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Latest FromJamie Morton

NEW ZEALAND

Supermoon rising: why tonight's lunar spectacle is special

19 Feb, 2019 1:45pm
4 minutes to read

The best of a trio of "supermoons" rises tonight. And no, it won't send you barking mad.

The 15m-long megalodon died out about 3.6 million years ago, and a million years earlier than long thought, scientists say. Image / 123RF

NEW ZEALAND

Weird Science: Did Jaws kill off The Meg?

16 Feb, 2019 5:00am
5 minutes to read

The gigantic megalodon went extinct earlier than thought - with the great white to blame.

The operation has become one of finding and eliminating hot spots, as the 130-strong team on the ground sets about tightening a 35km perimeter around the 2331ha fire area. Photo / Tim Cuff

NEW ZEALAND

'A tough, hard slog' - inside the Nelson fires mop-up

15 Feb, 2019 12:22pm
6 minutes to read

With the Nelson fires knocked down, crews have a long, tough mop-up job ahead of them.

Taranaki began erupting about 130,000 years ago, with large eruptions occurring on average every 500 years and smaller eruptions about 90 years apart. Photo / Alan Gibson

NEW ZEALAND

Scientists re-write Mt Taranaki's explosive history

13 Feb, 2019 2:54pm
5 minutes to read

Study reveals Taranaki blew more recently than we thought - with a warning for the future.

Governors Bay near Lyttelton yesterday afternoon - where strange tides prompted a call to tsunami experts. Photo / Rosie Belton

NEW ZEALAND

Spooky tides spark call to tsunami experts

13 Feb, 2019 12:31pm
3 minutes to read

Lyttleton locals were so spooked by weird tides that tsunami scientists were alerted.

How gravitational waves might appear if they were visible to the naked eye. Image / ESA

NEW ZEALAND

NZ scientists in mission to reveal cosmic ripples

11 Feb, 2019 4:37pm
4 minutes to read

Kiwi scientists join bold mission to measure mysterious cosmic ripples - from space.

A team led by Otago University's Associate Professor David Prior have spent the past three weeks camping out at remote Terra Nova Bay for an intriguing research project. Photo / Supplied

NEW ZEALAND

Why are scientists blowing up ice in Antarctica?

10 Feb, 2019 12:01pm
3 minutes to read

Explosives helping reveal how Antarctica's ice shelves might respond to a warming world.

NEW ZEALAND

The battle to save our forests and birds

10 Feb, 2019 9:10am
5 minutes to read

Scientists are urgently trying to model NZ's "warm" forests to save the birds within them.

Scientists have begun developing new milk-derived products that make a difference to the future health and potential of infants. Photo / 123RF

BUSINESS

Milk miracle: Scientists eye new baby booster

10 Feb, 2019 9:08am
4 minutes to read

Dr Mark McCann calls milk a miracle food - and for good reason.

Kiwi scientists survey the McMurdo Dry Valleys. Photo / Craig Cary

NEW ZEALAND

Antarctica: An alien valley, frozen in time

10 Feb, 2019 5:00am
12 minutes to read

Comment: When you step into Antarctica's McMurdo Dry Valleys, you step into another world.

NEW ZEALAND

What these creatures are telling us about climate change

9 Feb, 2019 5:00am
8 minutes to read

As the planet warms, we can turn to these species as climate change's coal mine canaries.

Swiss scientists have suggested that the gentle rocking motion of your backyard hammock can bring us broad benefits for sleep - including boosting memory consolidation. Photo / 123RF

NEW ZEALAND

Weird Science: A rocking way to sleep well this summer

2 Feb, 2019 5:00am
5 minutes to read

Here's something to try to beat that night-time heat - and which may benefit your brain.

Climate scientists are predicting a bumper summer, with warmth and humidity set to stick around everywhere for the next three months at least. Photo / Alan Gibson

NEW ZEALAND

Roll on summer: warmth, humidity here until April

1 Feb, 2019 3:17pm
3 minutes to read

Climate scientists are predicting a bumper summer, with warmth lingering through to April.

