To accomplish this feat, the researchers coaxed mouse embryonic stem cells to turn into functional sperm-like cells, which were then injected into egg cells to produce fertile mouse offspring.

The research, published in Cell Stem Cell, provides a platform for generating sperm cells that could one day be used to treat male infertility in humans, say the authors.

You can read more about the research on Scimex.org.

A University of Otago study published last year found that male infertility problems are “common” among Kiwi men; by the age of 38, around 22 percent of men report some fertility difficulties.

Prof Gareth Jones, Emeritus Professor of Anatomy at the University of Otago, told the SMC that the methods could present ethical challenges in the future. For example, similar techniques could be used to develop a fertile female egg.

"This would set the scene for producing embryos entirely from artificially derived germinal [mature adult] cells," he said.

"In this way it would prove possible, theoretically anyway, to use artificially produced embryos as the starting point of new individuals. We will have to see whether this would prove as revolutionary as it sounds. But there is little doubt it will be seen as contentious.”

“For the moment, this scientific breakthrough will hold out hope for many with infertility problems, on the proviso that it translates seamlessly to human beings."

Read more expert commentary from New Zealand and overseas on the Science Media Centre website

Mātau Taiao: A new Sciblog

Introducing a blog for and about researchers from around the country exploring Mātauranga Māori from different perspectives.

Mātau Taiao translates as "world knowledge" in English and the blog will see researchers share their stories about how they connect science and indigenous knowledge.

The first post is about Mātauranga Māori and features a Sci21 video of AUT University's Dr John Perrott, outlining the importance of recognising Mātauranga Māori in scientific practices.

“To communicate science to Māori groups scientists must first learn to engage their values," explains Dr Perrott.

"Mātauranga Māori highlights the importance of understanding the interrelated connectedness between people, the things we do, and our values."

Mātau Taiao was created and is edited by the Science Media Centre's Laura Goodall. Contact us about making a contribution.

Nāu te rourou, nāku te rourou, ka ora ai te iwi

With your contribution and mine, the people will flourish.

— Māori proverb

Make your own science videos

Our Science Media SAVVY video workshop will give you the skills to harness the power of online videos.

The popular workshops return in March with Wellington and Auckland events hosted by the SMC and Mohawk Media.

The Mohawk team will answer all of your video-related questions, give you some hands-on demos and introduce you to great tools that will help you in the video production process.

You will also get hands-on, shooting footage that will contribute to a short video crowd-sourced from the SAVVY class. The workshops are free to attend, but numbers are limited to 20. Full details on the workshop are available here.

APPLY HERE

Science video competition

Video concepts submitted by workshop attendees will also be eligible to enter a competition; up to three of the top proposals will share in $3,000 towards getting them into production.

View a short video shot and voiced by participants of the Palmerston North video workshop.

Quoted: Stuff.co.nz

"It's not a nice way to go, it paralyses them then they die."

Don Rood, Fish and Game spokesman, describes an outbreak ofavian botulism in South Auckland .

Policy news & developments

Research fund: The Government has announced that New Zealand has joined Australia’s $200 million Medical Research Commercialisation Fund, an early-stage venture capital fun to support the development of their biomedical innovations.

Speed survey: A new Ministry of Transport report shows the number of drivers travelling over the speed limit on both urban and open roads continues to fall.

Border control video: The Ministry for Primary Industries has launched a new in-flight biosecurity video aimed at arriving international passengers.

Violence report: Family Violence Death Review Committee has released a report which calls for agencies to work together better on preventing family violence.

Talcum powder risk questioned

Despite a court ruling in the US, experts are wary of claims that talcum powder causes ovarian cancer.

A Missouri judge has ruled that healthcare product company Johnson & Johnson are to pay out NZ$108 million in damagesto the family of a woman who died from ovarian cancer and had been a lifetime user of talcum powder for feminine hygiene. The jury decision in St Louis this week found Johnson & Johnson liable for fraud, negligence and conspiracy, as they had not revealed to customers the potential risks of using talcum powder, including ovarian cancer.

According to Cancer Research UK, the evidence that talcum powder is linked to ovarian cancer is not very strong. They note that while some studies have seen "a modest increase in the risk of ovarian cancer in women who use talc on their genitals, the evidence isn't completely clear."

Speaking to Newshub, University of Auckland cancer expert Prof Andrew Shelling, said users of talcum powder should not be concerned.

"Talcum powder comes up every few years and then dies away again,” he said. “The evidence is very weak, it wouldn't stand the scrutiny of most scientists - so I'm surprised that is has passed in a court of law in America."

