Research Pulse: Future focussed health insights

Computed tomography scans, or CT scans, can save lives by enabling early detection of disease and faster diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions. But they also expose you to far more radiation than a traditional X-ray.There is growing recognition that avoiding unnecessary CT scans reduces cumulative exposure to radiation. It can also conserve hospital resources and minimise emergency waiting times. So can people be triaged in another way while still ensuring positive patient outcomes? One of the most frequently performed CT scans is of the brain in response to minor trauma, which is commonly associated with falls in the elderly, and in the younger population when affected by drugs and alcohol.In this episode, we discuss the Adelaide Facial Bone Rule, a screening tool to reduce exposure to CT facial scans, which frequently accompanies a CT brain scan for patients admitted following a fall or accident. We speak to Sarah Constantine, a consultant radiologist at The Queen Elizabeth Hospital, who led the first large study investigating the possibility of using information from the CT brain scan to predict the need for a CT facial bone scan to reduce the radiation dose to individual patients.Sarah is also a perinatal and craniofacial radiologist at The Women’s and Children’s Hospital, is a forensic Radiologist, clinical Senior Lecturer, at the University of Adelaide’s Dental School and was a member of the SA Radiation Protection Committee between 2007 and 2022.If you would like to get in touch, you can email us at healthCALHNcommunications@sa.gov.au

Most people know that a nutrient-dense diet of whole foods can improve your health in countless ways. But if you live with ulcerative colitis, a form of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which can cause painful inflammation in your digestive system – this maxim isn’t so straight forward.Today we speak to Dr Alice Day about her work that is uncovering exactly what type of diet is best for people with IBD, which can be a lifelong debilitating condition with no cure.If you would like to get in touch, you can email us at healthCALHNcommunications@sa.gov.au

In this episode, we discuss work towards overcoming resistance to ovarian cancer treatment.Our guest is Dr Melissa Pitman, ovarian cancer researcher at the Centre for Cancer Biology.We learn about:why ovarian cancer is known as the 'silent killer'why chemotherapy resistance is a major problem when treating ovarian cancerhow Dr Pitman is using lab models to understand why some cancers become resistant and how they can be re-sensitised to treatmentIf you would like to get in touch, you can email us at healthCALHNcommunications@sa.gov.au

In this episode, we discuss research using machine learning to predict patient outcomes within the first 24 hours of arriving at hospital after a stroke.We speak to Dr Stephen Bacchi, neurology registrar and researcher the Royal Adelaide Hospital. Stephen won the SA Health Young Professional of the Year award in 2021, and has recently been nominated for an SA Science and Innovation Excellence Award for his PhD research.If you would like to get in touch, you can email us at healthCALHNcommunications@sa.gov.au

In this episode of the Research Pulse podcast, we’re focussing on work to combat the hidden pandemic of post-operative complications.Our guest is Professor Guy Ludbrook, Director of PARC Clinical Research at the Royal Adelaide Hospital and Professor of Anaesthesia at the University of Adelaide. We learn about: Why post-surgery complications are on the riseHow the Advanced Recovery Room Care is reducing complications by 50%If you would like to get in touch, you can email us at healthCALHNcommunications@sa.gov.au

Whether they’re being treated for a broken leg or are here receive dialysis, many patients throughout different areas of a hospital also have diabetes which adds an extra layer of complexity for clinicians and patients.In this episode, we speak to Research Nurse at the Royal Adelaide Hospital, Dr Rebecca Munt, who is leading work to better understand the hospital landscape in South Australia for patients with diabetes.If you would like to get in touch, you can email us at healthCALHNcommunications@sa.gov.au

How could vitamin C save the lives of people in the intensive care unit?In this episode, we discuss exciting new research using megadoses a derivative of vitamin C called sodium ascorbate that could change the way sepsis is managed worldwide.We’re speaking with Associate Professor Mark Plummer, Head of Research and Innovation in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at the Royal Adelaide Hospital.If you would like to get in touch, you can email us at healthCALHNcommunications@sa.gov.au