A new drug has given new hope to people with hepatitis C. Pictured celebrating its funding in Auckland's Queen St today are Hazel Heal, Anake Goodall, Rachel Stace and Tim Dare. Photo / Michael Craig

NEW ZEALAND

Hepatitis C survivors celebrate new drug funding

1 Feb, 2019 11:07am
4 minutes to read

Kiwis affected by hepatitis C are celebrating Pharmac's funding of a potential cure.

Auckland is leading the way at adapting its built environment to the coming impacts of climate change, Professor Iain White says. Photo / File

NEW ZEALAND

If this heatwave is NZ's future, are we ready for it?

31 Jan, 2019 5:14pm
4 minutes to read

Is New Zealand ready for the warmer, wilder future that this week has given us a taste of?

Auckland's Cornwall Park provides a leafy refuge in the heat today. MetService is reporting some spots have now had an official heatwave this week. Photo / Dean Purcell

NEW ZEALAND

Revealed: Where in NZ the heatwave is now official

31 Jan, 2019 5:06pm
3 minutes to read

For some sun-baked parts of the country, it's now been an official heatwave.

Auckland Zoo Asian elephant Burma gets a special treat in the form of a giant ice block to help cool her as temperatures continue to rise across the country. Photo / Dean Purcell

NEW ZEALAND

'Peak' heatwave today, with temps up to 37C

31 Jan, 2019 11:04am
5 minutes to read

Will this heatwave officially be a heatwave? Jamie Morton explains.

As much as $14 billion worth of council infrastructure is threatened by rising seas, prompting an urgent call for Government action. Photo / File

NEW ZEALAND

Rising seas threat to council infrastructure - report

31 Jan, 2019 9:05am
5 minutes to read

As much as $14 billion worth of council infrastructure is threatened by rising seas.

The discovery of quantum mechanics as the fundamental mechanical theory have already enabled inventions that revolutionised our society. Photo / 123RF

NEW ZEALAND

'Spooky' science will supercharge tomorrow's computers

31 Jan, 2019 5:00am
4 minutes to read

A phenomenon Einstein said was "too spooky to be true" could power future computers.

One of the six-rotor drones used in this month's operation to clear rats from North Seymour Island in Ecuador's famous Galápagos National Park. Photo / Island Conservation

NEW ZEALAND

Death from above: Kiwi drones helping save island

30 Jan, 2019 5:26pm
4 minutes to read

A Kiwi start-up is using drones to clear rats from an island in a world-first mission.

Summer Coulter, 11, Alyssa Coulter, 8, Hine Grant, 11, Lita Martin, 13, Sky-Lily Griffin, 2, beat the heat at Hastings' Frimley Pool yesterday. Photo / Duncan Brown

NEW ZEALAND

It's horribly hot: but last January was hotter

30 Jan, 2019 3:17pm
4 minutes to read

It might be hot – but this month's warmth still doesn't stack up to last January.

NEW ZEALAND

Solving NZ's freshwater headache: 'We have waited far too long'

29 Jan, 2019 4:18pm
7 minutes to read

As Kiwis head to their local swimming holes, Dr Mike Joy discusses our freshwater crisis.

Jamie Morton with a US Air Force LC-130 Hercules, about to fly from Christchurch to Antarctica. Photo / Jamie Morton

TRAVEL

Flight check: Christchurch to Antarctica

29 Jan, 2019 4:00pm
3 minutes to read

Jamie Morton flies from Christchurch to Willy's Field, on Antarctica.

Tracy Branch and Lee Carlyle, of Auckland's Branch Property Maintenance, didn't need to be told how hot it's been in the city today. Auckland temperatures have reached 30C. Photo / Doug Sherring

NEW ZEALAND

Feeling hotter than the forecast? You might be right

29 Jan, 2019 3:17pm
3 minutes to read

Feeling hotter at your place than MetService is reporting? You might well be right.

