Young scientists vital for NZ economy
Date: 12 Sep 2011The Prime Minister's chief science advisor Sir Peter Gluckman has used a visit to the Waikato to warn that a shortage of scientists is looming as students choose "sexy" careers over science-based roles. Although New Zealand achieved its standard of living off the back of a food-based economy, Gluckman said the prominence of science in schools had faded. "There are so many young bright kids but there is quite a lot of challenge to remind people who live in city that ... more
New clinical study: Chr. Hansen probiotics strengthen the body's immune system
Date: 9 Sep 2011A new clinical study published in the acknowledged British Journal of Nutrition documents that either one of Chr. Hansen’s probiotic bacteria strains BB-12® or L. casei 431® is an effective means to support the immune system. The key findings of the study indicate that daily consumption of at least one billion colony forming units of BB-12® or L. casei 431® may strengthen the immune system’s defense against common infections such as flu and colds. The randomized, ... more
Turning dough into free seeds
Date: 8 Sep 2011Thousands of packets of free organic vegetable seed are being made available to gardens at schools, kindergartens and kohanga reo across the country by Paraparaumu’s award winning Purebread. Nothing beats the excitement of kids pulling a carrot from the soil and crunching straight into it, says Robert Glensor, and he’s putting his dough where his mouth is, providing a Kapiti-based innovative education scheme. The new Purebread Organic Education Programme is based at the ... more
Are potatoes the new super food?
Date: 2 Sep 2011Research continues to reveal the health-giving qualities of potatoes, with the latest findings showing a daily dose can help lower your blood pressure - without any weight gain. In the study, carried out by the University of Scranton in Pennsylvania, volunteers were fed six to eight potatoes (unpeeled and cooked in the microwave) twice a day. After a month, their average blood pressure readings had improved. Potatoes New Zealand Food and Education Consultant Glenda Gourley says the ... more
Eating speed linked to weight: Otago research
Date: 31 Aug 2011Middle-aged women who eat slowly are much less likely to be overweight or obese than those who eat at a faster pace, according to new University of Otago research. In the first nationwide study of its kind anywhere, Department of Human Nutrition researchers analysed the relationship between self-reported speed of eating and body mass index (BMI) in more than 1500 New Zealand women aged between 40 and 50. Women in this age bracket are known to be at high risk of weight gain. Study ... more
Minister turns first sod for new dryer at Waikato Innovation Park
Date: 16 Jul 2011Minister of Agriculture, Hon David Carter, turned the first sod this afternoon at the Waikato Innovation Park in preparation for constructing New Zealand's first and only independent product development spray dryer. Construction of the $11 million spray dryer facility will commence later this month. It will open in May 2012 and is the third building on the 17-hectare campus of the Waikato Innovation Park in Hamilton, New Zealand. At the ground breaking ceremony today, Minister ... more
Iconic wine estate to become part of The University of Auckland
Date: 16 Jul 2011The University of Auckland is positioned to become the Southern Hemisphere’s premium wine science facility thanks to the vision of pioneering Waiheke winemakers Kim and Jeanette Goldwater. The Goldwater family have partially gifted their iconic vineyard and winemaking operation to the University’s Wine Science programme. The gift will allow students and researchers to operate in a world-class commercial winemaking environment. “This is an unprecedented and ... more
NZ helps peel off potato's genome
Date: 11 Jul 2011New Zealand researchers have helped to map the potato's genetic blueprint for the first time, in a breakthrough that could revolutionise potato breeding and food security. Plant & Food Research scientists played an instrumental role in decoding the potato's DNA sequence, a key step in discovering how the crop grows and reproduces. The results of the five-year study were published in the journal Nature. By establishing the genetic makeup of the crop, the Potato Genome Sequencing ... more
Riddet Institute wins two prestigious awards at NZIFST Conference
Date: 1 Jul 2011Riddet Institute co-director Professor Harjinder Singh was last night presented with the J.C Andrews Award, the New Zealand Institute of Food, Science and Technology ‘s (NZIFST) most prestigious award. The award was presented at the NZIFST annual conference dinner in Rotorua. The award is presented annually in memory of Massey University's first Chancellor, Dr John Clark Andrews, who proposed that a food technology degree course be established at Massey University. The award ... more
AgResearch helping grow businesses through technology voucher programme
Date: 1 Jul 2011Helping agritechnology-focussed businesses to use science is the aim of AgResearch’s recent involvement with the Ministry of Science and Innovation’s (MSI) Technology Transfer Voucher programme. The issuing of vouchers, redeemable with one of 14 R&D partners in the programme, such as AgResearch, will encourage small and medium sized businesses to make effective use of external R&D expertise. There is $5 million of funding available by way of vouchers for businesses ... more
