Latest FromScience
![Scientists identify brain's region for introspection](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
Scientists identify brain's region for introspection
Researchers found people who were more introspective tended to have larger volumes of nerve tissue in an area of the prefrontal cortex.
![The science of counting whales](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
The science of counting whales
In the long winter months while we quaff red wine and lay down a bit of winter fat, Port Ross turns into a veritable whale orgy.
![The price of love: Two of your closest friends](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
The price of love: Two of your closest friends
Falling in love comes at a cost that does not include flowers or bar bills, a new study has found.
![<i>Garth George:</i> Screening on slippery slope to eugenics](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
<i>Garth George:</i> Screening on slippery slope to eugenics
Garth George writes that an expanded screening programme for Down Syndrome may go against the rights of the disabled.
![Why are eggs egg-shaped?](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
Why are eggs egg-shaped?
At first thought it might seem surprising that an egg could survive an earthquake, but eggs are surprisingly strong for their weight.
![Eye on the sky: Awarua Station](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
Eye on the sky: Awarua Station
Who knew New Zealand had a space programme? In truth, with the exception of Auckland company Rocket Lab's launch of a rocket 100km into the sky last November, we can't claim to have tried visiting the inky void.
![DNA testing to identify predators](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
DNA testing to identify predators
The killing of 14 endangered weka by a dog on Kawau Island has prompted the Department of Conservation to introduce DNA testing.
![What lies beneath the Canterbury Plains? A fault revealed](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
What lies beneath the Canterbury Plains? A fault revealed
It is very possible that faults buried beneath the ephemeral surface of the Canterbury Plains may not have been discovered yet.
![<i>Peter Wood:</i> Use quake lessons to build disaster resilience](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
<i>Peter Wood:</i> Use quake lessons to build disaster resilience
Peter Wood writes on the importance of resuming commerce after an emergency.
![Haiti: 230,000 deaths, Canterbury: 0 deaths. Why?](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
Haiti: 230,000 deaths, Canterbury: 0 deaths. Why?
With planning and a bit of luck it's possible to survive a natural disaster without major loss of life.
![When solid ground is shaken to mush](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
When solid ground is shaken to mush
Large tracts of silty, low-lying land compounded the effects of the Christchurch earthquake, as whole streets were transformed from firm land to sludge.
![<i>Chris de Freitas:</i> Best approach to quakes: lessen vulnerability](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
<i>Chris de Freitas:</i> Best approach to quakes: lessen vulnerability
Chris de Freitas says risk-management planning can help society in practical and economic ways.
![Christchurch quake: The facts](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
Christchurch quake: The facts
Read the facts about this morning's quake, Christchurch's faultlines and the many aftershocks that have rocked the city.
![Pinpointing the causes of Pakistan's devastating floods](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
Pinpointing the causes of Pakistan's devastating floods
The overall impression given by the media is that this year’s flood is unprecedented. But is it?
!['Magic' process turns kiwifruit into gold](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
'Magic' process turns kiwifruit into gold
NZ researchers have transformed one kiwifruit into 100 plastic spoons and sewage into power.
![Stone age man](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
Stone age man
Standing on snakes and having trees fall on him are all in a day's work for the archaeologist who's been called Auckland's Indiana Jones.
![Are you descended from Neanderthals?](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
Are you descended from Neanderthals?
The first draft of the Neanderthal genome suggests that humans and Neanderthals once interbred, writes Mary Gray.
![<i>Gareth Renowden</i>: IPCC verdict - done well, could do better](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
<i>Gareth Renowden</i>: IPCC verdict - done well, could do better
Now 22 years old, the IPCC is in need of structural reform to defuse ongoing attacks from its detractors.
![The diet that can protect you against heart attacks](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
The diet that can protect you against heart attacks
Scientists have identified a diet that works even better than a fruit and vegetable eating plan to cut the risk of heart attacks.