A magnitude 7.0 earthquake in Tonga overnight triggered a tsunami warning and evacuations. No damage has been reported and the tsunami warning was lifted. The earthquake was also felt on Niue. The SMC asked experts to comment. Dr Lauren Vinnell, Senior Lecturer of Emergency Management, Jo| www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz
As we head into winter illness season, the SMC asked experts for the latest on our COVID vaccines. An updated vaccine targeting new COVID variants became available in January. Dr Lisa Connor, head of the Connor laboratory and programme leader of the infection and vaccinology group at the Mal| www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz
Antarctic sea ice levels have been at record lows for the last three years, a global report shows. The World Meteorological Organisation's State of the Global Climate 2024 report also highlights three years of record glacier loss, record air and ocean temperatures, the highest atmospheric CO₂ level| www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz
About 40% of adults with chronic pain have anxiety or depression, according to new overseas research covering data from 50 countries. The research team looked at 376 studies comprising almost 350,000 people with chronic pain around the world. Those most likely to have depression and anxiety are wom| www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz
Contractors have "successfully completed their work" to remove diesel fuel and other pollutants from the HMNZS Manawanui off Sāmoa, according to the latest update from the New Zealand Defence Force. Over 320,000 litres of diesel fuel mixed with seawater have been removed and from this, just over 30| www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz
As air temperatures get hotter with climate change, urban fires will get more common, with New Zealand seeing over 40% more city fires by 2100 with unmitigated warming of over 4°C, according to new overseas research. Researchers studied fires and monthly maximum air temperatures from over 2800 citi| www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz
