ScienceNZ - The Value of Science Discovery
Science Value
Groping for a new sea harvest
As jobs go, they don't get much better than this. NIWA marine scientist Phil Heath gets paid to go fishing for monster groper.
But there's a catch - he can't eat them. Instead, he has to bring the hapuka back alive to his Mahanga Bay research centre on Miramar Peninsula and put them to sleep in huge tanks by adding specially developed clove oil to the water.
(For viewers passing through Wellington Airport, see the display of two 300gm, 7 month old elite broodstock groper from this programme).
But there's a catch - he can't eat them. Instead, he has to bring the hapuka back alive to his Mahanga Bay research centre on Miramar Peninsula and put them to sleep in huge tanks by adding specially developed clove oil to the water.
(For viewers passing through Wellington Airport, see the display of two 300gm, 7 month old elite broodstock groper from this programme).
New Value
Eco-Friendly solution for costly wood infection
A Scion scientist has developed an environmentally friendly treatment for an infection that causes significant revenue losses for the forestry industry, winning recognition in the MacDiarmid Young Scientists of the Year Awards.
Irish wasp here to stay...
But not in Northland, according to AgResearch.
Fresh produce success demands value over volume
Research and innovation will help horticulture become a $10b industry says HortResearch Acting CEO Dr Bruce Campbell.
First fruits from new collaboration
The US food industry samples the first new natural fruit flavours to emerge from collaboration between HortResearch and US-based flavour house Blue Pacific.
AgResearch snuggles into wool
AgResearch is buying a majority shareholding in Covita Ltd and a minority holding in Paraco Ltd from Wool Equities.
Test checks if vegetables are "organic"
In the expanding market for organic produce, how do you prove that only organic fertilisers have been used? New Zealand's GNS Science has developed what is believed to be the first independent test.
'Cow bidet' wins 2008 Fieldays award
A drafting and teat spraying system developed by IRL and Rotorua company Technipharm has been awarded Innovation Centre Equipment Entry of the Year at the 2008 Mystery Creek Fieldays.
Keeping the natural goodness when scaling-up production
Natural skin and health-care company The Herb Farm is now meeting client demands in New Zealand and considering export markets, following a successful scaling-up of its production line.
Exotic new mushroom crop commercially harvested
Throw together top scientists from Crop & Food Research, mix in a company prepared to invest in an exotic new crop, and you have got a recipe for a brand new export industry.
Software solution to help farmers meet Kyoto
A smart software solution developed by MAF, AgResearch and FertResearch will enable farmers across the country to accurately estimate their greenhouse gas emissions and help New Zealand comply with its obligations under the Kyoto Protocol.
Unique fabrics showcase NZ agri-science
Project Aho, the premier feature of ‘The Science of Farming’ exhibit at the National Fieldays, is a unique partnership between AgResearch, National Fieldays, University of Waikato and Te Runanga o Ngai Tahu and presents keynote research, ingenuity and clever marketing – all based on the sheep and the possum.
Flax surfboard very green
A surfboard made from native New Zealand flax (harakeke) is on display at Wellington Airport. Three Crown Research Institutes collaborated to develop this biomaterial which replaces fibreglass, handles the wet, looks good and is very tough - and has many industrial and domestic uses.
Science takes NZ spuds to the world
With the help of Crop & Food Research, New Zealand has built up an $80 million export business in fresh potato and processed potato products like frozen French fries.
Maize silage makes the most of dairy effluent
A project in the Waikato, involving a number of partners including scientists from Crop & Food Research, is developing options for dairy farmers concerned about nutrient management.
R&D key to business growth
Industrial Research helped an Auckland company become a world leader in its field thanks to funding from FRST's Technology for Business Growth scheme.
What risk from alien fish?
The risk posed by alien fish to to our freshwater species can now be evaluated, thanks to modelling work by NIWA scientists.
Environment-friendly tools for lettuce growers
Lettuce growers have a number of practical new tools at their disposal thanks to a large science programme involving entomologists from Crop & Food Research.
Science breakthough leads to new gourmet mushrooms
The breakthough is the result of a long term research programme undertaken by Crop & Food Research with its commercial partner, First Light Mushroom Co Ltd.
