News Release Archives
Summer studentships’ health research
Monday, 18 March 2013
The Summer Studentship Programme, based at the University of Otago’s Wellington campus, has recently presented the results of its ten week summer medical, public health and science research projects. The 40 students are from the University of Otago’s Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin campuses, along with Auckland and Victoria Universities.
Lowering salt intake in diets important and very feasible
Monday, 11 March 2013
A newly published study has found that it would be relatively easy for New Zealanders to reach recommended levels of lower salt intake to reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke and stomach cancer. This is even if some meals have occasional high salt ingredients such as sausages or other processed foods.
Demystifying Addiction – An Online Educational Resource
Wednesday, 6 March 2013
A new free online educational resource has been developed by health researchers from the University of Otago, Wellington to help people learn about addiction directly from those who have experienced it.
Smartphone app shows Australians smoke less in cars than New Zealanders
Monday, 4 March 2013
Research just published indicates that New South Wales has one third of the people smoking in cars compared to New Zealand. Of nearly 5000 cars observed in Sydney, only 1% had smokers, compared to 2.9% of 10,000 cars in New Zealand.
Smokefree playground policies can make a difference
Wednesday, 23 January 2013
British and New Zealand playgrounds have a significantly smaller proportion of people smoking than other types of public outdoor areas, according to latest research from the University of Otago, Wellington.
First time parenting a positive experience for mental health
Tuesday, 22 January 2013
Becoming a parent for the first time may improve mental health and reduce levels of psychological distress, according to a new study from the University of Otago, Wellington (UOW).
Study finds the cheapest emergency food to stockpile
Friday, 14 December 2012
Storage foods for an emergency such as an earthquake that meet all daily energy requirements can cost as little as $2.22 per day according to a new study by the University of Otago, Wellington.
Shocking disparities in child obesity now exist in New Zealand
Wednesday, 12 December 2012
Public health researcher Professor Tony Blakely from the University of Otago, Wellington says the time for prevaricating about obesity is over with the release of latest child obesity figures by the Ministry of Health.
Before Skyfall: 46 years of violence in James Bond movies
Tuesday, 11 December 2012
Violent acts in James Bond films were more than twice as common in Quantum of Solace (2008) than in the original 1962 movie Dr No, University of Otago researchers have found.
Leading international speakers for Public Health Summer School
Monday, 10 December 2012
The largest and longest running Public Health Summer School in New Zealand and Australia will provide an exciting line-up of national and international speakers for three weeks next February.
Binge drinking in young people attracted to more than one gender
Monday, 12 November 2012
A report by the University of Otago, Wellington shows that many young people attracted to more than one gender tend to binge drink because they feel stigmatised and socially excluded.
Swine flu pandemic expensive for NZ
Friday, 9 November 2012
A new study estimates the total cost to the New Zealand hospital sector of the 2009 ‘swine flu’ pandemic at around $31 million.
Silicone dressings reduce skin reactions following radiation for breast cancer
Thursday, 1 November 2012
Skin reactions following radiation therapy for breast cancer have been the focus of a recent clinical trial conducted by Dr Patries Herst from the Department of Radiation Therapy, University of Otago, Wellington and a team of radiation therapists in public hospitals in Dunedin, Wellington and Palmerston North and Auckland Radiation Oncology.
Professor Brett Delahunt elected Fellow of the Royal Society of New Zealand
Wednesday, 31 October 2012
Professor Brett Delahunt, from the Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, has been elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society of New Zealand at the recent Annual General Meeting for his exceptional distinction in research and the advancement of medical science.
Research undermines tobacco industry’s plain packaging claims
Wednesday, 10 October 2012
Two research studies led by University of Otago researchers have challenged tobacco companies’ claims about plain packaging. Both studies were conducted by the ASPIRE2025 research group, which includes Professors Janet Hoek and Phil Gendall working from Otago’s Department of Marketing, and Professor Richard Edwards from the University’s Department of Public Health (Wellington).
