Nine To Noon

Science commentator Siouxsie Wiles joins Kathryn to talk about the latest Covid studies, including the 80 per cent rollout of the Pfizer vaccine to Israeli adults and the safety of the vaccine for cancer patients. She'll also look at new research into the make up of a snail's trail and the new study that calculates how long it would take to escape Auckland in a volcanic eruption. Associate Professor Dr Siouxsie Wiles is the head of Bioluminescent Superbugs Lab at the University of Auckland.

Auckland based 3D printing company Zenith Tecnica has printed hundreds of parts for five mega satellites - each as big as a double decker bus. Their material of choice is titanium. Two hundred and sixty of their components are now tracing a path in orbit for US space company Maxar Technologies. Almost three hundred more are in production, readying for eight other satellites. The NZ-made titanium parts are special because they're super strong and light. They have a longer than average space life and one part does the job of many. Zenith Tecnica has also printed titanium parts for Americas Cup yachts, hip replacements and prosthetics for paralympians. Technical director of Zenith Tecnica Peter Sefont speaks with Kathryn Ryan.

Kathryn reads listener feedback on the issue of housing unaffordability for older New Zealanders.

Dean Bedford reviews Beautiful Things by Hunter Biden, published by Simon and Schuster

The need to belong is hardwired into each of us and successful team leaders need to foster that, says UK-based performance coach Owen Eastwood (Ngāi Tahu).

Australia correspondent Chris Niesche joins Kathryn for an update on the Covid outbreak in Victoria, as New South Wales posts sites of concern following a visit from a Covid-positive person. Former attorney general Christian Porter has dropped his defamation case against the ABC over a story alleging he'd been accused of rape in the 1980s. And as New South Wales struggles to control its mouse plague, there are concerns about what a pesticide could be doing to native species in the state.

Ashburton's damaged bridge is due to close again for further stress testing by engineers. The crucial bridge carrying State Highway 1 through the mid-Canterbury town reopened late last night to light vehicles. RNZ reporter Katie Todd is on the north side of the bridg

The donated brains of former athletes are being studied to understand more about how repeated sports related head injuries cause brain degeneration.Repetitive mild traumatic sporting brain injuries can lead to a progressive neurodegenerative disorder called chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). Funded by the Health Research Council, Helen Murray from the University of Auckland centre for brain research is looking at structural changes in the brain tissue from deceased Australian athletes to learn more about the neuropathology of such injuries. Dr Murray is the captain of the New Zealand women's national ice hockey team, the Ice Ferns, and she has witnessed team-mates suffer appalling head trauma.

In 20 years less than half of people turning 65 are going to be in homeownership, according to a New Zealand research centre.

Andrew looks at some of the winners from the Voyager media awards and social media policy for journalists. Andrew Holden is a journalist for more than 30 years including five as Editor of The Press (in Christchurch) and four as Editor-in-Chief of The Age in Melbourne.