Robert Hickson • Mar 19, 2018 •
There has been quite a lot of fascination with lab-grown meats, such as the “impossible burger” [Correction: whoops, the impossible burger is, of course, made from plants. Wired has a recent article on the lab-grown kinds]. There is still a long way to go with them to become economically and gustatorily … Read More
Peter Griffin • Aug 31, 2015 •
Gordon Wallace, University of Wollongong We can rebuild him. We have the technology. – The Six Million Dollar Man, 1973 Science is catching up to science fiction. Last year a paralysed man walked again after cell treatment bridged a gap in his spinal cord. Dozens of people have had bionic eyes implanted, and it … Read More
Peter Griffin • Aug 19, 2015 •
A group of scientific institutions in the UK and Europe have today sent an open letter to Scotland’s Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment, Richard Lochhead, expressing dismay at Scotland’s proposal to ban GM crops in the country. Here’s the letter in full… 17th August 2015 Dear Mr Lochhead Your announcement that the Scottish Government proposes to ban … Read More
Robert Hickson • Jul 09, 2013 •
Some of you will be familiar with Ray Kurzweil’s vision of the merging of people and machines in the next few decades. A Russian billionaire is also keen on this idea, and is trying to get his own avatar project off the ground. But it may be too soon to give up on the wet ware just … Read More
Guest Author • Sep 18, 2012 •
By Prof. Jack Heinemann, School of Biological Sciences, University of Canterbury. My report on assessing the risks of a form of GM wheat has sparked heated comment here and on other blog sites. The Sciblog-associated Science Media Centre (NZ) included comments from Peter Dearden and a link to the “Genetics Otago” blog along with comments made by … Read More
Elf Eldridge • Feb 15, 2012 •
Greetings, TOSP listeners! This week’s podcast is a teensy bit late (heh), and a little different to usual as it was the first we’ve done and edited ‘On the Road’. We (well, Elf – aimee was driving like a loon between Auckland and Wellington as practice for the Rally) travelled to … Read More
Alison Campbell • Sep 08, 2011 •
I've written quite a bit, from time to time, on the value of doing more than simply lecturing to students. More than a few research projects have shown the value of group work, including problem-solving and discussions, for enhancing students'... Read More
Grant Jacobs • Nov 08, 2010 •
Any local students looking to make a buck or looking for a foot into the door of the biotechnology industry? I would particularly encourage final-year students with a leaning towards the biotech industry or entrepreneurship to look at this opportunity, as the meeting will be an opportunity for you to mix and talk with biotechnology people … Read More
Alison Campbell • Sep 30, 2009 •
As I left the office this afternoon I said to my colleagues, 'I'll be in a bit later tomorrow, I have an interview with a vampire.' At which they all laughed, because they know this means I'm off to my... Read More