Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
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 20]
Chasing Covid Variants Of Interest – Expert Q&A
Thursday, 2 September 2021, 6:19 pm | Science Media Centre
The Mu variant of the Covid-19 virus – first found in Colombia early this year – has now been classed as a variant of interest. As the virus changes, the World Health Organization aims to pick up early signs – and consider the risk – of ... More >>
Two weeks since lockdown began – Expert Reaction
Wednesday, 1 September 2021, 3:13 pm | Science Media Centre
The Ministry of Health has announced 75 new Covid cases in New Zealand, a rise on the previous two days. All but one of the cases are in Auckland, while one infected person is in Wellington. This person has no symptoms, and their positive Covid-19 ... More >>
Cancer risk from nitrates deemed unlikely – Expert Reaction
Wednesday, 1 September 2021, 10:18 am | Science Media Centre
New research concludes it is “highly unlikely” that nitrates in drinking water or food increase bowel cancer risk, based on existing evidence. Carried out by ESR scientists, the research was jointly funded by MBIE and Fonterra. According to the ... More >>
West Auckland hit by “incredible” rainfall – Expert Reaction
Tuesday, 31 August 2021, 1:41 pm | Science Media Centre
Parts of Auckland – especially in the west – have had an “incredible” amount of rain in overnight thunderstorms, according to NIWA. Fifty homes have been evacuated, people trapped, and cars swept away due to flooding. The massive storm and floodwaters ... More >>
Vaccine Benefits “Far Outweigh” Rare Risks – Expert Reaction
Monday, 30 August 2021, 6:27 pm | Science Media Centre
The Ministry of Health has released advice from a review into a New Zealand woman’s death, which occurred after receiving a Pfizer vaccine. The COVID-19 Vaccine Independent Safety Monitoring Board advised health professionals and the public to be aware of ... More >>
Auckland has two more weeks in Level 4 – Expert Reaction
Monday, 30 August 2021, 5:08 pm | Science Media Centre
Cabinet has decided Auckland will stay at alert level 4 for another fortnight, while Northland will move to alert level 3 on Friday if Covid-19 test results allow. The rest of New Zealand will move to alert level 3 on Wednesday for one week, to be reviewed ... More >>
Alert Level 3 South Of Auckland – Expert Reaction
Friday, 27 August 2021, 4:39 pm | Science Media Centre
All regions south of Auckland will shift to alert level 3 next Tuesday, to be reviewed on Mon 6th Sept. Auckland and Northland will remain in level 4, likely for at least another fortnight – with Cabinet to review this. The decisions come after 70 new ... More >>
How warming oceans increased marine biodiversity
Friday, 27 August 2021, 2:24 pm | Science Media Centre
New Zealand has marine fossil records that span the course of 40 million years. Now they’re giving us a glimpse at how marine life responds to a warming ocean. A new paper in Science has found past biodiversity increased alongside warming ocean ... More >>
Airborne virus spread “vastly underappreciated”
Friday, 27 August 2021, 1:16 pm | Science Media Centre
What we’ve learned so far about how Covid-19 spreads shows we need to re-evaluate how all respiratory infectious diseases pass among us, according to a new review in Science. Up until the pandemic, it’s been understood that the small droplets ... More >>
Waning immunity to Covid-19 – Expert Reaction
Friday, 27 August 2021, 1:02 pm | Science Media Centre
Health officials are considering booster shots for Covid-19, in the wake of Israel’s decision to offer a third shot, and the US’s call to offer a booster to certain immune-compromised people. What do we know about how Covid immunity declines over ... More >>
Toxic fumigant to be phased out by 2033
Thursday, 26 August 2021, 10:46 am | Science Media Centre
The EPA has decided to gradually phase out use of methyl bromide gas by 2033. The ozone-depleting gas is used in New Zealand to kill pests from trade cargo, almost exclusively to sterilise logs and export timber. The EPA says New Zealand’s use ... More >>
Lockdown Lifestyle Advice Differs With Delta – Expert Reaction
Wednesday, 25 August 2021, 7:49 pm | Science Media Centre
The extension of Level 4 lockdown across the country, announced Monday, poses challenges in keeping well and active while largely staying at home. And in this lockdown, a key difference is the Delta variant – and how that’s changed the expectations ... More >>
Over half of cases in Delta outbreak are Pacific people
Wednesday, 25 August 2021, 8:38 am | Science Media Centre
More than half of cases in the current COVID-19 outbreak are Pasifika people after an infected person went to a church service. Director-General of Health Ashley Bloomfield said an August 15 service at the Assembly of God Church of Samoa remains the event ... More >>
Longer lockdown for all NZ
Tuesday, 24 August 2021, 9:38 am | Science Media Centre
Level 4 lockdown is to continue across the whole country until at least midnight on Friday. Meanwhile, Auckland will remain in lockdown for at least another full week. The next steps for areas outside of Auckland will be reviewed on Friday, while ... More >>
Mandatory scanning and record keeping – Expert Reaction
Tuesday, 24 August 2021, 9:35 am | Science Media Centre
Businesses and events will now be responsible for ensuring people keep a record when they visit, for Covid-19 contact tracing purposes. People will be asked to use the Covid Tracer app or other forms of record keeping at these locations at all alert ... More >>
Covid vaccines for early teens – Expert Reaction
Thursday, 19 August 2021, 4:19 pm | Science Media Centre
Children as young as 12 can have their vaccine from 1st Sept, or even earlier if they're accompanying a pre-booked adult. The decision has come from Cabinet today, after Medsafe gave provisional approval for the 12-15 age bracket in June. The SMC ... More >>
Mandatory masking and Delta – Expert Reaction
Wednesday, 18 August 2021, 3:27 pm | Science Media Centre
Masks will be mandatory in essential stores from tomorrow, as the government announces the new rule to help curb the Covid-19 Delta outbreak. Masks will be required for everyone over 11 years old in places like supermarkets, bus terminals, and taxis. ... More >>
The second nationwide Covid-19 lockdown - Expert Reaction
Wednesday, 18 August 2021, 11:04 am | Science Media Centre
The country is going back into a level 4 lockdown at 11:59pm tonight, for just the second time since the pandemic began. It comes after a community case was discovered in Auckland. The man, a 58-year-old male from Devonport, on Auckland's North Shore, ... More >>
Govt Resets Covid-19 Approach, Announcing Steps To Reopen NZ - Expert Reaction
Thursday, 12 August 2021, 3:21 pm | Science Media Centre
A speedup of the Covid-19 vaccination rollout and a border opening pilot trial are coming this year, as part of the government's plan to reopen the borders. All over-16s will be eligible for the jab from September, but the time between doses ... More >>
When Can We Safely Open The Borders? – Expert Reaction
Wednesday, 11 August 2021, 11:21 am | Science Media Centre
The more infectious Delta variant of Covid-19 means a large chunk of New Zealand needs to be vaccinated before we can begin to re-open the borders, according to new science advice. The Strategic COVID-19 Public Health Advisory Group also advises ... More >>
