March 15 Symposium – the psychological impacts of the Christchurch terrorist attacks
Tuesday 4 April 2023
Preliminary findings from The March 15 Project were presented in a recent day-long symposium held at the University of Otago, Christchurch.
New Zealanders still not making enough effort to be “sun safe” – study
Tuesday 20 December 2022
Sunscreen alone is not enough, University of Otago researchers are reminding people, after a study published today reveals the slip, slop, slap message is still not getting through.
Success for University of Otago, Christchurch, Researchers with CMRF Major Project Grant
Tuesday 20 September 2022
Five research staff from the University of Otago. Christchurch have been awarded prestigious Canterbury Medical Research Foundation (CMRF) Grants, to the tune of half a million dollars in total.
Virtual Reality App trial shown to reduce common phobias
Thursday 14 July 2022
Results from a University of Otago, Christchurch trial suggest fresh hope for the estimated one-in-twelve people worldwide suffering from a fear of flying, needles, heights, spiders and dogs.
“Quake brain” effects suffered by resilient Cantabrians fade over time – study
Wednesday 29 June 2022
New University of Otago research suggests the brain function of otherwise-healthy individuals exposed to event trauma has the ability to “bounce back” over time once the threat resolves.
Study shows strong link between COVID‑19 and worsening mental health
Wednesday 8 June 2022
The past two years have caused widespread disruption, anxiety, loss and grief worldwide – but a new University of Otago, Christchurch, study has identified a concerning link between ongoing COVID-19 disruption and worsening mental health for those most at risk.
Family donation supports Otago University research on World Bipolar Day
Wednesday 30 March 2022
The generosity of a Christchurch family, in memory of a much-loved wife and mother, aims to improve the lives of New Zealanders living with bipolar disorder.
Study Reveals Link Between Early Menopause and History of Sexual Abuse
Monday 28 March 2022
A ground-breaking University of Otago, Christchurch, study has found female victims of severe sexual abuse in childhood experience twice the risk of entering the menopause transition by age 40, than women with no such reported history of abuse.
Compulsory Treatment Orders benefit some mental health patients more than others – study
Wednesday 27 October 2021
A ground-breaking University of Otago study could well influence which mental health patients in New Zealand are prioritised for controversial Compulsory Treatment Orders (CTOs) to ensure they get the medications and support they need.
Canterbury Medical Research Foundation grants for Christchurch researchers
Friday 8 October 2021
Two University of Otago, Christchurch, researchers have been awarded Canterbury Medical Research Foundation grants.
“Māoritanga” not a factor in becoming homeowner
Wednesday 4 August 2021
New research from the University of Otago Christchurch debunks the myth that culture is possibly tied to home ownership.
$1.74 million for Otago feasibility studies
Friday 11 June 2021
Dr Joanne Choi’s research will fill holes – in the market and in children’s teeth.
Virtual reality used to confront phobias in Christchurch trial
Tuesday 25 May 2021
Can virtual reality help treat people with a fear of flying or spiders?
Physical punishment happening less, but still common - study
Friday 30 April 2021
There is a clear downward trend in the number of parents using physical violence as a punishment in New Zealand, but its use is still relatively common, a new University of Otago study reveals.
Christchurch researcher awarded almost $250,000 to study ‘quake brain’
Thursday 18 February 2021
The ongoing impact of ‘quake brain’ is the focus of a newly-funded study that will look for ways to help those suffering from a decline in cognitive function.
Eating disorders result in significant financial impact on carers
Wednesday 3 February 2021
Anorexia Nervosa has not only a detrimental impact on the people who suffer from the eating disorder, but often a significant financial impact on their carers, new research from the University of Otago, Christchurch, reveals.
‘Quake brain’ study could give insight into future effects of COVID-19 crisis
Wednesday 3 June 2020
‘Quake brain’ is a real phenomenon that impairs people’s memory even years after the shaking stops, a world-leading study from the University of Otago, Christchurch has shown.
Health of truck drivers and evening TV binge-watchers under Otago researchers’ spotlight
Friday 29 May 2020
The health and safety of truck drivers and the impacts of evening television binge-watching will come under the spotlight in new University of Otago research being funded by the Health Research Council.
New Zealanders in international study of COVID-19’s impact on depression and other mood disorders
Wednesday 6 May 2020
University of Otago, Christchurch researchers are part of an urgent international effort to understand how isolation and disruption of routines associated with COVID-19 are affecting people with mood disorders.
Methamphetamine use and its impact on violence laid bare in world-first study
Monday 24 February 2020
Almost a third of middle-aged New Zealanders have tried methamphetamine at least once, according to a new University of Otago, Christchurch study looking at the link between using the drug and violence in the general population.
University of Otago, Christchurch researchers lead study to help those most affected by mosque attacks
Wednesday 12 February 2020
A new Health Research Council-funded study is about to get underway to help understand the psychological and physical effects of the March 15 Mosque attacks in Christchurch last year and to link those directly affected with additional support, if needed.
30 new Professors for the University of Otago
Tuesday 10 December 2019
Thirty University of Otago academics have been promoted to the position of professor this year.
New Zealanders involved in global study showing genetic predisposition for anorexia
Tuesday 16 July 2019
University of Otago, Christchurch researchers played a key role in new global research showing the causes of the eating disorder anorexia are likely metabolic as well as psychological.
Otago experts concerned lost opportunity to curb excessive drinking and reduce harm
Friday 12 July 2019
University of Otago mental health experts are upset another Government has missed an opportunity to curb excessive drinking and reduce harm, by taking a recommendation from the recent Inquiry into Mental Health and Addiction off the agenda.
