Researchers at the University of Otago and Plant & Food Research have identified the genetic mechanism controlling onion bulb formation in response to changing daylight hours. This discovery will help breed new onion cultivars that can thrive in different environments, increasing crop yields and export revenue.
Researchers at University of Otago discover key cellular location of kisspeptin-Gpr54 signalling, crucial for fertility. The study reveals that targeting this signalling can enable new therapies for infertility and approaches to controlling fertility.
A team of scientists analyzed isotopes from the bones and teeth of the first New Zealanders, identifying their likely diet and childhood origins. The study suggests that the first group shared similar diets, while others had highly variable diets reflecting their geographical movements.
A new University of Otago study followed over 1000 children and found that excessive TV viewing in childhood is associated with increased risks of antisocial behavior, including criminal conviction and aggressive personality traits, in adulthood. The study suggests reducing TV viewing could help reduce rates of antisocial behavior.
A new study from the University of Otago found that consuming seven to eight servings of fruits and vegetables per day can improve mood and overall wellbeing in young adults. The research suggests a strong relationship between positive emotions and higher fruit and vegetable consumption, with no significant impact on other foods.
A new fossil discovery in southern California challenges earlier claims of a 'killer walrus' existing. The ancient creature was found to have a diet rich in fish, contrary to initial estimates that it preyed on marine mammals.
Researchers found that rates of violence increased significantly in James Bond films over a 46-year period, with severe violence increasing by nearly three times.
Researchers sequenced complete mitochondrial genomes from ancient Polynesian samples, revealing three individuals with no recent maternal ancestor in common. This suggests a diverse founding population and challenges previous theories about the pathways of great migration across the Pacific to New Zealand.
Recent studies from New Zealand's University of Otago challenge the idea that infants as young as six months possess an innate moral compass, instead suggesting their preferences may be driven by interesting events. Researchers found that infants' choices could be explained by simple associations with specific visual stimuli.
Researchers from the University of Otago have provided radiocarbon dates for unusual jar and log coffin interments in southern Cambodia's Cardamom Mountains. The findings reveal that the enigmatic burial rituals were practiced from at least 1395AD to 1650AD, coinciding with the decline and fall of the powerful Kingdom of Angkor.
Research reveals that death anxiety makes atheists more unconsciously receptive to religious beliefs, while religious individuals strengthen their beliefs at both conscious and unconscious levels. This study contributes to understanding why religion endures as a fundamental aspect of human culture.
A recent study found that almost 50% of children between three to ten years old who avoided cow's milk for four months or more had suffered one or more fractures. The researchers discovered that these children often had low bone density and were short and overweight, suggesting a link between milk avoidance and poor bone health.
A University of Otago study found that intensive exercise and specific dietary changes can improve insulin sensitivity by up to 20% in otherwise-healthy individuals. The research, which included 79 participants aged 35-60, also showed a significant improvement in insulin action among Māori participants.