Science Media Centre

American researchers investigating the longterm impacts of a lower legal drinking age in some US states say the evidence points to higher risk of serious harm including suicide and homicide, when the drinking age is lower.   Their study — released online in the journal Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research — looked at data gathered [...]

New Zealand has the highest female youth suicide rate in the OECD, but also shows high life satisfaction in international surveys, according to the findings of new report. Wednesday saw the release of the National Indicators 2011 report from the Mental Health Commission. The report noted that New Zealand ranked relatively high in life satisfaction [...]

Professor Sir Peter Gluckman has said that we need to focus more on young children (under 6), as that is the period in which their ability to cope with life later on, is determined. He also says that a more integrated approach is needed between health, education and social welfare, and that more targeted efforts [...]

Suicide coverage – does it hurt? Suicide reporting laws were under scrutiny again this week as Chief Coroner Judge Neil MacLean called for more debate about suicide reporting after releasing new suicide statistics. Numerous media editorials have echoed his call for debate with several commentators arguing the restrictions on reporting on suicides is leading to [...]

A new study published in the Christmas edition of the British Medical Journal looks at a number of holiday myths and evaluates medical research in each area to establish whether the myths are true, false or unproven. Firstly, does sugar makes kids hyperactive? Apparently not, according to the authors Dr Rachel Vreeman and Dr Aaron [...]