How Science Matters

The COVID-19 pandemic threatens to derail global efforts against killer infectious diseases like malaria, tuberculosis, and HIV, leading to more deaths. As limited health resources in parts of Africa, Asia and Papua New Guinea are channelled into controlling the coronavirus, this could set back years of progress in tackling these diseases across vulnerable communities. In this episode, you’ll meet Burnet Institute’s Deputy Director, Professor James Beeson, a malaria vaccine specialist who also works on maternal and child health. Find out how our environment shapes our immune system and why it was possible to develop multiple vaccines for COVID-19 so quickly, but the only malaria vaccine has a protection level as low as 30 per cent.   Get the transcript here. Credits: Hosted by journalist Tracy Parish and Professor Brendan Crabb, a microbiologist, malaria researcher, and one of the best minds in infectious diseases and global health today. Produced by Written & Recorded Executive Producers: Serpil Senelmis & James Brandis Sound Design/Engineering: James Brandis Production Assistance: Nick Dalziel, Burnet Institute  How Science Matters was recorded on the traditional land of the Bunurong people of the Kulin Nations and we offer our respects to Elders past and present. We recognise and respect the cultural heritage of this land. Disclaimer: This podcast series was recorded between June and July 2021. For current information on the pandemic, please search for the latest official coronavirus advice in your area.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Episode 7: Modelling COVID-19: Can we predict the future?     In an island-continent like Australia, with a population of almost 26 million, how is the coronavirus likely to spread? And how can transmission be halted? In this episode, you’ll meet Burnet Institute’s Deputy Director, Professor Margaret Hellard and Dr Nick Scott, the Head of Modelling. They are part of the team behind the Victorian adaptation of the COVASIM Epidemic model, which was first developed by the Institute for Disease Modelling in the USA. Hear how modelling helps prepare our health system and governments for the likelihood of the virus spreading in the future and the risks around that. It’s what informs intervention strategies like international air travel, lockdowns, social distancing, density limits on cafés and restaurants, and homeschooling.    Get the transcript here.   Credits: Hosted by journalist Tracy Parish and Professor Brendan Crabb, a microbiologist, malaria researcher, and one of the best minds in infectious diseases and global health today. Produced by Written & Recorded Executive Producers: Serpil Senelmis & James Brandis Sound Design/Engineering: James Brandis Production Assistance: Nick Dalziel, Burnet Institute  How Science Matters was recorded on the traditional land of the Bunurong people of the Kulin Nations and we offer our respects to Elders past and present. We recognise and respect the cultural heritage of this land. Disclaimer: This podcast series was recorded between June and July 2021. For current information on the pandemic, please search for the latest official coronavirus advice in your area.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For some pregnant women in Australia, the arrival of COVID-19 ushered in an unusually strange and lonely time. Reassuring face-to-face antenatal care was replaced by remote telehealth. Many gave birth supported by midwives dressed in PPE gear. In developing countries, women were considered lucky if they managed to secure an appointment with a midwife. In this episode, you’ll meet Burnet Institute’s Professor Caroline Homer, a leading midwifery researcher and maternal and newborn health expert. She talks about the crushing emotional toll of the pandemic on expectant mothers worldwide, alongside the success stories for maternal health. Content warning: this episode discusses miscarriage. Get the transcript here. Credits: Hosted by journalist Tracy Parish and Professor Brendan Crabb, a microbiologist, malaria researcher, and one of the best minds in infectious diseases and global health today. Produced by Written & Recorded Executive Producers: Serpil Senelmis & James Brandis Sound Design/Engineering: James Brandis Production Assistance: Nick Dalziel, Burnet Institute  How Science Matters was recorded on the traditional land of the Bunurong people of the Kulin Nations and we offer our respects to Elders past and present. We recognise and respect the cultural heritage of this land. Disclaimer: This podcast series was recorded between June and July 2021. For current information on the pandemic, please search for the latest official coronavirus advice in your area.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Asking people to behave differently to how they would normally, is complicated. In a country like Australia, with over 270 different ancestries and a quarter of the population born in non-English speaking countries, it’s even more complex. Why then do we blame people for not following the public health restrictions when effective, targeted communication campaigns have been missing? In this episode, Burnet Institute Deputy Director, Professor Margaret Hellard explains how you can influence communities to embrace COVID-safe actions – and avoid stigma. Get the transcript here. Credits: Hosted by journalist Tracy Parish and Professor Brendan Crabb, a microbiologist, malaria researcher, and one of the best minds in infectious diseases and global health today. Produced by Written & Recorded Executive Producers: Serpil Senelmis & James Brandis Sound Design/Engineering: James Brandis Production Assistance: Nick Dalziel, Burnet Institute  How Science Matters was recorded on the traditional land of the Bunurong people of the Kulin Nations and we offer our respects to Elders past and present. We recognise and respect the cultural heritage of this land. Disclaimer: This podcast series was recorded between June and July 2021. For current information on the pandemic, please search for the latest official coronavirus advice in your area.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Epidemiologists have become the new rock stars in an era of coronavirus. It’s these ‘disease detectives’ who have kept the world informed about how the virus has been spreading and how it might spread in the future. In this episode, you’ll meet Professor Mike Toole, a 40-year veteran of disease control whose face now pops up all over the world’s media. Mike is an epidemiologist at Burnet Institute and the technical advisor to the Know- C19 Knowledge Hub. He had to shelve his retirement plans in Egypt, to help solve the COVID-19 puzzle.  Get the full transcript here. Credits: Hosted by journalist Tracy Parish and Professor Brendan Crabb, a microbiologist, malaria researcher, and one of the best minds in infectious diseases and global health today. Produced by Written & Recorded Executive Producers: Serpil Senelmis & James Brandis Sound Design/Engineering: James Brandis Production Assistance: Nick Dalziel, Burnet Institute    How Science Matters was recorded on the traditional land of the Bunurong people of the Kulin Nations and we offer our respects to Elders past and present. We recognise and respect the cultural heritage of this land. Disclaimer: This podcast series was recorded between June and July 2021. For current information on the pandemic, please search for the latest official coronavirus advice in your area.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.