Reports of a strong magnitude 6.1 earthquake on the East Cape this afternoon were incorrect, and were the result of a magnitude-6 earthquake some distance from New Zealand.

There's a saying in autism circles that a worried mother does better research than the FBI.

Science writer Matt Ridley once described the human mating system as "monogamy plagued by adultery," which sounds a little judgmental.

Oops, I seem to have accidentally joined a cult. This is disturbing. I don't go to church.

The Saturn moons Mimas and Pandora remind us of how different they are when they appear together, as in this image taken by Nasa's Cassini spacecraft.

Kiwi scientists have proven there's a reason why some people enjoy the smell of things that others might retch at.

A New Zealand-born archaeologist involved in the discovery of a new species of people, known as "hobbits'', has died.

Researchers in Utah say they have discovered a new type of big-nosed, horned-faced dinosaur that lived about 76 million years ago.

Auckland neuro-scientists have made important discoveries in how Alzheimer's and Parkinson's may affect the brain.

We are not alone. Scientists have discovered a second blue planet in the Universe, although this one is decidedly inhospitable and unlikely to support life.

A prominent agricultural scientist says New Zealand deserves only a half-mark for its biosecurity efforts - and warns that new free-trade agreements and increased tourism could pose a threat at the border.

While sharks are usually feared more for their fangs, researchers have captured video footage of thresher sharks which use their tails as a weapon to stun or kill prey.

Act Party leader John Banks will make a rare vote against his coalition partner National this week to maintain his passionate defence of animal rights.

For one of the harshest places on the planet, Antarctica in the winter does have its delights.

Judy-Anne Osborn asks "Could a dire new infection sweep the world in a matter of weeks? Might the disease be so strange it alters the behaviour of people beyond recognition, making them predatory and fearless?"

Scientists are trying to solve the mystery cause of persistent high levels of water pollution at some of Auckland's west coast beaches.

Japanese scientists are expecting to be granted approval to grow human organs in animals and then harvest them for transplant within the next year.

The young cyclist pumps her legs upon the pedals of the ergometer, her face turning red and wet within a few short seconds.

Scientists in Australia are using 3D printing to create monstrous bugs up to 50 times their original size. But doesn't Australia have enough creepy crawlies already?

I was born in Kent, England and self-educated by reading Encyclopedia Britannica in public libraries, while living rough on the streets of London.

The US space agency NASA has come up with a startling image of an eclipse.

The closest most of us will get to Antarctica is nature documentaries like Frozen Planet - but the white continent's relevance to us and our future is far greater than we think.

University of Otago microbiologist Prof Greg Cook and the university's new infectious disease containment laboratory have found themselves in the research front line in the international war against tuberculosis.

A climate change campaigner says he is hopeful that the world can avert a catastrophic global warming scenario.