Science
Does your body do a big, convulsive twitch while dozing off? That'll be a ‘hypnic jerk’
What causes the hypnic jerk that 70 percent of people experience?
How your dirty license plate could help climate science
What if the insects that end up splattered on your car could actually help scientists study climate change? Dr Richard O'Rorke and Dr Aimee van der Reis join Emile Donovan to explain. Audio
Morning Report Essentials for Friday 19 September 2025
In today's episode, in a blow for the Government, the economy has had a much larger slump than expected which the Finance Minister's blaming in part on Donald Trump's trade tariffs, negotiations… Audio
New Zealand's new generation of donor-conceived children
Four in five children born from donor assistance have been told about their origins. Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Cindy Farquhar from the University of Auckland joins Emile Donovan. Audio
Stories from around New Zealand and the World
A new tool is promising to revolutionise the way we farm. Audio
Kiwi space payload 'parked' in lower orbit
It could be several days before the New Zealand experiment that was launched into space earlier this week reaches the International Space Station.
Kiwi physicist's black hole theory holds up 60 years later
Scientific theories about black holes published by a New Zealand scientist in 1963, have been reinforced in new international research. University of Canterbury Distinguished Professor Roy Kerr spoke… Audio
How NZ gets burnt in the sunscreen wars
Sunscreens that are under investigation for their labelling claims in Australia are still for sale here.
A summer scandal on our shelves
The sunscreens under investigation for their labelling claims in Australia, but still for sale here. Audio
New Zealand and the low Earth orbit economy
New Zealand's first microgravity science experiment went to the International Space Station in 2024. Could it pave the way for more commercial opportunities in space? Video
Useful Science with Ayana Piper-Healion
Ayana Piper-Healion is here guiding us through the latest weird and useful headlines from the world of science. Audio
How seriously should we take personality tests?
Can it be harmful to take personality tests such as the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator too seriously? Audio
The state of New Zealand's oceans
While developing nations are making bold commitments to revitalise oceans, marine scientist Veronica Rotman claims New Zealand is falling behind. Audio
Critter of the Week: Debris Cloaking Bark Beetle
The critter for this week is rytinotus squamulosus, the debris cloaking bark beetle! Audio
Going underground won't save you from massive volcanic eruptions
New research provides more detail on the scale of such eruptions and their impact in New Zealand.
Why are attention spans dropping?
Barbara J Sahakian is Professor of Clinical Neuropsychology at the University of Cambridge, and she joins Emile Donovan. Audio
Science: Bumblebee puzzle buddies, waterproof spider nests
Science commentator Ximena Nelson joins Kathryn to talk about two studies that give us some insights into bumblebee and spider behaviour. Audio
New study finds Waitomo caves system is 1.5 million years old
A new study into the caves in Waitomo is shedding light on just how our natural land was shaped by volcanic eruptions. Author Dr Simon Barker spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss. Audio
Why sparrows could tell us a lot about humans
Professor of avian behavioural ecology at Macquarie University in Australia, Simon Griffith joins Emile Donovan. Audio
Who should be allowed access to your wastewater?
Many people may flush and forget but excrament can be mined for a lot of information about your health and habits, and the question is - who should get access to what you discarded? Doctoral candidate… Audio
