Science Media Centre

Why do some people die from the flu and others don’t? New Zealand researchers have been awarded a grant from the US government to find out. Researchers from Environment Science and research (ESR), the University of Auckland the University of Otago have won a $9 million grant from the Unites States Centers for Disease Control [...]

Marsden grant winners revealed next week Next Friday will see the public release of details about the winners of the latest Marsden Fund investment round. Journalists registered with the Royal Society will receive embargoed copies of individual funding announcements from next Tuesday. Contact RSNZ communications manager Philippa Sargent for more details. Marsden is the largest [...]

Kate Newton writes in the Dominion Post about findings in a New Zealand-based study that show that two different flu viruses can infect a person at the same time. Such co-infection, though rare, has raised concerns that it could lead to new, more dangerous forms of flu, for example passing drug resistance from one flu [...]

Sacked drug adviser tours NZ Professor David Nutt grabbed headlines in the UK last year when the chair of the British Government’s Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs was sacked for his controversial views on recreational drugs and how they are classified. Professor Nutt, who has gone on to form the Independent Council on [...]

Following the outbreak of a highly infectious virus (now confirmed as swine flu) in the Wairarapa in the last few days, and the deaths of two people nationally from swine flu, medical experts are urging people to take steps to protect themselves. There are still a few swine flu vaccine doses left in the country, [...]

Tanya Katterns writes in the Dominion Post about a highly contagious virus, thought to be H1N1 flu, which is emptying schools of their pupils in the Wairarapa. Thus far, 300 pupils and 20 staff/teachers are at home with the virus, and Wellington Regional Public Health Service is  urging that any children showing symptoms be sent [...]

With flu cases on the increase nationally, authorities are warning that there are only a small number of vaccines left. An excerpt: (read in full here) “In the last week alone 59 people have been admitted to hospital, with areas around the top of the North Island worst hit. “This week Northland DHB reported the [...]

Flu cases are continuing to climb in New Zealand, especially in the North Island, but no serious cases have been reported this week. So far, two deaths have been linked with swine flu this year. An excerpt: (read in full here) “Two deaths have been linked to swine flu so far this year in New [...]

Elizabeth Binning writes in the New Zealand Herald about the spike in cold and flu cases in Auckland, despite what looks to be an early spring. Healthcare providers are encouraging people to get vaccinated, particularly people at risk such as pregnant and very young people. An excerpt: (read in full here) “However, despite the increase [...]

Tony Wall writes in the Sunday Star Times about virologist Lance Jennings, who helped develop NZ’s response to the AH1N1 pandemic last year, but who has been accused of not properly disclosing his affiliation with private drug companies. Jennings has said in answer that ties with such companies are not unusual, and that he disclosed [...]