News

Stunning photos from NIWA scientists

John Kerr • Oct 12, 2016

• images,
• NIWA,
• photography,
• science photos

Being a scientist out in the field can be hard work, with long days in sometimes uncomfortable (or even dangerous) settings collecting data. But it does come with the opportunity for some unbelievable photos. NIWA, the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research, has announced the winners of its annual photography competition: From one pole to the other, NIWA scientists work in some of the world’s most … Read More

How old can you go? The limits to human ageing

John Kerr • Oct 09, 2016

• ageing,
• gerontology,
• human development,
• lifespan

Hoping to live forever? Well you might be out of luck. New research suggests that there is a biological upper limit on the human life span, and that limit currently sits at 122 years. Calment celebrating her 121st birthday in 1996. Wikipedia. That figure is thanks to Jeanne Calment. She was born in 1875, the year before the telephone was … Read More

NZ Sea Lion one of the world’s most murderous mammals

John Kerr • Sep 29, 2016

• evolutionary,
• Evolutionary biology,
• homicide,
• lethal violence,
• mammals,
• Murder,
• prehistoric,
• species,
• violence

The New Zealand Sea Lion ranks as one of the most murderous species on the planet, according to a new study examining lethal violence among mammals. Do dolphins duel to the death? Are hippos homicidal? And what about genocidal gerbils? Spanish researchers have mapped the extent of lethal violence across 1000 mammal species, from aardvarks to zebras, and their macabre analysis is … Read More

Ig Nobel prize: ‘rockin’ NZ research honoured

John Kerr • Sep 23, 2016

• economics,
• IgNobels,
• marketing,
• rocks

A wacky New Zealand study has been recognised at the 26th First Annual Ig Nobel Prize Ceremony, a celebration of the odd, weird and quirky side of science. The Ig Nobel Prizes honor achievements that first make people laugh, and then make them think. The prizes are intended to celebrate the unusual, honor the imaginative – and spur people’s interest … Read More

When did humans first leave Africa?

John Kerr • Sep 22, 2016

• dipersal,
• evolution,
• genomics,
• human evolution,
• Human genetics,
• out of Africa

Where did we come from and when did we leave there? These existential questions are at the heart of several human genetics studies published today in the leading journal Nature, all with links to New Zealand. Tracing our genetic roots The now widely accepted ‘Out of Africa’ hypothesis puts Africa as the origin of all modern humans. However, there is still debate … Read More

Climate change: Biologists told to ‘pull on their boots’ and collect data

John Kerr • Sep 11, 2016

• biologists,
• climate change,
• Data,
• ecology,
• species

An international team of 22 biologists have called on their colleagues to get cracking and collect certain types of data to help predict how the planet’s estimated 8.7 million species will handle a warmer future. “Our biggest challenge is pinpointing which species to concentrate on and which regions we need to allocate resources,” says Associate Professor Mark Urban from the University of Connecticut, lead author … Read More

Peeking inside a volcanic avalanche

John Kerr • Sep 06, 2016

• geology,
• Hazards,
• Natural hazards,
• pyroclastic flows,
• Volcanoes

New research has offered a glimpse into the inner workings of one of the most dangerous results of volcanic eruptions – pyroclastic flows. “They are basically mixtures of hot volcanic particles and gas that race down the flank of a volcano to destroy everything its path,” says Dr Gert Lube from Massey University, describing these volcanic juggernauts. He and his … Read More

Ice ages led to ‘explosive’ diversity in Kiwi species

John Kerr • Sep 01, 2016

• birds,
• conservation,
• DNA,
• ecology,
• genetics,
• glaciers,
• ice age,
• Kiwi,
• kiwi conservation,
• ratites

Ancient walls of ice separating kiwi populations have left their mark in the DNA of New Zealand’s most iconic species. A new study published this week in PNAS has revealed the enormous impact historic cold snaps had on the evolution of kiwis. Researchers based in Canada, in collaboration with Department of Conservation scientists, examined a database of kiwi DNA across the geographic … Read More

Welly, Chch & Dunners: NZ’s most active cities

John Kerr • Aug 30, 2016

• active transport,
• cycling,
• Diabetes,
• Health,
• Obesity,
• physical activity,
• walking

It seems the weather is no excuse. New Zealand’s cold, wet and windy urban centers are also where the most people get out walking and cycling.  Source: NZTA The findings come from a new report examining levels of active transport – getting around by foot or bicycle – and overall population health in New Zealand’s six largest cities. The … Read More

What to do about astro-junk in NZ waters?

John Kerr • Aug 29, 2016

• eez,
• electron,
• environmental regulation,
• marine ecology,
• marine protection,
• rocket,
• rocket lab,
• Satellite,
• space

New Zealand is about join the space race with a new rocket programme, but Kiwis will need to have a think about how this is going to impact our surrounding waters. The government has just opened public consultation on new rules about how material jettisoned into the ocean from rocket launches will be dealt with under environmental legislation. NZ … Read More