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 […]
MoreEverest and groupthink: what went wrong
There’s an excellent movie showing in cinemas at the moment that tells the story of an ill-fated 1996 Everest expedition that resulted in the death of expedition leader New Zealander Rob Hall as well as another guide and two climbers who had paid up to US$65,000 each for the chance to make an attempt on the summit. Everest features breathtaking cinematography […]
MoreKiwi rocket scientist gets rare NASA honour
His name adorns medals, roads and even a mountain. Now NASA has paid Kiwi rocket scientist, the late Sir William Pickering, a significant tribute, dedicating an auditorium at its iconic Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pickering’s name. In July a ceremony at JPL in Pasadena including staff, dignitaries, former JPL directors and Sir William’s daughter, Beth Pickering Mezitt, celebrated […]
MoreStunning images from the field
Every year, NIWA runs a competition to choose the best photos taken by its scientists in the field. This year’s crop of photos is as impressive as ever. Scientific diver Crispin Middleton won the Our People section for a photography he calls “Toado Selfie.” Taken at the Poor Knights Marine Reserve, he is surrounded by […]
MoreEngineers and the pay gap
The pay gap between men and women has grown to 11.8 per cent, two per cent up on a year ago according to Statistics New Zealand’s New Zealand Income Survey. The median weekly wage overall is $621 before tax, up $26 on a year ago. For men, the average hourly wage rose 4.6 pert cent […]
MoreDiscovering planets… from your couch
It was about 25 minutes into Chris Lintott’s Royal Society lecture that the proceedings nearly went off the rails. An audience member put his hand up to make a comment, which Lintott, Professor of Astrophysics and Citizen Science at the University of Oxford, paused his talk to answer. “I’ve seen that shape before,” said the grey-haired man […]
MoreWhere 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 […]
MoreThe Martian: Blows Gravity and Interstellar out of the water
Space movies have become a hot genre over the last few years, with star-studded blockbusters Gravity and Interstellar reigniting interest in the drama of space exploration. The makers of those movies also prided themselves on the scientific authenticity of their movies, appointing science advisors to help them get the technical aspects if not exactly right, at […]
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PETER GRIFFIN 
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