Latest Sci-Tech Headlines [Page 2]
NIWA's Hotspot Watch
Thursday, 5 December 2019, 3:03 pm | NIWA
A weekly update describing soil moisture across the country to help assess whether severely to extremely dry conditions are occurring or imminent. Regions experiencing these soil moisture deficits are deemed “hotspots”. Persistent hotspot regions ... More >>
Rain and wind continue
Thursday, 5 December 2019, 2:08 pm | MetService
MetService is forecasting more rain and gales for central and southern parts of New Zealand through to the end of the weekend, while eastern regions will be fine and warm. More >>
Native species protection at heart of project
Thursday, 5 December 2019, 2:03 pm | Environmental Protection Authority
A collaborative project has concluded that the assessment processes for the approval of new hazardous substances are sufficient to protect most of New Zealand’s native species. More >>
The Tree of Life
Thursday, 5 December 2019, 12:35 pm | Marco Fantham
Revelations 22:2 ...On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. More >>
Tsunami report for Scott Base
Thursday, 5 December 2019, 11:27 am | Antarctica New Zealand
An earthquake originating in Mexico could be the most likely cause of a tsunami that would impact New Zealand’s presence in Antarctica, a study shows. More >>
Less weight can mean more muscle
Wednesday, 4 December 2019, 2:17 pm | Lincoln University
New research shows training with less weight, but with lower oxygen, can be as effective as heavy lifting at the gym. More >>
Hottest November on record: NIWA climate scientists
Wednesday, 4 December 2019, 2:14 pm | NIWA
New Zealand has just experienced its hottest November on record, according to NIWA climate scientists. Data from NIWA’s Seven-Station Series, which began in 1909, shows that last month’s temperature was 1.55C above the 30-year average. The ... More >>
Dunedin schools, clubs, and associations – anyone – ahoy!
Wednesday, 4 December 2019, 11:47 am | Otago Museum
Otago Museum’s Dr Claire Concannon is going to the middle of the South Pacific Ocean, and Dunedin is invited along for the ride! More >>
European experts share BMSB tracking app success with NZ
Wednesday, 4 December 2019, 9:26 am | Plant and Food Research
Two European brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB) experts will share the success story of a BMSB tracking mobile app and experience in trying to gain sustainable control of the invasive pest with New Zealand biosecurity experts and stakeholders working ... More >>
Climate explained: how climate change will affect food
Wednesday, 4 December 2019, 9:21 am | The Conversation
Many temperate crops require winter chilling to initiate flowering or fruit ripening, and orchards may need to shift to colder areas. from www.shutterstock.com , CC BY-ND More >>
World-first artificial neurons create potential
Wednesday, 4 December 2019, 8:17 am | University of Auckland
World-first artificial neurons create potential for bionic medicine Artificial neurons on silicon chips that behave just like the real thing have been invented by a team of international scientists, including University of Auckland’s Professor Julian ... More >>
Permission granted for release of wasp biocontrol agent
Tuesday, 3 December 2019, 1:27 pm | Environmental Protection Authority
An application to release a small parasitic wasp to control and eradicate the giant willow aphid has been approved. More >>
International postharvest symposium comes to New Zealand
Tuesday, 3 December 2019, 9:03 am | Plant and Food Research
Anyone with an interest in the postharvest treatment of fruits, vegetables and other horticultural crops needs to arrange a trip to New Zealand next November. More >>
Summer Starts With Severe Weather
Monday, 2 December 2019, 2:17 pm | MetService
Metservice has issued a number of Severe Weather Warnings and Watches for Monday and Tuesday as a strong, moist northwest flow sets up over the country for the week. More >>
Wet and Windy Week Awaits
Monday, 2 December 2019, 10:42 am | MetService
Following a calm week of weather that ended a turbulent spring, windy and wet weather is once again the topic of the week’s weather conversation. More >>
Antarctica to London
Saturday, 30 November 2019, 6:43 pm | Victoria University of Wellington
“One of the biggest, most urgent questions is how Antarctica is responding to climate change, and what are its impacts on humanity”. More >>
Paparoa National Park – new weather forecasts
Friday, 29 November 2019, 11:26 am | MetService
Critical safety decisions in New Zealand’s high country will soon be made easier by important changes to MetService mountain forecasts. More >>
