Science Festival

Professor Jean Fleming has become the second person to be awarded a life membership of the New Zealand International Science Festival.

The top two mental inches between winning and losing will be studied at the 2012 New Zealand International Science Festival.

A tip for those parents who want their children to become leading plastic surgeons - go and buy some modelling clay.

Appearances by United States science rap singer Tom McFadden and an unusual "dining in the dark" experience will feature in Dunedin's latest New Zealand International Science Festival.

The formula for the New Zealand International Science Festival was just right, says festival director Sue Clarke.

Wind power will become the "new oil" in New Zealand, with smaller and smarter wind turbines countering threats posed by soaring oil prices, wind power specialist Geoff Henderson predicts.

More than one-third of all homes in New Zealand have mould and damp issues, with homes in the South Island in particular not being heated properly, a University of Otago professor says.

Make time to sleep.

Armed with Jaffas to roll down the hill, top science students from New Zealand and Australia took time out from the International Science Festival to climb Dunedin's steepest street yesterday.

The Australian and New Zealand governments are the "ambulance at the bottom of the cliff" when it comes to children's and youth issues, such as obesity and mental health, a leading Australian researcher says.

New Zealand must foster the next generation of young scientists and ensure they are supported by sound career structures, award-winning Wellington novelist and science writer Bernard Beckett says.

Misinterpreted brain research is being used to justify damaging gender stereotypes, academic psychologist Dr Cordelia Fine warns.

Early intervention is crucial to safeguard children and to protect society from criminal psychopaths who have been damaged by a dysfunctional upbringing, clinical psychologist and author Nigel Latta said yesterday.