Latest Sci-Tech Headlines [Page 3]
Diverse projects recieve new Government funding
Thursday, 29 August 2013, 3:46 pm | Landcare Research
Diverse projects aimed at boosting agricultural productivity and ensuring more effective pest control are among those that have received significant new Government funding. More >>
Time for New Zealand to revisit the genetic modification deb
Thursday, 29 August 2013, 3:42 pm | McGuinness Institute
McGuinness Institute’s latest report assesses 40 years of GM public policy in New Zealand and concludes there is more work to do More >>
Pounamu: Play today and shape our future
Thursday, 29 August 2013, 2:23 pm | Victoria University of Wellington
Today sees New Zealanders around the country, and around the world, logging in from their homes, schools, workplaces and public playing hubs to help shape the future by playing Pounamu. More >>
Kauri dieback research wins student NRC award
Thursday, 29 August 2013, 12:22 pm | Northland Regional Council
Skeletal, dying kauri trees around Northland’s Waipoua Forest have led to an award-winning research project for a Northland secondary school leader. More >>
Help is Available for Children Who Stutter
Thursday, 29 August 2013, 12:15 pm | START
The latest research from Australia estimates that more than one in ten children are affected by stuttering by the time they’re four. In an article published online in the American Pediatric Journal earlier in the week, Professor Sheena Reilly, leader ... More >>
Researchers awarded $5 million in MBIE research funding
Thursday, 29 August 2013, 11:51 am | University of Waikato
University of Waikato researchers have been awarded $5 million of research funding in the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment’s 2013 science investment round for projects aimed at improving industrial energy efficiency, managing our ... More >>
Robot’s face determines user comfort
Thursday, 29 August 2013, 11:43 am | University of Auckland
A recent University of Auckland study has revealed a preference for humanlike features on a robot’s display screen. More >>
Quakes have a silver lining for earthquake scientists
Thursday, 29 August 2013, 9:48 am | Victoria University of Wellington
The numerous aftershocks from the recent Cook Strait earthquakes might be unsettling for many but they are proving to be useful for a team of earthquake scientists researching seismic activity in New Zealand. More >>
Fonterra's false alarm - what are Clostridium sporogenes?
Wednesday, 28 August 2013, 7:22 pm | Science Media Centre
The Ministry for Primary Industries has completed testing on Fonterra's whey protein concentrate and found no trace of the potentially deadly Clostridium botulinum, but Clostridium sporogenes which at worst could be responsible for food spoilage, but ... More >>
AgResearch Statement on MPI Whey Protein Report
Wednesday, 28 August 2013, 7:12 pm | AgResearch
A spokesperson for AgResearch said: “We have today received correspondence from Fonterra in relation to testing carried out by AgResearch for Fonterra. More >>
New science investment recognises unique expertise
Wednesday, 28 August 2013, 4:38 pm | Cawthron Institute
The importance of Cawthron Institute’s seafood safety and shellfish research has been recognised in the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) 2013 science investment round, announced by Minister of Science and Innovation Steven ... More >>
A sting in winter's tail
Wednesday, 28 August 2013, 2:40 pm | MetService
After a very mild July and August a cold wintry blast pushing northwards across the country is set to remind us that winter has not yet relinquished its grasp on the country. Behind a front moving quickly across the South Island today and the North ... More >>
Twitter service issue - DNS records modified
Wednesday, 28 August 2013, 11:18 am | Twitter
At 20:49 UTC, our DNS provider experienced an issue in which it appears DNS records for various organizations were modified, including one of Twitter’s domains used for image serving, twimg.com. Viewing of images and photos was sporadically impacted. ... More >>
Minister’s manuka honey claims not backed by science
Wednesday, 28 August 2013, 10:51 am | Manuka Health NZ
Manuka Health’s Chief Executive Kerry Paul has challenged Government claims there are “no clear scientific markers” to measure manuka honey’s unique anti-bacterial activity. More >>
Te Radar puts science on the map
Wednesday, 28 August 2013, 10:31 am | The Kudos Awards
Comedian and TV personality Te Radar has confirmed that he will again host the KuDos Hamilton Science Excellence Awards Evening, which is being held at Claudeland’s Conference and Exhibition Centre on September 26. More >>
MBIE appoints Chief Science Advisor
Tuesday, 27 August 2013, 1:16 pm | Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment
The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment has appointed Professor Jim Metson to the position of Chief Science Advisor. “Science and innovation are central components in the Government’s agenda to improve business productivity and the quality of ... More >>
A colder change on the horizon
Monday, 26 August 2013, 3:25 pm | MetService
The recent mild weather will take a back seat later this week as a cold southerly change sweeps across much of the country. More >>
Kiwifruit Daily Can Improve Mood and Energy
Friday, 23 August 2013, 5:45 pm | University of Otago
