13 May 2009
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| Dr Alistair Nichol. Photo by Neil Bennett. |
A Monash University trial of a novel brain injury treatment in trauma patients, which involves putting a patient into controlled hypothermia, has attracted funding from the Victorian Neurotrauma Initiative.
Dr Alistair Nichol from the Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine has received a Neurotrauma Fellowship of $AUD163,000 to fund his research into prophylactic (induced) hypothermia, which involves the rapid reduction of core body temperature after injury to 33 degrees Celsius.
The study will follow the neurological outcomes of 512 patients with severe traumatic brain injury over a six-month period.
Dr Nichol said the treatment was already commonly used in Australia to decrease brain injury in patients who had suffered cardiac arrest.
"Prophylactic hypothermia has great potential to reduce neurological damage and improve outcomes after severe head trauma," Dr Nichol said.
"Most post-traumatic adverse events that occur in the injured brain are highly temperature-sensitive.
"Hypothermia can influence these biomedical processes, reducing the brain's metabolic rate, decreasing swelling and bringing about positive effects on cerebral blood flow."
New international guidelines have suggested prophylactic hypothermia as a possible therapy.
"We know that there is a fine line between success and failure using this technique," Dr Nichol said.
"However if we're successful, prophylactic hypothermia could not only reduce the amount of damage caused, but it could also halt further injury in a patient, which will improve their quality of life and lessen the burden on our health system.
"It will also significantly improve the neurological outcomes of at least 200 Australians a year, making it clear that a trial with the capacity to demonstrate clinical benefits of the prophylactic hypothermia option is urgently required in Australia."
Dr Nichol will work with lead researcher Professor Jamie Cooper and Professor Rinaldo Bellomo from the Australian and New Zealand Intensive Care Research Centre on the project.
13 May 2009
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| Professor Magdalena Plebanski |
Scientists have determined that a subset of immune cells may cause malaria patients to contract the severe form of the disease.
Led by Monash immunologist Professor Magdalena Plebanski of the Vaccine and Infectious Diseases Laboratory, the international team found that patients with the severe form of malaria have a specific type of cell in their body that people with the uncomplicated disease do not.
This type of cell turns off the immune system and can allow the parasite to grow uncontrollably.
The team investigated the relationship between regulatory T (Treg) cells, parasite burden, and disease severity in adult malaria patients with either uncomplicated or severe malaria.
They identified elevated levels of a new highly-suppressive subset of Treg cells in those patients with severe malaria.
"Regulatory T cells are a small, specialised subset of immune cells that suppress the activation and expansion of effector immune cells, which partake in parasite elimination," Professor Plebanski said.
"The Treg cell subset associated with severe disease in humans expresses a unique combination of surface markers.
"Our results indicate that severe malaria is accompanied by the induction of highly-suppressive Treg cells that can promote parasite growth and as such we caution against the induction of these Treg cells when developing effective malaria vaccines."
It is estimated that 500 million people live in malaria risk areas. The severe form causes death in one to three million people each year.
Until now the bodily factors that enable some patients to survive the disease, while other patients contract the severe form and sometimes die, has been largely unknown.
"Targeting this cell type may lead to new medicines to fight malaria. Further studies are needed to determine if this new cell is promoting severe forms of other inflammatory diseases," Professor Plebanski said.
13 May 2009
 Upgrade / install Flash player for optimum video viewing or refer to the alternative versions below. Unicycle tour videoAlternative versions: |
Monash honours student Sid Rajan is taking a unique approach to his research.
The education student is writing his thesis on the experience of long distance cycling, and as part of his data collection will ride from Perth to Sydney along the southern coast of Australia on a unicycle.
Stage one, from Perth to Adelaide, will see Sid cover 3977 kilometres. He will leave in June.
"As I have grown older and experienced more of the world, I have changed from being someone who is concerned with the destination and how long it's going to take to get there, to someone who believes it's about your experience and not the outcome," Sid said.
"This is something I wanted to explore in an attempt to add to the growing research on outdoor education not just being about action and doing, but about the quality of the experience."
Sid will kick off stage two of the ride, from Adelaide to Sydney from November, using the break in between stages to write his thesis and fundraise for the Art of Living Foundation.
When complete, Sid will be the first to unicycle across Australia and will experience three oceans - the Indian, Southern and Pacific.
