Science
Shower Thoughts: Why do birds all sound different?
University of Auckland professor of biological sciences and birdsong expert Dianne Brunton joins Emile Donovan to answer the question of Ingrid in Gisborne. Audio
Utilising LSD, MDMA and mushrooms for mental health
Dr Lisa Reynolds is a senior lecturer at the University of Auckland's school of psychological medicine and she is leading a new study on the potential benefits of microdosing LSD for those with… Audio
Is willpower a myth?
The struggle for self-control is real, and one many of us are familiar with - but is 'willpower' actually a myth? Audio
Special star cluster on display
Astronomers are expecting a rarely seen star to appear in the sky imminently. The star T Coronae Borealis - which is 3,000 light years - is usually too distant to be visible from earth but it's set… Audio
Thumb print: Kiwi designs revolutionary prosthetic digit
The prosthetic acts as a "third thumb" and augments the user's range of movement. Video, Audio
Midday Report Essentials for Wednesday 10 July 2024
On today's episode, RNZ correspondent Eloise Gibson details the government's new climate change strategy. A leading science group warns it will take decades to undo the damage of sweeping jobs cuts to… Audio
Warnings over job cuts to science sector
A coalition of the country's leading science groups is warning it will take decades to undo the damage of sweeping jobs cuts to the sector. Between 350 and 360 specialist science jobs have been axed… Audio
Shower Thoughts: Why are our voices different?
Nights is joined by Sasha Calhoun, an associate professor at Victoria University of Wellington's School of Linguistics and Applied Language Studies to explain how humans came to sound so different… Audio
The Panel with Alexia Russell and Chris Clarke (Part 1)
Tonight on The Panel, Wallace Chapman and panellists Alexia Russell and Chris Clarke discuss the harassment Dr Siouxsie Wiles faced during and following her coverage of the global pandemic and the… Audio
Siouxsie Wiles expects abuse to get worse after ruling
The scientist says the harassment she gets from the public has not stopped, despite the Covid response mostly being behind us.
Giselle Clarkson: Why little things are worth looking at
Illustrator and science communicator Giselle Clarkson says taking notice of the natural world - like the colours on a leaf, and the fine hairs on a spider's leg - is key to retaining a childlike sense… Audio
Whakaari owners want to grant scientists access
The family wants to allow monitoring of the volcano, but feels stymied by the court case over the explosion, lawyer says.
AI helping with proof of wine provenance
Traceability is becoming increasingly important for consumers in the food and wine sector. Now a new project aims to use artificial intelligence to prove the origins of New Zealand wine without… Audio
Antarctica NZ Releases scaled-back Scott Base plan
Antarctica New Zealand has released a new, scaled-back plan for the redevelopment of Scott Base. The troubled project was paused last year after it failed to reached an agreement with its preferred… Audio
The Truth Behind Tinfoil Hats
Claims that a tinfoil hat will protect the wearer from electromagnetic fields and mind control have been around for many years but do they actually work? Justin Hodgkiss joins Bryan Crump to answer… Audio
Antarctica: Lower cost plan to develop Scott Base released
Antarctica New Zealand is downgrading its plans for the redevelopment of Scott Base and seeking to extend the life of its current buildings where possible to curb escalating costs.
The world through squid eyes
We might think deep-sea squid look a bit strange, but if they have the capacity for it, they would likely consider us monsters! Claire speaks to a squidologist and a PhD candidate about their research… Audio
The science behind your baby's babbling
A video of Liverpool-based 19-month old baby Orla arguing with her babysitter went viral last week. Even though Orla wasn't using words, people commented that her babbles carried a clear Liverpool or… Audio
Our Changing World – Squid vision
What does the world look like to a deep-sea squid? Audio
Rocket launch pads may open near Christchurch
International commercial and military demand is growing for launch sites and Kaitorete Spit is a leading candidate.
