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Latest FromJamie Morton

NEW ZEALAND

Why lost NZ penguin's demise is important today

22 Oct, 2018 10:53am
3 minutes to read

Insights into extinct bird raises questions over how climate change affects today's hoiho.

US scientist Rick Aster, pictured on Antarctica's Ross Ice Shelf holding a broadband seismometer that was buried to record micro-scale seismic motions of the shelf over two years. Photo / Rick Aster

NEW ZEALAND

Listen to the sound of climate change

21 Oct, 2018 10:28am
5 minutes to read

Antarctica's Ross Ice Shelf has been captured "singing" in remarkable new observations.

Dunedin residents focus on the Alpine Fault being the worst case earthquake source for the city, but more local faults like the Akatore should be of much greater concern, Professor Mark Stirling says. Photo / File

NEW ZEALAND

Scientists probe NZ's quiet, high-risk quake zones

21 Oct, 2018 9:54am
5 minutes to read

Scientists investigating a 'hit list' of long-quiet but high-risk earthquake danger zones.

NEW ZEALAND

Home fires, exhaust fumes, blight NZ's air quality

18 Oct, 2018 11:00am
8 minutes to read

Emissions from our woodburners and exhausts still the biggest threats to NZ's air quality.

NEW ZEALAND

Renowned logician wins NZ's top science honour

17 Oct, 2018 10:30pm
5 minutes to read

Respected logician Rod Downey this year's recipient of NZ's highest science honour.

The EPA maintains that glyphosate - the active ingredient in Roundup - remains safe when used following the instructions on its label. Photo / File

NEW ZEALAND

Glyphosate, methyl bromide not on EPA's review list

16 Oct, 2018 10:33am
3 minutes to read

Glyphosate, methyl bromide, triclosan not on EPA's hit-list of 40 chemicals to reassess.

April's storm brought heavy rain, flooding and cyclone-strength winds of up to 140km/h, knocking out power to thousands of homes and stopping flights in and out of the city. Photo / Chris Loufte

BUSINESS

Few Auckland businesses ready for disaster

16 Oct, 2018 8:50am
3 minutes to read

Few businesses in NZ's biggest city fully prepared for natural disasters, new study finds.

All dark traits can be traced back to the general tendency of placing one's own goals and interests over those of others - even to the extent of taking pleasure in hurting others. Photo / 123RF

NEW ZEALAND

Weird Science: Do you have the D-Factor?

13 Oct, 2018 5:00am
6 minutes to read

Psychopathy, narcissism, sadism and spitefulness all linked to a "dark core".

Bacteria can develop antibiotic resistance up to 100,000 times faster when exposed to Roundup and another widely-used herbicide. Photo / File

NEW ZEALAND

Roundup exposure speeds up antibiotic resistance - study

12 Oct, 2018 9:00pm
3 minutes to read

Bacteria speed up antibiotic resistance when exposed to Roundup, new study finds.

This image shows a healthy adult bimaternal mouse (born to two mothers) with offspring of her own. Photo / Leyun Wang

NEW ZEALAND

Fatherless mice go on to have their own pups

12 Oct, 2018 12:03pm
4 minutes to read

A Chinese DNA breakthrough may point to a new way for same-sex couples to reproduce.

NEW ZEALAND

Why cyclone season might be 'late bloomer'

11 Oct, 2018 1:56pm
3 minutes to read

Forecasters are predicting a typical but "late-blooming" tropical cyclone season.

Allowing the trajectory to climb on its path toward 3C and beyond would mean our descendants inherit a hell of wildfires, killer heatwaves, extreme drought and storms. Photo / CCC

NEW ZEALAND

Climate change: Not too big, not too late

11 Oct, 2018 9:25am
5 minutes to read

We're all frogs in climate change's pot - but there's still time to turn the burner down.

BUSINESS

Q&A: Climate change and the price of inaction

10 Oct, 2018 11:16am
7 minutes to read

It's time to put greed and denial aside and tackle climate change, Dr Geoff Bertram says.

An international team of scientists and engineers are deploying highly specialised instruments on the seafloor offshore the North Island's east coast. Photo / Margaret Low, GNS Science

NEW ZEALAND

New tech to monitor NZ's biggest tsunami threat

9 Oct, 2018 3:19pm
2 minutes to read

Scientists deploying quake sensors along NZ's big-risk Hikurangi Subduction Zone.

While pure EVs had ranges typically starting at 100km and were still hampered by fears of

NEW ZEALAND

EVs travelling further than fuel vehicles - report

9 Oct, 2018 1:11pm
4 minutes to read

EVs averaging 14,100km each year, survey shows.

The new study suggested the offered fresh evidence that the monster Taupo eruption actually took place between 40 and 200 years later than the current estimate of 232AD. Photo / File

NEW ZEALAND

Can we predict eruptions decades in advance?

