Science
Fake citations causing real-world damage
AI-hallucinated scientific research and legal precedents are making their way into academic papers and court cases, highlighting AI's real-world impact. Audio
Philosophy Now: Gene-editing your children?
How far we should go to give children the best start in life? Should parents be able to use genetic engineering - selecting for positive traits, and eliminating potential negatives - when having a… Audio
Frozen sprouted beans, vegetables recalled for possible salmonella
Vimm Enterprises has recalled Deep-brand sprouted mat, moong beans and surti undhiu mix due to possible salmonella contamination. "Salmonellosis can be serious, so it is important that people do…
Space with Ezzy Pearson
Ezzy Pearson is an expert in all things space, with more than a decade of experience in science journalism, including as Features Editor of BBC’s Sky at Night magazine. Audio
Midday Report Essentials for Wednesday 27th August 2025
In today's episode, Finance Minister Nicola Willis is to make a number of announcements on competition in the Supermarket industry; The trial of the 50-year-old man accused of murdering five people by… Audio
The New Zealand science students wowing the world
The International Biology Olympiad is one of the most prestigious science competitions for pre-university students in the world. This year it was held in July in Quezon City in the Philippines, and… Audio
Natalie Kyriacou: Nine levers of change to help save the world
Award winning Australian author and environmentalist, Natalie Kryiacou on nine levers of change to help save the world.
Audio
Strong links between serious health conditions and violence or abuse - study
The study found men and women who experienced violence were more likely to be hospitalised for a range of reasons - including cancer, respiratory illness, and nervous system and digestive disorders.
Norwegian cheese charity funds OCD treatment programme
A "circuit-breaker"-type treatment for obsessive compulsive disorder - which is having impressive results internationally - will soon be available in this country. Ruth Hill explains. Audio
The 'slow quakes' happening beneath our feet
Doctor Philip Barnes is a principal scientist at Earth Sciences New Zealand, formerly known as NIWA and he joins Emile Donovan to discuss the findings of a new international study. Audio
Auckland volcano's magma still warm after 600 years, study finds
New research on Rangitoto is helping scientists plan for what might happen, if Auckland's biggest volcano erupts.
A statistics professor on the nature of 'luck'
Self-described 'mild-mannered statistics professor' Jeffrey Rosenthal discusses superstitions, luck, opinion polls, and the online chess scandal he was recruited to help solve. Audio
Secret whale gathering point found in Southern Ocean
Researchers have tracked New Zealand's southern right whales, discovering a spot in the ocean where they converge.
Capturing space through a Kiwi lens
When New Zealand and Australia missed out on hosting the world's largest radio telescope in 2012, Dr Tim Molteno decided to build his own! Audio
Creamy, sustainable and high in fibre - barley eyes up the dair
A new barley, bred for high fibre and low waste, is being turned into milk and yogurt - a sustainable alternative with benefits for farmers and big potential in the global dairy-free market. Audio
What’s a ‘black moon’? Here’s why it’s worth looking up at the sky this week
While you've probably heard of a "blue moon" before, this might be the first time you've encountered its ominous-sounding counterpart.
Concern as light pollution encourages birds to sing for longer
While it may sound lovely to us, a global study warns singing consumes energy and could be reducing birds' overall health.
A mathematician's guide to winning a game of Guess Who
David Stewart is a mathematician at the University of Manchester. He's part of the group that devised this new strategy, and he speaks to Mark Leishman. Audio
Astronomers get first look deep inside a star during supernova explosion
Astronomers spotted a star exploding in a supernova, some 2.2 billion light-years away.
Is our cervical cancer vaccine rate at risk from Covid scepticism?
Emile Donovan speaks to Professor Bev Lawton ONZM, the founder and director of the National Centre for Women's Health Research Aotearoa, and the 2025 New Zealander of the Year. Audio
