Nine To Noon for Wednesday 22 January 2020

 

09:05 Coronavirus: Virologist urges Health Ministry to take lead

With the United States confirming its first case of the newly identified coronavirus, there's concern about the spread of the disease to New Zealand. More than 300 people have been infected, and six have died, in the Chinese city of Wuhan where the virus originated. Other cases have been reported in South Korea, Thailand and Japan. The World Health Organisation is meeting later today to consider whether to declare a public health emergency.

Lynn Freeman talks to virologists Dr Lance Jennings from the University of Otago and Matt Frieman from the University of Maryland School of Medicine whose lab is working on the virus.

09:15 Davos at 50: Leaders to focus on sustainability

Global leaders have begun their annual World Economic Forum meeting in the Swiss ski resort of Davos. The 3000-strong participants have been joined by hundreds of protesters calling on them to take action on climate change. Among those participating this year is New Zealander Shruthi Vijayakumar who's a member of the Forum's Global Shapers Community, which was set up by the Forum's founder Professor Klaus Schwab as a way of bringing younger people together to address local, regional and global challenges. She'll tell Lynn about the workshop she's hosting at Davos.

09:30 Next steps for 'brain-fingerprinting' in solving real crimes

New Zealand scientists are taking the next steps in developing Forensic Brainwave Analysis (also known as 'brain-fingerprinting') for solving crimes. The technology works by detecting  brainwaves that indicate whether or not a person has specific knowledge of something. It's hoped eventually the technology could be applied to criminal cases  especially pre-trial investigations as a way of eliminating possible suspects. But what of the ethical concerns ?

Lynn Freeman talks to the director of clinical legal studies at Canterbury University, and project team leader, Professor Robin Palmer.  The New Zealand Law Foundation has funded this three year project

09:45 Scott Morrison's tough start to the year

Australia correspondent Karen Middleton updates Lynn on the bush fire situation. Many are still burning and on Monday Canberra was hit by a massive hailstorm that caused an estimated $100m. What impact are these ongoing natural disasters having on Scott Morrison's ratings? She'll also look at why he's digging in behind one of his ministers over a damaging audit report into a sports grants scheme.

10:05 Fighting 'the irrational ape' with critical thinking

Dr David Robert Grimes is an Irish physicist, cancer researcher science writer, and a recipient of awards for demystifying and standing up for science. His first book, The Irrational Ape contains case studies and examples showing how easy it is to draw false conclusions, or make mistakes - it also suggests ways to avoid making such errors.

10:35 Book review - Best of 2019

Stella Chrysostomou of VOLUME Books shares her picks for the best books of 2019: The Secret Commonwealth by Philip Pullman, I Who Have Never Known Men by Jaqueline Harpman and Spring by Ali Smith.(all published by Penguin Books).

10:45 The Reading

Calamity Jane by Susy Pointon. Part 1 read by Denise O'Connell.

 

11:05 What's on offer at Laneway this year?

Music 101 host Charlotte Ryan joins Lynn to look at this year's Laneway Festival lineup in Auckland this weekend and feature the music of three up-and-coming artists.

 

11:30  A dedicated follower of fashion

Central Otago high country farmer Eden Hore collected almost three hundred outfits from the 1970s and 80s, resulting in what's been described as one of the best private collections of vintage couture in Australasia. Otago regional council has acquired this beautiful collection of clothes, and a steering group has been set up to see that it's kept together and properly recognised.  Honorable curator for the dress collection at Otago museum  Dr Jane Malthus met Eden and knows the collection personally.  She speaks with Lynn Freeman, along with Paul Blomfield, a long-time fashion industry commentator and member of the steering group.

11:45 NZ arts ecology: The ever-changing role of artists

Arts commentator Nina Tonga joins Lynn to talk about the summer's festival season, with a focus on what to expect from the New Zealand Arts Festival which opens on February 21. She'll also look at the Sydney Biennale 'Nirin'and moves within the arts sector.

 

Music played in this show

Artist:  Lake South
Track: Mount Victoria
Time played: 9:45

Artist: Kinks
Track: Waterloo Sunset
Time played: 11:45