Science Media Centre

Lead exposure in childhood was linked to lower cognitive function, IQ and socioeconomic status, according to data from the Dunedin Multidisciplinary Health and Development Study. A study published today in JAMA used data from the longitudinal study, which has been tracking a cohort of 1,000 participants born in Dunedin in 1972 and 1973. Of the participants […]

A new study reports that the near-ubiquitous contamination of  ‘chow’ used to feed rats in experiments maybe causing spurious results in toxicology studies. However independent experts say the results may in fact show the opposite –  that there is no cause for concern. The study, published today in PLOS ONE, examined GMO content and the […]

The kea’s habit of pecking and pulling at curious materials may be exposing the native bird to dangerous amounts of lead from building materials, reports new research. New research in the New Zealand Journal of Ecology surveyed kea from seven areas in South Island New Zealand and found that, of the 88 birds sampled, all […]

Adam Dudding writes in the Sunday Star Times about the involvement of kiwi scientist Dr David Krofcheck in the Large Hadron Collider, and his particular interest in the recent experiments with lead atoms. Krofcheck is interested not only in the science – which could lead to breakthroughs in medical imaging – but is also proud […]