ScienceNZ - The Value of Science Discovery
Science Value
CRI Taskforce Report provides sound and constructive path forward
The Taskforce says CRIs are critical for New Zealand’s progress, when science plays an ever increasing role in economic development. CRIs address the nation’s most pressing issues across the economy, environment and socially.
The Report identifies what can be done to unleash CRIs fullest potential.
Science New Zealand says the recommendations are sound, and CRIs are keen to work with government on implementation. To read the full report click here.
The Report identifies what can be done to unleash CRIs fullest potential.
Science New Zealand says the recommendations are sound, and CRIs are keen to work with government on implementation. To read the full report click here.
New Value
Prime Minister’s Science Prize winners announced
Two CRI scientists head first ever PM’s Science Prize list, for work of outstanding discovery delivering significant economic impact for New Zealand.
IRL’s Tallon and Buckley get PM’s plaudits
And the Prime Minister’s Science Prize goes to....
Rotorua District Council looks to gain value from biosolids
Rotorua District Council (RDC) and Crown Research Institute, Scion, are joining forces to demonstrate a new approach to the management of organic wastes.
Carbon measurement a growth industry
Crown Research Institute Landcare says its carboNZero programme for the reduction and mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions is now actively managing 5.57 million tonnes of carbon dioxide -- equivalent to 7 percent of the nation's greenhouse gas inventory.
Stab-resistant wool attracts attention
AgResearch says it has several international companies interested in commercially producing its stab and flame-resistant wool fabric.
Chief Scientist named in New Year Honours list
Plant & Food Research Chief Scientist, Dr Ian Ferguson, was appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for his services to horticultural science in the 2010 New Year Honours list
X-ray crystallography in the spotlight
Radio New Zealand's Ruth Beran goes to Massey University to meet Geoff Jameson and IRL’s Graeme Gainsford who explain what x-ray diffraction and crystallography is, how it’s done, and what it can be used to measure.
Plant & Food Research Scientist recognised by arable industry.
The Foundation for Arable Research (FAR) has named Plant & Food Research scientist, Dr Mark Goodwin, as the 2009 Researcher of the Year, for the pollination research that he and his team have carried out over recent years.
New Thinking
Farming confronting technical conundrums
AgResearch Pastoral Genomics scientist Michael Dunbier has warned that New Zealand's traditional pasture-based farming system faces a conundrum.
The Press backs Taskforce report
The Press says the CRI Taskforce provides a blueprint for research to benefit New Zealand.
GNS Science supports CRI Taskforce Report
The Chief Executive of GNS Science, Alex Malahoff, has welcomed the Government’s Crown Research Institute Taskforce Report saying its recommendations will serve GNS Science very well.
AgResearch welcome Taskforce Report
Visionary and courageous, and will lead to better outcomes for NZ.
CRIs benefit NZ Inc bottom-line
From wasps to fish to kiwifruit: New Zealand Herald reports on how CRI science impacts NZ
Funding certainty will benefit NZ
Taskforce Report says funding processes must be improved, to benefit science outputs for NZ.
CRI Taskforce chairman speaks
Neville Jordan says the Report enables the enormous potential of CRIs for New Zealand’s future to be unlocked.
‘Trans Tasman’ special report on CRI Taskforce
Respected newsletter calls it a ‘radical revamp of scientific research capability”.
Scion welcomes Taskforce findings
Scion's chairman, Dr Russ Ballard, and Dr Tom Richardson, the Crown Research Institute's chief executive , comment on the report of the CRI Taskforce, released today.
IRL Board Chair praises CRI Taskforce findings
IRL Board Chair Keith McConnell welcomed the findings of the CRI Taskforce which were released publicly today.
CRI scientists turn to porridge and weeds for sustainable natural beauty products
If you want to have better, healthier skin, chances are in future you’ll be buying a product derived from the main ingredient for your porridge (oats), or an ancient grain-cum-purple weed called amaranth.
Squeaky-clean shoes for scientists
Over 100 science delegates will converge on Auckland and Rotorua next week for a meeting to discuss micro-organisms whose name means “destroyer of plants”. Hosted by Crown Research Institute Scion, Landcare Research and Auckland Regional Council, the Phytophthora conference has attracted global interest, with representatives from 14 different countries due to attend.
Private sector 'must invest' in R&D
Private companies must join the Government in increasing investment in research and technology if knowledge-based industries are to transform New Zealand's economy over the next decade, says the Prime Minister's chief science adviser.
Competition too great says West
Outgoing AgResearch chief executive Andy West is not surprised by a survey which showed high levels of job dissatisfaction among agricultural and soil scientists.
NZ and Japan combine in Wellington quake study
New Zealand and Japanese scientists are combining forces to investigate the boundary between the Pacific and Australian tectonic plates under Wellington to better understand its threat to New Zealand.
The fascinating world of fossil finding
GNS palaeontologist James Crampton is urging Kiwis to get digging and start exploring the rock and river beds around them for fossils.
Changing farming climate AgResearch focus
A caravan that measures nitrous oxide emissions, software that helps manage soil nutrients and a full programme of measures to keep lambs alive is to be profiled by AgResearch at the Waimumu Southern Field days.
Current thinking at IRL
A group of IRL physicists is at the cutting edge of research into high-temperature superconductors.
Soil value could be included in nations' accounts
The first steps have been made in placing a financial value on the soil and services it provides to any given piece of land.