8 Oct, 2018 5:03pm
4 minutes to read

New research has revised the dates of past eruptions - and may help predict future ones.

If the 1.5C threshold could be held, the world could escape an extra 10cm of sea level rise, over and above what's already been locked in for this century. Photo / File

NEW ZEALAND

Keeping future global warming within 1.5C demands 'truly heroic' effort

8 Oct, 2018 2:00pm
5 minutes to read

UN report on limiting warming to another 1.5C should "end magical thinking", expert says.

Nadi Airport in Fiji. Photo / Winston Aldworth

TRAVEL

Flight check: Nadi to Melbourne

14 Sep, 2018 10:00am
2 minutes to read

Sam Shead flies Nadi to Melbourne with Fiji Airways on QF396.

TRAVEL

Flight check: San Francisco to Los Angeles

12 Sep, 2018 5:00am
Quick Read

Jamie Morton flies from San Francisco to Los Angeles with United Airlines.

The agriculture sector could slash methane emissions through tailored farm plans, says former top science adviser Sir Peter Gluckman. Photo / Dairy NZ

NEW ZEALAND

Gluckman: Tackle emissions with farm plans

11 Sep, 2018 12:00pm
4 minutes to read

Ag sector could slash methane emissions through tailored farm plans, Peter Gluckman says.

Damage resulting from a big rupture along the Alpine Fault could be even greater than that caused by 2016's Kaikoura Earthquake, which ruined this section of SH1. Photo / File

NEW ZEALAND

What lies beneath: 500km faultline 'one of biggest threats'

11 Sep, 2018 5:00am
4 minutes to read

A large Alpine Fault quake could leave 10,000 locals and thousands of tourists cut off.

Tristan Pang as a 12-year-old, left, when he started attending the University of Auckland, and as a 16-year-old, right, today. Photos / Supplied

NEW ZEALAND

Is this NZ's cleverest teen? Whiz kid's next big test

10 Sep, 2018 4:33pm
4 minutes to read

He'll likely have a PhD by age 21, but for now Tristan Pang wants to win a global contest.

Associate Professor Barbara Bollard has been part of an AUT team using drones for stocktakes of

NEW ZEALAND

NZ scientist teams up with alien-hunting SETI effort

10 Sep, 2018 12:34pm
4 minutes to read

NZ scientist teaming up with an international effort searching for life beyond Earth.

NEW ZEALAND

Three of four NZ freshwater fish 'staring extinction in the face'

10 Sep, 2018 10:00am
3 minutes to read

A new study looking at plight of native fish and land use change paints a grim picture.

Coral bleaching, named because of the lightened-white appearance the coral takes when it expels algae from its tissue, is driven by rising sea temperatures. Photo / Pim Bongaerts

NEW ZEALAND

Even depths of Great Barrier Reef unsafe from climate change

9 Sep, 2018 11:52am
2 minutes to read

Climate change may threaten even the darkest depths of world-renowned Great Barrier Reef.

Ever wonder why anti-vaxxers, climate change deniers and and even people who think Earth is flat stick to their beliefs in the face of overwhelming evidence to the contrary? Photo / 123RF

NEW ZEALAND

Weird Science: Why do cranks stick to their beliefs?

8 Sep, 2018 5:16am
5 minutes to read

Why do climate deniers stick to their beliefs despite overwhelming scientific evidence?

Japan has been accused of killing minke whales within the new Ross Sea Marine Protected Area. Photo / OneOcean Expeditions

NEW ZEALAND

Claims Japan killed whales in new Ross Sea reserve

6 Sep, 2018 2:31pm
3 minutes to read

Top NZ scientist dismayed at allegations of Japanese whaling in new Antarctic reserve.

The Government should begin making farms more accountable for the emissions they produce, the Productivity Commission says. Photo / File

BUSINESS

'Challenging but achievable' - how NZ can go green

4 Sep, 2018 9:00am
5 minutes to read

A low-emissions economy for NZ is "challenging but achievable", commission's report finds.

Swiss scientists have shown how our desire for revenge - and how we quell it - manifests at the deepest level of our brains. Photo / 123RF

NEW ZEALAND

Weird Science: When we crave revenge, our brains stop us

1 Sep, 2018 5:00am
5 minutes to read

Study shows how revenge - and how we quell it - manifests at deepest level of our brains.

NEW ZEALAND

More methane cuts needed to avoid further warming - study

30 Aug, 2018 2:00pm
5 minutes to read

Keeping NZ methane emissions to today's levels won't be enough to stop further warming.

The destructive 2011 Christchurch Earthquake was itself an aftershock of the 7.1 Darfield Earthquake that struck five months earlier. Photo / File

NEW ZEALAND

Could machines predict where aftershocks strike?

