Science
A new virus-like entity has just been discovered - 'obelisks' explained
Analysis - Biological entities called obelisks have been hiding - in large numbers - inside the human mouth and gut. But what exactly are they, and what do they do?
One door opens, another remains closed for blood donors
Around 10,000 new donors could flood into the New Zealand Blood Service after a long-standing restriction is lifted. But if another ban is re-visited that number could rise further Audio
The fate of the West Antarctic ice sheet in a warming world
How fast – and how completely – could Antarctica's smaller western ice sheet melt in a warming world? An international science team, led by Aotearoa New Zealand, set out to investigate whether two… Audio
Our Changing World – How much more heat can West Antarctica take?
An ambitious ice coring expedition to the Ross Ice Shelf aims to figure out the possible futures of West Antarctica's ice. Veronika Meduna joins the team on the ice. Audio
Science: Why insects circle lights, turning animals off plants
Science correspondent Allan Blackman joins Kathryn to talk about new research into why insects circle lights at night - is it time for humans to flick the off switch? An Australian study has looked at… Audio
Planet already exceeded 1.5 degrees of warming new research suggests
New research suggests the planet has already exceeded 1.5 degrees of warming, the threshold parties to the 2015 Paris Accord agreed not to pass.
The scientists in the study examined centuries-old sea… Audio
Could a 'digital twin' be the future of healthcare?
A project from the Auckland Bioengineering Institute has partnered with the creatives behind James Cameron's Avatar to develop a new way of monitoring health conditions digitally. Audio
Extreme weather of critical concern for farming - primary sector
The biggest drivers affecting land use in Aotearoa in the next decade have been ranked by 280 leaders from agri-business, government and Māori business.
Un-banning oil and gas exploration may not solve security problems, minister told
Repealing the ban on oil and gas exploration may not succeed at extending the future of oil and gas in New Zealand, a briefing to Energy Minister Simeon Brown says.
Australian of the Year: Melanoma researcher Georgina Long
Last Thursday melanoma researcher Professor Georgina Long was announced as Australian of the Year, along with colleague and friend Professor Richard Scolyer. As co-medical directors of the Melanoma… Audio
Koala conservationist Rebecca Johnson
Chief Scientist at the world's biggest museum, wildlife forensic scientist and conservation geneticist Rebecca Johnson is a leading researcher in koala conservation. The iconic Aussie marsupial is… Audio
Scientist on efforts to drill into West Antarctic Ice Sheet
Scientists involved in an ambitious attempt to drill deep into the rock below the West Antarctic Ice Sheet say their efforts got "tantalising close", and they will try again in November.
The… Audio
NASA issues warning as stadium-sized asteroid passes by Earth
Asteroid 2008 OS7 is expected to come within 2.8 million kilometres of Earth. Audio
Scientists screening albatross and penguins for disease on the Bounty Islands
A group of scientists on an expedition to the Bounty Islands has been fitting satellite tags to penguins, and screening albatrosses and penguins for diseases.
The Bounty Islands lie about 670… Audio
Project to genetically alter wasps to destroy colonies in Otago
Time to discover the goings on in the Otago and Southland neighbourhood with RNZ reporter Tess Brunton. Audio
Pollen, asthma and allergies
Allergenic pollen is a big trigger for New Zealand’s high rates of hay fever and asthma. But for 35 years, we’ve had no current data on pollen levels. Until now. Justin Gregory talks to a team who… Audio
Why do we put on accents?
Adopting an Australian twang when over the ditch, or making more rounded vowels when speaking to a Brit. Many of us do it without even noticing. Audio
Scientists keen to try again after Antarctic drilling mission falls short
Scientists involved in an ambitious attempt to drill deep into the rock and mud below the West Antarctic Ice Sheet say their efforts got "tantalisingly close".
Our Changing World – Trapping pollen
Pollen is a big trigger for New Zealand’s high rates of hay fever and asthma. But for 35 years, we’ve had no current data on pollen levels – until now. Justin Gregory talks to a team who want to… Audio
Research shows huge tsunami hit Kāpiti
When most of us think of tsunamis walloping our country, a place like Kāpiti isn't what comes to mind.
That perception may need to be revisited in light of some dramatic new research into what might… Audio