Extreme weather: climate change's part
Scientists participating in a Science Media Centre briefing yesterday said more extreme weather can be expected in the years ahead as climate change plays a role in intensifying weather events.

Dr Kevin Trenberth, head of climate analysis at the US National Center for Atmospheric Research based in Colorado, said climate change was providing a 5 - 10 per cent contribution to extreme weather events and could be the considered the "straw that broke the camel's back".

"The environment in which all storms form is now different to 30 or 40 years ago because of climate change," said Dr Trenberth, who was born in Christchurch and was in the city for the February 22 earthquake.

Victoria University geology professor Lionel Carter and Professor Martin Manning, of Victoria's Climate Change Research Institute also presented at the briefing, which can be replayed here.

Scientific American and the Pew Centre for Global Climate Change recently teamed up to create a three-part series looking at extreme weather and climate change. The series features extensive input from Dr Trenberth.

Check out some of the media coverage resulting from the briefing.

Synthetic cannabis contents revealed
On Monday the Science Media Centre held a briefing with ESR to release new data relating to synthetic cannabinoids.

The briefing focused on the findings of an ESR survey examining the chemical contents of synthetic cannabis products - now synonymous with the brand name Kronic - currently available on the market.

It was this testing which revealed that some brands contained the sedative pharmaceutical phenazepam, leading to product recalls earlier this month.

The final results of the survey revealed that a wide range of synthetic cannbinoid chemicals are included in these products. While the most common compounds, JWH-018 and JWH-073, were known constituents of the blends, the testing also revealed surprising combinations of obscure synthetic cannabinoids such as AM2201 and RCS-04.

At the briefing Dr Paul Fitzmaurice from ESR noted, "Ten or more of these products actually contained quite an elaborate cocktail of synthetic cannabinoids."

Now that ESR has full data on the contents of synthetic cannabis products, they aim to provide commercial work-place drug testing services.

Dr Leo Schep, a toxicologist from the National Poisons Centre, explained that despite increasing reports of negative symptoms there is very little known about the short and long term effects of these chemicals - alone and in combination.

You can listen to the full briefing and read a roundup of media coverage on the SMC website.

Fancy six months in science media?
The Science Media Centre is seeking an experienced, news-savvy media advisor to join our team for a fixed-term maternity cover contract.

Join our small team dedicated to working with journalists and scientists to improve media coverage when science is in the headlines. You'll work in a fast-paced environment where you are immersed in scientific research and responding to breaking news stories - be they natural disasters or medical research breakthroughs.

Check out the job ad on the SMC website. We are also open to the idea of someone undertaking an internship at the centre, so if you work in an organisation that would benefit from gaining an insight into science communication and media - and we could learn from you, we are also keen to hear from you.

Please submit your CV and covering letter to smc@sciencemediacentre.co.nz.

On the science radar

Socially networked swarms, super sandstorms, sexist pandas, wireless energy, indigestible slugs and technicoloured toads.

The best and worst science journalism
One of the key functions of journalism is to explain the world around us.
Nowadays that is a job that increasingly requires the reporter to present complex science to the public. Sometimes they get it right, but sometimes they get it wrong. Very, very wrong.

Media7 (a TVNZ7 panel discussion show hosted by Russell Brown) is in the middle of putting together an hour-long Science and Innovation Special to air on the 4th of August.

Russell and the team have asked readers of the popular science blogging network SciBlogs for help! They're asking the SciBlogs community to help pick the five worst and the five best reported science stories of 2010/11 which will be presented as part of the special.

Email your two lists to the following email address - petergnz@gmail.com. Also state your reasons why you think they deserve to be honoured in such a way.

- The stories can be from any medium

- The stories can be from anywhere in the world

- Please indicate if you do not want any part of your comments to be reproduced on the show

Only stories that fall within the timeframe: 07/23/2010 - 07/23/2011 can be nominated.
Quoted: New Zealand Herald

"While we cannot say these events were due to global warming, it is highly likely these events would not have happened without global warming."

