The role of nutrition as part of a healthy lifestyle is well understood by the medical profession but whether this information is easily conveyed to patients is another matter.
How much confidence GPs have in providing nutritional advice to their patients is now the subject of research by Griffith University’s Dr Lauren Ball. She says that approximately two thirds of general practice consultations concern patients with chronic disease issues such as being overweight or having high cholesterol or diabetes.
“We already know that nutrition is the most influential factor affecting how well these conditions are managed, however we know from previous research that the level of nutritional advice provided by GPs is extremely low,” says Dr Ball who is part of Griffith’s Menzies Health Institute Queensland (MHIQ).
“We believe that even brief mention of the importance of nutrition, or a suggestion to speak with a dietitian, can have an immediate positive impact on the patient to go forward and seek further information about potential health benefits.” As part of National Health and Medical Research Council funding, the research will investigate GPs’ confidence in providing nutritional advice to patients, including the levels of knowledge and skills GPs feel they have in this area, their attitudes regarding how important nutrition is to them and the barriers they face in incorporating nutrition into their care.
Dr Ball will be asking GPs to complete an online survey regarding the issues, which will see them receiving a ‘nutrition confidence’ score.
The survey can be found here: https://erssurvey-prd-gc.rcs.griffith.edu.au/prodls190/index.php?sid=81711&lang=en
“This will then inform us in our design of an appropriate intervention and will probably involve a number of activities, including an educational workshop which will help GPs raise the topic with patients in a timely and appropriate manner. We can also use the score to track the progress of GPs, both before and after any interventions that may occur.
“Dietary advice is a pivotal part of any healthy lifestyle but sometimes issues such as time constraints in general practice prevent this from being successfully delivered,” says Dr Cris Beer, a GP registered with the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners. “Unfortunately, this is not something usually taught atmedical school, but in reality more and more patients are seeking nutritional advice from their GP as their first point of reference. “This research at Griffith will be very valuable in ascertaining how to best support GPs, and hopefully provide them with some new strategies to meet nutrition patients’ needs specific to their particular condition or situation.”
A high school visit to a wind farm was enough to convince Griffith University School of Engineeringstudent Alice Fleetwood about where her professional future lay.
“I grew up in northern NSW and we were off the electricity grid. Renewable energy was a part of daily life,” she recalls.
“I already knew how important renewable energy was, but visiting the Gunning Wind Farm outside Canberra really got me thinking about a career in the sector.
“And when I asked the best way to get a job, I was told the answer was in engineering.”
Now in the second year of a degree specialising in electronic and energy engineering, Alice is the recipient of an Australian Power Institute Bursary (API) that complements her studies by providing paid employment with member companies during three summer vacations.
API represents 35 major Australian power companies in addressing the skills gap in power engineering.
So far, Alice has completed work experience at Powerlink Queensland, which owns and operates the state’s high voltage electricity transmission network.
“It was a great experience and taught me a lot about what can be achieved through engineering in the energy sector,” says Alice.
“There is so much potential for increased energy saving, for better storage and distribution systems.
“When I started I was a little daunted by the electrical and electronic aspects of the degree because these were areas in which I hadn’t received much exposure during high school.
“However, as my Griffith course has progressed I have gained confidence, broadened my interests and capabilities and I’m now excited about continuing to the Honours component of my degree.”
Alice is also keen to encourage more young women to pursue careers in engineering.
“Engineering has always been a male-dominated area, but the field encompasses so much that it is an ideal career for women,” she says.
“In fact, I think it’s a great time to be a woman in engineering.”
Find out more about studying Engineering at Griffith <https://www.griffith.edu.au/engineering-information-technology>
It was only recently that Griffith University research showed that it’s possible to improve the hydrating effects of beer without killing off its taste.
Associate Professor Ben Desbrow from Griffith’s Menzies Health Institute Queensland has now extended his study of beer to see how it can be further manipulated to improve its rehydration potential.
Taking 12 males into the lab, tests entailed them drinking beers of varying strengths following a controlled exercise-induced weight loss activity.
His study, ‘Manipulations to the alcohol and sodium content of beer for post exercise rehydration’ published in the International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism, found that a large concentration of electrolytes added to beer further enhances an individual’s fluid retention following low alcohol beer consumption.
Additionally, the study found that the rehydration potential of mid strength beer is also affected by electrolyte enrichment. Specifically, that the concentration of electrolytes appears to have more significant impact on post exercise fluid retention than small changes in the alcohol content of beer.
Understanding beer drinkers’ motivations
Based on this latest research, Associate Professor Desbrow and his team are now seeking to further understand beer consumers’ motivations using an online questionnaire.
