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Division of Sciences news

Challenging expedition peak of young tramper’s career so far

Thursday, 1 June 2023 1:05pm

Bashing through the bush on one Aotearoa New Zealand’s lesser-known walking routes was an opportunity for Otago Master’s candidate Liam Hewson to connect two of his primary interests.

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Otago researchers reveal impact of ancient earthquake

Wednesday, 17 May 2023 11:52am

By combining the scientific powerhouses of genetics and geology, University of Otago researchers have identified a new area of coastal uplift, which had been hiding in plain sight.

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Balancing salt and iodine intake

Tuesday, 16 May 2023 8:53am

Increasing the iodine content in table salt or diversifying the sources of food iodised salt is added to could help prevent iodine deficiency in Aotearoa New Zealand’s population, especially among women of reproductive age, an Otago PhD graduand says.

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PhD graduand explores the cultural and therapeutic benefits of Māori story telling

Thursday, 11 May 2023 1:48pm

Carrie Clifford (Waitaha, Kāti Māmoe, Kāi Tahu) will graduate on Saturday (May 13) with a PhD after exploring the use of pūrākau in contemporary mental health settings.

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Coastal People: Southern Skies inaugural symposium in Ōtepoti

Wednesday, 10 May 2023 12:05pm

The inaugural symposium of the Centre of Research Excellence (CoRE) Coastal People: Southern Skies (CP:SS) is taking place in Dunedin this week.

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Harnessing the power of mind wandering

Wednesday, 10 May 2023 8:40am

Yi-Sheng Wong’s theory shines a new light on mind wandering, putting a positive spin on what is often considered an undesirable trait.

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Ground breaking research on elite snow sport athletes

Thursday, 27 April 2023 11:27am

A Master of Science student is conducting ground-breaking research into the forces exerted on the heads of elite snow sports athletes successfully going about their day-to-day training.

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Early learners to benefit from ‘life skills’ programme

Friday, 21 April 2023 11:34am

A University of Otago-developed programme that teaches self-regulation to preschool children has received $19.7 million in government funding for a nationwide roll out to early childhood centres.

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Q&A with Millie Mannering – 20Twenties 2022 recipient

Thursday, 6 April 2023 11:32am

From the Caribbean to the High Arctic, since leaving Otago Millie has travelled the globe as an Our World Underwater scholar, exploring scientific research, communication and conservation pathways.

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FEATURE: Professor Liz Franz: A first-hand experience

Wednesday, 5 April 2023 9:26am

With an invite to play table tennis with friends, and following several decades as an active runner, Professor Liz Franz discovered her new sport.

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Evening activity breaks from screen time better for health

Wednesday, 29 March 2023 8:40am

Breaking up long periods of sitting in the evening can result in lower blood sugar and insulin levels in healthy adults, a new University of Otago study has found.

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Fellowship allows virtual reality expert to share expertise at Otago

Tuesday, 28 March 2023 9:10am

Even in an increasingly online world, and even when virtual reality is your own specialty, there’s nothing like being able to knock on your colleague’s door for some feedback on your latest project.

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Governor-General of New Zealand acknowledges Dunedin Study’s 50-year milestone

Tuesday, 28 March 2023 8:05am

The Governor-General of New Zealand, Her Excellency The Rt Hon Dame Cindy Kiro, GNZM, QSO, visited the longitudinal Dunedin Study last week in recognition of its 50-year achievement and contributions it has made to society.

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Phytoplankton blooms offer insight into impacts of climate change

Thursday, 23 March 2023 11:32am

The first study into the biological response of the upper ocean in the wake of South Pacific cyclones could help predict the impact of warming ocean temperatures, New Zealand researchers believe.

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FEATURE: Cotter family complete GODZONE event and raise awareness for prostate cancer

Wednesday, 22 March 2023 11:56am

Setting out from Te Anau on 23 February, Professor Jim Cotter, together with his kids Charlotte and Hamish, and close family friend Pieter Brits, began the week-long 2023 GODZONE expedition race.

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Scholarship for Ozone Hole research

Monday, 20 March 2023 11:24am

A University of Otago PhD candidate has been chosen as the only person from Aotearoa NZ to receive a $10,000 Australian scholarship and 50,000 hours of computing time, which she will put towards her research in ozone hole depletion.

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Adverse outcomes in adulthood for abuse survivors

Tuesday, 14 March 2023 9:43am

Victims of childhood sexual abuse are more likely to suffer difficulties across multiple aspects of their lives as adults, a University of Otago study has found.

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Scholarships “super helpful” for conservation related master’s projects

Tuesday, 7 March 2023 3:55pm

University of Otago master’s candidates investigating parasites in sea lion poo, a rare skink found only in the Kahurangi National Park and how much oestrogen is polluting freshwater ways of Otago have recently received funding from annual scholarships.

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School of Surveying develops resource for Dunedin’s public use

Tuesday, 28 February 2023 4:22pm

School of Surveying Te Kura Kairūri academics have used their expertise and innovative technologies to create a publicly accessible interactive webpage that highlights the level of changes in the Dunedin cityscape over the last decade.

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FEATURE: From wartime orphan to wildlife authority

Monday, 20 February 2023 2:04pm

An extraordinary life journey has taken renowned conservationist and science educator John Darby from orphanages in the United Kingdom during war time, to Assistant Director of the Otago Museum, Honorary Lecturer in Zoology at the University of Otago and champion of the region’s rare and vulnerable wildlife.

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Paleontology powerhouse honoured by former students

Thursday, 9 February 2023 2:45pm

The world’s largest penguin has been named in honour of Emeritus Professor Ewan Fordyce, recognising his enormous contributions to marine vertebrate paleontology.

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Wetlands crucial for wellbeing of environment

Thursday, 2 February 2023 3:13pm

Wetlands play a crucial role within the world’s ecosystems, but their wellbeing is being heavily impacted by human activity.

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Podcast conversations aim to trigger curiosity and understanding

Monday, 30 January 2023 9:25am

Otago international PhD graduate Amir Amini’s fascination for different viewpoints and love of sharing stories has grown into a 10-part podcast series, When an Irani Meets a Māori.

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Inaugural New Zealand Hydrogen Symposium

Wednesday, 25 January 2023 3:50pm

Aotearoa New Zealand’s first research-focused symposium bringing together international expertise on hydrogen will be held at the University of Otago early next month.

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Stephie Loncar’s academic journey around the globe and back again

Tuesday, 17 January 2023 9:09am

A graduate of Otago is back at the University as a researcher this year after a highly successful stint in academia in Scotland.

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A new species of gecko: What’s in a name and why it matters

Monday, 16 January 2023 11:58am

University of Otago researchers have described a new species of New Zealand gecko made possible by cutting edge ancient DNA techniques.

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Six minutes of intense exercise boosts key brain protein

Friday, 13 January 2023 3:54pm

Six minutes of high intensity exercise may help maintain a healthy brain and delay the onset of neurodegenerative disorders, research led by the University of Otago has shown.

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Titanic teacher

Tuesday, 10 January 2023 11:45am

At first glance it is hard to see what Titan, Saturn’s largest moon, could teach us about the origin of life on Earth.

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The whakapapa, mātauranga and tikanga of water safety

Monday, 19 December 2022 12:36pm

Dr Chanel Phillips is having a major influence on the rethinking and rewriting of the country’s approach to water safety.

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Agricultural Innovation graduate reflects on studies shaped by the pandemic

Thursday, 15 December 2022 8:48am

It’s one of those splendid days that often coincides with end of year exams, when the rhododendrons are rowdy in display and the warmth of spring is omnipresent.