On climate change and extreme weather events,
Dr Kevin Trenberth, National Center for Atmospheric Research, USA.

New from the SMC

In the News:

Synthetic cannabis cocktails - Following the SMC's briefing on the chemicals in Kronic and other synthetic cannabis blends, the media reported extensively on new information released by ESR.

Kiwis help dig up potato genome - This week the Potato Genome Sequencing Consortium - which include NZ's Plant & Food research - published the genome of the humble potato, leading to international and local coverage.

Experts Respond:

What does the Aussie carbon tax mean? - The SMC collected the reaction from New Zealand experts on the Australian government's introduction of a carbon tax.
Briefings

What is in legal highs - Experts from ESR and the National Poisons Centre discuss new data on the contents of synthetic cannbis products and the implications for work place testing.

Climate change and extreme weather - What is the relationship between climate and weather? Are recent extreme weather events a sign of things to come as the climate warms? The SMC held a briefing on this topic with climate experts, including visiting US climatologist Dr Kevin Trenberth.

Reflections on Science:

Will 'Playing God' be our saviour? - In an article published in the Dominion Post , environmental author Mark Lynas explains why mankind must embrace technologies like nuclear power and geo-engineering if we are to survive the 'age of the human'.

From the AusSMC

Experts on GM crop attack - Following an alleged Greenpeace attack on crops of genetically modified wheat at a CSIRO experimental station in the ACT, the AusSMC have rounded up reactions from plant scientists.

Sciblogs highlights

Some of the highlights from this week's posts include:

The Typhoon Titan and Synthetic Life - In the light of recent extreme weather on earth, Elf Eldridge points that our climate woes pale in comparison to the great white storm on Saturn.
Just So Science

Why anecdotal 'evidence' is problematic - Alison Campbell links a video showing why anecdotal evidence can be tricky - to say the least.
Bio Blog

Seven years of discovery - As the sun sets on the space shuttle programme, Ken Perrott notes that NASA is still exploring the final frontier with initiatives such as the Dawn spacecraft.
Open Parachute

Nature, at your service - Daniel Collins takes the time to investigate the numerous, yet unsung, financial benefits of 'ecosystem services' following the release of a Royal Society paper on the issue.
Waiology

I'm in a questioning mood - Endangered native species and conservation programmes are subjected to Brendan Moyle's critcal eye. Why are we failing?
Chthonic Wildlife Ramblings

Research highlights

Please note: hyperlinks point, where possible, to the relevant abstract or paper.

Urban gardens capture carbon: Vegetation in towns and cities can make a significant contribution to carbon storage and could lock away even more carbon if local authorities and gardeners planted and maintained more trees. Using satellite data and information gathered by visiting local parks and gardens, researchers surveyed vegetation across an entire city. They found 231,000 tonnes of carbon locked up in above-ground vegetation, equivalent to 3.16 kg C per square metre of the city, an order of magnitude greater than current national estimates.
Journal of Applied Ecology

Predator loss sends ripples through ecosystem: An international review has declared that the loss of predators at the top of the food chain will have far reaching effects. 'Apex' predators such as big cats, wolves and sharks play a critical roles in their ecosystems. The authors of the paper present several examples of unexpected knock on effects from predator loss and call for recognition of, and planning for, the future impacts earth faces with further loss of apex predators.
Science

Bionic ankle puts a spring in amputees' step: A new bionic ankle looks to to be almost as good as the 'real thing'. The creators of the prosthetic lower leg and foot found that the improvent movement in the mechanical joint resulted in reduced metabolic energy costs, preferred walking speeds, and bio-mechanical patterns that were indistinguishable from non-amputees. The impressive results were no lost on the authors, who proclaim "Never before has a lower limb prosthetic device been able to emulate biological function in this manner."
Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences

