The Latest from Audio
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九一星空无限Mon, 24 Feb 2025 19:37:55 ZenAsh Wallace and Gabe Everatt: Kiwi duo behind the band Foley ahead of their upcoming album
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/on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/ash-wallace-and-gabe-everatt-kiwi-duo-behind-the-band-foley-ahead-of-their-upcoming-album/Kiwi pop duo Foley are excited - and a little nervous - to release their upcoming second album out into the world.
The pair's forthcoming second record THAT’S LIFE, BABY! - featuring the lead single Fever - is set to drop on February 28.
Ash Wallace and Gabe Everatt explained that releasing a second album is a different experience than creating a first - as there's a different kind of pressure to factor in.
"We had a writing deadline - and we were like, okay, by this date, we'll have everything written for the album, then we'll see what tracks we've got and put it all together."
LISTEN ABOVESun, 23 Feb 2025 01:24:40 ZMiki Magasiva: Kiwi director on his first feature film Tinā
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/on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/miki-magasiva-kiwi-director-on-his-first-feature-film-tin%C4%81/Samoan-born Miki Magasiva is set to release his first feature directorial debut in the coming days.
Magasiva made a name for himself crafting short films and commericials - and his work on miniseries The Panthers won him a best director award at the 2022 New Zealand Television Awards.
His new feature film, Tinā tells the story of a Samoan teacher working at a private school while struggling with the death of her daughter.
"I love humour - and I wanted to do an emotional story when I set out to do it, so I'm just stoked."
LISTEN ABOVESun, 23 Feb 2025 00:46:33 ZWhitcoulls Recommends: Nemesis and The House of My Mother
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/on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/whitcoulls-recommends-nemesis-and-the-house-of-my-mother/Nemesis by Gregg Hurwitz. This is a story in the Orphan X sequence, which I’ve loved from the very beginning, but this one takes a darker and more personal turn for Evan Smoak, the hero. Because of the nature of his work and the man he was made to be to do that work he’s never had friends, but 15 years ago he met a man who became the nearest thing to being a friend – Tommy Stojack – a former gunrunner and Green Beret who now supplies arms and equipment to Evan – but who now betrays him, and friendship rapidly turns to enmity. This is a brilliant thriller.
The House of My Mother by Shari Franke. Shari was one of six children in a family which became known on YouTube as 8 Passengers. Her mother Ruby turned her family into performance and filmed and posted everything about their lives, portraying them as being the perfect family when behind the scenes they were anything but. Ruby was a really tough Mum off camera, but when she took up with a relationship coach their abuse of the children escalated, and Ruby and Jodi, the coach, are now serving prison time. This is their story by the eldest daughter.
LISTEN ABOVESun, 23 Feb 2025 00:33:49 ZMegan Singleton: BloggerAtLarge writer reveals how to get cheap airport lounge access
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/on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/megan-singleton-bloggeratlarge-writer-reveals-how-to-get-cheap-airport-lounge-access/Everyone loves a good airport lounge experience, but it's not always a given for every airline - even if you're a Star Alliance loyalist.
Enter Priority Pass - Megan Singleton's newest hack to experiencing airport luxury.
Megan reveals how she found out about this - and details her experiences here.
LISTEN ABOVESun, 23 Feb 2025 00:29:04 ZThe Sunday Panel: Should Destiny Church have their charity status removed?
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/on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/the-sunday-panel-should-destiny-church-have-their-charity-status-removed/This week on the Sunday Panel, host of the NZ Herald’s weekly personal finance podcast, The Prosperity Project, Nadine Higgins and partner at Freebairn and Hehir Lawyers, Liam Hehir, joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more!
The debate about charity tax exemptions was reignited following Destiny Church's antics over the weekend. Labour MP Phil Twyford has written to the charities regulator asking for Destiny Church to be struck off after their anti-LGBTQ stunts. What do we think of this?
Three Chinese Navy ships have been found off the coast of Sydney, including one of the most powerful in the navy’s fleet. Yesterday, the New Zealand Defence Force witnessed live rounds being fired from one of the warships. Is this a wake-up call?
