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News from the Department of Medicine

Study will measure how much breast milk baby is actually getting

Thursday, 25 May 2023 12:02pm

Mothers worry about an exhaustive list of things; University of Otago researchers are hoping to help with one – is my baby getting enough breastmilk?

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HIV statistics encouraging, but work not over yet

Tuesday, 9 May 2023 12:42pm

The number of people diagnosed with HIV in New Zealand last year is encouraging, but there is still work to be done, the head of the AIDS Epidemiology Group says.

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Māori public health education competencies developed

Thursday, 4 May 2023 9:20am

These competencies for public health teaching institutions have been developed with te Tiriti o Waitangi, equity and cultural safety at their core to ensure te Ao Māori is actively prioritised.

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Two Otago Christchurch academics among newly elected Royal Society Fellows

Thursday, 16 March 2023 11:58am

For the first time ever, two of the four Otago academics elected to be Fellows of the Academy of the Royal Society Te Apārangi are from the Christchurch campus.

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Small changes in children’s sleep lead to significant changes in eating habits

Wednesday, 15 March 2023 9:20am

Just an hour less sleep a night affects what and how children eat, University of Otago research shows.

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Aotearoa’s work-related deaths – the real cost

Friday, 10 March 2023 9:57am

Work contributes to at least a quarter of all fatal injuries in New Zealand – substantially more than what official records show, University of Otago-led research reveals.

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Postpartum diabetes testing low for women with gestational diabetes

Wednesday, 7 December 2022 9:29am

Women with gestational diabetes are seven times more likely to develop type 2 diabetes than those without, yet over a ten-year period only half of these women were tested for diabetes within six months of giving birth, a new University of Otago study reveals.

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The rising tide: Three friends, one dream

Wednesday, 7 December 2022 3:12pm

They say good things come in threes. Kaitlyn Cocker-Valu, Brenetta Pogi and Fuatino Heath, who completed high school, an anatomy degree and now a medical degree together, know that to be true.

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Excessive television viewing in childhood is a risk factor for later smoking and gambling disorders

Wednesday, 30 November 2022 9:09am

Excessive television viewing as a child can lead to a higher risk of tobacco use and gambling disorders in adulthood, a new University of Otago study shows.

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Researcher wants equitable access to improved diabetes treatment

Monday, 21 November 2022 9:59am

When Dr Alisa Boucsein advocates for better access to “life-changing technology for diabetes patients, she really knows what she’s talking about. 

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Students receive funding from the Neurological Foundation

Monday, 14 November 2022 9:12am

Two Otago students will spend the summer researching neurodegenerative conditions after being award Neurological Foundation stipends.

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Repeated childhood fractures could lead to repeated fractures in adulthood

Wednesday, 9 November 2022 9:06am

If you were prone to breaking bones as a child, research out of the University of Otago should come as a warning – that painful tendency may well will carry on into adulthood.

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Health policy the priority for Rhodes Scholar

Tuesday, 8 November 2022 11:00am

Talented Otago medical student Oliver Sutcliffe has been awarded a prestigious Rhodes Scholarship.

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Blues nomination just the beginning

Tuesday, 27 September 2022 11:39am

Third-year student Corey Symon has experienced his fair share of challenges including COVID-19 disruptions but none of them have stopped him from working hard on his study and sporting goals.

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Professor Sue Crengle receives Te ORA award

Friday, 9 September 2022 11:31am

The Te ORA (Māori Medical Practitioners Association) gathered for their awards’ night at the end of July.

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Six60 scholarship recipients announced

Wednesday, 24 August 2022 2:37pm

Four musically talented University of Otago students have been selected as the recipients of the Six60 Scholarships for 2023.

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Simple, not embarrassing

Tuesday, 19 July 2022 2:43pm

As a full-time student and a frontline health worker, Annie Geda has a piece of simple but life-saving advice for other students.

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Should we be using BMI as a measure of health? 

