Afternoons for Friday 5 May 2023

 

1:15 New tool to help understand and treat Parkinson's

About 10 million people around the world suffer from  Parkinson's disease, about 12,000 of them here in New Zealand.

But earlier this week we heard some good news.

Researchers have discovered a new tool that could impact the understanding and treatment of Parkinson's.

The advancement means people with the disease should expect to see faster care and improved treatments, while those diagnosed moving forward may be able to avoid full-blown symptoms.

Dr Victor Dieriks, a primary researcher in the Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences at the University of Auckland talks to Jesse.

1:25 Solving the issue of prevalent gut problems in people with autism

A clinical trial has launched in Auckland aimed at alleviating gut issues which disproportionately impact people with autism.

Researchers are giving a microbiome transfer to around 50 people, in collaboration with Altogether Autism and Autism New Zealand

Close to half of the 90-thousand New Zealanders with diagnosed autism experience potentially distressing gut problems, though it's not entirely clear why.

Liggins Institute's lead investigator, Professor Wayne Cutfield, talks to Jesse about their project and what they hope to achieve.

1:35 Canterbury University 'Compost Club' launched

Many of you might be surprised to know how much of our landfill doesn't need to be there - and I'm not talking about recycling.

Every year, 350-thousand tonnes of food waste is put into the red bins, rotting in dumps and releasing methane into the air.

Twin sisters, 19-year-old Kaitlyn and Jessica Lamb, are on a mission change that... the second year students at Canterbury University have just launched 'Compost Club' to show people how easy it is.

Kaitlyn Lamb talks to Jesse.

1:45 Small Hall sessions back in Hawkes Bay for New Zealand Music Month

We're heading to Hawkes Bay now - where small communities are about to be treated to some great homegrown local music as part of New Zealand Music Month.

The Small Hall Sessions will be held in 16 community halls across the region - from Porangahau in the south to Te Puhoe in the north.

It's all about showcasing locally-grown artists and lifting spirits in cyclone-damaged communities.

Jamie Macphail who's curating it all talks to Jesse.

1:50 Freaky Friday - audience tales of creepy and coincidental encounters!

Each week we talk to listeners about their strange stories of coincidence and inexplicable encounters.

2:10 Film Review: with Sam Hollis

Today RNZ Producer Sam Hollis talks to Jesse about Close, out in cinemas next Thursday and John Mulaney: Baby J.

2:20 NZ Live: NZ Highwaymen

For NZ Live today we have a four well known musicians who've collectively been playing for eight decades around Aotearoa.

Between them they've also recorded more than 100 albums and won many industry awards as well as honours.

Dennis Marsh, Gray Bartlett, Eddie Low and Brendan Dugan are now all playing together as the NZ Highwaymen and are in the Auckland studio this week for NZ Live.

3:08 Nonna Maria's Arancini

For a few nights in May, Liberty restaurant transforms into 'Osteria Liberta' with a simple Sicilian menu inspired by the flavours of his childhood growing up in Sicily. 

Restaurant Manager, Pietro Boscia has found a way to share the food memories of his youth, serving all the dishes his beloved Nonna Maria taught him to cook as a boy.

She was particularly famous for Arancini filled with her special Bolognese sauce.

You can find out how to recreate this Sicilian delicacy at home here.

3:16 Music 101: Charlotte Ryan

Charlotte Ryan, host of Music 101 here on RNZ each Saturday afternoon from 1pm talks about what's happening on the music scene over the weekend, what's coming up on her show tomorrow and because Friday is new music day - she'll pick us a track to play.

3:25 How to grow garlic

NZ Gardener magazine editor Jo McCarroll joins Jesse to talk about growing garlic. Now is the time plant the bulbs and she has some useful tips to grow a crop that you can enjoy later in the year.

3:35 Critter of the Week: southern blue fin tuna

May 2 was World Tuna Day so this week we’re talking about the endangered southern bluefin tuna, Thunnus maccoyii.

Tuna have been dubbed the Ferraris of the ocean because they’re sleek, powerful and built for speed. 

Unfortunately our appetite for their tasty, nutrient-rich meat has made them vulnerable to over fishing.

3:45 The Panel with Moata Taimara and Stephen Jacobi