SMC Heads-Up: Science of crime, SAVVY hits Wellington, Challenges ahead
Issue 229
3 - 9 May 2013
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Is NZ up
for the Challenge?
The
government has laid out ten 'National Science Challenges' -
areas of research focus for the next decade. What are they?
And what do they mean for New
Zealand?
The ten science challenges
were unveiled by Science and Innovation Minister Steven
Joyce, alongside Prime Minister John Key and his Chief
Science Advisor, Sir Peter Gluckman, at a launch event in
Auckland on Wednesday
The challenges, ranging from healthier lives for New Zealanders to Antarctic research to land and water use, were selected by a specialist panel chaired by Sir Peter Gluckman after extensive consultation with scientists and the public (as the 'Great NZ Science Project'). The challenges are expected to guide research focus and investment in science over the next ten years.
Read the full list of the ten challenges, and listen to briefing audio from the launch, on the SMC site.
Minister Joyce also announced an extra $73.5 million in funding for the challenges, to be added to the $60 million already allocated in last year's Budget
Although the exact format of how the challenges will be implemented is still to be fiinalised, the panel's report identified key opportunities and themes for each challenge and specific scientific and societal goals. A core focus of the challenges will be to draw the physical, biological and social sciences together and break down silos of research expertise across the country.
In addition to the 10 core Challenges, the panel also issued a special 'Leadership Challenge' to government calling for greater efforts towards enhancing public understanding of science and promote engagement between science and society. In their final report the panel noted,
"We see this Challenge as the most important and of the highest priority, and implementation of this Challenge should be regarded as critical."
The Science Media Centre collected reaction from science leaders across the sector.
Anthony Scott, Chief Executive, Science New Zealand, comments:
"[The Challenges] set big and demanding objectives, are exciting for both scientists and the wider public, and are globally significant in their science requirements. They will require close engagement of scientists and the wider public in all elements of their pathway to achievement."
Professor Elaine Rush, Faculty of Health and Environmental Science, AUT, comments:
"The biggest challenge is around leadership of science and education, and then ensuring that the outcomes of this considerable investment in future New Zealand do translate into real differences for people and the environment. Let's get started - bring it on!"
Associate Professor Peter Dearden, Director of Genetics Otago, University of Otago, said:
"I think the announcement of the National Science Challenges is a great boost to New Zealand science and a sensible refocusing of science effort... I am excited about the challenges and what they will mean for NZ science and look forward to contributing."
Prof Shaun Hendy, Victoria University Wellington, was more circumspect, commenting:
"I am disappointed that the process has failed to throw up anything that is really new or innovative...
"I would have preferred to see New Zealand set itself the challenge of investing more in science in this sector rather than just look to rearrange the deck chairs once more. The primary sector focus of these challenges also aggravates the mismatch between the type of research our government does and that carried out by our private sector."
You can read much more expert commentary and round up of news coverage, on the Science Media centre site.
On the
science radar this week...
Colonial
cannibals, atomic movies, whale bone-eating worms, bionic ears and sweaty baby aggression.
SAVVY workshop for
Wellington
The Science Media SAVVY media
training programme comes to Wellington in June, with
applications now open for the intensive two-day media skills
building workshop.
Designed specifically to orient scientists and researchers to the realities of a rapidly changing media environment, these workshops offer practical skills and experience that will help participants work more effectively with media.
Over two days, participants will gain confidence and strategies to enable them to successfully navigate a range of media encounters. The individualised media training, mock TV interviews, and feedback provided can accommodate a range of experience levels, from intensive introduction to master class for seasoned science communicators.
Significant opportunities to get alongside working journalists - during the newsroom tour, media panel and pitch sessions - are a unique strength of the course.
Find out more about the workshop and what past participants have to say about it here.
When: June 20 -
21,
Where: Royal Society HQ,
Wellington
Courtroom
lessons for scientists
What do jury
members ultimately base their decisions on when the evidence
is laid out in court?
That depends on how
compellingly the evidence has been presented says Charlotte
Shipman, a Wellington-based 3 News reporter who covered the
murder of Scott Guy and the subsequent trial of accused Ewen
Macdonald, who in July was found not guilty of Guy's
murder.
In court each day following the trial, Shipman says she saw meticulously gathered and presented forensic evidence from ESR scientists overwhelmed by the showmanship and compelling presentation of Macdonald's lawyer, the late Greg King.
