Science related stories and commentary
UPDATED: This evening’s press conference on the rescue effort underway at the Pike River mine had much discussion of the military robot that is being prepared for deployment into the mine entrance. The military robot entered Pike River mine this morning but broke down after progressing about 500 metres into the mine shaft, reportedly due […]
MoreAs a bore hole is drilled down to the shaft at the Pike River mine, where 29 miners are still trapped, focus is on the gases that caused the initial explosion and which still make rescue incredibly dangerous for both miners and rescue crew. This graphic from today’s Dominion Post outlines how methane forms and […]
MoreUNESCO has just produced its report on science for 2010 and a brief chapter details the recent shake-up of the New Zealand science system with a number of graphs benchmarking us against our neighbours in the Asia Pacific region. The report’s overwhelming theme is of an increased focus on science among emerging countries that is […]
MoreUPDATED: The Running Hot conference for emerging researchers is underway in Wellington – follow updates via Twitter @smcnz. Last night kicked off with an interesting panel discussion moderated by Radio New Zealand’s science-friendly Nights host, Bryan Crump. Crump quizzed three scientists on their areas of research, with included climate change, neuroscience and epigenetics. Before that, […]
MoreAs the latest study on the New Zealand public’s perception of science is released, a similar study across the Tasman focusing more narrowly on biotech has identified some similar trends. The survey of 1000 people from across Australia commissioned by the Australian Government’s Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research shows support for biotechnology techniques […]
MoreIt’s a science talkfest in Wellington at the moment as the Royal Society of New Zealand holds its AGM, its branches and Council meet and new fellows are welcomed into the fold. This year is interesting because the make-up of fellows shows the broadening of the Royal Society to include the humanities – hence names […]
MoreThe news through from Stockholm this evening will be sweet music to the ears of researchers at Manchester University who welcome two more Nobel laureates into their midst – giving the university a staggering four Nobel Prize winners among its researchers. UPDATE: Actually not that staggering as fellow Sciblogger Grant Jacobs pointed out to me […]
MoreWatching the secretly recorded 60 Minutes footage of disgraced former Defence chief scientist Steven Wilce lying his way through an interview with a journalist posing as a recruitment consultant, you have to wonder at the ease with which Wilce rattled off his deceptions. Wilce held the high-paying for five years, during which time he had […]
MoreProfessor Sir Peter Gluckman has just released a report looking at how he progressed in his first year as the country’s Chief Science Advisor to the Prime Minister. As someone who keeps a very close eye on how science is covered in the media and has the help of a media tracking service to do […]
MoreSo there are likely to be a number of happy researchers around the country basking in the glow of commitments for years of ongoing funding of their projects. Unfortunately, there will be many more not as happy because their research proposals missed out on funding – only 9.5 per cent of applications were successful. Still, […]
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PETER GRIFFIN 
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