Science
Sputnik's anniversary
Today marks the 60th anniversary of the launch of Sputnik 1. It was the world's first artificial satellite and though it only operated for 92 days and didn't carry any scientific equipment, it's… Audio
Science commentator - Professor Kathy Campbell
A look at Cassini Spacecraft's final moments before it plunged into Saturn's atmosphere; powerful earth forces and their consequences; and Elon Musk predicts rockets will one day be able to fly people… Audio
Leopard Seals
Early last month on critter of the week, we talked about Leopard Seals. Since then we were contacted by those actually working with these fascinating creatures, and they have just had a pretty busy… Audio
Body clock scientists win Nobel prize
Three scientists who unravelled how our bodies tell time have won the 2017 Nobel Prize for physiology or medicine.
Tsunami debris carries marine life from Japan to the US
Nearly 300 species of fish and invertebrates have crossed the Pacific Ocean on floating debris since the 2011 earthquake. Audio
Learning to live with bad bugs
The fight against antibiotic resistance is a fight against evolution, and sadly it's not a war we're ever going to win. Our approach so far has been to kill the bad bugs, waging a war on pathogens… Audio
'Learning about the universe increases your empathy'
Other potentially habitable planets are far away and hard to find but there are over 10 billion in our galaxy, says NASA astrophysicist Dr Natalie Batalha. Audio
Human gene editing progress reignites ethical questions
Success with editing and removing a genetic mutation which causes a serious blood disorder is being hailed as a major advance in medical science. But a Professor of Genetics at Kent University says… Audio
Celebrating the night sky on Great Barrier Island
Great Barrier Island has become the world's third International Dark Sky Sanctuary, in recognition of its outstanding star-filled night skies. Video, Audio
Celebrating the night sky on Great Barrier Island
Great Barrier Island has become the world's third International Dark Sky Sanctuary, in recognition of its outstanding star-filled night skies.
Video, AudioExpedition unlocks 70-million-year-old secrets of Zealandia
A nine-week voyage to study the lost, submerged continent of Zealandia in the South Pacific has shed new light on how plants and animals may have arrived in this country. The research vessel JOIDES… Audio
The app that maps happiness
Many of us are at our happiest in a natural environment on a sunny day far away from work, according to ratings provided to the smartphone app Mappiness. Audio
Steroids found in health supplements - study
A new study has found several sports supplements on sale in New Zealand and Australia contain anabolic steroids that were not declared on their labels. Audio
NZ scientists aim to breed 'super' berry
Scientists are investigating the potential for a new commercial crop of a "super" hybrid blueberry with the colourful flesh of bilberries.
Maximum alert level as Bali volcano on brink of eruption
More than 40,000 people have fled their homes in Bali as authorities warn a volcanic eruption is imminent. Indonesian Red Cross volunteer, Australian Michele Barratt, talks to John Campbell. Video, Audio
Cats have nine lives – and now five personality traits
Skittishness, outgoingness, dominance, spontaneity and friendliness are the five feline personality traits, a new study has found. Audio
Australia to launch space agency
The agency will attempt to cash in on a $420 billion aeronautical industry and create thousands of new jobs.
Study into use of dogs to detect lung cancer
Lung cancer is the biggest cause of cancer death in New Zealand. mainly because it's detected late, when it's already spread to other parts of the body. A researcher at Waikato university, Dr Tim… Audio
Science news: MS gene therapy & electric eels
Gene therapy could potentially stop the progression of MS or multiple sclerosis; and a new study shows that a decent-sized eel can deliver an electric shock ten times more powerful than a TASER. Audio
How dirty is your dish cloth?
The average kitchen sponge harbours more than 300 species of bacteria in concentrations as high as human faeces, a German study has found. But rigorously cleaning it isn't the answer – that seems to… Audio