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Father holding his daughter is checking the heating during an energy crisis.

Almost a third of NZ households face energy hardship – reform has to go beyond cheaper off-peak power

Kimberley O'Sullivan, University of Otago

Is our mental health determined by where we live – or is it the other way round? New research sheds more light

Matthew Hobbs, Sheffield Hallam University; Chris G. Sibley, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau; Elena Moltchanova, University of Canterbury, and Taciano L. Milfont, University of Waikato

Houses in Wellington
Rugby headgear can’t prevent concussion – but new materials could soften the blows over a career

Nick Draper, University of Canterbury

A rugby player holding the ball while attempting to fend off a tackle
Quitting the quit-aid: people trying to stop vaping nicotine need more support – here are some strategies to help

Joya Kemper, University of Canterbury; Amanda Palmer, Medical University of South Carolina; Bodo Lang, Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa – Massey University; Chris Bullen, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau; George Laking, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau; Jamie Brown, UCL; Lion Shahab, UCL; Natalie Walker, Flinders University, and Vili Nosa, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau

Young woman vaping an electronic cigarette
A Māori worldview describes the immune system as a guardian – this could improve public health in Aotearoa NZ

Tama Te Puea Braithwaite-Westoby, Malaghan Institute of Medical Research

A waterdrop on a silver fern

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Hand of older person resting in hospital bed

Unsafe and unethical: bed shortages mean dementia patients with psychiatric symptoms are admitted to medical wards

Cindy Towns, University of Otago

Close-up of marijuana as part of quality control in a greenhouse growing medicinal cannabis

More women are using medical cannabis – but new research shows barriers push some into illegal markets

Vinuli Withanarachchie, Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa – Massey University; Chris Wilkins, Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa – Massey University, and Marta Rychert, Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa – Massey University

Popular period-tracking apps can hold years of personal data – new NZ research finds mixed awareness of risk

Anna Friedlander, University of Waikato; Charlotte Greenhalgh, University of Waikato; Holly Thorpe, University of Waikato, and Johanna Schmidt, University of Waikato

Looking over the shoulder of someone while they use a period-tracking app
NZ’s goal is to get smoking rates under 5% for all population groups this year – here’s why that’s highly unlikely

Janet Hoek, University of Otago and Jude Ball, University of Otago

Hand putting out a cigarette
Premature babies are given sucrose for pain relief – but new research shows it doesn’t stop long-term impacts on development

Mia McLean, Auckland University of Technology

Premature baby in intensive care unit
More than meds: why easier access to ADHD treatment has to be part of a whole-system approach

Belinda Wheaton, University of Waikato; Byron Rangiwai, UNITEC Institute of Technology; Nicholas Bowden, University of Otago, and Stephanie D'Souza, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau

illustration of a head with medications where the brain should be.

doctor takes insulin sample from small boy's fingers

The rising rate of type 2 diabetes in young New Zealanders is becoming a health crisis

Lynne Chepulis, University of Waikato

‘Chaotic, sometimes dangerous places’ – why successful rehab for prisoners on remand will be hard to achieve

Devon Polaschek, University of Waikato and Simon Davies, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington

‘Chaotic, sometimes dangerous places’ – why successful rehab for prisoners on remand will be hard to achieve
Providing safe smoking kits could reduce harm from meth use – but NZ law won’t allow it

Jai Whelan, University of Otago

A person being hugged during a therapy session
Sudden arrivals: NZ ambulance crews describe what it’s like when babies are born out of the blue

Vinuli Withanarachchie, Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa – Massey University; Bridget Dicker, Auckland University of Technology; Sarah Maessen, Auckland University of Technology, and Verity Todd, Auckland University of Technology

Ambulance driving in front of coloured bus stop.
What’s the difference between skim milk and light milk?

Margaret Murray, Swinburne University of Technology

Man standing in front of supermarket milk cabinet, reading label on milk bottle