Sunny hot weather brings out the crowds at Waimarama Beach. Photo / Duncan Brown

NEW ZEALAND

NZ heatwave: Five big questions answered

29 Jan, 2019 12:25pm
4 minutes to read

Science reporter Jamie Morton asks five big questions about the current heatwave.

Napier's Cooper Egan, 8, paddles at Westshore Beach amid yesterday's heat. Today is forecast to be another scorcher. Photo / Duncan Brown

NEW ZEALAND

Explained: what the heatwave is doing to your body

29 Jan, 2019 9:07am
7 minutes to read

How is your body coping with this heat? Science reporter Jamie Morton gives some insight.

A microplate containing embryos that have been injected with Cas9 protein and PCSK9 sgRNA is seen in a laboratory in Shenzhen in southern China's Guangdong province. Photo / AP

NEW ZEALAND

'Unforeseen effects': Kiwi scientists call for controls in wake of Chinese human gene-editing experiment

28 Jan, 2019 4:32pm
4 minutes to read

NZ scientists have condemned a controversial Chinese gene-editing experiment.

Christopher Holloway found a fun way to beat the heat at Auckland's Point Erin pool today. Photo / Doug Sherring

NEW ZEALAND

Explained: What caused the heatwave?

28 Jan, 2019 4:08pm
5 minutes to read

Where did all of this heat come from? Jamie Morton explains.

Over the past two decades, obesity, undernutrition and climate change have been viewed as separate. Photo / 123RF

NEW ZEALAND

NZ researcher: Time to keep 'Big Food' out of govt policy

28 Jan, 2019 12:30pm
4 minutes to read

A NZ researcher says obesity, climate change and undernutrition can be tackled at once.

Scientists will try to model the hidden earthquake risk below Taranaki. Photo / File

NEW ZEALAND

Scientists probing Taranaki's hidden quake risk

28 Jan, 2019 5:00am
4 minutes to read

Scientists will try to model the hidden earthquake risk below Taranaki.

More carbon dioxide might be getting pulled from Auckland's atmosphere than first thought, a world-leading study has so far found. Photo / File

NEW ZEALAND

Auckland's carbon sink may be bigger than first thought

27 Jan, 2019 12:42pm
5 minutes to read

More CO2 might be getting sucked out of Auckland's atmosphere than first thought.

Scientists have debunked the so-called Mona Lisa Effect. Photo / File

NEW ZEALAND

Weird Science: The truth about the 'Mona Lisa Effect'

26 Jan, 2019 5:00am
4 minutes to read

Ever looked at a face on a billboard and creepily felt their gaze following you?

NEW ZEALAND

Taranaki honeymoon: Whacking possums

25 Jan, 2019 5:00am
2 minutes to read

For one newlywed couple, there's no better honeymoon than killing possums in Taranaki.

Boys jump into Napier's Pandora Pond in January 2018. Scientists say last summer's record warmth - on land and sea - a taste of what might come this century. Photo / File

NEW ZEALAND

Record-hot summer a taste of climate change

25 Jan, 2019 5:00am
4 minutes to read

Last summer's record warmth - on land and sea - a taste of what might come this century.

Globally, women undergo over one million in vitro fertilisation (IVF) cycles each year, but the success rate remains modest. Photo / 123RF

NEW ZEALAND

Popular fertility treatment has no benefits, study finds

24 Jan, 2019 11:00am
3 minutes to read

A common fertility procedure doesn't boost success rates of pregnancy, NZ researchers say.

Scientists finger climate change in trends showing warming NZ seas over the past 30 years. Photo / File

NEW ZEALAND

Climate change a driver in NZ's warming oceans

24 Jan, 2019 10:45am
4 minutes to read

Scientists finger climate change in trends showing warming NZ seas over past 30 years.

Antarctica locks down an equivalent 60m of potential global sea level rise - and there's still much uncertainty around how and when climate change might push it to tipping point. Photo / File

NEW ZEALAND

Million-dollar study: When will Antarctica's marine ice sheets melt?

