Bulletin #0101
WINTER 2020
Pressure on blood pressure monitors In a recent study with global implications, the majority of blood pressure monitors available for purchase in Australia have not undergone rigorous accuracy testing. Researchers at the Menzies Institute for Medical Research have discovered that most upper-arm and wrist cuff home blood pressure devices and all the wrist-band wearable (cuff-less) devices available for purchase online in Australia were not sufficiently validated. For a device to be validated it has gone through extensive testing to ensure it is accurate. In this study, the researchers looked at the online blood pressure device marketplace,
including large companies such as Amazon and eBay. The study, published in Hypertension, an American Heart Association journal, has major implications for bestpractice care of people. It also highlights the importance of widespread public education and advocacy in the area, as well as regulation of the device industry to improve the availability of validated blood pressure devices. Hypertension guidelines around the world recommend that home testing of blood pressure should be used for
HELP SUPPORT RESEARCH INTO MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS AND INTERVENTION Everyone deserves to feel happy, fulfilled and part of something bigger than themselves. Being accepted into the greater community creates friendships, experiences and connections that improve lives and build positive futures. In a time of uncertainty, support for the mental health of all Tasmanians has never been more vital. Across Australia, we have been asked to exercise physical distancing,
and for some this can be very isolating. Social interaction is an important part of our day-today lives and we know that it is a key factor in our mental health and wellbeing. We now ask for your generosity so we can continue to undertake research to support mental health awareness and intervention now and into the future. The prevalence and impact of mental ill-health is a globally significant social, health and economic problem. In response, Menzies is
Concerned: Professor James Sharman, Deputy Director of the Menzies Institute.
confirming the diagnosis of hypertension, or high blood pressure. Deputy Director of the Menzies Institute and lead researcher on the study, Professor James Sharman, said this is concerning because it means the non-validated devices being used are not trustworthy for diagnosis or follow-up of raised blood pressure. “As we know, high blood pressure is the number one risk factor for cardiovascular disease and mortality worldwide,” Prof Sharman said.
“This makes accurate measurement and treatment critically important to prevent and limit the risk to patients. Most of the blood pressure devices sold online should not be used for clinical decision making, however, it is likely they are being used for this purpose. “Our extensive assessment showed that only 7 per cent of the 972 models of blood pressure monitoring devices available for purchase had been validated.”
establishing research programs focused on awareness, workplace management, use of support services and outcomes of people at risk of and experiencing mental ill health in Tasmania and the wider Australian community. At Menzies we are planning a significant initiative involving businesses and organisations across Tasmania. This research will be aimed at understanding the ‘state of play’ in workplace
mental health: the key risks being faced, and strategies and practices employed in different work and industry contexts, from sole-traders and small businesses to large government and corporate work settings. Your support will ensure our ability to provide fellowship support for our mental health researchers, working tirelessly to further protect our community.
HOW TO DONATE
For more information, check out menzies.utas.edu.au/documents/pdfs/ Blood-pressure-devices.pdf
Donate online at menzies-giving.utas.edu.au/donate or through the donation slip on the last page of your Bulletin.
Menzies Bulletin Winter 2020
1
Director’s message Welcome to the Winter Bulletin for 2020. We’re now more than halfway through the year, and it’s thanks to Tasmanians doing the right thing that we have so far been spared the devastating health impacts COVID-19 has had on other parts of the world.
These disciplines are among our core strengths at Menzies and it has been rewarding to apply them at this critical time
In Tasmania, the strategies undertaken by government to mitigate the virus have been successful and I am very proud that 24 of our staff were willing and able to respond to the need for surge capacity, including through providing their time and expertise in public health medicine, epidemiology, biostatistics and data systems. These disciplines are among our core strengths at Menzies and it has been rewarding to apply them at this critical time.
