Science Media Centre

Prof Christine Winterbourn from the University of Otago, Christchurch, winner of the 2011 Rutherford Medal, was interviewed by Kim Hill (of Radio NZ’s Saturday Morning show). You can listen to the interview below and hear about Prof Winterbourn’s research and her reflections on winning the award.

Science funders need to keep on supporting “blue skies” research — fundamental work that may have no apparent immediate application to industry — says the first woman scientist to take home New Zealand’s most prestigious science medal, biochemist Professor  Christine Winterbourn. The Rutherford Medal — with a $100,000 cheque — was presented to Prof Winterbourn, [...]

Scientists battle bacterial disease A week on from the discovery of the PSA bacterial disease in an orchard in the Bay of Plenty, scientists are completing tests that will determine what strain of the disease is present. The results will yield important information that will help determine the best way to limit and eradicate the [...]

Briefing: dietary supplements Dietary supplements such as multivitamin tablets and energy drinks are an increasingly common part of our lives, but should they be? Concerns have been sparked recently by the availability of ultra-high caffeine energy drinks, the proliferation of people taking (often large) doses of vitamins/minerals every day, and an industry which appears to [...]

Eloise Gibson of the New Zealand Herald and Kiran Chug of the Dominion Post report on the top science award given to NZ scientist Professor Peter Hunter at the Royal Society’s annual Science Honours Dinner. The Rutherford Medal, which comes with $100,000 in prize money,is the country’s top science award, and was given to Professor [...]