DNA
Finding DNA in fingerprints
A new method of finding DNA in fingerprints could take some of the guesswork out of crime scene analysis. Audio
Our Changing World for 18 April 2019
ESR is finding DNA from fingerprints and the latest kakapo news, brings chick tally to 75 with three still to hatch. Audio
Scientific evidence presented in camera in toilet trial
The jury has heard that DNA evidence found on a camera hidden in an embassy bathroom is 10 thousand million times more likely to come from a former top Defence Force attache than anyone else. Video, Audio
Why the kiwi and moa stopped flying
Researchers have found out what made two of our famous birds flightless, but with this new discovery will scientists now try to reverse it? Audio
DNA testing: Why it doesn't define culture
It's pretty easy now to find out where you came from. Spit in a tube and send it off to a DNA website and you get back a breakdown of your ancestry. But do these tests do more harm than good? Audio
Law Commission: Rules on accessing DNA from free genealogy sites concerning
The Law Commission is looking into whether the rules governing DNA are still fit for purpose, easily accessible and understood by the public.
Dr John Buckleton - Top forensics team win PM's Science Prize
A team of ESR scientists have recently received New Zealand's most valuable science prize for the development of STRmix - scientific software that is used to interpret DNA material from a crime scene… Audio
Our Changing World for 14 March 2018
The 2018 Prime Minister's Science prizes have gone to crime-busting software, a climate change communicator and a young physicist. Audio
PM's science prize winners include a crime-busting software team
2018 Prime Minister's Science Prizes awarded to crime-busting software used in forensics labs, a climatologist, a young physicist, a primary teacher and a bioengineer. Video, Audio
Tatjana Buklijas: Trauma passed on through genes
Liggins Institute researcher Dr Tatjana Buklijas has been looking into the growing knowledge of intergenerational trauma. She explains what they know so far. Audio
DNA in criminal investigations
Law commissioner Donna Buckingham speaks with Kathryn Ryan about updating the law regarding storing and accessing DNA, for criminal investigation purposes, looking at where the balance should be… Audio
Rethinking DNA - does it makes us who we are?
Robert Plomin is a pioneer in the field of behavioural genetics. As a geneticist and psychologist, his lifetime's worth of research makes the case that DNA is the most important factor shaping us. In… Video, Audio
Using DNA to study human migrations a winner
Lisa Matisoo-Smith, from the University of Otago, has won the 2018 Mason Durie Medal for her work using DNA to understand the migration of people to Aotearoa. Audio
Our Changing World for 18 October 2018
Among the 24 researchers honoured with science awards this year are mathematician Rod Downey, molecular anthropologist Lisa Matisoo-Smith and aquaculture expert Maren Wellenreuther. Audio
DNA in fossil bone fragments reveals NZ's lost world
Bags of bone fragments are casting a genetic spotlight on New Zealand's lost natural world, and on the impact of early Polynesians on its biota. Audio
Our Changing World for 26 July 2018
Ancient e-DNA from bits of old bones is shedding new light on New Zealand's "lost world" and the impact of humans, and concerns about Te Papa's natural history collections. Audio
Kiwi hunt for Nessie - stage one complete
The existence of the Loch Ness Monster is one of the world's greatest mysteries - and the world is one step closer to solving it, thanks to a New Zealand lead project. Otago University's Professor… Audio
Auckland man arrested over Australia cold case murder
A 43-year-old Auckland man has been charged with murdering Robert Sabeckis in Adelaide 18 years ago. The man, who has interim name suppression appeared in Waitakere District Court today. Audio
Dung and Dusted
Jamie Wood from Manaaki Whenua/Landcare Research joins us to talk about a study of DNA found in fossilized Moa droppings - and the understanding that has been gained in terms of the impact extinction… Audio
Gene editor may not work on humans
It's been dubbed the biggest advance in the world of genetic engineering but scientists are still trying to discover more about what the gene-therapy CRISPR-Cas9 can do.
It's often described as… Audio