Forensic evidence in the trial centered on analysis of footprints found around the body of Guy, which were ascertained to have been made by a certain type of dive boot.
ESR presented 960 pages of forensic analysis and four hours of expert testimony in court.
"Defence counsel Greg King did one thing to undo all of that," says Shipman, speaking as part of a panel discussion this week in Wellington organised by the Science Communicator's Association.
"He just counted the number of ridges on the sample 9 boot that the Crown had. That had 29 ridges. These three partial impressions around the body had 32 or 32 ridges. The impressions could not have been made by this sample size 9 boot."
"It was this 'aha' moment for the jury. You watch them in court for hours. It was like a penny dropped for them and they thought 'I can understand this, I'm gonna go with this'."
"I believe that the jury then disregarded that science, simply because Greg King's method was easier to understand."
Shipman said there are valuable lessons in that courtroom anecdote for scientists attempting to communicate to the public.
"If you have an analogy or something you can work with for the layperson, it makes a world of difference."
Adversarial system
ESR forensic scientist Keith Bedford said the "adversarial system" used in our courtrooms meant the perception created by how evidence and testimony is presented, can have a bearing on case outcomes.
"In the theatre that is the criminal justice system, if you have a report of what the prosecution says on one day, it can sound like an open and shut case. If you have a presentation on what the defense is putting up on another day, it can sound like a potential miscarriage of justice."
These perceptions were often carried over into the media, which he gave a "mixed scorecard" for its coverage of the science of crime.
"Particularly in the current environment when increasingly the media are looking for soundbites, that sort of tabloid style, quick headlines, its very difficult to effectively and fairly provide a balanced account of the processes of the criminal justice system."
"Many people get their concept of the guilt or innocence of somebody just from the TV news headlines."
Shipman said the format of primetime TV news meant the need for decent science communication was even greater.
"What is the alternative when you have a news bulletin that is an hour long and has 25 stories in it?"
Full audio from the SCANZ panel discussion on the science of crime and how it is communicated is available here.
Vic Uni backs
its climate scientists
Victoria
University has concluded an investigation into a complaint
against its scientists from visiting climate sceptic
Viscount Christopher Monckton, dismissing the eccentric
peer's claims and backing the scientists' right to speak out
on climate change issues.
"I want to state clearly that I have faith in these academic staff. By speaking publicly in their field of expertise, they were doing exactly what we expect," says Vice Chancellor Professor Pat Walsh in a statement released today.
Victoria University and Otago University had both received missives from Monckton in the wake of criticism aimed at the lobbyist and former policy adviser to Margaret Thatcher, from respected academics and climate scientists, including Professor Jonathan Boston (public policy expert), Professor David Frame, and Dr James Renwick.
"The matter is now closed and no further action will be taken," Professor Walsh added.
He said the investigation considered such factors as the university's role as "critic and conscience of society" and "academic freedom", in coming to its decision. Academics, he added, were expected to speak publicly on matters in the their area of expertise "even if their opinions are controversial or unpopular".
The University of Otago is understood to be considering a similar complaint from Lord Monckton, who spent much of April in New Zealand on a self-described "barnstorming" tour of the country.
PM's Sciences
Prizes
Applications the
Prime Minister's Science Prizes -- recognising the nation's
best scientists, teachers, students and communicators --
are now open.
The prizes recognise the impact of
science on New Zealanders' lives, celebrate the contribution
of current scientists and encourage those of the future.
There are five prizes in total with a combined value of
1 million dollars.
Prime Minister's Science
Prize
Prime Minister's MacDiarmid Emerging
Scientist PrizePrime Minister's Science Teacher
Prize
Prime Minister's Science Media Communication
Prize
Prime Minister's Future Scientist
Prize
To find out more, visit www.pmscienceprizes.org.nz . Prizes close 17th July, 2013.
Quoted: The
Press
"As well as helping Lincoln University in its
recovery after the earthquakes, the hub will reinforce the
institution's place as a leading centre for agricultural
research and education in New Zealand".
The Press editorial on
new
agricultural R&D hub at
Lincoln
New from the SMC
Experts Respond:
National Science
Challenges: Read extensive commentary from
across the science and innovation sector on the recently
announced National Science Challenges. Briefing audio from the
official launch also available.
