Jcu researchers developing world first treatment for injured soldiers

JCU researchers developing world-first treatment for injured soldiers

Researchers from James Cook University (JCU) in Townsville are developing a world-first injection to help resuscitate soldiers shot in remote locations and keep them alive until they reach hospital. Death commonly occurs within 30 minutes of a soldier being shot, but JCU's Professor Geoff Dobson claims that many of these deaths can be avoided with emergency treatment.

Dobson and his team are therefore investigating techniques to induce a form of 'hibernation' to help save lives on the battlefield and the US Special Operations Command has provided funding to help fast track the treatment. The regulatory process for treatment in the United States is expected to occur in the next 12 months.

While the drug is primarily being developed for defence purposes, it may also prove useful in remote and rural community environments.

Read the ABC news story.