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Future research
There is still much research to be done to better understand box
jellyfish. Some key areas of research include:
- Unravel the life cycle of Carukia barnesi and other
Irukandji jellyfish.
- Identify factors that cause appearance of jellyfish so that
their arrival (and departure) from beaches can be predicted.
- Discover how many species of jellyfish cause Irukandji syndrome
so that doctors are better able to treat stings. This work is
underway with both traditional and molecular methods being used
to identify jellyfish species, especially those on offshore islands
and the Great Barrier Reef that cause the life-threatening symptoms
of severely high blood pressure and heart failure.
- Study the action of all venoms involved in Irukandji syndrome
to improve treatment of all aspects of these stings.
- Find an effective pre-hospital treatment for the pain as well
as the hypertension after an Irukandji sting.
- Develop swimming enclosures that prevent the entry of the smaller
jellyfish such as Carukia barnesi. An ultra-fine mesh
net is being trialled inside the standard stinger net.
- Find alternate methods to control and prevent stings from Irukandji
jellyfish. A lotion for prevention of jellyfish stings is being
developed.
- Discover whether severe symptoms such as hypertension and heart
failure can be predicted and prevented in victims.
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