New research from a pilot study at Griffith has shown that probiotics can improve the quality of life of hayfever patients.
As part of a clinical first-of-its-kind development program, the researchers investigated whether a multispecies-probiotic formulation, which has been shown in previous research to reduce eczema in children, could benefit hayfever patents as well.
They gave 44 adults aged 18-65 with moderate to severe hay fever, the probiotic twice a day for a period of eight weeks. The patients were asked to report hayfever symptoms, medication use, and rated their quality of life.
“At the end of the study, 63% of the participants taking the probiotic reported a significantly improved quality of life,” says research leader Dr Nic West from Griffith’s Menzies Health Institute Queensland.
“In addition, the patients experienced less severe hayfever symptoms and required less medication.”
Hayfever (seasonal allergic rhinitis), is a chronic disorder of the upper respiratory tract, caused by an overreaction
Category: Griffith University Feed
Nobel laureate shares the knowledge at Griffith seminar
Acclaimed financial economist and Nobel laureate Dr Myron Scholes has imparted investment wisdom accrued over a decorated 50-year career at an event held in Brisbane by Griffith University and Janus Henderson Investors (JHI).
Appearing at the ‘Knowledge. Shared’ seminar earlier this month, Dr Scholes – who is also JHI’s Chief Investment Strategist – delivered a keynote speech on methods to achieve better investment outcomes for investors.
Dr Scholes told the room of gathered industry professionals and academics that the majority of investment risk and returns comes from extreme positive and negative outcomes, also known as the ‘tails’ of the distribution of returns.
He explained, in his opinion, investors focus too much attention on the calculation of average returns and volatility of their investments.
Dr Scholes’ analysis suggests investors can achieve better outcomes by identifying market conditions that are more likely to deliver positive or negative tail events; to that end, he and his team at JHI have
Musical theatre grads power new production at QPAC
Musical theatre graduates from the Queensland Conservatorium are powering a new production of the iconic rock musical, Rent.
Loosely based on Puccini’s opera, La Boheme, Rent follows a group of friends struggling to make it in New York’s East Village.
The Tony Award-winning show has just opened at the Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC), and features half a dozen recent graduates from the Queensland Conservatorium’s renowned Bachelor of Musical Theatre.
Ruby Clark graduated in 2014, and was cast in a production of Rent at the Brisbane Powerhouse several years ago. She is once again tackling the central role of Maureen – the show’s loud and proud diva.
“I think I am more nervous this time around,” she said.
“I wanted to be part of this show so badly and really wanted to have another crack at this role.
“It is such a high energy show, the music is great and I love the story.”
Ruby credits her
Clinical trial research a global challenge for Lee
A desire to be at the forefront of the next phase of global medical discovery is driving Dr Lee Forman’s commitment to the Malaria Vaccine Trial at Griffith University’s Clinical Trial Unit.
“I believe the new cures, not just for malaria but for other infectious diseases, will come from research at universities,” says Lee. “The work of the Clinical Trial Unit is tackling a global challenge and could become a global game-changer.
“Malaria infects millions and kills hundreds of thousands of people every year. We need to develop our understanding of the disease, and our expertise, and clinical trials form a vital part of that process as we work towards drug discovery, more effective treatment and a cure.
Lee grew up on the Gold Coast and achieved his Bachelor of Pharmacy from Griffith University in 2007, before completing a Master of Pharmacy. Returning to pursue a medical degree, he graduated in 2015 and
Griffith Business School welcomes Peter van Onselen as Professor of Policy
Griffith University is pleased to announce the appointment of Professor Peter van Onselen to the Griffith Business School as Professor of Politics and Policy
Professor van Onselen brings to Griffith extensive experience in the fields of politics and journalism, including that garnered through his role as Foundation Chair of Journalism at the University of Western Australia and several years as a presenter on Sky News.
In addition to his academic credentials, Professor van Onselen has also been a contributing editor with The Australian since 2010, written for a diversity of other well-known national mastheads including The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, and he delivers a weekly segment on ABC Radio National.
He is also a regular fixture of local screens, appearing fortnightly on ABC’s The Drum and as a regular panellist on Insiders.
