|
|
|
|
Science investment roadmap revealed
Science and Innovation minister Steven Joyce this week revealed the long-anticipated National Statement of Science Investment, which lays out science funding priorities for the next decade.
 The draft statement, which has been released for public consultation, lays out current and projected funding in areas ranging from MBIE contestable funding and the Marsden Fund to Callaghan Innovation and business R&D grants.
"Over the next five- to ten-year horizon, the science system will take on an increased prominence as it both shapes and is shaped by an economy that is increasingly innovation-led, and a population that is more engaged with science in their daily lives than ever before," writes the minister in the statement's introduction.
Association of Scientists President, Dr Nicola Gaston, encouraged all scientists to read the document and offer their feedback on it.
"It is past time for us to have a broad bipartisan consensus on the importance of science funding and the transparency of its major mechanisms," she said.
Reaction to the investment statement from other scientists was rounded up by the SMC.
More information about the draft statement and a recording of Minister Joyce's speech launching the investment statement are also available on the SMC website.
|
On the science radar this week...
|
Obesity problem just keeps getting bigger
A brand new analysis of obesity worldwide has shown that global rates have climbed steadily over the last three decades and New Zealand, unfortunately, is leading the charge.
 The percentage of overweight and obese individuals has climbed markedly among New Zealanders since 1980, according to a new, first-of-its-kind analysis of trend data from 188 countries.
The research, published in the leading medical journal the Lancet, is part of the wide-ranging Global Burden of Disease project.
Between 1980 and 2013, the study found the proportion of obese adult males in New Zealand increased more than in any other country, jumping from 13% to 28%.
New Zealand's rate of overweight and obese adults increased from 50% to 66% over the same time frame. Among children in New Zealand, 29% are now either obese or overweight, up from 18% three decades ago. New Zealand's rates of adult and child obesity are the highest in Australasia, according to the study.
A growing global issue
Globally, the study found 2.1 billion people - nearly 30% of the world's population - are either obese or overweight.
The rise in global obesity rates over the last three decades has been substantial and widespread, presenting a major public health epidemic in both the developed and the developing world.
No countries have had significant decreases in obesity in the last 33 years.
"Obesity is an issue affecting people of all ages and incomes, everywhere," said Dr. Christopher Murray, director of The Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) and a co-founder of the Global Burden of Disease study.
"In the last three decades, not one country has achieved success in reducing obesity rates, and we expect obesity to rise steadily as incomes rise in low- and middle-income countries in particular, unless urgent steps are taken to address this public health crisis."
The IHME have created a data visualisation tool that can be used to explore the statistics behind the report.
The SMC has gathered expert reaction to the Lancet report's findings:
Prof Valery Feigin, Director of the National Institute for Stroke and Applied Neurosciences, AUT, was a co-author of the Lancet report. He comments:
"Being overweight is a well-established risk factor for stroke, heart attack, dementia and cancer - the four major causes of death and disability in New Zealand. Therefore, the fact that New Zealand has the highest rates of adult and child obesity in the region is very alarming. The extent of the overweight and obesity epidemic gives us two particularly important insights. Firstly, that the current strategies for maintaining a healthy weight are not working and, secondly, that action is urgently needed at both a government and individual level."
Prof Boyd Swinburn, Professor of Population Nutrition and Global Health at the University of Auckland, comments:
"These new obesity statistics for New Zealand are nothing to be proud of, especially for children. It is abundantly clear that, as a country, we have not done nearly enough to reduce childhood obesity. There is some cause for optimism with the government starting to re-invest in community-based approaches to promoting healthy eating and physical activity after years of dis-investment."
You can read further expert commentary on the Science Media centre website. |
Sea ice scrunched by stormy waves
Large waves generated by ocean storms have a greater impact on the breakup and retreat of sea ice than previously thought.
 | The Aurora Australis sailing through the marginal ice zone. Alison Kohout
|
New research from NIWA, published this week in Nature, suggests that large ocean waves whipped up by storms can fracture Antarctic sea ice hundreds of kilometres from the ice edge and accelerate sea-ice retreat.
Using data collected from sensors placed at varying locations on the off the coast of Antarctica, the researchers were able draw the clearest picture to date of how waves travel through the ice. Their new data shows that large waves in the Southern Ocean - those bigger than 3 m - are able to break sea ice over greater distances than previously believed, and that this process may be the missing science that explains the increase in Antarctic, and rapid decrease in Arctic, sea ice extent.
NIWA Researcher Dr Alison Kohout highlighted the importance of factoring the new findings into current models of sea ice retreat.
"Our work has suggested that the role of large waves is more relevant that previously assumed," she said.
"In the Arctic there is a lot of evidence of sea ice retreat, yet scientists have been unable to reproduce the speed of sea ice retreat in their modelling. This suggests something is missing from the models."
You can read a round up of global news coverage from the SMC site, and check out footage of the researchers deploying sensors here.
|
Quoted: Otago Daily Times
''The science is pretty clear now. There is sea level rise ... even suggesting there is much debate about the science now is kind of false.''
Dunedin City Council Corporate policy team leader Maria Ioannou on sea level rise
|
Boost for sci-comms, data journalism
Victoria University is taking applications for its new science communications course as AUT gears up to offer the country's first data journalism course to trainee journalists.
 | | Nancy Longnecker |
The University of Otago's Centre for Science Communication also sees an influx of new talent with experience science communications expert Professor Nancy Longnecker joining the centre. Prof. Longnecker currently runs the Science Communications Programme at the University of Western Australia in Perth.