“Now that we know that beer can be manipulated in a variety of ways to enhance its health giving potential, the next step is to find out the attitudes of the beer drinking population,” he says. “We want to know their attitudes to beer drinking and what influences their behaviour. What are the financial and lifestyle factors that affect their beer choices and which factors make it more appealing to them?
“We know that a large number of people enjoy beer and given that it is a plant- based beverage, there is definitely room to improve beer’s health profile.”
Associate Professor Desbrow is calling for study participants to complete a short online survey https://erssurvey-prd-gc.rcs.griffith.edu.au/prodls190/index.php?sid=37617&lang=en
Participants need to be Australian residents or citizens and must drink beer at least once a fortnight.
ENDS
Seven of Australia’s best typographers, type designers, calligraphers and logo designers will come together on the Gold Coast this April to talk about their work at a creative conference to focus purely on the craft of typography.
Typismis the brainchild ofartist, author, speaker and educatorDominique Falla — who also heads up the Bachelor of Digital Media at the Queensland College of Art and recently completed a Doctorate herself inTactile Typography.
According to Dominique, it’s an event to celebrate and discuss the art and technique of making written language readable and beautiful.
“Typography is everywhere and part of so much around us yet itisn’tuntil we start to look closely that we recognise it for its true value,” she says.
Typographer Dominique Falla will lead the upcoming Typism conference at the Gold Coast
The self-confessed “type snob” says it was being left handed that made her first consider the art form.
“Writing my own name as a small child was a little more laborious than for most!” she explains.
“As a lefty with nine letters in my name, I had to give it a lot of attention and thought as to how I could best write it.
“This focus has continued throughout my design practice over the last 20 years, and I’ll admit that it was a passion which slowly crept into an obsession!”
“Now as an educator, I see so many students coming through in a digital age and they need to understand the importance of typography, so it plays significant part of my teaching practice.”
“It is important to explore ways in which the digital world can inhabit the real one using typography,” she says.
It’s a skill that she says is in hot demand, with typographers called upon for advertising, packaging and branding.
Dominique herself continues to produce tactile typography works for commission,with Google and Woolworths just some of the big names that have called on her expertise for large-scale installations.
“Typefaces have personalities — so success is down to choosing the appropriate one for the environment you’re in.
“But in the end so much comes down to the individual designer, as it’s not the typeface you use but how you use it!” she says.
Typismwill feature leading expertsJamie Clarke(UK);Jess Cruickshank(Sydney);Luke Lucas,Carla HackettandBarry Spencer(Melbourne);Jasmine Dowling(Brisbane); andDave Foster(Sydney).
Tuesday 14 April @Event Cinemas, Robina, Gold Coast
http://typism.com.au/
Foremost Australian medical researchers, Professor Mark von Itzstein and Professor Michael Good from Griffith’s Institute for Glycomics have been honoured with election to Fellowship in the Australian Academy of Health & Medical Sciences.
The appointments are in recognition of their outstanding contribution to the advancement of world scientific knowledge.
Both Professors von Itzstein and Good are global leaders in infectious disease research.
Professor von Itzstein is world-renowned for his anti-viral drug discovery programs and his discovery of Relenza, the world’s first designer anti-influenza virus drug.
Professor Mark von Itzstein
Professor Good has two promising vaccine candidates in human clinical trials; one that would protect against malaria infection and the other against Group A Streptococcal infection.
Professor Michael Good
The newly created Academy was officially launched by Minister for Health, the Hon Sussan Ley MP in Canberra on March 25, 2015.
Director Professor von Itzstein, who leads a membership of 165 researchers at the Institute for Glycomics, said he was honoured by the announcement.
“Both Michael and I feel very privileged to be elected as Fellows of the Australian Academy of Health & Medical Sciences, and look forward to working within the Academy to advance medical research.”
The Academy includes many eminent scientists, including Nobel Laureate Professor Peter Doherty and is led by President Professor Ian Frazer.
It aims to provide independent advice to Government on health and medical research issues, mentor the next generation of health and medical science researchers and provide a forum for discussion on progress on medical research with an emphasis on translation of research into practice.
Griffith University Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ned Pankhurst is delighted by the announcement.
“I congratulate the University’s two new Fellows on their election to the Academy.
“They join an elite group and continue Griffith’s strong tradition of our distinguished researchers being recognised by the leading academies.”
Established in 2014, the Academy brings together individuals who are members of Australia’s diverse specialist colleges and associations along with researchers and medical educators with a clinical and translational focus. The Academy plans to engage with all professional colleges and academies, as well as the NHMRC and government.
Candidates are judged primarily on the evidence of their published scientific work, and by peer review of scientists, both overseas and in Australia, who are eminent in the candidate’s field of expertise.
