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Science Media Centre Update Issue 145
Issue 145 August 12 - 18
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What the
frac(k) is the problem?
Hydraulic fracturing - a
technology commonly known as "fraccing" or "fracking" -
widely used in the oil and gas industry overseas has
recently triggered some controversy in New
Zealand, with critics raising questions over potential
environmental impacts.
Though the
technology has not long been used in New Zealand, it is
expected to be a key part of some future coal seam gas
extraction projects, as well as conventional oil and gas
extraction.
The technology is already being widely
used across the Tasman - where a similar environmental
debate has been gathering momentum. The SMC went to Australian scientists to get
their views on fracking.
Dr Gavin Mudd,
Lecturer in Environmental Engineering, Monash University
said fracking had been around for decades in oil and gas
industry, but only in the past two decades has it been
applied to coal seam gas projects on an increasing scale.
"The process does deserve significant environmental attention due to the potential severity of long-term groundwater impacts. Comparing the impacts entirely depends on what you compare it to - such as normal coal mining and energy production, conventional gas, baseload solar thermal or hydro-electricity," he said.
Local scientists have been cautious in commenting on fracking - its methods and environmental impacts, because those who are knowledgeable on it have close links to the energy industry. The industry itself has been vocal in downplaying concerns over fracking, calling for arguments based on "real evidence".
Fracking is also generating headlines in the US, where a report just released by the Department of Energy claims the environmental impacts of fracking have exaggerated.
How fracking works...source: ProPublica
Commissioner calls for smarter
meters
New Zealand needs to up its game in
developing smart meters for use in the electricity industry,
according to the Parliamentary Commissioner for the
Environment, Dr Jan Wright.
She told the Commerce Select Committee this week that standardization among smart meters was necessary to ensure the industry could in future better manage electricity usage across the country, and prepare for rolling out new technologies such as electric cars.
"My main message is that smart meters don't need to be identical in every respect, but that standardisation of key features is urgently required if we are to achieve a smart grid," Dr Wright told the committee.
The Commissioner was updating the committee on a previous report on smart meters issued in 2009. Her update is summarized here and a copy of her presentation to the committee can be found here.
On the science
radar
Artificial life, heat seeking bats, micro robots, biological power lines, toxic personalities and the end of drink-spiking?
Food insecurity concerns grow
The
price of milk in New Zealand will be the subject of a
Parliamentary Commerce select committee enquiry. The decision comes as debate rages over the
rising price of staple food items.
Statistics New Zealand revealed last month that food
priced had increased seven per cent in the last year, with a
portion of the increase down to the Government's move last October to increase GST from
12.5 to 15 per cent.
The rising costs
of basic food staples has been flagged as an arrea of
concern by researchers looking at the impact of food
insecurity on public health.
Dr Cliona Ni Mhurchu, programme leader in nutrition
and physical activity at the Clinical Trials Research Unit
of the University of Auckland, said most recent national
data (from 2002) showed that food insecurity was an issue
for 20-22% of New Zealand households with children, with
higher rates among Pacific peoples and Maori.
"While much focus is directed towards tackling problems of obesity and other diet-related non-communicable diseases, there remains a substantial number of people in New Zealand who do not have sufficient nutritious food to eat, and are classified as food insecure."
Her colleague at the University of Auckland, Dr Nikki Turner said inadequate incomes among many families remained the central issue.
"Nutrition has profound effect on the physical, mental and developmental outcome of the child," said Dr Turner, senior lecturer in the Division of General Practice and Primary Health Care at the University of Auckland and health spokesperson for the Child Poverty Action Group.
"A poor diet affects a child's immune system, making them more prone to infections and, paradoxically, obesity, and developmentally makes it harder to concentrate, focus and learn."
The SMC rounded-up comment from a
number of researchers on food insecurity - you can read it here.
Ken Ring
lunacy gets spooned
The media coverage of 'moon
man' Ken Ring's theories has been given the dubious honour
of the Bent Spoon, the NZ Skeptics Society's award for poor
journalism.
The society awarded the Spoon for
"journalistic gullibility" to all news media and
commentators who who took Mr Ring's earthquake prediction
claims at face value.
Ken Rings
theories that earthquakes could be predicted by lunar
patterns, while completely unscientific, attracted much
media attention.
Skeptics NZ media
commentator Vicki Hyde said,
"We believe that it is the business of the professional media to ask pertinent questions on behalf of the public when presenting material as factual,"
"Many, many media outlets and journalists failed the basic standards of their profession...they did us all a disservice."
Regarding the moon man media circus, several news personalities were singled out by the society including: Mark Sainsbury (Close Up), John Campbell (Campbell Live), Marcus Lush (Radio Live), Chloe Johnson (Herald on Sunday) and Brian Edwards (Media Blog).
The Skeptics also commended several journalists for critical thinking with their Bravo awards. Bravos went to Janna Sherman (Greymouth Star) for critical coverage of Ken Ring and to Philip Matthews (Marlborough Express) for being direct about the science on 1080 poison.
You can read the full awards media release here (includes links to coverage).
Quoted: Waikato Times
" Scientists and engineers are the people who push back the frontiers of understanding and then translate the new knowledge and technologies for everyday use. "
Prof Jacqueline Rowarth, Massey
University
New from the SMC
In the News:
Report highlights Hauraki pollution: The
Hauraki Gulf is suffering from extensive environmental degradation due to a
variety of factors, according to a report released this
week.
Long working hours linked to drinking problems:
People who work long hours are more likely to have
drinking problems involving alcohol abuse and alcohol
dependence, according a to a new study.
