Health and Medicine

2015 Research Honours – the winners

It’s awards season again for the science sector, kicking off with the Research Honours Dinner tonight in Auckland and to be followed tomorrow by the Prime Minister’s Science Prizes and next week, the Association of Scientists’ Prizes. Some big names among the winners tonight, many of whom I’ve had the pleasure of working with on […]

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Obesity plan gets thumbs down from experts

The Government yesterday released details of 22 initiatives, some new, some expansions of existing programmes, that constitute its response to the growing problem of childhood obesity. As expected, there’s no form of fat or sugar tax and no clampdown on marketing of junk food to children. Voluntary codes and and education campaigns are favoured over […]

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Where our science investment is going

The Government this morning released the National Statement of Science Investment 2015 – 2025, which lays out the priorities for investing government money in science and innovation over the next decade. I’ll leave analysis of the report to experts who the Science Media Centre has contacted for reaction which will be released later today. But […]

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Marsden Fund: Benefits quantified for first time

New Zealand’s leading ‘blue skies’ research fund boosts Kiwi science, but could be tweaked for greater efficiency, says a new study. An evaluation conducted by researchers at Motu Economic and Public Policy Research institute has found that Marsden funding increases the scientific output of the funded researchers. Compared to similar groups that do not receive funding, a team that […]

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Israel: Startup Nation

Sciblogs editor and Science Media Centre director Peter Griffin spent a week in Israel attending the World Science Conference and visiting some of the country’s most innovative technology startups. Check back here for new posts documenting the insights he gained from the ‘startup nation’. Also check out Peter Griffin’s interview with Radio New Zealand about […]

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When boring is good

“Do you ever feel tired during the day? Do you suffer from mild headaches?” The questions were coming thick and fast from Gabi Arad, of Israeli medical device maker Itamar, which is based in the ancient Roman town of Caeserea, halfway between Tel Aviv and Haifa. The previous night I’d worn to bed Itamar’s US$5,000 […]

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