Science Media Centre

In around a century, Wellington’s 1-in-100 year coastal floods have become roughly a twice-per-year occurrence, a new study shows. The researchers […] The post Wellington’s seaside flooding outpaces global average – Expert Reaction appeared first on Science Media Centre .

Respiratory illnesses are beginning to increase across the motu as winter approaches, with Healthline receiving more calls for influenza-like illness. Rhinovirus […] The post Winter illnesses start to creep up – Expert Reaction appeared first on Science Media Centre .

The latest wastewater drug test shows methamphetamine use is up 15% since last quarter, with a weekly social harm cost of almost […] The post Meth use continues to break records – Expert Reaction appeared first on Science Media Centre .

A state of emergency has been declared for Wellington’s Southern and Eastern Wards, with waves of 8-9 metres expected today. A […] The post Huge swells forecast in Wellington – Expert Reaction appeared first on Science Media Centre .

A poorly regulated grey market is growing online around unapproved peptides, which are being promoted on social media for uses […] The post What’s the hype with peptides and are they safe? – Expert Q&A appeared first on Science Media Centre .

A new UN University report warns AI has an environmental toll far beyond carbon emissions, with its energy demands projected to strain […] The post AI to chew through land, water and power by 2030 – Expert Reaction appeared first on Science Media Centre .

A new global report warns that current carbon dioxide removal initiatives will fall 5 billion tonnes short of what’s needed to meet […] The post The world is falling behind on CO₂ removal technology – Expert Reaction appeared first on Science Media Centre .

In the largest legal claim ever brought by the Australian government, a $2 billion lawsuit has been launched over PFAS, known as […] The post Do we need to worry about forever chemicals? – Expert Q&A appeared first on Science Media Centre .

This year’s Budget includes a big boost for research commercialisation, alongside cuts to a range of research funds. This includes […] The post Budget 2026: Science system funding – Expert Reaction appeared first on Science Media Centre .

The government is choosing a mammogram-reading AI tool to test and validate, ahead of a planned roll out early next year. The […] The post AI may soon help read mammograms in NZ – Expert Reaction appeared first on Science Media Centre .

The UN General Assembly has adopted last year’s International Court of Justice ruling that countries – including Aotearoa – have an obligation to protect the […] The post UN member countries are legally responsible for greenhouse gas emissions – Expert Reaction appeared first on Science Media Centre .

Colossal Biosciences have successfully hatched healthy chicks from an artificial egg, which they claim is a key step in their efforts to ‘de-extinct’ […] The post Chicks hatch from artificial egg, in a first step towards moa ‘de-extinction’ – Expert Reaction appeared first on Science Media Centre .

The government intends to adjust the Climate Change Response Act, preventing the courts from finding certain types of liability for damage caused […] The post Govt changes law to halt climate lawsuits – Expert Reaction appeared first on Science Media Centre .

Local schemes to help put private money into nature projects will soon be able to get a new endorsement to […] The post New plans to encourage private investment in nature – Expert Reaction appeared first on Science Media Centre .

The latest national climate change risk assessment says the costs of repeated disasters will make it harder to pay for […] The post NZ must spend on climate adaptation to save on disaster recovery – Expert Reaction appeared first on Science Media Centre .

At least two people have been infected with hantavirus on a cruise ship crossing the Atlantic.  The virus, which has a […] The post Cruise ship hantavirus cases – Expert Reaction appeared first on Science Media Centre .

The first comprehensive review of research into deep sea mining shows the impacts it can have on ocean ecosystems. Drawing […] The post Decades of deep sea mining research shows threat to seafloor creatures – Expert Reaction appeared first on Science Media Centre .

From tomorrow, 2nd May, all drinking water pipes and taps used in new builds and renovations must be lead-free, the government has […] The post Lead pipes banned for new plumbing – Expert Reaction appeared first on Science Media Centre .

The government intends to put new restrictions on nitrous oxide availability, with the aim of reducing recreational use of ‘nangs’. Nitrous […] The post Government plans crackdown on nitrous oxide – Expert Reaction appeared first on Science Media Centre .

El Niño could influence weather patterns across NZ from winter onwards, potentially bringing reduced rainfall for some areas. Earth Sciences […] The post “Formidable” El Niño expected – Expert Reaction appeared first on Science Media Centre .