ScienceNZ: Health

ESR studies quantify foodborne illness in New Zealand

Sun, 14 Dec 2008 21:55:56 GMT

Foodborne diseases in New Zealand are estimated to cost society $86 million according to ESR reports for the New Zealand Food Safety Authority. Campylobacteriosis accounts for approximately 90% of the estimated cost.

Reverse genetics produces influenza vaccine virus

Tue, 25 Nov 2008 01:01:06 GMT

ESR scientists have recently trialled a new technique that creates an influenza vaccine virus in less than three weeks compared with the traditional method, which takes several months.

AgResearch biotech work to have health focus

Thu, 09 Oct 2008 22:23:44 GMT

The country's largest science company is entering the business of human health and medicine.

RYO tobacco research

Tue, 30 Sep 2008 02:32:58 GMT

Roll-your-own tobacco is no safer than tailor made cigarettes according to ESR research.

IRL partner in cancer vaccine initiative

Tue, 26 Aug 2008 02:29:43 GMT

Science and business experts in Wellington are joining forces to develop a lucrative vaccine against cancer.

NZ research leading to better foods, health

Wed, 11 Jun 2008 21:34:42 GMT

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

Mon, 02 Jun 2008 23:44:53 GMT

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.

New adjuvants helping vaccines work better

Mon, 02 Jun 2008 22:33:32 GMT

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

Wed, 28 May 2008 00:33:55 GMT

A passionfruit extract researched and developed at IRL can significantly reduce the severity of asthmatics' wheezing and coughing and also help reduce blood pressure.

Keeping New Zealanders safe

Wed, 14 May 2008 21:44:52 GMT

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

Wed, 19 Mar 2008 04:34:11 GMT

ESR estimates that gastrointestinal illness costs more than five million working days each year in

New Zealand

. And there may be better ways of providing risk management information for widespread illnesses such as diarrhoea and vomiting.

Plants of the cabbage family may ward off bladder cancer say researchers

Wed, 05 Mar 2008 20:08:30 GMT

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.

Study shows 70% drop in flu deaths

Wed, 06 Feb 2008 20:50:07 GMT

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.

Deer may lend a hand

Tue, 27 Nov 2007 21:12:09 GMT

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.

Grass grub killer technology for human trials

Wed, 21 Nov 2007 03:41:31 GMT

Biotechnology company Encoate, which is part-owned by AgResearch, is looking at using technology that helps kill grass grubs to keep humans healthy.

Promising treatment for debilitating muscle wasting diseases

Mon, 19 Nov 2007 04:42:15 GMT

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.

Green light for second radar breast imaging study

Mon, 19 Nov 2007 02:06:28 GMT

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.

New dental device a promising weapon in cancer arsenal

Mon, 19 Nov 2007 02:00:27 GMT

A revolutionary new illumination and screening device could provide dentists with an invaluable tool for the early detection of oral cancer.

Marsden funds benefit primary sector, human health

Thu, 13 Sep 2007 04:55:17 GMT

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.

IRL scientist's breakthrough leads to burgeoning billion dollar cranberry industry

Thu, 13 Sep 2007 04:42:18 GMT

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.