Visitors to Albufeira may soon need to cover up when they walk around the popular coastal city under a new tourist code of conduct proposed by the city council. €1,500 could be issued if tourists are found wandering around the resort town in their swimwear. Do we need a similar rule?
LISTEN ABOVESun, 23 Feb 2025 00:20:07 ZErin O'Hara: Naturopath and wellness expert on the relationship between gut health and weight management
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/on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/erin-ohara-naturopath-and-wellness-expert-on-the-relationship-between-gut-health-and-weight-management/Gut health and weight management are closely linked - and the bacteria in your gut can affect how you digest food, store fat, and feel full.
Gut bacteria can also affect how different foods are digested and produce chemicals that help make you feel full.
Wellness expert Erin O'Hara explains how gut health and weight management feed into each other - and what to feed your gut microbiome to optimise weight loss.
LISTEN ABOVESun, 23 Feb 2025 00:05:16 ZMike van de Elzen: Peach Loaf Cake
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/on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/mike-van-de-elzen-peach-loaf-cake/Delicious Peach Loaf Cake
Cook time: 60 minutes
Prep time: 10 minutes
Serves: 6
Cup sunflower oil
2 cups plain flour, sifted
1 ½ cups light brown sugar
1 tsp vanilla paste
3 eggs, beaten
1 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp sea salt
1 cup milk
Grated zest of 1 lemon and 1 orange
1 cup frozen berries
Garnish of 4 peaches, destoned and cut into segments
Icing sugar for dusting
Preheat oven to 170*C. Lightly spray a 24cm x 13cm loaf tin.
In a medium bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar, baking powder & salt. Then in another bowl combine the oil, milk, eggs, lemon and orange zest, vanilla paste. Then pour into the flour and mix and combine.
Finally, fold through the frozen blackberries and 1/2 the peaches and pour mix into the cake tin.
Bake for approx. 1 hour or until a toothpick removes cleanly from the centre of the cake. Remove from cake tin and rest on a cake rack for 15 minutes.
To serve - place the cake onto a cake stand and garnish with the remaining peaches and dusting with icing sugar.
LISTEN ABOVE Sat, 22 Feb 2025 23:37:37 ZDr Michelle Dickinson: nanotechnologist reveals wild fish can tell humans apart by their clothing
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/on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/dr-michelle-dickinson-nanotechnologist-reveals-wild-fish-can-tell-humans-apart-by-their-clothing/Most people wouldn’t guess ‘fish’ when asked about intelligence in animals, but new research in the journal Biology Letters shows that fish might be smarter than many of us think.
Previous lab studies have shown that captive archerfish, can recognise human faces in controlled settings, however there is little evidence that wild fish can do the same.
To learn more about wild fish, researchers from the Max Planck Institute of Animal Behaviour ran experiments to test whether they could distinguish between different humans based solely on visual recognition.
They started by getting a diver to attract the attention of local fish 8 metres underwater in the Mediterranean sea. The diver wore a bright red vest and fed the fish while swimming in a straight line for 50 metres.
Every day the diver repeated this process, but started to remove some of the visual cues on their dive gear like the red vest. They also stopped feeding the fish continually during the 50m swim, instead waiting until they had swam the whole 50m with them until feeding them.
Two species of wild sea bream willingly engaged in the swimming task and after 12 days of training, around 20 fish would reliably follow the diver for 50m in order to get some food at the end.
In the next part of the experiment, two divers entered the water, with the new diver wearing a different coloured wetsuit and fins. The divers swam 50m in opposite directions and on the first day the fish were confused as to which diver to follow. At the end of the 50m swim, only the original diver fed the fish and by day two the fish ignored the new diver and followed the original diver who fed them at the end.
To see how the fish were recognising the original diver as the deliverer of food, the next part of the experiment involved both divers wearing exactly the same colour and style of dive gear. This confused the fish and they didn’t know which diver to follow which suggests that wild fish can quickly learn to use specific cues like colour to recognise individual human divers and is a finding that challenges long-held assumptions about fish cognition.
This study not only sheds light on the sophisticated cognitive abilities of fish but also prompts a re-evaluation of how we perceive and interact with marine life.
