Annual Report 2005/2006 - Research Science and Technology is all around us
Our scientists are developing fruits, vegetables and milk products that have health benefits or enhanced nutritional qualities and creating novel flower varieties.
Examples: HortResearch’s crimson-fleshed apple contains anti-oxidants that play a role in disease prevention; Crop & Food research will identify the varieties of broccoli that contain more of the compounds that protect against cancer; Fonterra research has produced milk that contributes to bone health; Crop & Food researchers have developed new red and purple-flowered varieties of gentians that have an extended flowering period and last longer in the vase.
New Zealand adopts scientific ideas and technology that has been developed overseas but New Zealand research refines and develops it.
Examples: Cyberglue’s eAlerT emergency disaster notification system reports incidents via the web, e-mail, phone or PDA to help speed up the response time to emergencies; a software tool developed by Innaworks Development reduces the size of computer games so they can run on mobile phones and PDA s; Terralink International’s technology enhances satellite images so that they look as if they have been taken from an aircraft a few thousand metres above ground rather than from hundreds of kilometres up in space.
Research at Canesis has extracted keratin proteins found in woo l and modified them for use in the manufacture of beauty products, replacing the synthetic ingredients currently used.
Examples: Mike hair products.
Research into ergonomics and new materials is applied in chairs and other furniture to make chairs and workspaces more comfortable and increase their durability.
Example: Formway’s “Life” office chair.
We have technological research to thank for high-quality clothing made from New Zealand merino wool that has all the advantages of synthetics (lightweight, easy care, quick drying) with the advantages of wool (warmth, breathable, odour resistant, biodegradable).
Example: Icebreaker outdoor clothing.
New Zealand health researchers are doing ground-breaking work exploring the cellular mechanisms associated with health and disease. Others seek better understanding of, and treatments for, cardiovascular disease, asthma, diabetes and cancer. Our public health researchers are investigating the factors that affect our health, such as socio-economic status and the environment we live in.