Digging up the potato genome: The genome of the humble potato has been sequenced and was published this week. An international consortium, including a New Zealand's Plant & Food Research, have mapped out the genetic code of Solanum tuberosum L, the worlds most important non-grain crop. By understanding the genetic basis of the potato, researchers can improve corp resilience and overall food security in the future
Nature

The Google Effect: Why bother remembering something if you can just look it up online in matter of seconds? A new study has examined the way the internet has change the way think. Researchers found that when participants did not know the answers to questions, they automatically thought of their computer as the place to find information. In addition, when participants believed information would be accessible to them later -- for example, something they could look up again -- they did not remember it as well as when they believed the information would be unavailable.
Science

Hydration hype: The recommendation to drink six to eight glasses of water a day to prevent dehydration "is not only nonsense, but is thoroughly debunked nonsense," argues a doctor in this weeks issue of the respected British Medical Journal. Despite a lack of clinical evidence for the supposed benefits of drinking more water - and some evidence it may even be detrimental - advocates continue to promote increased drinking. The author accuses commercial water retailers as those responsible for perpetuating the eight-glasses-a-day myth.
British Medical Journal

Policy updates

Some of the highlights of this week's policy news:

Medicines regulations updated - The Medicines Regulations 1984 and the Medicines (Standing Order) Regulations 2002, have been amended to better align the law with modern medical practice.
Health Minister Tony Ryall says "The amendments remove many requirements that are unnecessary, ineffective or excessively costly."

Drugs bill updated - Associate Health Minister Peter Dunne has confirmed in Parliament that "stronger additional amendments" to deal with synthetic cannabinoids will be added to the Misuse of Drugs Act amendment bill by supplementary order.

Water quality report: results stable- The Ministry for the Environment 2010/11 recreational water quality environmental indicator report suggests the vast majority of New Zealand's fresh water and coastal recreation spots continue to be safe for swimming. The snapshot report of regional council data was released by the Ministry this week.

Upcoming sci-tech events

BioLive 2011 - Biology Educators Association NZ conference - 17-21 July, Auckland.

ChemEd 2011: Celebrating the International Year of Chemistry - Chemistry educators conference - 17-20 July, Palmerston North.

International Conference on Defects in Semiconductors 2011 - 18-22 July, Christchurch.

How to Make Life from the Primordial Soup - 2011 Rutherford Lecture by Prof Warren Tate - 18 July, Nelson; 20 July, Dunedin; 21 July, Wanaka.

Midwinter Dialogue: Sir Peter Gluckman - Part of the University of Otago, Christchurch's, Mid-Winter Dialogues - 22 July Christchurch.

For these and more upcoming events, and more details about them, visit the SMC's Events Calendar.

BUDGET 2012:
Parliament Debate Live - Video Of Budget 2011
Keith Ng Interactive Graphic: How the Budget Breaks Down
BUDGET 2012 - FULL COVERAGE: Reports / Analysis - Press Kit - Reaction (from everybody) - Previews (from everybody) - Pre-Budget Announcements

Gordon Campbell: On the Budget’s Spreadsheet Victories

It wasn’t as if expectations were sky high, exactly. Chances are, it was always more likely that we’d be seeing Bigfoot rampage through the Beehive lock-up than catch a glimpse of a credible growth agenda from this government. More >>

Sludge Budget Report - Short The Dollar! MEMO: To international bankers FROM: C.D. Sludge Please short the dollar! It'll be good for both you and us. And you know you want to. Greexit, Eurogeddon... watch out... flight to quality and all that. Follow your instincts. The NZ Debt Management Office has been so surprised at the unprecedentedly low interest rates that it can borrow at that it has already entirely pre-funded the 2013 fiscal deficit - all $8 billion of it! More >>

Pattrick Smellie Comment: Doddling along the best we can hope forCriticising Budgets for lacking vision or imagination is like shooting fish in a barrel, but even so, this year's Budget again feels like a missed opportunity. Perhaps it's the intrusion of real world needs that means the government couldn't make better political use of the $558.8 million it expects to gather in its first partial asset sale. More >>