On this week's Dear Science, Frances Wright was joined by AUT Professor Allan Blackman. They began by talking about the serious but hilarious Ig Nobel Prizes and then moved onto research on toilet training cows from the University of Auckland. They finished up by talking about the food scientists who have found the key to perfectly smooth chocolate. 

Yesterday, the Government announced that Auckland will remain at Alert Level 4 and the rest of the country at Alert Level 2 until at least Tuesday 21st of September at 11:59. News and Editorial Director Jemima Huston speaks to Dr Dianne Sika-Paotonu, University of Otago Wellington Immunologist, Head of Pacific Office and Senior Lecturer in Pathology and Molecular Medicine, about her position on the government’s alert level announcement. They also discuss the progress of the vaccination roll out and whether enough support has been given to Pacific and Māori communities. 

Joshua Levy is the Team Leader for the Covid-19 Vaccination Centre at Bargain Chemist in Manukau and has noticed that a number of excess vaccines have been going to waste at his vaccination centre. Joshua says that if someone doesn't show up to their vaccine appointment the dose set out for them will be disposed of because the Phizer vaccine needs to be used within six hours of being pepared.

News and Editorial Director Jemima Huston speaks to Joshua about the ways he thinks we could prevent vaccines from being thrown out. They discuss whether more people should take up walk-in appointments and how the government might set up a database to help people know where vaccines are going spare.

In another week of level four lockdown, Isla and Stella look into how intermittent isolation could be affecting young kiwis. They chat with Maria Corkin from the University of Auckland about her research on 'technoference' and its influence on child development, executive functioning in kids, and the differences in outcomes depending on input.

Joe reports on the toll digital work culture has had on teachers during the COVID-19 pandemic. More to come on this next week.

Today on the Wire, Jemima Huston talks to Dr Dianne Sika-Paotonu from the University of Otago Wellington about the government’s alert level announcement yesterday and the progress of the vaccination roll out for Pacific and Māori communities. 

Joe Wickins speaks to Douglas Ellife on his research surrounding reducing greenhouse emissions

Jemima interviews Joshua Levy, the Vaccination Team Leader at Bargain Chemist in Manukau, about excess vaccines going to waste. 

Joe reports about the toll digital work culture has had on teachers during the pandemic.

Finally, on Tomorrow’s World Isla Christensen and Stella Huggins look into how intermittent isolation could be affecting young kiwis.

Researchers at the University of Auckland have been using augmented realities to recreate the first contact between Māori and Pakeha. The project is focused on using such new technologies to support and improve intercultural relationships. 

One of the researchers, Mairi Gunn, joined Louis to talk about using augmented reality and the outcomes that they were expecting. 

According to the United Nations, millions of people in Southern Madagascar are on the verge of extreme food insecurity. This comes as changing weather patterns have left the region without rain for almost four years. 

Louis talked with the World Food Program's Shelley Thakral about the famine, the role of climate change, and what action needs to be taken. 

The Chinese government has recently made numerous policy reforms that support Xi Jinping's goal of Common Prosperity. The reforms suggest a return to socialist policies, including regulation on for-profit education, online gaming, and internet companies.

Louis spoke to Victoria University of Wellington's Jason Young about the reforms and what impacts they might have.  

The Western Australian government is re-drafting its heritage protection laws, after mining company Rio Tinto destroyed a FORTY SIX THOUSAND year old sacred site. 

However, under these new proposed laws, the Western Australia Government still retains the final decision in heritage disputes.

A group of Aboriginal Australians including Nyungar human rights lawyer and academic, Dr Hannah McGlade have made a formal request for the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination to review the draft Cultural Heritage Bill.

Jessica Hopkins spoke to McGlade, who says the proposed legislation is insufficient protection of the right to culture, which prohibits states from destroying significant Indigenous cultural heritage.

Here is that interview...