For a full list of the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences Council Members visit: www.aahms.org
For over 20 years, Professor Paula Brough’s research has focussed on evaluating and enhancing the psychological health of workers. She is the leader of the Behavioural Basis of Health (research centre’s) Social and Organisational Psychology Research Unit, and WOW’s newest academic member. We spent five minutes with (a very busy) Paula to learn a little more about her research…
In what area/s do your current research interests lie?
My research has focused on two primary aspects of psychological health: (1) reducing experiences of occupational stress within the high-risk industries, and (2) enhancing employee health and organisational performance.I have conducted collaborative research in this field specifically with police agencies since 1993 (my Honours, Masters and PhD theses all investigated police occupational stress), and since 2000, this research has been co-funded by various police services. I’ve conducted research with numerous UK Police Services and with both New Zealand and Queensland Police Services. This research has also been applied to other high-risk industries such as Ambulance, Fire, Corrections, Education and Customs services, as well as to private organisations.
Are there ongoing or emerging trends in your field/s of research?
The swing to assess the impacts of positive, as well as negative, workplace experiences has recently gained welcome momentum. Thus a focus on the provision of workplace support, balance andsatisfaction in the assessmentsof employee wellbeing, work engagementand development has provided improved estimates of employee health, as compared to a focus on stress, conflict, strain and burnout, for example. We also recently reviewed the impact of technology on employee health and performance levels (‘techno-stress’), and technology continues to be both a blessing and a curse for many workers. How newtechnologywill change the workingenvironmentover the next decade or so is certainly an issue worthy of increased attention.
Have there been major developments in the field/s or key findings that have directed the trajectory of your research?
The recognition and refinement ofexplanationsof how psychosocial work characteristics impact on employeehealth and performance has been important (e.g. Job Demands-Resources Model; Psychosocial Safety Climate assessments). The recentemphasisplaced upon leaders – how they can have such a strong impact upon all sorts oforganisationalpractices and employee performance, regardless of formal policies, is also topical. This has of course been known for a while, but recent empirical studies havere-emphasisedthis impact via multi-level modellinganalyses in particular. The research we’re undertaking assessing the impact of ‘toxic leaders’ and training supervisors ‘in supportive people management skills’ is exciting and is producing some nice empirical evidence of thisimpact ofleadership.
What are you working on at the moment?
I’m in the final stages of completing a co-authored book entitled,Improving criminal justice workplaces: Translating theory and research into evidenced-based practice(Routledge).I’m halfway through an Australian Research Council Linkage grant undertaking a controlled trial of an innovative stress management intervention which focusses on leadership development in the Queensland Police Service. I have some small (seed funding) projects running in 2015 with Queensland Fire & Rescue Service (assessing gender culture), and with Queensland Teachers Unions (assessing engagement over the teaching life span). Then there’s the usual backlog of papers from past projects to write up, or awaiting revision and journal resubmission!
Finally, are there challenges in your field/s in trying to bridge the gap between research, practice and policy?
I’m a passionate advocate of high qualityappliedresearch – it has to be useful, it has to work, and we need to be able to empiricallyprove that it does. Most of my research is distilled into key recommendations for organisations with the intention of informing their policies. The uptake of recommendations into actual organisational policy change is of course varied, but does occur.
Europe on her doorstep. For primary school teacher and Griffith alumnus, Allanah Secis, being able to travel extensively was one of the bonuses of living and working in London.
Allanah, who graduated with a Bachelor of Education Primary in 2012, said travelling in term breaks was a fantastic experience.
“A sense of adventure was always in the air,’’ she said.
“I remember on the last day of term I went into a colleague’s classroom at lunch. We decided then and there to book tickets to Croatia the following morning!
“It was so easy to see different parts of the world using London as a base.”
After a disappointing experience with her first recruitment provider, Allanah changed to Brisbane-based agency Point to Point Education. They helped her find work with a small school where she taught happily for 18 months.
“The school was supportive and challenging. I learnt so much and it was a wonderful first job to have as a teacher,’’ she said.
“The position gave me a lot of the tools I now rely on to teach in my own Australian classroom.”
Allanah credits her Griffith degree with giving her the skills to interpret any curriculum into a unit plan.
“That was the number one skill I needed when I decided to teach in an English school.
“The best part of my Griffith degree were the practicums in each year especially the first year. My subjects were relevant to what I was learning in schools and my lecturers were all very knowledgable.”
Returning to Australia in 2014 leaving behind her adventures in London and Europe, Allanah is now teaching at an independent school in Toowoomba.
“It is quite a change”, she admits. ” But with an education degree you can go anywhere!”
The Imperial Edict Museum in Xuzhou, China last monthdesignated a special room within their museum the ‘Tourism Confucius Institute Chinese Culture Centre.’
