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Research
Plasma testosterone concentration is correlated with circulating immune cell abundance in transgender young people on gender-affirming hormone treatmentSex hormones, such as oestrogen and testosterone, display significant immune modulatory properties. This is highly relevant for transgender (trans) people who undergo gender-affirming hormone (GAH) treatment. However, only a limited number of studies have evaluated the immunological impact of GAH treatments, and almost none have assessed the impact in trans young people.
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Beneficial health effects of ultraviolet radiation: expert review and conference reportCarcinogenic effects of ultraviolet radiation (UVR) with reference to skin cancer are the basis of widely implemented recommendations to avoid sun exposure. Whether the benefits of "restrictive sun policies" outweigh their potential harms due to diminished beneficial effects of sunlight exposure remain a matter of controversy.
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Collecting behavioural data across countries during pandemics: Development of the COVID-19 Risk Assessment ToolTools that can be used to collect behavioural data during pandemics are needed to inform policy and practice. The objective of this project was to develop the Your COVID-19 Risk tool in response to the global spread of COVID-19, aiming to promote health behaviour change. We developed an online resource based on key behavioural evidence-based risk factors related to contracting and spreading COVID-19. This tool allows for assessing risk and provides instant support to protect individuals from infection.
Research
Lifting the wellbeing of adolescents and young adults with type 1 diabetes: A feasibility study of the LIFT appAdolescents and young adults with type 1 diabetes have an increased risk of psychological distress. To address this, psychological support provided asynchronously via an app may be feasible. Our study aimed to explore feasibility and safety of the LIFT wellbeing app.
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Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) intervention in adolescents with type 1 diabetes: A pilot and feasibility studyA considerable proportion of patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D) experience emotional problems due to the continual demands of the disease, which may persist throughout life without appropriate support. The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility and acceptability of an Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) intervention and provide early indications of its capacity to impact psychosocial outcomes for adolescents with T1D.
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Septo-optic dysplasia and gastroschisis: trends in birth prevalence and association with maternal ageThis study aims to describe the risk factors and trends in birth prevalence of septo-optic dysplasia (SOD) and gastroschisis between 1980 and 2023. This descriptive, population-based study of SOD and gastroschisis used Western Australian Register of Developmental Anomalies data from 1980 to 2023. Birth prevalence was calculated using Midwives Notification System data for all births after 20 weeks gestation.
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Twenty-One Years and Still Going Strong: A Qualitative Study Exploring the Contribution of Young Adult, Adolescent, and Stakeholder Involvement to the ResilienceAdolescence is a period of rapid transformation when meeting targets for optimal diabetes care is often challenging due to competing life demands. For more than two decades a diabetes transition clinic in Sydney, Australia, has sustained positive outcomes and demonstrated aspects of resilience in the care of individuals living with type 1 diabetes (T1D) who have transitioned from paediatric to adult care. Many studies have focused on resilience in acute care setting showever, studies that examine the factors that support resilience in settings that care for individuals with long-term, chronic conditions such as T1D are lacking.
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A randomised trial of a trauma-informed well-being program to promote mental health in adolescents with type 1 diabetes: Study protocolChildren and young people with type 1 diabetes (T1D) experience high rates of mental ill health and stress due to the emotional and cognitive energy required to manage their condition. Our team has codesigned Wellbeing T1D, a brief trauma-informed online intervention for adolescents living with T1D. This 5-week intervention will teach skills to promote problem solving, improve emotional regulation and promote helpful thinking and coping.
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Medication Use in Type 1 Diabetes and the Association with Socioeconomic Disadvantage: Analysis of a National Linked DatasetTo explore trends in the receipt of commonly prescribed medications (beyond insulin) in people with type 1 diabetes in Australia, including polypharmacy, and to investigate socioeconomic disparities across these trends.
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A microRNA-based dynamic risk score for type 1 diabetesIdentifying individuals at high risk of type 1 diabetes (T1D) is crucial as disease-delaying medications are available. Here we report a microRNA (miRNA)-based dynamic (responsive to the environment) risk score developed using multicenter, multiethnic and multicountry ('multicontext') cohorts for T1D risk stratification. Discovery (wet and dry lab) analysis identified 50 miRNAs associated with functional β cell loss, which is a hallmark of T1D.