Study of sexual orientation and mental health
Thursday 27 June 2019
Gay, lesbian and bisexual New Zealanders are on average more than twice as likely to experience depression, anxiety and suicidal thoughts as heterosexuals, new research shows.
Otago researcher investigates novel new therapies for bipolar disorder
Tuesday 28 May 2019
Finding a way to help people with treatment-resistant bipolar disorder has earned University of Otago researcher Professor Richard Porter a Health Research Council grant to undertake a feasibility study into the use of novel treatments.
Proposal for ‘cautious path’ forward for changing cannabis laws by Otago researcher
Friday 18 January 2019
Amid the ongoing debate on legislation for recreational use of cannabis, an Otago researcher proposes a cautious path forward for changing cannabis laws in New Zealand that aims to reduce cannabis-related harm.
University of Otago announces academic promotions
Wednesday 12 December 2018
Seventeen University of Otago academics have been promoted to the position of professor this year.
Otago health researchers share more than $3.5m in Career Development Awards
Tuesday 20 November 2018
A University of Otago Christchurch engineer is developing a ‘lego’ system to 3D-bioprint bone; a solution that could one day replace the billions-of-dollars-worth of ceramic and titanium implants required by New Zealand patients annually.
Alcohol still impacting ED despite legislation aimed at curbing harm
Friday 5 October 2018
Numbers of alcohol-impaired and injured people coming to Christchurch’s emergency department (ED) remained the same between 2013 and 2107 despite legislation aimed at reducing harm, new research shows.
New Zealanders using more antipsychotics, especially older females
Friday 17 August 2018
The prescription of drugs designed to treat conditions such as bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, and symptoms such as hallucinations and delusions has increased in New Zealand by almost 50 per cent in less than a decade, according to the first local study of its kind.
Regular teen drinking leads to problems with alcohol and drug use in adulthood
Wednesday 11 July 2018
Adolescents who drink weekly before age 17 are up to three times more likely as adults to binge drink, drink drive, be alcohol-dependent, and use other drugs than their non-drinking peers, new Australasian research shows.
Almost $19 million awarded to Otago researchers in Health Research Council funding
Monday 18 June 2018
A new study investigating for the first time the health of occupants of leaky homes in New Zealand is one of many University of Otago-led projects being funded this year by the Health Research Council to the tune of almost $19 million.
Cannabis: What's the harm?
Friday 25 May 2018
A researcher of the effects of cannabis says any law change to free up the drug’s availability needs to take account of scientifically-robust data showing regular use in young people is associated with a higher risk of mental health issues, use of other substances, and lower levels of achievement.
$750,000 to Otago researchers for health-related feasibility studies
Tuesday 22 May 2018
Three University of Otago researchers have successfully secured almost $750,000 between them from the Health Research Council to undertake feasibility studies.
Otago researcher’s dream of eliminating Tuberculosis among Māori gains HRC support
Monday 21 May 2018
The goal of eliminating the top infectious disease killer in the world, tuberculosis, among Māori has earned University of Otago researcher Professor Philip Hill $250,000 from the Health Research Council to undertake a feasibility study.
Otago researchers reveal childhood predictors of becoming overweight or obese
Friday 23 March 2018
Childhood predictors of becoming overweight or obese as adults in New Zealand include being male, born into a single-parent family, having parents with larger body size and limited or no breastfeeding, new University of Otago research reveals.
Trade treaty threatens health if climate change not addressed: University of Otago expert
Friday 9 March 2018
A University of Otago health expert is calling for an independent assessment of the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade pact’s potential impacts on climate change and health.
University of Otago announces academic promotions
Friday 15 December 2017
The University of Otago will this year promote 23 academics to the position of Professor across its Dunedin, Christchurch, and Wellington campuses.
First New Zealand study of pathological hoarding
Monday 6 November 2017
An estimated 35,000 New Zealanders have clinically severe hoarding behaviour, according to the country’s first snapshot of the debilitating mental illness. A further 56,000 people are likely to have sub-clinical hoarding behaviours that could later develop into a diagnosable condition.
University of Otago, Christchurch campus profiled at Showcase 2017
Wednesday 4 October 2017
The Canterbury public enjoyed laboratory tours, a debate on whether we can all live to be 120 years, and the chance to hear about latest health research at Showcase 2017.
Major funding for innovative University of Otago health research
Thursday 15 June 2017
University of Otago researchers have been awarded more than $24M in new health research funding to support their world-class studies aimed at improving New Zealanders’ health and well-being.
‘Quake brain’ affecting our memory and ability on simple tasks
Wednesday 29 March 2017
Cantabrians cognitive abilities – or their ability to do simple tasks – appear to have been significantly affected by exposure to earthquakes, new research from the University of Otago, Christchurch, has found.
Larger men earn more, larger women earn less
Monday 5 October 2015
Men classified as obese according to the Body Mass Index (BMI) make more money per week than those with ‘normal’ BMIs. The opposite applies for women, with obese or overweight women earning less than females with a normal BMI. Larger women are also more likely to be depressed and dissatisfied with their lives than females with a ‘normal’ BMI.
Quakes' impact on substance use and mental health quantified
Thursday 17 July 2014
Cantabrians who experienced serious quake-related adversity are twice as likely to be addicted to smoking and 40 per cent more likely to have mental health conditions such as major depression and post-traumatic stress disorder than people who did not experience the earthquakes, new research shows.
Severely depressed people interpret facial expressions differently
Monday 2 August 2010
New research from the University of Otago, Christchurch, shows people with severe depression find it harder to interpret facial expressions than healthy people – particularly expressions of disgust.
