James Cook University - Anton Breinl Centre for Public Health and Tropical Medicine

Skin Cancer Research
This includes research into both melanocytic and non-melanocytic skin cancer:
• Research into the early childhood development of melanocytic naevi to determine the age at which moles first appear, and to describe associations between naevi and sun exposure.
• General practitioner diagnostic practice and educational needs for non melanoma skin cancer.
• UV exposure in north Queensland which examines ground level UV in Townsville and Cairns with the aim of developing a model to provide values for daily exposure.

Arboviral Diseases and their Vectors
• The occurrence, habits and adaptation of the mosquito, Aedes aegypti, in the urban setting.
• Dengue fever in north Queensland, its epidemiology and future prospects.

Parasitology
• The role of dog hookworm, Ancylostoma caninum in human disease
• Research on the taxonomy, diagnosis, treatment and control of scabies
• Epidemiology, treatment and management of head lice in individuals, families and schools.

Microbiological Infections
• Pteropid lyssavirus in bats and humans in north Queensland.

Nutritional Issues
• Nutrition and body image of teenagers, and the development of nutrition courses to be taught by teachers.
• The relationship between diet and heart disease, smoking and exercise behaviour, and knowledge about food and nutrition in relation to heart disease prevention in those patients who have undergone surgery for coronary artery disease.
• Assessment of usefulness of tests for zinc deficiency.
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