Existing regulations have not managed to reduce the rising rates of youth vaping in Aotearoa New Zealand. Both the latest NZ Health Survey and Snapshot Y10 survey reported high levels of daily…
Month: January 2023
As eligibility for MAID expands, the ethical implications of broad access to medically assisted death need a long, hard look
As a philosophy professor and researcher of end-of-life ethics, I ask the students in my ethics class who should be eligible to receive Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID). Should it be open…
Sharks and stingrays have been traded for centuries — here’s why that history could help save them
Sharks, along with rays, and their products have been historically consumed and traded by many communities globally over centuries. Between 2012 and 2019, the trade in shark and ray meat was valued…
Paramedics could sound early warnings of child abuse or neglect – but they need support and more training
Child abuse and neglect is, unfortunately, a far more common occurrence in Australia than many people realise. In Australia in 2020–21 (the most recent figures available), there were more than half a…
Our future could be full of undying, self-repairing robots. Here’s how
With generative artificial intelligence (AI) systems such as ChatGPT and StableDiffusion being the talk of the town right now, it might feel like we’ve taken a giant leap closer to a sci-fi…
a range of diets are said to help manage symptoms – here’s what the evidence tells us
Most people who contract COVID recover within a few weeks. But for some people, symptoms can develop later, or persist for a long time after the initial infection. A recent review of…
Six parts of your car that gather data on you
You can tell a lot about someone from the car they drive. The data that many vehicles now collect can reveal the patterns of our daily lives and provide insights into our…
Medicaid coverage is expiring for millions of Americans – but there’s a proven way to keep many of them insured
The Research Brief is a short take about interesting academic work. The big idea Getting everyone who is eligible for free or discounted health insurance to sign up for it requires making…
Ultra-processed foods – like cookies, chips, frozen meals and fast food – may contribute to cognitive decline
Scientists have known for years that unhealthy diets – particularly those that are high in fat and sugar – may cause detrimental changes to the brain and lead to cognitive impairment. Many…
Black college students who turn to their faith think less about suicide
The Research Brief is a short take about interesting academic work. The big idea Black college students who resorted to self-blame when faced with stress were also more likely to experience suicidal…