Latest Sci-Tech Headlines [Page 5]
NIWA Scientists Explain El Niño
Wednesday, 28 June 2023, 8:09 am | NIWA
El Niño is on its way, with whispers it could cause the Earth’s warmest ever year. But what is it? NIWA scientists tell all. Over the past three years, you may have heard about the rare ‘triple-dip’ La Niña that had its hands on the steering ... More >>
Preventing Whale Entanglement
Tuesday, 27 June 2023, 10:41 am | Department of Conservation
The Department of Conservation is asking people to do their bit to prevent humpback whales becoming entangled in fishing gear as they migrate north along the New Zealand coastline. Marine technical adviser Mike Ogle says humpbacks are most likely to become ... More >>
Uncovering Deep Ocean Mysteries 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea
Tuesday, 27 June 2023, 9:26 am | NIWA
Scientists have returned from a 14-day expedition to one of the most unexplored parts of the ocean. NIWA and Scripps Institution of Oceanography researchers on board NIWA’s deep-water research vessel Tangaroa deployed four autonomous robots, known ... More >>
Intel Labs Introduces AI Diffusion Model, Generates 360-Degree Images From Text Prompts
Monday, 26 June 2023, 4:10 pm | Botica Butler Raudon Public Relations
LDM3D is industry’s first generative AI model to deliver depth mapping. It has the potential to revolutionise content creation, metaverse and digital experiences. What’s New: Intel Labs, in collaboration with Blockade Labs, has introduced Latent ... More >>
A Warm And Wet Start, But Winter Is Coming
Monday, 26 June 2023, 12:06 pm | MetService
MetService is forecasting a warm and wet start to the week for many as a complex area of low pressure affects the country. However, a change in regime is coming at the end of the week as the persistent mild northerlies give way to cold southerlies. ... More >>
Wise Response Society Slams Climate Change Commission's Growth Orientation
Monday, 26 June 2023, 10:48 am | The Wise Response Society
The Wise Response Society, a coalition of scientists, engineers, planners, artists, and sportspeople, has strongly criticized the Climate Change Commission (CCC) for its continued focus on growth despite the undeniable link between growth and increased ... More >>
A Year's Rain In Just 6 Months
Friday, 23 June 2023, 3:58 pm | MetService
As at 2pm on Friday, MetService’s Gisborne Airport weather station had received 990.7mm so far this year, just 9.1mm less than their average annual rainfall, 999.8mm. With an additional burst of heavy rain on the way this evening, it’s a near certainty ... More >>
Three Kinds Of Singularity
Friday, 23 June 2023, 12:20 pm | Martin LeFevre - Meditations
There are three meanings to the word “singularity” – cosmological, technological, and psychological. The first and last are real, while the second is the fever dream of technophiles. The cosmological singularity, which gave rise to the misnomer of ... More >>
Borneo Orangutan Survival (Bos) Launches In New Zealand To Help Save Orangutans From Extinction
Thursday, 22 June 2023, 11:40 am | Borneo Orangutan Survival
The Borneo Orangutan Survival (BOS) Foundation, the largest and arguably most successful orangutan conservation program in the world, continues its bid to garner global support during what they say is a critical and urgent time to fight ... More >>
New Research Sheds Light On Long Covid
Thursday, 22 June 2023, 11:08 am | Liggins Institute
Genetic research out of the Liggins Institute sheds light on how serious Covid-19 infections can activate other health conditions. New genetic research finds conditions including heart disease and Parkinson’s could be activated by the most severe cases ... More >>
Whales And Dolphins In The Spotlight With Annual Countrywide Count This Weekend
Thursday, 22 June 2023, 11:05 am | Cetacean Spotting NZ
Excitement is building for the fourth national citizen science Cetacean Census this weekend 24-25 June. Whale and dolphin spotters will be taking position at coastal highpoints around the country to contribute to the cetacean count. Despite a gloomy ... More >>
GA-ASI Selects ScioTeq To Support Detect And Avoid Program
Wednesday, 21 June 2023, 6:39 pm | ACN Newswire
PARIS, FRANCE, June 21, 2023 - (ACN Newswire) - As General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) continues towards its development goal of earning Technical Standard Order (TSO) authorization from the FAA for its internally developed Detect ... More >>
