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Research
Preterm lung disease: not just for neonatologistsImprovements in neonatal critical care have resulted in more people than ever reaching adulthood after being born prematurely. At the same time, it is becoming clearer that preterm birth can increase the risk of respiratory disease throughout a person’s lifetime. Awareness that a patient was born preterm can enable early specialist assessment and intervention when there is any concern about lung health.
Research
Simultaneous multiple breath washout and oxygen-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging in healthy adultsLung function testing and lung imaging are commonly used techniques to monitor respiratory diseases, such as cystic fibrosis (CF). The nitrogen (N2) multiple-breath washout technique (MBW) has been shown to detect ventilation inhomogeneity in CF, but the underlying pathophysiological processes that are altered are often unclear.
Research
Neonatal high frequency ventilation: Current trends and future directionsHigh frequency ventilation (HFV) in neonates has been in use for over forty years. Some early HFV ventilators are no longer available, but high frequency oscillatory ventilation (HFOV) and jet ventilators (HFJV) continue to be commonly employed. Advanced HFOV models available outside of the United States are much quieter and easier to use, and are available as options on many conventional ventilators, providing important improvements such as tidal volume measurement and targeting.

News & Events
Pre-term kids get green light to exerciseParents of children born prematurely have expressed concerns about their child’s lung health when they exercise, with symptoms such as breathlessness.

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Community partnership sets priorities for preterm lung health researchRespiratory disease remains one of the most significant complications of preterm birth, with lasting consequences.

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Company behind device that improves drug delivery to lungs awarded prestigious innovation awardA The Kids Research Institute Australia spin-off company, Inspiring Holdings Pty Ltd (Inspiring), has been announced as winner of the Wesfarmers Wellbeing Platinum Award in the prestigious WA Innovator of the Year awards for their novel Universal Spacer System – a device which improves the delivery of inhaled dru

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Perron grants help give researchers wingsValuable support from the Stan Perron Charitable Foundation will enable The Kids Research Institute Australia researchers to commence projects on topics ranging from disability, mental health and lung disease to diabetes, Aboriginal leadership, and the development of child-focused pandemic policies.

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Government grants to support valuable new child health researchEight The Kids Research Institute Australia-led projects will benefit from the latest round of WA Child Research Fund (WACRF) grants, announced this week by Medical Research Minister Stephen Dawson.
Research
Stiffness Mediated-Mechanosensation of Airway Smooth Muscle Cells on Linear Stiffness Gradient HydrogelsIn obstructive airway diseases such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), the extracellular matrix (ECM) protein amount and composition of the airway smooth muscle (ASM) is often remodelled, likely altering tissue stiffness. The underlying mechanism of how human ASM cell (hASMC) mechanosenses the aberrant microenvironment is not well understood.

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Five researchers from The Kids awarded Early Career Child Health Researcher FellowshipsFive researchers from The Kids Research Institute Australia have been awarded three-year fellowships with the aim of keeping more WA-based PhD graduates involved in child health research.