The Morning Edition of News Fix on 28 July 2025, presented by Newstalk ZB, provides a comprehensive overview of significant developments in news, politics, business, entertainment, and sports. This edition highlights critical events impacting both national and international landscapes.

Key Business Updates

Major financial markets experienced fluctuations today as investors reacted to the announcements from the Global Business Summit held in New Zealand. The summit, which attracts leaders from around the world, focuses on sustainable economic growth and innovation.

According to reports from the summit, key speakers emphasized the importance of adapting business strategies to combat climate change. $3.4 trillion is projected to be invested in green technologies by 2030, aiming to reduce global emissions significantly.

Political Developments and Global Events

In political news, the International Olympic Committee announced new measures to enhance athlete safety at the upcoming Games. These initiatives come in response to increasing concerns regarding health protocols and environmental sustainability. The committee plans to invest $500 million in infrastructure improvements to meet these standards.

Additionally, the United Nations Climate Conference will take place later this year, where world leaders are expected to negotiate binding agreements on emissions. Officials from the World Health Organization will also participate, advocating for health strategies that address climate-related health risks.

In entertainment, the highly anticipated film festival in Auckland has drawn attention for its diverse lineup of films addressing social issues. This year’s theme, “Voices of Change,” highlights stories from marginalized communities, with screenings set to begin on August 15, 2025.

As the week progresses, these stories will continue to evolve, impacting various sectors on both local and international scales. For more updates, stay tuned to News Fix for the latest developments.

Research published in the journal Nature Biomedical Engineering suggests that dental floss could play a pivotal role in the future of vaccine delivery. A team of scientists conducted an experiment where dental floss, coated with vaccine components like proteins or inactive viruses, was used to immunize mice against the flu. The initial findings indicate that this method may offer a novel approach to providing immunity without the need for needles.

The experiment involved carefully maneuvering the floss between the gums of mice, which are rich in absorbent tissue and immune cells. This unique location allows for a more effective response to viral threats. To carry out the procedure, researchers employed a keyring to open the mouths of the mice while another team member inserted the floss. This process took place every two weeks over a month.

After the final flossing, the vaccinated mice were exposed to a lethal strain of the flu virus. Remarkably, every mouse that received the vaccine via dental floss survived the exposure, while those that did not receive the treatment did not survive. Further analysis revealed that the vaccinated mice developed flu antibodies not only in their saliva but also in their faeces and bone marrow, indicating a strong and long-lasting immune response.

Potential Human Applications

To explore the feasibility of this method in humans, researchers conducted a small trial involving 27 healthy volunteers. Participants used dental floss picks dipped in harmless food dye, which successfully reached the gum tissue approximately 60 percent of the time. This promising result suggests that flossing could be a viable method for delivering vaccines with further refinement.

This floss-based delivery system presents several significant advantages. It is needle-free, which is beneficial for individuals who experience anxiety related to injections. Additionally, unlike many traditional vaccines that require cold storage, these vaccines could remain stable at room temperature, facilitating easier distribution. The concept of receiving vaccines through the mail, allowing individuals to “floss their way to immunity,” could revolutionize how vaccines are administered, particularly during outbreaks when rapid distribution is critical.

While these findings are encouraging, it is important to note that more research is necessary before this innovative method can replace traditional vaccination techniques. Nonetheless, the study opens up exciting possibilities for developing painless, practical, and more accessible vaccines in the future.

Dr. Michelle Dickinson, a nanotechnologist involved in the research, has highlighted the groundbreaking nature of these findings. As scientists continue to explore the potential of dental floss as a delivery system, the future of vaccination may very well be on the cusp of a significant transformation.

Research published in the journal Nature Biomedical Engineering reveals that dental floss could emerge as a novel method for vaccine delivery. Scientists have demonstrated that floss, when coated with vaccine components, can effectively introduce immunity to serious diseases, such as influenza. The study, led by researchers at the University of Auckland, suggests that this approach may one day transform public health strategies.