Gene Editing Improves Sustainability And Reduces Costs – Even The EU Agrees
Wednesday, 21 June 2023, 12:58 pm | Life Sciences Network
“Reducing red tape through a more science-based approach on gene edited food could save millions of dollars from the New Zealand food bill while increasing sustainability and health benefits” Dr William Rolleston, chair of the Life Sciences Network said ... More >>
Fourth National Citizen Science Cetacean Census Hits NZ Shores
Wednesday, 21 June 2023, 9:27 am | Cetacean Spotting NZ
Keen eyed whale and dolphin lovers will be braving winter weather to take part in the fourth national citizen science Cetacean Census - or whale and dolphin count, this weekend 24-25 June. The Cetacean Census runs all day both days and will contribute ... More >>
New Zealanders Are Breathing Cleaner Air, But Further Improvements Would Make A Difference To Our Nation’s Health
Wednesday, 21 June 2023, 9:25 am | Land Air Water Association
Regional and unitary council monitoring data reveals New Zealand's air quality has improved since the introduction of the National Environmental Standards for Air Quality in 2005. However, an update to the LAWA Air Quality topic to also compare particulate ... More >>
New Zealand’s Largest Free Science, Technology, Engineering, And Mathematics Festival Returns For 2023
Tuesday, 20 June 2023, 9:49 am | STEMfest
Since 2018 STEMFest has been nurturing our region’s next generation of problem-solvers, innovators and leaders and this year the interactive festival is set to break new ground when it launches in October. Founder Tia Lush says the festival has even bigger ... More >>
Cleantech Hydroxsys Raises $3M To Secure New Zealand’s Water
Monday, 19 June 2023, 3:16 pm | Hydroxsys
Auckland cleantech startup Hydroxsys announced today a partnership with the University of Auckland and the New Zealand Product Accelerator to further develop and commercialise its patented membrane filtration technology. This follows a recent ... More >>
Kiwibank And RAD Teaming Up To Provide Rangatahi With Devices And Digital Skills
Monday, 19 June 2023, 1:57 pm | Kiwibank
Kiwibank and Recycle a Device (RAD) are working together to give Kiwibank’s laptop assets a second chance at life within New Zealand communities. RAD is a community driven, not for profit that reduces e-waste by taking donations of unwanted laptops ... More >>
Kaikōura’s Deep Seabed Is Rapidly Recovering - NIWA
Monday, 19 June 2023, 10:22 am | NIWA
Areas of Kaikōura’s seabed show promising signs of recovery just four years after the 2016 earthquake, says NIWA. The Kaikoura Canyon, in the Hikurangi Marine Reserve, was among the most biologically productive deep-seabed environments on the planet, ... More >>
Proventus Bioscience Breaks Ground On Its New Production Facility & Expansion Of Its Laboratories And Fermentation Plant
Friday, 16 June 2023, 6:45 pm | ACN Newswire
Proventus Bioscience continues to be a leading innovator and producer of bio-based products that improve crop yields, shorten growing periods, and create healthier, more resilient soils for organic farmers, greenhouse growers and mainstream production ... More >>
Genomic Data Empowers Decision-making
Friday, 16 June 2023, 4:31 pm | Real Communications
Over the past two years, Fernside farmer Julie Bradshaw has refined her dairy herd size through the use of genomics while maintaining the same level of milk production. Julie has been participating in a Next Generation Farming project designed to help ... More >>
Health System Futureproofing Needs To Happen Outside Of Just Doctor And Nurse Undergraduate Funding
Friday, 16 June 2023, 11:42 am | NZIMLS
Terry Taylor, President of the New Zealand Institute of Medical Laboratory Science (NZIMLS) The NZIMLS continues to express our disappointment at the lack of consistent funding impetus passed on to vital struggling frontline health professions like Pathology. ... More >>
An Explanation, Though It Won’t Change The Explained
Friday, 16 June 2023, 11:24 am | Martin LeFevre - Meditations
A friend writes asking to inquire together into an essential question: “I deeply question myself and with friends, what is the root cause of this disastrous course of humankind?” I understand her to mean, “when and why did man make the “wrong ... More >>
