John Gibb

A University of Otago-led scientific team has shed new light on the first New Zealanders, who reached the ''final frontier'' in human settlement of Earth, about 700 years ago.

Making Dunedin safer for cyclists and more welcoming for walkers would also make the city more ''livable'' and attractive for its residents and visitors.

Prof Michael Eccles, of the University of Otago, has gained $150,000 in Health Research Council funding to undertake world-first research into a new way to measure the aggressiveness of cancer cells.

Many New Zealanders do not realise they have kidney disease and that this also greatly increases their risk of heart disease, University of Otago medical researcher Dr Suetonia Palmer warns.

New Zealand's productivity remains relatively low because ''we simply don't tap into our full potential'', Canterbury Employers' Chamber of Commerce chief executive Peter Townsend says.

When it comes to computer security, let the seller beware.

Former University of Otago student Alex Frere will have three good reasons to celebrate when he graduates at a ceremony in Dunedin today.

Recent ''astonishing'' research findings involving dolphins in Doubtful Sound have increased University of Otago Prof Steve Dawson's fears about the future of the critically endangered Maui's dolphin.

Some stroke victims may eventually recover lost hand function thanks to smart new computer system designed to fool the brain.

Planned surveillance law changes will move New Zealand towards a ''national security state'', two University of Otago professors say.

Award-winning University of Otago biochemist Warren Tate has urged university graduates to develop a vision and warned against ''tsunamis of distracting social culture'', including smart phones and social media.

During his University of Otago doctoral research Felix Marx has created what is believed to be the world's biggest accessible photographic database on the evolution of baleen whales, both ancient and modern.

Prof Claudio Modena, a leading Italian structural engineering specialist, has warned against the danger of too many heritage masonry buildings being demolished in the aftermath of the Christchurch quakes.

The University of Otago will confer an honorary doctor of science degree on Dunedin botanical artist and passionate conservationist Audrey Eagle at a graduation ceremony today.

After lobbying hard for a better community feedback system, Dunedin ACC campaigner Dr Denise Powell is cautiously optimistic recent changes will help restore public trust in ACC.

Jeanette Waters is ''absolutely delighted'' to have solved a mystery that has haunted her for 60 years, ever since she found a gold medal in an Auckland street as a 5-year-old, in her first week at school.

A record 1385 students will graduate in person from the University of Otago at a series of graduation ceremonies next month, in a boost for domestic tourism and the Dunedin economy.