Sunday Morning for Sunday 26 April 2020

7:10 Unguarded X: Why women live longer than men

Popular theory has long suggested that women have a greater life expectancy than men due to behavioural differences - men have more dangerous jobs, drink and smoke more, and are slow to seek advice from doctors. However, researchers at the University of New South Wales have found that having two copies of the same sex chromosome is associated with having a longer lifespan, with the second copy offering a protective effect. PhD Candidate and research co-author Zoe Xirocostas explains the 'Unguarded X' hypothesis.

7:24 Lack of social connectedness with elderly a big issue for Kiwis

Nearly 80 percent of Kiwis are concerned about the lack of physical contact they are having with elderly and other relatives outside their bubbles and regions, according to the latest report by Research NZ. The findings are from the organisation's fifth weekly survey on the impact the Covid-19 virus is having on New Zealanders' lives. Research NZ managing partner Emanuel Kalafatelis is with us to explain more.

7.32 The House

A weekly digest of the events in Parliament with Daniela Maoate-Cox and Phil Smith.

7:45 Calling Home: Chris Long in Tromso, Norway

A member of the 'most isolated family in New Zealand', Chris Long grew up at Gorge River on the West Coast. His family lived a two-day trek from the nearest road and were largely self-sufficient. Since leaving home as a teen, Chris has travelled the globe extensively, visiting more than 50 countries including a stint in Antarctica. He now resides in Norway, where he works at the Tromso Wilderness Centre taking visitors on husky sled rides. The park has been closed due to Covid-19, but he is still there taking care of the 300 huskies.

8:10 Professor Peter Doherty: No Covid-19 magic bullets yet

We're still hearing about patient trials of the Ebola drug Remdesivir and the malaria drug Hydroxychloroquine for treatment of Covid-19 patients, but Nobel Prize-winning professor Peter Doherty, from the Department of Microbiology and Immunology at the University of Melbourne, says neither option is shaping as a potential remedy to the pandemic. There are more than 70 potential vaccines being developed at the moment, but he doesn't think a successful option will be in place anytime soon. 

8:33 3MM: Theresa Gattung on reducing face-to-face meetings

Three Minutes Max, New Zealand commentators with succinct opinions. After leaning into using video calling services like Zoom for meetings during lockdown, leading businesswoman and author Theresa Gattung is calling for a reduction in face-to-face meetings moving forward.

8:41 Linda Clark & Mai Chen on NZ's Covid-19 response

New Zealand will exit the Covid-19 Alert 4 lockdown period late on Monday night, and we will wake to a slightly different world on Tuesday under Alert Level 3 rules and restrictions. Panellists Linda Clark and Mai Chen look back on an intense month-long lockdown and ponder what the slightly looser restrictions will mean for this country.

9:06 Mediawatch

Mediawatch looks at the government's short-term assistance for struggling commercial media companies announced this week. Also: how the media covered the much -anticipated news about moving off Alert Level 4, the return of pre-Covid problems for two political party leaders - and a Kiwi reporter covering the Covid-19 crisis in Hong Kong from lockdown in Wellington. Produced and presented by Colin Peacock and Hayden Donnell.

9:37 3MM: Vicki Hyde on diving into the past while the future takes shape

Science writer Vicki Hyde and her husband Peter were getting ready to go on a trip to the Caribbean when Covid-19 started gripping the globe. After weighing up the pros and cons, the couple canned their trip and scrambled to get their son home from his OE. Now, nestled up at home, she's abandoned 2020 in favour of the late 1500s.

9:41 Professor Michael Baker answers your Covid-19 questions

Public health physician from the University of Otago Wellington, Professor Michael Baker has been a constant and reassuring presence on Sunday Morning throughout the Covid-19 lockdown period. He returns to answer your questions and ours about the pandemic. Email sunday@rnz.co.nz or text 2101 with your questions for Professor Baker.

10:04 Rhys Darby's Covid-19-inspired rural chat show

Kiwi comedian Rhys Darby has been doing his bit to keep people smiling during the Covid-19 lockdown period with his comedy web series The Alone Rangers. The beloved Flight of the Conchords star joins the show to discuss the show and living and working in a 10-strong rural bubble in Matakana.

10:30 Peter FitzSimons on Raelene Castle's resignation

New Zealander Raelene Castle resigned from her role as the CEO of Rugby Australia this week after it became clear she no longer had the support of the board. Former Wallabies lock and acclaimed author Peter FitzSimons believes part of the vitriol aimed at Castle is simply because she is a woman.

10:40 Low-carb diet could stave off brain degeneration

A study out of New York's Stony Brook University has found cognitive aging starts earlier than expected - in your late 40s. That's the bad news. The good news is that it looks like this process can be prevented - or even reversed - with changes to your diet. Professor Lilianne Mujica-Parodi talks about the study's findings.

11:05 Annabelle Sheehan: My Covid-19 experience

New Zealand Film Commission chief executive Annabelle Sheehan was one of the first high profile people in New Zealand to get Covid-19. She joins the show to discuss her experience of testing positive for the respiratory illness and now having to manage the film sector, which like so many other industries is in complete disarray.

11:34 The Kiwi champion of children in need    

When Sue van Schreven gets an idea in her head, there's no stopping her. Fifteen years ago she went on a mission to help orphans in Romania and that experience ultimately led her to starting Orphans Aid International. Last year, Sue decided to celebrate the charity's 15th anniversary by scaling Mt Kilimanjaro.