Queensland COVID-19 research
This page of Queensland’s research related to the COVID-19 pandemic is compiled from information provided by Queensland universities and research institutes.
While many of our researchers are working on potential vaccines, treatments and other medical interventions, other researchers are applying their expertise to other impacts of the pandemic upon our economy and other aspects of society. The data includes immediate research activity, recent relevant work, proposed research (subject to available funds) and other responses using the resources and expertise of our research organisations.
Listing 6 matching responses out of 149 total responses.
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A systematic review and meta-analysis of the downsides of face masks and possible mitigation strategies September 2021
The Institute for Evidence-Based Healthcare undertook a systematic review and meta-analysis study to identify, appraise and synthesise studies evaluating the downsides of wearing face masks in any setting. The study included review of randomised controlled trials and observational studies comparing face mask use to any active intervention or to control. The largest number of studies reported on the discomfort and irritation outcome; fewest reported on the misuse of masks, and none reported on mask contamination or risk compensation behaviour. The study conculded that there is insufficient data to quantify all of the adverse effects that might reduce the acceptability, adherence and effectiveness of face masks. New research on face masks should assess and report the harms and downsides. Urgent research is also needed on methods and designs to mitigate the downsides of face mask wearing, particularly the assessment of possible alternatives.
#Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
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Institute for Evidence-Based Healthcare
Bond University - Contact details
- Dr Mina Bakhit
Postdoctoral Research Fellow
mbakhit@bond.edu.au
+617 5595 1333 - Collaborations
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- Collaborations:
- Dr Natalia Krzyzaniak - Institute for Evidence-Based Healthcare
- Asst. Prof Anna Scott - Institute for Evidence-Based Healthcare
- Justin Clark - Institute for Evidence-Based Healthcare
- Prof Paul Glasziou - Institute for Evidence-Based Healthcare
- Prof Chris Del Mar - Institute for Evidence-Based Healthcare.
- Centre of Research Excellence in Minimising Antibiotic Resistance in the Community
- Funder: National Health and Medical Research Council
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A systematic review of soap versus sanitiser for preventing the transmission of acute respiratory infections September 2021
Early on in the COVID-19 pandemic researchers from the Institute for Evidence-Based Healthcare undertook a systematic review of randomised trials to compare the effectiveness of hand hygiene using alcohol-based hand sanitiser to soap and water for preventing the transmission of acute respiratory infections, and assess the relationship between the dose of hand hygiene and the number of acute respiratory infections, influenza-like illness, or influenza events. The review concluded that dequately performed hand hygiene, with either soap or sanitiser, reduces the risk of acute respiratory infections virus transmission, however direct and indirect evidence suggest sanitiser might be more effective in practice.
#Treatment#Prevention#Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)#Infection management
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Institute for Evidence-Based Healthcare
Bond University - Contact details
- Prof Tammy Hoffmann
Epidemiologist
thoffmann@bond.edu.au
+617 5595 5522 - Collaborations
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- Co-researchers: Dr Mina Bakhit - Institute for Evidence-Based Healthcare
- Dr Natalia Krzyzaniak - Institute for Evidence-Based Healthcare
- Prof Chris del Mar - Institute for Evidence-Based Healthcare
- Asst Prof Anna Scott - Institute for Evidence-Based Healthcare
- Prof Paul Glasziou - Institute for Evidence-Based Healthcare
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Rapid response medical manufacturing September 2021
The goal of the Advance Queensland Industry Research Fellowship project led by Dr Naomi Paxton from QUT’s Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation is to develop novel 3D printed masks using local manufacturing to increase supplies in Queensland hospitals, whilst also engaging with community 3D printing labs to ensure the safe production of personal protective equipment and other medical products during crisis responses.
#Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
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Centre for Biomedical Technologies
Queensland University of Technology - Contact details
- Dr Naomi Paxton
Postdoctoral Research Fellow
n.paxton@qut.edu.au
+61 7 3138 6475 - Collaborations
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- 3D Systems
- Metro North Hospital and Health Service
- CSIRO
- Edale Capital
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Griffith’s additive manufacturing expertise being used to help in supply of essential personal protective equipment April 2020
Griffith Universty’s expertise and 3D printers are being used to help manufacture essential protective equipment for frontline health workers across Australia. As part of a call-out by the state’s health authorities, hospital-grade designs were shared with volunteers with access to 3D printers. Griffith’s Advanced Design and Prototyping Technologies Institute (ADaPT) and Queensland College of Art (QCA) are producing face shields and other personal protective equipment (PPE) using 3D printers from a number of facilities and schools across the university to help maintain supplies during the COVID-19 crisis. ADaPT Manager Derek Smith said it was perfectly placed to respond. “ADaPT already works closely with the Gold Coast University Hospital on a range of projects, and we’ve been able to move fast to make PPE parts,” he said. “We’re leading the different disciplines across the university that are working on this project, from design and engineering to health.
#Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
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Advanced Design and Prototyping Technologies Institute
Griffith University - Contact details
- Mr Derek Smith
Technical Manager
derek.smith@griffith.edu.au
+61 7567 80547 - Collaborations
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- Metro North Hospital and Health Service
- Queensland College of Art
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Nanofibers with antiviral activity: potential applications for improving personal protective equipment safety April 2021
COVID-19 is a novel viral disease and there is no pre-existing immunity in our community. This Advance Queensland Industry Research Fellowship project led by Dr Nasim Amiralian from UQ’s Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology will develop antiviral materials using small fibres extracted from sugarcane which can be incorporated into different materials and surfaces such as face masks, plastics and metals to kill viruses. The project outcome will assist with the management of COVID-19 and preparedness for similar future events.
#Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
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Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology
The University of Queensland - Contact details
- Dr Nasim Amiralian
UQ Amplify Researcher
n.amiralian@uq.edu.au
+61 7 344 31303 - Collaborations
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- Manildra Harwood Sugar (Sunshine Sugar)
- Evolve Group
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Medical Engineering Research Facility part of national team of experts that joined forces to boost ventilator stocks April 2020
QUT’s Medical Engineering Research Facility has played a central role in bringing together researchers, engineers, medical specialists and industry to create new ventilators and other urgent medical equipment. The national team collaborated on developing the OzVader Ventilator project – a new Intermittent Mandatory Ventilator (IMV) design which could be used to treat ICU patients locally and globally. Leading intensive care specialists and respiratory experts from The Prince Charles Hospital in Brisbane and two Melbourne hospitals provided clinical guidance on the ventilator design.
#Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
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Medical Engineering Research Facility
Queensland University of Technology - Contact details
- Prof Cameron Brown
Director
cp.brown@qut.edu.au
0434 606 973 - Collaborations
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- Co-Director Prof Roass Crawford
- Collaborator:
- Prince Charles Hospital
- Centre for Biomedical Technologies
- Olitek
- Elexon
- Titley Scientific
- Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing (ARM) Hub
- Narm Rubber
- Austin Hospital - Melbourne
- Epworth Hospitals - Melbourne
Other Queensland COVID-19 initiatives
- Queensland Government
- Coronavirus (COVID-19) business assistance finder
- Life Sciences Queensland
- Life Sciences Queensland joins the data-powered alliance to stop COVID-19
Key Australian COVID-19 initiatives
- Australian Academy of Science
- Rapid Research Information Forum (RRIF)
- COVID-19 Expert Database
Key international COVID-19 initiatives
- CORD-19 (COVID-19 Open Research Dataset)
- Free database of 130,000 plus COVID-19 open research papers