Science
Tuatara genome sheds light on disease resistance, long life
The same man who went looking for the Loch Ness monster has now led a study that reveals the inner fabric of New Zealand's most famous Jurassic survivor - the tuatara. Two years ago, Neil Gemmell from… Audio
Supercharging critter control
Dr Helen Blackie is leading efforts to supercharge Predator Free 2050 with solutions spanning engineering, creative design, animal behaviour, toxicology and ecology. But it's not easy with an… Audio, Gallery
Lunar loo: NASA crowd-sourcing for new space toilet design
As NASA prepares to send the first woman to the moon on Artemis by 2024, the agency is also looking to update its space toilets and is seeking help from the public. It's a big challenge, toilet design… Audio
Barriers remain for Māori and Pasifika scientists - study
New research has confirmed that Aotearoa's science sector features a very low number of Maori and Pasifika scientists. Audio
Pasifika scientists severely under-represented in academia
A new study shows that Pasifika scientists are severely under-represented in universities - with no changes over 11 years.
Te Pūnaha Matatini researchers obtained data from 14 universities and crown… Audio
The Morality of Abusing A Robot
We're joined by Associate Professor Christoph Bartneck of the Human Interface Technology Lab (HIT Lab NZ) in the University of Canterbury's College of Engineering and creator of the Human-Robot… Video, Audio
The Sensitives who are allergic to synthethic chemicals
The Sensitives are millions of people who suffer from synthetic chemicals. Journalist Oliver Broudy takes us inside the world of people who seem to be allergic to the modern world. Audio
Massey University sleep research centre facing changes
A leading sleep research centre is facing changes that could undermine its worldwide status.
Massey University wants to absorb the Sleep Wake centre into another department due to a shortfall in… Audio
NASA astronauts splash land near Florida
Two NASA astronauts have landed back on earth after a splash landing off the coast of Florida.
It was the first water landing since the Apollo missions nearly 50 years ago.
Ex RNZ journalist Matthew… Audio
NASA astronauts riding SpaceX capsule Earth-bound
The first astronauts launched by Elon Musk's SpaceX company have departed the International Space Station for the final part of their test flight: returning to Earth with a rare splashdown.
Culum Brown: Fish are way smarter than you think
Most people think that fish aren't as intelligent or sophisticated as land animals. We joke about their poor memory and many still believe fish don't feel pain in the way other animals do. Australian… Audio, Gallery
Avalanche team protects people from invisible road hazard
Each winter, a small team of specialist avalanche forecasters begin their vigil to keep people safe while travelling on the Milford Road. Video
In search of southern right whales
Emma Carroll talks about the return of southern right whales from the edge of extinction and a project asking the public to report whale sightings. Audio
‘The week that snowed’ – shedding new light on old weather records
Take some old weather records. Add citizen scientists. Mix in machine learning. Result = something that might help predict future weather patterns. Audio
Our Changing World for 30 July 2020
In search of southern right whales and digitising old weather records to predict future climate. Audio
The Toxicology of Cannabis
Nights' Toxicologist Leo Schep from Toxiform joins us once again. Tonight he's taking a look at Cannibis. Audio
Cosmic matter: Asteroid passes by Earth
Unbeknownst to many of us, a small asteroid was passing by planet Earth last night. Audio
Science commentator Siouxsie Wiles
Science commentator Siouxsie Wiles looks at two new studies into Covid-19, including one into why it causes a loss of smell. Audio
Effects of Covid on the brain
New studies reveal more about the damaging affects of Covid-19 on the human brain. Audio
Reading William James in a global pandemic.
Nights Philosopher Ann Kerwin joins us once again. Tonight we're looking at a recent work by John Kaag, an American Philosopher and scholar of American Pragmatism on the late nineteenth century… Audio