ScienceNZ - The Value of Science Discovery
Science Value
AgResearch to invest $100 million in new science innovation hubs
AgResearch, New Zealand’s largest Crown Research Institute, has today announced a major investment programme that is the largest of its kind in New Zealand agricultural science.
New Value
Scientists to gather earthquake shaking information
Scientists will be visiting residential properties in Christchurch during the next two weeks to gather information to improve earthquake hazard and risk assessments in New Zealand
ESR scientists monitoring North Korean nuclear test
ESR scientists are monitoring the Pacific for airborne radioactivity resulting from yesterday’s underground nuclear event detected in North Korea.
Antarctic Environments Portal
Antarctica is under increasing pressure from human activity and climate change. To make science about this unique region more accessible - especially to policy makers - Landcare Research and Antarctica New Zealand have signed a collaboration agreement for the development of an innovative web portal
An apple a day to keep inflammation away?
New research suggests that apples may be good for the millions of people worldwide suffering from inflammatory diseases
NIWA survey work helps assess Kaikoura tsunami risks
Surveying work carried out by NIWA scientists this week is helping provide new insights into the tsunami risk from undersea landslides in the Kaikoura Canyon.
Fiordland’s depths reveal more new-to-science wonders
Scientists have used a remote operated vehicle (ROV) equipped with cameras and a grappling arm to locate and sample specimens of sea pen previously unknown to science, hidden in the undiveable depths of remote Fiordland.
Commercial Partnership Pays Dividends for New Zealand
An AgResearch-developed wool dyeing technology that bridges the gap between high performance and haute couture is set to shine on a global stage thanks to a worldwide licensing deal.
The revolutionary textile dyeing process is now being commercialised by BGI Development. It enables wool to be dyed two colours at the same time, and graphics and images to be dyed into the fabric. There is no loss of the quality feel of the fabric and the images won’t deteriorate over time.
Fighting rural fires with smartphones
Whenever a fire breaks out, people reach for their phones. Thanks to a smartphone app developed by Scion’s rural fire research team, phones can be used for more than just ringing 111. Fire managers can use their phone to help fight the fire.
A new kind of wood adds value
Substituting just 1% of tropical timbers with sustainably grown radiata pine would be a significant opportunity for New Zealand. Scion’s wood processing scientists are developing and preparing to commercialise a technology platform with New Zealand based companies that can deliver new applications for wood. The technology is protected by international patents.
Irish wasp more than match for clover root weevil
The Irish wasp is back to battle the clover root weevil this summer, after a slump in numbers.
Like many farmers in the northern North Island, Mike McKie from Opunaki has been benefiting from plentiful clover in recent years, but is now alarmed at the reappearance of the distinctive feeding notches of the adult clover root weevil and the number of larvae in the soil.
IRL and Unitec collaborate to bolster high-tech workforce
A closer working relationship between Industrial Research Ltd and Unitec aims to deliver more and better work-ready high-tech workers to New Zealand industry.
Get more from your veges with vitalvegetables®.
Consumers are now able to buy vegetables with greater understanding of the healthy nutrients they contain.
New science facility boosts biosecurity and conservation
A new state-of-the-art plant pathogen (disease) containment facility marks a significant step forward in New Zealand’s battle against invasive weeds
Blueberries hasten muscle recovery
Study has found athletes who eat blueberries recover faster from exercise
Palm trees thrived in Antarctica 52 million years ago
Balmy tropical temperatures and frost-sensitive vegetation prevailed on the coast of Antarctica 52 million years ago, according to a study of drill cores from under the seafloor off the coast of Antarctica.
Smartphones used to fight wildfires
Spades and hoses are not the only things that rural firefighters can use to fight wildfires; thanks to Crown Research Institute Scion, they can also use their smartphones.
Scion imports atmospheric modelling skills
An atmospheric modelling specialist from the United States brings exciting new capability to forest protection research at Scion.
New Thinking
Meat and three veg diet may offer more than first thought
A new study from Plant & Food Research may offer hope to those who love red meat but worry about the effect it may have on their gut,
Biorefinery technology
Scion has the expertise to support growing global interest in biorefinery processing, based on a long history of research and development for the pulp and paper industry.
New insect to patrol apple orchards
New Zealand pipfruit growers are enhancing their management options for the codling moth, one of the key pests for the pipfruit industry, with the release of a new biocontrol agent.
NZ flu study findings
Influenza viruses put more people in hospital than was previously thought
WoodScape project follows Bio-Pathways study
New Zealand's wood processing opportunities are being evaluated by Scion in a Woodco commissioned project called 'WoodScape'.
