Afternoons for Wednesday 8 November 2023

 

1:15 Researching why Māori and Pasifika are more affected by brain tumours

Medical research normally consists of huge international projects, but Maori and Pasifika communities have been historically under represented in a lot of research.

This is particularly pronounced when we look at brain tumors, which suggests Maori are disproportionately affected, but we still don't really know why.

University of Auckland research fellow - Dr Thomas Park is trying to change that  using AI to scan a huge library of tumours collected from Maori and Pasifika patients. Dr Park speaks to Jesse.

1:25 Wild yeast supplied to brewers for a uniquely NZ beer 

Ryan Carville & his business partner Simon Cooke run Froth Tech in Lowe Hutt, the business supplies yeast to breweries across the country.

Together they've spent the last few years traipsing around out in the wops - climbing trees, collecting berries and swabbing bees, all in the hope of creating a new, distinctly Aotearoa beer flavour.

Thei adventures have paid off,  the first beer to use their unique "wild New Zealand yeast", is on sale from this Friday.

Ryan Carville speaks to Jesse.

1:35 Finding who owns the rights to music in Aotearoa

It's widely accepted that artists get paid royalties for the use of their music on various platforms.

But tracking down music rights holders to get the money to the right place can be a challenge, in New Zealand there is a particular challenge with older Māori songs.

It's an ongoing project for APRA, the Australasian Performing Rights Association, each case a mystery to solve.

APRA Head of NZ Operations Anthony Healey speaks to Jesse.

1:45 Kids in cars exposed to more air pollution than those biking, walking and bussing

Inside the nice air conditioned car on the way to school, you wouldn't think you'd be breathing in too many fumes.

But research shows it is the kids who are being driven to school that breathe in in the highest levels of noxious fumes per minute, instead of those walking or cycling next to traffic.

New Zealand academic Dr Shanon Lim worked on this research in the UK and found the results prompted families to make changes to their school commutes.

Dr Lim wants to repeat this study in Aotearoa. He speaks to Jesse.

2.12 Podcast Critic: Elliot Childs

Today Elliot talks to Jesse about Critics At Large, a new podcast from The New Yorker and Behind the Bastards, a podcast about terrible people and terrible things in history and culture.

2.20 Collectors corner: Wil Wright's poster collection

Every Wednesday on Afternoons we invite a guest for our collectors corner segment to talk about their amazing collections.

It can be anything from chocolate wrappers to knives - we love hearing about people's passions and how they've grown.

If you have a collection or know of someone who's amassed a certain type of object, specific art or themed artefacts, please get in touch in 2101 on text or email jesse@rnz.co.nz.

This week we meet Wil Wright. He collects, restores and sells film posters, with his collection of these artistic time capsules estimated to run into the tens of thousands.

2:30 Bookmarks with Mark Todd (property developer)

This week's bookmarks guest has been a housing developer in Auckland for the last 25 years, and is known for doing things differently. Like installing lifts for bikes in apartments without car parks.

Mark Todd, co-founder and Development Manager of Ockham Residential talks to Jesse about what he's reading, watching and listening to in his down time.

3:10 Using science to help people overcome a fear of public speaking

Bugs, needles or heights are nothing compared to the fear of public speaking. Small talk can be just as painful.

But you can prepare for spontaneity says Matt Abrahams, a Lecturer at Stanford University and podcast host.   

He offers the latest science and skills to help even the most anxious speaker  with job interviews, and even small talk. 

His  new book is called, Think Faster, Talk Smarter: How to Speak Successfully When You're Put on the Spot.

3:35 Stories from Our Changing World

Coming up on Our Changing World - Claire Concannon visits the University of Otago to meet a Moriori musician creating new Moriori songs, and to learn about the Moriori, music and manawa project.

3:45 The Panel with Sue Bradford and Scott Campbell