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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 5]
Omicron-specific Boosters – Expert Reaction
Wednesday, 17 August 2022, 6:09 pm | Science Media Centre
The UK has become the first country to approve an Omicron-specific booster jab for Covid-19. The recently approved vaccine , made by Moderna, targets two different coronavirus variants – the original virus from 2020 and the Omicron variant The ... More >>
How Many New Zealanders Haven’t Caught Covid-19? – Expert Q&A
Wednesday, 17 August 2022, 10:24 am | Science Media Centre
New Zealand’s second Omicron wave might just be easing up, with the latest data showing we seem to be in a downward trend. So are those who never got Covid-19 now in the minority? The SMC asked experts about what the latest data say ... More >>
A Most Unusual Atmospheric River - Expert Reaction
Tuesday, 16 August 2022, 4:08 pm | Science Media Centre
A long-lived atmospheric river is landing on New Zealand shores today, which NIWA says could lead to “well over a month’s worth of rain” this week, especially in parts of the South Island. Atmospheric rivers occur year-round, but ... More >>
NZ's First Climate Adaptation Plan - Expert Reaction
Wednesday, 3 August 2022, 4:18 pm | Science Media Centre
The government has released its plan to deal with the rising seas, increasing heat and extreme weather that are predicted to come with a changing climate. The Climate Minister says the National Adaptation Plan will support community-led and Māori-led ... More >>
The Climate Commission’s Advice On The Emissions Trading Scheme – Expert Reaction
Wednesday, 27 July 2022, 3:19 pm | Science Media Centre
The Climate Change Commission is recommending improvements be made to the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS). The Commission says the government should reduce the amount of emissions allowed by the scheme, as well as updated price control settings to ... More >>
Monkeypox: A Global Health Emergency - Expert Q&A
Wednesday, 27 July 2022, 3:08 pm | Science Media Centre
The World Health Organisation has declared monkeypox a global public health emergency, but says the outbreak can be stopped. There have been more than 16,000 confirmed cases of monkeypox in more than 75 countries, but the WHO suspects the true number ... More >>
Covid-19 Death Reporting Changes – Expert Reaction
Wednesday, 20 July 2022, 9:49 am | Science Media Centre
NZ’s Covid-19 statistics will become more accurate as the Ministry of Health starts reporting deaths where the virus is the underlying or contributing cause. The Ministry previously recorded all deaths within 28 days of a positive test, plus any death ... More >>
Covid Jabs And Menstrual Changes – Expert Reaction
Saturday, 16 July 2022, 6:24 pm | Science Media Centre
More than 40% of people who have regular periods reported bleeding heavier than usual after getting a Covid-19 vaccination, according to a web survey of more than 39,000 adults. The US research, published in Science Advances , is an exploratory ... More >>
Free Masks And RATs Ahead Of The Winter Covid-19 Peak – Expert Reaction
Thursday, 14 July 2022, 2:38 pm | Science Media Centre
Rapid Antigen Tests and masks will be free for all, and more people will be able to access antivirals, as the government gears up for a winter Covid-19 peak. Antiviral medications Paxlovid, molnupiravir, and remdesivir will be funded for a wider group ... More >>
James Webb Telescope’s First Pictures – Expert Reaction
Thursday, 14 July 2022, 2:34 pm | Science Media Centre
NASA has released some of the deepest and highest-resolution images of the universe to date. The images have been captured by the James Webb Space Telescope , which launched late last year. View all the high-resolution images from the JWST here . ... More >>
NZ’s First Case Of Monkeypox – Expert Reaction
Sunday, 10 July 2022, 5:27 am | Science Media Centre
Health authorities have confirmed the first case of monkeypox in New Zealand, calling its arrival on our shores “not unexpected” given the increase in global cases. The person, who is in isolation, is in their thirties, lives in ... More >>
Around 2pm Witnesses Reported Seeing A Bright Flash Of Light In Sky Above Wellington And Wairarapa
Thursday, 7 July 2022, 6:27 pm | Science Media Centre
Experts say the flash was likely caused by a meteoroid or a satellite entering the atmosphere. The SMC asked experts to comment. Dr Ian Griffin, Director, Otago Museum, comments: "It sounds like there has been a really interesting event somewhere ... More >>
The Climate Commission’s Take On Farm Emissions Pricing – Expert Reaction
Wednesday, 6 July 2022, 5:36 pm | Science Media Centre
The Climate Change Commission says farmers are on track to start paying for their greenhouse gas emissions through a farm-level pricing system by 2025. The Commission has released its advice on the He Waka Eke Noa plan put forward by farmers on how ... More >>
RATs And Self-isolation – Expert Q&A
Wednesday, 6 July 2022, 4:45 pm | Science Media Centre
Evidence shows some Covid-19 cases can remain infectious after seven days, meaning they may continue to spread the virus after leaving isolation. New Zealand’s current self-isolation rules state that positive Covid-19 cases must isolate for seven days, ... More >>
Covid-19 Vaccines For Kids Under 5 – Expert Reaction
Tuesday, 21 June 2022, 1:24 pm | Science Media Centre
US health authorities have given the green light to mRNA Covid-19 vaccines for children under five and will be made available there, starting this week. The paediatric versions of the Pfizer and Moderna mRNA vaccines for Covid-19 use the same technology as their ... More >>
Pre-departure Covid Test Dropped For Incoming Travellers – Expert Reaction
Thursday, 16 June 2022, 4:41 pm | Science Media Centre
From Monday night, people travelling into New Zealand will no longer be required to test before leaving. The Covid-19 Response Minister has confirmed the measure will be ditched earlier than planned because cases have continued to decline despite ... More >>
Could Eating More Fish Raise Your Melanoma Risk? – Expert Reaction
Friday, 10 June 2022, 2:52 pm | Science Media Centre
People who ate higher amounts of fish – similar to half a can of tuna a day – had a 22% higher risk of melanoma than people who ate much less fish, in a surprise result from a large US study. The research team speculates that contaminants in fish ... More >>
He Waka Eke Noa Pricing Proposal For Farm Emissions – Expert Reaction
Wednesday, 8 June 2022, 11:16 am | Science Media Centre
Primary sector climate action partnership He Waka Eke Noa has put forward its preferred system for how farmers will pay for their agricultural emissions instead of using the NZ Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS). The Partners recommend a “farm-level split-gas” ... More >>
First Microplastics Found In Antarctic Snow – Expert Reaction
Wednesday, 8 June 2022, 11:08 am | Science Media Centre
In a world-first, a New Zealand study has confirmed microplastics are present in Antarctica’s Ross Island region. Kiwi researchers analysed fresh snow from 19 sites, finding an average concentration of 29 microplastic particles per litre of melted ... More >>
Modelling NZ’s Next Omicron Wave – Expert Reaction
Friday, 3 June 2022, 11:56 am | Science Media Centre
How might waning immunity and reinfection affect our next wave of COVID-19? Researchers have modelled different scenarios to predict what the coming months might look like. The researchers found that a second COVID wave arose in the latter half of 2022 in ... More >>
