Science
How NZ sheep are helping find a cure for Alzheimer's
A University of Auckland geneticist says sheep are ideal for testing drugs, due to their longer life span, complex brain structure and genetic similarity to humans.
How the oldest telescope in New Zealand was discovered
One of Aotearoa's oldest scientific instruments languished for years in a cardboard box until it was discovered to date back to the days of Captain Cook. Audio
Oldest telescope in New Zealand discovered
Following the discovery of a box marked "old telescope", the Tuhura Otago Museum has become home to New Zealand's oldest telescope, dating back to 1736. The telescope is now in the 'Director's Choice'… Audio
Turning the tide – what it takes to take out rats
Kate Evans visits a passionate team as they carpet a remote volcanic island in Tonga with poisoned bait, hoping to eradicate rats. What does it take to complete this kind of project, what are the… Audio
Watch: Nasa, Rocket Lab launch giant 'mirror in space'
Nasa's new mission, using sunlight for propulsion, has been launched from Hawke's Bay. Video, Audio
Hydrogen fuel station opens in South Auckland
New Zealand is one step closer to low-emissions road freight with the opening of a hydrogen fuelling station in South Auckland on Tuesday. Maia Ingoe reports. Audio
RocketLab launching NASA satellite from Mahia Peninsula
A new satellite launching on Wednesday is set to sail on sunlight, 1,000 kilometres above the Earth. NASA's Advanced Composite Solar Sail System is one of two satellites RocketLab is launching from… Audio
Shower Thoughts: Does peeing on lemon trees actually work?
Is this old trick good gardening, or just a bit weird? Landscape designer Justin Newcombe says he's tried it - and it works. Audio
How AI is affecting research, Dr Ally Gibson's experience
In 2021 Dr Ally Gibson launched a research project which required participants to submit short stories in response to a prompt about dating.To find out more about how AI ruined her research Dr Ally… Audio
New report on how to maximise benefits of AI and gene editing
A new report by New Zealand scholars released in Paris on Tuesday morning looks at how to maximise the benefits and minimise risks associated with rapidly developing technologies such as AI and gene… Audio
'Good and bad purposes' of new tech examined in new report
New Zealand researchers have produced an international report looking at how to maximise the benefits and minimise risks associated with rapidly developing technologies, such as AI and gene editing.
Is it time to update our understanding of the universe? Some cosmologists think so
Oxford University professor Subir Sarkar says over the past 100 years our understanding of how the universe works has changed dramatically as technology has improved in leaps and bounds. Audio
Bright aurora light up Southern photographers
Two nights of bright aurora have had night photographers running for their cameras to capture the multicoloured skies.
Does 'zombie deer disease' pose risks for humans?
The deaths of two hunters who ate meat from deer infected with chronic wasting disease has scientists arguing over whether it can spread to humans.
The headlines we didn’t read
Mary Argue is back guiding us through the latest weird and wonderful headlines from the world of science including the many universes that could be created with every decision we make - among other… Audio
Elizabeth Kolbert: The A to Z of climate change
Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Elizabeth Kolbert tells the story of climate change in her new alphabetised essay collection H Is for Hope. As our world warms up, Kolbert hopes the book will help… Audio
The burden of long covid
Evidence indicates long covid presents a considerable burden to New Zealand. Between 4 and 14 percent of people infected with the virus will develop ongoing symptoms, anything from mild to severe… Audio
The diverse experiences of farming
A lot of urban dwellers get their information about farming from supermarkets, new research suggests. A Massey University research project surveyed over 1300 urban and rural people about their views… Audio
A quest to demystify creatures of the deep sea
Dr Thom Linley has always been fascinated with fish, how they behave, their ecology and their different ocean habitats. He is a curator of fishes at Te Papa, and also co-hosts the Deep-Sea Podcast… Audio
Summer 34 – Three decades of albatross research
Journalist Rebekah White meets two people who have been counting albatrosses on remote islands in the subantarctic for more than three decades. Their research shows that at least one species is en… Video, Audio