Listen back to features and interviews from 95bFM's daily news and current affairs show. Joel Armstrong, Castor Chacko, Oto Sequeira, and Caeden Tipler focus on the issues of Tāmaki Makaurau and elsewhere in independent-thinking bFM style. Monday-Thursday 12-1pm on 95bFM.
Research into conditions such as Fetal Growth Restriction has been limited in scope as pregnant women are unable to be tested on. Through development in virtual organ research, the virtual placenta was devised to simulate clinical research to take place and assess the risks of conditions like FGR on pregnant women and the likely survival of the child.
Trishil Dahya spoke to Doctor Alys Clark about her research and how it led to the development of the virtual placenta. The conversation also touched on the future application of virtual organ research and virtual clinical trials.
30% of women suffer from Urinary Incontience. The condition makes the bladder overactive, with the sufferer being unable to control their pelvic floor muscle movement.
Trishil Dahya spoke to Doctor Jennifer Kruger about her research and how it led to the development of the femfit. The Femfit is an instrument that women use to correct their pelvic muscle exercises, and in the process, recover from Urinary Incontience. The conversation also touched on the societal view of women who experience Urinary Incontience.
On the Tuesday Wire, Christina spoke to AUT Professor Marcus Jones for Dear Science. Today, they discussed Russia’s exclusion from the global scientific community, new variants of Covid-19, and when the pandemic might finally be over.
She also spoke to Professor Robert MacCulloch from the Univeristy of Auckland about Christopher Luxon’s State of the Nation speech at the weekend, and the economic breakdown of the National party’s proposed tax cuts.
Trishil spoke to Dr Alys Clarke from the Auckland Bioengineering Institute about her research into a virtual placenta. The application of the placenta will allow for clinical trials to occur during pregnancy.
Trishil also spoke to Professor Jennifer Kruger into her research into the femfit technology. The tech is designed to assist women with urinary incontience with exercising their pelvic floor muscles.
And finally, Christina spoke to Dr Gwyn Easterbrook-Smith from Massey University the representation of sex workers in the media, and the stigma attached to the sex industry nearly twenty years after sex work was decriminalised in Aotearoa.
Nearly twenty years after Aotearoa decriminalised sex work, the stigma and stereotypes attached to sex workers and the industry persist. In particular, the representation of sex work in the media has reproduced negative ideas about sex work, despite a general societal shift to greater acceptance of sex work as work. Christina spoke to Dr Gwyn Easterbrook-Smith from Massey University about their new research into the representation of sex work in the media, and the stigma surrounding sex work in Aotearoa.
In his State of the Nation speech on Sunday, leader of the National Party Christopher Luxon outlined national’s economic agenda for if they get elected in 2023. This includes lowering taxes and repealing many of the taxes Labour has introduced since taking power in 2017. Christina spoke with Professor Robert MacCulloch, a professor of economics at the University of Auckland, about the proposed tax plan and what it means for the economy.
Conflict in Ukraine continues, with Russia using more military force in the area and putting nuclear weapons on “high alert”. Samuel Hickey, a Research Analyst at the Centre for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation, spoke with Charlie about the current attacks on nuclear power plants in Ukraine. He further discussed the potential impacts of nuclear weapons and the distribution of them.
The critical workers exemption scheme was announced last month, meaning people working in sectors such as food production, supply chain, transport and news media can still come into work if they’re a close contact of Covid-19. However should workers be able to stay home if they feel unsafe?
Sam Clark spoke to Green Party MP and spokesperson for workplace relations, Jan Logie.
Last week, the Sunscreen Product Safety Bill was passed, which requires manufacturers to meet SPF ratings or face fines up to $600,000. This bill is from Bay of Plenty MP and former National leader, Todd Muller.
Sam Clark spoke to him this morning about the Bill, as well as further measures we could take in New Zealand for sun protection.
Samuel Hickey from the Centre for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation discusses Russia’s weapons and nuclear power plants.
Dr Anna Brooks from the University of Auckland speaks about long covid.
Dr Jennifer Gadd from NIWA and Melanie Kah from the University of Auckland discuss hazardous chemicals in the environment
Greens MP, Jan Logie discusses the new 'critical workers exemption scheme' and labour rights.