LISTEN ABOVESat, 22 Feb 2025 23:22:00 ZFull Show Podcast: 23 February 2025
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/on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/full-show-podcast-23-february-2025/On the Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin Full Show Podcast for Sunday 23rd February 2025, filmmaker Miki Magasiva talks about how the death of his brother Pua drove the emotion of his incredible debut feature film Tina.
Kiwi pop band Foley perform live in studio ahead of their album release this week.
Francesca questions China's motive for the military ships practising live firing in the Tasman sea. While Professor of International Relations Stephen Hoadley shares his thoughts on the situation and what conversations Foreign Minister Winston Peters needs to have with his Chinese counterparts when he visits next week.
Charity and tax lawyer Sue Barker hits out at the Charities Act saying it isn't fit for purpose and calls for more accountability.
And the panel discuss whether you should be fined for wearing your togs down the main street.
Get the Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin Full Show Podcast every Sunday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.
LISTEN ABOVESat, 22 Feb 2025 23:12:40 ZSteve Newall: Flicks.co.nz editor recaps Electric Avenue 2025
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/on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/steve-newall-flicksconz-editor-recaps-electric-avenue-2025/Christchurch's Electric Avenue has wrapped up - and it's sparked discussion about what it could mean for the future of the city.
More than 35,000 people attended the music festival at Hagley Park over Friday and Saturday.
Flicks.co.nz editor Steve Newall wasn't on the ground - but he was suitably impressed by the lineup.
LISTEN ABOVESat, 22 Feb 2025 23:07:07 ZSheldene Seth: Sight Unseen co-director on the new web series designed to spotlight experience of vision-impaired people
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/on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/sheldene-seth-sight-unseen-co-director-on-the-new-web-series-designed-to-spotlight-experience-of-vision-impaired-people/A new web series dropping this week is set to highlight the stories told by blind and low-vision youth - as well as the accessibility they have to our media.
Created by media access services company Able, Sight Unseen showcases audio description, which allows the visually impaired to enjoy shows with an added layer of audio telling them what is happening on the screen.
Co-director Sheldene Seth says the goal of the series is to raise awareness - and showcase the 'awesome' stories from New Zealand's blind community.
"It does do two things, which is awesome. We did feature some fantastic talent for the series that are very passionate about the things that they do and engage with every day."
LISTEN ABOVESat, 22 Feb 2025 22:36:50 ZEnda Brady: UK correspondent on the Vatican revealing Pope Francis is in 'critical condition'
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/on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/enda-brady-uk-correspondent-on-the-vatican-revealing-pope-francis-is-in-critical-condition/The Vatican says Pope Francis is in a critical condition after suffering a long asthmatic respiratory crisis.
The 88-year-old is being treated in hospital for double pneumonia and chronic bronchitis.
The Vatican has confirmed he is more unwell than he was yesterday - and has undergone a blood transfusion because of a low platelet count.
UK correspondent Enda Brady says the Vatican is still concerned about Francis' condition.
"The Vatican says the Holy Father continues to be alert and spent the day in an armchair, although in more pain than yesterday. At the moment, the prognosis is guarded."
LISTEN ABOVESat, 22 Feb 2025 22:12:08 ZSue Barker: charity lawyer on the calls for Destiny Church to lose charity status
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/on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/sue-barker-charity-lawyer-on-the-calls-for-destiny-church-to-lose-charity-status/There's been growing debate concerning the status - and tax exemptions - of charitable groups.
Followers of Destiny Church stormed an Auckland library to protest a drag storytime event and disrupted a rainbow parade last weekend, prompting calls to evaluate their status.
Many have suggested Destiny Church's charity status should be revoked, with Labour's Phil Twyford writing to the Charities Regulator to get them struck off.
Charity lawyer Sue Barker says the current Charities Act is not fit for purpose.
"The original Charities Bill that went through Parliament in 2004 was widely regarded to be fundamentally flawed - and it was almost completely rewritten at the select committee stage and rushed through under urgency without any proper consultation."
LISTEN ABOVESat, 22 Feb 2025 21:48:14 ZStephen Hoadley: former politics professor on China's military exercise in the Tasman Sea
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/on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/stephen-hoadley-former-politics-professor-on-chinas-military-exercise-in-the-tasman-sea/New Zealand and Australian defence forces are watching on cautiously, following China's military drills in the Tasman Sea.
