Firearms injuries are costing Aotearoa's health system an average of $1.48 million annually, and costing the country a further $321 million in years of life lost, a new Otago study has found. Read more here ⬇️

An Otago study has explored youth sleep guidelines, investigating the practicality of these recommendations and whether young people actually adhere to them. The study found that few teens followed the current suggestions of no screens, food, or exercise an hour before bed. Read more here ⬇️

New research led by Otago has found that many NZ teens worry about their nicotine, alcohol, and drug use but find it difficult to get help to quit 🚭 "...they’re open to support – but in too many cases, they’re not getting the help they need,” says lead author Dr Jude Ball. Read more here ⬇️

OPINION: Like the Bats out of hell: the artists leaving Spotify Local musicians are pulling their music from a platform that increasingly devalues the relationship between artist and audience ⬇️

Professor Siân Halcrow is the first in Aotearoa to be awarded the British Academy Global Professorship worth over $2 million! She will spend four years at Durham University in England, developing the first socially informed policy guidelines for anatomical skeletal collections. Read more here 👇

OPINION: Around 900,000 Kiwis experience food insecurity: it’s a quiet crisis that needs urgent attention ⬇️

A new Otago study is looking to contribute to the significant gap in pre-menopausal women's health and lifestyle research, investigating the impact of post-exercise protein supplementation on women aged 18 to 50. Read more here ⬇️

OPINION: Graphic warnings on tobacco products are losing their impact – here are 5 ways to improve them ⬇️

Ngā mihi to post doc fellow Dr Zoe Tasma who has been named the winner of the 2025 Otago Innovation Proof of Concept Competition 👏🎉 The win has secured her $100,000 to help develop her innovative approach to next generation therapeutics for neurological conditions. Read more here👇

Ten University of Otago researchers and one research group have been recognised in this year's Otago Research Awards!🏆🤩 Acting Vice-Chancellor Jacinta Ruru is pleased to be able to celebrate the exceptional work of Otago researchers. Read more about the recipients here⬇️

Media coverage in Aotearoa during the Covid-19 pandemic was infused with nationalism, an Otago study has found. This framing fostered a sense of nationwide community at the expense of supporting other countries in their approach, lead author Emma Anderson says 🌎 Read more here ⬇️

OPINION: It was extremely disappointing to see the announcement last month from Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee on proposed changes on licensing in the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012.⬇️

OPINION: “Back to basics” has been a catch-cry of the Government for education in schools. Why might this be a good idea? Having fundamental skills in language usage and mathematics prepares students with the foundations for moving into more specialised career-enhancing subjects and training.⬇️

Otago kairangahau have identified the 'big three' players in rangatahi well-being: quality sleep, a healthy diet, and exercise 😴🥦🍎🏃‍♀️ Even small adjustments, such as exercising for 10 minutes more than usual, were associated with more positive feelings of well-being on a daily basis. Read more here ⬇️

An Otago-led study has developed an online pain management programme to reduce barriers to accessing help for those with persistent pain. Persistent pain affects more than 20% of adults in Aotearoa, but specialist pain services can come with significant barriers to entry. Read more here ⬇️

New Otago research shows the need to charge electric vehicles more over the winter will lead to an increase in the winter electricity peak by 2050 🚗 Researchers found EV charging could increase winter monthly consumption by up to 30% in some regions by 2050. Read more here ⬇️

A landmark longitudinal study from the University of Otago Christchurch following the health of very low birthweight babies has found that premature birth has few significant effects on long-term health for most - although several challenges remain. Read more here ⬇️

In a study led by the Tawaki Project at the University of Otago examining 3 Aotearoa crested penguin species, researchers have found that the tawaki/Fiordland penguin is thriving, while erect-crested penguins and Eastern rockhopper penguins are facing worrying declines. Read more here ⬇️

In what is believed to be the first kaupapa Māori study published in a peer-reviewed journal, Otago researcher Dr Robin Quigg has found that the discreet design of vaping devices has fostered the normalisation and uptake of vaping among young Māori. Read more here ⬇️

The magnificent magnolia tree in full bloom on a sunny, springy day on campus @universityofotago.bsky.social

Otago researchers have collaborated in co-designing a framework for concussion management in secondary schools, amongst increasing concerns surrounding the lifelong impacts of concussions on teenagers, with youth in NZ having a particularly high incidence rate. Read more here ⬇️

OPINION: Treasury has a great cost-benefit calculator for big-spending projects – we just need to use it better ⬇️

An Otago-led study found Taranaki and the upper West Coast have the most potential to reduce heat-related carbon emissions 📉 Colder cities like Christchurch and Dunedin were actually found to have some of the lowest potential to reduce emissions, due to low use of LPG/natural gas. Read more here ⬇️

Otago researchers are helping combat Rift Valley Fever - a neglected mosquito-borne disease with pandemic potential.🦟 As climate change expands its reach, Otago's role in a global vaccine project strengthens epidemic preparedness and protection worldwide. Read more here⬇️

Otago research shows 12-year-olds are exposed to unhealthy marketing 76 times every day - from junk food to alcohol and gambling. Researchers say strong protections are needed to safeguard kids and and whānau health from relentless corporate influence. Read more here⬇️

To honour Emeritus Professor Tony Macknight’s contagious enthusiasm and love of teaching, his family has created a new Legacy Award🌏💫 The award will support postgraduate students in Otago’s Department of Physiology to travel overseas, attend conferences, and bring back fresh knowledge. Read more⬇️

Respect, kindness, and clear information can make all the difference. New Otago research shares wāhine Māori experiences of sexual and reproductive healthcare and how services can better uphold mana motuhake (autonomy). Read more about the study here⬇️

Who knew ~vibes~ could make beer brew faster?!🔊 An Otago study has discovered playing white noise while making beer could reduce the fermentation process by 21-31 hours.🤯 Find out more here: www.otago.ac.nz/news/newsroo...

