Science Festival nano-edition to feature Otago staff
Thursday, 2 July 2020
The 2020 New Zealand International Science Festival will get under way this weekend – despite COVID-19.
Otago scientists secure more than $26m for health research
Tuesday, 30 June 2020
University of Otago, Wellington infectious diseases expert Professor Michael Baker has received almost $5 million from the Health Research Council for a programme investigating the connection between infectious diseases and long-term conditions, something he was planning well prior to the outbreak of Covid-19.
Fragile but beautiful: Otago academic’s COVID-19 bubble concept
Tuesday, 30 June 2020
The creator of New Zealand’s bubble concept, introduced early on in the COVID-19 response to ensure Kiwis maintained social distancing, has been surprised and delighted by the take up of his idea.
Otago expert fears increase in fetal alcohol disorder following lockdown
Friday, 26 June 2020
A University of Otago researcher fears the soaring rates of alcohol purchases during lockdown may result in more babies being born with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) next year.
Otago alumni central to Fiji's pandemic response
Friday, 26 June 2020
Fiji's COVID-19 Incident Management Team (IMT) represents Fiji's whole-of-government response to the pandemic and implements the Fiji Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Plan.
Health and wellbeing of older New Zealanders must be a focus post-Covid: Otago researcher
Monday, 22 June 2020
As older New Zealanders have borne the brunt of the Covid-19 pandemic, an Otago researcher warns there needs to be an emphasis on addressing older people’s future needs and to help reduce ageing inequities.
Dunedin pharmacist’s heritage helps Pakistan combat COVID-19
Thursday, 18 June 2020
How did a Dunedin-based pharmacy lecturer end up running the Pakistan arm of a global COVID-19 risk-assessment tool?
Leading Student Health through a pandemic
Thursday, 18 June 2020
Student Health Head Margaret Perley has a simple message about the COVID-19 pandemic: It isn’t over.
Pūtea Tautoko provides vital support for University of Otago students
Thursday, 11 June 2020
Just a few weeks since it was launched, the University of Otago student financial relief fund Pūtea Tautoko has provided NZD$659,156 in grants to support students facing financial hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The science and art of modelling
Wednesday, 10 June 2020
Otago's Dr Matthew Parry tells us more about being an Associate Investigator for Te Pūnaha Matatini, a Centre of Research Excellence that has provided modelling to support COVID-19 decisions.
Otago scientist joins international call for care in scramble to develop COVID-19 treatments
Wednesday, 10 June 2020
As scientists worldwide scramble to quickly develop a drug to prevent COVID-19, a University of Otago scientist has helped create an international guidance statement urging caution in developing treatments.
NZ parents concerned children could catch COVID-19 at school – Otago study
Tuesday, 9 June 2020
Parents of school-aged children were very concerned that their children may catch COVID-19 if schools were reopened at Alert Level 3 despite no evidence supporting this view, a new University of Otago, Christchurch study 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.
Increase in HIV cases, but decline in numbers first diagnosed in New Zealand
Thursday, 28 May 2020
After two years of declining numbers of HIV cases in New Zealand, there was a slight increase in 2019, but many of these cases were first diagnosed overseas.
Otago and ESR collaboration gets funding to track COVID-19 spread and evolution in NZ
Thursday, 28 May 2020
A collaboration between Otago and ESR has received a substantial government grant to lead an international team of scientists to sequence the genomes of all of New Zealand’s positive COVID-19 cases and track how the virus spread across New Zealand.
Otago researcher’s COVID testing method ‘da bomb’
Tuesday, 26 May 2020
A method to help improve testing for COVID-19, first promoted by a University of Otago researcher, is being used worldwide as countries struggle to manage high demand for testing.
Christchurch researchers asking parents what information they need about COVID-19 and children’s health.
Wednesday, 13 May 2020
University of Otago, Christchurch researchers and paediatricians are launching an urgent study to understand what information parents need to understand and feel reassured about COVID-19 and its potential impact on children.