New Thinking
CRIs to investigate possible merger
The Boards of HortResearch and Crop & Food Research have received approval from the Minister of Research, Science & Technology Pete Hodgson to investigate merging the two organisations.
Knitting together formula for sheep farmers' prosperity
AgResearch reckons its easy-care sheep will save farmers money.
Lincoln scientists recognised for sheep research
Two Lincoln based AgResearch scientists have been recognised for their outstanding achievements at the AGM of the Canterbury Section of the New Zealand Institute of Agricultural and Horticultural Science (NZIAHS).
Verenium and Scion awarded grant for Ethanol research
Grant will fund optimization and pilot-scale evaluation of pre-treatment and enzymatic processing technologies to make cellulosic ethanol from wood.
Fossils reveal secrets of NZ history
A new study of New Zealand's climate 42 million years ago shows a greenhouse climate with warmer seas and little or no ice in Antarctica.
NZ perspective gains audience at BIO2008
Kiwi panel asks how biotech will help NZ translate sustainability from buzzword to business.
Understanding science for smart snack choices
Nine and ten year-olds in Hamilton discovered how to match their activity levels with snack choices as part of a biotech learning experience.
Adding value is the key
Adding and capturing value in farm produce is the key to New Zealand’s future prosperity, says AgResearch.
Science or sheep?
People misheard Lord Robert Winston, says Anthony Scott. New Zealand needs more, not just reallocation, if we are to increase national productivity.
'Unusual unrest' on Ruapehu
Crater lake temperatures and gas on Mt Ruapehu remain stubbornly high, nine months after its last eruption, GNS Science says.
New chairman appointed to AgResearch board of directors
AgResearch Chief Executive Dr Andrew West today announced that Sam Robinson had been appointed as Chairman of the Crown Research Institute’s Board of Directors.
The future of agriculture: value or volume?
Dr Andrew West, Chief Executive, AgResearch Ltd 'sows the seeds' for an important discussion – should the agriculture sector’s emphasis be on value or on volume?
Newsletter takes cutting-edge science to the classroom
AgResearch has created a Science by Email newsletter to keep secondary school science teachers informed of the cutting-edge scientific advances made at New Zealand’s largest Crown Research Institute.
Volcano risk must be stressed, says scientist
Despite massive media coverage and a climber losing his leg, only a half of Ruapehu's visitors are aware of the mountain's eruption last year, a survey has found.
Bone find shows largest dinosaur lived in NZ
A fossil hunter has discovered that one of the largest known dinosaurs, a titanosaurid, almost certainly roamed New Zealand about 80 million years ago.
AgResearch and Ancare Scientific announce collaboration
Ancare Scientific and AgResearch have combined to fund the further development of a technology that has the potential to increase milk production in dairy cattle.
New dairy R&D farm in the Waikato
AgResearch has committed $6 million with the intent to create a new dairy research and development farm in the Waikato, at Tokanui just south of Te Awamutu.
AgResearch Chairman announces departure
Rick Christie has announced that after two three-year terms as AgResearch Chairman he would step down from the role on June 30.
AgResearch to support agritechnology cluster
AgResearch Chief Executive Dr Andrew West has announced that the country’s largest Crown Research Institute supported the creation of an international-quality, agritechnology cluster in the Waikato.
Science key to unlocking primary sector potential
Speaking at the opening of the 40th National Agricultural Fieldays at Mystery Creek, AgResearch Chief Executive Dr Andrew West said that scientific research was essential to the future of all New Zealanders.
NZ research leading to better foods, health
A collaboration between international quality researchers at AgResearch and the Liggins Institute has the potential to bring about major improvements in agriculture, such as lamb growth, disease resistance and milk production, and human health.
Science top of agenda at Fieldays
Tens of thousands of people descended on Mystery Creek in Hamilton on Wednesday to celebrate the farming community's biggest week of the year, Fieldays.
Spider web inspires new nano fibre venture
A Canterbury student whose research into producing nano fibres is supported by Crop & Food Research and the Foundation for Research, Science and Technology, has gone on to be involved in the development of an electrospinning machine that is being sold to research laboratories around the world.
