Latest News


Research Excellence

Study confirms deadly risk of COVID-19 for those with heart failure .

The largest study of its kind in Australia has found patients with a history of heart failure are three times more likely to die from COVID-19. Launched last year at the outset of the pandemic, the AUS-COVID trial is investigating those who are most at risk from COVID-19 in Australia. To date, it has assessed hundreds of patients in 21 hospitals across the country. The study confirmed earlier conce.....
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Category: Cardiovascular and Renal Research, Research Excellence

Research identifies swallowing problems following whiplash.

Research conducted by a team from Kolling Institute has found that swallowing difficulties after a whiplash injury appear to be an under-recognised consequence of the injury. The study investigated a group of 60 patients with low-grade whiplash, finding 50 per cent of patients reported swallowing problems within 12 months of their whiplash injury. In 31 of these patients, there was a statistically .....
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Category: Musculoskeletal Research, Research Excellence

Researchers reject the use of plasma injections for knee joint osteoarthritis.

In what will be disappointing news for many, a large-scale clinical trial has found platelet-rich plasma injections for those with osteoarthritis knee pain are no better than a placebo. This type of injection has become an increasingly popular form of treatment for knee joint arthritis, despite its prohibitive cost at around $2,000 per injection. Plasma from a patient’s own blood is injected direct.....
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Category: Research Excellence

Blueprint to strengthen research and improve the care we receive.

The Kolling’s new research plan has been confirmed marking an important milestone for the institute. The plan details the implementation of the institute’s five-year strategy, and will ensure the Kolling is in the best position to deliver game-changing research. Acting Executive Director Professor Jim Elliott has welcomed the development of the plan, saying a robust strategic framework will help sh.....
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Category: Research Excellence

High-profile appointment.

The Kolling Institute’s Executive Director Professor Carolyn Sue will join a dynamic group of Australian leaders on the new National Health and Medical Research Council. Professor Sue has been appointed to the high profile body for a three-year term until June 2024. A record number of women are represented on the new council, including chair and internationally-renowned researcher Professor Carolin.....
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Category: Research Excellence

Researchers develop new program to reduce medication burden  .

A team from the Kolling Institute led by Professor Sarah Hilmer has helped develop a valuable, new national program to reduce the adverse impacts of taking multiple medicines. Medicines with an anticholinergic effect can successfully treat many conditions such as depression, dementia and chronic non-cancer pain. Cumulatively however, they can cause serious adverse effects such as falls, confusion, .....
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Category: New Treatment, Research Excellence

Game-changing research partnership to ease musculoskeletal burden.

An important new partnership has been formed to dramatically improve care for musculoskeletal conditions by speeding up the translation of research to clinical practice. The Northern Sydney Local Health District has joined with the University of Sydney and Sydney Local Health District to create Sydney Musculoskeletal Health which will link researchers from across the University with clinicians, con.....
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Category: Musculoskeletal Research, New Treatment, Research Excellence

Talented, young Kolling researcher takes out prestigious national award.

Despite a tremendously competitive field, the Kolling Institute’s Dylan Ashton has won the 2021 Cooperative Research Australia Early Career Research competition. Dylan is part of the team investigating the effectiveness of kangaroo tendons to treat ACL injuries. He has worked on the project for several years and has welcomed the announcement. “I am extremely thankful for Cooperative Research Austra.....
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Category: Awards, Research Excellence

Living with Osteoarthritis.

At 16, Tom Buttel suffered a knee injury while playing rugby, and while that incident happened more than 40 years ago, it continues to impact his life today. At 60 Tom has advanced osteoarthritis in his right knee after the debilitating condition took hold in his mid-20s. Tom underwent several surgeries over a 15 year period and has now lived with osteoarthritis for many years. “It has a huge impac.....
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Category: Musculoskeletal Research, Research Excellence

Living with  Parkinson's disease.

As a single mum of four children, Jo Makamaka is juggling many responsibilities. She is not complaining though, just cherishing the opportunity to look after her children and take part in a host of activities which were not always within her reach. Jo first saw a neurologist in her early-20s in response to a collection of unusual symptoms, but it was not until many years later that she was diagnose.....
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Category: Neuroscience and Pain Research, Research Excellence