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Past Fresh Scientists
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Fresh Science prizewinners for 2005Eye simulator replaces patientsPilots practice using simulators. Doctors practice on patients. A researcher from Flinders University is changing that with his eye examination simulator. Tim Nelson’s invention has won him a study tour to the UK as part of Australia’s Fresh Science competition. “Tim developed a simulator, called EyeSim, that allows trainee health professionals to learn how to properly perform the common ‘pen torch’ examination of the eyes – an essential test for signs of brain dysfunction,” says Simon Gammell, Director of British Council Australia. “Using a simulator avoids distress to patients and allows the trainee to be quickly exposed to many different conditions.” British Council Australia will organise the study tour for Tim, where he will have the opportunity to present his work at the Royal Institution in London. “Hospitals presently pay upwards of $250,000 for a high tech manikin,” says Tim. “They can simulate all sorts of human functions, but the eyes are fixed and completely non-responsive to light.” “EyeSim gives a realistic constriction and dilation of the pupils when illuminated with a pen torch, and mimics the ability of our eyes to follow a moving object,” says Tim. “During Fresh Science, Tim demonstrated both his passion for science and engineering, and his ability to communicate complex ideas in plain English,” says Simon Gammell. “British Council Australia is delighted to be supporting young Australians in the field of scientific research. Our Fresh Science award will give Tim an opportunity to broaden his horizons and interact with his UK colleagues.” Research showing that fish oil can improve the attention and behaviour of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) won Natalie Sinn the People’s Choice prize – voted by her peers. Natalie, from the University of South Australia and CSIRO Nutrition, conducted a trial involving about 145 children with ADHD-related problems. “The parents of children who spent 15 weeks on a course of capsules containing a combination of fish oil and primrose oil with a high ratio of omega-3 fatty acid EPA reported increased attention and reduced hyperactivity, restlessness and impulsivity,” says Natalie. Both early-career researchers were winners in this year’s Fresh Science – a national event held in Science Week. Thirteen early career scientists were selected from research institutes, universities, government research laboratories, the CSIRO and private companies for the public spotlight. After a day of media and presentation training at the State Library of Victoria, the scientists presented their work to school students and the public, at a formal reception, down at the pub and to the media. The aim: for the public to hear about their work. Each year since 1998 Fresh Science has worked to bring the work of early-career researchers to public attention. This year we learnt: that jellyfish take naps in the afternoon; that paper and wood don’t rot much in your local landfill – this carbon sink was unaccounted for in climate change models; and two new ideas on beating cancer – one to destroy the tumour’s supply line and the other to use a smart bomb which destroys just the cancer cells not surrounding tissue. All the Fresh Science stories are online at www.freshscience.org Fresh Science is supported by the Federal government through the Department of Education, Science & Training, and the Victorian State government through the Department of Innovation, Industry and Regional Development. Further support is provided by British Council Australia, New Scientist and the state Library of Victoria. |
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Media contacts:
Niall Byrne 0417 131 977 and Sarah Brooker 0413 332 489
Fresh Science is managed by Science in Public and ASN Events
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