What if vaccines were as easy as swallowing a pill?💊 Project lead Professor Sarah Hook and her all-wāhine team are reimagining how vaccines are designed and delivered. The project is one of 18 Otago initiatives that have been awarded a share of $15.3 million from the Health Research Council.🥳👏

Authors of a recent study from the University of Otago, Christchurch are calling for Health New Zealand to increase their investment into Christchurch Hospital's trauma admitting service, following compromised research results due to understaffing. Read more here ⬇️

Dr Jonathan Penno's time at Otago brought him to "the right job, in the right place" 🩺👨‍⚕️ Otago's Rural Medicine Immersion Programme sparked an interest in rural medicine, which now sees Jonathan working as a part-time GP and part-time rural hospital generalist in Greymouth. Read more here ⬇️

A new Otago study has found that introducing positive messaging alongside warnings on tobacco packs could help support people to feel more confident about quitting smoking 🚭 Read more here ⬇️

Otago researchers have discovered another unique species from Rēkohu Chatham Islands.🦆🏝️ After 390,000 years on a predator-free island, the now-extinct Rēkohu shelduck evolved shorter wings and longer legs. Read more here🔗:

Welcome to the world Rēkohu shelduck. You can check out our #openaccess paper about this new extinct duck from the Chatham Islands here (academic.oup.com/.../article/...) & make sure to read our @aunz.theconversation.com piece theconversation.com/the-discover... 1/4

Otago researchers have investigated the relationship between consumption and wellbeing, finding that a simple, sustainable lifestyle leads to a happier life ♻️ Read more here ⬇️

Several of our amazing Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka kaimahi and alumni are featured in Te Rau Ora's 100 Māori Leaders, recognising their impactful contributions in health, wellbeing, social services, research, and governance 👏 Read more to see the full list of Otago features 🌟⬇️

An Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka, Pōneke study has found that those suffering from migraine disease face several significant barriers in accessing help, exacerbated by existing problems in the healthcare system. Read more here ⬇️

Even after poverty is taken into account, Māori and Pacific people have a shorter life expectancy and higher cancer rates compared with people from other ethnic groups, say experts from @universityofotago.bsky.social‬.

A collaboration between Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka, the UK’s Durham University, and Germany’s University of Tübingen will investigate the spread of the 1918 influenza pandemic in Aotearoa. The project aims to show the potential effects of an uncontrolled influenza pandemic in NZ. Read more here ⬇️

OPINION: By all means, charge tourists – but show us the money 💵 Asking international visitors to support our most iconic places is entirely justifiable, but we have to make it easy for them to see how they are helping ⬇️

A study led by the University of Otago, Wellington has found that many NZ GPs are using AI to transcribe patient notes, despite ethical challenges of data security, patient consent, and impact on doctor-patient relationships. Read more here ⬇️

Two outstanding Otago innovators, tauira Josiah Bugden and Professor Paul Glue, have been named finalists in the 2025 KiwiNet Research Commercialisation Awards 🥳🙌 Ngā mihi nui kei a kōrua! Read more about Josiah and Paul's tech and science breakthroughs 🤩⬇️

Just out! @conphysjournal.bsky.social led by new PhD Dr José Trujillo w/ @physioshark - warmer waters (thermal sweet-spot) increased acceleration, agility, & response time in newborn blacktip reef sharks 🦈 📄 academic.oup.com/conphys/arti... @universityofotago.bsky.social @jcuofficial.bsky.social

Thanks to Antarctica NZ for installing the University of Otago’s sea ice monitoring station (SIMS) in McMurdo Sound for the 2025 winter season. Associate Professor Inga Smith and Dr Greg Leonard have been collecting measurements from the SIMS for over 20 years. Learn more: 🔗seaice.otago.ac.nz

Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka-led research has found stress-controlling brain cells rhythmically switch on and off about once an hour, acting as a "natural wake-up," says senior author Associate Professor Karl Iremonger. Read more here ⬇️

Prof Chris Jackson is the first NZ-based clinician to be a board director for the Union of International Cancer Control, travelling worldwide to learn about how cancer is managed in other countries. “Seeing other healthcare systems in action is really where the gold lies,” he says. Read more here ⬇️

OPINION: Just as NZ began collecting meaningful data on rainbow communities, census changes threaten their visibility ⬇️

Congratulations to Professor Steven Jackson, who was recently recognised by the International Sociology of Sport Association with a Lifetime Honorary Member Award 🏆 Ka pai tō mahi, Steven! Read more here 👇 🎉

OPINION: Rules for calculating climate risk in financial reporting by NZ businesses need revisiting – new research ⬇️

OPINION: Govt's AI strategy is all hype and no vision 🤖 The long-awaited artificial intelligence plan proposes ‘greater use of AI in business’, but that’s basically where the goals begin and end ⬇️