Additional new hires at the Centre include Dr Fabien Medvecky and Associate Professor Jesse Bering.
Experienced science communicators Dr Rebecca Priestley and Dr Rhian Salmon will cover the theory and practice of science communication in their new course SCIE311, which runs from July 15 - October 17 at Victoria University, Wellington.
The course features lectures, workshops, tutorials and requires attendees to two substantive pieces of science communication. The Science Communication paper adds to several others Victoria is offering that allow scientists to up-skill in science communication, the history of science and contemporary issues in science and society.
Meanwhile, third year Bachelor of Communications Studies students at AUT University will next year be able to take a paper in data journalism. Newsrooms are increasingly scrutinizing sets of data to yield stories and display interactive infographics. But skills in this space have been thin on the ground. The AUT course will arm trainees with statistical techniques of data analysis, interrogating, filtering and interpreting data, said AUT lecturer Allan Lee.
"Students will also learn how to use visualization tools and how to tell visually rich stories online. The paper will be offered at Year 3 on AUT's Bachelor of Communication Studies programme. More information about Victoria University's Science Communication course can be found here. |
Strength to strength with Media SAVVY
Twelve talented scientists honed their media skills in Wellington last week in the seventh round of the Science Media Centre's national series of training workshops.
The first day features intensive on-camera interviews and exercises designed to get researchers thinking about the language, tone and concepts they use to talk about their science.
"Tips you can use straight away, and they help whether or not you're engaging with media."
"Practising in front of the camera was so valuable -- learning how to improve clarity, tone, composure and deal with challenges."
Going beyond theory, the second day offers a rare insight into how the news is made. Scientists on the course got the chance to tour the Radio New Zealand newsroom and observe from inside the production studio during Morning Report's broadcast.
 | | SAVVY participants peek over the shoulders of Radio New Zealand producers putting together Morning Report. |
"A rigorous and very valuable experience for preparing for any media contact."
"The course was very 'real world''. I walked away with contacts and info I could use."
Participants also had the chance to pitch their research stories to a panel of some on New Zealand's top science journalists and receive invaluable feedback from experienced pros.
 | The media panel offer participants advice. From left: Rebecca Priestley (The Listener), Renee Graham (ONE News), William Ray (Radio New Zealand) and Olivia Wannan (Dominion Post)
|
"The time flew by -- I couldn't believe how much we covered!"
"I recommend this workshop to anyone needing to speak about science to the public -- i.e. all scientists!"
Science Media SAVVY will be heading to Hamilton (7-8 August) and Auckland (20-21 November) this year.
Applications are now open for both upcoming courses.
Looking for another location? - Register your interest here
|
The Friday video...
 | | Optogenetics and Enhancing Brain Functions - Wired.com |
|
|
Policy news and developments
R&D student grants: Callaghan Innovation has opened applications forbusiness to apply for 270 R&D Student Grants.
PGP report: An NZIER report into the Primary Growth Partnership (PGP) estimates it will add $6.4 billion per annum to New Zealand's economy by 2025.
Immunisation guide: The Ministry of Health has launched an updated immunisations reference guide for health professionals. |
|
Sciblogs highlights
Some of the highlights from this week's Sciblogs posts:
A helping hand for migrating fish - Freshwater ecologist Paul Franklin explains how man-made structures are preventing fish returning upstream to spawn, and what we are doing to fix the problem.
Public Health Expert
|
|
Research highlights
Some of the research papers making headlines this week.
Storm-smashed ice a sea level factor: Large waves generated by ocean storms have a greater impact on the breakup and retreat of sea ice than previously thought. New research from NIWA suggests that ocean waves can fracture Antarctic sea ice hundreds of kilometres from the ice edge and accelerate sea-ice retreat. NatureBio-inspired drones: A whole series of articles in a special issue of Bioinspiration & Biomimetics presents new research examining how organisms ranging from bees and moths to snakes, bats and eagles are informing the development of flying drones Bioinspiration & BiomimeticsParenthood: contagious: New US research finds that having a high school friend who has a baby increase the likelihood that a woman will have a baby of her own. According to the authors, the research demonstrates that fertility decisions are not only influenced by individual characteristics and preferences, but also by the social network in which individuals are embedded. American Sociological Review
Rain in spring, autumn, dampens CO2 induced plant growth: Increasing atmospheric carbon can boost plant growth, but does rainfall help or hinder this process? The answer depends on the season, according to new research from Australian and New Zealand researchers. Summer rainfall increases plant growth in response to elevated CO2 levels, whereas spring and autumn rainfall reduce the fertilization effect. NatureScared smokeless: New research shows that screening for lung cancer can spook smokers into quitting, if there hints at lung abnormalities. That the more serious the screening result the greater the likelihood of stopping smoking. In addition, the effect appeared to be durable, lasting 5 years after the last screening. The authors suggest screening represents a 'teachable moment' and an opportunity to apply effective smoking cessation programs. Journal of the National Cancer Institute |
|
Upcoming sci-tech events
For these and more upcoming events, and more details about them, visit the SMC's Events Calendar.
|
|
|
|
|
