ScienceNZ

NIWA launches biggest-ever scientific air quality campaign

Tue, 07 Sep 2010 07:24:23 GMT

NIWA is looking at the long-term effects of motorways and wood smoke on air quality

A powerful new online resource assists understanding our natural environments and resources

Tue, 07 Sep 2010 07:22:45 GMT

With the launch of the Land Resource Information System (LRIS) Portal http://lris.scinfo.org.nz, individuals working in regional and central government, industry, research and education now have quick and easy access to environment data held by Landcare Research.

Announcing new Industry Research and Outreach Fellowships

Tue, 07 Sep 2010 07:14:03 GMT

IRL recognises a need to link leading-edge science and technology to address future challenges facing New Zealand and to deliver economic growth. This has led to the establishment of an initial offering of five Industry Research and Outreach Fellowships to lead development and application.

ESR ready for additional DNA work

Tue, 07 Sep 2010 05:59:47 GMT

ESR is ready to process additional DNA samples per year as a result of legislative changes which came into force in September.

Wool protein wound dressings win AgResearch scientist prestigious award

Tue, 07 Sep 2010 05:57:26 GMT

On 24 August AgResearch’s Dr Azam Ali won the prestigious 2010 Bayer Innovators Award in the Science and Health category.

Canterbury fault had not ruptured for at least 16,000 years

Tue, 07 Sep 2010 05:41:54 GMT

The fault that ruptured and produced the magnitude 7.1 earthquake in Canterbury on Saturday appears not to have ruptured for at least 16,000 years, GNS Science scientists say.

Canterbury quake the most damaging since 1931

Tue, 07 Sep 2010 05:40:42 GMT

The magnitude 7.1 earthquake that hit Canterbury early today is expected to be the most damaging since the 1931 magnitude 7.8 Hawke's Bay earthquake.

Apple genome reveals unexpected results

Mon, 30 Aug 2010 03:08:47 GMT

Analysis of the complete DNA sequence of apple suggests that a major step in evolution of the fruit was caused by a catastrophic environmental event, possibly the same one that killed the dinosaurs.

An international consortium, including scientists at Plant & Food Research, has sequenced the more than 600 million base pairs of DNA which make up the apple genome and will open the way to understanding characteristics of importance to consumers, such as crispness, juiciness and flavour, or to producers, such as harvest time.

The research is published in the prestigious journal Nature Genetics.

Free Forestry Conference Puts GIS on the Map

Thu, 26 Aug 2010 01:08:00 GMT

On 6 October, Crown Research Institute Scion is hosting a free conference to raise awareness of how GIS technology can be used to best advantage within the forestry sector.

Mont Liggins: NZ hero and mentor

Tue, 24 Aug 2010 05:08:03 GMT

Sir Graham ‘Mont’ Liggins who died on 24 August was an outstanding medical scientist, with a global reputation, says PMCSA.

A deeper connection sonar gets smarter

Mon, 23 Aug 2010 21:39:32 GMT

Electronic Navigation Ltd (ENL) and Industrial Research Ltd (IRL) have signed a long-term co-funding agreement that promises to underpin next-generation innovation at New Zealand’s premier marine electronics company and strengthen the country’s advanced sonar systems capability.

Top scoring technology taps healing power of play

Mon, 23 Aug 2010 05:39:24 GMT

A computer game-based arm rehabilitation device developed by IRL has won first prize in the prototype category of the 2010 Engineers Australia, College of Biomedical Engineering Better Technology Awards.

Two quakes caused Samoan tsunami

Wed, 18 Aug 2010 23:04:50 GMT

GNS Scientists report that a rare combination of two massive earthquakes happening almost simultaneously triggered the tsunami that devastated parts of Samoa and Tonga.

Download the seabed!

Wed, 18 Aug 2010 23:02:23 GMT

Highly detailed maps of New Zealand’s seabed are now freely available on NIWA’s website. The high-resolution maps show the hidden seabed of the deep sea around the country in incredible digital detail, making them a treasure for all New Zealanders.

Volcano collapse underlines threat of tsunami

Wed, 18 Aug 2010 04:48:24 GMT

NIWA scientists have found that a volcanic cone on Rumble III, 200km northeast of Auckland, has crumbled. Marine geologist Richard Wysoczanski said there's no doubt some of these slips can cause tsunami.

NIWA scientists alleviate concern over 1080

Wed, 18 Aug 2010 04:47:00 GMT

NIWA scientists have found little cause for concern about the possibility of 1080 contamination in streams. This finding was part of a detailed investigation on the West Coast, during August last year.

The Singing Scientist's new song

Wed, 11 Aug 2010 22:28:50 GMT

Dr Matthew Barnett, Senior Scientist in AgResearch’s Agri-Foods & Health Section who featured on TV and radio last year with his Epigenome Song, has written a second song based on his scientific work, this time about fibre. Click here to view YouTube track.

NZs leading greenhouse gas certification scheme available in Australia

Wed, 11 Aug 2010 22:02:42 GMT

Landcare Research has signed an exciting licensing partnership with Bureau Veritas, the world's leading independent certification body, to provide the highly successful CEMARS® (Certified Emissions Measurement And Reduction Scheme) certification to selected clients in Australia.

Exploring benefits of the bioplastics boom

Mon, 09 Aug 2010 23:03:38 GMT

More than 50 people from around the country with an interest in bioplastics are gathering in Rotorua for a day-long workshop at Crown Research Institute Scion on 13 August.

Divergent trends in land and ocean temperature in the Southern Ocean

Mon, 09 Aug 2010 02:17:11 GMT

Landcare Research scientists believe climate variations thousands of years ago over Campbell Island may shed light on the future climate of New Zealand.