Eating two kiwifruit a day can improve a person’s mood and give them extra energy, new research from the University of Otago, Christchurch (UOC) shows. More >>
You Want Salt With That? Urgent Need to Fix Our Estuaries
Friday, 23 August 2013, 5:34 pm | Joint Press Release
A combined meeting of the New Zealand Freshwater Sciences Society (NZFSS) and the New Zealand Marine Sciences Society (NZMSS) held in Hamilton last week identified a critical gap relating to research and management of estuaries. NZFSS and NZMSS ... More >>
SMC Heads-Up: Fukushima leak, White Island eruption
Friday, 23 August 2013, 2:57 pm | Science Media Centre
In This Issue: Fukushima; White Island; Queenstown; Peer pressure; New from the SMC; Sciblogs highlights; Research highlights; Policy News; Sci-tech events More >>
Chch & Wgtn can benefit from UC research into Tokyo rivers
Friday, 23 August 2013, 2:34 pm | University of Canterbury
A University of Canterbury (UC) senior hazards lecturer researcher believes Christchurch and Wellington can benefit from his research on river channels in Japan. More >>
Share your views on a new herbicide
Friday, 23 August 2013, 10:59 am | Environmental Protection Agency
The Environmental Protection Authority is inviting people to share their views on an application to import a new herbicide containing the active ingredient topramezone. More >>
Good response on endangered eels so far
Thursday, 22 August 2013, 12:08 pm | Parliamentary Commissioner For The Environment
Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment, Dr Jan Wright, has told a committee of MPs that she is pleased with the Government’s response on the endangered longfin eel so far, but more remains to be done. Dr Wright was addressing the Local Government ... More >>
PS4 Will Launch From 29th November 2013 In Europe
Wednesday, 21 August 2013, 1:37 pm | PlayStation
At the Gamescom trade fair in Cologne, Germany, Sony Computer Entertainment Europe Ltd. (SCEE) today revealed that the highly anticipated PlayStation®4 (PS4™) computer entertainment system will be arriving in SCEE regions from 29th November 2013. A ... More >>
Suicide in the blood - experts respond
Wednesday, 21 August 2013, 11:13 am | Science Media Centre
Researchers have identified series of blood biomarkers that they believe may help to identify individuals at risk of attempting suicide, but independent experts are cautious about over-interpreting this preliminary study. More >>
Aquatic conference breaking down barriers
Tuesday, 20 August 2013, 4:24 pm | University of Waikato
More than 500 aquatic science experts are gathering at the University of Waikato this week for an international conference bringing together New Zealand’s freshwater and marine scientists and their Australian counterparts for the first time. More >>
Research to enable better management of rock lobster
Tuesday, 20 August 2013, 4:12 pm | Victoria University of Wellington
The seafood industry is boosting investment in Victoria University research that uses state-of-the-art genetic profiling to ensure continued sustainable management of New Zealand’s lucrative rock lobster fisheries. More >>
Preparing the Soil for Spring Planting
Tuesday, 20 August 2013, 3:05 pm | EMNZ
The sight of rich soil, moist and crumbly, free of weeds and ready to plant is a sight to behold for most gardeners. With the right products like compost, manure, fertiliser and a bio stimulant like Effective Micro-organisms or EM you can have ... More >>
White Island Eruption - Volcanic Alert 2, Aviation Code Red
Tuesday, 20 August 2013, 11:40 am | GeoNet
20 August 2013, 11:10am - White Island erupted; Volcanic Alert raised to Level 2, Aviation Colour Code raised from Green to Red. More >>
SMC Heads-Up: #eqnz, dirty pipe theories, Get off the Grass
Friday, 16 August 2013, 4:31 pm | Science Media Centre
As we were putting the finishing touches on this week's Heads-Up the office started to sway and Professor Shaun Hendy, who was visiting the SMC, joined us in diving under a desk. More >>
Awareness of coastal damage from earthquakes essential
Friday, 16 August 2013, 3:37 pm | University of Canterbury
The 2010 and 2011 earthquakes in Christchurch graphically illustrate why local awareness of the potential for coastal interactions is essential for planning responses to a range of types of hazards, a University of Canterbury (UC) expert will tell an ... More >>
Magnitude 6.2, Friday, August 16 2013 at 2:31:05 pm
Friday, 16 August 2013, 2:46 pm | GeoNet
New Zealand Earthquake Report Magnitude 6.2, Friday, August 16 2013 at 2:31:05 pm (NZST) reviewed More >>
A low to the north
Friday, 16 August 2013, 12:45 pm | MetService
For the third weekend in a row, a low is expected to pass near northern New Zealand. More >>
Innovative new approach uncovers higher rates of disease
Friday, 16 August 2013, 10:07 am | University of Otago
Christchurch scientists have developed an innovative testing process to uncover patients with legionnaires’ disease who would otherwise go undiagnosed. More >>
Gene links obesity and immunity
Thursday, 15 August 2013, 8:48 pm | University of Auckland
Auckland scientists have discovered a gene that links the immune system with obesity and potentially a new pathway to fight the worldwide obesity epidemic. Researchers from The University of Auckland found that the gene was a vital part of the immuno-metabolic ... More >>
GE feed the cause of contaminated milk?
