Otago University researchers have developed a questionnaire to assess people’s intake of certain high calorie or NEEDNT foods that tend to promote weight gain & poor health when eaten habitually. We are seeking 60 people with a BMI (Body Mass Index) of 30 or above, to complete this questionnaire taking approximately 15 minutes. You will also be asked to keep a record of what you eat for 7 days so we can assess whether the questionnaire measures NEEDNT (Non Essential Energy Dense Nutrient deficient) food intake accurately. In return for participating in the study, you have the option of having a free one-on-one consult with a final year Student Dietitian to explain your results, assist you with weight loss after the study period and learn about how much ‘treat’ food you can actually eat.  

For Females and Males aged 18 to 65
Includes healthy volunteers
Locations: Christchurch

Does your asthma get worse during a cold?We need adults with asthma to take part in a study of a safe nasal spray containing carrageenan that could help reduce asthma during a cold.  The 16 week study involves:·       Spraying your nose 4 times daily for 10 days during a cold.·       Meeting with researchers 4 times.·       Filling out questionnaires during visits and during a cold.·       Taking peak flow readings during your cold.·       Taking a nasal swab for viruses (optional).·       Having an allergy test (optional).  ·     $50 grocery voucher for taking part.For more information: Website: www.otago.ac.nz/castudyEmail: [email protected]: 04 918 6856Text: 0220 450 188

For Females and Males aged 18 to 55
Locations: Wellington

HAVE YOU EVER WONDERED HOW IMPORTANT A GOOD NIGHT’S SLEEP IS FOR YOUR CHILD’S LEARNING?The University of Otago’s Sleep, Education and Learning in Our Neighbourhood (SEALION) survey…Is looking at children’s sleep, and how it may affect learning during the school day, in the New Zealand School Community.We are looking for parents of 6 to 10 year old children to fill out a questionnaire online (or at home).Click this link to fill in the survey or contact:http://tinyurl.com/sealion-survey

For Females and Males aged 16 to 100
Includes healthy volunteers
Locations: Auckland, Canterbury, Christchurch, Dunedin, Gisborne, Hamilton, Hawkes Bay, Manawatu, Marlborough, Nelson, Northland, Otago, Southland, Taranaki, Tauranga, Timaru/Oamaru, Waikato, Wairarapa, Wellington, West Coast (sth Island)

 Do you enjoy eating GOLD kiwifruit?     Plant & Food Research require volunteers for a clinical study looking at the effects of SunGold kiwifruit on gut health and feelings of well being.  This is a 16 week study which involves eating GOLD kiwifruit and Metamucil® along with your normal diet.   Volunteers need to be:   Suffering from Constipation (fewer than 3 bowel motions per week) or Irritable bowel syndrome which is associated with constipation.   Aged 18 to 65 years old   Have a BMI (Body Mass Index) of 19 to 35 kg/m2   Have no evidence of chronic disease or no previous gastrointestinal surgery   Have no known allergy to kiwifruit     You will be required to visit 40 Stewart Street, Central Christchurch for periods of up to 30 minutes on 7 occasions. Clinics will run in the mornings between 7.00am and 12.00pm.  You will be reimbursed $320 in vouchers for your participation in this study   To find out more about the study contact: Sarah Eady on (03) 325 9671 or 027 476 6137. Email: [email protected]  

For Females and Males aged 18 to 65
Locations: Christchurch

EEG Biofeedback for MemoryWe have developed a training procedure to train specific patterns of brain activity in a part of the brain called the Posterior Cingulate Cortex (PCC). We think that training specific activity in this part of the brain, we might be able to improve people’s memory.WHAT DOES THE STUDY INVOLVE?If you are invited to participate in the biofeedback training, you will come in for 15 sessions of brain training. We will place an EEG cap on your head which will record your brain activity. This will be fed through to a computer, which will display the activity back to you. We’ll get you to learn how to change the activity.

For Females and Males aged 40 to 110
Includes healthy volunteers
Locations: Dunedin