The carrots and sticks of freshwater policy

Publicly released: Fri 20 Nov 2020 at 0500 AEDT | 0700 NZDT

A new research paper by Motu Economic and Public Policy Research presents the array of different policy instruments available for managing freshwater quality and quantity and provides insights into how the various instruments can be used to Read more about The carrots and sticks of freshwater policy

First map of bee species creating some buzz

Publicly released: Fri 20 Nov 2020 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

Current Biology

International researchers have created some buzz after putting together the most complete map of bee species to date. There are over 20,000 species of bee – more than birds and mammals combined – but until now, information about how these Read more about First map of bee species creating some buzz

Start monitoring for vaccine side effects now - GP

Publicly released: Fri 20 Nov 2020 at 0001 AEDT | 0201 NZDT

NZMJ

A retired GP says New Zealand should set up a system to actively monitor the safety of COVID-19 vaccines. In a Viewpoint article, he says enough people will be getting the jab that there is a decent risk of adverse side-effects, negative publicity Read more about Start monitoring for vaccine side effects now - GP

Pregnant New Zealanders are eating unsafe foods

Publicly released: Fri 20 Nov 2020 at 0001 AEDT | 0201 NZDT

NZMJ

A survey of 200 pregnant New Zealanders has found a concerning lack of knowledge of which foods are safe for them to eat. Three quarters of those surveyed incorrectly identified a potentially dangerous food as safe. It also highlighted that Māori Read more about Pregnant New Zealanders are eating unsafe foods

NZers toughed out appendicitis through lockdown

Publicly released: Fri 20 Nov 2020 at 0001 AEDT | 0201 NZDT

NZMJ

The number of patients with appendicitis in New Zealand hospitals noticeably dropped over the national COVID-19 lockdown. However those who did go to hospital had been experiencing symptoms for longer, suffered more complications, and had to stay in Read more about NZers toughed out appendicitis through lockdown

Oxford's COVID-19 jab safer in older adults

Publicly released: Thu 19 Nov 2020 at 1800 AEDT | 2000 NZDT

The Lancet

Phase 2 trial results from Oxford’s ChAdOx1 vaccine shows it’s better tolerated in older people compared to younger adults, and produces a similar immune response in old and young adults. The study of 560 healthy adults – including 240 over 70 Read more about Oxford's COVID-19 jab safer in older adults

Potential new target to combat inflammatory diseases

Publicly released: Thu 19 Nov 2020 at 1618 AEDT | 1818 NZDT

EBioMedicine

An international team of researchers have uncovered a drug-like compound that blocks a crucial inflammatory pathway, potentially paving the way for a new treatment for a host of diseases – including COVID-19. WEHI’s Associate Professor Seth Read more about Potential new target to combat inflammatory diseases

Smartwatches could help detect COVID before symptoms appear

Publicly released: Thu 19 Nov 2020 at 1508 AEDT | 1708 NZDT

Nature Biomedical Engineering

Smartwatches can detect changes in you body as much as nine days before COVID symptoms appear, according to US research. The researchers analysed data from 32 individuals infected with COVID-19, identified from a group of nearly 5,300 participants, Read more about Smartwatches could help detect COVID before symptoms appear

New report reveals chronic disadvantage among social housing tenants

Publicly released: Thu 19 Nov 2020 at 1500 AEDT | 1700 NZDT

The first report from a five-year study has found social housing tenants are more likely to have experienced chronic, often lifelong, disadvantage than other groups, revealing complex needs for which effective social housing is a crucial social Read more about New report reveals chronic disadvantage among social housing tenants

Trial questions how well masks actually work for COVID-19

Publicly released: Thu 19 Nov 2020 at 1300 AEDT | 1500 NZDT

Annals of Internal Medicine

A randomised trial of more than 6,000 people in Denmark suggests masks have limited additional benefit in stopping COVID-19 spread for people already following social distancing and hygiene recommendations. The trial, known as the DANMASK-19 trial, Read more about Trial questions how well masks actually work for COVID-19