Sid learned how to unicycle in 2004 and since has played unicycle hockey for Singapore, set distance records, and completed off-road rides and tours in nine countries, including Vietnam, Laos, India and Pakistan.
"The feeling I get when I unicycle is comparable to none," Sid said.
"When pedalling at top speed, it feels like you're flying or floating."
Sid hopes to one day work with underprivileged children in health and education projects.
"I also hope to develop my own non-profit organisation to fund various projects for underprivileged children around the world … and have a bit of one-wheeling fun in the process!"
For more information visit the 3 Oceans Unicycle Tour website.
13 May 2009
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Monash University, together with the CSIRO and the Australian National University, has established a new $20 million service that will better manage the data "deluge" generated by years of research and advances in technology.
The Australian National Data Service (ANDS) offers a suite of services to assist researchers to identify, locate, access, analyse and share research data.
ANDS Steering Committee chair Dr Ron Sandland said ANDS would encourage a culture of sharing and re-use of Australian research data.
"Work that may once have been restricted to a small group of colleagues can now be made available to peers from around the world. ANDS will allow Australian researchers to contribute to first-class international research," Dr Sandland said.
ANDS Executive Director Dr Ross Wilkinson said it was estimated the next five years would produce more research data than had been produced in all of previous human history.
"Almost all data is now born digital so the capacity to process, transform and transfer information will continue to expand," Dr Wilkinson said.
"This presents a challenge for researchers trying to manage and store their work so they can be sure it will be able to be used in the future.
"Although the storage and retention of research data will remain the role of research institutions and government agencies, ANDS will assist institutions and research groups better manage and realise the full potential of their research data assets."
ANDS is funded by the Federal Government's National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy (NCRIS).
More information on ANDS can be found at the ANDS website.
13 May 2009
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Students across Monash will benefit from the generosity of staff, thanks to a positive response to the University's first ever staff philanthropy campaign, which ran in April.
Monash Vice-Chancellor Professor Richard Larkins said staff had given to key student support initiatives in each faculty.
"It is wonderful that staff have been so enthusiastic about supporting students and programs through the campaign," Professor Larkins said.
"This ground-breaking staff campaign has been an important step as we build a culture of philanthropy at Monash University."
Many staff were inspired to give by the personal stories of students who receive bursaries, scholarships and other opportunities. Other staff were encouraged by the advocacy of their colleagues.
The broader Monash+ campaign has already raised more than $80 million for student support, teaching and learning, research, and campus enhancements.
"Philanthropic support from alumni, staff and friends is the key to the continuing success of the University," Professor Larkins said.
"Philanthropy gives us the ability to consolidate our strengths and the flexibility to respond to new opportunities as they arise."
To learn more, visit the staff philanthropy web page.
13 May 2009
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Monash staff are being encouraged to participate in this year's staff attitude survey, which will be available online from Monday 18 May to Friday 29 May.
"The survey enables staff to express their opinions and provide feedback on issues that are important to both them and the University," Leadership and Organisational manager Bronwyn Johnson said.
"The survey results will help the University pursue opportunities for improvement, having a positive impact on staff commitment, engagement and performance. It's a win win."
The last staff attitude survey was held in 2007, when leadership and career development were highlighted as the two organisational.
As a result, Monash is piloting new approaches to career development and furthering its investment in leadership development.
All faculties, divisions and campuses also implemented local action plans to address these areas of concern.
Ms Johnson encouraged staff to have their say.
"We've set a response target of 50 per cent this year, which is ambitious but attainable," she said.
"Response rates by faculty, division and campus will be graphed and updated daily on the survey website.
"The area with the highest response rate will win two hours action-planning with a consultant, which is great incentive to be involved."
For more information visit the survey website.
13 May 2009
Four Monash industrial design graduates are finalists in this year's James Dyson Australia Design Awards.
Robert Dumaresq, Daniel Molloy, Alex Cheong and Tom Gaunt will compete in a field of 13 for $4000 in prize money and the opportunity to take part in the global James Dyson awards.
The awards also allow graduates to showcase their work to industry, potentially helping them to secure employment in their chosen field.
Robert was selected for the Switch commuter bike, a high-performance folding bike specifically designed for easy handling on crowded public transport.
"The Switch offers riders a fast and reliable bike that can be folded for convenience, taking up no more room than the footprint of one wheel," Robert said.
Daniel was selected for the Boomer mobility aid. Its key innovation is its ability to allow the user to manoeuvre up and down stairs safely.
