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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.

Blood moons - like that expected Saturday morning - came as the result of sunlight leaking through Earth's atmosphere and reaching the moon. Photo / File

NEW ZEALAND

Prepare for a once-in-a-lifetime glimpse at a 'blood moon'

26 Jul, 2018 2:16pm
3 minutes to read

Star-gazers are soon to get a once-in-a-lifetime glimpse at a "blood moon" like no other.

Sir Ray Avery wants an Eden Park concert to raise money for his LifePod baby incubators. Photo / Greg Bowker

NEW ZEALAND

The knight, the lifepods and the concert: Sir Ray Avery shocked by naysayers

26 Jul, 2018 5:00am
3 minutes to read

Scientist and philanthropist has been met with criticism over the LifePods and concert.

Sir Ray Avery with one of the LifePod incubators that a proposed Waitangi Day concert at Eden Park will raise funds towards. Photo / File

NEW ZEALAND

No backdown: Helen Clark's shot at Sir Ray Avery

25 Jul, 2018 8:45pm
4 minutes to read

Sir Ray Avery faces fresh questions over LifePods on the eve of decision on charity gig.

Forest & Bird is angered at the idea that areas like this in, in the South Island's Mt Richmond Forest Park, are open to prospecting for minerals mining. Photo / Supplied

NEW ZEALAND

Timing of mining prospect offers 'unfortunate' - minister

25 Jul, 2018 7:45pm
4 minutes to read

Forest and Bird is outraged new South Island mining prospecting areas have been opened up.

Climate Change Minister James Shaw has used a Pacific conference to call for collective action on climate change. Photo / File

NEW ZEALAND

Shaw calls for joint Pacific push on climate threat

25 Jul, 2018 6:20pm
3 minutes to read

New Zealand and its Pacific neighbours aren't too small for climate action, minister says.

Researchers had wondered whether sildenafil might help babies grow by increasing blood supply to the placenta. Photo / 123RF

NEW ZEALAND

Baby deaths prompt NZ researchers to review clinical trial

25 Jul, 2018 2:00pm
3 minutes to read

Deaths of babies in an overseas trial prompts review of similar trial here.

Of more than 500 EV owners just surveyed, nearly two thirds said they only check their tyre pressure every six months or so - and some others never bothered at all. Photo / Supplied

NEW ZEALAND

Most EVs' tyres could do with a pump-up - survey

24 Jul, 2018 5:34pm
3 minutes to read

"Range anxiety" might not be the only issue for NZ's growing ranks of EV owners.

One of the largest donors to Te Papa's natural history collections has taken his worries about a restructure at the national museum to the prime minister. Photo / File

NEW ZEALAND

NZ's 'Mr Moa' protests to PM over Te Papa restructure

24 Jul, 2018 3:46pm
4 minutes to read

A renowned scientist has complained to the PM over Te Papa's proposed restructure.

NEW ZEALAND

NZ plant-based future foods could be 'hero' of dinner plate

24 Jul, 2018 1:31pm
4 minutes to read

Top scientist sees future of foods combining high-power plant proteins with meat and dairy

What actions New Zealand companies and public bodies have been taking to address climate risk largely hasn't been shared, a new analysis finds. Photo / File

BUSINESS

NZ companies fail to underscore climate risk

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

New Zealand hasn't been "walking the talk" on climate risk, finds a sweeping new analysis.

NEW ZEALAND

Remembering visionary Sir Paul Callaghan

22 Jul, 2018 3:06pm
7 minutes to read

Professor Shaun Hendy remembers his late friend and visionary mentor, Sir Paul Callaghan.

One of the largest surveys of people's earliest recollections has found that nearly 40 per cent of people had a

NEW ZEALAND

Weird Science: Why your first memory might be fake

21 Jul, 2018 5:00am
6 minutes to read

That first memory you have of being a baby is likely an illusion you formed in later life.

Red and processed meats offer an important source of nutrients, but consuming large amounts of it increases the risk of some types of disease. Photo / 123RF

NEW ZEALAND

High-meat diet bad for your health and the planet - review

20 Jul, 2018 6:00am
4 minutes to read

Cutting back on a high-meat diet could be good for the planet and good for ourselves.