NZ scientists to gather data for Disaster Plan
Geologists from GNS Science will spend the next six months collecting information on buildings and infrastructure in Pacific Island countries to measure vulnerability and risk from earthquakes and cyclones in the southwest Pacific.
Science New Zealand welcomes PM's commitment
Science New Zealand welcomes the remarks on science and innovation in the Prime Minister’s Opening Address to Parliament.
Science a priority says Prime Minister
PM tells Parliament that RS&T is critical to New Zealand’s future wealth, and will receive priority funding in Budget 2010.
It's time to create a favourable climate for R&D
More of our private companies need to invest in R&D but they will only be encouraged to do so if the right conditions are apparent, says IRL CEO.
AgResearch CEO resigns
Dr Andrew West, Chief Executive of AgResearch Ltd, has announced his intention to resign his position effective 30 June after six years in the role.
New licensing deal could develop new animal health products
ParaCo Technology Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of AgResearch, has signed an international licensing agreement with leading Belgian Agro-Biotech company deVGen NG to access a range of small molecules that could facilitate development of active ingredients for new animal health products.
NZ’s deep-sea research boosted by new partnership
Two New Zealand research organisations will work closely with one of the world’s leading ocean research and engineering organisations to accelerate research and exploration in a wide range of oceanographic topics in the southwest Pacific region.
NIWA to put temperature data on web
The country's climate forecaster is bowing to public pressure and putting all of its temperature data and calculations on the internet because of mistrust fuelled by errors overseas.
Scion fuels bi-lateral bioenergy talks
Crown Research Institute Scion hosted a high profile delegation recently to discuss US-NZ research collaborations in bioenergy. The workshop was part of the wider programme of the New Zealand-United States Joint Commission Meeting (JCM) on Science and Technology Cooperation.
Methane research is ballooning
AgResearch scientists are using water balloons to measure sheep burps as part of research into methane emissions.
Fiordland continues to rumble
GNS Science geologist Dr Gill Jolly says aftershocks of the 7.8 earthquake centred 100km southwest of Te Anau that struck on July 15 last year were still being felt.
US Science Adviser set to discuss agricultural challenges
Plant & Food Research and The University of Auckland Faculty of Science will host Dr Nina Fedoroff, Science & Technology Adviser to Hillary Clinton for a public lecture entitled "Rethinking agriculture in a changing climate"
Science Of Sand
For many of us, summer isn’t summer without getting some sand between our toes. But did you ever wonder what that sand is made of, and how it got there? Dr Terry Hume of NIWA, is the man to ask.
New lighting system to beat bugs
Scientists at Crown Research Institute Scion are trialling a new lighting system to beat off aerial attackers.
Scientists set sail to study live whales
NIWA is providing its ship Tangaroa to take 18 scientists from New Zealand and Australia to the Southern Ocean next month to conduct research on the live whale population.
Grave time for sheep industry
Sheep farmers seem to have lost some of their nerve and enthusiasm in the wake of two years of low returns, AgResearch chief executive Andrew West says.
Scientist named in Listener Power & Influence list
Plant & Food Research scientist, Dr Brent Clothier, recognised as one of the five most powerful and influential New Zealanders for environmental issues in 2009.
NIWA stands by its statement on methane rise
The statement made by NIWA Principal Scientist, Dr Keith Lassey in a TV3 news story on 22 Dec 2009 about methane is correct.
Greenhouse gas methane on the rise again
The concentration of methane in the atmosphere is rising, according to measurements made by NIWA.
Charismatic scientist named as NZ Wine Personality of the Year
Plant & Food Research scientist, Dr Mike Trought, has just been named by New Zealand Wine Grower as their 2009 New Zealand Wine Personality of the Year.
Illicit drug tests
ESR tests on new illicit drugs reveals dangerous cocktails
New Science
Like waves in a bathtub – the Chile tsunami
The results from 19 sea-level gauges around New Zealand reveal that six locations had peak wave heights of over one metre generated by a magnitude 8.8 earthquake off Chile on 27 February.
Collaboration to cut world’s GHG emissions
Five CRIs, two universities, and sector partners are working to put New Zealand’s world leading science at the service of the global climate change challenge. PM John Key opens the New Zealand Greenhouse Gas Research Centre at the AgResearch Grasslands campus.
Positive signs for Reinga Basin
Seismic and satellite data show that the Reinga Basin, off the northwest coast of the North Island, is one of the most prospective frontier basins in the New Zealand region, a report by GNS Science says.
Greenhouse gases measured remotely
AgResearch has come up with a way to measure nitrous oxide emissions from paddocks.
Breakthrough in livestock emissions
After eight years searching, AgResearch scientists have finally made a discovery which will likely lead to a breakthrough in mitigating livestock gas emissions.
Mood Foods
New study explores the stress triggers experienced by middle-class working mothers with young children, the strategies used to cope with stress and receptiveness to using mood foods with stress-relief properties.
NZ scientific breakthrough: Heart rate regulator
AgResearch scientists, working with Victoria University and a scientist in the USA, have discovered that calcium-activated-potassium ion channels, present in only small amounts in the heart, have a significant role in modulating heart rate.
NZ drug may offer relief from gout
IRL scientists are working on a new medicine they say may provide relief for millions of people who suffer crippling pain from gout.
NIWA's 'show-off piece' may be new species
A small sea creature, found in the murky, mysterious depths of the Kermadec Ridge, is causing a stir among scientists.
