The more we learn about the formation and evolution of our solar system, the more we realise it was far from a sedate, gentle process.

The moon. Our nearest neighbour. The main source of the ocean's tides, and a beacon that drives the lives of animals across the globe.

Introducing new species is a valuable tool for controlling pests, but although there have been some stunning successes, it can go badly wrong, writes Jacqueline Beggs.

Goodbye frosts, hello droughts and bush fires.

Gun shots slow down and lose power almost immediately after they enter water - and the shark would need to have been on the surface for hits to be fatal, experts say.

The pending introduction of 11 species of dung beetles to New Zealand has been blasted as a potential biosecurity disaster by Auckland University's Dean of Science.

There are only 7 northern white rhinos left in the world and 4 of them live in the Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Kenya. Protecting them and the other rhinos, elephants, leopards and other animals in the reserve is a particularly hard job for the 190 rangers.

A government scientist who intentionally allowed genetically modified ryegrass plants to flower and potentially release pollen was justifiably sacked, says the ERA.

The steam and super-heated gases which have been pouring from the side of Mt Tongariro since two surprise eruptions last year are set to be a feature for years.

The past few years have not been great for those in the business of predicting natural disasters, writes Chris De Freitas. Think of the doomsday forecasts of Christian radio broadcaster Harold Camping and that of the much hyped Mayan calendar.

For more than half a century, scientists have postulated the existence of a subatomic particle that creates an invisible force field permeating the cosmos.

Taupo's mayor has criticised the response to Mt Tongariro's eruption this week, calling it an overreaction and saying we need to "learn to live with a live volcano".

After Mt Tongariro spewed ash into the sky, scientists are closely watching its potentially more destructive neighbour Mt Ruapehu.

Mandatory emissions standards for new vehicles and an electrical "smart grid" are among a raft of ways New Zealand could tap into a global green economy.

A senior government scientist was fired for allegedly allowing genetically modified ryegrass plants to flower and potentially release pollen without proper protection.