COVID-19 catalyst for significant change in general practice: Otago experts
Monday, 11 May 2020
COVID-19 may well be the catalyst for significant change in how general practice operates in New Zealand in future, according to University of Otago general practice experts.
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.
Air NZ could provide some answers for NZ’s ailing health IT systems
Thursday, 30 April 2020
The Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted the need for an overhaul of funding and IT systems for the health sector and Air New Zealand could provide some answers, according to a University of Otago expert in healthcare systems.
COVID-19 vaccine likely 12 to 18 months away Otago expert claims
Tuesday, 28 April 2020
Development of a COVID-19 vaccine is at best 12 to 18 months away, according to University of Otago infectious disease specialist Professor David Murdoch.
Sending children back to school: as safe as it’s ever been, doctors say
Tuesday, 28 April 2020
With a lack of CoVID-19 circulating in our community, fewer other viruses and bacteria than usual, and good systems for detection and contact tracing in place, it is as safe as it has ever been for children to attend school.
Secrets of sewage studied for COVID-19
Thursday, 23 April 2020
Detecting the presence of COVID-19 in sewage could become an important tool to monitor the virus and help uncover pockets of infection.
University of Otago calling for survey participants for study on lockdown life
Wednesday, 22 April 2020
Researchers from the University of Otago’s Department of Psychology are urgently seeking participants for research into life under the lockdown imposed in response to Covid-19. Participants would be required to take a 15 minute survey.
What it is like to have COVID-19: Otago academic shares her story
Tuesday, 21 April 2020
Dr Rachelle Martin, a researcher and lecturer in the University of Otago Wellington’s Department of Medicine was one of two people to share their COVID-19 story with New Zealand Doctor. We re-publish this article with permission.
Otago researchers contribute to COVID-19 fight
Friday, 17 April 2020
Three University of Otago researchers have received a share of $3.8 million in new Government funding for research projects directly related to COVID-19.
Otago researchers making major contribution to Covid-19 response
Friday, 17 April 2020
A University of Otago molecular biologist has received new Government funding of $235,746 for Covid-19 related research to develop an effective point-of-care test for the infectious disease.
Professor David Murdoch discusses a COVID-19 vaccine
Thursday, 16 April 2020
What is the likelihood of a COVID-19 vaccine being developed and how long will the process take? Professor David Murdoch, Dean of the University of Otago, Christchurch, addressed these questions in a recent online summit.
New Zealanders needed to investigate link between COVID-19 and smell loss
Wednesday, 15 April 2020
New Zealanders who have COVID-19 or are showing symptoms of the virus are being urged to participate in two surveys – a global and national one - that aim to better understand how COVID-19 impacts a patient’s loss of taste and smell.
Rural health academics call for move to district reporting of Covid-19 data
Thursday, 9 April 2020
Rural health academics support calls from other rural leaders for more localised reporting of Covid-19 test results to help rural healthcare providers better care for their communities.
Delivering a message from the world to the world
Tuesday, 7 April 2020
Concerned about the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic University of Otago medical school alumnus Dr Zeid Abussuud decided to spread the word on staying safe. With a little help from his friends, many of them also graduates of Otago, Dr Abussuud has made a moving YouTube video, ‘Do it for the whole world: Stay at home’.
University of Otago lab unravelling COVID-19
Tuesday, 7 April 2020
A high-security Physical Containment Laboratory (PC3) at the University of Otago’s Department of Microbiology and Immunology, is undertaking research to isolate and grow SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19, with samples taken from infected individuals.
Facing Covid-19 with compassion and connection
Monday, 6 April 2020
Otago alumna and clinical psychologist Dr Desiree Dickerson specialises in mental health and well-being for academics, and has just had an article published in Nature, entitled “Seven tips to manage your mental health and well-being during the COVID-19 outbreak”. She shares her story and tips from lockdown in Spain.