Thursday, 15 August 2013, 12:12 pm | Soil and Health Association
Genetically engineered stock feed could be the biggest culprit in the Clostridium botulinum contamination that caused the recent recall of some Fonterra dairy products, according to the Soil & Health Association. “New Zealand dairy cattle are eating ... More >>
Victoria researcher solves 40 year-old math problem
Thursday, 15 August 2013, 10:26 am | Victoria University of Wellington
Professor Geoff Whittle, from Victoria’s School of Mathematics, Statistics and Operations Research, has been working with colleagues Professor Jim Geelen (Canada) and Professor Bert Gerards (Netherlands) to solve a problem posed by the famous mathematician ... More >>
New Zealand’s biggest bridge testing at UC
Wednesday, 14 August 2013, 3:35 pm | University of Canterbury
New Zealand’s biggest testing of a concrete bridge will take place at the University of Canterbury (UC) over the next two days. The bridge part is a fully prefabricated half-scale multi-column bridge support for a typical 30 metre long New Zealand highway ... More >>
Top risk factors identified for children with influenza
Wednesday, 14 August 2013, 11:33 am | University of Auckland
Auckland medical scientists have helped to identify crucial risk factors for children most susceptible to life threatening infections from the H1N1 influenza virus. Lead study author Dr Stuart Dalziel and senior research fellow Dr John Thompson from The ... More >>
Cawthron Institute science news
Wednesday, 14 August 2013, 9:41 am | Cawthron Institute
Oyster virus research promising, New agreement cements aquaculture partnership, Safeguarding seafood exports, Investigating marine mammal populations, Charlie's corner - Collaboration breeds success More >>
Pounamu: exploring a science savvy New Zealand in 2023
Monday, 12 August 2013, 3:20 pm | The Macdiarmid Institute
Pounamu is a free, browser based, online game set in a future world where EVERYONE in New Zealand can use science as easily as they can use a computer now. Anyone can play: from primary school students to research scientists, from young entrepreneurs ... More >>
Leading polar expert visits Wellington
Monday, 12 August 2013, 3:19 pm | Victoria University of Wellington
Victoria University of Wellington is hosting one of the world’s leading polar scientists this week to give the 2013 S.T. Lee Lecture in Antarctic Studies. Professor Jane Francis is in Wellington to give the eleventh annual lecture. She is Professor of ... More >>
Unlocking the causes of autism spectrum disorder
Monday, 12 August 2013, 1:23 pm | University of Auckland
Leading scientists from The University of Auckland are working to unlock the causes of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and they’re encouraging people who are affected to take part in their research. More >>
Researcher Looking to Better Understand Antarctic weather
Monday, 12 August 2013, 12:02 pm | University of Canterbury
To better predict future Antarctic weather trends, a University of Canterbury (UC) researcher is seeking to understand the polar region’s past icy conditions. The Antarctic is experiencing melting glaciers, break-up of ice shelves, warmer waters ... More >>
Cameras provide insight into changing fisheries
Monday, 12 August 2013, 11:28 am | NIWA
Cameras provide insight into changing fisheries Scientists are starting to get a better picture of how recreational fisheries change over time, thanks to a few web cameras and a bit of help from the public. NIWA scientists have installed eight web ... More >>
Stem cell therapy shows promise in repairing brain damage
Saturday, 10 August 2013, 1:55 pm | AlphaMed
Durham, NC – Stroke is a major health concern and is a leading cause of death in the United States, according to the Center for Disease Control. Despite significant research efforts, developing treatments that ensure complete recovery for stroke ... More >>
Questioning the Universe: NZ Skeptics Conference
Friday, 9 August 2013, 4:27 pm | NZ Skeptics Society
Learning more about the universe demonstrates just how much more we need to learn about life on planet Earth. That's something noted US astronomer, writer and podcaster, Dr Pamela Gay, will be talking about at this year's NZ Skeptics annual conference ... More >>
