Exploring the world around us through science can be fun, says Dr Michelle Dickinson. She uses food to explain the complexities of taste and smell.

A team of researchers discovered the hog-nosed rat during a expedition in a remote and mountainous area of Indonesia two years ago.

Trib1 is part of the protein family Tribbles, which play diverse roles in cell signalling and development and are named after the small, furry creatures from Star Trek that reproduce uncontrollably.

"The erosive power of glaciers varies considerably, with some of the most rapid glacial erosion happening in mid-latitude climates," he said.

A new study published this week challenges that notion and puts forth a theory that the 'high' feeling joggers experience can be known as a 'self-produced marijuana'.

Virtual assistant 'Duer' is the latest addition to the roster of search, e-commerce and delivery services provided by Chinese technology giant Baidu

More publicly-funded science discoveries are hitting the market with investment from the Government's PreSeed Accelerator Fund.

NIWA’s scientists have again shown off their photographic flair with a range of pictures showcased at the institute’s Excellence Awards ceremony in Auckland this week.

The images shot by staff offer an insight into the stunning landscapes the scientists get to work in, from the ice shelves of Antarctica to the summit of Mt Ruapehu.

Scientific diver Crispin Middleton won the Our People section for a photography he calls “Toado Selfie.”

Taken at the Poor Knights Marine Reserve, he is surrounded by panicked Starry Toado Pufferfish.

These fish are rarely seen and usually live in deep open water. On rare occasions they stray too close to land and get attacked by hungry kingfish and snapper.

The judges – photography professionals Ross Giblin of Fairfax Media, Gerry le Roux from Science Lens and NIWA’s Dave Allen, commented that the world would be a better place “if more selfies were this good”.

The biggest threat to Auckland's environment continues to come from its own population, according to a stocktake presented to city councillors today.

Excessive drinking has led to "unpredictable behaviour" including fights, arriving at work "under the influence", and indecent exposure.

Auckland University's Professor Richard Easther, one of the world's leading cosmologists, gives his scientific verdict on the movie of the moment.

Famed geysers like Waikite and Wairoa were giants in Rotorua's bubbling landscape before they fell silent decades ago. Today, there are signs of a new explosive era.

Kiwi scientists have uncovered another secret of a wonder-protein that's already been shown to play a hand in reproduction and early brain development.

It is estimated up to a third of all cases of infertility in women involve disorders in the area of brain circuitry.

The Government lays out a 10-year plan for investing in science.

200 new species have been discovered in the Eastern Himalayas in the past five years.

Dr Tom Trnski, head of natural science at Auckland Museum thinks that our marine systems could recover if humans back off.

Evolutionary biologist and writer Richard Dawkins says he suspects religion is "dying" in New Zealand and that's a good thing for science and education.

Who we find attractive isn't determined by some complex genetic construct, but simply by our own personal experiences.

After months of pilot programmes OMGTech! launched their nationwide initiative to enable access for all children in NZ to learn advanced technology.

Kiwi space company Rocket Lab may be flying spacecraft to the lunar surface as soon as 2017.

Our biggest fund for blue sky research is boosting scientific output in New Zealand, but there's plenty of room to improve.

Babies are more active in the uterus when a pregnant mother lies on her left side than on her back, according to important new research.

New Zealand receives big warning it's gazing down the barrel of the worst El Nino summer since the calamitous 1997/98 event.

Notable family's large donation helps repair telescope damaged in 2011 Christchurch earthquake.

Doctor's "inclusive and unselfish" work to inspire female immunologists rewarded.

Exhaustive review concludes upping calcium intake through food or supplements is unlikely to improve bone health or prevent fractures in older people.

Bowel cancer patients with higher levels of vitamin C in their tumours have extended disease-free survival - is the same true for breast cancer?