The Wire with Castor

A team of scientists at the University of Auckland have recently received a $1 million grant to investigate the link between babies having low weight at birth, and developing heart problems later in life. The team will be using virtual models of the heart and placenta.

Producer Athena spoke to Associate Professor from the Auckland Bioengineering Institute, at the University of Auckland, Alys Clark, who will co-lead the study alongside fellow academic, Jo James, about how the study will be conducted, and what the team hopes to achieve with its findings.

This week on the Tuesday Wire...

For Dear Science, our expert Doctor Cushla McGoverin chatted with us about amphibian fossils in Wyoming and squirting cucumbers.

In our weekly catchup with the National Party, Wire host Castor spoke to MP Tom Rutherford about last week’s gang patch ban and Aotearoa’s emissions targets in light of COP29. 

They also spoke to Senior Lecturer in the Faculty of Information and Technology in Monash University in Melbourne, Jathan Sadowski about Artificial Intelligence and work.

Producer Athena spoke to Associate Professor at the University of Auckland’s Bioengineering Institute, Alys Clark, about research into the link between the placenta and the heart using virtual models.

They also spoke to Joyce Cook Chair in Aging Well and Professor at the University of Auckland, Ngaire Kerse, about the loneliness epidemic among older people.

This week on the Monday Wire:

Global Innovator, Matt Hart, joins us in the studio to discuss setting boundaries and how to navigate this.

For our weekly catch up with Te Pāti Māori, News and Editorial Director, and Monday Wire Host, Joel, speaks to Mariameno Kapa-Kingi about hīkoi mō te tiriti reaching Parliament, the Treaty Principles Bill passing it’s first reading, and the haka in the house in protest of this.

For our weekly catch up with the ACT Party's Simon Court, Joel also speaks to Simon about the hīkoi mō te tiriti at Parliament.

Producer Yesenia speaks to Māori health researcher and spokesperson for Health Coalition Aoteaora, Christina Mckerchar, on the harms of food insecurity on Māori and Pasifika children and what those harms will impact them.

Yesenia also speaks to Paediatric Endocrinologist and Professor at the University of Auckland, Paul Hofman, on the Ministry of Health's precautions regarding puberty blockers, and what the multidisciplinary approach would provide.

And finally, Joel speaks to the Head of Philanthropy and Partnerships at MOTAT, Katie Bundle, about MOTAT’s adopt a tram initiative.

Whakarongo mai!

For our weekly chat with Global Innovator, Matt Hart, Producer Yesenia speaks to Matt about effectively putting up boundaries and how to navigate this.