The Chinese Task Group conducted live firing last night from three vessels in its second day of drills.
Defence Minister Judith Collins says its intentions had been broadcast via its radio channels.
Former politics professor Stephen Hoadley says Collins has been careful not to aggravate China with her choice of words.
"She's showing a good deal of constraint, because in the back of her mind - or in the front of her mind - is the fact that China is still New Zealand's number one trade partner."
LISTEN ABOVESat, 22 Feb 2025 21:19:29 ZMorgana O'Reilly: Kiwi actress on her role in the new season of The White Lotus
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/on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/morgana-oreilly-kiwi-actress-on-her-role-in-the-new-season-of-the-white-lotus/The newest season of The White Lotus is set to hit our screens this week - and homegrown actress Morgana O'Reilly is right in the middle of the action.
While everyone else looks forward to another season of drama and intrigue in an exotic locale, O'Reilly's feeling the full range of emotions as her on-screen career takes a significant step forward.
She can reveal she got to experience 'amazing' environments and hotels as part of the season's luxury Thailand location.
"We were in these beautiful hotels and locations on these beaches and things like that...it's just daunting to see the kinds of juggernauts that you're working with."
LISTEN ABOVESun, 16 Feb 2025 00:53:42 ZJake Bailey: Author and speaker talks about the power of resilience in new book The Comeback Code
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/on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/jake-bailey-author-and-speaker-talks-about-the-power-of-resilience-in-new-book-the-comeback-code/Cancer nearly took Jake Bailey's life at 18, but he used the experience to inspire other young people after he survived his brush with death.
Nine years ago, Bailey made the headlines for delivering an inspirational prizegiving speech weeks after he'd been diagnosed with rapid blood cancer Burkitt’s non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
Once in remission, he studied positive psychology to try and get the answers to eventually give the next generation the ability to overcome life's ups and downs.
This resulted in his latest book - The Comeback Code.
"I'm incredibly fortunate and privileged - in many ways, but to have had access to treatment, to have had the opportunity to be treated and cared for by an incredible medical team here in Christchurch and to be really fortunate and really privileged to have survived it and come out the other side."
LISTEN ABOVESun, 16 Feb 2025 00:26:39 ZWhitcoulls Recommends: We All Live Here and The Sequel
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/on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/whitcoulls-recommends-we-all-live-here-and-the-sequel/We All Live Here by Jojo Moyes. Lila Kennedy has a lot on her plate. A recently broken marriage, two wayward daughters, a house that is falling apart, and an elderly stepfather who seems to have quietly moved in. Not to mention a once promising writing career that is now in freefall. So when her real dad - a man she has barely seen since he ran off to Hollywood thirty-five years ago - suddenly appears on her doorstep wanting to make amends, it feels like the final straw. But it turns out even the family you thought you could never forgive might have something to teach you: about love, friendship, and what it actually means to be family. This is classic Jojo Moyes - warm, funny and highly entertaining.
The Sequel by Jean Hanff Korelitz. This very clever book is in fact a sequel, to one she wrote a few years ago called The Plot. They’re terrific literary satire. In The Plot, Jacob Finch Bonner is a failed writer, now teaching at a third rate college when he gets the chance to misappropriate the plot of a book from one of his students and becomes a huge literary sensation. Now, in the sequel to this, Jacob’s met an untimely end and his wife Anna is picking up the royalty cheques while deciding to write a book herself - because, how hard can it possibly be? And she also hits the big time until one day messages start accusing her of plagiarism and it’s clear that somebody out there knows all about her deep dark past and is out to get her. They’re great books - I loved them both.
LISTEN ABOVESun, 16 Feb 2025 00:04:59 ZMegan Singleton: BloggerAtLarge.com writer on the Vivienne Westwood exhibition taking over Wellington's Te Papa
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/on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/megan-singleton-bloggeratlargecom-writer-on-the-vivienne-westwood-exhibition-taking-over-wellingtons-te-papa/British fashion icon Vivienne Westwood may have died two years ago, but her creative legacy lives on - with nearly 50 years of history attached.