Otago study reveals persistent deprivation for NZ children
Friday, 21 September 2012
A sizeable and “difficult to ignore” proportion of New Zealand children have experienced persistent low income and deprivation in recent years, according to a new University of Otago study using seven years of longitudinal survey data.
‘Loan sharks’ need tougher regulation and controls
Monday, 20 August 2012
Recent research from the University of Otago, Wellington shows that loan sharks charging interest rates of up to 400% per annum are exploiting Maori, Pacific and low income New Zealanders and need to be better regulated.
Nation's top tertiary teaching award won by Otago Pharmacy academic
Wednesday, 18 July 2012
University of Otago School of Pharmacy Senior Lecturer Dr Rhiannon Braund’s dedication to both her learners and profession has led to her being named the 2012 recipient of the Prime Minister’s Supreme Award for tertiary teaching excellence.
University of Otago Teaching Excellence Awards Announced
Wednesday, 11 July 2012
Three Otago academics have been recognised for their outstanding ability to teach in this year's University Teaching Excellence Awards.
Otago researchers gain Neurological Foundation funding
Wednesday, 11 July 2012
Several University of Otago researchers have received funding to support their studies through the latest Neurological Foundation grant round announced today.
Smoking on footpaths increases hazardous air pollutants
Monday, 9 July 2012
A study by the University of Otago, Wellington has found that smoking on city street footpaths increases the amount of dangerous fine particulates in city air.
Alcohol use common in TV music videos
Tuesday, 19 June 2012
An analysis of music videos on New Zealand television shows that the portrayal of alcohol is commonplace.
Smokefree city streets not a problem for business
Monday, 11 June 2012
Businesses surveyed on Wellington’s central city ‘Golden Mile’ streets have little concern about the possible financial impact of a smokefree streets policy.
Improving health care for inmates and whānau the focus of symposium
Thursday, 7 June 2012
The University of Otago, Wellington in association with Regional Public Health is to hold the first-ever New Zealand symposium on Friday 8 June focusing on health issues and barriers to care faced by people who have been imprisoned, those coming out, and their whānau.
Well-planned cities improve people’s health
Friday, 1 June 2012
New Zealand is one of the countries critically examined in a major report on the planning of cities and their impact on population health, released this week. The report ‘Shaping Cities for Health’ was commissioned by a leading UK medical journal The Lancet.
Death by disconnection: ‘Fuel poverty’ issue missed in Muliaga case
Friday, 1 June 2012
An analysis of hundreds of print media stories on the death of Auckland resident, Mrs Folole Muliaga, after her power was cut off by Mercury Energy in 2007 has found that the wider issue of ‘fuel poverty’ was largely ignored.
Smokers support increased regulation of tobacco industry
Tuesday, 22 May 2012
Just published research has found strong support from New Zealand smokers for much greater regulation of the tobacco industry.
Short term household income change and impacts on health
Wednesday, 16 May 2012
Short term changes in household income have only small effects on health, but have more significant impacts if income is affected by unemployment or chronic health conditions, new research from the University of Otago, Wellington shows.
Public health expert questions prescription charge move
Tuesday, 15 May 2012
The Government’s announcement that it will increase the co-payment for a prescription from $3 to $5 per item, for up to a maximum of 20 items per year, represents a questionable trade-off, says a University of Otago public health researcher.
The cost of law-making in New Zealand
Monday, 14 May 2012
University of Otago, Wellington researchers have just published a study that estimates for the first time the average cost of producing a new law in New Zealand.
High income mobility but one in five households have chronic low income
Wednesday, 9 May 2012
A new study by the University of Otago, Wellington shows how the problem of chronic low income for a significant number of New Zealand households co-exists with high income mobility for the rest.
Improving the labelling of food for health
Friday, 20 April 2012
Front-of-pack (FOP) labelling of food in New Zealand has support from industry, policy-makers and NGOs according to new research from the Universities of Otago and Auckland.
Charitable blue collar workers most frequent body donors: Otago study
Friday, 20 April 2012
People who donate their bodies to science are more likely to be blue collar workers who also regularly give blood, are registered organ donors, and give frequently to charity, according to an international study led by the University of Otago.
