Articles from ‘elocal magazine’

In a routine blood test that turned extraordinary, French scientists have identified the world’s newest and rarest blood group. The sole known carrier is a woman from Guadeloupe whose blood is so unique that doctors couldn’t find a single compatible donor. · The discovery of the 48th recognised blood group, called “Gwada-negative”, began when the woman’s blood plasma reacted against every potential donor sample tested, including those from her…

When it comes to tertiary education, are we becoming an “intellectual desert and a dumbed-down, impoverished economy?” asks academic Grant Duncan. · Short answer: “NZ is already there.” · Duncan says successive governments have gutted tertiary policy while feeding an expanding layer of non-teaching staff. · “For every 10 full-time-equivalent academic staff (who actually teach and research) there are 14 other staff,” he writes. · “Work expands…

The perfect winter warmer, this Lamb, Spinach and Filo Pie is incredibly tasty and a great twist on the classic beef mince pie. Layered lamb mince with a spinach and ricotta filling, the light filo pastry adds a lovely soft crunch. A superb dinner dish. And with the price of a lamb leg, a much cheaper version to enjoy the delicious taste of lamb. · Pies are amazing, especially when the weather is a bit cooler. And this Lamb, Spinach and Filo…

Former broadcaster Oriini Kaipara, who has built her career around cultural identity roles while drawing salaries from the state, is putting her name forward for Te Pāti Māori’s candidacy in the Tāmaki Makaurau by-election. · This follows the death of MP Takutai Tarsh Kemp. · Kaipara’s career has centred on Māori-focused media and identity-based broadcasting, with most roles tied to publicly owned or culturally affiliated outlets, including…

<figure><img src="https://static.voicemedia.global/storage/channels/08bfb160-f8a1-462b-8454-0977ca140d17/" data-image="8hxs82g9o0ij"></figure> · If you're hoping that we can avoid the attention of alien civilizations by lying low, it's a bit late now. A new study released by the Royal Astronomical Society indicates that our radar systems are already screaming our location to ET eavesdroppers. · The question that keeps cropping up in SETI…

The ACT Party pushed to remove the Treaty of Waitangi clause from the Education and Training Amendment Bill, but was blocked by coalition partners. · The clause, which requires school boards to give effect to Te Tiriti o Waitangi, will now be reviewed as part of a broader government workstream. · ACT leader David Seymour said the clause should have been dropped outright and claimed it reflects a political project to reshape New Zealand’s…

This simple cake requires little more than stirring, baking and eating! · As less air is incorporated with ‘all-in-one’ cakes – instead of spending time beating the butter and sugar together, everything is combined from the outset – some baking powder is added, even though self-raising flour is used. · Ingredients · - 150g self-raising flour - 1 tsp baking powder - 30g good-quality cocoa powder - 150g soft light-brown sugar - 2 tsp…

The world's largest-known dinosaur mating display area may have been found hiding in plain site at Colorado's Dinosaur Ridge site. · Once a tidal flat, this region would have been periodically flooded millions of years ago. · Past studies had already identified a few "lekking" spots here—areas where dinosaurs are thought to have performed elaborate courtship displays, similar to those seen in modern birds like sage grouse or manakins. ·…

The government is signalling the clock is ticking on Ngāpuhi Treaty talks, with Treaty Minister Paul Goldsmith warning negotiations “can’t be as long as forever” and should conclude by 2040. · NZ First’s Shane Jones, who is drafting a Member’s Bill to force a single Ngāpuhi settlement, said taxpayers had already spent “well beyond $20 million” and could not afford endless delays. · The bill would block smaller hapū-based deals and require one…

New Zealand’s Year 7 immunisation programme uses behavioural science tactics, common to “nudge theory”, to influence parental decisions around consent and personal medical disclosure. · The programme invites parents to make a choice about the Boostrix vaccine (a tetanus, diphtheria, and whooping cough booster). · Parents are given an initial information sheet explaining the process. They are told that students will watch a video in class about…