Latest Sci-Tech Headlines [Page 2]
NZ Test Confirms Purity of Manuka Honey
Thursday, 18 July 2013, 3:12 pm | GNS Science
The New Zealand honey industry has been thrown a lifeline after laboratory testing procedures in importing countries, which were failing manuka honey, have been found to be flawed giving a higher ‘apparent’ cane sugar level than it actually contains. More >>
Alcohol’s toxic toll should be compared to other life risks
Thursday, 18 July 2013, 12:12 pm | University of Canterbury
The toxic perils of drinking alcohol need to be compared with other life risks, a University of Canterbury toxicology expert says. Alcohol causes more than one in 20 deaths of New Zealanders aged under 80, a recent report says. More >>
China Warning for New Zealand on GE food
Thursday, 18 July 2013, 8:58 am | GE Free NZ
Evidence presented by international scientists at a conference in China is a warning for New Zealand to keep GE out of the food system, and to focus on understanding the cultural values driving demand for New Zealand food overseas. More >>
Stem cell research reveals clues to brain disease
Wednesday, 17 July 2013, 3:21 pm | University of Auckland
The development of new drugs for improving Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease is a step closer after recent research into how stem cells migrate and form circuits in the brain. More >>
Computing experts augment NeSI team
Wednesday, 17 July 2013, 3:05 pm | New Zealand eScience Infrastructure
The addition of international computing experts to the NeSI team builds on its existing capabilities for improving science research productivity. NeSI is New Zealand’s national high performance computing (HPC) platform and its director Nick Jones says ... More >>
Pain makes people more charitable
Wednesday, 17 July 2013, 2:20 pm | Victoria University of Wellington
A study involving Victoria University researchers supports the longstanding theory that taking part in extreme, painful rituals increases prosocial behaviours and attitudes including making people more charitable. More >>
How the Microbes Can Impact Agriculture
Tuesday, 16 July 2013, 2:35 pm | NatureFarm NZ
Using Microbes in our soils and agricultural systems have been subject to a variety of trials within New Zealand on everything from sheep and cattle farms to onion growing. They have been shown to have a reviving action on growing systems. More >>
Tech journo Bill Bennett partners with Geekzone and Scoop
Monday, 15 July 2013, 2:38 pm | Digitl
Creates Digitl, the leading new source of technology news, analysis and comment to inspire New Zealanders More >>
Over $800,000 committed to neurological research across NZ
Monday, 15 July 2013, 2:14 pm | Neurological Foundation
The Neurological Foundation is pleased to announce that funding of $821,902 for neurological research, an educational fellowship and travel grants has been approved in its July 2013 grant round. The Neurological Foundation is the primary non-government sponsor ... More >>
A welcome return to high pressure
Monday, 15 July 2013, 11:47 am | MetService
It was a tempestuous start to the school holidays with wet,windy and wintry conditions in many places. However, as high pressure builds over the country, the weather is expected to settle down over much of New Zealand in the coming days. More >>
Breast cancer leading cause of alcohol-attributable death
Monday, 15 July 2013, 11:30 am | University of Otago
Alcohol is responsible for more than one-in-twenty deaths of New Zealanders aged under 80, new University of Otago research suggests. Although most harm to young people’s health from drinking is through injury, alcohol also contributes to chronic ... More >>
SMC Heads-Up: Viagra and babies, Callaghan Innovation, future of media
Friday, 12 July 2013, 1:06 pm | Science Media Centre
In This Issue Cousin couple risk; Nethui 2013; Border security; CI's roadmap; New from the SMC; Sciblogs highlights; Research highlights; Policy News; Sci-tech events More >>
KiwiNet supports Callaghan’s ambition for innovation
Friday, 12 July 2013, 12:34 pm | KiwiNet
The Kiwi Innovation Network (KiwiNet) welcomes the release of Callaghan Innovation’s Statement of Intent (SOI), tabled in Parliament this week. KiwiNet commended Callaghan for its collaborative approach which complements rather than replicates the activities ... More >>
New clinical trial aims to save babies’ lives
Friday, 12 July 2013, 11:41 am | Gravida
Years of research in to how to best help babies struggling to grow in the womb has culminated in the world’s first clinical trial treating at-risk pregnant mothers with sildenafil citrate (the generic of a better known brand, Viagra), right here ... More >>
Response to Government Demands for Customer Data
Friday, 12 July 2013, 11:27 am | Microsoft New Zealand
In response to an article in the Guardian on July 11, Microsoft issued the following statement: “We have clear principles which guide the response across our entire company to government demands for customer information for both law enforcement and ... More >>
