Science Media Centre

Samantha Hayes reports that a University of Otago study has found that despite an international ban on tobacco advertising, YouTube has a great deal of tobacco-related advertising and pro-tobacco video clips. Researchers looked at five different brands, including Malboro, and tobacco-related video clips tended to involve celebrities, movies and sports. An excerpt: (read in full [...]

Research from the University of Otago shows that it’s not just what children are eating at school that is of concern. A study has revealed that children are eating as, or more, unhealthily outside of school than in school itself. An excerpt: (read in full here) “”Children are more likely to have hot chips and [...]

Michelle Coursey writes in the New Zealand Herald about some of the nutrients we need every day, why we need them, and how to get them. The nutrients include iodine, selenium and iron. An excerpt: (read in full here) “Selenium “What is it? New Zealand is one of a group of countries that has very [...]

International research into the health benefits of blackcurrants has local berry growers thinking of ways to sell more of their product. Research has shown that blackcurrants contain compounds which could help eyesight, improve decision-making when stressed, and improve circulation. An excerpt: (read in full here) “Scientists at the Second International Blackcurrant Association Conference recently held [...]

Lois Cairns writes in the Sunday Star Times about the damage being caused to children’s teeth by sugar-free, but highly acidic, foods. Doctors are warning that while sugar is still the most important factor in tooth decay, highly acidic sugar-free foods are capable of stripping tooth enamel – a process which can’t be reversed. An [...]

In response to concerns over the safety and effectiveness of some drugs aimed at children, the Ministry of Health has said that cough and cold medicines for children are only to be sold in pharmacies. If available in supermarkets, the drugs will carry warnings that they are for adults only. An excerpt: (read in full [...]

The Dunedin Dunedin Multidisciplinary Health and Development Study, which began in 1972, has since then tracked the lives of over 1,000 people since they were born, gathering information about various aspects of their health. Although there are other such studies with more people, the Dunedin longitudinal study has gained a reputation for its rigorousness and [...]

NIWA scientists are predicting that New Zealand could face harmful levels of ozone in the winter months by year 2100. The problem, which can damage both human an crop health,  is already being experienced in the northern hemisphere. An excerpt: (read in full here) “However, modelling showed that by year 2100, ozone in the lower [...]

Barbara Docherty writes in Sunday News about the highly dangerous disease meningitis, how to spot the symptoms, and what the best options for prevention are. While sensible precautions such as regularly washing one’s hands and a healthy diet certainly help, the best means of preventing the viral form of the disease is vaccination, particularly in [...]

Marika Hill writes in the Manawatu Standard about research from Massey University which suggests that pregnant women should take multivitamins in order to ensure that their babies do not suffer from vitamin deficiencies. Vitamin deficiencies in the womb can have negative effects on babies’ development, and babies whose mothers are vitamin deficient are more likely [...]