Seeds of New Zealand – a life’s work bears fruit
Thursday, 28 November 2019, 4:38 pm | Landcare Research
A seed atlas that can help researchers identify what ancient animals ate or lead forensic investigators to crime scenes was released this week. Seeds of New Zealand: Monocotyledons , by Colin Webb and published by Manuka Press, is the second (and ... More >>
A sunny end to spring this weekend
Thursday, 28 November 2019, 12:44 pm | MetService
MetService follows the meteorological seasons, so our summer begins 1 December. This weekend marks the transition between these seasons, but perhaps not in the way you would expect. More >>
Black hole swallowing star from inside-out baffles science
Thursday, 28 November 2019, 10:23 am | The Conversation
A surprisingly big black hole might have swallowed a star from the inside out, and scientists are baffled More >>
Soil and Water Scientist elected as Academician
Thursday, 28 November 2019, 8:59 am | Plant and Food Research
Leading Plant & Food Research soil and water scientist Dr Brent Clothier has recently been elected as an Academician in the Division of Agriculture of the Chinese Academy of Engineering (CAE) in its latest biennial election round. He is one of ... More >>
Rat toxicology reports – Expert Reaction
Wednesday, 27 November 2019, 5:17 pm | Science Media Centre
1.1.1 A report has emerged from an unnamed lab that claims to have detected 1080 in the dead rats collected on the West Coast. More >>
Bee-threatening soil residue up to 14x ‘safe’ levels
Wednesday, 27 November 2019, 10:18 am | Liggins Institute
Traces of a class of insecticides known to pose a risk to honeybees and other ‘friendly’ insects have been found in the soil across nine North Island sites a year or more after the insecticide was applied. More >>
Climate explained: how much does flying contribute?
Wednesday, 27 November 2019, 9:29 am | The Conversation
Planes can create clouds of tiny ice crystals, called contrails, and some studies suggest they could have an a significant effect on climate. from www.shutterstock.com , CC BY-ND More >>
Assisted dying in NZ – Expert Q&A
Tuesday, 26 November 2019, 10:14 pm | Science Media Centre
A referendum next year will decide whether New Zealanders should be allowed to request assisted dying. More >>
Taking full advantage of space
Tuesday, 26 November 2019, 4:05 pm | SpaceBase
Eric Dahlstrom and Emeline Paat-Dahlstrom came to New Zealand to try something new. They had worked decades on space projects for NASA and commercial companies, and they wanted to help New Zealand take full advantage of space to solve NZ problems. ... More >>
Endangered Mudfish Move to Orana Wildlife Park
Tuesday, 26 November 2019, 2:09 pm | Orana Wildlife Park
Tomorrow, Department of Conservation (DOC) biodiversity rangers will transfer 100 endangered kōwaro/Canterbury mudfish from The Isaac Conservation and Wildlife Trust into a waterway at Orana Wildlife Park - alongside the cheetah habitat! These native ... More >>
Scientist pieces together details of underwater landslides
Tuesday, 26 November 2019, 2:04 pm | NIWA
New information about landslides that occur on the seafloor off New Zealand’s east coast will help scientists better understand why and where they happen, and the types of threats they pose. More >>
EDS welcomes Discussion Document on Biodiversity
Tuesday, 26 November 2019, 12:25 pm | Environmental Defence Society
The Environmental Defence Society (EDS) welcomes the release of He Kura Koiora I hokia: A discussion document on a proposed National Policy Statement for Indigenous Biodiversity (NPS-IB). More >>
As emissions rise, carbon fingerprint points to fossil fuels
Tuesday, 26 November 2019, 11:24 am | GNS Science
As greenhouse gas emissions rise, carbon “fingerprint” points to fossil fuels Greenhouse gas emissions are continuing to rise, and combustion of fossil fuels is the only explanation for the changing makeup of atmospheric CO2, according to the ... More >>
ESR Scientist Awarded Prestigious Fellowship
Tuesday, 26 November 2019, 11:22 am | ESR
ESR Senior Forensic Scientist, Cameron Johnson has been named as one of the recipients of the prestigious 2020 Winston Churchill Memorial Trust Fellowships. More >>
Warm and settled weather to end spring
Monday, 25 November 2019, 1:38 pm | MetService
MetService says that the weather for the final week of spring will be mostly settled, though a front mid-week will bring rain to the south and west. Warm temperatures are also expected for most places this week, particularly for the North Island, where ... More >>
What are lost continents and why are we discovering so many?