A wintry weekend but improving next week
Friday, 12 July 2013, 10:30 am | MetService
A low lingering over northern New Zealand through Saturday and a very cold southerly outbreak on Sunday together make for a classic wintry weekend. More >>
Rule change unlocks national seed bank for researchers
Thursday, 11 July 2013, 4:02 pm | Joint Media Statement
A new government agreement is promising to speed up the development of new forage cultivars by enabling faster access to imported seed lines in New Zealand’s national grassland seed bank. More >>
Otago researcher to join global task force on cancer
Thursday, 11 July 2013, 3:43 pm | University of Otago
A University of Otago scientist is joining forces with more than 350 cancer researchers from prominent research institutions in 31 countries to tackle the complex nature of cancer causation, and the potential for new forms of targeted drug therapies. More >>
Quantec clinical trial presents new hope for acne sufferers
Thursday, 11 July 2013, 2:25 pm | Quantec
New Zealand-based dairy biotechnology company, Quantec Ltd, presented the results of its US clinical trial on acne to dermatologists at the New Zealand Dermatological Society Annual Meeting in Coolum, Australia on July 11-12. More >>
Wine industry to benefit from intensive UC weather research
Wednesday, 10 July 2013, 11:40 am | University of Canterbury
More than 30 weather monitoring sites have been installed around Marlborough vineyards in a University of Canterbury (UC) research project to help improve New Zealand’s wine production. More >>
Callaghan Innovation strengthens national innovation system
Tuesday, 9 July 2013, 3:30 pm | Science New Zealand
Commenting on today’s release of the Callaghan Innovation Statement of Intent, the chief executive of Science New Zealand, Anthony Scott, said: “Callaghan Innovation will add considerable value to the national innovation system through this highly ... More >>
The Dawkins Delusion - Book Launched
Tuesday, 9 July 2013, 2:23 pm | Jonathan Latham
Richard Dawkins, Stephen Hawking, Sam Harris, and many leading scientists share an essentially unacknowledged ideology. So also do many of the institutions they inhabit. That ideology is that the humanities are unnecessary for an education and unnecessary ... More >>
ScienceTeller Festival dates announced for 2013
Tuesday, 9 July 2013, 1:32 pm | ScienceTeller
ScienceTeller – the popular biennial international festival celebrating science and storytelling is back and will be held in Dunedin from 25-27 October. Featuring a programme of internationally renowned and high profile guests, the second festival, ... More >>
UC expert asks if recreational drugs should be legalised
Tuesday, 9 July 2013, 1:22 pm | University of Canterbury
UC toxicologist and food safety expert Professor Ian Shaw says millions of young people throughout the world party under the influence of a new generation of psychoactive drugs including synthetic cannabinoids, benzylpiperazine (BZP) and methamphetamine. More >>
Trial suggests winter management can cut runoff losses
Tuesday, 9 July 2013, 11:31 am | AgResearch
An AgResearch study in South Otago has indicated that simple and low cost management techniques can significantly reduce overland flow and contaminant losses from winter forage crop paddocks. More >>
Studying waves over astronomical distances
Monday, 8 July 2013, 2:48 pm | University of Auckland
Tiny pulses of light one billionth of a second apart, travelling further than from the Earth to Sun, were used in an exquisitely sensitive experiment at The University of Auckland to explore fundamental interactions between light and sound. More >>
UC Research Differences Between Speech of Hearing Impaired
Monday, 8 July 2013, 12:02 pm | University of Canterbury
An American expert visiting the University of Canterbury (UC) is researching why some children with hearing problems learn to speak better much more quickly than others after receiving hearing implants. More >>
Droughts a major potential threat to New Zealand fish
Sunday, 7 July 2013, 12:00 pm | University of Canterbury
The increasing intensity and frequency of extreme droughts is a major potential threat to New Zealand’s biodiversity and economic and cultural wellbeing. More >>
UC graduate hopes to develop robotic house housekeeper
Saturday, 6 July 2013, 10:28 am | University of Canterbury
A University of Canterbury (UC) graduate hopes to develop a robotic housekeeper, capable of cleaning a house while the residents sleep. More >>
NZ Leading the World in Rapid Point of Care Science
Friday, 5 July 2013, 3:27 pm | BioTest Diagnostics
New Zealand company BioTest Diagnostics has announced it is collaborating with UK company AgPlus to bring immediate Point of Care Testing benefits to the veterinary market. More >>
Growth rates of Pasifika children faster than expected
Friday, 5 July 2013, 3:05 pm | AUT University