This rift, which led to the calving of a massive iceberg last year, raised questions about the future stability of Antarctica's Larsen C Ice Shelf in a warming world. Photo / British Antarctic Survey

NEW ZEALAND

Global seas could rise 26mm with loss of two ice shelves

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

The loss of just two Antarctic ice sheets could raise global sea levels by more than 20mm.

A family of genetic controls could hold the answer to making fruit and vegetables healthier, better tasting, or more visually appealing - like this red-fleshed apple. Photo / Plant & Food Research

NEW ZEALAND

How we could make fruit taste - and look - better

20 Jul, 2018 5:00am
3 minutes to read

We could make our fruit and veges healthier, tastier - or even just different colours.

Marine biologists and whale-watchers alike are abuzz with a rare sighting of multiple blue whales - including a calf - in the Hauraki Gulf over recent days. Photo / Auckland Whale and Dolphin Safari

NEW ZEALAND

Fluke of a spectacle awes lucky Auckland whale-watchers

19 Jul, 2018 10:50am
3 minutes to read

Move over Whale-ington - Auckland has its big mammal news to brag about.

A new review suggests long-chain omega 3 supplements do little for heart protection. Photo / 123RF

NEW ZEALAND

Do fish oil pills really protect your heart?

18 Jul, 2018 6:03pm
4 minutes to read

A new review suggests long-chain omega 3 supplements do little for heart protection.

Two thirds of Kiwis live in areas that are vulnerable to flooding, and an estimated $200 billion of public assets and infrastructure is at risk from rising seas. Photo / File

NEW ZEALAND

Councils unsure where to start on climate threat - scientist

18 Jul, 2018 4:32pm
4 minutes to read

A scientist is worried councils are struggling to get started on sea level rise planning.

A skeleton, nicknamed Ata, was discovered more than a decade ago in an abandoned town in the Atacama Desert of Chile. Photo / Bhattacharya et al

NEW ZEALAND

NZ scientist calls out 'unnecessary' US skeleton study

18 Jul, 2018 11:49am
4 minutes to read

NZ scientist joins criticism of US study of skeleton famed for its alien-like appearance.

Scientists have been astonished to discover how kelp made it 20,000km from some remote islands in the Southern Indian Ocean to Antarctica's pristine shores. Photo / Ceridwen Fraser

NEW ZEALAND

Our last wilderness isn't so remote after all

17 Jul, 2018 5:00am
3 minutes to read

Kelp's 20,000km drift to Antarctica stirs worry over plastic reaching pristine continent.

NEW ZEALAND

Researchers criticise NZ's 2050 pest wipe-out drive

16 Jul, 2018 6:31pm
5 minutes to read

Two researchers have proposed an alternative to NZ's 2050 goal - but DoC's not convinced.

The technology in inspired by the same receptors that insects such as bees use to pick up minuscule compounds. Photo / 123RF

NEW ZEALAND

Could our smartphones soon be able to smell?

16 Jul, 2018 3:24pm
3 minutes to read

Could your smartphone one day be able to smell? Kiwi-made tech could see it happen.

Reducing emissions from motor vehicles by changing modes of transport - walking and cycling in particular - could help combat obesity and cardiovascular disease. Photo / File

NEW ZEALAND

Doctors urged to back fresh effort on climate change

16 Jul, 2018 2:24pm
3 minutes to read

Health professionals have been urged to back Govt's proposed Zero Carbon Act.

As at this morning, nearly 8000 people reported feeling (denoted in colours) last night's 9.10pm quake, which struck about 10km east of Christchurch at a depth of 12km. Image / GeoNet

NEW ZEALAND

ChCh quake was region's biggest in half a year

16 Jul, 2018 11:46am
3 minutes to read

Last night's 4.0 earthquake was Christchurch's strongest in more than half a year.