In the
news:
Science Challenges:
The media Have reported widely on the National
Science Challenges. Read a round up of coverage
here.
Superbug: A new study of the 'superbug' known as MRSA, shows infection rates in New Zealand are increasing both in hospitals and in the wider community.
Criminal conversations: Listen to a audio from the SCANZ panel discussion on forensic science, featuring a forensic expert, a criminologist, the media and the police.
Sciblogs
highlights
Some of the highlights from this week's posts:
The science of science advice -
Robert Hickson notes that the reception of scientific advice
isn't always rational.
Ariadne
National Science Challenges - an insider
perspective - Elf Eldridge, a member of the
Science Challenges panel, sheds some light on the Challenges
and the ethos behind them.
Just So
Science
Further blogging on the National Science Challenges:
The tao of science missed by National
Science Challenges
John Pickering -
Kidney Punch
Additional to the NZ Science
Challenges
Grant Jacobs - Code for
Life
New Zealand's National Science Challenges
announced
Siouxsie Wiles - Infectious
Thoughts
Science Challenges- Govt unveils the areas
of focus
Peter Griffin - Griffin's
Gadgets
Research
highlights
Please note: hyperlinks point, where possible, to the relevant abstract or paper.
Home is
where the hazard is: New research from the
University of Otago, Wellington, has found that millions of
dollars in injury costs could be saved through simple home
repairs. A survey of homes by trained inspectors combined
with local hospital records revealed that 38% of injuries
are related to a structural aspect of the home environment,
both inside the house and outside in the
garden.
Accident Analysis and
Prevention
New anti-ageing
targets: New research has identified two signalling
pathways in the brain region called the hypothalamus which
are involved in the ageing process. Researchers found that
by blocking or enhancing the activity of the messenger
molecules (NF-kB and GnRH) they could slow down or speed up
aging in mice.
Nature
Bug's eye
view: Inspired by the array of lenses in the insect
compound eye, researchers have developed a digital camera
with a distortion-free 160-degree field of view. The camera
has a high-depth perception and a wide field of view.
Potential applications range from advanced surveillance
cameras to miniaturised endoscopes. Images
available.
Nature
Fly,
robot: Scientists have built tiny robots which
mimic the flight of houseflies.The design offers a new way
to study flapping-wing flight mechanics and control at the
insect-scale and it may inform future studies of
miniaturised power, sensing and computation technologies,
according to the researchers. Video
available.
Science
Being
American an allergy risk: New survey research
suggests children living the in the United States but born
outside the US are less likely to develop allergies than
their US born counterparts. However, foreign-born Americans
develop increased risk for allergic disease the longer they
reside in the US.
JAMA
Pediatrics
Implant gives a
heads-up on seizures: For the first time, a small
device implanted in the brain has accurately predicted the
onset of seizures in Australian adults who have epilepsy
that doesn't respond to drugs, according to a small
proof-of-concept study. Electrodes implanted under the skull
detect abnormal brain activity and transmit a warning signal
to a hand held device.
Lancet Neurology
Policy updates
Some of the policy highlights from this week:
Pest control submissions: MPI is looking for feedback on a proposed national policy direction for pest management plans and programmes.
More synthetic cannabis banned: Assoc Health Minister Peter Dunne has announced a Temporary Class Drug Notice banning more substances found in tested samples of K2 synthetic cannabis.
Animal Welfare Strategy - MPI has
launched the NZ Animal Welfare Strategy,
setting out a high level framework for how we treat
animals.
MPI Boss resigns: Ministry for
Primary Industries CE Wayne McNee has announced his resignation to
take up a new role as Chief Executive of Livestock
Improvement Corporation.
Upcoming sci-tech events
• Mastering molecular chess to mine nature's
medicine chest - 2013 Rutherford Lecture from
Prof Margaret Brimble - 7 May, Nelson; 8 May, Wanaka; 9 May,
Dunedin.
• Using science to save dolphins, and whaling
without a harpoon - Prof Steve Dawson inaugural
lecture - 7 May, Dunedin.
• Human-Elephant Relations in South Asia: A
Multidisciplinary Symposium - 7-8 May,
Christchurch.
For these and more upcoming events,
and more details about them, visit the SMC's Events Calendar.
ENDS