The growth rate of Pasifika children under 10 years of age is faster than expected says the lead researcher of a major AUT longitudinal study. More >>
Fishing threatens rare dolphins in tourist hotspot
Friday, 5 July 2013, 12:10 pm | University of Otago
New research by University of Otago scientists has shown that the Hector’s dolphin, an endangered species found only in New Zealand, is more at risk from amateur fishing in Akaroa Harbour than had been thought. More >>
UC mechanical engineering project putting tents to the test
Thursday, 4 July 2013, 1:04 pm | University of Canterbury
The University of Canterbury (UC) is carrying out tests on Kathmandu tents to see how they cope in extreme New Zealand weather conditions. More >>
Carl Smith Medal awarded to leading ecology researcher
Thursday, 4 July 2013, 11:54 am | University of Otago
Dr Shinichi Nakagawa, a behavioural ecologist who has earned a growing international reputation for his research, is the latest recipient of the University of Otago’s Carl Smith Medal and Rowheath Trust Award. More >>
New plan for improving environment statistics
Thursday, 4 July 2013, 10:54 am | Statistics New Zealand
A new plan for improving environment statistics has been created to help New Zealand get the information it needs about its environment, Statistics NZ said today. More >>
Meeting of APEC Chief Science Advisors in Indonesia
Thursday, 4 July 2013, 9:24 am | Sir Peter Gluckman Chief Science Advisor
The First Meeting of APEC Chief Science Advisors and Equivalents was held in Medan, Indonesia on 29-30 June 2013 and followed APEC Leaders’ approving a proposal for such a meeting put forward by New Zealand and Russia in 2012. More >>
Research delivers encouraging signs for oyster industry
Wednesday, 3 July 2013, 4:47 pm | Cawthron Institute
A collaborative research programme to breed oysters resilient to a virus that three years ago devastated New Zealand’s Pacific oyster industry is starting to deliver promising results. More >>
UC project aims to help half a million Kiwis
Wednesday, 3 July 2013, 11:38 am | University of Canterbury
A major University of Canterbury (UC) research project aims to help many of the 500,000 New Zealanders who are deaf and have hearing problems. More >>
NIWA Climate Summary for June 2013
Wednesday, 3 July 2013, 11:03 am | NIWA
Wettest June on record throughout Central Otago and significant snow event for the South Island in late June More >>
Closing date nears for the Prime Minister’s Science Prizes
Wednesday, 3 July 2013, 9:03 am | The Royal Society of New Zealand
New Zealand scientists and leading research teams are being given a final prompt to complete their entries for this year’s Prime Minister’s Science Prizes. More >>
Research Advisory Panel: Major boost for research at Te Papa
Tuesday, 2 July 2013, 4:32 pm | Te Papa
Te Papa’s newly established Research Advisory Panel has met for the first time. The panel, chaired by Dr Raewyn Dalziel from the University of Auckland, will have oversight of the strategic direction of the Museum’s research. More >>
Big turnout for lake science presentations
Tuesday, 2 July 2013, 3:56 pm | Bay of Plenty Regional Council
More than 120 Rotorua residents turned up last week to hear about research being done into improving water quality in the Rotorua Lakes. The evening, hosted by Bay of Plenty Regional Council and University of Waikato, presented research findings ... More >>
Researcher seeking biological cure for hearing loss
Tuesday, 2 July 2013, 2:53 pm | University of Canterbury
A biological cure for hearing loss would be of enormous social and economic benefit for New Zealanders, says a University of Canterbury (UC) student who is a finalist in the Sir Paul Callaghan Eureka awards for young science orators. More >>
New technology links diet to genetics
Tuesday, 2 July 2013, 2:29 pm | University of Auckland
A team of researchers looking into links between nutrition and genetics have developed technologies that will revolutionise how food companies validate new products. More >>
World’s top dolphin scientists urge NZ govt to act now
Tuesday, 2 July 2013, 11:03 am | WWF
Some of the world’s leading whale, dolphin and porpoise scientists have expressed their ‘extreme concern’ about the survival of New Zealand’s Maui’s dolphin, urging the government to take immediate action to ensure ‘full protection of Maui’s ... More >>
Heavy-hitting keynote speakers set to inspire at TechEd
Monday, 1 July 2013, 4:15 pm | Microsoft TechEd
Enhancing human intelligence with big data, and strengthening human capability through technology, will be on the agenda for more than 2,000 people at Microsoft TechEd New Zealand 2013. More >>
NZ cannot afford to be complacent over quality water
Monday, 1 July 2013, 12:29 pm | University of Canterbury
While New Zealand may have abundant water resources, the world is facing a tremendous water shortage which is worsening with time. More >>
Why all the fuss about GM food?