Some of that legacy arrived in New Zealand this January, with the Vivienne Westwood & Jewellery exhibition taking over Wellington's Te Papa museum.
BloggerAtLarge.com's Megan Singleton got a look at the exhibit earlier this week - and shared some of her favourite pieces from the collection.
LISTEN ABOVESat, 15 Feb 2025 23:58:12 ZThe Sunday Panel: Does the Prime Minister need to bring Seymour into line?
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/on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/the-sunday-panel-does-the-prime-minister-need-to-bring-seymour-into-line/This week on the Sunday Panel, NZ Herald senior writer Simon Wilson and 九一星空无限talk ZB Wellington Mornings host Nick Mills joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the week - and more!
It's been a busy week for David Seymour, between the Polkinghorne letter and the incident on the steps at Parliament. He's set to take over as the Deputy Prime Minister later this year - do we think he'll turn himself around? Does Chris Luxon need to bring him into line?
In the Caribbean this week, a woman lost both of her hands while trying to take a photo with a shark. What is it about the perfect photo that will make people take extreme risk? What do we make of this?
LISTEN ABOVESat, 15 Feb 2025 23:47:27 ZErin O'Hara: Naturopath and wellness expert reveals how to kick bad habits
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/on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/erin-ohara-naturopath-and-wellness-expert-reveals-how-to-kick-bad-habits/Taking on good habits is an easy way to improve your life, but kicking the not-so-good habits can be a little tougher.
Creating a healthy lifestyle requires plenty of steps - and bad habits can lead to burnout and loss of energy over time.
Naturopath and wellness expert Erin O'Hara reveals the kinds of habits that can drain you, and how you can work towards giving them up.
LISTEN ABOVESat, 15 Feb 2025 23:32:53 ZSteve Newall: Flicks.co.nz editor on the latest season of the White Lotus
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/on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/steve-newall-flicksconz-editor-on-the-latest-season-of-the-white-lotus/Streaming phenomenon The White Lotus is back for a third season - and fans are wondering what secrets will be revealed.
The new season, taking place at a sumptuous White Lotus resort in Thailand, promises plenty of drama and intrigue as more mysteries unfold.
Steve Newall from Flicks.co.nz explains what fans can expect from this latest instalment.
LISTEN ABOVESat, 15 Feb 2025 23:24:32 ZFull Show Podcast: 16 February 2025
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/on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/full-show-podcast-16-february-2025/On the Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin Full Show Podcast for Sunday 16th February 2025, Kiwi actress Morgana O'Reilly spills the goss on season 3 of The White Lotus and what it was like filming the hit show.
Jake Bailey was diagnosed with an aggressive cancer at just 18. He joins Francesca to share what he learned from his journey and how he now wants to help the next generation.
A dramatic week in health with the resignations of three health bosses, health commentator Ian Powell assesses the damage.
Francesca shares why she is trying to resuscitate her attention span.
And the panel discusses why so many people are getting injured or dying just to get a good photo.
Get the Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin Full Show Podcast every Sunday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.
LISTEN ABOVESat, 15 Feb 2025 23:12:47 ZMike van de Elzen: Barbecued lamb with avocado feta whip
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/on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/mike-van-de-elzen-barbecued-lamb-with-avocado-feta-whip/Barbecued lamb with avocado feta whip
Cook time: 12 minutes
Prep time: 15 minutes
Serves: 4
4 lamb shoulder chops (about 400-500g)
150g soft cows feta
1 small avocado
1 Tbsp sour cream
2 Tbsp sunflower oil
1 Tbsp avocado oil
3 cloves garlic, crushed
1 lemon
1 x 2 pack Baby Gems (baby cos lettuces)
½ cup fresh coriander leaves
2 single stalks spring onion, roughly chopped
10 chives, roughly chopped
handful fresh fennel fronds
½ cup mint leaves
Drizzle the lamb chops with oil and season with salt and pepper, then squeeze over the juice of the lemon and garlic cloves. Cover and allow to marinate for at least 30 minutes. Cook on a hot BBQ for 10-12 minutes, remove from heat and allow to rest.
Blitz the feta with the avocado and sour cream until smooth. Put in a small serving bowl and drizzle with avocado oil. Serve the lamb with the feta dip and salad.