A new poll suggests the vast majority of Kiwis expect to see frequent and extreme storms, more droughts, inundated coastlines from sea level rise. Photo / Jason Oxenham

NEW ZEALAND

Poll: Few Kiwis think world will overcome climate challenge

15 Jul, 2018 6:00pm
4 minutes to read

A new poll shows Kiwis want climate action, but doubt the world will avoid worst impacts.

An artist's depiction of a Haast's eagle attacking two moa. Image / John Megahan

NEW ZEALAND

Reconstructing the fearsome Haast's eagle

15 Jul, 2018 4:02pm
3 minutes to read

Digitally reconstructing the huge Haast's eagle could help save birds that still remain.

The 7.8 quake that shook Fiordland, nine years ago today, was the largest in nearly a century. Photo / Stephen Russell

NEW ZEALAND

Nine years ago: NZ's forgotten monster quake

15 Jul, 2018 1:09pm
7 minutes to read

The biggest quake in nearly a century struck nine years ago today. But we've forgotten it.

NEW ZEALAND

Meet the Kiwi DNA detective helping kids across world

15 Jul, 2018 5:30am
5 minutes to read

World-renowned Kiwi researcher Stephen Robertson is offering hope to families everywhere.

Digital detox holidays are on the rise, researchers suggest. Photo / 123RF

NEW ZEALAND

Weird Science: 'Digital detox' holidays on the rise

14 Jul, 2018 5:00am
8 minutes to read

Unplugged holidays could soon become a big part of the tourism industry, study finds.

Mars, viewed here through the Hubble Space Telescope, is paying us its closest visit for the next 17 years, making the red planet appear bigger and brighter than usual. Photo / ESA

NEW ZEALAND

I see red: Mars comes closest to Earth in 17 years

12 Jul, 2018 11:08am
2 minutes to read

Mars is paying its closest visit for the next 17 years, making the planet appear bigger.

While there are many supposedly environmentally-friendly plastics coming onto the market, it remains extremely difficult for consumers to make sense of their respective claims. Photo / 123RF

NEW ZEALAND

Green or mean? What does 'biodegradable' plastic actually mean?

12 Jul, 2018 9:30am
5 minutes to read

Simon Upton wants confusion around biodegradable and compostable plastics cleared up.

TRAVEL

Room check: Bay Vista Waterfront Motel

12 Jul, 2018 8:00am
2 minutes to read

Belinda Feek stays at the Bay Vista Waterfront Motel, Picton.

BUSINESS

60 leading Kiwi CEOs commit to climate action

12 Jul, 2018 6:00am
4 minutes to read

Air NZ, Fonterra and Z Energy among major companies pledging to new climate collective.

NEW ZEALAND

How to kill fake news: Pause before you share

11 Jul, 2018 6:53pm
3 minutes to read

A visiting Emmy-winning documentary-maker shares some tips on combating fake news.

Soil-borne kauri dieback disease has spread across Auckland, Northland, the Coromandel and Waikato in just a decade. Photo / File

NEW ZEALAND

DoC eyeing more mass track closures over kauri dieback threat

11 Jul, 2018 4:24pm
2 minutes to read

DoC is proposing to fully or partially close 34 tracks over risks from kauri dieback.

Around 360 Kiwis are each year diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a cancer of plasma cells that usually arises in the bone marrow. Photo / 123RF

NEW ZEALAND

Scientists stumble on promising agent for incurable cancer

11 Jul, 2018 2:14pm
4 minutes to read

Haematologists discover favourable response to the antibiotic "completely by chance".

Professor Karen Willcox didn't plan on becoming an engineer until two girls spoke at her Auckland high school about the field. Photo / File

NEW ZEALAND

Aeronautics whizz inspiring girls to reach for the stars

11 Jul, 2018 10:38am
5 minutes to read

A top MIT engineer who nearly became NZ's first astronaut has a message for young women.

Of 10 kakapo lineages identified in the new study, just one remains today. Photo / File

NEW ZEALAND

Study highlights NZ's 750-year biodiversity tragedy

10 Jul, 2018 6:47pm
4 minutes to read

Scientists have reached 750 years into our past to gain new insights into NZ's species.