Latest from Science

Saturn's egg-shaped moon holds clues to its own origin
The Saturn moons Mimas and Pandora remind us of how different they are when they appear together, as in this image taken by Nasa's Cassini spacecraft.

Sense of smell in our genes
Kiwi scientists have proven there's a reason why some people enjoy the smell of things that others might retch at.

Kiwi who helped find 'hobbits' dies
A New Zealand-born archaeologist involved in the discovery of a new species of people, known as "hobbits'', has died.

New big-nosed dinosaur unearthed
Researchers in Utah say they have discovered a new type of big-nosed, horned-faced dinosaur that lived about 76 million years ago.

Kiwis in Alzheimer's breakthrough
Auckland neuro-scientists have made important discoveries in how Alzheimer's and Parkinson's may affect the brain.

Shark deadly at both ends
While sharks are usually feared more for their fangs, researchers have captured video footage of thresher sharks which use their tails as a weapon to stun or kill prey.

Banks defiant on animal drug tests
Act Party leader John Banks will make a rare vote against his coalition partner National this week to maintain his passionate defence of animal rights.

Picture special: Polar light show
For one of the harshest places on the planet, Antarctica in the winter does have its delights.

To infinity and beyond
Scientist, engineer and Rocketlab founder Peter Beck wants to make reaching space as easy as buying a new car. And with many powerful international backers, he just may achieve his mission, discovers Alan Perrott.

Moana - My Ocean
Te Tamaki Paenga Hira (Auckland War Memorial Museum) has visitors journeying into the unknown in a major new marine exhibition, Moana - My Ocean. Scientists from across New Zealand have contributed to the new, free marine exhibition which opened Friday 21 June and will run until 28th October 2013. Spanning everything from rare deep sea marine specimens to massively magnified phytoplankton to a Hauraki Gulf boil-up that brings a mid-ocean feeding frenzy to life with artificial intelligence, the exhibition has been two years in the making.

Judy-Anne Osborn: Zombie film 'staggeringly astute'
Judy-Anne Osborn asks "Could a dire new infection sweep the world in a matter of weeks? Might the disease be so strange it alters the behaviour of people beyond recognition, making them predatory and fearless?"

Beach pollution a mystery
Scientists are trying to solve the mystery cause of persistent high levels of water pollution at some of Auckland's west coast beaches.

Closing in on organ advance
Japanese scientists are expecting to be granted approval to grow human organs in animals and then harvest them for transplant within the next year.

Lessons from mean streets of London
I was born in Kent, England and self-educated by reading Encyclopedia Britannica in public libraries, while living rough on the streets of London.

Eclipse image lights dark side of moon
The US space agency NASA has come up with a startling image of an eclipse.

Icy continent holds climate clues
The closest most of us will get to Antarctica is nature documentaries like Frozen Planet - but the white continent's relevance to us and our future is far greater than we think.

Otago leads fight against tuberculosis
University of Otago microbiologist Prof Greg Cook and the university's new infectious disease containment laboratory have found themselves in the research front line in the international war against tuberculosis.

Simple maths holds key to climate threat
A climate change campaigner says he is hopeful that the world can avert a catastrophic global warming scenario.

Sample lab raises the bar
A pathology service has become the first in New Zealand to use a a high-tech barcode tracking system to help eliminate the risk of laboratory botch-ups.

Rhys Darby: Bring in the Pied Piper of Mars to save planet
Nasa's Mars rover Curiosity finally caused some real curiosity last week with a photo of what appeared to be a "rat" on Mars, writes Rhys Darby.

Twin tests: Chequered history
The use of twins to reveal the genetic roots of human attributes has had a mixed history, though the technique offers rich scientific pickings.

Difference in being identical
Barbara Oliver has had an intriguing relationship with her identical twin sister, Christine, over the decades. Throughout their childhoods they were treated as two versions of the one person: they were dressed the same and given the same hairstyles.

Climate change talks at Parliament today
Leading scientists, farmers, politicians, foresters and business people will descend on Parliament today to take part in a climate change conference.