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DOC plans predator control with 1080
The media attention is back on pests such as rats and stoats as the Department of Conservation (DOC) gears up for one the largest predator control operations ever attempted in New Zealand.
 Aerial drops of 1080 pesticide will be going underway in Kahurangi National Park later this month, as part of a national effort to combat soaring rat and stoat numbers in the conservation estate.
This year's large beech flowering and mast seeding event has created a huge increase in food supplies for rodents, and native birds are expected to be next on the menu as the bumper seed crop runs out.
The Science Media Centre this week held a briefing with scientists from DOC, Landcare Research and the University of Canterbury, where they explained some of the science behind the increased seed numbers, booming predator population and the control methods need to keep them in check.
Click here to view a recording of the briefing, including audio, slides and Q&A.
Speakers also discussed the most up-to-date information from this year's seed counts, 7000 rat tracking tunnels and 27 predator control operations to see how the Department of Conservation's 'Battle for our birds' is playing out on the ground.
You can read a round up of national media coverage on the Science Media Centre website.
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Cannabis use linked to poorer outcomes
Frequent teenage cannabis use is linked with less educational achievement and other problems later in life, according to New Zealand and Australian research.
 Individuals who are daily users of cannabis before age 17 are less likely to complete high school or obtain a degree compared with those who have never used the drug, new research published in The Lancet Psychiatry journal shows.
The study also indicates that, compared to people who never used cannabis in their youth, daily users of cannabis during adolescence more likely to attempt suicide, a greater chance of cannabis dependence, and more likely to use other illicit drugs by age 30.
The research combined data from the long running University of Otago Christchurch Health and Development Study with two similar studies in Australia, covering more than 3700 participants enrolled in 'cohort' studies which followed the same individuals for over thirty years.
Co-author Prof David Fergusson from the University of Otago, Christchurch, said in a media release that these associations are consistent across studies, and cannot be explained by differences in the family background or childhood experience of cannabis users and non-users.
Critically, an accompanying editorial notes the study doesn't prove cannabis use per se caused these poor outcomes. The only way to unambiguously show cannabis was the root cause would be to undertake a wildly unethical controlled trial in which teenager randomly assigned to cannabis or non cannabis smoking groups. As such, 'naturalistic' studies such a this latest one are the best source of knowledge available.
The Science Media Centre contacted experts for comment on the new research:
Professor Max Abbott, Pro Vice-Chancellor and Dean, Faculty of Health and Environmental Sciences, Auckland University of Technology, comments:
"In my view there is compelling logic supporting decriminalisation with resulting cost savings contributing to preventative and other measures that are likely to prevent and delay cannabis use. My concern is that the study findings will be misused to support policies and law that fail to do what they are supposedly intended to and overall do more harm than good.
Prof Thomas Lumley, Professor of Statistics, University of Auckland, comments: "In a few years there will be complementary evidence from the US states that have relaxed cannabis regulations. Combining 'natural experiment' data on national standardised test results in the US with the detailed cohort data from studies like the current one should then allow a more reliable assessment of the impact of cannabis."
You can read more expert commentary and a round up of global media coverage on the Science Media centre website.
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Disasters, media and the public
The Science Media Centre is hosting a communications workshop for natural hazards researchers, scientists and engineers -- Disasters, media and the public.
Communicating vital information to the public during disasters is an essential, but sometimes daunting, responsibility for scientists and engineers.
This workshop, opened by the Prime Minister's Chief Science Adviser Sir Peter Gluckman, will cover a range of practical and research-based insights into effective science communication for different audiences, including media and members of the public.
REGISTER HERE
Date: Friday, 10 October 2014
Time: 9:00 a.m. - 5.00 p.m.
Location: Wellington - Royal Society of New Zealand
Fees: $120 (Natural Hazard Research Platform members qualify for 50% subsidy - please contact NHRP for more details)
This workshop has been organised with support from: Natural Hazards Research Platform; Joint Centre for Disaster Research (Massey/GNS); Science Media Centre; Massey University; Engaging Social Science (eSocSci); and the Royal Society of New Zealand.
You can see the full workshop programme here and download a printable flyer here.
