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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 21]
Staged Easing Of Auckland’s Restrictions – Expert Reaction
Tuesday, 5 October 2021, 12:43 pm | Science Media Centre
Aucklanders are to stay in Alert Level 3, but some restrictions will be eased over time in a three-step plan, starting from tomorrow. Up to 10 masked people from two households can mingle outdoors in the first stage. Early childhood education, recreation, ... More >>
‘Very High’ Vaccination Rate Needed To End Lockdowns – Expert Reaction
Friday, 24 September 2021, 9:28 am | Science Media Centre
A new modelling paper says that New Zealand may no longer need lockdowns if we vaccinate 90 per cent of the population. The paper authors say moderate public health measures like mask use and gathering restrictions may even have to remain at this high rate ... More >>
$36 million to study infectious diseases – Expert Reaction
Monday, 20 September 2021, 9:14 am | Science Media Centre
New funding for infectious disease research – aiming to aid Aotearoa’s Covid-19 response and preparation for future pandemics – was announced at Sunday's 1 pm update. The Government will invest $36 million over three years in a new platform, ... More >>
Arthritis drug funded to treat Covid-19 – Expert Reaction
Friday, 17 September 2021, 9:11 am | Science Media Centre
Arthritis drug tocilizumab will now be funded to treat patients with moderate to severe cases of Covid-19. The drug is facing massive demand around the world , with its manufacturer Roche no longer able to supply New Zealand with the drug for the ... More >>
Understanding DDoS cyber attacks – Expert Reaction
Wednesday, 15 September 2021, 2:21 pm | Science Media Centre
Cyber attacks have hit several New Zealand organisations this month, disrupting their online services. The Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks were the same kind of cyber attack that affected the NZX around this time last year. The SMC ... More >>
What Do We Know About The Novavax Vaccine? – Expert Q&A
Tuesday, 14 September 2021, 5:14 pm | Science Media Centre
The Novavax vaccine is the remaining Covid-19 jab among the Government’s pre-purchase agreements that’s under review by Medsafe, with doses expected to arrive early next year. Medicines regulator Medsafe approved the three other vaccines in the Government’s ... More >>
Same Alert Levels To Continue For Another Week – Expert Reaction
Monday, 13 September 2021, 6:23 pm | Science Media Centre
New Zealand’s current alert level settings will stay the course for another week as “mystery cases” of Covid-19 still emerge in Auckland. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said Auckland will stay in Alert Level 4 until next Tuesday night, and – ... More >>
Unlinked cases under the spotlight – Expert Reaction
Monday, 13 September 2021, 10:39 am | Science Media Centre
Twenty new community cases were reported on Sunday, including eight cases yet to be linked. In total, 34 unlinked cases remain in this delta outbreak – including the eight from Sunday. Three sub-clusters remain where officials have concerns about ... More >>
Extra Pfizer vaccines due tomorrow - Expert Reaction
Thursday, 9 September 2021, 3:06 pm | Science Media Centre
New Zealand has topped up its Covid-19 vaccine supply with more than 250,000 additional doses purchased from Spain to meet high demand for vaccination. The extra doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine are currently en route, due to arrive in Auckland tomorrow ... More >>
Kākāpō in good genetic health despite inbreeding
Thursday, 9 September 2021, 11:15 am | Science Media Centre
Analysis of almost 50 kākāpō genomes has found the current population on Rakiura/Stewart Island is more in-bred – but shows fewer harmful mutations – than a now-extinct mainland population. One explanation is that Rakiura kākāpō may have “purged” ... More >>
The Best Tests For This Delta Outbreak – Expert Q&A
Wednesday, 8 September 2021, 6:52 pm | Science Media Centre
The place of testing in our current Covid-19 response is being widely discussed – but which tests are best: PCR or rapid antigen? Saliva or nasal swab? Essential workers transiting in and out of Auckland will have to be tested weekly and the Government ... More >>
Back To School Under ‘Delta Level 2’ – Expert Reaction
Wednesday, 8 September 2021, 6:38 pm | Science Media Centre
Public schools outside Auckland will be re-opening tomorrow under revised Alert Level 2 settings, which encourage tamariki over the age of 12 to wear masks, but don’t require it. Under the Alert Level 2 , schools should put extra public health ... More >>
Alert Level 2 Revised Due To Delta Variant - Expert Reaction
Monday, 6 September 2021, 6:21 pm | Science Media Centre
With the exception of Auckland, New Zealand will drop down to Alert Level 2 tomorrow night. The Alert Level 2 settings have been significantly revised in response to the more transmissible Delta variant. Under the revised Alert Level 2 settings, people ... More >>
Cabinet set to review the alert level settings
Monday, 6 September 2021, 10:36 am | Science Media Centre
20 new Covid-19 community cases have been reported on Sunday, with Cabinet set to review the alert level settings for the country outside of Auckland on Monday afternoon. The SMC asked experts to comment. Professor Michael Baker, Professor of Public Health, ... More >>
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 >>
