Science
New research into blood pressure
At least one in five of us have high blood pressure but most of us don't know we have it. Untreated, it can lead to serious problems like stroke, heart attack and kidney failure. Which makes a new… Audio
Backcountry takahē make a comeback
Twice believed to be extinct, takahē are now returning to our wild spaces.
How the iconic discovery of the Titanic unfolded
Forty years ago, the wreck of the Titanic was finally discovered, with the search concealing a top-secret military operation.
What happens to the size of our brains as we age?
Current theories assume our brain gets smaller as we age, but researchers have found some parts of the brain get bigger. Audio
Graham Leonard: Latest research on flooding
Volcanologist and Earth Sciences New Zealand principal scientist, Graham Leonard is back this week covering the challenge of flooding in Aotearoa. Audio
Long-term study follows life of babies born with low birthweight
A major long-term study has followed the lives of babies born with very low birthweight in 1986, tracking their development and health into adulthood. Current lead researcher Dr Sarah Harris spoke to… Audio
A case of AI hallucinations, fake citations, and a cat
AI-hallucinated scientific research and legal precedents are making their way into academic papers and court cases, highlighting AI's real-world impact
Fake citations causing real-world damage
AI-hallucinated scientific research and legal precedents are making their way into academic papers and court cases, highlighting AI's real-world impact. Audio
Philosophy Now: Gene-editing your children?
How far we should go to give children the best start in life? Should parents be able to use genetic engineering - selecting for positive traits, and eliminating potential negatives - when having a… Audio
Frozen sprouted beans, vegetables recalled for possible salmonella
Vimm Enterprises has recalled Deep-brand sprouted mat, moong beans and surti undhiu mix due to possible salmonella contamination. "Salmonellosis can be serious, so it is important that people do…
Space with Ezzy Pearson
Ezzy Pearson is an expert in all things space, with more than a decade of experience in science journalism, including as Features Editor of BBC’s Sky at Night magazine. Audio
Midday Report Essentials for Wednesday 27th August 2025
In today's episode, Finance Minister Nicola Willis is to make a number of announcements on competition in the Supermarket industry; The trial of the 50-year-old man accused of murdering five people by… Audio
The New Zealand science students wowing the world
The International Biology Olympiad is one of the most prestigious science competitions for pre-university students in the world. This year it was held in July in Quezon City in the Philippines, and… Audio
Natalie Kyriacou: Nine levers of change to help save the world
Award winning Australian author and environmentalist, Natalie Kryiacou on nine levers of change to help save the world.
Audio
Strong links between serious health conditions and violence or abuse - study
The study found men and women who experienced violence were more likely to be hospitalised for a range of reasons - including cancer, respiratory illness, and nervous system and digestive disorders.
Norwegian cheese charity funds OCD treatment programme
A "circuit-breaker"-type treatment for obsessive compulsive disorder - which is having impressive results internationally - will soon be available in this country. Ruth Hill explains. Audio
The 'slow quakes' happening beneath our feet
Doctor Philip Barnes is a principal scientist at Earth Sciences New Zealand, formerly known as NIWA and he joins Emile Donovan to discuss the findings of a new international study. Audio
Auckland volcano's magma still warm after 600 years, study finds
New research on Rangitoto is helping scientists plan for what might happen, if Auckland's biggest volcano erupts.
A statistics professor on the nature of 'luck'
Self-described 'mild-mannered statistics professor' Jeffrey Rosenthal discusses superstitions, luck, opinion polls, and the online chess scandal he was recruited to help solve. Audio
Secret whale gathering point found in Southern Ocean
Researchers have tracked New Zealand's southern right whales, discovering a spot in the ocean where they converge.