Monday, 25 November 2019, 10:10 am | The Conversation
Lord Howe Island is one of the few places where the lost continent of Zealandia is exposed above sea level. SHUTTERSTOCK More >>
The dead rats mystery
Friday, 22 November 2019, 3:19 pm | Science Media Centre
Toxicology testing has ruled out 1080 as a possible cause of death after about 680 rats washed up near Westport recently. More >>
Understanding and sharing the science of sugar
Thursday, 21 November 2019, 2:18 pm | Pacific Health Plus
For the first time ever in Wellington, research among high school age Pacific students will be done to understand absorption rates of sugar. The research is being done in Porirua and surrounding areas through a partnership between the Maurice Wilkins ... More >>
The Heat Is On
Thursday, 21 November 2019, 1:26 pm | MetService
After the severe weather experienced in the South Island last week, more stable conditions are forecast. MetService meteorologist Andy Best says, “The more stable conditions will no doubt be welcomed by Cantabrians who experienced severe thunderstorms, accompanied ... More >>
New Technology to Tackle Predators
Thursday, 21 November 2019, 1:00 pm | Hammerforce
Kiwi innovation company, Hammerforce will use its revolutionary air-based technology to design and produce a new high-powered, self-resetting trap to support the Government’s Predator Free 2050 efforts. More >>
Antarctic Treaty 60th anniversary gift to NZ schools
Thursday, 21 November 2019, 10:04 am | New Zealand Antarctic Society
The New Zealand Antarctic Society (NZAS) with support from Land Information New Zealand (LINZ) has produced a new custom-designed wall map of Antarctica to mark the anniversary of the Antarctica Treaty on 1 December. More >>
Climate explained: why coastal floods are more frequent
Wednesday, 20 November 2019, 11:57 am | Dr James Renwick
As sea levels rise, it becomes easier for ocean waves to spill further onto land. from www.shutterstock.com , CC BY-ND More >>
Testing shows no 1080 in rats
Wednesday, 20 November 2019, 11:21 am | Department of Conservation
Results of toxicology testing of dead rats that washed up on North Beach near Westport recently show no presence of 1080. More >>
Association of Scientists Announces New President and Agenda
Wednesday, 20 November 2019, 8:39 am | New Zealand Association of Scientists
The New Zealand Association of Scientists (NZAS) new President is Professor Troy Baisden, based at the University of Waikato. More >>
Ten million dollar plan
Tuesday, 19 November 2019, 12:01 pm | Antarctica New Zealand
It’s the driest, coldest, windiest, place on Earth ... yet millions of critters still flourish in Antarctica. And now, thanks to 10 million dollars of multi-year funding, we’re going to know more about them and how they’ll adapt to a warming ... More >>
Antimicrobial resistance is a growing concern
Monday, 18 November 2019, 3:41 pm | Science Media Centre
As part of World Antibiotic Awareness Week , the Ministry of Health is encouraging New Zealanders to take advantage of an ‘Antibiotic Amnesty’ to safely dispose of old antibiotics at pharmacies to reduce the spread of antimicrobial resistance. More >>
New professor at Auckland wins ‘Oscar of space sector’
Monday, 18 November 2019, 2:43 pm | University of Auckland
How do you catch the space junk encircling our planet? The same way you might catch a fish – with a harpoon and a net. More >>
"Clean your BBQ" - MetService
Monday, 18 November 2019, 1:58 pm | MetService
MetService expects a bumpy start to the week’s weather, and an improving trend towards the weekend. Barbeque weather is forecast later this week. More >>
Halt outdoor Marijuana Growing using ‘Fields of Hemp’
Thursday, 14 November 2019, 4:30 pm | Marco Fantham
Your government made it easier for you to grow marijuana by banning hemp. Put simply, you cannot grow marijuana in the vicinity of hemp. The reason is that the marijuana will turn into hemp and you will loose the THC, which you were growing marijuana ... More >>
New Zealand's space economy – Expert Reaction
Thursday, 14 November 2019, 4:26 pm | Science Media Centre
New Zealand’s space sector contributed $1.69 billion to the economy in the last financial year, according to a report commissioned by MBIE . More >>