Saturday, 29 June 2013, 12:35 pm | Robert Mann
*To get beyond hackneyed pro/anti tropes, we need to reflect more upon the importance of power More >>
SMC turns Five! Plus unravelling Phar Lap's DNA
Friday, 28 June 2013, 5:26 pm | Science Media Centre
SMC turns 5! WCSJ 2013; Phar Lap; PM's Prizes; New from the SMC; Sciblogs highlights; Research highlights; Policy News; Sci-tech events More >>
Study Shows Genetic Testing Promise for Predicting Asthma
Friday, 28 June 2013, 1:25 pm | University of Otago
Genetic risk assessments could be used to predict which children with asthma are likely to grow out of the condition, and which will continue having symptoms as they grow older, new research emerging from the University of Otago’s world-renowned ... More >>
UC freshwater biologist to outline severe damage to NZ’s wet
Thursday, 27 June 2013, 11:55 am | University of Canterbury
A University of Canterbury (UC) freshwater biologist will outline the severe damage to New Zealand’s wetlands at a national conference on campus at UC next month. More >>
Science New Zealand supports national GMO regulation
Thursday, 27 June 2013, 10:28 am | Science New Zealand
The Government proposes to amend the Resource Management Act (RMA) to confirm that it is central government that has responsibility to control genetically modified organisms (GMO) trials and releases. Science New Zealand chief executive Anthony ... More >>
Dampness key cause of asthma in children
Thursday, 27 June 2013, 10:04 am | University of Otago
The largest-ever worldwide study of the link between damp homes and respiratory and allergic conditions has significant implications for New Zealand children’s health. More >>
Leapfrog Hydro 2.0 facilitates quality water flow modelling
Wednesday, 26 June 2013, 4:48 pm | ARANZ Geo Limited
ARANZ Geo Limited, developer of 3D geological modelling software Leapfrog® Hydro, announced today the release of Leapfrog Hydro 2.0. The major release further improves the interface to specialist flow modelling software MODFLOW and FEFLOW, ensuring ... More >>
Research predicts the future of leisure
Wednesday, 26 June 2013, 3:09 pm | Victoria University of Wellington
Seeing a 3D hologram version of Elvis perform at music festivals of the future is no freakish sci-fi vision of the future, says Victoria University Associate Professor Ian Yeoman. More >>
UC study to help people with speech difficulties
Wednesday, 26 June 2013, 11:49 am | University of Canterbury
UC communication disorders PhD researcher Martina Schaefer wanted to examine whether the way people hear themselves affects the way they speak. The study, supervised by Associate Professor Megan McAuliffe, worked with healthy New Zealanders of various ... More >>
UC researchers part of global pilot to make cities healthier
Wednesday, 26 June 2013, 11:44 am | University of Canterbury
UC geography experts Dr Malcolm Campbell and Professor Simon Kingham are investigating sensor technology - either on a person or embedded in the city - to collect real time and local precise data which can be used to more accurately measure different ... More >>
Aucklanders sought to lose weight and avoid diabetes
Wednesday, 26 June 2013, 11:16 am | University of Auckland
An international three-year study to determine the best lifestyle strategies for weight loss and diabetes prevention is about to begin in Auckland, and researchers from The University of Auckland are seeking local people to take part. More >>
UC researcher shines a light on the economics of solar power
Tuesday, 25 June 2013, 1:17 pm | University of Canterbury
A University of Canterbury (UC) researcher says despite a drop in price, the economics of domestic solar power is still questionable. More >>
GE crops fail to deliver food to the hungry
Tuesday, 25 June 2013, 11:38 am | Soil and Health Association
New research from University of Canterbury researchers proves that genetically engineered crops have lower yields and use more pesticides than GE-free crops. More >>
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