For the salad
Quarter the lettuces, rinse and put in a large salad bowl with all other salad ingredients. Toss and serve.
LISTEN ABOVESat, 15 Feb 2025 23:11:18 ZDr Michelle Dickinson: nanotechnologist reveals why we crave dessert when we're full
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/on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/dr-michelle-dickinson-nanotechnologist-reveals-why-we-crave-dessert-when-were-full/Have you ever finished a huge meal but still found room for dessert? Some people might talk about having a separate stomach for desserts.
It turns out that your brain might be driving you to eat that sweet treat even though you don't 'need' it.
Recent research in the journal Science found that the same nerve cells that signal 'you’re full' also spark cravings for you wanting something sweet.
Deep within a part of your brain called the hypothalamus are special cells known as pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) neurons. They are well known for their role in telling us when we’re full - however, these neurons have been found to have a surprising double life. When sugar enters your mouth, POMC neurons release natural opioids, like ß-endorphin, which trigger a rewarding sensation making us want more of the sugar even if our stomach is already full.
The researchers found this out using experiments on mice. First, they bathed slices of mouse brain tissue in a fluorescent solution that binds to opioid receptors. They found that the highest density of these receptors was in a brain region known as the PVT, a key player in regulating feeding behaviours. This hinted at a direct link between the fullness signal and sugar cravings. They then let some lab mice eat their regular meal. After about 90 minutes, when the mice were clearly full, introduced a dessert of sugary food. Neuronal activity between the arcuate nucleus and the PVT spiked to nearly four times the level observed during the meal.
Interestingly, this surge began before the mice even started eating the dessert, suggesting that the brain anticipates the sweet treat. To confirm this pathway, the scientists used a technique called optogenetics which uses light to control cells. When they inhibited the signals from the POMC neurons to the PVT, the mice consumed 40 percent less dessert. This confirmed that these satiety neurons, far from solely curbing appetite, also drive our desire for sugar when we’re full.
The researchers hypothesise that this might be evolutionary. Sugar was once a rare and quick source of energy and our brains evolved to seize opportunities when they come around, which may have meant eating more energy rich foods when you’re already full.
While sugar is now plentiful, that ancient wiring could still make us crave a sweet finish to our meals.
Understanding that our dessert cravings have a neurological basis might help pave the way for new approaches to combat overeating and obesity. By targeting the specific brain pathways that drive sugar cravings, future treatments could help reduce excessive sugar consumption without dampening overall appetite.
Next time you’re tempted by that slice of cake after dinner, remember: it’s not just a sweet tooth, it’s your brain’s finely tuned system working as it has for millennia.
LISTEN ABOVESat, 15 Feb 2025 23:05:34 ZNigel Latta: Psychologist and tv host encourages Kiwis to give something up for gut cancer
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/on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/nigel-latta-psychologist-and-tv-host-encourages-kiwis-to-give-something-up-for-gut-cancer/Famed psychologist and TV star Nigel Latta is encouraging Kiwis to get behind supporting gut cancer research following his own diagnosis.
Latta was diagnosed with stomach cancer in May 2024, and he's chosen to share his story publicly to help others in similar circumstances.
He's encouraging Kiwis to support Gut Cancer Foundation’s annual GIVE IT UP for Gut Cancer fundraiser - where people give up something tough for the month of March.
"What the foundation is asking people to do is give up something. So that could be sugar, alcohol, coffee, socks... through the month of March to raise funds and resources."
LISTEN ABOVESat, 15 Feb 2025 22:58:52 ZJason Walls: 九一星空无限talk ZB political editor on David Seymour's memorable week
/on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/jason-walls-newstalk-zb-political-editor-on-david-seymours-memorable-week/
/on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/jason-walls-newstalk-zb-political-editor-on-david-seymours-memorable-week/It's been a big week for ACT's David Seymour - who's been in and out of the news after a series of scandals.
Last Sunday, it was revealed Seymour wrote a letter to police in support of Philip Polkinghorne during the investigation of the death of the former surgeon's wife.
Later, Seymour found himself in trouble after he drove a Land Rover up Parliament's steps - and had to stop after authorities claimed he was breaking the rules.
