Current Sections: News >> Health Research NewsLatest Health Research News
Anxiety and Depression linked to obesity
1 July 2008
Mental health disorders such as anxiety and depression are associated with obesity according to a new study from the University of Otago, Wellington. The research involving nearly 13,000 New Zealanders shows there are associations between obesity and some anxiety disorders, and less strong links with obesity and depression. Read more>>
Study reveals socio-economic differences in smoking patterns
30 May 2008
Smokers in poorer suburbs smoke their cigarettes closer to the butt, according to a research study by the University of Otago, Wellington. Read more>>l
Device helps stroke sufferers build brain
19 May 2008
Stroke patients can improve their movement by using a simple mechanical device to ready their brain for daily therapy.Read more>>
Preventing falls important for stroke patients
16 May 2008
Stroke patients are at high risk of falls and subsequent injuries after leaving the hospital, but prevention programmes may reduce this risk, according to a study by University of Auckland researchers. Read more>>
Department publishes study on dioxin exposure among timber workers
1 May 2008
The Department of Labour has released the findings of research by Massey University's Centre for Public Health Research on health outcomes for timber workers exposed to PCP, that was used in sawmills until 1988. Read more>>
Higher cancer mortality in Maori, Pacific people and native Hawaiians
28 April 2008
Indigenous people from New Zealand and Hawaii have higher mortality rates for many cancers than Europeans in those countries according to a publication from the University of Otago, Christchurch. Read more>>
Western diet may affect asthma
9 April 2008
The high fat Western diet may increase asthma problems, research suggests. Studies at The University of Auckland have shown cells implicated in allergic responses, such as asthma, are increased in the blood after eating meals high in saturated fats, common in the Western diet. Read more>>
Record entries in awards for top young scientists
8 April 2008
A record 141 researchers and scientists have entered this year's MacDiarmid Young Scientists of the Year Awards. The HRC-sponsored Advancing Human Health and Wellbeing category has attracted 49 entries making it the most popular category of the Awards. Read more>>
Innovative Ngati Porou Programme Reduces Diabetes Risk Factors
3 April 2008
A two-year community-based programme has helped reduce diabetes risk factors in the Tairawhiti East Coast region. The Ngati and Healthy Prevent Diabetes Project is a collaborative initiative headed by Ngati Porou Hauora (NPH) and the Edgar National Centre for Diabetes Research (ENCDR) at the University of Otago. Read more>>
HRC proudly supports the MacDiarmid Young Scientists of the Year Awards
31 March 2008
A culture of innovation and a commitment to fostering young talent underpins the Health Research Council of New Zealand's (HRC) decision to be a sponsor of the prestigious 2008 MacDiarmid Young Scientists of the Year Awards. Read the release>>
African 'sniffer' rats used to develop TB breath test
20 March 2008
Health researchers from the University of Otago Christchurch are developing a unique breath test for tuberculosis (TB) – a disease that continues to kill more than two million people every year world-wide and is again becoming more prevalent in developed countries like New Zealand. More information>>
Otago family reveals genetic secrets
17 March 2008
A chance discovery of recurring mildly low blood platelets in a local family has led University of Otago researchers on a fascinating international collaborative journey to unlock genetic secrets that could prove vital in the battle against major diseases.
Read more (PDF)>>
Pregnant women need more help to quit smoking
14 March 2008
Midwives and doctors should do more to encourage pregnant women to give up smoking, research suggests. A survey by the Auckland Tobacco Control Research Centre (ATCRC) at The University of Auckland showed that only 11 per cent of midwives and 71 per cent of GPs suggest women abstain completely from smoking during pregnancy. Read more>>
International award for suicide researcher
10 March 2008
The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention has awarded its 2008 Research Award to Associate Professor Annette Beautrais from the University of Otago, Christchurch in recognition of her contributions to suicide research. It will be presented at the AFSP's annual fundraising dinner in New York in May. Associate Professor Beautrais' work includes examining developmental aspects of suicidal behaviour in adolescence and young adulthood in the HRC-funded Christchurch Health and Development Study. Read more>>
Read more about the Christchurch Health and Development Study.
Study suggests video games as good as exercise
22 February 2008
Read more>>
Heart hormone crucial for skeletal growth in the foetus, children and adolescents
7 February 2008
Researchers at the University of Otago, Christchurch have broken new scientific ground with discoveries regarding a previously little understood heart hormone, showing how it is crucial for bone development and growth after birth. Read more>>
Heavy cannabis smoking linked to gum disease
6 February 2008
Using data gathered from the HRC-funded Dunedin Multidisciplinary Health and Development Study (DMHDS), an international team of researchers has found heavy cannabis smoking was responsible for more than one-third of the new cases of gum disease by age 32. Read more>>
$1.4M awarded to develop Māori health research workforce
21 January 2008
Read the release>>
New study investigates the influence of language on childhood social development
21 January 2008
Read the release>>
Research finds traditional remedy for leg ulcers no better
11 January 2008
HRC-funded research conducted at the University of Auckland has found that honey does not significantly increase healing in venous leg ulcers. Read more>>
Getting kids active may not be enough to make active adults
7 January 2008
Kids who participated in sports in childhood are more likely to participate as adolescents or adults, but the link is weaker than popularly believed, new University of Otago research has found. Read more>>
Last Updated : 01 July 2008 09:38:02.
This page may contain links to PDF documents, to view these documents please download the viewer from this site.