"Despite the substantial health benefit and functional efficiency of today's walking aids, the negative appearance repels some elderly people - the Boomer creates a modern aesthetic," Daniel said.
Alex has made the finals for the Mo:Ben, a portable food container that can heat up food.
"In addition to re-defining the lunchtime eating experience, the Mo:Ben seeks to address issues like a one-hour lunch break and limited microwave units, by returning control of time to the user," Alex said.
Tom has developed the Ripcurl Headstrong, a hood that surfers can wear to protect themselves from injury and the elements.
"Protective headgear for surfers has been around for twenty years but it's often seen as unfashionable," Tom said.
"With this new innovation, surfers of all ages and experience can wear head protection that is comfortable without having to worry about being judged."
The winner of the award will be announced on Friday 29 May.
For more information visit the Student Design Awards website.
13 May 2009
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| The Sir John Monash telescope, which will be on display as part of Astronomy in a Nutshell. Picture courtesy Monash University Archives IN1799. |
A new exhibition, Astronomy in a Nutshell, will be launched tomorrow at the Monash Science Centre as part of Monash celebrations for the International Year of Astronomy.
Organised by the Centre for Stellar and Planetary Astrophysics, it will give visitors a brief introduction to the history, culture and science of astronomy.
It includes observational equipment from the Mount Stromlo collection, profiles of two prominent Monash astronomers and the Sir John Monash telescope, which was donated to the university by Sir John's grand-daughter Elizabeth "Betty" Durré in 1985.
Visitors can also learn how much they would weigh on a neutron star or white dwarf.
This year has been designated by UNESCO and the International Astronomical Union as the International Year of Astronomy.
It is significant as it is the 400th anniversary of Galileo's observations of the night sky using a telescope as well as the 40th anniversary of the Moon landings.
A range of activities at local, national and international level are planned to help everyone enjoy and appreciate our knowledge of the Universe around us.
Monash is playing a lead role in the Victorian celebrations. To date the University has hosted two public lectures and star viewing sessions that have attracted more than 400 people.
Astronomy in a Nutshell will be on display at the Monash Science Centre until the end of 2009.
The centre is open Monday to Friday from 10 am to 5 pm.
Related links
Monash Science Centre
Monash International Year of Astronomy website
13 May 2009
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An initiative aiming to encourage staff and students to enjoy the benefits of exercise and take up walking has commenced at Caulfield.
More than 30 staff and students have been paired with a walking companion to go for a 30-minute walk at least once a week.
Manager Student Development Alison Richardson is a participant in the program.
"I knew things were not going so well when visiting the doctors for my annual check up I discovered my blood pressure was up quite markedly since my last visit," Ms Richardson said.
"I joined the Get up and Go program as I needed someone to motivate me, a buddy, who would be my conscious for a while until I got into the routine of regular exercise.
"I've been walking twice weekly now for about eight weeks and the benefits are great.
"My blood pressure is already back to normal and I actually get away from my desk for some fresh air, something I hardly did before."
The Get Up and Go program is being piloted at the Caulfield campus and may be extended to other campuses in the future.
For more information visit the Health, Wellbeing and Development website.
In April, I attended my last Board meeting of Monash University Sunway campus Malaysia. It was held at Johor Bahru, on the southern tip of the Malaysian peninsula, at the site of the Clinical School of the Medical School. The facilities there are excellent and the enthusiasm of the staff and students we met was quite inspiring.
It has been great to see the progress of our Sunway campus. It now has seven Faculties represented, with Pharmacy starting successfully this year. The Law Faculty intends to send students to the campus in 2010 to study Asian law along the model of the very successful Prato law programs so there will then be eight faculties represented on the campus. The number of students from Monash campuses outside Malaysia studying at the campus has increased markedly, with 49 students from Monash Australia and six students from Monash South Africa at the campus for semester 1 and 83 students from Monash Australia planned for semester 2. The feedback from the students has been extremely positive and attractive travel and accommodation packages have been provided by the Sunway campus.
There are now over 4400 students at the campus. The new purpose-built campus is stunning. It is operating at a surplus which is returned to the campus to enhance its research activities and to provide for further physical expansion of the campus. Monash University in Australia receives a royalty which is based on the revenue attracted. This amounts to approximately $6m per year, two thirds of which is directed to the relevant Faculties represented on the campus. This recognises the role of the Faculties in supporting the campus, particularly in providing educational resources and quality control.