While there have been many distractions, our focus on our usual research has continued during the pandemic, and we are continuing to welcome more of our researchers back to the Medical Science Precinct while still adhering to the physical distancing and hygiene requirements. This has involved making changes around our building, including the lab and clinic, to ensure we are keeping everyone as safe as possible and I thank all staff, students and study participants for their
efforts and cooperation. In this Bulletin, we bring you up to date on some of our recent research activity. You will be able to read about how we adapted one of our studies during the pandemic by using the Biobus to visit participants in their homes and we also share some research around the health impact of wood heaters in Tasmania that is very appropriate for our winter edition. Kind Regards,
Distinguished Professor Alison Venn Director
Due to COVID-19, for the foreseeable future Menzies will be increasingly contacting our supporters via email. If you have not yet provided Menzies with your current email address, please contact Jane Richards on jane.richards@utas.edu.au or phone 6226 7707 as soon as possible. Thank you.
BUS LOAD OF MEDICAL HELP FOR VULNERABLE TASMANIANS A collaboration of medical organisations is continuing to deliver research to improve the lives of some of our most vulnerable Tasmanians during the pandemic. The study called RiskHELP, a joint initiative between Menzies and the Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, is using the Menzies “Biobus” to reach people not currently able to access the medical care the research provides. The Biobus is a mobile clinic and laboratory that has been fitted out to provide remote access to clinical research. RiskHELP is focused on a risk-guided home management strategy for heart failure, one of the most costly diagnoses in the Australian health system. Its aim is to keep people from being readmitted to hospital and helps them to manage their health at home. Research nurse and study co-ordinator Kristyn Whitmore has been taking the Biobus
2
Menzies Bulletin Winter 2020
to Bridgewater, Oatlands, Rokeby and central Hobart to visit study participants who have been assessed as having a high risk of readmission to hospital within 30 days. “This has been an excellent way to ensure early access to diagnosis and treatment,” she said. “The patients feel safe in the bus, and I am able to quickly use the hand held ultrasound equipment and then work with cardiologists to diagnose and treat the conditions.” Patients are usually aged over 70 and have been experiencing high levels of isolation during the pandemic. It has also given people the confidence to access other health services such as the flu vaccine.
On the move: The “Biobus” is a mobile clinic and laboratory that has been fitted out to provide remote access to clinical research.
IMMUNOLOGY
Devil vaccine research leads to new weapons for fighting disease
Key clues: A dozen key Tasmanian devil immune proteins look the same as they do in the human immune system.
Community support for researchers at Menzies and the Tasmanian School of Medicine has led to an arsenal of new tools for fighting the insidious Devil Facial Tumour Disease. The way cancer is treated in humans has changed in the past decade. Testing if the advances in human medicine can be useful for devils takes a lot of work. The devil immunology research team could previously focus on only one or two potential drug or vaccine options at a time. A paper published in the prestigious journal Science Advances shows that a dozen key Tasmanian devil immune proteins look the same as
Photo: Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary
This allows the team to build on the vast amount of knowledge in human cancer they do in the human immune system. This allows the team to build on the vast amount of knowledge in human cancer, rather than having to start from scratch for devils. The team also used the new
tools to show that they could find tumour cells in blood, which could shed light on how the devil facial tumours kill devils. The fantastic community support for the devil vaccine
Research shows significant health impacts of wood heater smoke New research from Menzies has estimated the significant and detrimental effect that biomass smoke has on the health of Tasmanians. Led by Menzies Institute PhD student Nicolas BorchersArriagada and supervised by Associate Professor Fay Johnston, this is the first study to estimate the health impacts and associated health costs caused by biomass smoke in Tasmania. In Tasmania, this smoke is primarily produced during the winter and summer months through wood heaters and landscape fires. It is made up of a complex blend of pollutants such as particulate matter, carbon monoxide and volatile
Detrimental: A new study estimates the health impacts and associated health costs caused by biomass smoke in Tasmania.
organic gases, and poses significant health concerns for Tasmanians. Biomass smoke has been linked to premature deaths, respiratory and cardiovascular issues, and severe asthma, among other health outcomes. Lead author of the study Nicolas Borchers-Arriagada, said by using a variety of publicly available data sourced
from 2015-2019, it was possible to estimate the negative health impacts of exposure to biomass smoke. “By using population, health and air quality data, we’ve been able to obtain an estimate of the health impacts of biomass smoke exposure, and the associated health costs, which allows us to support decisionmaking processes and make
research allowed this placebased and globally connected research to happen right here in Tasmania. The new costeffective technology can be used for research in many other species, including humans.