Biospife goes to Europe
Scion’s collaboration with ZESPRI®, recognised as the world leader in premium quality kiwifruit, continues to grow. Scion scientists have been working with ZESPRI® to develop a bioplastic spife (spoon-knife) made, in part, from kiwifruit residue.
Pest management programme results in increased exports
A research programme to reduce the use of chemical pesticides on apple orchards has benefited New Zealand’s pipfruit industry by as much as $113 million in export earnings.
Science backgrounder, Geothermal energy and micro-earthquakes
Small earthquakes are reasonably common in geothermal energy developments worldwide. GNS Science seismologist Dr Steve Sherburn explains that some are naturally occurring and some are caused by human activity. But both types are generally harmless to people and property
Marsden Fund Council - Vacancies
Eminent scientists are sought to fill three positions on the Marsden Fund Council. The Marsden Fund Council recommends the allocation of over $52 million annually to support excellent research and researchers
New Science
Wood gets medical attention
Using medical scanners, scientists at Rotorua-based Crown Research Institute Scion have been able to peer inside blocks of wood.
A natural alternative to a fishy problem
Scientists have long been researching eco-friendly packaging alternatives to one of the most widely used plastics, polystyrene. This is now a step closer with the construction, by Biopolymer Network Ltd, of a pilot plant capable of producing fish boxes made from a bio-foam that looks and behaves much like its less eco-friendly counterpart.
Scientists Find Mysterious Giant Pockmarks on Chatham Rise
Pockmarks are crater-like structures on the seabed caused by fluids and gases erupting through sediments into the ocean
LignoTech - leading the greeen way forward
Strong, lightweight and economical are highly desirable properties when it comes to buying a car. But one made using corn residue?
Unique facility to test biodegradation and composting
Scion has designed and built a unique-to-New Zealand test facility for measuring the aerobic composting of materials such as bioplastics, paper and wood, and quantifying the time it takes for materials to biodegrade.
Treating timber in leaky buildings
Novel research and technical advice from Scion’s wood preservation team contributed to the Department of Building and Housing (DBH) publication, “Dealing with timber in leaky buildings”. This guide was prepared for builders and building professionals.
Satellite imagery aids forest management
Satellite imagery is proving an effective tool that meets forestry management and research needs for cost effective, up-to-date information on the status of forest resources.
IRL scientists honoured for innovation with impact
At last night’s 2012 New Zealand Research Awards, three IRL scientists were honoured with the award of the research community’s most coveted medals.
AgResearch develops unique biopesticide
AgResearch scientists are working on a chemical-free biopesticide that kills the pasture-munching caterpillars
New research shows oral cattle drench most effective
A new study by AgResearch scientists shows oral cattle drenches are far more effective than the equivalent pour-on or injectable products. In a study soon to be published in the international science journal Veterinary Parasitology, AgResearch scientists Chris Miller and Dave Leathwick measured how effective the same drench active (moxidectin) was when given orally, as a pour-on or as an injectable.
A whole new racquet for flax
Scion has been stressing, stretching and pounding plant fibres to understand how they respond to repeated pressure. Flax fibres are of interest because overseas manufacturers are using them in combination with resins to make tennis racquets, high-performance bicycles and racing yachts.
Putting the acid on wood
Acid produced from a chilli-dwelling bacteria may sound like nasty stuff but it could provide a natural alternative to synthetic preservatives used to treat wood.
A scientific world first at AgResearch
AgResearch scientists have bred the first cow in the world to produce high protein milk that may be hypo-allergenic.
Scion creates new bioadhesives
Scion has created a new recipe for adhesives made 100 percent from bio-based ingredients. This breakthrough will help manufacturers of wood panel products to overcome regulatory and customer concerns about formaldehyde emissions.
New projects to reduce horticultural pests
Developing new methods for controlling pests and diseases on New Zealand farms is a key focus for new Sustainable Farming Fund projects at Plant & Food Research
Famous geyser may be cruising back into life
The once-famous Waikite Geyser in Rotorua is showing signs of rejuvenation after 43 years of very little activity, scientists say.
Kauri makes economic return
A growth model developed by indigenous forestry specialist, Greg Steward, shows that New Zealand kauri (Agathis australis) has surprisingly good potential as a productive commercial species.
AgResearch at National Agricultural Fieldays 2012
AgResearch’s role in the changing face of farming is the theme for AgResearch’s stand in the Premier Feature area at this year’s National Agricultural Fieldays at Mystery Creek.