22 Jan, 2019 12:32pm
5 minutes to read

How warm would the ocean have to get to melt Antarctica's marine ice sheets, study asks.

The endangered Fiordland penguin or tawaki has been tracked travelling 7000km in just eight weeks. Photo / Thomas Mattern

NEW ZEALAND

Visual: Inside a tiny penguin's incredible 7000km trek

21 Jan, 2019 5:00am
2 minutes to read

An elusive penguin's 7000km trek was one of the biggest surprises scientists got in 2018.

NEW ZEALAND

Food forensics: how did that needle get in your fruit?

19 Jan, 2019 5:00am
3 minutes to read

A needle winds up in your strawberry. How do we find out how it got there?

NEW ZEALAND

Jamie Morton's Antarctic Diary: Why Kiwis come to Scott Base

14 Jan, 2019 5:00am
6 minutes to read

What makes someone want to live in Antarctica? Jamie Morton explains.

Could chicken feathers help beef up your lean body mass? Photo / 123RF

LIFESTYLE

Are chicken feathers tomorrow's protein bars?

14 Jan, 2019 5:00am
2 minutes to read

Could chicken feathers help beef up your lean body mass?

Women are being encouraged to overcome obstacles through upbeat emotional management and

LIFESTYLE

How putting on a smile is hurting our health

13 Jan, 2019 5:00am
2 minutes to read

"Relentless positivity" is supposed to boost our lives. Is it doing the opposite?

It likely won't seem like it to the many of us stuck in holiday gridlocks this summer, but there is a science to traffic jams.

NEW ZEALAND

Weird Science: Traffic jams are organised chaos

12 Jan, 2019 5:00am
4 minutes to read

It might not seem like it - but there's a science to those holiday traffic jams.

Is time travel really possible? In theory, gravity could support tunnels or

NEW ZEALAND

Revealed: Answers to 10 science questions you were afraid to ask

12 Jan, 2019 5:00am
16 minutes to read

From time travel to dreams, scientists answer - or try to - 10 of the biggest questions.

This wayward emperor penguin dropped by Antarctica's Scott Base this week. Photo / Jess Mallon

NEW ZEALAND

Antarctic Diary: How cold is it at Scott Base?

11 Jan, 2019 2:08pm
5 minutes to read

Just how cold does it get at Antarctica's Scott Base? Jamie Morton explains.

Scientists have built up a comprehensive baseline of microbial life in the Dry Valleys. Photo / Craig Cary

NEW ZEALAND

Preserving Antarctica's famous Dry Valleys

11 Jan, 2019 10:05am
4 minutes to read

Scientists are completing a project to help protect Antarctica's remarkable Dry Valleys.

Overlooking the Ross Ice Shelf from Hut Point is this cross, erected in memory of George Vince, who died in an accident during an expedition nearby in 1904. Photo / Jamie Morton

NEW ZEALAND

Jamie Morton's Antarctic Diary: On the island of giants

11 Jan, 2019 5:00am
4 minutes to read

To be on Antarctica's Ross Island is to be amid the ghosts of giants, writes Jamie Morton.

The largest Antarctic traverse since the 1950s took years to plan logistically and its success was largely due to information provided by satellites. Photo / Neil Silverwood

NEW ZEALAND

Perilous 1100km Antarctic trek - in the name of climate science

10 Jan, 2019 2:17pm
5 minutes to read

A glaciologist's epic trek across France-sized ice shelf will help unlock climate clues.

Professor David Prior and his team are in Antarctica for a survey at the Priestley Glacier, some 400km from Scott Base. Photo / Supplied

NEW ZEALAND

An explosive way to track climate change

10 Jan, 2019 9:14am
3 minutes to read

Kiwi scientists have found a clever way to look at how climate change will hit Antarctica.