positive changes in the future,” he said. “Biomass smoke pollution is a growing public health issue, but the impacts can be reduced through improved and innovative fire management and encouraging the use of more modern and efficient heating solutions over wood heating devices that can be highly polluting, especially when not expertly operated.” Results from this study were published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health and found that over 10 years, biomass smoke was linked to an estimated 69 deaths, 86 hospital admissions, and 15 asthma emergency department visits in Tasmania each year, with over 74 per cent of these cases attributed to wood heater smoke. The study estimated that the average yearly health costs to Tasmania were $293 million for wood heater smoke. This translates into health costs equivalent to $4232 per wood heater each year.
Menzies Bulletin Winter 2020
3
DONATIONS
Inaugural Kendall-White Honours Scholarship in Medical Research We are very fortunate to be the recipient of generous donations from people in Tasmania and beyond to support our research. This year marks the inaugural offering of the endowed Kendall-White Honours Scholarship in Medical Research. The donation has been made by Ms Belinda KendallWhite in memory of her husband Dr Guy White AM, a leading physicist who died in 2018 after a fight with advanced frontal lobe dementia. Belinda and Guy moved to Hobart in 2001 and fast became a part of the community, living in their beloved Bellerive home and
Legacy: This year marks the inaugural offering of the endowed Kendall-White Honours Scholarship in Medical Research.
enjoying the beautiful views and being close to the sporting action. Belinda has taken part in several studies involving medical research and is well
known for her community connections and passionate commitment to social justice. “I’ve been a donor for a long time,” she said. “I am a great supporter of
medical research and am impressed by the reputation and research areas at Menzies. “When my husband died I decided to donate the money he left me to research at Menzies and I worked with the team to choose the research area that it would focus on.” The first recipient of the Kendall-White Honours Scholarship is Ms Siwen Cai, who is working on identifying and analysing the genes associated with children inheriting cataracts. If you would like more information about any aspect of donating to Menzies, please call us on 03 6226 7700 or email Menzies.Advancement@ utas.edu.au
THANK YOU TO ALL OF OUR DONORS FOR YOUR ONGOING FINANCIAL SUPPORT AND COMMITMENT TO MENZIES Listed below are our Everyday Angels, who make regular gifts to Menzies. Mr Timothy Albion Ms Juliet Allen Ms Anita Allie Ms Kylie Anderson Mrs T Archer & Mr A Archer Mrs Jennifer & Mr Lionel Banks Ms Jess Bannister Mr Callan Barber Ms Janet Beadle Mr Tobi Beard Mrs Pamela Blunt Mr P Bonusiak & Mrs B Robinson Mr Paul Boucher Ms Jessica Bradley Ms Kathleen Brient Ms Beverley Brown Mrs Jane Burrell & Mr Lloyd Sokvitne Ms Katrina Calder Ms Jill M Cassidy Dr Susan R Cherry Mrs Emma & Mr Timothy Claridge Mrs Beverlene J Clark Mrs Anita & Mr Michael Clarkson Mr Peter Cochrane &
Ms Miranda Harman Mr A M Cornish AO Mr R & Mrs G Cotgrove Mr Craig Coventry Ms Moya T Deigan Ms Carolyn Dunnewijk Mrs Patricia & Mr Donald Edwards Mr Josh & Mrs Felicity Ey Mrs Elaine & Mr Dennis Fairfield Dr Derek & Mrs Elizabeth Findlay Mr Simon Fleischmann Mr Peter Fountain Mrs Beverley Geard Mrs Judy & Mr Trevor Grant Mrs Susan Haigh Mr Philip Hand Mrs Maggie Harris Ms Paula Harvey Ms Judith Hastie Mrs Shirley & Mr Frederick Heath Ms Judy Hebblethwaite Ms Alison Hennessy
