Research Projects
Filters for Projects
Research Units
Forecasting of Vector Borne Diseases (VBD) Capability Development for Improve Deployed Force Planning (Old ID 27925)
This research project will utilise existing data on vector trapping, weather and disease prevalence to provide capability for outbreak detection and forecasting that are relevant to both military and civilian settings. Thus, we aim that this project will deliver a VB disease surveillance and forecasting system that is capable of: • Incorporating lessons from COVID-19 pandemic responses in coordinating smooth data fusion techniques in gathering VB health data applicable to military and civilian settings. • Extend existing model on ento-epidemiological and climate models, fusing the two models to understand the dynamics of both vector and diseases in region of interest. • Adopt Pypfilt/EpiFX for forecasting and parameter estimation for VB diseases (currently only used for COVID-19). This is to help inform the commander in understanding the risk of VBD to members at AO.
PS311 – JCU NQ Social Worker Placement in General Practice Expansion (Townsville & Cairns) (Old ID 29007)
The aim of this project is to research the benefits and challenges of social work practice in GP clinics to develop evidence-based pathways and integrated care options focused on improving holistic health outcomes for the community and in particular older people, people with chronic disease and first Nation people. This will be achieved by providing funding to GP clinics to hire and support social workers and social work students in their practice. The research will evaluate the project, document and examine the social work contributions and outcomes in GP, and investigate pathways for funding social work in GP.
Enhancing AI detection of dugong and other marine megafauna species (Old ID 30032)
Standardised aerial surveys have been conducted across northern Australia for over three decades to monitor dugong populations. JCU is currently monitoring dugongs across the entire eastern Queensland coast using conventional observer survey approach. In parallel to the monitoring work, JCU is experimenting the use of aerial images to conduct these large scales surveys. Preliminary results from the image processing work reveals that substantial efforts need to be put in to streamline and fast-track the processing of large image datasets to make imagery survey a cost-effective approach in the future. An AI for detecting dugongs is available but was developed based on images collected in Western Australian waters, a different habitat compared to eastern Queensland inshore waters. Preliminary tests ran by our team suggest that the current AI requires additional research work to improve its level of precision while other competitive AIs also need to be investigated. Upon completion of our tests, our team will outline steps toward the improvement of the current AI and/or exploration of alternative methods with the end goal of producing an automated approach that fast-tracks the processing of large image datasets collected during large-scale marine wildlife surveys.
Seagrass monitoring for Inshore Marine South Zone for the Mackay-Whitsunday-Isaac Healthy Rivers to Reef Partnership (Old ID 31079)
Continuation of annual seagrass monitoring program and development and implementation of seagrass condition report card in the south zone of the Mackay-Whitsunday-Isaac region.
Tropical Disease - Immunity, pathogenesis and vaccine development: global translation (Old ID 20729)
Tropical diseases create a significant human and economic burden worldwide - particularly in resource-poor settings. Around half of the world's population is at risk of malaria. In Australia, Streptococcal and parasitic worm infections are particularly common in indigenous communities. This Program brings together leading experts to tackle these major health challenges. They are investigating how the body reacts to infection and creating new drugs and vaccines to eradicate these diseases.
Sub-catchment scale monitoring, modelling and extension design to support reef water quality improvement (Old ID 22241)
This project aims to develop a sub-catchment scale water quality monitoring program in key cane growing catchments to provide more refined spatial and extension targeting of management action change to reduce nutrient and pesticide runoff from cane areas in order to meet GBR Reef Plan targets. The project will be developed in two key catchments, with a small pilot component to provide 'proof of concept'. The subsequent plan will provide the template for GBR catchment wide water quality monitoring by government agencies.
Integrated online platform for delivery of digital health services by a multi-disciplinary team of allied health professionals (Old ID 23626)
This project aims to create an integrated online platform for multi-disciplinary allied health professionals to provide evidence-based digital health support and services to communities, organisations and clients, especially those in rural and remote communities, vulnerable groups and/or those who would otherwise not be able to access quality health services within Queensland, Australia and other countries. This project provides solutions to challenges associated with a sustainable design for service delivery compared to current models that involve significant funding in order to access these populations. This project has the potential to reach these geographically dispersed communities while reducing costs through decreased travel.
Research to support sustainable coral harvesting by Australian aquarium industry (Old ID 23641)
An Advance Queensland Knowledge Transfer Partnerships grant awarded to Ultra Coral Australia Pty Ltd is being used to part fund the appointment of a PhD graduate from James Cook University, Dr Ciemon Caballes, to undertake research into the improved sustainability of wild coral harvesting on Australia’s Great Barrier Reef. A portion of the grant is awarded directly to JCU to facilitate direct engagement with Ultra Coral Australia Pty Ltd and the recently appointed graduate, further establishing industry links and direct application of ongoing research.
Can experimental hookworm infection prevent metabolic disease/Type 2 diabetes? (Old ID 24710)
We will conduct a world-first clinical trial in Cairns testing the safety and efficacy of experimental hookworm infection in women at risk of getting Type 2 diabetes. For this application we will examine how worm infection alters the microbiome, a potental mechanism of how worms control metabolism.
HOT NORTH - Pilot Project - Round 4 - Cooking smoke and indoor air pollution : Impaired immunity to Tuberculosis at Australian's northern border? (Old ID 25026)
Middle Fly region of PNG has very high rates of TB and pre-existing lung disease may play a significant role in the acquisition and development of TB disease. Our study will determine the burden and characteristics of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and investigate the resultant lung immune response defects in this community. In doing so we will build local capacity in lung function testing and laboratory analysis and optimise a pipeline of sample analysis of lung immune responses from PNG to JCU, Townsville. Such information will complement existing TB programmes in South Fly region of the Western Province.