Science Media Centre

Researchers have analysed DNA from bones of a number of giant extinct moa and used the data to make inferences about the size of the ancient moa population in New Zealand. The research found that despite significant significant climate and environmental changes , the moa population size of the giant moa remained stable over the [...]

Researchers from the University of Waikato carbon-dating team have have identified recently discovered rock art in Australia’s Northern Territories as the being country’s oldest. Researchers from the University of Southern Queensland, during  excavation of a small part of a massive rock shelter site named Narwala Gabarnmang, uncovered a rock fragment displaying part of a charcoal [...]

Spacecraft’s progress tracked from NZ The Johannes Kepler unmanned spacecraft is scheduled to dock with the International Space Station after a successful launch from French Guiana yesterday. Progress of the automated transport vehicle which is being used to send supplies to the ISS, remove waste and to help reposition the ISS with the help of [...]

Laser technology has allowed the discovery of what are believed to be the oldest paintings of the faces of Jesus Christ’s apostles. The discovery was made on the ceiling of a burial chamber in a catacomb in Rome. An excerpt: (read in full here) “The restorers and Vatican officials believe the paintings date from the [...]

Bob Brockie writes in the Dominion Post about the recent fossil discoveries which suggest that modern humanity lived with several other forms of humanity for a number of years in our early history. Recently,  the announcement was made that a fossil in Siberia could be from a previously unknown hominid who might have been co-existing [...]

Bob Brockie of the Dominion Post discusses some of the science discoveries over the last month that, while fascinating, didn’t make the news. The include the finding that the universe is far more run-down that previously though, that crows are very good at recognising distinct people, Roman coins, the impact teachers can have on the [...]

Bob Brockie of the Dominion Post writes in his latest opinion piece about some of the science that failed to hit mainstream news in the recent past. The science includes figuring out why banana skins go dark, archaeological finds, the role of religion in conservation, and the critical thresholds of complex systems. An excerpt: (read [...]