The following individual and community supporters donated for the first time. Mrs Susan L Hinds Mr B & Mrs J Hortle Mr John W Hudson Ms Shelley Hunter Ms Carol Hurst Ms Marni Hyland Mr Andrew & Mrs Anne Inglis Mr Darrin Irvine Mr Gary & Mrs Susan Jacobson Mrs Wendy Jefferies Ms Agnes Johnston Mr Raymond & Ms Dianne Jones Ms Tracey Jordan Mrs Margaret K Keogh Ms Margaret Knight Ms Sabina Lane Mrs Terry & Mr Ian Law Ms Anne & Mr Anthony Le Clerc Mr Mark Ley Ms Lucy LindberghOstling Ms Rebecca C Lipscombe Mrs Jane & Mr Nicholas Lovibond Mr David T MacLeod
Lee Tyers & Associates Pty Ltd Wedd Family Trust Associate Professor Helen L Chick Ms Anne M Cook Ms Anne Cosgrove Ms Tricia Dearden
Ms Kathy Foster Mr Peter J Harrison Mrs Jo Keveth Mrs Dianne Kinghorn Ms Christi Kythreotou Ms Maureen Lavis Ms Jenny MacIntosh Ms E McNamara
Mrs Eleni Pavlidou Mr Alexander Pearson Mrs P M Sajben Miss Karen M Smith Mr Jonathan Wardle Ms Deborah Wrigley
Mrs Marie Magill Mrs Betty M Marshall Mr Dugald McDougall Mr Marcus McEwan Mrs Helen McKibben Mrs Frances Joan McKinlay Ms Kate McQuaid Mrs Philippa Micklem Dr Kenneth & Mrs Yvonne Milton Mr Sam Mollard Ms Wendy Noye Mrs A & Mr T Nutting Mrs Astrid A O’Toole Mrs Sally Oakley Ms Indigo Parer Mrs Jennifer A Parsons Miss Alison Parsons Mrs Glenda Paton Mr Andrew J Pitt
Mr L & Mrs L Polglase Mr Nathan & Mrs Christabel Porter Mrs Pamela Rabbidge Ms Jillian Reade Mr Alan & Mrs Jancis Rees Mrs E & Mr C Richards Mrs Margaret & Mr Brian Richardson Ms Hannah Richardson Mrs Jill & Mr Eric Robinson Mrs Frances M Russon Mr Patrick Sampson Mrs Susan Sluce Ms Chianti Spaulding Mr Richard Sperring Mr Alex Stanelos Ms Skye Stowe
Miss Amber C Sturges Ms Carmel Taylor Mrs Cynthia Tennant Ms Karen TwynamPerkins Mrs Rosemary Van den Berk Mr Walter & Mrs Robin Verth Miss Valerie Wade Ms Barbara Warner Mrs Anne Warren Ms Caroline Wells Mr John & Mrs Kathlyn Wheatley Mrs Kathryn Whitchurch Ms Mandy J Williams Ms Janice Wilson Mrs Elizabeth Woolley
Menzies Bulletin Winter 2020
4
RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS
RESEARCHER PROFILE
Andy Flies
Senior Research Fellow
What is the current focus of your research? My broad research focus is to improve our understanding of how cancer cells evade the immune system. My day-to-day focus is primarily on developing a prophylactic cancer vaccine to protect Tasmanian devil from the contagious cancers that have caused an 80 per cent decline in the wild devil population.
What are some of the recent findings from this work? We have developed a system to map the interactions among proteins in the Tasmanian devil immune system. A key protein that turns off anti-cancer immune responses in humans is expressed at high levels on devil facial tumour cells. With this new protein target, we have been able to spike 10,000 tumour cells into
one million devil blood cells in the lab and sort the tumour cells back out of the blood. What is the most interesting aspect of this work? Despite more than 160 million years since the most recent common ancestor of devils and humans, most of the devil proteins interact the same way they do in humans. This means that we can model devil immunotherapy and vaccine strategies on what works in humans. What other research do you undertake? I am currently part of a multidisciplinary academic-industry
partnership that is working to convert a portable explosives detector into a portable virus detector. Interestingly, our Tasmanian devil research made our team well-suited to pivot to this new project. I am also leading a Wild and Comparative
My day-to-day focus is primarily on developing a prophylactic cancer vaccine to protect Tasmanian devil from contagious cancers
Immunology consortium that aims to broaden and standarise immunology across species and environments, with the goal of improving human, animal, and ecosystem health. What do you enjoy doing in your spare time? My partner, Dr Emily Flies, and I have two little boys that leave little spare time. When not having fun with them I enjoy running the trails in Lenah Valley and Wellington Park. We purchased a house in Lenah Valley in 2018 and home DIY projects can fill the weekends, although often with limited success.
