Biology
The 'science donut' across the ditch
Scientists at the Australian Synchrotron use intense beams of light to answer research questions
Pine forestry good for land and wallets - researchers
Rivers and lakes could be cleaned up and profits still generated for landowners by converting sheep and beef farms to pine trees, new research says.
After nearly 30 years, the government is ditching strict GMO rules
The government announced a reversal to laws that effectively banned gene modification technology in New Zealand. Proponents of the change say it will save lives Audio
Warming oceans impacting algae populations
Marine scientists are raising the alarm about changes in microscopic algae living in the waters around New Zealand. Climate Change Correspondent Eloise Gibson reports. Audio
How the brains of quiz champions work
Every pub trivia night has one, that person who seems to be able to pull facts out of thin air. Dr Monica Thieu is a four-time contestant on the popular US trivia game show Jeopardy. She first… Audio
Olympic mums on top of the podium
There's been a sea change in high performance sport that's seeing Olympic-class mums take the podiums in Paris Audio
Shower Thoughts: Can bad smells make us sick?
Is there something in the air - or is it all in our heads? Chief scientist at Plant & Food Research Richard Newcomb sticks his nose into it on Nights. Audio
Why are the Dutch so tall?
Like the rest of the Europe, and in western nations, heights in the Netherlands have increased dramatically over the past 200 years. But for some reason, the Dutch just grow higher. Audio
Shower Thoughts: Why are our voices different?
Nights is joined by Sasha Calhoun, an associate professor at Victoria University of Wellington's School of Linguistics and Applied Language Studies to explain how humans came to sound so different… Audio
The Truth Behind Tinfoil Hats
Claims that a tinfoil hat will protect the wearer from electromagnetic fields and mind control have been around for many years but do they actually work? Justin Hodgkiss joins Bryan Crump to answer… Audio
The hijacking of the body positive movement
It's one thing to be encouraged to accept your body, no matter what size it is. But some 'fat activists' have gone too far in encouraging self-love Audio
Success eradicating invasive weeds from the Emerald Lakes
For the past five years the Department of Conservation has been working hard to rid the Emerald Lakes near the summit of Mt Tongariro of invasive weeds. This morning, they announced the mission a… Audio
Understanding menopause and the impact it has with leading UK expert
Dr Louise Newson is is one of the UK's leading experts on menopause and peri-menopause. She's taken on the medical establishment for under funding research into menopause and for better standards for… Audio
A $20 million magic wand
A life-changing diagnostic device tested on sheep in New Zealand is about to be trialled on humans Audio
Best of 2023: Our Changing World
"I love my job. I’m a total science geek so it suits me perfectly to go nerd out with other nerds and then make stories to share with you" - Claire Concannon, host of RNZ's award-winning science and…
Scientist snaps extremely rare half-male, half-female bird
Only two of its kind have been seen in more than 100 years, and Professor Hamish Spencer's photos may be the best ever.
Vote for your favourite native plant
If there's one thing New Zealand seemingly loves ... it's a hotly-contested public vote for our favourite native species. Of course, this year's Bird of the Century competition was in the spotlight… Audio
Amanda Smith Barusch: embracing the rage that comes with age
Gerontologist Dr Amanda Smith Barusch argues it's time for older adults to embrace grumpyness. In Aging Angry: Making Peace with Rage the University of Otago and University of Utah Emeritus Professor… Audio
