ScienceNZ - The Value of Science Discovery
Science Value
Outstanding science recognised at inaugural awards
Science New Zealand 2017 National Awards celebrated 21 Awardees on Thursday 9 November at the Banquet Hall, Parliament Buildings, Wellington. These inaugural Awards recognise outstanding science achievements that help to shape and benefit New Zealand. The Awards demonstrated excellent science working for New Zealand and acknowledge the people behind the work.
New Value
Colourful timber
Staining or painting timber is the traditional way to add colour to wooden products, but that colour is only surface deep. Any scratching or resurfacing can remove the colourful layer and affect the aesthetic of the wood. The full thickness colour technology developed by Scion fixes colourful dye throughout timber in a range of bright colours.
Assessing clonal tree performance in Māori-owned forests
The forests of Lake Taupō and Lake Rotoaira are unique. Having started as joint ventures with government, the second rotation stands, which are now approaching maturity, are all Maori-owned and governed by the Lake Taupō and Lake Rotoaira Forest Trusts (the trusts).
Kawerau container terminal - demand nearly triples!
The town of Kawerau in the Eastern Bay of Plenty (EBoP) is unique. It boasts the world’s largest application of geothermal energy for industrial use, and provides the ideal environment and support for companies pursuing a sustainable way of operating.
Intergenerational land management solutions
“Kia mau ki te whenua, hei oranga mo te iwi” – “Hold onto the land as sustenance for our people”, is the vision statement of Rotomā No. 1 Incorporation (Rotomā). The incorporation manages over 1,200 hectares of forest surrounding Lake Rotomā on behalf of more than 2,000 shareholders that whakapapa (have family connections) to it.
New weapons in the battle for urban biosecurity
Biosecurity officials receive over 10,000 reports of suspected new pests and diseases in New Zealand every year.
Radiata pine genome - draft assembly completed
In a world first, the Scion Forest Genetics Team in collaboration with Massey University has completed a draft assembly of the radiata pine genome. At 25 billion base pairs, the radiata pine genome is eight times the size of the human genome, and its sheer size was a substantial challenge to researchers.
New ways to measure and value small forests
“Collectively, the 14-16 000 small- and medium-scale forest growers are the largest forest owning group in New Zealand – but when it comes to measurement they don’t have easy access to the benefits provided by research outputs, and the economies of scale that come with larger plantations,” says Jonathan Dash, remote sensing scientist at Scion.
Sustainable wood for sustainable development
Wood is the world’s most used renewable resource. We rely on it for building materials, heating sources, musical instruments, modes of transport, clothes and packaging. But, are the full benefits of wood being realised?
“A Billion Trees”
One of the challenges I was told I would face when I started at Scion was that despite being the third largest export revenue earner forestry was never talked about by government ministers.
New Thinking
Is that a plastic wrapper in your snapper?
Scion and fish make an odd combination, but biopolymer scientist Jamie Bridson was part of a team that looked at plastic microparticle ingestion by commercial fish species across the South Pacific.
How will climate change affect plantation forestry in NZ?
New Zealand-grown Pinus radiata will be taller and slimmer in the future according to a new paper¹. While sequestering greater amounts of carbon, the trees will be more exposed to risks from extreme winds and wildfire.
Growing a biofuelled New Zealand
New Zealand could build a renewable low carbon transport fuels industry - but only if we as a nation get our act together. A new report by bioenergy specialists at Scion looks at how New Zealand could grow and process feedstock crops into liquid biofuels targeted towards the heavy transport, shipping and aviation industries.
New Science
Getting to the heart of coast redwood durability
Coast redwood (Sequoia sempervirens) has the potential to be a high-value timber crop. Its timber is attractive and its high stability and natural durability make it ideal for outdoor uses. There is strong local and international market for naturally durable timber that does not require chemical preservation or paint for outdoor use. Most of this is supplied from redwood stands grown in the USA, which has a reputation for heartwood resistance to decay.
How eco-friendly are your winter woolies?
Every time a synthetic garment is washed, it sheds thousands of fibres. These tiny fibres escape waste water treatment plant filters and end up in the ocean and along shorelines near waste water release sites. Fabric structure and composition affect fibre release. Studies have found that polyester fleece jackets can shed up to 0.2% of their weight with each wash and as the jackets age they shed even more.
