Medicine | Public Interest Media

What is coronavirus and how can we stop it spreading? 🔊

Jan 23, 2020 | Science & Technology

China is experiencing an outbreak of coronavirus which has so far killed seventeen people and infected a further four hundred and forty. The outbreak began in the city of Wuhan, with most of those infected having visited a fish market. Despite authorities initially...

How do your genes affect your mental health? ▶

Dec 11, 2019 | Science & Technology

How do your genes affect your mental health? In this lecture hosted by the Liggins Institute, University of Auckland researchers discuss how knowing what your genes do can guide the development of future personalised medicine for the prevention and treatment of mental...

Are we on the verge of a revolution in cancer research?

Jun 24, 2019 | Science & Technology

By Geraldine Johns In the past decade, cancer research undertaken at the University of Auckland has changed lives. Our top scientists say it has now entered the next frontier and there’s hope that cancer could eventually be brought under control. In Waterloo...

Caster Semenya: Is bogus science being used to stifle the vulnerable?

May 28, 2019 | Science & Technology

By Sarah Laframboise In the ruling against Caster Semenya, bogus science is being used to stifle the vulnerable, according to Sarah Laframboise. Caster Semenya crouched over the starting line, waiting for the start in the final 800 meter race at the 2016 Olympic...

Q+A: What are the flaws in New Zealand’s medicinal cannabis scheme?

May 16, 2019 | Science & Technology

In December 2018, the New Zealand parliament passed a bill to create a regulated market for medicinal cannabis and a legal defence for users who take the drug for palliative reasons. Under the Misuse of Drugs (Medicinal Cannabis) Amendment Act, the government has...

Why is it so hard to find a cure for Alzheimer’s?

May 7, 2019 | Science & Technology

By Norman A. Paradis Norman A. Paradis investigate why it is so hard to find a cure for Alzheimer’s after a century of research into the brain disease. Biogen recently announced that it was abandoning its late stage drug for Alzheimer’s, aducanumab, causing...

The opioid crisis: Fact vs. fiction

Mar 25, 2019 | Science & Technology

By Eileen Reynolds Eileen Reynolds investigates the opioid crisis that has gripped the United States over the last few years. Every day, 115 people in the United States die of an opioid overdose—a death toll so high that it’s caused the nation’s overall life...

Is it time for a law change on cannabis use in New Zealand?

Dec 13, 2018 | Politics & Society, Science & Technology

By Sam Smith A medicinal cannabis bill has just passed its third reading in the New Zealand parliament. But is it time to also look at recreational use in the country? New Zealand is gearing up to decide the future of cannabis law in the country. Currently, it is...

Abortion law in New Zealand: How does research inform change?

Dec 3, 2018 | Science & Technology

By Joseph M. Boden Joseph M. Boden explores how research can inform change with regards to abortion law reform. In October 2018, the Law Commission released a briefing paper (1) examining possible changes to the Abortion Law in New Zealand. Currently, abortion is...

Is it possible to eradicate malaria?

Nov 19, 2018 | Science & Technology

By Wei-Chiao Huang & Jonathan Lovell A vaccine that could block mosquitoes from transmitting malaria has emerged. Jonathan Lovell and Wei-Chiao Huang investigate. Is it possible to eradicate malaria? It is a question with which many researchers have grappled, and...