30 Aug, 2018 5:00am
3 minutes to read

AI has been taught to forecast patterns of aftershock locations following large quakes.

El Nino climate systems often bring drought to typically dry parts of the country - although one likely for 2019 isn't expected to be as intense as past events. Photo / File

NEW ZEALAND

Niwa forecast: NZ likely to get another El Niño

29 Aug, 2018 3:17pm
2 minutes to read

It's now likely New Zealand will see another El Niño climate system soon.

Of more than 66,000 new or used light vehicle registrations in the first three months of this year, just over 800 were EVs. Photo / File

NEW ZEALAND

EV owners: Cash carrots needed to wean drivers off petrol

28 Aug, 2018 3:10pm
4 minutes to read

More cash incentives are needed to wean NZ motorists off petrol, EV owners' poll finds.

A discovery in Antarctica has offered new insights into the Southern Alps' formation. Photo / File

NEW ZEALAND

What Antarctic discovery means for Southern Alps

26 Aug, 2018 10:54am
3 minutes to read

A discovery in Antarctica has offered new insights into the Southern Alps' formation.

The toll of being hassled by the office after-hours isn't just wrought by getting that email, text or phone call - but the mere anticipation of it. Photo / 123RF

NEW ZEALAND

Weird Science: The hidden toll of after-hours emails

25 Aug, 2018 5:00am
5 minutes to read

Anticipating that after-hours work email is just as bad for you as actually receiving it.

NEW ZEALAND

NZ's unique native frogs 'just hanging on'

23 Aug, 2018 10:24am
3 minutes to read

After 70 million years in NZ, our three native frogs are today "just hanging on".

A monitoring instrument in Canterbury's Lake Tekapo. Photo / Warrick Powrie

NEW ZEALAND

The colour of our lakes - as seen from space

23 Aug, 2018 9:30am
2 minutes to read

The impact of farming, forestry and climate change on our lakes is captured from space.

Westlake Boys High School students (from left) Caleb Falloon, Jack Marshall and Blair Hill run in barefeet - something AUT researchers say brings big benefits. Photo / Jason Oxenham

NEW ZEALAND

School runnings: Why Kiwi kids are better off in barefeet

18 Aug, 2018 5:00am
4 minutes to read

It's the classic Kiwi way, but new evidence shows a barefoot childhood has big benefits.

Studying the fruit fly may lead to an accurate way to predict death days before it happens. Photo / 123RF

NEW ZEALAND

Weird Science: Can we accurately forecast death?

18 Aug, 2018 5:00am
4 minutes to read

Kiwi scientists may have found a way to accurately calculate death days before it happens.

US President Donald Trump has been accused of helping create a

NEW ZEALAND

A matter of fact: Fighting fake news in a post-truth world

16 Aug, 2018 3:54pm
8 minutes to read

In a post-truth world, what hope is there for facts? Plenty, says Dr Jess Berentson-Shaw.

A researcher has launched a petition urging the closure of all kauri forests, over fears current measures aren't enough to protect the ancient giants - including Tane Mahuta. Photo / File

NEW ZEALAND

Researcher launches petition to close all kauri forests

16 Aug, 2018 2:58pm
3 minutes to read

Fears over disease prompts researcher to start petition calling for kauri forest closures.

Like a hardy thistle that won't die, debate surrounding cancer and the key chemical in one of the world's favourite weedkillers continues to sprout. Photo / 123RF

NEW ZEALAND

Roundup controversy and NZ: All you need to know

16 Aug, 2018 12:40pm
5 minutes to read

A US court case has prompted more calls for a ban on popular herbicide Roundup. Should it?

A new forecast system has revealed the years 2018 till 2022 are going to anomalously warm. Photo / 123RF

NEW ZEALAND

Earth to be unusually warm until 2022, model predicts

15 Aug, 2018 5:00am
3 minutes to read

A new forecast system has revealed the years 2018 till 2022 are going to anomalously warm.

Two researchers say the best way to reach

NEW ZEALAND

Climate researchers: Where NZ's carbon act could fail

14 Aug, 2018 4:21pm
5 minutes to read

NZ's Zero Carbon Act could fail unless it accounts for different gases, researchers argue.

NEW ZEALAND

NZ's postcard hot springs a 'huge untapped resource'

14 Aug, 2018 2:34pm
4 minutes to read

Scientists excited at what they'll find among samples collected from postcard hot springs.

At the core of the new breakthrough is the theory called the standard model of particle physics, which helps us understand the forces that hold everything in the universe in place. Photo / 123RF

NEW ZEALAND

Kiwi breakthrough could help us better understand universe

14 Aug, 2018 11:27am
2 minutes to read

A Kiwi physics experiment has managed to do what decades of international research hasn't.

