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SMC Deadline: Fishy supplements, missing rock wren and RMA

SMC Deadline: Fishy supplements, missing rock wren and RMA overhaul

Issue 312, 23 Jan 2015

New from the SMC
‘Fishy’ labels for fish oil supplements

Formaldehyde in e-cigarettes – expert responds

Proposed Resource Management Act changes- experts respond

Fish oil capsules fall short on quality, freshness – experts respond

2014 hottest year on record – Experts respond

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Expert reaction to paper on hormonal contraceptives and brain tumours

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Expert reaction to video-based therapy for autism

Expert reaction to news on plain packaging of cigarettes

Expert reaction to study observing the presence of Formaldehyde-containing compounds in e-cigarette aerosols

Expert reaction to alcohol intake and risk of heart failure

Australian SMC

Expert reaction: Hormone contraceptive linked to brain tumours in women

Expert reaction: Fish oil products fail on freshness

Expert reaction: 2014 hottest year on record

Briefing: Have we f*#%ed the planet yet?


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‘Fishy’ supplements
Most fish oil supplements sold in New Zealand contain less omega-3 fatty acids than their labels claim, according to research by Liggins Institute scientists.
Analysing 32 brands of fish oil capsules marketed in New Zealand, the researchers found that only three contained the same concentrations of omega-3 fatty acids as listed on the label, and that most products contained less than two thirds the amount stated.

The scientists also measured the level of oxidation in fish oil products – suggested to be an indicator of freshness – and found that over half exceeded recommended limits. Surprisingly, this was not linked to the ‘best before’ date or country of origin.

The research was widely covered by both New Zealand and international media, of which many questioned why the research paper, published in the journal Scientific Reports this week, did not reveal the names of the brands tested in the study.

Earlier this week, the Science Media Centre contacted experts for comment on the study and its findings.

“If the results are accurate, then fish oil supplements in New Zealand can be added to a long list of dietary supplements for which there are serious discrepancies between what the manufacturer claims the consumer is getting and what is actually in the supplement," says Murray Skeaff, Professor in Human Nutrition at the University of Otago.

"The researchers should publish the brand names of the fish oils supplements that were analysed so that consumers may be able to identify the supplements of highest quality.”
Name and shame?
The question of whether scientists should play a consumer watchdog role is a tricky one. In the overseas research cited by the New Zealand researchers one Norwegian survey of fish oil products named the specific brands tested, whilst a similarBrazilian study did not.

Speaking to the media, the paper's lead author Professor Wayne Cutfield made clear his aim was to raise awareness about the sector as whole and create change at a policy level (a bill totighten up the natural products industry is currently before Parliament). In an interview with ONE News he also raised the point that some of the brands may have changed fish oil suppliers since the testing and could be unfairly vilified in the media.

Further expert commentary and a round up of media coverageis available on the Science Media Centre website.

Where are the rock wren?
Unfounded claims 1080 poison killed rare birds has seen DOC on the offensive this week.
The Department of Conservation has rejectedclaims aired by an anti-1080 campaigner in the Nelson Mailthis week, that last year's drop of 1080 in the South Island's Kahurangi National Park killed numerous endangered rock wren that rangers were monitoring in the area.

Of the 39 alpine birds that DOC had identified, 25 can no longer be found. However, DOC pointed out that no dead rock wren had been found and that, notoriously reclusive, the birds are very hard to monitor anyway.

A DOC spokesman told the New Zealand Herald that there was no evidence to suggest the poison dropped to control pest numbers in the wake of the beech mast event, had killed the birds it was intended to protect.

"We don't know what's happened - whether the heavy snowfall covered the nests or something else. There is a whole host of potential scenarios," he said.

Rock wren nest on the ground making them vulnerable to pests - but also to snow cover.

Last month, the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment, Dr Jan Wright, praised DOC on the result of its 'Battle for Our Birds' campaign, pointing out that rat populations had "crashed dramatically" following 1080 drops.

