Health
New Thinking
AgResearch biotech work to have health focus
The country's largest science company is entering the business of human health and medicine.
NZ research leading to better foods, health
A collaboration between international quality researchers at AgResearch and the Liggins Institute has the potential to bring about major improvements in agriculture, such as lamb growth, disease resistance and milk production, and human health.
ESR's National Influenza Centre goes robotic
New robotic equipment at ESR's National Influenza Centre Laboratory has significantly increased capacity to analyse flu specimens reducing the time from days to just hours.
Deer may lend a hand
Imagine if your hand or another limb was chopped off and you could just grow another. Sound far-fetched? Invermay scientists don't think so. Their research into how deer grow a new set of antlers each year may one day provide the answer.
Marsden funds benefit primary sector, human health
Two AgResearch researchers who were last week awarded prestigious Marsden Fund grants will use animal models for research that could lead to important insights into human and animal growth and development and potential new treatments for cancer and heart disease.
Fake drugs a growing problem
The trade in fake drugs is growing as sophisticated counterfeiting operations produce billions of fake pills for sale, says GNS scientist Dallas Mildenhall.
Genetic discovery at heart of AgResearch joint venture
AgResearch is part of a new joint venture that will have huge benefits for both the health and pastoral sectors.
The apple of Europe’s eye?
Healthy lifestyles, based on what we eat, is the coming thing. New Zealand’s leadership is recognized by having Crown Research Institute HortResearch as one of only two bodies outside the EU in a “farm to fork” programme seeking to deliver the taste, texture and nutrition EU consumers want.
NZ prepares for faster action against global disease
Pandemic? Biosecurity? Bioterrorism? Potential threats all. Since 9/11 and SARS the world has taken big steps in proactive surveillance. But like all nations, perhaps the biggest challenge NZ faces is to bring the barrage of facts together, into a single – relevant - information source. Crown Research Institute ESR reckons it’s cracked the problem.
Stunning NZ red-fleshed apple is healthier to the core
Get ready to crunch in! A stunning red-fleshed apple, packed with health-promoting antioxidants, was recently unveiled by Crown Research Institute, HortResearch. The new (non GE) apple’s scrumptious flesh is rich red right to the core, due to the high level of the antioxidant anthocyanin.
New Science
IRL partner in cancer vaccine initiative
Science and business experts in Wellington are joining forces to develop a lucrative vaccine against cancer.
New adjuvants helping vaccines work better
Industrial Research scientists are looking to extend vaccination to not only preventing, but also treating a vide range of diseases. A new area of R&D is now developing compounds that can increase the effectiveness of vaccines.
Passion fruit helps asthmatics
A passionfruit extract researched and developed at IRL can significantly reduce the severity of asthmatics' wheezing and coughing and also help reduce blood pressure.
Plants of the cabbage family may ward off bladder cancer say researchers
An international team of researchers led by AgResearch senior scientist Dr Rex Munday has discovered that an extract of broccoli sprouts can decrease the incidence of bladder cancer in an animal model by more than 50 per cent.
Grass grub killer technology for human trials
Biotechnology company Encoate, which is part-owned by AgResearch, is looking at using technology that helps kill grass grubs to keep humans healthy.
Green light for second radar breast imaging study
The Breast Cancer Research Trust has recently confirmed a further research grant to Industrial Research for a second pilot study on breast cancer patients, commencing in March 2008.
Promising treatment for debilitating muscle wasting diseases
In conjunction with AgResearch and other leading research institutes in New Zealand and Australia, Dunedin-based biotechnology company, Orico Limited, is leading the development of a ground-breaking new therapy which could significantly benefit the sufferers of muscle wasting conditions, such as muscular dystrophy.
Scientists uncover last secret of plant Vitamin C
Researchers at New Zealand fruit science company HortResearch have discovered the missing link in our understanding of how plants produce Vitamin C. The discovery completes a scientific quest begun in the 1930's and opens new opportunities for plant breeders to grow new fruit varieties with higher levels of this crucial vitamin.
New Campylobacter test
ESR Scientists have developed a new way of distinguishing strains and species of Campylobacter.
Germ warfare to make eating safe
Germ warfare could be brought into play to protect people from food poisoning.
New Value
RYO tobacco research
Roll-your-own tobacco is no safer than tailor made cigarettes according to ESR research.
Keeping New Zealanders safe
SARs, avian flu, influenza, economic biosecurity, counter-terrorism around biological and chemical threats, and other threats at microbial level. This takes top people to keep New Zealand safe, and now they have top facilities as ESR opens its new site at Wallaceville, Upper Hutt.
Acute gastronintestinal illness study
ESR estimates that gastrointestinal illness costs more than five million working days each year in New Zealand
Study shows 70% drop in flu deaths
The incidence of ‘flu in the community has significantly decreased over the past decade with a 70% drop in influenza-related deaths according to an assessment by ESR’s influenza experts.
New dental device a promising weapon in cancer arsenal
A revolutionary new illumination and screening device could provide dentists with an invaluable tool for the early detection of oral cancer.
IRL scientist's breakthrough leads to burgeoning billion dollar cranberry industry
Groundbreaking research by Lower Hutt scientist Dr Lai Yeap Foo into the chemical compounds of the cranberry that inhibit urinary tract infection has resulted in soaring global demand in cranberry-based products.
Sizing up SurvINZ
ESR's new state-of-the-art surveillance platform demonstrates its value during the national pandemic planning exercise.
Wool breast pads help nursing mothers
Scientists at Lincoln's research institute AgResearch have developed new lanolin-enriched merino wool breastfeeding pads for nursing mothers.
New drug for treatment of painful skin disease a step closer
A drug, developed by Industrial Research for treatment of psoriasis, to be trialled in the United States by pharmaceutical giant Roche.
Studying the effects of party pills
The popularity of 'party pills' has increased dramatically in the recent years and ESR scientists are involved in several research projects to learn more about their effects. The results will help inform both users and regulatory authorities.