Pollution solution presented at Waterways Conference
Thursday, 14 November 2019, 2:29 pm | Lincoln University
Lincoln University PhD student Parsa Mohajeri is battling a key issue in protecting New Zealand’s freshwater. More >>
Research could mean longer lives for cats with cancer
Thursday, 14 November 2019, 2:03 pm | New Zealand Veterinary Association
Research funded by Healthy Pets New Zealand (HPNZ) that could lead to new treatment options to extend the lives of cats with cancer in New Zealand has been published in a world-leading journal. More >>
Kiwis asked to support new pet health research
Thursday, 14 November 2019, 2:01 pm | New Zealand Veterinary Association
New Zealand animal lovers are being asked to dig deep to support important research not funded by the Government that seeks to improve the lives of future generations of Kiwi pets and their owners. More >>
Outlook for the weekend and into Monday
Thursday, 14 November 2019, 1:36 pm | MetService
MetService is forecasting a wet and windy weekend for parts of Aotearoa but it isn’t all doom and gloom as with some planning there will be opportunities to enjoy the outdoors. More >>
Talented researchers at frontier of medicinal chemistry
Thursday, 14 November 2019, 12:15 pm | University of Auckland
The cancer treatments of tomorrow are being studied today by two young scientists who each receive one of the country’s most prestigious awards, a Rutherford Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowship. More >>
Scientists brave winter in Antarctic waters
Thursday, 14 November 2019, 11:53 am | NIWA
The New Zealand ship Janas has recently returned from a six-week winter research voyage to the Ross Sea where scientists made the first observations of developing Antarctic toothfish embryos. More >>
Two UC researchers awarded Rutherford Foundation Fellowships
Thursday, 14 November 2019, 11:49 am | University of Canterbury
Two outstanding University of Canterbury researchers are among the ten nationwide who have been awarded 2019 Rutherford Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowships More >>
Research, Science and Innovation Strategy lacks ambition
Thursday, 14 November 2019, 11:42 am | New Zealanders for Health Research
12 November 2019 The government’s latest Research Science and Innovation (RSI) strategy lacks ambition and will do little, if anything, to promote increased investment in health and medical research, according to health research advocate New Zealanders ... More >>
Early-career researchers announced
Thursday, 14 November 2019, 11:16 am | The Royal Society of New Zealand
2019 Rutherford Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowships and a Cambridge-Rutherford Memorial PhD Scholarship have been awarded to eleven early-career researchers in Aotearoa. More >>
Transformative Māori solutions launch at Gov tech event
Thursday, 14 November 2019, 9:07 am | Ahau NZ
Lightning Lab GovTech – a programme of Creative HQ – is about better serving citizens by creating a more trusted, inclusive and sustainable public sector. The three-month accelerator-style programme takes projects and staff from government ... More >>
Fertilization discovery could lead to new male contraceptive
Thursday, 14 November 2019, 8:28 am | University of Virginia
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va., Nov. 13, 2019 – An unexpected discovery about fertilization from the University of Virginia School of Medicine reveals new insights on how sperm and egg fuse and could have major implications for couples battling infertility – ... More >>
2060 energy modelling shows path to faster decarbonisation
Wednesday, 13 November 2019, 3:37 pm | Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority
The release of new modelling on what New Zealand’s energy future could look like by 2060, is an invaluable tool, says the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA). More >>
Scientist funded to fire biochemistry experiments into space
Tuesday, 12 November 2019, 2:44 pm | University of Canterbury
University of Canterbury (UC) researcher Dr Sarah Kessans has been funded $500,000 to take biochemistry to new heights. More >>