Canterbury Scientific Up For Top NZ Business Award
Friday, 9 August 2013, 4:10 pm | Canterbury Scientific
Press release, 9 August 2013, Canterbury Scientific, Christchurch, New Zealand: Canterbury Scientific is proud to announce that it is a finalist for the prestigious International Business Awards run by New Zealand Trade and Enterprise. These awards ... More >>
SMC Heads-Up: Environmental monitoring, lost health, climate
Friday, 9 August 2013, 3:34 pm | Science Media Centre
Enviro-monitoring; Lost health; State of the Climate; Sci Comm Prof; New from the SMC; Sciblogs highlights; Research highlights; Policy News; Sci-tech events More >>
UC Receives US Patent Approval for Digital Technology
Friday, 9 August 2013, 12:18 pm | University of Canterbury
The University of Canterbury (UC) has received a patent for a transistor technology for use in flat screen television sets, computer tablets and mobile phones. More >>
Global Climate Survey Shows Warming Evidence
Friday, 9 August 2013, 12:06 pm | US State Department
The year 2012 was among the 10 warmest on record, according to the 2012 State of the Climate report, compiled by almost 400 scientists from 52 nations. Based on data collected by scientific instruments monitoring land, sea, ice and atmosphere, the ... More >>
If We Landed on Europa, What Would We Want to Know?
Friday, 9 August 2013, 11:59 am | US State Department
Most of what scientists know of Jupiter’s moon Europa they have gleaned from a dozen or so close flybys from NASA’s Voyager 2 spacecraft in 1979 and NASA’s Galileo spacecraft in the mid-to-late 1990s. In these fleeting, paparazzi-like encounters, ... More >>
Sun’s Magnetic Field About to Flip
Thursday, 8 August 2013, 5:24 pm | US State Department
Something big is about to happen on the sun (seen above in ultraviolet). According to measurements from NASA-supported observatories, the sun’s vast magnetic field is about to flip. More >>
Upheaval for staff at Callaghan Innovation
Thursday, 8 August 2013, 2:41 pm | Public Service Association
The Public Service Association says the potential loss of a multi-million dollar hi-tech business deal is part of a wider story about the reorganisation of science and technology capability within the new government science body Callaghan Innovation. More >>
Release of white admiral butterfly approved
Thursday, 8 August 2013, 2:06 pm | Environmental Protection Authority
The Environmental Protection Authority has approved the release white admiral butterflies. The Greater Wellington Regional Council applied to the EPA to release the butterflies in order to control Japanese honeysuckle, which it says is causing problems on public ... More >>
New Director for Bio-Protection Research Centre
Thursday, 8 August 2013, 1:16 pm | Lincoln University
The South Island’s only national Centre for Research Excellence – located at Lincoln University – has today announced the appointment of Professor Travis Glare to the position of Director. More >>
Kiwistar abandoned - for what?
Wednesday, 7 August 2013, 4:22 pm | New Zealand Association of Scientists
The New Zealand Association of Scientists is disappointed that Callaghan Innovation has pulled the plug on a promising high value manufacturing venture, Kiwistar Optics. More >>
UC study finds way to reduce children’s fear of dogs
Tuesday, 6 August 2013, 3:12 pm | University of Canterbury
A University of Canterbury (UC) postgraduate student has found a way to reduce children’s fear of dogs. Nearly 12,000 people suffered dog bite injuries in 2011 and the number of attacks requiring medical attention has increased since 2003, according to ACC ... More >>
A warm early spring on the cards
Monday, 5 August 2013, 3:57 pm | NIWA
Temperatures over the August to October period as a whole are very likely to be above average in the North Island regions as well as in the north of the South Island, and likely to be average or above average in the east and west of the South Island. More >>
No evidence that antioxidants help women conceive
Monday, 5 August 2013, 3:17 pm | University of Auckland
There is no high quality evidence that antioxidant supplements help to increase a woman’s chances of having a baby, according to the results of a new systematic review. More >>
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