For some people, parenthood is an important life goal. But for women who have received a kidney transplant, concerns about safety have made planning for parenthood full of uncertainty. Today we speak to Clinical Associate Professor Shilpa Jesudason about her amazing work uncovering the data that is reassuring patients and clinicians about what to expect from pregnancy after a kidney transplant.Shilpa is a Staff Specialist Nephrologist and Chair of the Clinical Research Group at the Royal Adelaide Hospital’s Central Northern Adelaide Renal and Transplant Service (CNARTS).If you would like to get in touch, you can email us at healthCALHNcommunications@sa.gov.au

In this episode we’re talking about going beyond a one-size-fits all approach to bowel cancer treatment, and tailoring treatment to each individual patient.Our guest is Associate Professor Tarik Sammour, Colorectal Surgeon and researcher at the Royal Adelaide Hospital and the University of Adelaide.If you would like to get in touch, you can email us at healthCALHNcommunications@sa.gov.au

Today we’re focusing on chronic myeloid leukaemia and research which is solving the problem of why some patients with don’t respond to therapy.We’re speaking to Professor Susan Branford from SA Pathology and the Centre for Cancer Biology, an alliance between and SA Pathology and the University of South Australia.If you would like to get in touch, you can email us at healthCALHNcommunications@sa.gov.au

In this episode, we’re focussing on important research in psychology relating to healthcare and Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD).Our guest is psychologist and researcher Taryn Lores from the Royal Adelaide Hospital.If you would like to get in touch, you can email us at healthCALHNcommunications@sa.gov.au

Can your neighbourhood change the way you age?In this episode, we discuss how neighbourhood characteristics, such as how much green space there is, can have a significant impact on older people’s ability to age successfully at home.We speak to Dr Danielle Taylor, Health Geographer and Postdoctoral Research Fellow.We learn about:what a Health Geographer isthe challenge of managing the ageing populationthe Healthy Ageing/Vulnerable ENvironment (HAVEN) Indexpredicting death and transition to aged care using the HAVEN IndexIf you would like to get in touch, you can email us at healthCALHNcommunications@sa.gov.au

This week is National Stroke Week. So in this episode, we’re focusing on a leading innovation in stroke research: the multicentre EVACUATE trial.Our guest is Professor Tim Kleinig, Head of Stroke at the Royal Adelaide Hospital and Clinical Professor at Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide.If you would like to get in touch, you can email us at healthCALHNcommunications@sa.gov.au

In this episode, we focus on how bile acids do more than break down dietary fats for digestion and play a key role in blood glucose regulation.We speak to Professor Chris Rayner, a consultant gastroenterologist at Royal Adelaide Hospital and Professor in the Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide.If you would like to get in touch, you can email us at healthCALHNcommunications@sa.gov.au

Today we’re focusing on a recent research discovery relating to hereditary pancreatitis that could help to improve the healthcare provided for Aboriginal Australians.We speak with world-renowned researcher Professor Toby Coates AO, Director of Kidney and Islet Transplantation at the Royal Adelaide Hospital.Read the published paper here: https://doi.org/10.5694/mja2.51517If you would like to get in touch, you can email us at healthCALHNcommunications@sa.gov.au

Today we’re celebrating International Nurses Day by speaking to Respiratory Nurse Consultant, Karen Royals. We speak about her research on the management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).Karen is a 2021 winner of the South Australian Nursing and Midwifery Excellence Award for Excellence in Research and Knowledge Translation.If you would like to get in touch, you can email us at healthCALHNcommunications@sa.gov.au

From the Central Adelaide Local Health Network, this is Research Pulse.Join us as we speak to leading researchers from CALHN and discuss their world-class health research and how it’s contributing to world-class care.To listen to upcoming episodes, find us and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.The Central Adelaide Local Health Network (CALHN) comprises of the Royal Adelaide Hospital, The Queen Elizabeth Hospital and other sites and services.