Media Releases - Research 2002

November 2002

World-first study shows folate may protect against blood vessel problems in diabetes

Women's and Children's Hospital researchers have shown that the blood vessels from children with type 1 diabetes have improved function when folate is taken daily.
This world-first intervention trial in diabetes involved 36 diabetic patients around 14 years of age who had been diabetic for at least three years.

Another piece of the intellectual disability jigsaw

Researchers from the Women's and Children's Hospital have identified a gene responsible for a type of intellectual disability called Börjeson-Forssman-Lehmann Syndrome or BFLS affecting mostly males.

October 2002

World-first gene therapy for Cystic Fibrosis targets lung stem cells ?

The genetically - inherited disease cystic fibrosis causes severe, unrelenting lung disease in children and adults worldwide. Approximately 1 in 2,500 infants are born with this disease and only half survive past 30 years of age.
Now, researchers from the Women's and Children's Hospital, Adelaide have developed a novel system of gene therapy for lungs affected by cystic fibrosis, involving a natural compound found in our lungs which 'conditions' lung airways to allow cells to take up the therapeutic gene.

September 2002

World-class facilities join to help women become pregnant

A new relationship between the Reproductive Medicine Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology of the University of Adelaide and the Women's and Children's Hospital (WCH) is set to ensure that women's reproductive health receives the very best support through a seamless integration of research and clinical facilities leading to better reproductive outcomes for Australian families.

Pre-schoolers to receive new combination vaccines to combat childhood diseases

In the future, children about to enter school are likely to have fewer needles but more effective vaccinations to help boost their protection against the major childhood diseases.
To achieve this, the Vaccine Research Unit at the Women's and Children's Hospital is conducting a study for children who are due for their four to five year old pre-school vaccinations.

June 2002

Fellowship win to benefit indigenous people

Women's and Children's Hospital (WCH) Scientist Dr Cuong Tran, has won South Australia's first American Australian Association (AAA) Fellowship valued at around $50,000.

March 2002

Leading Adelaide Scientist Changes Gear

The Women's and Children's Hospital has announced the retirement of Professor Grant Sutherland from his position as director of the hospital's Department of Cytogenetics and Molecular Genetics.
Professor Sutherland will retain his links with the hospital as a part-time Women's and Children's Hospital Foundation Research Fellow and will continue active research.

And the Award Goes to....

Ms Karen Lower, PhD student from the Department of Cytogenetics and Molecular Genetics at the Women's and Children's Hospital, was chosen as the hospital's Young Investigator of the Year.
The Award event, held at the hospital was a huge success attracting over 130 staff, donors to the hospital, researchers from other institutions and selected corporates.

And the Winner is……

Tomorrow, research students at the Women's and Children's Hospital will put aside their laboratory coats and will once again compete for the hospital's annual Young Investigator of the Year Award.
The Award, first presented in 2000, was established to recognise the excellence of the contribution made by young researchers to the world-class research effort of the hospital.

New treatment may help prevent asthma

Children with eczema have a higher than average risk of developing asthma. However, recent studies have suggested that a new medication may reduce the risk, by up to 50%, of some of them developing asthma.
Dr Mike Gold and his research team are undertaking a study to further evaluate the use of this new treatment in children between one and two years who have eczema. For the child to be eligible, a family member (parent or sibling) must have a history of eczema, hayfever or asthma.

New gene identified: involved in both intellectual disability and epilepsy

Intellectual disability and epilepsy often occur together and frequently have genetic causes. Now, for the first time, researchers from the Women's and Children's Hospital, Adelaide have identified a major gene that is responsible for both conditions.
Senior hospital scientist Dr Jozef Gecz from the Dept of Cytogenetics and Molecular Genetics says, " This gene is found on the X-chromosome and is one of probably 100 genes on that chromosome, which when mutated, can cause intellectual disability.

February 2002

New relief for morning sickness

Research from the Women's and Children's Hospital and Adelaide University, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology has now shown that acupuncture is an extremely effective treatment for morning sickness in early pregnancy.

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