CTRU research shows that using nicotine-free cigarettes can help smokers quit

A groundbreaking Auckland University study has found it is possible to smoke your way to quitting by using virtually nicotine-free cigarettes. Read More >

INVESTMENT IN RESEARCH TO HALVE NUMBER OF NZ SMOKERS BY 2020

The HRC and the Ministry of Health have made a joint investment in an innovative programme of research which will tackle the issue of smoking and tobacco-related harm in New Zealand. The research will provide the evidence required to reduce tobacco-related harm and support the Government’s goal of a smokefree New Zealand by 2025. Read More >

Media Release: Fast food chains “lite” on accessible nutrition information

Nutrition information for meals at New Zealand fast food chains is available but not easily accessible according to a study by researchers at The University of Auckland.

The study published in the online journal Appetite this month set out to explore the availability and accessibility of healthy options and nutrition information at New Zealand fast food chains. It found that although information was available in 92% of the restaurants less than one percent was available at point of purchase.

UN Declaration on Non-Communicable Diseases

Responding to the declaration by world leaders at the United Nations General Assembly last week that an all-out war has to be fought against non-communicable diseases, CTRU Director Associate Professor Chris Bullen said that it was encouraging to see the problem receive the attention it warranted, but also disappointing that specific targets were not set.

Media Release: Sodium levels drop in Kiwi staple

Kiwi bakers are leading trans-Tasman efforts to lessen sodium levels in bread according to a paper by researchers at The University of Auckland and the George Institute for Global Health, Sydney, released in the Medical Journal of Australia this morning.

CTRU researcher recipient of NHF Post-doctoral award to undertake food reformulation research

Helen Eyles, a research fellow and recent PhD graduate at the CTRU has been awarded a Heart Foundation of New Zealand research fellowship enabling her to undertake post-doctoral research into healthier food reformulation.

PANAMA - Physical Activity & Nutrition: Advancing Measurement & Impact Assessment

CTRU is a partner is a prestigious new international research award that will enable a 4-year formal collaboration and staff exchanges between the University of Oxford (UK), Dublin City University (Ireland), Deakin University (Australia), and the University of Auckland. The partnership will focus on exploiting new technologies to measure diet and physical activity, and quantifying the impact of changes to nutrition and exercise levels on population health.

CTRU plays leading role in ground-breaking text-messaging smoking cessation trial

CTRU’s collaboration with the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine the TXT2STOP smoking cessation trial has culminated in a publication in The Lancet this month (Free et al, www.thelancet.com, published online June 30, 2011 DOI:10.1016/S0140-6736(11)60701-0)

Inquiry into improving New Zealand’s environment to support innovation through clinical trials

The New Zealand Health Select Committee has just released its report ‘Inquiry into improving New Zealand’s environment to support innovation through clinical trials’.

The report makes a series of recommendations to improve competitiveness and attractiveness of New Zealand as a location to undertake clinical trials.

SPARK Ideas Challenge award

Luke Gemming, CTRU’s most recent PhD student, was awarded one of the University of Auckland’s SPARK Ideas Challenge awards. There were 294 entries and only 29 prizes awarded with a total of 25 different teams taking out the total prize pool of $30,000. As well as a cash prize ($1000) Luke now gets valuable feedback from New Zealand’s top entrepreneurs and industry professionals to develop his idea and enter it into the $100k Challenge. Some information about his idea is below.