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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 29]
Science Journalism Fund COVID-19 winners awarded
Friday, 8 May 2020, 3:38 pm | Science Media Centre
Seven new projects will be funded in the special COVID-19 round of the Aotearoa New Zealand Science Journalism Fund. More >>
Tourism in a trans-Tasman bubble – Expert Reaction
Thursday, 7 May 2020, 9:16 am | Science Media Centre
The Prime Minister’s commitment to a “COVID-safe Travel Zone” between Australia and New Zealand could give our tourism industry a key opportunity to recover from the impact of the pandemic. More >>
Closing Coronavirus Clusters – Expert Reaction
Tuesday, 5 May 2020, 1:09 pm | Science Media Centre
The Ministry of Health closed two COVID-19 clusters at the weekend, meaning there have been no transmissions from them in 28 days. Thirteen of the sixteen clusters are still considered active, although many have not seen a new case in a significant ... More >>
Zero New Cases Of COVID-19 - Expert Reaction
Monday, 4 May 2020, 5:32 pm | Science Media Centre
For the first day in months, there have been no newly detected cases of COVID-19 in New Zealand. While Ministry of Health Director-General Dr Ashley Bloomfield called the figure "encouraging," he said the real test would come later ... More >>
The Latest On Potential COVID-19 Treatments - Expert Reaction
Thursday, 30 April 2020, 4:50 pm | Science Media Centre
The US is considering fast-tracking the antiviral drug remdesivir for use in treating COVID-19 patients. However, two studies announced today give conflicting results on the drug's effectiveness. Meanwhile the pool of evidence around other ... More >>
Unusual COVID-19 Symptoms - Expert Reaction
Thursday, 30 April 2020, 4:28 pm | Science Media Centre
The Ministry of Health has updated its definition of COVID-19 symptoms to include a loss of smell. New suspected symptoms continue to be reported across the world, including reports of Kawasaki disease in children with COVID-19 in the ... More >>
Employment After Lockdown - Expert Reaction
Tuesday, 28 April 2020, 6:12 pm | Science Media Centre
An estimated 400,000 New Zealanders have returned to work today. But it's still not known when the rest of the workforce will be able to get back to their jobs, and the Social Development Minister today said unemployment will rise before it improves ... More >>
Saliva Tests For COVID-19 – Expert Reaction
Friday, 24 April 2020, 4:06 pm | Science Media Centre
New research, led by New Zealander Dr Anne Wyllie, suggests that saliva samples may be more sensitive to detecting SARS-CoV-2 than invasive nasopharyngeal swabs. The authors, based at Yale School of Public Health in the USA, suggest the use of ... More >>
Getting Sick In Lockdown – Expert Reaction
Friday, 24 April 2020, 8:59 am | Science Media Centre
Despite the dramatic reduction in social interaction at Alert Level 4, some of us are still getting sick with conditions that are normally spread through social contact. The prevalence of colds and flu has fallen under lockdown, but it is still possible ... More >>
Healthcare Resources At Alert Level 3 – Expert Reaction
Wednesday, 22 April 2020, 12:10 pm | Science Media Centre
New Zealand will move to Alert Level 3 in less than one week’s time, with various implications for the healthcare system. One of the key criteria for moving to Level 3, established by the Government last week, was that New Zealand must have “capacity ... More >>
Buying And Selling At Level 3 - Expert Reaction
Tuesday, 21 April 2020, 1:11 pm | Science Media Centre
New Zealand will move from Alert Level 4 to Alert Level 3 at 11:59pm on Monday, 27 April, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced yesterday. Last week, the Government clarified which businesses will be able to resume trading under Alert ... More >>
Natural Hazard Preparedness And COVID-19 – Expert Reaction
Friday, 17 April 2020, 4:20 pm | Science Media Centre
Over the past week we’ve had several reminders that natural hazards may still occur while we are focused on the COVID-19 pandemic. Last week, Vanuatu was hit by Cyclone Harold , Christchurch was jolted by a 4.3 magnitude earthquake , and Anak ... More >>
Modelling COVID-19 In New Zealand - Expert Reaction
Thursday, 16 April 2020, 2:13 pm | Science Media Centre
Mathematical models are being used by governments around the world to predict and respond to the spread of COVID-19. The SMC asked experts to comment on the key data and assumptions which inform the development of COVID-19 modelling. ... More >>
Valuing And Caring For Older Adults – Expert Reaction
Wednesday, 15 April 2020, 2:47 pm | Science Media Centre
As New Zealand’s COVID-19 death toll rises, it is obvious the older members of our community have so far been hit hardest. The fatalities to-date have included six residents from one Christchurch aged care facility. The SMC asked experts ... More >>
Going Back To School During Lockdown - Expert Reaction
Tuesday, 14 April 2020, 4:35 pm | Science Media Centre
It won’t be a usual start for the new school term as New Zealand’s tamariki commence Term 2 tomorrow. With Alert Level 4 lockdown restrictions in place for at least another week, school children will go back to school tomorrow while ... More >>
NZ’s COVID-19 Death Toll Rises – Expert Reaction
Saturday, 11 April 2020, 4:44 pm | Science Media Centre
Though new cases of COVID-19 in New Zealand remain low - with just 20 confirmed cases reported today - three people have died since Thursday. Two elderly people have died in Christchurch linked to a cluster of COVID-19 cases from Rosewood Rest ... More >>
Testing For COVID-19: What’s The Most Effective Method?
Thursday, 9 April 2020, 12:19 pm | Science Media Centre
Testing for COVID-19: what’s the most effective method? What do we still need to learn? Do we have enough supplies? The Science Media Centre held an online media briefing this week with University of Otago, Christchurch Professor David Murdoch ... More >>
Mentally Preparing For Leaving Lockdown - Expert Reaction
Tuesday, 7 April 2020, 12:17 pm | Science Media Centre
Tomorrow New Zealanders will reach the half-way point of the four-week-long Level 4 restrictions. Today, the Ministry of Health launched two campaigns to provide mental health and parenting support amidst the unprecedented lockdown conditions. The SMC ... More >>
Face Masks And COVID-19 - Expert Reaction
Friday, 3 April 2020, 4:00 pm | Science Media Centre
To mask or not to mask? Between contradictory headlines, many are confused about whether face masks help reduce the spread of COVID-19. The United States’ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is expected to make an announcement about ... More >>
Challenging Child Behaviour During Quarantine - Expert Reaction
Thursday, 2 April 2020, 9:53 am | Science Media Centre
Kiwi parents and caregivers will likely be facing their own challenges caring for children as New Zealand enters the second week of nationwide lockdown. The SMC asked experts to comment on what abnormal or challenging behaviour parents ... More >>
