The big science story of the week is undoubtably the remarkable results from US researchers who have successfully silenced the extra chromosome responsible for Down’s syndrome. The scientists, who published their results in Nature, took cells from people with Down’s and were able to silence the extra chromosome 21 responsible for the traits that lead […]
MoreOkay, that’s a rather unfair headline, but Australians’ grasp of scientific concepts is certainly slipping according to a new survey from the Australian Academy of Science. The online survey of 1515 Australians selected by a market research company and weighted to reflect gender, age and residential location, found that a number of fundamental scientific facts […]
MoreWe hear a lot about “big science” these days – the Large Hadron Collider being a prime example of science on a vast and hugely expensive scale. What are some of the big science projects of history – and how do they compare to relatively “small science” projects when it comes to the knowledge they […]
MoreBudget 2013 saw a net increase of around $50 million in science and innovation funding, according to Science and Innovation Minister Steven Joyce who tweeted the factoid in response to Sciblogger Siouxsie Wiles. $130 million of funding has been committed to boosting R&D efforts in companies and start-ups, $107m of which will come from the […]
MoreWhat do jury members ultimately base their decisions on when the evidence is laid out in court? Charlotte Shipman That depends on how compellingly the evidence has been presented says Charlotte Shipman, a Wellington-based 3 News reporter who covered the murder of Scott Guy and the subsequent trial of accused Ewen Macdonald, who in July […]
MoreThe Government has announced the National Science Challenges – 10 areas of focus over the next four years – $73.5 million in new funding to address them ($133.5 million in total to be spent on research addressing them). The areas of focus are: 1. Aging well 2. A better start 3. Healthier lives 4. High […]
MoreBy Ahmad Samarji, Victoria University [Ed: Note – I’ll be moderating a panel discussion in Wellington tonight featuring a scientist, criminologist, journalist and policeman talking about the science of crime – details here] You’ve heard of the so-called CSI effect – the manner in which the exaggerated portrayal of forensic science on crime television shows […]
MoreA week into his self-described “barnstorming” tour of New Zealand, arch-sceptic Christopher Monckton seems to be quietly licking his wounds after a string of farcical public and media appearances. The armchair climate change expert has in the past managed to stimulate discussion of climate science on his tours of New Zealand and Australia, even if […]
MoreWe received some sad news here at Sciblogs today – contributor John Nixon, an optical engineer and author of the Light My Fibre blog passed away on March 19, aged 71. John’s daughter Dominique Annonier wrote from her home in New Caledonia: I’m very sad to announce that my Dad John Nixon passed away on […]
MoreWho produced the most significant science in 2012 worldwide? Any top-10 list would be hotly contested – and the one below will be no different. It was put together as one of those pleasant-looking infographics designed to lure you to one of those dubious advertising websites – in this case “Best College Reviews”. So don’t […]
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PETER GRIFFIN 
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