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Science Media Centre NZ
Our aim is to promote accurate, evidence-based reporting on science and technology by helping the media work more closely with the scientific community.
The Science Media Centre is New Zealand's only trusted, independent source of information for the media on all issues related to science. Thousands of news stories providing context from and quoting New Zealand researchers have been published as a direct result of our work.
Science Media Centre NZ - Latest News [Page 13]
EPA Proposes Ban On PFAS In Cosmetics – Expert Reaction
Friday, 10 March 2023, 2:09 pm | Science Media Centre
The Environmental Protection Authority is seeking feedback on its proposed changes to the Cosmetics Products Group Standards, which contain rules around ingredients and labelling. The EPA proposes that New Zealand aligns its rules for ingredients ... More >>
Is Avian Influenza A Threat To Aotearoa? – Expert Reaction
Friday, 10 March 2023, 2:07 pm | Science Media Centre
The current international outbreak of avian flu is decimating wild birds, causing havoc for chicken farmers, and has even spilled over into several mammalian species – including our own. Could it come to NZ’s shores? And how worried should we ... More >>
A Treaty For The High Seas – Expert Reaction
Wednesday, 8 March 2023, 1:35 pm | Science Media Centre
After almost 20 years of talks, United Nations member states have agreed on a legal framework for parts of the ocean outside national boundaries. The legal framework covers the establishment of vast marine protected areas to protect against ... More >>
Census Day Is Coming Up, So How Does Filling Out A Form Help Researchers Gain A Better Picture Of Aotearoa?
Saturday, 4 March 2023, 8:51 pm | Science Media Centre
Census Night is officially next Tuesday , so anyone in Aotearoa New Zealand that night needs to fill out a census form. This year’s census will be extended for areas impacted by Cyclone Gabrielle. The SMC asked experts to break down why census ... More >>
The Science Of Fukushima’s Treated Nuclear Wastewater – Expert Reaction
Wednesday, 1 March 2023, 2:59 pm | Science Media Centre
Japan has recently deferred plans to release more than one million tonnes of treated nuclear wastewater from the damaged Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant into the Pacific Ocean until it is verifiably safe to do so. In March 2011, a magnitude 9.0 ... More >>
Omicron-specific Vaccine Approved For Over-30s – Expert Reaction
Thursday, 23 February 2023, 2:32 pm | Science Media Centre
Everyone in Aotearoa over 30 years old will be able to get the new Pfizer Covid-19 bivalent vaccine from the beginning of April. The bivalent vaccine uses components of two strains of the virus – the original strain of Covid-19, and the Omicron ... More >>
Disaster Fatigue As More Rain Forecast For Cyclone-hit Areas – Expert Reaction
Thursday, 23 February 2023, 2:29 pm | Science Media Centre
Metservice says there is a possibility of heavy rain in some of the cyclone-impacted areas over the rest of the week, and further cyclones in the wider South Pacific the coming weeks. It comes after areas of the North Island have been repeatedly hit ... More >>
Measles Case Confirmed In Auckland - Expert Reaction
Wednesday, 15 February 2023, 8:06 am | Science Media Centre
New Zealand’s first measles diagnosis since 2019 was announced last night – an Aucklander infected overseas. Though now isolating at home, the person had earlier attended events in the week to 11 February, including a Waikato festival, a Tauranga ... More >>
Telecommunications Taken Out By Cyclone Gabrielle - Expert Reaction
Tuesday, 14 February 2023, 11:26 am | Science Media Centre
Communications in the Tairāwhiti region are fully out this morning, cutting off the area from the rest of Aotearoa and affecting local disaster response. Satellite access has been provided to dairies in Northland so they can continue to sell essentials, ... More >>
What’s Fuelling Cyclone Gabrielle? – Expert Reaction
Tuesday, 14 February 2023, 11:22 am | Science Media Centre
Warm oceans, warm air, La Niña conditions, and a changing climate have made for a summer of perfect storms – with Cyclone Gabrielle no exception. The extreme low pressure system is expected to continue to affect the North Island until at least ... More >>
The Impact Of Back-to-back Storms – Expert Reaction
Sunday, 12 February 2023, 2:23 pm | Science Media Centre
Red heavy rain and strong wind warnings are now in effect for much of the upper North Island, including Auckland, as Cyclone Gabrielle is already impacting northern parts of the country. This comes roughly ... More >>
AI That Can (almost) Pass A Medical Licensing Exam – Expert Reaction
Friday, 10 February 2023, 10:14 am | Science Media Centre
The AI software ChatGPT was able to score at or close to the 60% passing grade needed for the United States Medical Licensing Exam (USMLE), according to new US research. The USMLE is a notoriously difficult series of three exams that are required to get ... More >>
Pfizer Vaccine Available For Some Under-5s – Expert Reaction
Thursday, 9 February 2023, 3:09 pm | Science Media Centre
Children aged between six months and four years can now access a paediatric version of the Pfizer vaccine if they are at higher risk of severe Covid-19. The Ministry of Health said the three-dose paediatric vaccine would be available starting today ... More >>
Extreme Rainfall In A Warming World – Expert Reaction
Monday, 30 January 2023, 6:37 pm | Science Media Centre
Auckland is currently challenging the record for its wettest month ever. More than 769% of its rainfall in a normal January has been recorded so far, with another round of downpours likely to hit again tomorrow night. The SMC asked experts to discuss ... More >>
Making Homes Safe After Floods - Expert Reaction
Monday, 30 January 2023, 4:27 pm | Science Media Centre
Forty homes have been red-stickered, and around 5,000 more have been damaged after a record-smashing deluge across the upper North Island. Health hazards such as mould and contamination could be waiting for residents returning to their waterlogged homes. ... More >>
Covid-19 Reinfections Are Ramping Up, But How Accessible Are Antiviral Medicines?
Thursday, 8 December 2022, 11:44 am | Science Media Centre
Earlier this spring, a Pfizer-funded survey reported that 54% of New Zealanders knew little about antiviral treatments for Covid-19. The SMC asked experts about access to Covid-19 antiviral medicines and what we know about the risks of reinfection. ... More >>
Major Makeover For NZ Science System – Expert Reaction
Wednesday, 7 December 2022, 10:06 am | Science Media Centre NZ
The system that supports our researchers and innovators is set for an overhaul, with the release of the “Te Ara Paerangi – Future Pathways” white paper. The blueprint will reshape Aotearoa’s research, science and innovation landscape to ... More >>
COP15: A Global Summit To Safeguard Nature – Expert Reaction
Monday, 5 December 2022, 6:44 pm | Science Media Centre
Governments from around the world will convene in Montreal this week for the UN Biodiversity Conference (COP15) from 7 – 19 December 2022. The conference will convene governments from around the world to agree to a new set of goals for nature ... More >>
Smoking’s Sunset A Step Closer – Expert Q&A
Thursday, 1 December 2022, 7:01 pm | Science Media Centre
The Health Select Committee has given the green light to the Smokefree Bill this week. Its report makes additional recommendations as well, like capping the number of tobacco retailers to no more than 600. Yesterday, Action for Smokefree 2025 (ASH) ... More >>
Meth Contamination Standards In Rental Homes – Expert Reaction
Thursday, 24 November 2022, 3:31 pm | Science Media Centre
Public consultations have opened on a proposal to finally clarify what level of methamphetamine residue inside rental homes is a health problem that needs to be addressed. A 2018 report by Professor Sir Peter Gluckman found the meth contamination ... More >>
