This week, Google's offerings from its annual I/O developer conference; the latest fallout from the WannaCry ransomware attack; and the Federal Communication Commission (FCC) votes 2:1 to overturn some legislation protecting net neutrality.

Not every weevil's evil, but the red palm weevil is threatening global date supplies. This could mean fewer date scones, and more importantly, could contribute to greater political instability in the Middle East.

Tech addiction: clicking for kicks, training junior doctors using VR, growing saffron the world's most expensive spice, and fake drug detection.

A new book claims almost half of us have some kind of behavioural addiction involving screens or the internet, and that has worrying implications for us as social beings.

Virtual reality technology is already touted as a safe, effective way to train pilots, parole officers, surgeons, soldiers and bus drivers. A pilot study at Waitemata DHB is now using VR to train junior doctors in how to respond in emergencies.

Saffron is the most expensive spice on the planet. We find out from a Central Otago saffron farmer how to cook with it, how to store it and how to know it's genuine.

There are over 200 million cases of malaria recorded worldwide every year and it kills more than 400,000 people annually, according to the World Health Organisation.. Although it can be treated by taking medicines, in parts of Africa it's estimated that up to half of the anti-malarials on the market are counterfeits with no active ingredients. Ben Wilson of the Intellectual Ventures Laboratory and his team have taken a cheap infrared scanner and connected it to a smartphone app to tell counterfeit from genuine medicines on the spot, without having to send samples to a lab for testing.

This weekend, on a Formula One race track in Italy, three of the world's top long-distance runners attempt to run the first sub-2 hour marathon.

What did the Kaikōura earthquake mean for local sea life? For some seaweeds, it's been a genetic bonus in the future we may see more biodiversity along the coast, according to a marine scientist.

Junk Run is an Auckland rubbish collection business where the end goal is to recycle and repurpose rubbish into treasure... and it seems to be working.