Mapping tooth surface erosion
Using a stereoscopic camera and imaging, University of Melbourne researchers are making detailed measurements of tooth surface loss. Many people now retain their natural teeth throughout life so it has become important to maintain a strong tooth surface without exposing the underlying tooth structure, a scenario which leads to tooth pain. The images obtained make it possible to detect annual changes on the surface of teeth and this data will contribute to the understanding of the natural history of surface loss, giving insight into treatments. Read paper.
Walking and turning: a problem for people with Parkinson’s Disease
People with Parkinson’s Disease are unable to control the timing of their walking under challenging conditions, a University of Melbourne study has shown. Most people are able to turn and change direction whilst walking many times a day. For people with Parkinson’s disease, turning while walking is problematic. In order to capture and reconstruct movement, researchers followed retro-reflective markers placed on walkers, allowing sophisticated movement analysis of gait.in Parkinson’s patients This study will contribute to the understanding of the conditions in which changing direction may account for the freezing of gait and falling which is experienced by sufferers of Parkinson’s disease. Read paper.
Educational DVDs help cancer patients prepare for chemotherapy.
People with cancer express a strong desire for information to prepare themselves, asking `to be informed about things you can do to help yourself get well'. Pre-chemotherapy education is a central part of nursing support of cancer patients. An educational DVD was found to be well received by patients and is appropriate to give to them before face-to-face chemotherapy education. Importantly, the DVD did not increase patient anxiety. This University of Melbourne study contributes to understanding the impact of DVD resources as additions to health professional education. Researchers are continuing to investigate strategies for future development. Read paper.
Skin prick test identifies children at risk for persistent peanut allergy.
Although many food allergies lessen in early childhood, this is not so common with peanut allergy. It would be of great benefit to have some early predictor of those children who will develop tolerance. In this University of Melbourne study, a large group of young children was followed over time using a skin prick test as a means to show a very local reaction to peanuts, without these children having to ingest any peanuts and potentially suffer a severe reaction. By five years of age, 21.4% of the children in the study had resolved their allergy. This result is similar to that of a number of overseas studies. The study demonstrates that the skin prick test is a sensitive predictor of persistent peanut allergy and can be used to identify children at high risk. Treatment can then be targeted as new therapies become available. Read paper.