ScienceNZ - The Value of Science Discovery
Science Value
Setting the scene for a 3D revolution
There is little doubt that 3D imagery is the way of the future, a fact borne out not only by the blockbuster success of recent 3D movies, but also by the keen marketplace interest in the latest trials of IRL’s 3D scanning technology.
The most recent developments to the IRL scene-scanner mean it now has the potential to fill a significant gap in 3D scanner technology worldwide, according to IRL project leader Dr Robert Valkenburg.
(Photo: IRL's 3D scene-scanning technology in use)
The most recent developments to the IRL scene-scanner mean it now has the potential to fill a significant gap in 3D scanner technology worldwide, according to IRL project leader Dr Robert Valkenburg.
(Photo: IRL's 3D scene-scanning technology in use)
New Value
South Island to get quake sensors
From next year, GeoNet, a collaboration between the Earthquake Commission (EQC) and GNS Science, will roll out a monitoring station network across the upper South Island as part of a $45 million, five-year programme.
Predicting success with NIWA supercomputer
Kiwis will have better warnings of floods, droughts and storms now a new supercomputer has been switched on – but don't expect the daily weather forecast to improve.
The sound of science
A lifelong obsession with guitar playing, sound reproduction and acoustics led IRL scientist Dr Mark Poletti to develop a system that can transform a venue with less-than-perfect acoustics into a world-class concert hall.
Government investment recognises wine industry success
The Sauvignon Blanc Programme - the world’s most comprehensive research investigation into Sauvignon blanc grapes and wine - is set to build upon the discoveries of recent years and offer new tools to New Zealand’s wine industry thanks to $12 million of new funding.
Dynamic duo
A collaboration between IRL and itsTaiwanese counterpart, the Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI), has resulted in the joint development of a unique product that is nearing market entry.
King of the Crabs
A major study of the king crabs from the New Zealand, Australian, and Ross Sea regions has just been completed, finding a total of 23 species and almost doubling the number of previously known species from the area. Dr Ahyong has described five exclusively from New Zealand, five from Australia, and four common to both regions.
Three new kiwifruit cultivars to be commercialised
Plant & Food Research welcomes the decision by ZESPRI Group Limited announced today of the advancement of three new kiwifruit cultivars into commercial production.
Earnings from NZ's horticultural industries exceed $6 billion
Figures from Plant & Food Research show fruit, vegetables, wine and flowers were worth more than $6 billion exports and domestic spend in the year to 30 June 2009, up around $470m on 2008.
Scion makes waste pay
Scion, the Rotorua-based Crown Research Institute, will be highlighting practical technologies at this year’s Fieldays. Two of those technologies convert waste to profit.
New geological map of Fiordland a decade in the making
Seven summers of fieldwork in remote parts of Fiordland by a group of GNS Science geologists has culminated with the publishing of a new geological map covering this World Heritage area.
Virtual vermin
Millions of stroke survivors worldwide could benefit from technology IRL has developed that uses virtual reality and assistive devices to speed up the rehabilitation process.
New $3m accelerator a vital asset to NZ science
A new $3.4 million accelerator mass spectrometer, recently opened at GNS Science represents a major step forward in helping New Zealand understand climate change and its possible impacts.
ArborGen Renews Agreement with Scion
ArborGen, LLC and New Zealand Crown Research Institute Scion have agreed to extend their multi-million dollar partnership in gene discovery and molecular breeding for forest trees. Begun in 2006, the partnership has been successful in identifying gene-traits associated with wood quality improvements in pine.
Even the paint is from New Zealand
When the NIWA research vessel Tangaroa goes to a Singaporean shipyard in July, it will carry all its own hull paint from New Zealand.
New Thinking
The weighting game
IRL’s metrologists are taking a novel approach to bringing the kilogram — the last measurement to be based on a physical object — into the 21st century.
Clean and green - NIWA harnesses Nelson’s sunshine
They are silent, produce no emissions when operating and create electricity - they are photovoltaic (PV) solar panels. NIWA Nelson has just installed 56 Jiawei 185W solar modules onto its rooftop to generate electricity.
Scientists, take heart, says IRL CEO
Shaun Coffey says it is heartening that despite a tight fiscal environment, the current government has prioritised science in the 2010 budget.
Rain a gauge of building needs
Years of research by NIWA into extreme weather patterns has led to the development of a database that will assist engineers to know how much rain they should allow for, when designing structures across New Zealand.
CEO sought for Science Ministry
An outstanding leadership opportunity, with Science and Innovation at heart of Government’s economic growth strategy, says Minister Mapp.