Privacy Regulators Seek To Work Together To Address AI Issues
Thursday, 15 June 2023, 7:20 pm | Office of the Privacy Commissioner
Privacy regulators across the Asia Pacific region want more cross-border cooperation when it comes to dealing with artificial intelligence (AI). The comments were made at last week’s Asia Pacific Privacy Authorities (APPA) forum in Mexico. Privacy ... More >>
Does NZ Need An Update To Genetic Modification Rules? – Expert Reaction
Thursday, 15 June 2023, 10:58 am | Science Media Centre
The National Party is proposing to update New Zealand’s biotechnology rules and open up access to gene editing and genetic modification. The proposed benefits include climate and pest resistant crops, technologies to treat cancer and cardiovascular ... More >>
The PATCH-Trauma Study Shines A New Light On Tranexamic Acid’s Role In Pre-hospital Treatment Of Major Trauma
Thursday, 15 June 2023, 9:51 am | MRINZ
A ground-breaking study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, conducted by researchers from Aotearoa New Zealand, Australia, and Germany, has raised a challenging question — In the event of severe injury, would individuals want to receive a treatment ... More >>
Rocket Lab Spacecraft Built for Varda Successfully Operating on Orbit
Tuesday, 13 June 2023, 4:20 pm | Rocket Lab
The spacecraft is the first of four Rocket Lab has been contracted to build for Varda Space Industries to enable in-space manufacturing. June 13, 2023 12:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time LONG BEACH, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Rocket Lab USA, Inc. (Nasdaq: ... More >>
Robust GE Regulations Benefit NZ
Tuesday, 13 June 2023, 4:04 pm | Organics Aotearoa New Zealand
Robust regulations for genetic engineering have multiple benefits, says Organics Aotearoa New Zealand ( OANZ) . The peak organic sector body says a precautionary approach to GE has been good for producers, consumers, the economy, the environment ... More >>
Are Mussel Farms Creating Hidden Benefits?
Tuesday, 13 June 2023, 1:51 pm | NIWA
A new study is doing a deep dive into whether mussel farms could help reduce nitrogen in New Zealand waters. Led by NIWA for the Waikato Regional Council, the impact of mussel farms on nitrogen removal, or denitrification, will be studied on the seabed ... More >>
UC Public Event: Return Of Stargazing In The City
Tuesday, 13 June 2023, 12:25 pm | University of Canterbury
Reviving a 114-year tradition, University of Canterbury astronomers are bringing stargazing back to the centre of Ōtautahi Christchurch. For 114 years, the people of Ōtautahi Christchurch were able to explore the wonders of the night sky and the ... More >>
Mātauranga Māori Science Fair Returns Bigger And Better For Second Year
Tuesday, 13 June 2023, 12:07 pm | Matauranga Maori Science Fair
Aotearoa New Zealand’s only dedicated mātauranga Māori science fair is returning to Rotorua for its second year, boasting new categories and a surge in entries from schools across the rohe. Te Tūkohu Ngāwhā Science and Design Fair, organised by ... More >>
Ignorance Around Regulation Of Genetic Modification
Monday, 12 June 2023, 8:28 pm | GE Free NZ
The National Party joins three other parties who are pushing to “end the ban” on genetically modified/engineered organisms (GM/GE) regulation and allow the open release of GE in the New Zealand environment. [1][2] Ms Collins ignorance on the ... More >>
Tackling Climate Change: Methane-munching Forest Soils To The Rescue
Monday, 12 June 2023, 12:32 pm | Scion research
Scion scientists have embarked on important new research to find out how much methane is being consumed by microorganisms in New Zealand’s planted forest soils. Forest soils are good habitats for bacteria that absorb and release methane (CH4) as a source ... More >>
A Few More Fine Days, Then Rain For The Upper North Island
Monday, 12 June 2023, 12:26 pm | MetService
MetService is forecasting settled weather for most of Aotearoa New Zealand for the next few days. Auckland’s better June weather has meant higher average daily sunshine hours (5.8 hours/day) than in January (4.6), despite the shortest day of the year ... More >>
Embracing the complexity of genetic engineering in food production
Sunday, 11 June 2023, 8:32 pm | NZ Agritech