However, she did point out that there had been some casualties among native birds, wth three of 43 radio-tagged kea dying from 1080 poisoning.

For now however, the fate of the missing rock wren, a bird species classed as "nationally endangered", remains unknown.

RMA overhaul on horizon
The Government has revealed its plans for a long-anticipated overhaul of the Resource Management Act (RMA), touting changes that will lead to more affordable housing and a better managed environment.
A number of proposed reforms to the RMA were this week night outlined by Environment Minister Dr Nick Smith. Major changes foreshadowed included the prioritisation of housing affordability and giving greater weight to property rights.
A summary of the proposed reforms is available here.
“These reforms will be pragmatic and moderate,” said Dr Smith. “We want to reduce the mountain of plans and rules that make the RMA a barrier to new housing and jobs, but retain the core environmental controls that ensure we keep New Zealand special and such a great place to live.”
The SMC collected contacted experts for initial reaction to the proposed reforms.
Morten Gjerde, a Senior Lecturer in Urban Design at Victoria University of Wellington, agreed that there was room for improvement but urged caution.

"What we have to keep in mind is the objective of balancing current needs with those of future generations and of the environment," he said.

"I’m a little worried that the full extent of proposed changes may lose sight of this goal."

Assoc Prof Caroline Miller, from Massey University’s School of People, Environment and Planning, was circumspect about the aim of lowering housing costs through RMA reforms.

“Affordable housing will not be achieved solely through RMA reform as it is a product of a complex range of factors including the cost and availability of finance, the cost of building materials, and the availability of adequately trained builders. Changing the RMA will change none of those factors," she explained.

Read more expert commentary on the Science Media Centre website

Quoted: TVNZ

"It's quite an exciting sight, you get to see the birth of an island. Visually it was quite spectacular, but there was no big sound coming with it, no boom. It was a bit eerie."

Nico Fournier, Senior Volcano Geophysicist at GNS Science, on seeing a new island created during Tonga's volcanic eruption


Policy news & developments

RMA reform agenda outlined - Dr Nick Smith has outlined ten major changes the Government would be including in its second phase of reforms in 2015.

Proposed changes to hazardous substances management - The HSNO (Hazardous Substances and New Organisms) Act is changing and the Environmental Protection Authority is calling for feedback on the proposed changes until 9th February 2015.

Submissions open on biological control for weed privet - The Environmental Protection Authority is calling for submissions on an application to release privet lace bug as a biological control for privet, an invasive weed.

Food industry called to consult on regulations - Proposals for regulations under the Food Act 2014 are now open for consultation. The proposed regulations ensure our food is safe and will apply to around 85,000 food premises, growers and importers when the Act comes fully into force by 1 March 2016.

New Zealand scientist receives top award in China - Kiwi scientist Dr Phil Rolston has been awarded the Chinese Government’s most prestigious science prize for his work in grasslands seed development.

New from Sciblogs

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

Freedom of choice, but only for "responsible" choices: Eric Crampton looks at a 17-year-old's rejection of chemotherapy and ponders on what 'freedom of choice' might really mean.
The Dismal Science

Biolumination: Turning glowing fish poo into art… sort of! Siouxsie Wiles shares her 'Art in the Dark' piece Biolumination, which features glowing bacteria.
Infectious Thoughts

Is debating with anti-science activists worth the effort? Ken Perrott shares a piece from popular facebook pro-scientist 'The Credible Hulk' on why the effort is worth it.
Open Parachute

Spaceward Bound Captain’s Log: Steve Pointing shares his experiences of working with NASA on exploring and explaining space science in Rotorua.
Pointing at Science

Should food containing DNA be labelled? Alison Campbell looks at the reasons behind why 80% of those polled in a US survey agreed with the proposition that all food "containing DNA" should be labelled.
BioBlog


Upcoming events

Please see the SMC Events Calendar for more events and details.

Urban Ecology Symposium - 30 January, Auckland. This one-day symposium includes a diverse range of talks on ecological research, the human dimensions of living environments and urban design.

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