Science
Sense of rhythm down to genetics - research
Do you take to the dance floor like a fish to water, or would you rather stand at the back and sway?
New research shows that having a sense of rhythm, at least in some part, is down to your genetics.
…Break through in treatment of epilespy, Parkinson's and cancer
Years of research conducted in Otago has lead to a medical innovation that could revolutionise the treatment of epilepsy, Parkinson's disease and brain cancer. Biomedical scientists have found a way… Audio
Fastest-growing black hole of past 9b years discovered in Centaurus constellation
Black holes are the gluttons of the cosmos, devouring everything that veers too close - including light itself.
Unexpected "swarm" of marine life found beneath Antarctic ice
An unexpected "swarm" of marine life has been found in a newly explored Antarctic river deep beneath the ice. A team of scientists from Victoria University, NIWA, and GNS made the discovery while… Audio
Voters choose colour for Scott Base
New Zealand has spoken and voted to keep Scott Base research station in Antarctica kakariki - green!
Voters had the choice between green, orange and blue and allowed people to be a part of the design… Audio
The promises and perils of chemistry research
Two stories about the promise and perils of chemistry research. From a team recreating Renaissance beauty recipes in the hopes of rediscovering a 'miracle ingredient', to a researcher investigating… Audio
Tonga volcanic eruption behind NZ's recent striking sunsets
The striking sunsets noticed by New Zealanders in recent weeks are caused by leftovers from Tonga's volcano eruption.
And NIWA says the phenomenon, which produces vibrant blue and purple hues, could… Audio
Pharmac overhauls criteria for PrEP funded prescriptions
Pharmac is overhauling the criteria for funded prescriptions of a safe sex drug commonly used by gay men.
Pre-exposure prophylaxis, or PrEP, can reduce the risk of being infected with HIV by up to 99… Audio
Investigating the toxicity of synthetic cannabinoids
Toxicology PhD student Lucy Thomsen is looking at why certain synthetic cannabinoids are so dangerous. First created by scientists with the intent of making medicines, they have now been co-opted by… Audio
Science commentator Dr Siouxsie Wiles
Science commentator Dr Siouxsie Wiles joins Kathryn with some interesting studies, including one where Australian researchers found a species of worm able to feed on polystyrene. US scientists have… Audio
How we cope with change, what happens in our brains
Dr Maya Shankar's life took an unexpected turn after becoming a violin prodiy as a child. She's now a cognitive scientist who studies how we cope with change. Audio
NIWA tool to allow near real-time snow condition monitoring
The public will be able to check near real-time snow conditions at 10 alpine sites in the South Island for the first time this winter, as a result of a tool developed by NIWA.
Why you end up crying, even when you're not sad
Ever found yourself with tears running down your cheeks after a seemingly minor incident or experience? It's probably just a result of your prefrontal cortex becoming overwhelmed, like a computer… Audio
'Doing science differently': Study explores whakairo, karakia to improve brain health
A national science challenge study of Māori brain health will draw on whakairo (carving), karakia (prayer and incantation), mōteatea (chanted song-poetry) and other traditional sources to understand…
Dr Ian Griffin: uncovering the mysterious STEVE aurora
When Dr Ian Griffin spotted some strange activity in Dunedin's night sky on St Patrick's Day in 2015, he knew he had to capture it. Video, Audio
Plastic-munching superworms offer hope for recycling
The key to transforming recycling could lie in the gut of so-called superworms, researchers say.
Europe's 'largest ever' land dinosaur found off England coast
The remains of Europe's largest ever land-based predator - a 10-metre long dinosaur - have been discovered near England's south coast.
Palaeontologists say the prehistoric bones have surfaced because… Audio
Australian dinosaur hunters make discovery of a lifetime
Amateur Aussie dinosaur hunters have made the discovery of a life time. The couple not only spotted a prehistoric foot print in some rock but after sending photos of their find to experts - it looks… Video, Audio
Digging into the past of sleeping giant faults
The Nevis Fault is a sleeping giant fault, one that awakens only every 10,000 years or so. This week, a team of geologists use paleoseismic trenching to answer questions about this fault and to figure… Video, Audio
Our Changing World - Studying past earthquakes
We climb into a trench dug across a fault line to learn about the science of paleoseismology - finding past earthquakes in sediment layers. Audio
