Staff can catch cold for research
Professor Bob Douglas, Director of the National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, is seeking more volunteers in a study to evaluate widely-used but poorly evaluated treatments for the common cold. Prof Douglas, whose lifetime research has focused on respiratory infections, their prevention and control, and who is Coordinating Editor of the International Cochrane Collaboration on Acute Respiratory Infections, has carried out a meta-analysis of previous studies of Vitamin C in the common cold, and concluded that, while there is little evidence to support its prophylactic effects, in a large number of carefully carried out studies over the past 30 years there has emerged evidence of a therapeutic benefit that may be dose related. In the trial that has begun, among volunteers from the John Curtin School of Medical Research, Research School of Earth Sciences and Research School of Physical Sciences and Engineering, a number of doses of Vitamin C are being used by people as they develop cold symptoms. "Despite the huge amount of information out there about Vitamin C, there are some fundamental questions that remain unanswered," Prof Douglas said. "Our study is a very simple one and we are hoping to extend it next year to include things like Echinacea, Chinese herbal remedies and zinc gluconate, about all of which there is tantalising but inadequate information to advise people. "Although we have about 120 people participating in the present study, we would like to recruit another 200 before the deepest winter and spring cold season hits us." The study is being conducted exclusively on campus, but adult family members of staff of ANU are also eligible to participate. Prof Douglas is leading the study in collaboration with Dr Carmen Audera. People interested in volunteering should ring Roger Patulny on 6249 5610.