Regular intramuscular benzathine penicillin G injections have been the cornerstone of rheumatic heart disease (RHD) secondary prophylaxis since the 1950s. As the pharmacological correlate of protection remains unknown, it is difficult to recommend changes to this established regimen. Determining the minimum effective penicillin exposure required to prevent Streptococcus pyogenes infection will accelerate development of new long-acting penicillins for RHD prevention as well as inform opportunities to improve existing regimens. The CHIPS trial will address this knowledge gap by directly testing protection afforded by different steady state plasma concentrations of penicillin in an established model of experimental human S. pyogenes pharyngitis. ...

• 1. Telethon Kids Institute
• Our research
• Reports and Findings
• 2022
• December 2022

While chemotherapy remains the first-line treatment for many cancers, it is still unclear what distinguishes responders from non-responders. Here, we characterize the chemotherapy-responsive tumor microenvironment in mice, using RNA sequencing on tumors before and after cyclophosphamide, and compare the gene expression profiles of responders with progressors. ...

• 1. Telethon Kids Institute
• Our research
• Reports and Findings
• 2022
• December 2022

While theory supports bidirectional effects between caregiver sensitivity and language use, and infant language acquisition-both caregiver-to-infant and also infant-to-caregiver effects-empirical research has chiefly explored the former unidirectional path. In the context of infants showing early signs of autism, we investigated prospective bidirectional associations with 6-min free-play interaction samples collected for 103 caregivers and their infants (mean age 12-months; and followed up 6-months later). ...

• 1. Telethon Kids Institute
• Our research
• Reports and Findings
• 2022
• December 2022

Australian authorities made COVID-19 vaccines available for children aged under 5 years old with serious comorbidities in August 2022. There is presently no universal programme for young children, but crucial to any rollout's success is whether parents are motivated and able to vaccinate. By examining parents' vaccine intentions, this study aims to inform current and future COVID-19 vaccine roll-outs for children aged under 5 years. ...

• 1. Telethon Kids Institute
• Our research
• Reports and Findings
• 2023
• January 2023

With advances in perinatal care, we have achieved major reductions in mortality in premature and critically ill infants, but they still remain at increased risk of neurodevelopmental disability. In this context, recent advances in neuroimaging are perceived as an addition of significant value to current clinical developmental screening programs. ...

• 1. Telethon Kids Institute
• Our research
• Reports and Findings
• 2023
• January 2023

This research explored adults' perceptions of how sexualized images typically found on social media might influence adolescent girls' mental health, what support girls might need should they experience mental health difficulties, and how such difficulties could be prevented or reduced. ...

• 1. Telethon Kids Institute
• Our research
• Reports and Findings
• 2023
• January 2023

Pneumococcal disease (PD) remains a major health concern globally. In children, pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCVs) provide protection against PD from most vaccine serotypes, but non-vaccine serotypes contribute to residual disease. V114 is a 15-valent PCV containing all 13 serotypes in Prevnar 13™ and public health important serotypes 22F and 33F. This phase 3 study evaluated safety and immunogenicity of mixed PCV13/V114 regimens using a 3 + 1 dosing schedule when changing from PCV13 to V114 at doses 2, 3, or 4.  ...

• 1. Telethon Kids Institute
• Our research
• Reports and Findings
• 2023
• January 2023

The Ear Health team's vision is all children start primary school with good hearing. ...

• 1. Telethon Kids Institute
• Our research
• Early Environment
• Infection and Vaccines

Support networks important for new dads Next steps Pictured: Hugo, Jacob, and Aria Hammer Jacob Hammer is one of 600 fathers who will be recruited to ...

• 1. Telethon Kids Institute
• Our research
• Research Impact
• 2023
• Collaboration

Miners breathe more easily thanks to research Researcher Katherine Landwehr’s world-leading exhaust toxicology research, being conducted at Curtin ...

• 1. Telethon Kids Institute
• Our research
• Research Impact
• 2023
• Paradigm shift