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Quoted: Radio New Zealand
"If New Zealand is to have a world class economy, it needs world class investments to develop technologies, crops, feed and animals, that will ensure that not only our country remains globally competitive, but embraces our once and future role as a primary super-power."
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Science and the Election SMC Q&A 2014
Wondering where political parties sit on the science-related issues of the day? The Science Media Centre is onto it.
 In the lead up to the September 20 election, the SMC has been quizzing the political parties on their polices around some of the big scientific issues facing the country.
This week we launched our Election 2014 SMC Q&A, covering topics such as science funding, the environment and genetic modification.
You can see the responses from political parties on the Science Media Centre website.
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Policy news and developments
Funding boost for Abel Tasman conservation - The Government is providing $60,000 to support work in removing wilding conifer from the Abel Tasman National Park and moving the saddleback (tieke) to the Park's Adele Island.
New marine reserves on West Coast opened - Five new marine reserves were officially opened on the West Coast of the South Island to protect a range of marine ecosystems for conservation, science and recreation.
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New From the SMC
Briefings:
BRIEFING: Predator plague, beech mast and 1080: The largest 1080 predator control operation ever attempted in New Zealand will be carried out in Kahurangi National Park later this month, as part of a national effort to combat soaring rat and stoat numbers in the conservation estate.
Experts respond:
Suspected Ebola case in Australia - experts respond: A 25 year old Australian man, who has recently returned from a visit to the Ebola-affected Congo, has been admitted to a Gold Coast hospital after experiencing Ebola-like symptoms.
Ozone loss slows, new climate impacts loom - global report
experts respond: Destruction of the planet's protective ozone layer is slowing, according to the latest scientific assessment, but full impacts on global climate are still coming clear.
Sleeping pills and Alzheimer's disease - experts respond: Long term use of benzodiazepines widely prescribed for anxiety and insomnia, such as Valium and Xanax, is associated with an increased risk of developing Alzheimer's disease, suggests a new study published today in the British Medical Journal.
Teen cannabis use and poor life outcomes - experts respond: Frequent teenage cannabis use is linked with less educational achievement and other problems later in life, according to new New Zealand and Australian research.
In the news: Pot-smoking teens less likely to finish high school: Frequent teenage cannabis use is linked with less educational achievement and other problems later in life, according to New Zealand and Australian research.
Increased DOC predator control in the news: The media attention is back on pests such as rats and stoats as the Department of Conservation (DOC) gears up for one the largest predator control operations ever attempted in New Zealand.
From the SMC Network
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Sciblogs highlights
Some of the highlights from this week's Sciblogs posts:
Ice Doctor
Dismal Science
InFrequently Asked Questions
Physics Stop
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Research highlights
Some of the research papers making headlines this week.
Thinking fat is in your brain chemistry - or is it? Compared to slim people, obese individuals have more activity in the habit-forming part of the brain and less in the region controlling reward, a new study finds. The researchers suggest that these differences make obese people less rewarded by eating food and more likely to overeat in response to triggers. Molecular Psychiatry
E-cigarette components dangerous for toddlers: UK clinicians are calling for greater controls on the nicotine refill cartridges used in electronic cigarettes, saying they pose a poisoning threat to toddlers if swallowed. The warning follows their treatment of a suspected case in the UK and emerging US data on the substantial rise of unintentional nicotine poisoning from e-cigarettes among children under five years olds.
BMJ
Socialising makes baboons live longer: Female baboons who are better connected socially to both adult males and females live longer than those with weak social ties to either gender, new research has found. In humans, it's well known that the strength and quality of a person's social relationships can affect their health and lifespan, but until now little has been seen in wild animal communities.
Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Science
Benzodiazepines and Alzheimer's: Researchers have identified a link between Alzheimer's disease and long term use of benzodiazepines, such as Valium and Xanax, prescribed for anxiety and insomnia. Results show that past use of benzodiazepines for three months or more was associated with an increased risk (up to 51 per cent) of Alzheimer's disease.
BMJ
Tackling evolving global challenges: An international team of scientists, including New Zealand Chief Science Advisor Sir Peter Gluckman, look at how evolutionary biology research can help tackle the world's most complex challenges, including environmental sustainability, food security, climate change and human health. No media release available. Science |
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Upcoming sci-tech events
For these and other upcoming events, and more details about them, visit the SMC's Events Calendar.
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