By enabling genetic engineering in a way that respects people, place and planet, New Zealand can demonstrate true leadership in how we tackle the pressing challenges of our time, AgriTechNZ chief executive Brendan O’Connell says. He cautiously welcomed ... More >>
New Zealand BioTech welcomes National’s GM stance
Sunday, 11 June 2023, 7:39 pm | BioTechNZ
BiotechNZ Dr Zahra Champion says the potential overturning of the ban on genetic modification in New Zealand is “very exciting”, as there is not a more pressing time to addressing the use of biotech within our daily lives, to ensure a better ... More >>
“Harnessing Biotech” will bring New Zealand into the 21st Century
Sunday, 11 June 2023, 7:28 pm | South Pacific Sera Limited
“Making the legislation on genetic modification fit for purpose will bring New Zealand biotech into the 21st century” Dr William Rolleston, the chair of the Life Sciences Network said today in welcoming National’s Harnessing Biotech plan. “The ... More >>
AI: The Unseen Threat & The AGI Smoke Screen
Sunday, 11 June 2023, 7:50 am | Shelly Palmer
You’ve probably read about the “existential threat” posed by Artificial General Intelligence (AGI). It’s a dark future where super-intelligent machines outsmart us and cause humanity to go extinct. We may be mesmerized by this high-stakes narrative, ... More >>
Colossal Squid Comes To Ashburton Art Gallery And Museum
Friday, 9 June 2023, 2:05 pm | Ashburton Art Gallery
The ever popular Te Papa exhibition Colossal Squid: Freaky Features! | Te Ngū Tipua: Ngā Wāhanga Weriweri!, opens at the Ashburton Art Gallery and Museum on June 24 and runs through until September 17. <img src="https://img.scoop.co.nz/stories/images/2306/39ad00b0725e10d4f782.jpeg" ... More >>
MPI Animal Health Laboratory Designated A Global Expert On Major Bee Diseases
Friday, 9 June 2023, 11:31 am | Ministry For Primary Industries
The world authority on animal health has elevated the Ministry for Primary Industries' Animal Health Laboratory (AHL) to the top tier of expertise in two major honey bee diseases - a first for New Zealand. <img src="https://img.scoop.co.nz/stories/images/2306/2792d000f37adf0b01fa.jpeg" ... More >>
Heavy Rain Watches For Eastern North Island This Weekend
Thursday, 8 June 2023, 2:18 pm | MetService
MetService continues to forecast some cold overnight temperatures for the next few days. A mostly fine weekend is in store for most of the country, however Heavy Rain Watches are in place for Hawke's Bay and Gisborne. MetService is monitoring a low-pressure ... More >>
Testosterone Levels In Men: A Silent Decline In New Zealand?
Wednesday, 7 June 2023, 2:29 pm | Dan McCarthy
There's a mounting body of evidence pointing to a consistent and concerning trend: testosterone levels in men appear to be decreasing, and this is not just an international issue. It seems that men in New Zealand are not immune to this trend, raising questions ... More >>
Sedimentation Can Deplete Economy And Environment
Wednesday, 7 June 2023, 10:47 am | Bala Tikkisetty Waikato Regional Council
This should be the decade to focus on sediment loss to reduce its impact on the wider environment . Sediment is one of the consequences of erosion, which is especially an issue right now given the intensity and number of recent severe weather events ... More >>
What Does “Doing The Work” Really Mean?
Wednesday, 7 June 2023, 10:44 am | Martin LeFevre - Meditations
For uncounted millennia, humans have been externally oriented. During indigenous times and in previous ages, being externally motivated was necessary for survival. Now our survival as a species depends on enough people doing the inner spadework. ... More >>
Showers In The East, Fine But Chilly Elsewhere
Tuesday, 6 June 2023, 11:58 am | MetService
MetService is expecting a bit of a Groundhog Day feel this week. Slow moving weather systems mean there is not too much change in the weather. MetService meteorologist Andrew James says. “For most of New Zealand, what you get by the end of Tuesday ... More >>
Kūmara Research Offers Hope For Sleep-deprived Parents
Tuesday, 6 June 2023, 11:05 am | University of Auckland
Kūmara could help boost babies’ microbiome, helping them sleep soundly and ward off viruses. There’s fresh hope for sleep-deprived parents, with a study into whether kūmara boosts babies’ microbiome, potentially helping them sleep soundly and ward ... More >>
Are Microgrids The Answer To Reliable Power In Kiwi Homes?