A cool $15M for Antarctic research
NIWA, Landcare Research and GNS Science receive over $15M to do further outstanding science research in Antarctica over the next four years.
Scientist honoured for animal health and parasite management
AgResearch parasitologist Dr Dave Leathwick has received the 2010 McMeekan Memorial Award for his work in parasite management and drenching practices in the New Zealand sheep industry.
New-look boards will get the best from CRIs
New appointees on Crown Research Institutes boards will place the CRIs at the forefront of innovation and economic growth, Minister of Research, Science and Technology Wayne Mapp said recently.
Scottish College honours AgResearch scientist
AgResearch Principal Scientist Dr Liz Wedderburn has been honoured by the Scottish Agricultural College (SAC) with a five year visiting fellowship.
Dr Tom Richardson appointed AgResearch CEO
The current head of the Rotorua-based CRI, New Zealand Forest Research Institute Ltd, trading as Scion, Dr Tom Richardson, has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of AgResearch Ltd, after the resignation of Dr Andrew West.
Major petroluem geosience project commences
GNS Science has started a major two-year work programme that will substantially increase the quality and quantity of geoscience information available to the oil and gas exploration industry in New Zealand.
AgResearch considers alternatives to Ruakura
AgResearch is likely to need new containment sites for its GM research activities as the existing Ruakura site becomes less suitable in the years ahead.
Creating primary sector's edge
IRL CEO Shaun Coffey looks at how agricultural science can help give New Zealand competitive advantage in world markets.
The unknown last frontier
In New Zealand, we are discovering new marine species faster than we have the capacity to name and classify them,” says NIWA principal scientist Dr Dennis Gordon.
Rotorua Scientist a Finalist for Zonta Award
Dr Anna Hopkins, a scientist at Scion, Rotorua, is one of three candidates shortlisted for this year’s Zonta Science Award.
Vote RS&T Budget “potentially game-changing”
Investments will re-shape society and economy by recognising knowledge breeds prosperity.
Scientists investigate ocean floor minerals
NIWA’s research vessel Tangaroa will set sail next week to explore the minerals potential of deep-sea volcanoes of the Kermadec Arc, 200 km north-east of Auckland.
New farms destroying native NZ
Intensive farming is destroying native plants at the fastest rate since European colonisation, Landcare Research says
NIWA welcomes aquaculture reform
NIWA's Chief Executive John Morgan, has welcomed plans for the aquaculture industry regulatory reform announced by Phil Heatley, the Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture.
New Science
Scientists plan to drill deep into Alpine Fault
GNS Science says that top international scientists are eyeing up a scrubby West Coast stream bed to carry out multimillion-dollar research into New Zealand's major "earthquake machine".
Work at Tokanui Dairy Research Farm progressing well
Research at AgResearch’s Tokanui Dairy Research Farm in dairy cow productivity is further examining the role and interrelationships that environmental and genetic influences play in milk production.
No gout about it
A potential treatment for gout co-invented by IRL is showing promising results in human trials being conducted in the US.
Rare seafloor chimney cut up for science
GNS Scientists have sliced up a rare 2.5m-tall seafloor chimney to find out its age and the concentrations of the metallic minerals it contains. It is thought to be one of the largest chimneys recovered from the seafloor.
GE discovery promises higher farm productivity and improved environment
AgResearch scientists and the team from subsidiary company, Grasslanz Technology Ltd, believe they can improve white clover (Trifolium repens) to give grazing animals a higher intake of protein, while at the same time reducing methane emissions.
Creatures from the deep
New Zealand could have up to 50,000 marine species waiting to be discovered, say scientists who have spent 10 years exploring the marine life in our waters.
Man with a mission
How fast is the earth’s climate changing and where do greenhouse gases go? Dr David Crisp is a man with a mission. He is the principal investigator of the Orbiting Carbon Observatory (OCO) mission at the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory and is working with NIWA, and scientists worldwide to unlock these mysteries.
Carnivorous NZ sponge among top 10 new species
A New Zealand sponge has been selected for the prestigious international Top 10 species of the year. Each year, an international Top 10 New Species selection committee selects the 10 most notable new species described from around the world.
Farmers to benefit from high tech quad bike collaboration
Thanks to AgResearch, DairyNZ and Massey University scientists, farmers may soon be able to use their quad bikes to assess feed quality and pasture health.
Faultless Northland shown in new geological map
A new geological map, published by GNS Science, covering central Northland shows the region has no known active faults.