Monday, 18 July 2022 8:25am

Professor Jim Mann talked to Newsroom about BMI and how it can be a useful tool for identifying excess body fatness, if used appropriately. 

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"In our greatest of despairs and weaknesses, we can be stronger beyond measure"

Monday, 27 June 2022 2:39pm

From being told as a young woman she was not cut out to make it as a doctor to losing her partner, and father to her children, in tragic circumstances Leigh Albert has dealt with more challenges than most.

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Otago research unravels insights into military veterans’ health

Thursday, 16 June 2022 9:20am

New Zealand military veterans experience the same level of anxiety and depression as the general population, but have more problems with pain and mobility, new research shows.

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Healthy foods becoming unaffordable for many New Zealanders

Wednesday, 8 June 2022 10:51am

Global issues have resulted in soaring food prices, with steep increases in the cost of fruits and vegetables. Choosing healthy food options is becoming increasingly difficult for many New Zealanders.

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Researcher’s road trip to talk about spiritual care

Thursday, 2 June 2022 2:39pm

Spiritual care can be an important part of patients’ recovery but is often overlooked, a University of Otago researcher says.

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Early detection of Alzheimer’s possible – research

Thursday, 19 May 2022 8:57am

University of Otago researchers have discovered molecules in the blood that could assist with early detection of Alzheimer’s disease. 

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College of learning inspires PhD journey

Wednesday, 18 May 2022 2:14pm

As someone who researches the importance of sleep to diet, Silke Morrison is quick to highlight that she prioritised maintaining a normal sleeping pattern during her PhD. 

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Decline in the number of people diagnosed with HIV in New Zealand

Thursday, 12 May 2022 11:01am

The number of people being diagnosed with HIV in New Zealand continues to decline, figures released today by the University of Otago’s AIDS Epidemiology Group show.

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Using continuous glucose monitors for managing type 1 diabetes: a meta-analysis

Wednesday, 11 May 2022 10:11am

A recent meta-analysis by EDOR researchers has found that certain types of continuous glucose monitoring technologies are effective at improving blood glucose levels in people with type 1 diabetes mellitus

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Knighthood for EDOR Co-Director Professor Jim Mann

Friday, 6 May 2022 6:11pm

Professor Jim Mann received his Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit from the New Zealand Governor-General, in an investiture ceremony held at Government House this week.

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Gavin Bishop - Mixing it up in medicine

Thursday, 21 April 2022 9:23am

Medical student Gavin Bishop is taking a year out from the traditional medical school pathway to carry out a research project on dual practice.

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Watch Professor Alister Neill's World Sleep Day presentation

Friday, 18 March 2022 12:21pm

EDOR celebrated World Sleep Day 2022 with a presentation by Professor Alister Neill, Director of the WellSleep Centre.

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Prevalence of chronic kidney disease “alarmingly” high

Monday, 14 March 2022 2:32pm

Chronic kidney disease is “alarmingly” more prevalent among Auckland’s Pacific population than previously thought, new University of Otago research reveals.

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Professor Christine Jasoni following leadership trend

Thursday, 17 February 2022 12:44pm

Professor Christine Jasoni is the latest in a string of EDOR researchers to take up leadership positions, both at the University and nationally.

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Otago appoints new Dean to Dunedin School of Medicine

Monday, 14 February 2022 11:19am

Professor Joanne Baxter has been appointed as the new Dean of Dunedin School of Medicine.

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New Dunedin School of Medicine Dean appointed

Thursday, 10 February 2022 1:33pm

Professor Joanne Baxter (Ngāi Tahu, Ngāti Mamoe, Waitaha, Ngāti Apa ki te Rā Tō) is the new Dean of the Dunedin School of Medicine, at the University of Otago.

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Long-term cannabis use damages lungs, but in a different way from tobacco

Thursday, 3 February 2022 11:24am

Smoking cannabis leads to lung damage, but in a different way from tobacco, new University of Otago research has found.

