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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 24]
Using Satellites To Study Whakaari – Expert Reaction
Saturday, 19 June 2021, 4:55 pm | Science Media Centre
A satellite measuring sulphur dioxide emissions fortuitously passed over Whakaari/White Island almost an hour after its deadly eruption on 9 December 2019, capturing data that is reported on in a new paper in Science Advances. A team of researchers, including ... More >>
Call To Decolonise Climate Adaptation Research – Expert Reaction
Friday, 18 June 2021, 11:44 am | Science Media Centre
Science has published a special issue on climate-induced relocation, including an editorial calling to decolonise research in the field to help Indigenous Peoples define their future in a climate-altered world. The editorial says climate-forced ... More >>
New National Booking System For COVID-19 Vaccine – Expert Reaction
Thursday, 17 June 2021, 3:22 pm | Science Media Centre
The government plans to offer the vaccine to the rest of New Zealand’s adult population – Group 4 – starting from 28 July, timed by people’s age-groups. Remaining Kiwis will be invited to book their two vaccine doses using a new website and phone ... More >>
A New World Health Organization Guide Seeks To End Violations Of Human Rights In Mental Health Care.
Friday, 11 June 2021, 10:59 am | Science Media Centre
Human rights abuses and coercive practices remain common across the globe, yet people-centred, community-based approaches have proven success, it says. The guidance cites a South Auckland example, Tupu Ake, a peer-led crisis service in Papatoetoe. Research shows ... More >>
Climate Commission’s Final Advice Calls For Step-up On Climate Action – Expert Reaction
Wednesday, 9 June 2021, 3:35 pm | Science Media Centre
Progress is underway to shift towards a low-carbon future – but more action is urgently required, the Climate Commission says in its report to government. The Commission stresses the technology and tools needed to transition to a low-emissions future ... More >>
Inside The Climate Commission’s Modelling – Expert Q&A
Tuesday, 8 June 2021, 12:12 pm | Science Media Centre NZ
The Climate Change Commission has drawn on several models to help shape its advice to government, which is due to be made public tomorrow. Two external reviewers explain more about the models – and how the results compare with overseas work. Toon Vandyck ... More >>
Kiwi Ingenuity In The Future Of Food – Expert Reaction
Thursday, 3 June 2021, 2:48 pm | Science Media Centre
How can New Zealand help to feed a growing global population, in a way that is healthy for people and the planet? Exploring how Kiwi innovation and ingenuity can make a difference to the global future of food is the focus for a one-day event, Feed Our ... More >>
Three Waters Reform Could Cost $185 Billion – Expert Reaction
Thursday, 3 June 2021, 9:02 am | Science Media Centre
New independent analysis and modelling predicts up to $185 billion is required in the next 30 years to upgrade our drinking water, stormwater, and sewage infrastructure. Work is already underway on a proposal to trim the country’s 67 water service providers ... More >>
Floods Cause Ashburton Bridge To Slump – Expert Q&A
Wednesday, 2 June 2021, 9:47 am | Science Media Centre
Heavy flooding in Canterbury has caused the Ashburton Bridge to slump. Officials say the bridge is likely to be closed for at least several days, cutting off access to the Canterbury town. The SMC asked experts to comment. Alessandro Palermo, Professor ... More >>
Why Did Canterbury Flood? – Expert Reaction
Tuesday, 1 June 2021, 3:06 pm | Science Media Centre
As the rains ease and river levels drop, residents are still cut off by damage to roads and bridges, and travellers remain stranded. Now scientists are trying to understand this event and the challenge of clean-up and recovery. The SMC asked experts to comment. ... More >>
Canterbury Flooded During ‘code Red’ Storm – Expert Reaction
Tuesday, 1 June 2021, 9:18 am | Science Media Centre
The Canterbury region is being hit hard by heavy rain and rising floodwaters. Canterbury Civil Defence has warned of further flooding, dangerous river conditions and disruptions to travel. Hundreds of residents have been evacuated and MetService ... More >>
Evacuating Auckland When A Volcano Threatens Eruption - Expert Reaction
Thursday, 27 May 2021, 2:24 pm | Science Media Centre
Scientists have modelled how long it could take people to safely evacuate Auckland with advance warning of a volcano eruption. They found the whole process could take up to 49 hours when the site of the new eruption is understood, and that people living ... More >>
NZ Exporting More Sugary Drinks To Pacific Islands - Expert Reaction
Tuesday, 25 May 2021, 5:18 pm | Science Media Centre
New Zealand-based companies are earning more from increased exports of sugary drinks to the Pacific, while Kiwi taxpayers are helping pay for rising healthcare costs. The finding is from Australian research , which shows imports of sweetened drinks ... More >>
Cyber Attack Cripples Waikato Hospitals - Expert Reaction
Wednesday, 19 May 2021, 9:19 am | Science Media Centre
All phones and computers across Waikato DHB have been taken down by a cyber security incident, leaving clinical services scrambling. The DHB has called in external help, and says it refuses to pay any ransom demanded. The SMC asked experts to comment ... More >>
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 >>