Other activities over the last month have included a visit to Beijing to sign a collaboration agreement with the Chinese Academy of Sciences. This academy represents the foremost researchers in science and technology in China and has a substantial intramural program with several associated institutes. A number of our researchers already have a relationship with the Academy and the agreement foreshadows dual site and joint PhD programs, postdoctoral fellowships and other research collaborations and exchanges. While in Beijing, I was an invited speaker at the Asia Pacific Association for International Education. This is an organisation which is growing in significance. It is planning an initiative where funds will be obtained to support the brightest students in the Asia Pacific region to undertake exchanges to leading universities in the region to undertake PhD and postdoctoral studies - the Asia Pacific Leaders program. This will be along the lines of a regional Rhodes Scholarship and recognises the need for countries in our region to look to each other rather than only concentrating on North America and Europe.
I was also an invited keynote lecturer at the World Universities Forum in Belgrade. I took the opportunity to visit the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) in Heidelberg as Monash is to be the lead participant in the Australian associate membership of EMBL. EMBL is the most productive molecular biology laboratory outside the US, is supported by 20 European countries and has five outstations or nodes in other European countries. It comprises teams which include PhD students led by star young scientists who have a maximum period of nine years in EMBL before leaving to populate the leading research institutes and universities around Europe and the rest of the world. It has been a highly successful model.
Most staff (with the exception of some senior staff) received a two per cent salary increase in the first pay after 1 April. Our negotiating team has had positive discussions with the NTEU concerning a new Enterprise Agreement and have agreed on most points. Some issues remain concerning sessional staff, which we hope to be able to resolve. There is also a significant discrepancy in the claim of the NTEU in relation to salaries. We hope to be able to reach a fair and affordable resolution of the differences.
Monash University is fortunate in having a highly skilled and committed workforce. Those negotiating the Enterprise Agreement for the University wish to recognise this by arriving at an Agreement which is as generous as it can be in the prevailing circumstances. It is also essential that the agreement is financially responsible and ensures a continuing bright future for the University with the best possible educational outcomes for our students.
13 May 2009
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Name: Charlotte Roberts
Course: Bachelor of Sport and Outdoor Recreation/Bachelor of Primary Education
Year Level: 4
Mode: On campus
Campus: Peninsula
What is it that helped you to choose Monash to do your course?
Something linked to finding an alternative to mainstream education and gaining more skills to create youth programs out of those discoveries.
What is your favourite subject and why?
Experiencing the Australian Landscape because it lets me appreciate the short space of time we're walking, talking and playing together here and become more mindful of how I relate to everything.
What will be your ideal career when you graduate?
Working with youth and adults in a leadership development program that involves service projects, cultural exchange, music, expressive dance, silliness and challenge. That and/or having babies, eating veggies from the garden and volunteering with my local Landcare group.
What is it about your course that holds your interest or is particularly satisfying?
The questioning of dominant ideas and theories in education and other parts of society. Realising that we have the power to change these through action and not repeat cycles that are unfairly structured for certain parts of our community.
Can you tell us a bit more about Project Givawoop?
I wanted to be part of creating a giving culture at Peninsula. We are, as a group, creating a space for people to share with and give to their local communities. We want to generate a more connected community by developing 'giving projects' for Monash and the Frankston community. We also want to support the different organisations at University in improving the wellbeing of students, staff and the broader community through laughter and service.
What challenges are ahead for you this year?
Balancing everything and being able to slow down and have quiet time. Enjoying the challenge of creating Project Givawoop and supporting others to pursue their ideas and dreams. Laughing when I really need to.
What is your favourite place in the world and why?
The place where I am dancing, singing, laughing or eating with someone and looking them straight in the eye and seeing past colour, clothes, culture and history -- just being in that moment, feeling human and seeing love.
What is the best piece of advice you have received?
Things are not what they are, they are what we are.
What is something about yourself that most of your fellow students wouldn't know?
I was a support person for my sister at her home water birth a year ago. She was strong, powerful and brave and showed me how amazing being a woman truly is.
13 May 2009
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Monash University's my.monash portal has once again outranked all other education institution sites in the annual Hitwise Online Performance Awards.
During 2008 it registered 298,889,225 page hits and had 72,326 unique users on average each month.
This is the third consecutive year the University has won the award.
If you have a service, information or suggestion for my.monash, let the portal team know via the "feedback" link located top right on each my.monash page.