FUTURE LEADER FELLOWSHIP FOCUSES ON THE BLOOD PRESSURE RESPONSE TO EXERCISE Using exercise to improve the identification of abnormal blood pressure is the focus of Dr Martin Schultz’s Heart Foundation Fellowship Funding which began this year. Dr Schultz received close to $540,000 as part of a Future Leader Fellowship to look more closely at the value of using exercise to highlight blood pressure inconsistencies, which often go undetected in traditional assessments. “An abnormal blood pressure response to a clinical exercise test is a signal of high blood pressure that has likely gone undetected by traditional
assessments undertaken at rest,” Dr Schultz said. “Despite this, the clinical value of exercise blood pressure is not being fully realised. My research program aims to change this by providing research evidence for use in clinical guidelines and care.” Dr Schultz said the funding was a great support to continue this important research. “The generous fellowship funding provides me with the opportunity to continue my research aimed at improving the detection and management of high blood pressure; one of Tasmania’s – and the world’s
Keep up with our news
Support: Dr Martin Schultz received close to $540,000 as part of a Future Leader Fellowship.
The generous fellowship funding provides me with the opportunity to continue my research
– biggest health problems and the primary risk factor for heart attack and stroke.” “The outcomes of this research program will ultimately lead to improved patient care and reduce the significant health and economic burden of high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease in Australia.”
Would you like to keep up to date with the latest Menzies news? Find us on Facebook and ‘like’ our page. You can read all our Bulletins and reports electronically at issuu.com.
Menzies Bulletin Winter 2020
5
MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS
A month for multiple sclerosis May is a month of awareness, support and fundraising for multiple sclerosis (MS) research and the MS community. There are two major MS events in May – the MS Research Australia May 50K and World MS Day. This year, our MS Research Flagship (MSRF) had the opportunity to participate in both, raising money for vital MS research, showing their support for the MS community, and having a little fun along the way. May 50K The May 50K is a virtual fitness and fundraising challenge organised by MS Research Australia and Kiss Goodbye to MS. This year there were more participants from Menzies than ever before, with 35 staff and researchers taking part in the fundraising event. Led by MS researcher Alice Saul, the MSRF team took up the challenge to leave their limits behind and run (or walk) 50km in May to raise funds for life-changing MS research. The team did a fantastic job and held the No.1 spot in the IT, science and technology category throughout the
Mission: Our MS Research Flagship show their support for the MS community.
Our free online course in partnership with MS Limited, Understanding MS, begins again on September 14. To find out more or enrol go to ms.mooc.utas.edu.au challenge. In the end, they came fifth out of the 441 participating workplaces, walked a total of 3070.26 km – the distance from Hobart to the Northern Territory, and raised more than $15,000 for vital MS research. With large corporations such as NIB, Coca Cola and Roche holding the top three spots, the MSRF team’s results speak for themselves. World MS Day With rules around public events and social distancing in place, the MSRF decided to try something different this year and take their inperson activities online. In the week before World MS Day, MS researcher Dr Suzi Claflin hosted a text chat in the comments section
A GIFT BEYOND A LIFETIME Gifts left in Wills are known as bequests and are our largest single source of charitable income at Menzies. By writing a Will and including a bequest to Menzies you are making a gift that will always be remembered and that will contribute to better health for future generations of Tasmanians. It is the most powerful way you can help alleviate the serious impact of disease in our community. Bequests made to Menzies have enabled us to make many
advances in the fight against disease. We are extremely grateful to all our donors who have helped us by including a bequest. Advising us of your intent to leave a gift also allows the Institute to plan our research with the knowledge of future philanthropic income. If you are considering a gift in your Will or you would like further information on leaving a bequest please contact our Advancement Team on 03 6226 7707 or by emailing Menzies.Advancement@ utas.edu.au
of the Understanding MS Facebook (facebook.com/ UnderstandingMultiple Sclerosis). This text chat, and the questions posed to the MS community, were based on this year’s World MS Day theme – connections. This chat gave community members the chance to ask and answer questions in a supportive, public forum. In total, there were more than 120 comments, reactions and shares, and some great feedback from the community. For the World MS Day grand finale, the MSRF released a video of MS community members talking about the importance of staying connected and how connections have helped them in their MS journey.