Tuesday, 6 June 2023, 9:50 am | University of Canterbury
A new study from University of Canterbury (UC) researchers, focusing on reliable energy generation, could be the key to recharging our communities. In early 2023, Aotearoa New Zealand was hit by a deadly catastrophic weather event. In addition ... More >>
WOMAN+ Adopts AI For Accessibility And Busy Women
Monday, 5 June 2023, 5:12 pm | Woman Plus
WOMAN+ prides itself on offering a diverse and all-embracing digital home for women in New Zealand. Building a welcoming community for like-minded women means thinking broadly about all women and what their needs may be. “We definitely know women ... More >>
Children Don’t Need To Be Conditioned
Friday, 2 June 2023, 11:36 am | Martin LeFevre - Meditations
Meditation can be defined as the process of freeing the brain from its enslavement to conditioning. I don’t practice any system of meditation for doing so, since systems, techniques and methods are themselves forms of conditioning. While still ... More >>
New NZI Report Reveals The Benefits Of Businesses Switching To Electric
Thursday, 1 June 2023, 11:08 am | NZI
New Zealand businesses are switching their Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) fleets to Electric Vehicles (EVs) and hybrids in increasing numbers, however, NZI’s latest research reveals there are challenges to going green with a business fleet. NZI’s ... More >>
Sprinklers Save Lives
Wednesday, 31 May 2023, 2:29 pm | Engineering NZ
The fire protection community would like to clarify our position with regards to loss of life in sprinkler protected buildings and international experience with fire sprinkler systems. There has been some commentary in the media that fire sprinkler ... More >>
AI’s Quantum Leap Demands A Quantum Leap In Human Intelligence
Wednesday, 31 May 2023, 11:33 am | Martin LeFevre - Meditations
The surreal hype, false hope and potential harm from AI are flooding the field with would-be philosophers. Even pundits are saying things like, “To make good on its promise, artificial intelligence needs to deepen human intelligence.” But how can ... More >>
Developing New Algorithms To Manage Biosecurity Threats
Monday, 29 May 2023, 4:01 pm | University of Canterbury
New research will explore how algorithms could help speed up New Zealand’s response to serious biosecurity threats such as foot and mouth disease and stop them spreading. Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury Associate Professor of Data ... More >>
Rain, Cloud And Warmer Temperatures
Monday, 29 May 2023, 12:05 pm | MetService
MetService is forecasting an easing in conditions for northern areas this week, but continuing rainfall, and strong winds at times, for the West Coast. The passage of the low currently affecting New Zealand will leave a westerly flow with embedded ... More >>
Study Explores Smartwatch Potential In Healthcare
Monday, 29 May 2023, 11:05 am | University of Auckland
Smartwatches could soon benefit overstretched health practitioners and their patients, says Business School researcher Ruhi Bajaj, lead author of a preliminary study exploring the potential role of such devices in healthcare. However, concerns around the interpretation ... More >>
What Internet Speed is Considered Good Enough?
Sunday, 28 May 2023, 2:36 pm | Hugh Grant
A fast internet connection is highly important in today's world. Whether you're streaming your favorite movies and TV shows, working from home or searching for the web, a good internet speed affects online experience. But what exactly is considered ... More >>
Protecting Bees From Killer Mites
Saturday, 27 May 2023, 6:22 pm | Animal and Plant Health NZ
A recent survey by Landcare Research estimates that 6.4 percent of bee colonies are lost due to the Varroa Destructor mite, demonstrating that its destructive effects are escalating. The annual survey attributed nearly half of all colony losses to ... More >>
Lithium’s Striking Connection To Modern Tech
Saturday, 27 May 2023, 3:18 pm | Hugh Grant
Elements are vital to the functioning of countless modern technologies. It’s amazing what has been made to work with the use of such specific materials. Lithium represents one of the most prominent and important in recent years. This silver to white material ... More >>
Autonomous Mobile Robots By Synergy Dynamics (HK) Ltd Triumph In Warehouse Trials Across China
Friday, 26 May 2023, 4:37 pm | ACN Newswire
Synergy Dynamics (HK) Limited, a leading autonomous mobile robot company, has successfully completed testing of its robots in multiple warehouses across China. The robots have demonstrated their ability to move efficiently and transport materials, significantly ... More >>
ThinkBird Declares ‘polycrisis’ And Moves To Help New Zealand Leaders Soar
Friday, 26 May 2023, 2:42 pm | ThinkBird
In the wake of pandemic, in the throes of climate change, and with many more adverse trends apparent, ThinkBird is on a mission to help rewire New Zealand’s leaders, equipping them to be match-fit for a world of change. Founded by Shaun Clarke and ... More >>