Prof Paul Pharoah, Professor of Cancer Epidemiology at University of Cambridge told the UK SMC he believed the court decision to be flawed.

“First, the evidence of a causal association between genital talc use and ovarian cancer risk is weak,” he said. “Second, even if the association were true, the strength of the association is too small to be able to say on the balance of probabilities that any cancer arising in a woman who used talc had been caused by the talc.”

Carol Goodrich, a Johnson & Johnson spokeswoman, said in a statement to Reuters: "We have no higher responsibility than the health and safety of consumers, and we are disappointed with the outcome of the trial. We sympathize with the plaintiff's family but firmly believe the safety of cosmetic talc is supported by decades of scientific evidence."

You can read more expert commentary and a roundup of New Zealand media coverage on the Science Media Centre website.

Freshwater plan laid out

Stronger rules on farm pollution and $100 million for cleaning up lakes and rivers are among new initiatives put forward by the Government to improve freshwater management.

The measures were announced at the Bluegreens Forum in Tekapo, with a consultation document titled ‘Next steps for fresh water’ released by Environment Minister Dr Nick Smith and Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy.

The initiatives in the discussion document include:

• National regulations to get stock out of waterways;

• Strengthening the national requirement on councils to set limits;

• An additional $100 million clean-up fund for lakes, rivers, and wetlands.

Submissions on the document close on Friday 22 April.

You can read a roundup of New Zealand media coverage on the Science Media Centre website.

New from Sciblogs

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

New Zealand women in STEM – talented and diverse: Victoria Metcalf checks out a new initiative profiling New Zealand leading women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

Curious and Curiouser

Are 300 animals a day really tortured for scientific research in New Zealand? Some media-propagated misinformation on animal research gets a thorough debunking by Siouxsie Wiles.

Infectious Thoughts

How do hedgehogs mate? The obvious answer is: carefully! Alison Campbell discusses some of the weird and wonderful reproductive anatomy of the animal kingdom.

BioBlog

Upcoming events

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

Empathy, sentience and morality – 1 March, Dunedin. Bioethics seminar with Emeritus Professor Donald M. Broom (University of Cambridge).

Picturing science - 1 March, Wellington. A presentation by Massimiano Bucchi (University of Trento, Italy) on the history of scientific images.

Open Day at Coastal Ecology Lab - 5 March, Wellington. In celebration of New Zealand Seaweek, the Victoria University Coastal Ecology Laboratory (VUCEL) is holding its annual open day.

Science Media Centre NZ

Our aim is to promote accurate, evidence-based reporting on science and technology by helping the media work more closely with the scientific community.

The Science Media Centre is New Zealand's only trusted, independent source of information for the media on all issues related to science. Thousands of news stories providing context from and quoting New Zealand researchers have been published as a direct result of our work.

Contact Science Media Centre NZ

Website - www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz
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Business Headlines | Sci-Tech Headlines

BUSINESS, SCIENCE & TECH

Business Canterbury: Urges Council To Cut Costs, Not Ambition For City

The Business Canterbury submission addresses concerns over a 'rates hump' and the need for the Council to maintain affordability while managing cost pressures.

Wellington Airport: On Track For Net Zero Emissions By 2028

This progress is a highlight of the airport’s annual Kaitiakitanga report released today, outlining efforts to support the environment, people and communities.

Landcare Research: ANZAC Gall Fly Release Promises Natural Solution To Weed Threat

A Kiwi-Australian collaboration with a difference is underway this ANZAC Day week on Bikini Atoll in the Marshall Islands. The Chief of Quarantine in the Marshall Islands, Ms Silver Wase, says chromolaena was identified as a top priority for the Marshall Islands at a stakeholder workshop held in the country in December 2022.

NZ Anti-Vivisection Society: Auckland Rat Lovers Unite!

On World Day for Animals in Labs, NZAVS is launching a new program to rehome rats bred or used for science with the University of Auckland.

University of Canterbury: $1.35 Million Grant To Study Lion-like Jumping Spiders

A University of Canterbury animal behaviour expert is part of a global team launching pioneering research into the predatory behaviour of jumping spiders.

Federated Farmers: Government Ends War On Farming

Today’s changes to unworkable and expensive regulations mark the end of the war on farming, says Federated Farmers freshwater spokesperson Colin Hurst. "These impractical rules have been a complete nightmare since the day they were introduced and farmers will be pleased to see the back of them," Hurst says.

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