Vital funding for MS trials The MS Research Flagship team has been awarded $850,000 in vital funding for MS Stem and clinical trials. This generous donation is from the Irene Phelps Charitable Trust. The Irene Phelps Charitable Trust was established to carry out the wishes of the late Ms Irene Phelps with regard to her Estate. Ms Irene Phelps was an independent, passionate and driven woman. She left school at 15, moved from northern Tasmania to Melbourne aged 17, travelled to London aged 19 and returned to Australia two years later and forged a successful career and later a prosperous property business. $350,000 will be provided for MS Stem and will enable the MS Research Flagship team to complete the world’s first MS stem cell biobank. $500,000 will be donated towards clinical trials and will be used to continue our ground-breaking research into myelin repair and examine the safety and efficacy of three distinct myelin repair approaches.
UPCOMING EVENTS At this stage of the COVID-19 pandemic in Tasmania we are now able to gather together in regulated and physically distanced groups. But as we have seen in other places around Australia and the world, the threat of COVID-19 isn’t over. With this in mind, we have decided that the Menzies Institute for Medical Research will not hold any in-person public events for the remainder of 2020. We’ve held two free online talks already this year and will continue to use technology to share our
latest research advancements and connect with the community. This also means that our popular debate won’t be held this year, and while we are disappointed that this engaging and informative event won’t be going ahead, we don’t feel we can do it justice in an online format. You can keep up to date with us online by visiting our website at menzies.utas.edu.au, following us on Facebook (facebook.com/ MenziesResearch) or Twitter (@ResearchMenzies).
Menzies Bulletin Winter 2020
6
Yes, I would like to help the Menzies Institute for Medical Research. I would like to make a one-off donation of $ I would like to have monthly donations of $ deducted from my credit card I would like to donate to the most recent appeal I would like to update my contact details Note: All donations over $2 are tax-deductible Please accept my donation/s in the form of Cash Cheque/Money Order (Payable to the Menzies Institute for Medical Research) Or, please debit my
Visa
MasterCard
Credit card no.
Expiry date
/
Name on card Signature I/We wish that my/our donation be used for research purposes at the discretion of the Menzies Institute for Medical Research, unless a particular research purpose is stated as follows:
Please do not publish my name in the ‘Valued Supporters’ section of Menzies’ next Bulletin Please send me information on remembering Menzies in my Will Please add me to the Menzies mailing list using the contact details below. Contact details Title Mr / Mrs / Miss / Other Name Address
Postcode Telephone (
)
OR Email
Thank you for your support. Please post to Menzies Institute for Medical Research University of Tasmania Reply Paid 77465 Hobart TAS 7000
More than flowers In Memoriam
One sentence in your Will can fund life-saving medical research. If you would like more information, please contact the Institute Advancement Manager on 03 6226 7700. Bequests save lives by funding research. Thank you.
We gratefully acknowledge gifts made from the following estates: Estate of the late Marie Kathryn Kays Estate of the late Dr Peter W Smith Estate of the late Muriel Jean Cooling Estate of the late Margaret Elaine Parsissons We gratefully acknowledge gifts made in honour of: Mr Noel T Browning Mr Ewan Cameron Ms Cynthia Roberts Mr Nikolas Saramaskos Ms Betty Sibley Mr Matthew W Skelly Dr Guy K White AM