Recycling: The popular brands that aren't as recyclable as you'd think

So many things are made from plastic these days, and while plastics are cheap and can make life convenient, they have been getting some pretty bad publicity recently as we come to terms not only with how they are made, but what happens to them afterwards. Luckily we are living in a world where rec…

Genetic modification: Does New Zealand need to rethink its stance?

Genetic modification is a scientific term that can conjure up fear as scientists are let loose tampering with nature.   But putting genetic engineering is actively being used all over the world today, most commonly in crops to help them to become more resilient to a changing climate, but also in c…

Vaping: Is it really any healthier than smoking?

Over the last decade, we’ve seen a number of policies put in place in New Zealand that have made smoking a very expensive habit, while more and more evidence-based data has confirmed the health risks of the practice. However, as smoking has declined, e-cigarettes or vaping has drastically risen in…

Conversion practices: Exploring the science of sexuality

After a long-fought battle from LGBT+ campaigners, this week New Zealand criminalised practices such as conversion therapy that aim to try and alter or suppress someone's sexuality or gender identity. But was there ever any scientific basis for these practices in the first place? What exactly is …

Covid-19: What do we know about the Omicron variant?

After months of lockdown and two years of closed borders, New Zealand is preparing to open up and live with Covid-19 - but, just as the Government announced plans for the future, a new variant called Omicron has emerged, and appears to be the most infectious yet. What does this variant mean for the…

COP26: What can the average person do to combat climate change?

The COP26 Climate Change summit is happening in Glasgow to discuss ways to combat climate change - but it doesn't have to be left to politicians to make a change. In this episode of Science Digest, Dr Michelle Dickinson is joined by the University of Auckland's Dr Daniel Hikuroa, Ethique founder Br…

The Covid-19 vaccine: Addressing concerns and debunking the myths

In this episode of Science Digest, Dr Michelle Dickinson is joined by Auckland University vaccinologist Dr Helen Petousis-Harris and Auckland Councillor Efeso Collins to debunk some of the myths people have about the Covid-19 vaccine, and what officials and science can do to communicate the safety …

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