2008 Archive
Looking for a news story about biotechnology in New Zealand? Browse our news archive from 2008.
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How white blood cells beat bacterial infection
31/12/2008
Scientists have recently added another crucial piece to the jigsaw puzzle of our bodies’ defence against bacterial infection.
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Moa dung shows birds evolved with plants they ate
31/12/2008
New analysis of dried moa dung has overturned ideas about what the giant birds ate. The last moa died out about 600 years ago and little was known about what they ate until their dung was analysed.
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Salmon outranks fish oil pills
31/12/2008
Eating a fillet of salmon may be just as effective as taking fish oil capsules for brain-boosting, health-promoting omega-3, and has the added advantage of selenium, an element many New Zealanders are lacking, Massey University researchers say.
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Biopolymer network wins international bioplastics award
31/12/2008
A new environmentally friendly biofoam developed by New Zealand scientists has received an international award for the Best Innovation in Bioplastics at a ceremony in Munich, Germany.
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Dung beetles could be potential biocontrol
09/12/2008
Farmers’ feedback is being sought on the possibility of importing pastoral dung beetles as a new biocontrol agent.
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Sea lettuce helps monitor marine environment
08/12/2008
Protecting marine environments from unnecessary waste runoff has been a top priority for Victoria University researcher Bruce Dudley.
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Power potential in pig poo
08/12/2008
The potential to turn pig poo into energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions will be examined over the next eight months in a new project launched by the Pork Industry, the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) and the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA).
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Tuatara study reveals need for diversity
04/12/2008
The Tuatara population on Little Barrier Island is increasing, but a new study shows it lacks genetic diversity.
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Nose cells may help heal spine
30/11/2008
Spinal cord injuries could potentially be repaired using the paralysed patient’s own nose cells, Otago University researchers say.
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New genetic technique produces flu vaccine virus
30/11/2008
A new and fast technique for creating an influenza vaccine virus has been trialled by ESR scientists. Vaccine viruses are harmless viruses used by manufacturers to make flu vaccines.
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Food forensics, CSI without the bodies
30/11/2008
When the New Zealand Food Safety Authority (NZFSA), public health organisations and commercial clients want to know what, how and when contamination has occurred in foodstuffs – they turn to ESR’s food forensics team.
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Big job ahead for a small green beetle
28/11/2008
A tiny beetle has started work munching through a weed species that costs farmers millions each year in lost production.
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ERMA Approves GE Onion Trial
27/11/2008
The Environmental Risk Management Authority (now called the Environmental Protection Authority) has approved an application from Crop & Food Research, now called Plant & Food Research, to field test genetically modified onions and other members of the allium family, such as spring onions, leeks and garlic.
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DNA register to support alpaca industry
17/11/2008
A DNA database of verified alpaca parentage may help grow the industry in New Zealand.
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Auckland participants wanted for polypill trial
14/11/2008
A new trial looking at a single pill to prevent cardiovascular disease is starting in New Zealand.
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Underwater geysers explored
14/11/2008
Two Waikato University scientists are on a US expedition to study underwater geysers – deep thermal vents in the Eastern Pacific Ocean that spurt out super-heated, mineral-rich water and all manner of marine life.
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DNA test confirms chimp parentage
06/11/2008
A DNA test of chimpanzee hair has confirmed the parentage of Wellington Zoo chimp Beni.
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Bees start work on Labour Day
06/11/2008
New Zealand’s 18 billion honey bees have officially started work producing 12,000 tonnes of honey for the coming year.
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Students create winning bioplastics designs
06/11/2008
Stylish functional products created by students from bioplastics have received accolades in the 2008 BeST Design Awards.
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Facial eczema test could save dairy industry millions
05/11/2008
A DNA test for facial eczema that could save the dairy industry millions of dollars per year is about to be launched by New Zealand’s leading DNA animal testing service, Genomnz.