R&D tax credits - a great opportunity
Industrial Research CEO, Shaun Coffey, says the new R&D tax credit scheme has given most New Zealand industries a significant new tool for getting government support for their research and development projects.
ESR's National Influenza Centre goes robotic
New robotic equipment at ESR's National Influenza Centre Laboratory has significantly increased capacity to analyse flu specimens reducing the time from days to just hours.
Research helps save lives on NZ farms
New research from Scion into New Zealander’s on-farm handling of quadbikes has revealed how an incompatibility between design and use, plus a tendency for farmers to learn by ‘trial and error’, has turned this common farm vehicle into a $8.3 million annual liability.
New Science
Coloured kiwifruit just the start
Kiwifruit lovers will be like kids in a chinese gooseberry store as DNA research is released for breeding fruit with new colours, flavours and health properties.
Genetic data promises new future for kiwifruit
Kiwifruit lovers can look forward to new, novel forms of their favourite fruit thanks to the release this week of crucial genetic data which fruit breeders say will help them naturally breed new varieties with increased health properties and exciting colours and flavours.
Researchers find sustainable varroa solution
New Zealand scientists searching for sustainable, chemical free ways to combat the varroa bee mite say a naturally occurring fungus may be the best solution yet to protecting bees from the destructive pest.
Sumptuous Summerfruit targets European market niche
A $4m dollar investment in HortResearch science hopes to open a new export market for New Zealand apricots worth $15m each year.
International wine genomics project launched
HortResearch has joined researchers from NZ and Canada in a $6.5m programme that will investigate molecular aspects of key winemaking processes.
Seafood sector attracts R&D dollars
Crop & Food Research has attracted over $13 million in new funding for its well regarded and innovative seafood research programmes.
What makes Alpine Fault tick?
A group of New Zealand and international scientists are to drill into the Alpine Fault on the West Coast of the South Island, to learn about earthquakes and how the fault operates.
Paying the organic price
A world-first 10-year trial by agricultural science institute AgResearch shows hill-country sheep and beef farmers can make the change to organics without harming animal health.
Making waves work
A uniquely ‘Kiwi’ wave energy generator developed by WET-NZ – a partnership between Industrial Research Limited (IRL), and NIWA, and the Wellington power consultancy Power Projects Limited (PPL) is harnessing the power of waves in Evans Bay, Wellington.
Push for wider use of low temperature geothermal energy
Energy from 'low temperature' geothermal sources is a huge and largely untapped resource. A new research programme led by GNS Science is designed to make this form of energy more accessible.
GE trees felled but the science continues
Fifty-five genetically modified Pinus radiata were cut down today by Scion at the conclusion of their live field trial. However, environmental impacts research will continue at the site in Rotorua.
Doom for Algal Bloom?
An innovative solution to a billion-dollar problem has been successfully trialled by Scion. A modified form of zeolite, a natural volcanic mineral, looks set to be a new tool in the campaign to mitigate the effects of nutrient run-off in New Zealand's lakes and waterways.
A gnawing question answered?
Radiocarbon dating of Pacific rat (kiore) bones and rat–gnawed native seeds have provided compelling new evidence into the timing of New Zealand´s colonisation.
New adjuvants helping vaccines work better
Industrial Research scientists are looking to extend vaccination to not only preventing, but also treating a vide range of diseases. A new area of R&D is now developing compounds that can increase the effectiveness of vaccines.
Kiwi scientists make methane breakthrough
New Zealand scientists have made a breakthrough in methane research which could reduce the amount of gas farm animals produce.
New climate change projections produced for New Zealand
NIWA has produced new climate change projections for New Zealand. The new projections represent the most up-to-date scientific knowledge about likely effects of climate change in New Zealand, including regional impacts.
Passion fruit helps asthmatics
A passionfruit extract researched and developed at IRL can significantly reduce the severity of asthmatics' wheezing and coughing and also help reduce blood pressure.
New measures for shellfish health
Measuring the health of shellfish just became a lot quicker and more sensitive, thanks to some new technology at NIWA.
Tidal creeks - taking the heat off estuaries
The tidal creeks that fringe many of our estuaries are doing them a big favour by acting as a sink for sediment, according to new NIWA research.