九一星空无限talk ZB political editor Jason Walls says this isn't a good look for Prime Minister Chris Luxon.
LISTEN ABOVESat, 15 Feb 2025 22:27:58 ZRichard Templer: Engineering NZ CEO urges the Government to release infrastructure funds amid job shortage
/on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/richard-templer-engineering-nz-ceo-urges-the-government-to-release-infrastructure-funds-amid-job-shortage/
/on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/richard-templer-engineering-nz-ceo-urges-the-government-to-release-infrastructure-funds-amid-job-shortage/There's growing concern about a potential decline in engineering roles - with renewed calls for the Government to step in and intervene.
Engineering New Zealand says work for engineers has dried up and they fear losing skilled professionals to overseas opportunities.
CEO Richard Templer says Kiwi firms have had to make engineers redundant as bigger projects have ground to a halt - and New Zealand runs a real risk of having a sector-wide brain drain.
"The Government has ear-marked a whole lot of money for infrastructure. What hasn't happened is that it hasn't hit procurement, it hasn't been contracted out, it hasn't started delivery. So we've called on the Government to, in their quarterly plan, include infrastructure delivery."
LISTEN ABOVESat, 15 Feb 2025 22:09:02 ZIan Powell: health commentator on the implications of this week's high-profile health sector resignations
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/on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/ian-powell-health-commentator-on-the-implications-of-this-weeks-high-profile-health-sector-resignations/There's concerns over the future of New Zealand's health sector, off the back of three high-profile resignations that took place this week.
Director General of Health Diana Sarfati confirmed on Friday that she was stepping down from the role - seven days after Health NZ chief executive Margie Apa resigned before the end of her term.
Earlier this week, director of public health Dr Nicholas Jones also said he would be concluding his secondment as planned in February and resuming his previous role in Hawke’s Bay.
Health commentator Ian Powell says these resignations share a point of commonality following a turbulent period for the health system.
"We have a Government that kind of side-lines complexity considerations, it goes for the simpler options. And the simpler options are usually the ones that are wrong."
LISTEN ABOVESat, 15 Feb 2025 21:42:46 ZLotta Dann: journalist and author pushes back against diet culture in new book Mrs D is Not on a Diet
/on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/lotta-dann-journalist-and-author-pushes-back-against-diet-culture-in-new-book-mrs-d-is-not-on-a-diet/
/on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/lotta-dann-journalist-and-author-pushes-back-against-diet-culture-in-new-book-mrs-d-is-not-on-a-diet/Kiwi author Lotta Dann is no stranger to sharing her struggles with the public, and she's turned her attention to diet culture in her latest release.
In 2018, Lotta shared her experience with alcohol and opened up about ditching the booze for good in her popular blog and subsequent books.
Her focus then shifted to her weight - and she's since detailed her experience with extreme dieting and obsessing over calories, as well as her subsequent recovery in her new book Mrs D is Not on a Diet.
"It was just so full-on, but it worked and I just got so skinny and the praise - it was incredible. So I kept going and then I just couldn't make it work, and I tried every trick in the book, and I couldn't make it work."
LISTEN ABOVESun, 09 Feb 2025 00:21:49 ZDavid McCloskey: former CIA agent hopes Donald Trump's planned changes won't impact its core mission
/on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/david-mccloskey-former-cia-agent-hopes-donald-trumps-planned-changes-wont-impact-its-core-mission/
/on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/david-mccloskey-former-cia-agent-hopes-donald-trumps-planned-changes-wont-impact-its-core-mission/A former CIA agent is cautiously optimistic Donald Trump's plans for the agency won't affect its core mission.
The US President has extended buyout offers to the entire agency, which would see employees take some benefits like extended pa, in exchange for agreeing to resign.
Former agent and author David McCloskey, says he's hopeful the headlines are more smoke than fire.
He says agents he worked with under the first Trump administration would say there was almost no disruption in that time.
"The CIA just kind of runs and there's bluster and politicking at that sort of 30,000 foot level - but not really when you get down to what's happening inside the CIA."
LISTEN ABOVESun, 09 Feb 2025 00:04:08 Z