In a series of experiments, researchers utilized dental floss coated with either proteins or inactive viruses. They gently inserted it between the gums of mice, taking advantage of the highly absorbent tissue rich in immune cells. This process required precision, as one scientist delicately opened each mouse’s mouth using a keyring while another maneuvered the floss between their tiny teeth. This challenging procedure was performed every two weeks for a month, after which the mice were exposed to a lethal strain of the flu virus.

The results were striking. All vaccinated mice survived the exposure, while the unvaccinated group did not. The vaccinated mice exhibited flu antibodies not only in their saliva but also in their faeces and bone marrow, indicating a robust and lasting immune response. Additionally, researchers observed an increase in infection-fighting T cells in the lungs and spleen, highlighting the effectiveness of this innovative delivery method.

To evaluate the feasibility of this technique in humans, the team conducted a smaller trial involving 27 healthy volunteers. Participants were given dental floss picks dipped in harmless food dye. The dye successfully reached the gum tissue approximately 60 percent of the time, suggesting that the concept is viable with further refinement.

The implications of dental floss as a vaccination tool could address several significant challenges in public health. For one, it provides a needle-free alternative, which could benefit individuals with a fear of injections. Additionally, unlike many traditional vaccines, those delivered via floss may not require cold storage, allowing for easier distribution. This could lead to scenarios where vaccines are mailed directly to individuals, promoting greater accessibility.

Furthermore, during global health crises such as pandemics, this delivery method could facilitate quicker immunization efforts, reaching more people in less time.

While there remains substantial research ahead before dental floss replaces conventional flu vaccinations, this study opens up exciting possibilities for the future of painless and practical vaccine delivery. With the potential to make immunization more accessible, the innovative use of dental floss could significantly enhance public health responses worldwide.

Research published in the journal Nature Biomedical Engineering reveals that dental floss could potentially serve as a method for vaccine delivery. A team of scientists conducted an experiment where they coated dental floss with vaccine components, such as proteins or inactive viruses, and utilized it to deliver these substances directly into the gums of mice. The study indicates that this unconventional approach may pave the way for a new means of immunization.

The experiment involved carefully flossing the teeth of mice, a task that required significant precision. One researcher used a keyring to gently open each mouse’s mouth, while another maneuvered the floss between the animals’ tiny teeth every two weeks over a month. Following the final session of flossing, the mice were exposed to a lethal strain of the flu virus. Remarkably, every mouse that received the floss treatment survived, while those that did not participate in the flossing did not survive.

The results of this study demonstrated a robust immune response among the vaccinated mice. Not only did they develop flu antibodies in their saliva, but these antibodies were also found in their faeces and bone marrow, indicating a strong and lasting immune reaction. Furthermore, there was a notable increase in the number of infection-fighting T cells in the lungs and spleen of the vaccinated subjects.

To assess the feasibility of this approach in humans, researchers conducted a preliminary test involving 27 healthy volunteers. Participants used dental floss picks coated in harmless food dye. The results showed that the dye reached the gum tissue approximately 60 percent of the time, suggesting that the method may be viable with further refinement.

The implications of this research are significant. A floss-based vaccine delivery system could provide several advantages, including eliminating the need for needles, which would benefit individuals with a fear of injections. Additionally, these vaccines could potentially be stable at room temperature, removing the necessity for cold storage that many traditional vaccines require. This characteristic could greatly facilitate distribution, making it possible for vaccines to be delivered by mail, allowing individuals to administer them at home.

Moreover, during outbreaks or pandemics, such a straightforward delivery method could help reach more people quickly and efficiently. While there remains considerable work to be done before dental floss can replace conventional flu vaccinations, this research opens up exciting possibilities for developing less invasive, more practical, and accessible vaccines in the future.

As scientists continue to explore innovative solutions to improve immunization methods, the potential for everyday products like dental floss to play a role in public health is both intriguing and promising.