The Imperial Edict Museum is seated in the picturesque Jiulishan West-East Han Dynasty cultural and tourism district, neighboring the Tomb of King Chu of the West Han Dynasty, Liu Zhu (King Xiang). It is the only imperial edict dedicated museum in China.
The announcement comes after several meetings between the Tourism Confucius Institute at Griffith University (TCI) and the Imperial Edict Museum. The two TCI directors,Professors Leong Liew and Shaofang Liu, reached an agreement with the museum in 2014 and TCI sent its first batch of students led by Associate Professor Shan in early 2015.
A plaque informing visitors of the centre is hung on permanent display in the museum. Within the centre visitors can experience aspects of traditional Chinese culture such as stone rubbings, calligraphy, paintings, and displays.
TCI students pose with the new plaque
The main entrance to the Imperial Edict Museum
The welcome plaque installed at the entrance to the museum
Perry Cross is convinced a cure for paralysis is just around the corner.
In fact, the Gold Coaster believes so strongly that he has used the celebration of his 40th birthday — dressed up as The King, Elvis Presley, no less — to present a kingly donation of $75,000 over three years for spinal injury research at Griffith University.
The donation through the Perry Cross Spinal Research Foundation adds to a previous commitment of $150,000 over three years and will allow scientists at the Eskitis Institute for Drug Discovery to continue seeking and developing therapies for spinal cord repair.
Project Leader Dr James St John and his research team are studying ways to grow cells that are more effective and survive better after transplantation into the spinal cord.
Perry Cross, in fancy dress as Elvis Presley, with guests at his 40th birthday celebrations
Mr Cross, who was just 19 when left a C2 quadriplegic after breaking his neck playing rugby, says the progress being made at the Eskitis Institute is extremely promising.
“I wholeheartedly believe that one day a breakthrough will happen and it could come from Griffith University,” he says.
“Science is matter of investing time and energy. We can overcome any disease or element, but we need to put the money and time into it.
“Eskitis has a great bunch of enthusiastic scientists all keen to make a difference.”
More than 12,000 Australians live with spinal cord injury, with at least one new occurrence every day.
The Eskitis team is working on processes through which glial cells from the olfactory mucosa — located in the upper region of the nasal cavity — are relocated to the damaged spinal cord. Glial cells are the supporting cells of the nervous system and can help nerve fibres to regenerate.
“What we have also discovered is that the natural compound curcumin, which comes from the spice turmeric, can stimulate the cells that are used for transplantation into the spinal cord,” says Dr St John.
“What we now need to do is to make it more effective so it is stable and can be used in therapy for humans.
“Thanks for the generous support from the Perry Cross Spinal Research Foundation, we hope we can get to the cure sooner rather than later.”
For more information or to donate to spinal research, visit http://www.griffith.edu.au/science-aviation/eskitis-institute
By Missy Burrell
The Griffith University Gold Coast campus will boast its first outdoor LED video wall following construction on the project this month.
Senior Deputy Vice Chancellor and Head of the Gold Coast campus, Professor Ned Pankhurst, said the video wall will greet students, staff and visitors as they enter the Gold Coast campus from Parklands Drive.
“This video wall is an exciting addition to our Gold Coast campus and will act as a dynamic platform to welcome visitors and VIPs, as well as engaging current students and staff,” said Professor Pankhurst.
Celebrating our community
“Displays on the video wall will celebrate the activities of the Griffith community, through showcasing student achievements, highlighting the efforts and accomplishments of staff and furthering our reputation as a world-class University.”
The six metre by four metre, high resolution and weatherproof LED Digital Screen and audio system will sit outside G11 Learning Commons and display images, video and webpages, as well as live- streaming events and television.
The aggregation of various social media, and sharing conversations within the wider Griffith community, will feature heavily in the latest addition to the University’s digital signage platform.
Real-time social engagement
“Staff and students will not only be able to submit their own creations and content for the wall, but also be involved in real-time social engagement and conversations happening on-screen,” explained Professor Pankhurst.
“We foresee the G11 video wall becoming an important tool for the Griffith community to stay up- to-date with events, announcements and initiatives, as well as keeping abreast with what’s ‘trending’ — not just within our University, but breaking news and events in general.”
The hot tip for viewers is to pick a spot on the common grassed area adjacent to G11 — around 14 metres from the screen – to soak up that high-definition, broadcast digital television-worthy resolution.
And the great news is the master plan for the Griffith University Gold Coast campus includes increasing the grassed area — making room for a bigger audience to enjoy all the new video wall will have to offer.
Watch this space….Red Zone Construction
Construction on the video wall starts on Thursday March 19 and is expected to be completed in mid- April.
