Back to top anchor

News and media

All the latest news and media releases from the Health Research Council.
  • New breakthrough in understanding hearing loss

    Issue date:
    News

    A major breakthrough in the understanding of hearing and noise-induced hearing loss has been made by hearing scientists from three Pacific Rim universities.

  • Probiotics prove benefits in combatting eczema

    Issue date:
    News
    Researchers at the University of Otago, Wellington, have discovered a probiotic that can protect against the development of eczema in children by the age of two years and through to a follow-up at four years.
  • Trial halves respiratory infections in children

    Issue date:
    News

    An HRC-funded trial to test the effectiveness of the drug azithromycin (AZM) on Māori and Pacific children with bronchiectasis – a type of irreversible scarring in the lungs – has achieved a 50 per

  • Kiwi study provides new insights into dodgy tickers

    Issue date:
    News

    Kiwi researchers have developed the world’s most detailed 3D computer models of the heart’s upper chambers (atria) and of the tissue changes that occur after a heart attack.

  • Discovery could speed up heart failure and pneumonia diagnosis

    Issue date:
    Media Release

    Otago researchers have discovered a potential new tool to help doctors in emergency departments quickly and accurately diagnose patients with heart failure and pneumonia.

  • Study shows injured better off than ill

    Issue date:
    News

    New Zealanders who fall ill experience significantly worse financial and work outcomes than those with a comparable injury, according to new University of Otago research.

  • 'Virtuous circle' helps Christchurch communities recover from earthquakes

    Issue date:
    Media Release
    A large study of six Christchurch communities shows that those with strong social connectedness and infrastructure before the earthquakes struck developed a 'virtuous circle' that helped people better adapt after the disasters.
  • Lowering Kiwis' salt intake readily achievable

    Issue date:
    News
    An Otago study, funded by the HRC, has found that it would be relatively easy for Kiwis to reach recommended levels of lower salt intake, even if some meals included the occasional high-salt sausage.