Centre for Jewish Civilisation have recently returned from a two-week study tour of Rwanda, Africa.
The tour offered the students from Australia and South Africa the opportunity to take their learning out of the classroom to explore the themes of genocide, conflict and reconciliation first-hand.
The group spent a week at the University's South African campus in Johannesburg, learning about the history of apartheid through lectures and visits to local museums and memorials.
During the second week the group toured Rwanda, where they learned about the origins and consequences of the 1994 genocide through the stories of its survivors.
They also met with government officials who spoke about the challenge of rebuilding a society.
Director of Jewish Studies and tour leader Associate Professor Mark Baker said the course was a transformative experience for both staff and students.
"Rwanda today offers us a glimpse of the post-Auschwitz world before the Eichmann Trial in 1961 and before the Holocaust was seared into the consciousness and conscience of the world," Associate Professor Baker said.
"It was fantastic for the students to be able to learn about these events and hear about people's experiences in situ."
Student Rene Pule said the study tour made it possible to better understand the history of the country.
"The visits to memorial sites allowed me to experience the reality of what went on during the genocide - it made the ordeal more real to me," Rene said.
"It is sometimes easy to dismiss the grief the victims may still experience after 15 years, but meeting them you see their need to share their stories with visitors as a means of relieving the pain.
"I feel fortunate to have been part of this course and it will certainly have an impact on my future path."
21 October 2009
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| Andrew, David and Matthew Van Bergen |
More than 450 Monash students, staff, alumni and their families raised more than $10,000 for the Smith Family by cycling around Port Phillip Bay on Sunday 18 October.
This is the sixth year Monash has fielded a team in the event, which this year attracted more than 15,000 participants across courses ranging from 50 to 250 kilometres.
Monash received the award for the largest university team for the third year running.
TeamMONASH™ events officer Marcia Larose said it was fantastic that Monash won the award again this year.
"Reaching our target and managing to raise more than $10,000 for the Smith Family is a great achievement," she said.
For first-time participants John Vanbergen and his sons – all students at Monash - the 50k event offered a chance to work as a team.
"For the four of us to cross the finish line together was a great feeling," he said.
"We'll definitely be riding again next year!"
However possibly the best story of the day goes to Monash commerce student Kevin Eng, who completed the 50k ride after learning to ride only two years ago.
"It was nice to be able to ride with my friends and compete in an event like this," Kevin said.
For a full photo gallery of the event visit the Monash Sport website. Staff and students wishing to donate to the Smith Family can do so at the TeamMonash™ Around the Bay website.
The St George Melbourne Marathon held earlier this month provided TeamMONASH™ with yet another opportunity to shine with Monash taking the largest University team title for the second year in a row.
It is the fifth time TeamMONASH™ has participated in the event, which offers categories from a five kilometre walk to the full 42.2 kilometre marathon. More than 500 staff and students took part.
For more information and more sport's news visit the Monash Sport news site.
21 October 2009
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| Jessreen Kaur |
Second-year medicine students from the Sunway campus, Malaysia have helped come up with practical solutions to health challenges faced by clients of non-government organisations.
The students spent up to six months planning and executing health promotion projects with the University's community partners in Malaysia, showcasing them recently at a one-day symposium.
Jessreen Kaur, 21, and her team spent their placements with Women's Aid Organisation (WAO), an association that fights for the rights of female survivors of domestic violence.
The team conducted health promotion activities at the WAO's shelters including dental hygiene and hand-washing, blood pressure and eye tests.
Jessreen said women in the region suffered greatly from domestic violence.
"We are now aware that domestic violence can happen to anyone; I hope our work has helped empower these women," she said.
Students attached to the National Cancer Society of Malaysia (NCSM) developed a cancer resource hub for patients for those seeking more information on the disease.
Isuru Sirisinghe, 18, said his team collated preliminary data on how the public used the internet to collect information on cancer.
"Statistics show that one in three people are going to die of cancer; setting up an online resource tool is both important and necessary," he said.
For fellow student Ivan Lai Yoon Kit, working at Rumah Hope was an emotional experience.
Ivan and his partner Roshan Awmee were responsible for developing a balanced diet plan for the home's 60 children aged between five and 17, many of whom are survivors of abuse, abandonment and familial drug use.
"To some of the kids, I was a brother. To others, I was a father figure," Ivan said.
Roshan said some of the kids at Rumah Hope were overweight, while others were too skinny.
"Our groups decided to improve on the children's nutritional intake by working on a balanced diet plan with the home's supervisors," he said.
21 October 2009
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Name: Matthew Butler
Org. Unit: Berwick School of IT
Title: Lecturer
Campus: Berwick
How long have you been with Monash University?
Almost nine years now. My first year was at Gippsland, and the last eight have been here at Berwick.
Prior to working at Monash, where were you located and what was your role?
My background is electronic and computer engineering. Straight after my degree I worked for Australian Paper as a control systems engineer. After about five years it wasn't going where I wanted it to, so did the Aussie thing and disappeared to Europe for a while.
What challenges are ahead in your current role?
Nothing ever stays constant! The discipline, courses, subjects... everything is constantly changing. But that is a great challenge to have. At the very least I should never get bored with my job.
What is it about your job that holds your interest or is particularly satisfying?
The most satisfying aspect is being able to both teach and do research (I'm currently trying to finish my PhD). I love both parts, and maybe that is because I am never worn down by either. When my research is getting heavy, my students liven me up. And when I want to escape my students, my thesis is there waiting for me.
What is your favourite place in the world and why?
Easy. The Louvre in Paris. I have spent days wandering and getting lost in there.
What is the best piece of advice you have received?
Any words of wisdom I can think of right now come straight from 'The Simpsons' so I don't think I will embarrass myself with an answer to this question.
What is something about yourself that most of your colleagues wouldn't know?
A few know this, but some of my work mates may not know I played a little in a band around Melbourne for a few years in the late 90s. For some reason our professional lives took precedence over the rock 'n' roll in the end, and world domination was put on hold.
21 October 2009
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The Monash Centre for Green Chemistry has developed and patented processes to reclaim some of the nutritional ingredients that get removed from food in its processing - vitamins and other products that scientists believe help our bodies prevent and fight disease - so they can be added to foods or taken as health supplements.
The compounds are reclaimed from food waste such as peanut shells, apple skins, fruit kernels and grape skins that would otherwise go to landfill.
From this waste, chemists separate complex vitamins, compounds that lower cholesterol called phytosterols, and antioxidants - products believed to help prevent diseases such as cancer and coronary heart disease.
The separation process has been developed under the leadership of Professor Milton Hearn as part of the CSIRO's Food Futures Flagship, in conjunction with the University of Melbourne.