Researchers from the University of Otago are well on their way to developing new biomaterials that will help grow new teeth. The research offers huge potential for people with dental health problems, and has just received an explorer grant from the Health Research Council. Ximena caught up with researchers Azam Ali and Karl Lyons to talk about the biomaterials, how they work & why this research is so significant.
New Zealand’s rivers and lakes are under increasing pressure, according to the latest national report from the Ministry for the Environment and Stats NZ about the state of freshwater.
bFM’s Harry Willis speaks to Forest and Bird’s, Annabeth Cohen about the report, the problems with the way data was presented, and how the report is shifting our focus from Agricultural to urban land although urban environments make up at 1% of land use and pastoral use is at 40%.
Today on the show, Ximena chats to Tracey about Labour’s immigration policy announced earlier this week, which unmistakably echoes New Zealand First’s approach to immigration in more ways than one. They also talk about David Seymour’s controversial euthanasia bill that was drawn from the ballot last week.
Just what constitutes the 'it' in 'it girl'? Charisma? Aesthetics? Intelligence? Pennie talks to Mike about the concept of 'the muse', and how they've worn their way through history. (With special reference to the recently departed Anita Pallenberg. R.I.P.)
The ways in which Maori deal with palliative care, or known as end of life care, has many cultural and economic differences, I began by asking why this research was important to wider New Zealand.
Mike talks to Dr. Gerhard Sundborn about the perils of too much sugar. As sugary drinks are the largest contributor of sugar to the diets of NZ adults and children, what can be done to change these habits? And just what are the main obstacles standing in the way?
Dr. Maria reviews German comedy/drama Toni Erdmann, a hefty three hour depiction of an aging father's attempts to embarrass his fusty corporate daughter out of her straight-laced ways. And into, erm, 'nunches'. (You'll have to listen.) Due for a Jack Nicholson led remake in the near future, does Erdmann surpass the sad stereotypes surrounding the German sense of humour? Or add fuel to the trope-y fire?
New research has proven that exposing the endangered bettong to the wild is increasing its chances of survival and despite its extremely cute appearance, perhaps babying them is not the best way to preserve them.
Also, Australians are calling for a space program, claiming they are in the right position economically and globally to do so, and Tesla is about to build the world's biggest Lithium Ion battery in South Australia.
New Zealand's Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment, Dr Jan Wright, released a report last week which revealed that with the way our emissions are going, the country may not be meeting its current obligations under the Paris Agreement. Joel talked to AUT Pacific Media Centre's Kendall Hutt about the effect this could have on the Pacifc. They also talked about the Papua New Guinea election saga, and how Indonesia's president Joko Widodo intends to implement a 'war on drugs' policy similar to Rodrigo Duterte's in the Philippines.
A new study shows fish might be eating plastic waste in the water because they mistake it for food. This in itself doesn't sound like a revelation - we've known for ages that sea animals eat plastic debris, which then has massive implications for marine ecosystems. But this new research suggests it's, in fact, the smell of the debris that confuses the fish - the scientists found fish respond to the smell of the plastic waste in the same way they respond to the smell of their food. News Director Ximena spoke to lead author of the study from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Matthew Savoca, to learn more.
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