Cancer Trends survival report shows improvements and inequalities
Wednesday, 18 April 2012
Cancer survival is significantly improving in New Zealand, but inequalities in survival remain stark according to a new report released today by the University of Otago and the Ministry of Health.
Political leadership needed to achieve tobacco-free goal
Tuesday, 28 February 2012
Clear goals and detailed planning are critical to achieve the government’s aim of making New Zealand ‘smoke-free’ by 2025, according to health researchers from the University of Otago, Wellington.
Screening for abdominal aortic aneurysms indicated
Friday, 24 February 2012
Population-based screening for often fatal abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) should be given serious consideration, according to a new study from the University of Otago, Wellington.
Alarming increase in serious infectious diseases in NZ
Monday, 20 February 2012
Admissions to New Zealand hospitals from infectious diseases have jumped dramatically over the last two decades according to just published research from the University of Otago, Wellington.
Vitamin C may enhance radiation therapy for aggressive brain tumours
Friday, 17 February 2012
Recent research by the University of Otago, Wellington has shown that giving brain cancer cells high dose vitamin C makes them much more susceptible to radiation therapy.
Emerging influenza viruses in animals still a threat to human health
Tuesday, 14 February 2012
A top international influenza researcher, educated at the University of Otago, warns that public health officials responsible for the surveillance of influenza viruses should not be complacent about the development of new viruses that may spread from the animal world to humans.
Food safety regulation of poultry cuts levels of paralysis
Wednesday, 8 February 2012
A recent large decrease in campylobacter infection from fresh poultry in New Zealand has also resulted in a significant drop in a neurological condition which can result in paralysis or death.
Calories, not protein or carbs, are key to weight loss for people with diabetes
Tuesday, 7 February 2012
Overweight or obese people with type 2 diabetes are more likely to reduce weight if they focus on cutting back on total calorie intake, rather than specific high protein/high carbohydrate diets according to a new study from the University of Otago, Wellington.
Setting a good example? Smoking amongst key occupational groups
Wednesday, 18 January 2012
A new study published by researchers from University of Otago, Wellington has found that smoking rates have declined rapidly amongst many occupational groups over the last 25 years.
Children from lower-socioeconomic area more likely to be exposed to smoke in cars
Wednesday, 7 December 2011
Children from a lower socio-economic area in Wellington, Wainuiomata, are 11 times more likely to be exposed to cigarette smoking in cars than in the wealthier suburb of Karori, according to recent research.
Action on climate change policy falls well short
Friday, 4 November 2011
A review of Government policy and action on climate change by researchers at the University of Otago, Wellington and Victoria University shows they fall well short of what is needed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and meet even weak targets.
Killing house dust mites on children’s soft toys
Monday, 17 October 2011
Infestations of house dust mites on children’s soft toys can be eradicated by freezing, hot tumble drying or washing with eucalyptus oil and detergent according to new research by the University of Otago, Wellington.
The influence of the internet on suicidal behaviour
Monday, 10 October 2011
A recent study by the University of Otago, Wellington into internet pro-suicide and support sites indicates that significant improvements need to be made in this area to help prevent suicidal behaviour.
Big increase in potentially fatal necrotising fasciitis disease
Tuesday, 27 September 2011
There has been a significant increase in necrotising fasciitis (NF) or ‘flesh-eating disease’ in New Zealand between 1990 and 2006 according to the first ever nation-wide assessment of the incidence of this disease.
Lack of trained interpreter use may affect patients and doctors
Friday, 9 September 2011
Two studies by the University of Otago, Wellington, have shown that the use of trained interpreters by doctors and health professionals in New Zealand is inadequate, and needs more funding.
Decision-makers back concept of tobacco-free NZ by 2025
Monday, 5 September 2011
Research led by the University of Otago, Wellington shows that senior officials, health practitioners, decision-makers and opinion-leaders support bold new ways of thinking being explored to achieve a tobacco-free New Zealand.
Some improvements but stark differences remain in children’s wellbeing
Monday, 29 August 2011
The annual Children’s Social Monitor Update shows that although there have been some improvements over the last year, there are still serious concerns about the wellbeing of New Zealand’s children, with stark differences in the levels of ill health, abuse and neglect for different groups of children.