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Urgent investment needed in deadly disease

Tuesday, 1 February 2022 3:29pm

Researchers are calling for urgent investment in the prevention of a devastating emerging disease that kills tens of thousands of people each year

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Children exposed to 554 brands a day

Thursday, 20 January 2022 5:09pm

Professor Louise Signal finds that 11-13 year olds are exposed to 554 brands a day, using wearable camera data

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One hundred years on: insulin is still saving lives

Thursday, 13 January 2022 11:29am

Associate Professor Ben Wheeler and colleagues are researching new technologies for improved insulin delivery for those with type 1 diabetes.

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Diabetes and nutrition research recognised in New Year Honours

Wednesday, 12 January 2022 4:29pm

Professor Jim Mann, EDOR Co-Director, has been recognised with a knighthood in the 2022 New Year Honours.

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Personalised approach needed for diabetes prevention: study

Wednesday, 22 December 2021 2:26pm

An individualised, rather than universal approach is needed for effective diabetes prevention, a new study has revealed.

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Associate Professor Ben Wheeler talks diabetes

Friday, 17 December 2021 3:19pm

Associate Professor Ben Wheeler talked with Leah Panapa at Magic Talk about diabetes, as part of November's Diabetes Action Month.

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Researchers pinpoint best diet for type 2 diabetes weight loss

Thursday, 25 November 2021 9:53am

Low energy diets using formula meal replacements are the most effective for weight loss in type 2 diabetes, University of Otago researchers have discovered.

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Otago announces Professorial promotions for 2022

Monday, 22 November 2021 10:28am

Twenty-eight University of Otago academics are being promoted to the position of professor this year.

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It's Sneaker Friday! EDOR is supporting this event for Diabetes Action Month

Friday, 19 November 2021 4:09pm

The Edgar Diabetes and Obesity Research Centre (EDOR) at the University of Otago is supporting Sneaker Friday, a Diabetes NZ event to raise awareness for the many New Zealanders living with diabetes.

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Which diet is best for treating type 2 diabetes?

Thursday, 18 November 2021 12:09pm

EDOR members Professor Mike Lean and Dr Andrew Reynolds, along with international colleagues, have published a study on the most effective diets for achieving remission of type 2 diabetes.

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Excellence in teaching, research and service

Thursday, 4 November 2021 9:20am

Excellence in teaching, research and service have been celebrated with the announcement of the 2021 Otago Medical School – Dunedin Campus (Dunedin School of Medicine) Teaching and Research awards.

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Join us in supporting Sneaker Friday on 19 November

Tuesday, 2 November 2021 10:30am

Wear your sneakers to work on Friday 19 November, and support Diabetes Action Month's first ever Sneaker Friday!

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Helping each other PASS

Friday, 29 October 2021 11:51am

Peer Learning Programmes such as Peer Assisted Study Sessions (PASS) and Peer Assisted Numeracy (PAN) are weekly interactive study sessions aimed at supporting student success, facilitated by second or third-year students. The programmes are offered through the Student Learning Development, part of the University’s Higher Education Development Centre.

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Professor Sue Crengle appointed to new Māori Health Authority

Wednesday, 6 October 2021 11:11am

Otago Medical School Professor Sue Crengle will play a central role in what she describes as “the biggest opportunity for Māori health in my career”.

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It takes a village — addressing obesity and type 2 diabetes as a community

Tuesday, 28 September 2021 5:16pm

EDOR advisory board member and endocrinologist Dr Ole Schmiedel calls for more work on reducing obesity in Aotearoa New Zealand to prevent type 2 diabetes.

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Student-led te reo Māori classes popular with peers

Friday, 17 September 2021 11:50am

An eight-week te reo Māori class for medical students, set up by fellow students, was so popular it will be repeated in future years. The organisers explain how Te Reo Kia Ora sessions at the Hunter Centre began, the philosophy behind the classes and their hopes for the future.