ScienceNZ - The Value of Science Discovery
Science Value
Briefing to Incoming Ministers
The 2011 Briefing to Incoming Ministers by Science New Zealand provides an overview of the work, role and purpose of CRIs within the New Zealand science and innovation eco-system. CRIs are two-thirds of the nation’s publically-funded science researchers (excluding health and ICT areas); and the science performers businesses most choose to use. The CRI Taskforce has given each CRI a specific core purpose.
The BIM also sets out the key issues for the Ministers’ leadership. A key point is that New Zealand needs to treble its private sector R&D workforce if it is to reach the goal of 40 per cent of GDP from exports by 2025.
New Value
Tiny titans
New titanium metal alloy open-pore materials currently being developed at IRL could offer high-value contributions to the biomedical sector.
Automation excellence
A close collaboration has resulted in the recognition of IRL partner Milmeq Ltd at the prestigious New Zealand Engineering Excellence Awards.
Eyes on the road
Science is more practical than simply applied mathematics and arcane formulae, as Coastline Markers Ltd discovered when they called in IRL to solve a particularly sticky problem – finding a new way to make reflective catseyes adhere to the road.
Gold kiwifruit each day reduce cold symptoms
Adding gold kiwifruit to your diet may lead to less suffering from symptoms of common illnesses such as colds, research suggests.
Broccoli and blueberries may improve gut health
Broccoli and blueberries may have positive effects for those suffering with digestive problems, new research suggests.
New trove of information opens up for oil exploration industry
A wide range of new geoscience information has become instantly available to the petroleum exploration industry with the culmination of a two-year project by a team of researchers at GNS Science.
Rotomahana lake floor survey returns wealth of new information
Scientists have backed up findings from last year to show that a substantial portion of the Pink Terraces appears to have survived the 1886 eruption of Mount Tarawera and is sitting at the bottom of Lake Rotomahana covered by two metres of sediment.
Sweet success in hunt for honey's healing factor
Comvita, the New Zealand-based global exporter of natural health and beauty products, and collaborators have identified key compounds in honey that stimulate the immune system, paving the way for a range of new wound-healing products.
Lake assessment tool earns high honour for NIWA scientist
John Clayton, a principal scientist in the fields of aquatic biodiversity and biosecurity based at NIWA's Hamilton office, has won a 2011 Kudos award for his leading role in the development of LakeSPI (Lake Submerged Plant Indicators). LakeSPI is a tool widely used to assess and rate the ecological condition of New Zealand lakes.
Carbon cash could save marginal farms
Cash from carbon makes forestry a much more attractive proposition than livestock farming on poorer hill country according to a collaborative study led by Crown Research Institute Scion for Waikato Regional Council
Scion licenses a revolutionary wood plastic reinforcer
An exciting new technology that produces wood plastic pellets has been developed by Crown Research Institute Scion with the potential to revolutionise the composition of plastics worldwide
Scion’s water quality technology licensed to South Waikato company
A novel way to improve the water quality of lakes and other waterways, developed at Crown Research Institute Scion, has been licensed to Blue Pacific Minerals based in Tokoroa. The exclusive licence is for the manufacture, sale and global distribution of modified zeolite.
Software takes jury to crime scene
Jurors will now be able to take a virtual walk through a murder scene, with the creation of interactive software by Kiwi scientists.
The technology had its debut at the High Court trial in February for the man accused of killing Rotorua's Ruakawa Newton. It was the first time the "virtual tour" software had been used to support
(Photo) ESR forensic scientists collect photographic evidence for the new software, which will help juries visualise crime scenes.
Innovative technology piloted at Rotorua
The Minister for the Environment Hon Dr Nick Smith has opened a pilot plant that will test an innovative process that converts biosolid waste into valuable chemical products.
It’s good news about the oyster industry
Scion Timber Design Studio Award Winners
New Thinking
Innovation insider
A new innovation intern being sought from journalism schools around the country will help spread understanding of the importance of innovation to New Zealand.
Chemical bonding
IRL has appointed Professor Juliet Gerrard, a biochemist and leader in the industrial application of biochemistry in New Zealand as its second Industry and Outreach Fellow.
Lifestyle Blocks and the loss of New Zealand´s productive soils
New research shows the huge increase in ´lifestyle blocks´ across New Zealand and raises wider questions over our attitude to the slow but ongoing loss of valuable, high quality and productive land
An 18-year-long project to produce a new series of geological maps of New Zealand has just finished
Known as QMAP (Quarter million scale map), the project started in 1994 and has produced 21 geological maps covering all parts of New Zealand.
Science New Zealand Chairman elected
Science New Zealand has elected Dr Tom Richardson, Chief Executive of AgResearch, as Chairman for the next two years.
In search of fish food on the Chatham Rise
NIWA's research vessel Tangaroa will set sail for the Chatham Rise tonight to improve our understanding of how marine ecosystems affect commercially exploited fish, and how commercial fisheries affect the marine food-web. The Chatham Rise, a large plateau between the South Island and Chatham Islands, is our most productive fishing ground.
Appointment of new Landcare Research CEO
New Science
AgResearch team finds missing link
AgResearch scientists have made a breakthrough proving a long-held hypothesis that white clover originated as a hybrid of other clover ancestors, followed by a chance doubling of the chromosome number to restore fertility.
Scion plays part in the water quality picture
A modified zeolite product developed by Scion has been used to treat potentially toxic algal blooms in Rotorua lakes. The product, marketed by Blue Pacific Minerals under the trade name “Aqual P”, is one of many tools being used by the Bay of Plenty Regional Council as part of their lake clean-up efforts.
Robot spies make new science discoveries in Fiordland’s World Heritage Park
NIWA and Environment Southland have recently returned with stunning new footage of undersea sills in Dusky and Doubtful Sounds, brimming with sea life, corals and sponges.
AgResearch and BGI Developments to commercialise revolutionary dyeing process
A revolutionary new dyeing process developed by AgResearch that allows wool fabrics to be dyed vibrant colours is about to be commercialised
19 new hazards projects get green light
Nineteen new research projects have received a total of $7 million in funding for three years under the Natural Hazards Research Platform.
The new funding allocations were announced this week by Science and Innovation Minister Hon Steven Joyce. They include eight projects investigating lessons learned from the Canterbury earthquakes and 11 other projects covering a broad spread of natural hazards in New Zealand.
ESR-led research team wins international tender to hunt the flu virus
A group of world-leading scientists and flu researchers, led by ESR, has beaten out international competition to be awarded a five-year, multi-million dollar contract to study influenza in an effort to better understand the burden of the virus and how to prevent its spread around the world.