Doctors and public health researchers say shocking diabetes rates can be reduced
Friday, 12 August 2011
Leading medical specialists, public health researchers and nutritionists warn that not enough is being done to prevent the rapidly increasing diabetes rates, largely caused by significant increases in obesity in adults and children in recent years.
Long-acting contraception methods reduce repeat abortions
Monday, 25 July 2011
Repeat abortions are significantly reduced if women use long-acting reversible contraceptive methods such as intrauterine devices (IUDs) after an abortion.
New national research collaboration aims for tobacco-free NZ
Thursday, 21 July 2011
The University of Otago, together with Massey University and partners Whakauae Research, and Tala Pasifika, is launching ASPIRE 2025, a new research collaboration designed to help achieve a tobacco-free New Zealand.
World expert raises concerns about health inequalities
Tuesday, 12 July 2011
Renowned UK epidemiologist Sir Michael Marmot will be the keynote speaker at a wide-ranging symposium on health equity and the social determinants of health being held at the University of Otago, Wellington this Wednesday and co-hosted by the New Zealand Medical Association.
Much still to be done to reduce ethnic and socio-economic health inequities
Friday, 8 July 2011
Although progress has been made in reducing health inequities, an editorial in today's New Zealand Medical Journal proposes the next ten most important actions needed to further reduce significant health "gaps‟ based on ethnicity and socio-economic status in New Zealand.
Health risk from solvent use by lab technicians
Tuesday, 28 June 2011
Exposure to solvents by medical laboratory workers may be a health risk according to a new study from the University of Otago, Wellington just published in The Journal of Rheumatology.
Further investigation into climate change and infectious diseases needed
Monday, 13 June 2011
Much more effort should be made by NZ government agencies and researchers into the possible increase of infectious diseases because of climate change according to latest research from the University of Otago, Wellington.
Intoxicated patients an increasing problem for Emergency Departments
Friday, 10 June 2011
Research by the University of Otago, Wellington shows that growing numbers of intoxicated people presenting at the Emergency Department of Wellington Hospital verbally and physically abuse staff on a regular basis, and have a negative impact on other patients.
Campylobacteriosis cases halved following controls on chicken meat
Monday, 16 May 2011
New Zealand’s success in reducing its food borne campylobacteriosis epidemic is receiving international attention. In a paper just published in the journal, Emerging Infectious Diseases, NZ scientists report how both notified and hospitalised cases of campylobacteriosis declined by more than 50% following interventions to reduce campylobacter contamination of fresh chicken meat.
Serious skin infection rates double in children since 1990
Wednesday, 27 April 2011
Serious skin infection rates in New Zealand children have increased markedly over the last two decades according to new research from the University of Otago, Wellington.
Rural pubs follow smokefree law
Friday, 15 April 2011
Rural pubs appear to be following the current smokefree law according to a new study. The research by the University of Otago, Wellington has just been published in the latest issue of the New Zealand Medical Journal.
Maori women have biggest increase in breast cancer rates
Tuesday, 15 February 2011
Maori women have had the highest rates and the largest increase in breast cancer over the last two decades according to new research from the University of Otago, Wellington.
Top international clinicians attend cancer symposium
Friday, 11 February 2011
The University of Otago, Wellington is hosting a major Inaugural International Cancer Symposium which will see a stellar cast of overseas and New Zealand cancer experts in the capital city over the coming week, from Sunday 13 to Saturday February 19.
Household crowding linked to high rates of acute rheumatic fever
Monday, 15 November 2010
New Zealand has one of the highest reported rates of acute rheumatic fever (ARF) amongst children and teenagers in the developed world; an infectious disease which can cause chronic rheumatic heart disease through damaged heart valves, and results in over 120 deaths a year.
Major prostate cancer trial boosted by new funding
Monday, 31 May 2010
The largest ever clinical trial into new treatments for prostate cancer, which kills about 600 men annually in this country, has received another significant funding grant from the Cancer Society of New Zealand.