Any ban of weedkiller Roundup in NZ shouldn't be hung off US ruling, scientists say. Photo / 123RF

NEW ZEALAND

Roundup case: Scientists caution against knee-jerk NZ ban

13 Aug, 2018 4:27pm
4 minutes to read

Any ban of weedkiller Roundup in NZ shouldn't be hung off US ruling, scientists say.

Another study has warned NZ's climate could revert to a tropical state seen 50 million years ago. Photo / File

NEW ZEALAND

Climate change: risk of 'tropical' distant future for NZ

13 Aug, 2018 3:14pm
4 minutes to read

Another study has warned NZ's climate could revert to state of 50 million years ago.

These remains mark an old Maori village, Tapuangi, that was destroyed in the 1868 tsunami that hit the Chatham Island. Photo / File

NEW ZEALAND

NZ's only killer tsunami: What it means today

13 Aug, 2018 12:48pm
5 minutes to read

150 years ago, NZ's only documented fatal tsunami hit. What can we learn from it today?

Dan Hanara has been re-united with Hamilton locomotive driver Brian Roberts, whose speedy actions likely saved his life back in 1985. Photo / Supplied

NEW ZEALAND

0.4 seconds from tragedy: 'I thought I'd killed a kid'

13 Aug, 2018 5:00am
5 minutes to read

Four-tenths of a second was the margin that came between Dan Hanara's life and death.

NEW ZEALAND

Stuck to the web: Study examines digital dangers

12 Aug, 2018 3:19pm
4 minutes to read

How much internet is too much internet? A Kiwi researcher is aiming to find out.

NEW ZEALAND

Climate change: Extreme fire risk may double

12 Aug, 2018 1:20pm
3 minutes to read

A warming New Zealand could help pine forests grow - but not without extreme fire risk.

Already being in a distressed state means we can better process bad news, suggests a just-published study. Photo / 123RF

TECHNOLOGY

Weird Science: The best way to get bad news

11 Aug, 2018 5:00am
4 minutes to read

Odd as it sounds, already being distressed makes it easier to absorb bad news.

A reduction of Antarctic sea ice and polar ice sheets was a key factor in a worrying potential scenario just painted by climate scientists. Photo / File

NEW ZEALAND

Scientists: risk of Earth entering 'hothouse' climate

7 Aug, 2018 3:49pm
3 minutes to read

A new study has warned the planet could descend into a devastating "hothouse climate".

Laurie Mirko wades through Kaiaua, during a major storm that hit the small Hauraki town in January. Insurers have paid out more than $200m in weather-related claims so far this year. Photo / File

NEW ZEALAND

More weather-related EQC claims closer to the coast

31 Jul, 2018 5:00am
4 minutes to read

Study finds clear trends among $300m of weather-related claims paid out by EQC since 2000.

Companies must be upfront about how their AI programmes use your data, a new review says. Photo / 123RF

BUSINESS

New call for companies to front up over data mining

29 Jul, 2018 1:13pm
4 minutes to read

Companies must be upfront about how their AI programmes use your data, a new review says.

Scientists have found promise in a new pest-busting approach in a one-two punch of 1080 - particularly against rats. Photo / File

NEW ZEALAND

One-two 1080 punch promising weapon in war on pests

29 Jul, 2018 12:33pm
5 minutes to read

Scientists have found promise in a new pest-busting approach in a one-two punch of 1080.

The Southern Ocean sucks up 40 per cent of the CO2 that humans send in to the atmosphere - but for how much longer? Photo / File

NEW ZEALAND

How much longer will Southern Ocean slow climate change?

29 Jul, 2018 10:39am
5 minutes to read

The Southern Ocean below NZ absorbs 40 per cent of CO2 emissions. But for how much longer?

The view of the eclipse from New Market. Photo / Lynn Clayton

NEW ZEALAND

All-star line-up: Blood moon eclipse begins

28 Jul, 2018 6:19am
5 minutes to read

The heavens are currently treating star-gazers to one stunner of a variety show.

Research has explained why we sometimes leave keys and other items in odd places. Photo / 123RF

TECHNOLOGY

Ever put your keys in the fridge? Here's why

28 Jul, 2018 5:00am
5 minutes to read

Have you ever put your car keys in the fridge while leaving milk on the outside?

During tomorrow's total eclipse - due to begin at 7.30am - the moon would appear much fainter than usual, and coloured between dark brown and blood red. Photo / File

NEW ZEALAND

All-star line-up: Blood moon eclipse and a Mars fly-by

27 Jul, 2018 1:58pm
5 minutes to read

The heavens are currently treating star-gazers to one stunner of a variety show.

NEW ZEALAND

Auckland could get just five days' warning of eruption

27 Jul, 2018 5:00am
4 minutes to read

Aucklanders could get as little as five days' warning of a major volcanic eruption.