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Impact: Paradigm Shift

On this Research Impact page, we showcase real game-changers - research that changes the very way other scientists around the world think and approach challenges. The far-reaching impact on children and families for all the stories shown on these pages is both exciting and significant.

Influenza

Influenza (commonly known as the flu) is caused by a highly contagious virus spread mainly through coughing and sneezing. An annual flu vaccination is the most effective way to prevent flu outbreaks.

Burden and Experiences of Head Lice Infestation Among Children in Western Australia

Head lice is an ectoparasitic skin infection commonly seen in primary school-aged children. In remote Australia, where rates of other skin infections and downstream sequelae are endemic, the rate of head lice infestation is unknown.

“I don't think either of us have really got over the diagnosis.” Caregiver perspectives on medical trauma in adolescent type 1 diabetes; a trauma-informed qualitative investigation

Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) is a 'family illness'; diagnoses and management can be perceived as invasive or traumatic. Caregivers bear the brunt of the diagnostic shock, influencing their child's experience. Children and adolescents may grapple with the psychological effects of past/ongoing medical trauma. Additionally, adolescents may struggle with their mental health as they navigate tensions between caregiver involvement and their developmental need for autonomy.

Challenges and insights in self-swab surveillance for asymptomatic Streptococcus pyogenes carriage

Asymptomatic carriage of Streptococcus pyogenes (Strep A) may contribute to transmission, yet its role remains poorly understood and evidence on optimal detection methods is limited. While self-collected throat swabs are used in infectious disease surveillance, their value for identifying asymptomatic Strep A carriage in adults is uncertain. This pilot prospective cohort study, conducted at a Perth medical research institute between August and October 2024, assessed feasibility and acceptability of self-collection, with sensitivity as a secondary objective. 

The Promoting Resilience in Stress Management for Parents (PRISM-P) Intervention: A Pilot Randomised Controlled Trial in Parents of Young Children With Type 1 Diabetes

Parents of young children with type 1 diabetes (T1D) are at risk of experiencing elevated stress due to their responsibilities as caregivers. Despite this, there are limited interventions designed to enhance resilience in this population of parents. This pilot randomised controlled trial aimed to examine the acceptability, appropriateness, and feasibility of the Promoting Resilience in Stress Management for Parents (PRISM-P) intervention in parents of young children with T1D.

Adolescent sexual and reproductive health and rights policy for ethnic minority girls in Vietnam: a qualitative study with policy makers and service providers

Adolescent sexual and reproductive health and rights (ASRHR) policy has strengthened globally over the last three decades, but country-level barriers to implementation perpetuate health inequities for adolescent girls. In Vietnam, implementation of ASRHR policy remains challenged by persisting structural and socio-cultural issues and has yet to reduce the high prevalence of adolescent pregnancy in ethnic minority communities.

Barriers and Enablers to Supporting the Healthy Ageing Needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples Within Aged Care: A Qualitative Study

There is a growing understanding of how Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Australia define healthy ageing. Little is known however about how aged care services can support their healthy ageing needs. Therefore, the aim of this study was to explore community and service provider perspectives on how home-based and residential aged care services can best support the healthy ageing needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Diabetic kidney disease in northwest Ethiopia: Prevalence and determinants among adults with type 2 diabetes

Diabetic kidney disease (DKD), mainly due to type 2 diabetes (T2DM) is the leading cause of end-stage kidney disease globally. However, DKD prevalence in sub-Saharan Africa, particularly Ethiopia, is underexplored, especially using reliable markers like quantified albuminuria and cystatin C based estimated glomerular equations (eGFR). This study aimed to assess DKD prevalence and associated factors using multiple diagnostic markers.

Flt3L-mediated tumor cDC1 expansion enhances immunotherapy by priming stem-like CD8+ T cells in lymph nodes

Immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) evokes antitumor immunity through the reinvigoration of T cell responses. T cell differentiation status controls response, with less differentiated cells having an enhanced capacity to proliferate after ICB. Given that conventional type 1 dendritic cells (cDC1) maintain precursor exhausted T cells (TPEX), we hypothesized that expansion of cDC1s with Flt3L could enhance responses to ICB.