Reflections on science:
Scientist, politician, patriot: Writing for the New York Times, Cornelia Dean looks at a new US initiative aiming to get scientists out of the lab and into politics.
Experts
Respond:
Food insecurity: In light
of record inflation, growing unease about the price of milk
and rising food costs globally, nutrition experts examine the impact of food insecurity on
the most vulnerable members of society,
Riot psychology: Following this week's riots in UK, experts explain the psychological and sociological background to riots - and how authorities can effectively respond.
Sciblogs highlights
Some of the highlights from this week's posts include:
Anthropogenic CO2 Far Exceeds
Volcanic - Bryan Walker puts a recurring climate
change argument to rest for once and for all (til next
time).
Hot topic
When abstract or conclusions aren't accurate
or enough - Perhaps summaries are sometimes too
simplified to truly grasp core of a research paper, suggests
Grant Jacobs.
Code for life
What foresight animal are you? -
Foresight specalist and latest addition to SciBlogs, Robert
Hickson, asks, 'are you a hedgehog, fox or fly?'
Ariadne
As we build our world we build our
minds - Guest blogger Matt Boyd from Victoria
University describes how our biology collides with our
surroundings to make us who we are.
Guest Work
Sunday Spinelessness - A visit from a queen
- A royal visit gets David Winter musing about
bumble bees and their winter habits.
The Atavism
Research highlights
Please note: hyperlinks point, where possible, to the relevant abstract or paper.
MS genetics study
offers new leads: A large, international study has
identified many new genetic variations linked to multiple
sclerosis (MS). The study, which included New Zealand
researchers and patients, provides new clues to the
mechanisms underlying this complex neurodegenerative
disorder. Several known genetic factors were confirmed but
new leads were also identified, suggesting novel targets for
therapy.
Nature
Electronic
skin: An ultra-thin electronic which device attaches to
the skin can be used to measure heart rate and other vital
signs without the bulky electrodes used in current hospital
monitoring. Thinner than a human hair, the device sticks to
the skin relably and contains all the apparatus required to
record and transmit data. The device could also potentially
be used as an electronic bandage to speed up wound healing,
burns and other skin conditions, and it could even provide
touch sense to prosthetic devices such as artificial legs or
arms.
Science
Longer working hours
linked to alcohol problems: New research has found that
working at least 50 hours a week increases the risk of
alcohol problems by up to three times.
The New Zealand
research used data from the Christchurch Health and
Development Study. Data from more than 1000 participants at
ages 25 and 30 showed a significant association between
longer working hours and alcohol-related problems.
Addiction
Decreased
antibiotic resistance in organic poultry farms: A new
study provides data demonstrating that poultry farms that
have transitioned from conventional to organic practices and
ceased using antibiotics have significantly lower levels of
drug-resistant enterococci bacteria. The study is the first
to demonstrate lower levels of drug-resistant bacteria on
newly organic farms and suggests that removing antibiotic
use from poultry farms can result in immediate and
significant reductions in antibiotic resistance for some
bacteria.
Environmental Health
Perspectives
Picking winning eggs: Changes
in the cytoplasm of fertilised mouse eggs can predict
whether the fertilized egg will develop successfully,
according to a new study. researchers noted that eggs with
faster cellular movements and those with a longer interval
between movements developed most successfully.The authors
suggest that it may be possible to measure these changes in
human eggs and predict the success of
fertilisation.
Nature
Communications
Policy updates
Some of the highlights of this week's policy news:
Kronic Ban - Associate Health Minister
Peter Dunne today announced that he has issued the
first temporary class drug notice under the Misuse of Drugs
Act that was amended last week, and that all Kronic and
other synthetic cannabis products will be off the market by
next Wednesday.
Poplar and
Willow fund - Regional councils, government and Massey
have teamed up to create The New Zealand Poplar & Willow Research
Trust, a charitable trust funding research and
development in the maintenance and enhancement of poplar and
willow trees for soil conservation, river control and
sustainable land management.
Chch Rebuild announced - The Christchurch
City Council has released its draft recovery plan for
the Christchurch central business district. The plan will be
available on line from Tuesday 16th August.
Quake report- A technical report on the
Canterbury quakes has been published, providing a background on
building systems for the Royal Commission of Inquiry into
Building Failure Caused by the Canterbury and Christchurch
Earthquakes.
Mapping research funded - A
total of $4 million has been allocated to the four-year Land
Cover Research Programme. The research programme aims to
provide vital information about our rural and urban
environment for the natural resources sector.
Upcoming sci-tech events
The Mysterious Maya - 2011 RSNZ Aronui Lecture tour - Public lecture by Prof Norman Hammond - 16 August, Napier; 18 August, Wellington; 19 August Friday.
Predicting daily fishing success -The assessment of lunar and indigenous fishing calendars - Auckland statistics lecture - 16 August, Auckland.
Collision course! Whales and Shipping - presentation by Dr David Wiley - 17 August, Wellington.
The fetus and newborn: Critical gourmands - lecture by Sir Peter Gluckman - 18 August, Auckalnd.
Inspirational New Zealander and medical device inventor - Public Lecture by Sir Ray Avery - 18 August, Wellington.
For these and more upcoming
events, and more details about them, visit the SMC's Events Calendar.
Science Media Centre NZ
Our aim is to promote accurate, evidence-based reporting on science and technology by helping the media work more closely with the scientific community.
The Science Media Centre is New Zealand's only trusted, independent source of information for the media on all issues related to science. Thousands of news stories providing context from and quoting New Zealand researchers have been published as a direct result of our work.
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