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Science policy high on agenda
 It has been a big week for science in the policy sphere, with a number of important announcements drawing attention to the government's focus on innovation.
Science funding winners:The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment has announced the recipients of the 2012 Science-led Contestable Investment Round. A total of $133 million in new research grants has been be awarded to 47 research projects in the biological industries; energy and minerals; the environment; hazards and infrastructure; and health and society funding categories. A total of 299 applications were received by the Ministry. "Science is both a driver of economic growth and a strong platform for evidence based decision making across society," Science and Innovation Minister Steven Joyce said in a media release, "These projects have been selected on the basis of their high-quality science and the difference they can make." Absent from the announced recipients were projects falling under the category of High-Value Manufacturing, which will be announced in the next few weeks.
Sir Paul Honoured in new institute: High-value Manufacturing will be the focus of the new Advanced Technology Institute - or, as it will now be known, The Callaghan Institute, in honor of the late Sir Paul Callaghan President of the Royal Society of New Zealand, Prof Sir David Skegg, said, "In naming the new Advanced Technology Institute after Sir Paul Callaghan, a great New Zealand scientist is celebrated, and we hope the institute will put science at the heart of its innovation." Innovation Progress Report:The announcement that the institute was to be named after the late Sir Paul Callaghan was made by Steven Joyce at a business breakfast held for the release of the Building Innovation report, which outlines the progress and details of over 50 government innovation initiatives.
The report is the the second in a series of six progress reports released under the Government's Business Growth Agenda.
Small advanced economies meeting: New Zealand is to host an international meeting in November with a view to developing a network of small advanced economies. Participants include Denmark, Finland, Israel, Singapore and New Zealand, and possible others.
Steven Joyce said it was intended that "each country will contribute senior leaders in the area of science and innovation, as well as in foreign policy and trade policy. "They will discuss how our countries can best position themselves for growth by developing and harnessing the power of innovation. "
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On the science radar...
Helium-huffing soprano gibbons, sadomasochistic sea slugs, Marsquakes, menopause due to in-laws and fathoming fair play.
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Sir Peter sums up Transit Forum
A Transit of Venus report from Prof Sir Peter Gluckman looks back to the Transit of Venus Forum as guide to the future of science in New Zealand.
 Over 250 New Zealanders - including leaders from government agencies, local bodies, science organisations, academia, business, iwi and NGOs - gathered in Gisborne in June for The Transit of Venus Forum to discuss how New Zealand could better use science to advance economically, environmentally and socially.
In the wake of the forum, the Prime Minister 's Chief Science Advisor, Sir Peter Gluckman, has prepared a report, Science and New Zealand's Future: Reflections from the Transit of Venus Forum, which summarises discussions undertaken and the key issues that arose from them.
The report covers issues such as the tradeoffs between the environment and resource extraction, Maori involvement in science and the risks of new technologies.
The full report was presented to the Prime Minister John Key at a Royal Society of New Zealand function held at Auckland War Memorial Museum last night. Speaking at the event, John Key announced the Sir Peter had accepted his request to continue as Chief Science Advisor for another two years.
More details on the proceedings of the forum, including videos, are available on the Royal Society of New Zealand website. Also online is an extended TV3 interview with Sir Peter on his report.
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Kiwi wins L'Oreal fellowship
Dr Suetonia Palmer, a senior lecturer at University of Otago, Christchurch, has been recognised with a A$25,000 (NZ$32,480) Fellowship award for her dedication to improving the treatment of people with chronic kidney disease.
 Suetonia is one of three Australasian women who have each gained a For Women in Science 2012 Fellowship awarded by L'Oréal Australia and New Zealand.
It is the sixth year of the fellowships and the first year they have been open to New Zealand scientists. There were more than 200 nominations for the award
Dr Palmer will use the Fellowship to look at the best options for dialysis. "My wish is that over the next decade we can give back control of their lives to dialysis patients - so they can be in charge of their own treatment, get back to work and make them feel better."
More details and a video of Dr Palmer discussing her research can be found on the Science Media Centre website. |
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The Sciblogs Podcast: Liqour, language and bees
In Episode 41 this week we pick apart the costs of boozing, discover the 'Tower of Babel' for Indo-European languages and get the latest buzz on bee genetics.
 First up, we examine the costs of alcohol with help of the Sciblogs' newest Sciblogger, economist Dr Eric Crampton (The Dismal Science).
Auckland University's Dr Quentin Atkinson discusses his latests research on the origins of laguage - published in Science today.
Finally, we hear from SciBlogger Assoc Prof Peter Dearden (Director of Genetics Otago), in excerpts from his public lecture 'Buzzing about bees: How genetics can keep New Zealand's agriculture humming'.
Subscribe to the Sciblogs podcast via iTunes, Stitcher.com, RSS or stream directly from Sciblogs.
