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Research
Protection against neonatal respiratory viral infection via maternal treatment during pregnancy with the benign immune training agent OM-85Incomplete maturation of immune regulatory functions at birth is antecedent to the heightened risk for severe respiratory infections during infancy. Our forerunner animal model studies demonstrated that maternal treatment with the microbial-derived immune training agent OM-85 during pregnancy promotes accelerated postnatal maturation of mechanisms that regulate inflammatory processes in the offspring airways.
Research
The association between preschooler physical activity duration and intensity and social emotional development: Findings from the PLAYCE studySocial emotional development is imperative to young children's long-term psychological and physical health. Physical activity (PA) may be important for young children's social emotional development. The association between preschooler PA duration and intensity and social emotional development was investigated.
Research
A peer support intervention for first-time mothers: Feasibility and preliminary efficacy of the mummy buddy programThe transition to motherhood, although joyous, can be highly stressful, and the availability of professional postpartum support for mothers is often limited. Peer volunteer support programs may offer a viable and cost-effective method to provide community-based support for new mothers. The aim of this study is to determine the feasibility of a peer volunteer support program-The Mummy Buddy Program-in which experienced volunteer mothers are paired with, and trained to offer social support to, first-time mothers.
Research
Gene editing and cardiac disease modelling for the interpretation of genetic variants of uncertain significance in congenital heart diseaseGenomic sequencing in congenital heart disease (CHD) patients often discovers novel genetic variants, which are classified as variants of uncertain significance (VUS). Functional analysis of each VUS is required in specialised laboratories, to determine whether the VUS is disease causative or not, leading to lengthy diagnostic delays.
Research
Effects of dog ownership on children’s social-emotional development: findings from the PLAYCE cohort studyDog ownership is common in families with children and could play a role in children's social-emotional development. This study used longitudinal data on dog ownership and changing dog ownership to investigate their effects on young children's social-emotional development.
News & Events
First national snapshot of Australia's young childrenFor the first time, the Australian Early Development Index (AEDI) has been completed nationally, giving Australia a snapshot of young children's development.
Research
Patterns of multiple risk exposures for low receptive vocabulary growth 4-8 years in the Longitudinal Study of Australian ChildrenOur results demonstrate a range of multiple risk profiles in a population-representative sample of Australian children and highlight the mix of risk factors faced by children
Research
Birthweight and the risk of childhood-onset type 1 diabetesWe investigated whether children who are heavier at birth have an increased risk of type 1 diabetes
News & Events
Playgroup Week celebrates importance of early childhood interventionNational Playgroup Week, the annual event run by Playgroup Australia, will take place across the country from 20 March to 27 March.
News & Events
New research partnership to ensure no child gets left behindResearchers will track the progress of 12,000 children from birth to age five to identify what services are valuable to families to support the health and wellb