Reducing falls and hospitalisations, the effects of probiotics on multiple sclerosis symptoms and the impact of e-cigarettes and their implications with COVID-19 will be among key research projects conducted in Northern Tasmania next year.
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The Clifford Craig Foundation revealed the recipients of its 2021 medical research grants on Thursday, with six new projects to share between $312,617 in funding.
The announcement adds to more than $70,0000 already committed by the foundation for research into the COVID-19 ASCOT trial. The multicentre trial is recruiting patients in more than 70 hospital across Australia.
Additional funding of almost $97,000 has also been allocated for the continuation of a previously announced project exploring the use of laser therapy to reduce cardiac damage, led by Dr Rohit Barthwal and Dr Michael Fox.
Clifford Craig chairman Don McTaggart AM said in total the foundation would contribute more than $680,000 towards medical research in the state's North and North-West in 2021.
"This announcement today sees the foundation building upon our reputation for facilitating an important collaborative clinical medical research program at the Launceston General Hospital, which supports local research that is undertaken by medical professionals at the hospital, medical and nursing students and university researchers," Professor McTaggart said.
A quality improvement study aimed at enhancing outcomes for babies in the state's North-West is among the new grant recipients.
Led by Associate Professor Heinrich Weber, the study has been awarded $79,927 to evaluate the impact of carbon monoxide and obesity interventions during pregnancy as part of an Australian-first project.
The study is of particular relevance to the state's North-West, which experiences some of the highest rates of chronic disease such as obesity, diabetes, mellitus, asthma and COPD.
If proven successful, Associate Professor Weber said the protocol would have immediate positive outcomes for participants and their unborn babies.
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