The Wire with Zazi and Frances: August 18, 2021

This week on the Wednesday Wire, Zazi Hewlett and Frances Wright work remotely from home in their bubbles after the country went into lockdown last night, with Jemima hosting the show and bringing us the news. 

Frances has her regular segment Dear Science with Allan Blackman. They talk about a new analysis to do with a scurvy study that is leading to updates on vitamin C needs; chat about critics who say a Childhood Asthma Study unethically withheld care from its participants; and then finally discuss a new laser-powered nuclear fusion effort which neared ignition. 

Zazi then speaks to Professor Miguel Quiñones-Mateu, the department of Microbiology and Immunology. They talk about the investigation on wastewater and how it can be used to get a more accurate picture of COVID-19 cases in low-to-middle income countries.  

Frances also speaks with Research New Zealand’s managing partner, Emanuel Kalafatelis, about the results of a recent Research NZ’s recent housing survey.

Finally Zazi has her regular catch-up with ACT's Brooke van Velden, this week talking about New Zealand’s Alert Level 4 Lockdown, and the vaccination rollouts being paused for 48 hours as a result.