28 Jun 2023

Science: Morning sickness hormone found, gut bug's role in endometriosis

From Nine To Noon, 11:45 am on 28 June 2023
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Photo: 123rf

Science correspondent Dr Siouxsie Wiles joins Kathryn to talk about how researchers have identified a hormone linked with morning sickness which may help with the development of new treatments for extreme morning sickness at least. It appears morning sickness comes from a hormone called growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF-15) which is made by the foetus which women have different susceptibilities to. A new study suggests a bacterium commonly found in the gut and mouth could play a role in the development of endometriosis. And between 1993 and 2010, humans have managed to tilt the axis of the Earth by 80 centimetres - all by pumping water out of the ground and moving it elsewhere.

Associate Professor Dr Siouxsie Wiles is the head of Bioluminescent Superbugs Lab at the University of Auckland.