Earlier this month, Professor van Onselen preceded his official appointment with the University as the moderator of a Griffith-hosted Q&A
Toowoomba the next stop for Griffith University’s STEM Showcase
Some of the best names in STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) research will offer valuable insight into various fields of study when Griffith University’s STEM Showcase arrives in Toowoomba on May 15.
Griffith University experts with expertise in wide-ranging STEM industries including engineering, environmental science, aviation, IT and urban planning will be on hand to answer prospective students’ questions into the diverse programs offered at the Brisbane, Gold Coast and Logan campuses.
Griffith’s Head of Electronic Engineering in the School of Engineering and Built Environment Associate Professor Steven O’Keefe said the STEM Showcase is a fantastic way for future students to explore the many scientific careers available to them through one-on-one time with Griffith’s STEM experts.
“Students can talk to teaching staff who can explain what is involved in becoming skilled in STEM areas, and where this could take you in a lifelong career. Sometimes students can see the job titles but it
Master of International Law provides commercial benefits for Austin
From hostage negotiation to international business, Master of International Law student Austin Whittaker is used to high pressure situations.
Austin has taken on a range of careers, getting his start in special operations units of the Australian Army and NSW police and later managing an international security company and a start-up renewable energy company.
Austin’s work and interest has always had an international focus and he currently consults across a diverse portfolio of project management, international trade, and security and risk management.
“One of my consulting roles involves significant capital purchases of equipment from overseas and I was drafting reasonably complex legal documents based on years of accumulated experience in this area,” says Austin.
As the work grew it became more complex and soon there were contracts worth tens of millions of dollars and involving intellectual property. That’s when Austin made the decision to sharpen his skills and return to university.
But when he was
Griffith alumni ready to turn experience gifting on its head with new start-up
A group of former Griffith University students will launch an innovative new start-up set to change the face of online experience gifting at next week’s Myriad Festival event in Brisbane.
Spearheaded by co-founders John Sharpe, Griffith Web Technologies teacher James Brownlie and Jackie Babbage – the latter of whom is also the company’s chief executive, and an alumnus of Griffith’s Bachelor of Business/Bachelor of Digital Media – NoExpiry seeks to shake up the experience-gifting market with its novel, customer-focused approach to such transactions.
“My co-founders and I all come from a tourism background, and we all love experiences, obviously,” Ms Babbage explained of the company’s origins.
“I think it was really easy for us to identify, more so than anyone else, that both customers and operators are being ripped off in the current industry. We wanted to flip it on its head and make it a better system for customers in particular.”
Unlike traditional
Griffith driving regional innovation at 2018 Myriad Festival
Griffith University will once again show its community support and engagement as a partner of the Advancing Regional Innovation program at this month’s Myriad Festival.
The program sees the university engage with both Redland and Logan city councils – along with seven other partners – to highlight the game-changing work being done by a group of innovative regional start-ups and entrepreneurs.
Hologram makers BOP Industries, device management firm EC Connect, fellow program partners Substation 33 and the Community Care Smart Assistive Technology Collaborative will showcase at this pinnacle event.
“The aim of the Myriad Regional Delegation Showcase is to demonstrate the very real ways in which these entrepreneurs and start-ups are making an impact on the world around them,” Griffith Business School Dean of Engagement, Yunus Innovation Programme Manager Ms Celeste Alcaraz said.
“These companies typify a core value of fostering creative, connected, engaged and sustainable communities through their actions, and the showcase will
Griffith urban planning experts notch up more prestigious awards
Two of the best names in urban planning took out high honours at a national awards night held in Perth recently, and both are from Griffith University.
Dr Tony Matthews from Griffith’s Cities Research Institute accepted the award for Cutting Edge Research and Teaching for his role in the popular radio show and podcast The Urban Squeeze, and graduate Thomas Gardiner won the prestigious Young Planner of the Year award at the Planning Institute of Australia’s (PIA) National Awards for Planning Excellence on May 9.
The Urban Squeeze accolade follows hot on the heels of the podcast’s wins last November at the PIA Queensland event where it also won the Cutting Edge Research and Teaching gong as well as the Overall Award for Planning Excellence.
The podcast’s two seasons of 28 episodes featured Dr Matthews and former Griffith academic Professor Jason Byrne, and were broadcast live on Matt Webber’s ABC Drive show