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Quoted: TV3 News
"We tend to be complacent - selling food and tourism has been relatively easy, but worryingly, exports as a percentage of our economy have stagnated over some years.
"As a nation we have been relatively satisfied with ourselves and not as ambitious as we need to be in order to thrive despite the inevitable challenges, including those of the rearrangements of the global economy over the coming decades".
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New from the SMC
In the News:
L'Oreal felloship: Dr Suetonia Palmer, University of Otago, Christchurch, has been recognised with a Fellowship award for her dedication to improving the treatment of people with chronic kidney disease.
Fracking: Farmer Drew Hutton and Engineering Professor Rosalind Archer talk fracking on Radio NZReflections on Science:
Hughes on Smith on Fracking: Green MP Gareth Hughes responds to an opinion piece from Dr Nick Smith. TOV report: Chief Science Advisor Sir Peter Gluckman has released a report summarising the key issues raised at the Transit of Venus Forum in July.
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Sciblogs highlights
Some of the highlights from this week's posts:
Plain packaging of cigarettes: Economics and unintended consequences & Evidence and Effects - Not one, but two guest posts this week explore this issue of plain packaging, offering differing views.
Guest Work
Time travel - A drive in the rain gets Marcus Wilson travelling through time, relatively speaking.
Physics Stop
Shattered City, Struggling Science - Scientific research is slipping through the cracks left by the Canterbury earthquakes, writes Michael Edmonds.
Molecular Matters
Deserved - John Pickering pays tribute to his colleague Dr Suetonia Palmer who just won a prestigious L'Oreal for Women in Science award
Kidney Punch
Factory farming of the vegetable kind - Aimee Whitcroft looks at the 'new-but-not-really technology' used to grow soil-free, sunless veggies.
misc.ience
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Research highlights
Please note: hyperlinks point, where possible, to the relevant abstract or paper.
Auckland lavaflows: Using an analysis of previous lava flows in the Auckland Volcanic Field and aerial landscape surveys, researchers have estimated how Auckland suburbs will fare in face of the lava flows following an eruption in the area. According the scientists, the smooth, flat terrain of the southern city is likely to allow lava to flow freely over large areas, whereas the more rugged landscape of the central and northern city will create more safe spaces protected from lava.
Prescribing sunshine: A lack of sun exposure is associated with vitamin D deficiency, but too much exposure is linked to skin cancer. Are New Zealand doctors encouraging the right balance of time in the sun? A survey of over 1,000 GPs has found that most (70 %) recommend their patients 'use sun protection at all times during peak UV' - which is the current official Ministry of Health recommendation.
Getting to the core of Antarctic warming: Recent warming in the Antarctic Peninsula, currently one of the most rapidly warming regions on Earth, is unusual, but not unprecedented relative to natural variation, according to a new report. Temperature estimates based on an ice-core record show that warming of the northeastern Antarctic Peninsula began around 600 years ago. However, the ice-shelf stability may be at risk if this region continues to warm.
Nano metals affect plant growth: New research finds that metal nanopaorticles may have deleterious effects on plant growth and soil fertility. Nanoparticles are increasingly used in consumer products and accumulate in soils in part via land application of bisolids, the nutrient-rich residue from wastewater treatment. The study examined the effects of of two commonplace nanoparticles, zinc oxide and cerium oxide, on soybean growth. The findings suggests that the buildup of manufactured nanomaterials in soils may compromise soil-based crop quality and yield.
PNAS
Rat with missing teeth: Researchers have discovered a new genus and species of rodent that has lost all molars and retains only its incisors, which they have dubbed Paucidentomys vermidax. Because of the unique shape of its incisors it cannot gnaw, and it appears to feed exclusively on earthworms. Discovered in the rainforests of Sulawesi, Indonesia, the species illustrates how the process of evolution can lead to the reversal of previously successful traits when faced with new opportunities.
Biology Letters
Anorexic judgement limited to self: Patients with anorexia have trouble accurately judging their own body size, but not others', according to new research. In the study, researchers found that the anorexic patients were more accurate at judging others' ability to pass through a doorways than their own. They also found a correlation between the perception of their own ability to pass through the aperture and their body size prior to becoming anorexic, suggesting that the patients may still think of themselves as their previous size.
PLOS ONE
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Policy updates
Some of the policy highlights from this week:
R&D Grants: The Government is from today inviting applications from businesses for the 2012 Technology Development Grant - its flagship investment programme to boost research and development in businesses.
Small advanced economies: New Zealand is to host an international meeting with a view to developing a network of small advanced economies. Participants include Denmark, Finland, Israel, Singapore and New Zealand, and possible others.
MBIE investment: 47 research projects have been awarded $133 million in new research grants in the first tranche of the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment's 2012 science investment round.
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Upcoming sci-tech events
- Living Data - Biodiversity Data Systems Conference and Workshop - 26-28 August, Wellington.
For these and more upcoming events, and more details about them, visit the SMC's Events Calendar. |
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