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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 23]
Two Weak Positive Results From ESR’s Routine Wastewater Surveillance Testing For COVID-19 In Wellington Reported
Monday, 17 May 2021, 9:51 am | Science Media Centre
Two weak positive results have arisen from ESR’s routine wastewater surveillance testing for COVID-19 in Wellington, reported this weekend. These results are likely to have come from recently-recovered cases continuing to shed the virus, says the ... More >>
Default KiwiSaver Schemes Will No Longer Include Investments In Fossil Fuel Production, The Government Announced Today
Friday, 14 May 2021, 5:06 pm | Science Media Centre
The news is part of a suite of changes made to KiwiSaver default provider schemes . The new arrangements will take effect on 1 December 2021 . The SMC asked experts to comment on the news. Ivan Diaz-Rainey, Director, Climate and Energy Finance Group ... More >>
Therapy On Ecstasy Could Treat Severe PTSD – Expert Reaction
Friday, 14 May 2021, 10:14 am | Science Media Centre
U.S. researchers have found that MDMA-assisted therapy significantly reduced symptoms of severe PTSD in patients. Ninety people with severe PTSD were randomly assigned to have therapy sessions either with MDMA or placebo. The group that took MDMA under ... More >>
“Weak Links” Found At Every Point In Pandemic Response – Expert Reaction
Thursday, 13 May 2021, 1:42 pm | Science Media Centre
The pandemic was a “preventable disaster”, says an international panel that reviewed the global COVID-19 response. It calls for immediate action to stop this pandemic, and investment to avert the next one. “COVID-19: Make it the ... More >>
Self-test For Cervical Cancer Funded - Expert Reaction
Sunday, 9 May 2021, 2:09 pm | Science Media Centre
A new test that gives women the option to self-screen for cervical cancer, and a more proactive breast screening system, will be funded in Budget 2021. The changes aim to address long-standing inequities around cervical cancer and barriers to getting ... More >>
What Would A Dry Winter Mean For The Country? – Expert Reaction
Friday, 7 May 2021, 3:52 pm | Science Media Centre
New Zealand may be heading into a dry winter following a month of near record-breaking dry patches across the country. So what are the flow-on effects if nature’s taps stay turned off over the cold season? The SMC asked experts to comment on how the ... More >>
Flights Paused From Sydney To NZ – Expert Reaction
Friday, 7 May 2021, 3:24 pm | Science Media Centre
Flights between the Australian state of New South Wales and New Zealand will stop for 48 hours, starting at 11:59pm tonight. The travel pause comes as Australian health authorities search for the ‘ missing link ‘ between a returned traveller from ... More >>
What Would A Dry Winter Mean For The Country? – Expert Reaction
Wednesday, 5 May 2021, 12:14 pm | Science Media Centre
New Zealand may be heading into a dry winter following a month of near record-breaking dry patches across the country. So what are the flow-on effects if nature’s taps stay turned off over the cold season? The SMC asked experts to comment ... More >>
Child Physical Punishment Still Common – Expert Reaction
Friday, 30 April 2021, 8:43 am | Science Media Centre
New data from more than 700 Kiwis suggests physical discipline of children by parents dropped between 2002 and 2017. However, the study authors say the practice remains fairly common, even after the 2007 anti-smacking law came into place, and they call ... More >>
Long COVID In New Zealand – Expert Q&A
Thursday, 29 April 2021, 8:23 am | Science Media Centre
New Zealand has been praised for its initial COVID-19 pandemic response, but what do we know about long-term health effects and how Kiwis are impacted? A WHO policy brief published earlier this year says around a quarter of people who have had the ... More >>
Input On Glyphosate Sought – Expert Reaction
Wednesday, 28 April 2021, 11:23 am | Science Media Centre
Industry and the public are being asked for information about the use of the herbicide glyphosate, in a new consultation by the EPA. Glyphosate is used in weed killers, such as Roundup, by gardeners, farmers and councils, but the possible ... More >>
Māori Chief Science Advisors Recommended – Expert Reaction
Wednesday, 28 April 2021, 10:00 am | Science Media Centre
A new report says Māori and Pacific experts are being excluded from science advice and key decision-making roles, including in the Covid-19 pandemic. The Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga report recommends appointing Māori Chief Science Advisors in key ... More >>
Groundwater Wells Run Risk Of Running Dry – Expert Reaction
Friday, 23 April 2021, 10:45 am | Science Media Centre NZ
New analysis of roughly 39 million groundwater wells around the world, including in New Zealand, sheds light on just how many run the risk of running dry. US researchers found that between 6 to 20 per cent are shallow enough that they may ... More >>
Blood Testing Finds Undiagnosed Covid Cases In NZ – Expert Reaction
Thursday, 22 April 2021, 2:17 pm | Science Media Centre
A non-peer reviewed analysis of more than 9,800 blood donor samples suggests there were eight previously undiagnosed Covid-19 cases that were likely infected within New Zealand. The blood samples were collected between December 3rd 2020 and January ... More >>
New Agencies Created In Massive Health Revamp – Expert Reaction
Thursday, 22 April 2021, 10:16 am | Science Media Centre
The government has announced sweeping changes to the health and disability system. The changes include replacing the 20 DHBs with a national body – Health NZ – charged with planning services nationwide, establishing a Māori Health Authority, ... More >>
Health Response Review After Lead In Drinking Water Scare – Expert Reaction
Friday, 16 April 2021, 5:12 pm | Science Media Centre
A review has identified areas to improve after a recent scare over lead in drinking water near Dunedin. The recommendations include improvements to reporting contaminant levels, tightening up how quickly adverse findings are reported, and reviewing standards ... More >>
Māori Scientists Work ‘Cultural Double-Shifts’ – Expert Reaction
Friday, 16 April 2021, 5:10 pm | Science Media Centre
Researchers have interviewed Māori scientists, who described the extra workload of helping their non-indigenous colleagues navigate te Ao Māori. “We spend more time being Māori for others than being Māori for ourselves,” is how one scientist ... More >>
Medsafe Seeks More Info On Janssen Covid-19 Vaccine – Expert Reaction
Friday, 16 April 2021, 5:07 pm | Science Media Centre
New Zealand’s medicines regulator has asked for more information from Janssen, with countries putting the company’s Covid-19 vaccine on hold due to rare blood clot concerns. The Janssen vaccine was next in line to be approved for use in New ... More >>
Fukushima Water To Be Released Into The Pacific – Expert Reaction
Friday, 16 April 2021, 5:05 pm | Science Media Centre
Japan plans to release treated radioactive water from the 2011 Fukushima nuclear power plant meltdown into the Pacific Ocean in about two years. Water has been used to keep three reactors under control, and has been stored in water tanks that now ... More >>
New Zealand’s Fragmenting Farmlands – Expert Reaction
Thursday, 15 April 2021, 2:48 pm | Science Media Centre
New Zealand’s highly productive farmlands have been decreasing over the last two decades as residential developments such as lifestyle blocks grow, according to a new report. Our land 2021 says the area of highly productive land that was unavailable ... More >>
