Science

Rats giggle. Dogs wag their tail. How do other animals express joy? You can't ask them, so researchers have to find other sneaky ways of figuring out animal emotions. Professor Ximena Nelson is… Audio

Kea are renowned for their intelligence and playfulness – but how do they express joy? Studying animal emotions can be tricky – you can't just ask them how they're feeling – but Professor Ximena… Audio

Taking care of a family member with dementia is not only hard on the heart – it's also hard to get our heads around, says clinical psychologist Dasha Kiper. She explores the "neurological obstacles"… Audio

A study is underway at Massey University to find the best way to integrate solar farming with livestock farming. The challenge here is to incorporate solar panels without disturbing the growth or… Audio

New research on the South Island's Alpine Fault is helping communities prepare for the next big quake. Audio

This week's expert is all about fungi! Dr Mahajabeen Padamsee from Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research joins Anna to talk about all things mushrooms. From foraging to the role they play in the ecosystem… Audio

 There have been various studies about whether it's best to exercise early or late in the day. Now there's new research. Audio

Matt Baker returns for a chat about some of the latest science news. This week: why a single shot of gene therapy may replace surgical sterilisation for cats. Audio

It's generally true that the ability to get good sleep declines as we get older, says world-leading chronobiologist Philippa Gander. One of the best-known ways to increase the amount of slow-wave… Audio

New treatments for pancreatic cancer are urgently needed. Yet, results from a small study published recently suggest that bespoke messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines that prime a patient's immune system to… Audio

We often hear about tree planting to draw down carbon from the atmosphere, but could blue carbon sinks be a solution for removing CO2? Audio

The New Zealand Institute of Physics is calling on the government to bail out Victoria University's School of Chemical and Physical Sciences.

The Institutes president, Professor Joachim Brand, says… Audio

There's nothing like a good birthday party, especially one filled with games and fun activities. The Auckland Bioengineering Institute might have missed their 20th birthday due to Covid-19, but they… Audio

University of Auckland researchers are investigating the benefits of kūmara on babies' microbiomes to see if the vegetable will boost sleep and immune development. Audio