And National MP, Todd Muller speaks about the passing of his sunscreen standards bill. It had unanimous support, which is rare for an opposition member.
Tomorrow’s World is back!
This week Isla and Stella look into "What's carbon neutral? The Sustainability of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics."
New Zealand’s tracing system of hazardous chemicals seems insufficient according to a new report released by the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment. Charlie spoke first with Dr Jennifer Gadd, Aquatic Chemist at NIWA, about the report and the current regulations around chemical importation. Secondly Melanie Kah, associate professor at the University of Auckland, spoke about the risk of not tracking chemicals and how the system can be improved.
The Healthcare exec Brian Thompson was shot dead by a masked assailant last week.
The crime has gained significant controversy and attention online, with many using it to restart the debate on the inequities of the United States healthcare system.
And this week Yale University was the latest college to commit to divesting from weapons manufacturing after a student vote.
For State of the States this week Wire Host Caeden speak to Andre Fa’aoso from the Yale Daily News about both of these topics.
The government as announced their plan for the Cook Strait ferry a year after they scrapped Labour’s plan, including cancelling the ferries the Labour government had ordered.
And a new report from the Ministry of Social Development has revealed nearly a quarter of beneficiaries are not receiving their correct entitlements.
For our weekly catch-up with the Labour Party, Wire Host Caeden speaks to Deputy Leader Carmel Sepuloni about both of these topics.
For City Counselling this week, producer Sofia caught up with Councillor Shane Henderson about proposed time-of-use charging to solve congestion problems in Tāmaki and Council selling their remaining Auckland Airport shares last week.
The Green party recently released He Ara Anamata - the Green party’s emissions reduction plan.
The document covers more than 10 areas of the economy and energy Sector that a Greens-led government would be looking to adapt to minimise carbon emissions and protect the natural landscapes of Aotearoa.
It also comes 5 months after the government released their own draft emissions plan. Numerous experts pointed out that the government is behind on their own plan’s targets to meet the crucial emissions budget for 2031-2035.
For their weekly catchup, Oto spoke to the Green Party’s Ricardo Menendez-March to discuss the party’s new emissions reduction plan and how they would address climate and the economy in a greens-led government.
Last election, one of the National Party’s main campaign promises was to be ‘tough on crime’, promising to increase police coverage and penalties for crimes. A target was set to increase the number of police officers by 500 by November 2025, however some police leaders today say this goal is unrealistic.
The government also announced this week some shakeups to insulation standards, which they say should make houses more affordable.
In our weekly catchup with the National Party’s Tom Rutherford, Wire host Castor spoke to him about police staffing targets and new insulation standards.
This week on Dear Science, our expert Doctor Cushla McGoverin chatted with us about what latrines teach us about people, climate variation affecting Chinese dynasties, and invasive species becoming threatened.
Thanks to MOTAT, the museum inspiring the innovators of tomorrow!
Last week it was revealed that two of the ten participants in the government's pilot bootcamp programme were on the run.
The youth were two months into the community rehabilitation phase of the programme, following the three month youth justice residence phase. Both teens were found in the weekend, but had allegedly reoffended, and are now set to come before the court.
For our weekly catch up with the ACT Party, who have been heavily advocating for this programme, Producer Evie spoke to Simon Court about this incident.
She also talks to him about proposed changes to employment law which would give employers the power to dismiss workers earning over $180,000 without the employee refuting the decision.
And finally, she talks to him about David Seymour’s incumbent run as Deputy Prime Minister, which is set to begin in May of next year.
For City Counselling this week, Producer Sofia spoke to Councillor Julie Fairey about changes to Auckland Transport’s responsibilities, nationwide bus and train fare hikes, and concerns over the opening of the City Rail Link.
For State of the States this week, Wire Host Caeden speaks to Andre Fa'aoso from the Yale Daily News about President Biden's decision to pardon his son Hunter Biden, who was due to be sentenced next week for three felony charges.
They also discuss Kash Patel, President-elect Donald Trump's nominee for FBI director, who is the latest in a long list of unorthodox picks for government positions from Trump
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