A rare tokoeka kiwi mauled to death by a dog. At least 23 kiwi were killed by dogs in 2018. Photo / Wendy Sporle

NEW ZEALAND

Horror year for fatal dog attacks on kiwi

9 Jan, 2019 5:00am
3 minutes to read

Dogs slaughtered more than 20 endangered kiwi this year – prompting a plea to owners.

A team led by the University of Auckland's Associate Professor Paul Augustinus is attempting a novel way to discover what lies beneath the vast Antarctic Ice Sheet. Photo / Supplied

NEW ZEALAND

What lies beneath Antarctica's ice?

8 Jan, 2019 5:00am
4 minutes to read

Scientists have found a new way to peer beneath the largest single mass of ice on Earth.

Scientists are developing a new way to keep a constant eye on the state of our lakes. Photo / File

NEW ZEALAND

Eye in the sky to check on our lakes

7 Jan, 2019 5:00am
5 minutes to read

Scientists will use satellite imagery in the battle to control toxic algal bloom.

Being able to better understand these whales would tell us more about the health of the wider Ross Sea. Photo / Ben King

NEW ZEALAND

Getting up close and personal with Antarctica's orcas

6 Jan, 2019 3:32pm
4 minutes to read

Scientists are gaining world-first insights into the lives of Antarctica's whales.

Being invited to Antarctica includes an issue of a full set of polar gear - including your own name tag. Photo / Jamie Morton

NEW ZEALAND

Antarctic Diary: Gearing up for the deep south

4 Jan, 2019 7:13am
3 minutes to read

Nothing about travelling to the coldest, windiest, driest place on Earth is normal.

How sharks match sound to location largely remains a mystery. Photo / File

NEW ZEALAND

Shark science: NZ study out to crack long-standing mystery

4 Jan, 2019 5:00am
4 minutes to read

Sharks are remarkable for many abilities: Some of which we don't even understand yet.

NEW ZEALAND

Into the ice world: Drilling into Antarctica's Mt Erebus

3 Jan, 2019 9:05am
3 minutes to read

Within Antarctica's most active volcano could be the key to understanding alien life.

Beachgoers ride the surf at Mt Maunganui in February 2018 after last year began with the hottest summer on record. Photo / File

NEW ZEALAND

Scorcher! 2018 was NZ's 'hottest year' on record

3 Jan, 2019 6:00am
3 minutes to read

NZ just saw its warmest year in one and a half centuries of records, scientist says.

Josh Jamieson and father Gary Jamieson were pulled from the ocean after their boat capsized in Golden Bay on Monday morning. Photo / Supplied

NEW ZEALAND

'Just hanging on': Dad-son bonding trip a near tragedy

2 Jan, 2019 12:55pm
3 minutes to read

Near-tragedy "wasn't the father-son bonding day I was hoping for," Josh Jamieson says.

NEW ZEALAND

The eight biggest myths about driverless cars

29 Dec, 2018 5:00am
8 minutes to read

Far from science fiction, driverless cars are already here - just not yet in New Zealand.

Mt Ruapehu's eruption in 1996. Scientists estimate they're aware only of 10 per cent of the eruptions that have taken place in the Taupo Volcanic Zone's 1.6 million year history. Photo / File

NEW ZEALAND

Blast from the past: revealing NZ's hidden eruptions

25 Dec, 2018 7:12am
5 minutes to read

When it comes to understanding NZ's ancient eruptions, we're missing most of the picture.

Researchers are exploring whether giving small doses of caffeine to babies born up to six weeks early might help prevent brain damage. Photo / 123RF

LIFESTYLE

Could caffeine help late preterm babies?

24 Dec, 2018 5:00am
4 minutes to read

Small doses of caffeine might help babies born up to eight weeks early.

A study from the Netherlands has shown that 36 per cent of people with migraines believe that drinking alcohol can trigger a migraine. Photo / 123RF

NEW ZEALAND

Weird Science: Xmas wine a migraine-maker

22 Dec, 2018 5:00am
3 minutes to read

If you're prone to migraines, you might want to reconsider that Chrissy tipple.