Global study explores how hot homes affect health
Hundreds of roofs across the Pacific, and other parts of the world, are being painted white, as part of a health study to determine whether this helps occupants beat the heat.
About 500 roofs across four continents have been painted with a reflective coating, as part of research into tackling the health impacts of climate change.
Since the project launched in Niue in 2023, more than 200 of the 530 households on the tiny Pacific Island have signed up to take part.
Homes across Mexico, India and Burkina Faso are also included in the study.
The University of Auckland team is carrying out the research on cool roofs in Niue, while local universities are contributing to the research in the other three nations.
Dr Noah Bunkley from the University's Te Poutoko Ora a Kiwa, Centre for Pacific and Global Health is managing the global project called REFLECT.
Cool roof application lead Hivi Puheke, Noah Bunkley, Sir Collin Tukuitinga, and Niue site lead Jama l Talagi Veidreyaki.
Photo:
Supplied by REFLECT project team
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
RNZ News
17 hours ago
- RNZ News
The 'emotional gym' : growing your child's resilience muscle
In parenting today, how to raise resilient children who don't wilt at the first hurdle they face. Parenting coach and educational psychologist Kathryn Berkett says this doesn't mean being a "hands off" parent. Rather, it's about allowing kids to feel 'tolerable' stress. Kathryn Berkett likens it to lifting a weight at the gym, so that the resilience muscle gets stronger. She has a Masters in Educational Psychology and through her practice Engage Training , she teaches others about using neuroscience in everyday life. Photo:
RNZ News
a day ago
- RNZ News
Scientists studying deep-sea ecosystem recovery from Tonga eruption
Photo: Supplied / Shane Cronin, University of Auckland A team of scientists from the University of Tasmania is doing research on the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai volcano. The 2022 eruption has been the subject of several scientific studies . The 54-day voyage brings together 40 researchers and technical staff from Australia, Tonga, Fiji, New Zealand, the UK, and the US. Voyage chief scientist Rebecca Carey said the "ground zero" underwater scene produced by the eruption offered a unique opportunity to study the recovery of deep-sea ecosystems. The researchers will map the seafloor and sub-seafloor, extract sediment cores, conduct marine life surveys and explore environmental DNA in seawater. Carey said this research will help build resilience and preparedness in the region for future volcanic events. "This volcano is just one of hundreds of shallow submarine volcanoes scattered across the southwest Pacific, whose eruption risks remain poorly understood," she said. "We are aiming to generate data products that support hazard assessments, inform risk models and guide recovery planning, by informing where vital new under-sea communications infrastructure should be installed to provide a back-up option in the event of future cable breaks." The eruption also triggered a tsunami which killed three people and left thousands homeless . This research, done in collaboration with the Tonga Geological Services and other Australian and international partners, is supported by a grant of sea time on ther vessel RV Investigator from Australia's Marine National Facility.
Otago Daily Times
a day ago
- Otago Daily Times
Opinion: New Zealand needs more doctors, but is a new medical school the solution?
New Zealand desperately needs more doctors, especially general practitioners. However, the government's own analysis shows that its flagship solution — building a brand-new medical school in Waikato — is deeply flawed. The government said a Waikato Medical School would be a cheaper, faster route to training more doctors. However, the detailed business case — which is meant to ensure government projects deliver value for money and was released nearly a week later — shows this decision was based on misleading assumptions and omissions. Firstly, the government's pitch hinges on the Waikato school being a four-year graduate-entry programme, supposedly cheaper than the current six-year degrees at Otago and Auckland universities. What they conveniently omit is that students must first complete a minimum three-year bachelors degree before even starting. The government claimed running costs will be cheaper because of a shorter degree but had never considered trialling the four-year graduate model at Otago or Auckland, where infrastructure and proven teaching expertise already exist. Why build an entirely new institution rather than simply expanding existing, successful schools? Furthermore, the government modelled its plan on an Australian programme, assuming it would increase the number of GPs working rurally here. That's a risky assumption. The business case estimated that 38% of Waikato graduates would become general practitioners, compared to 23% if intake was increased at Auckland and Otago, and 33% through a joint rural training programme. This is speculation and contradicted by Prof Warwick Bagg, Dean of the University of Auckland's medical school, who said current programmes already had around 35% of graduates working as a GP eight years after graduation. There are also questions around what impact Waikato will have on Otago's existing rural programme and what effect it will have on placements already aligned with the university. The Waikato medical school was pitched to National as a political "gift" and the government has cherry-picked facts and overlooked other options. For example, Otago and Auckland universities could expand their intakes now, producing more doctors faster in proven, established environments that require only increased funding — not costly new infrastructure. Christopher Luxon's government is out of touch, prioritising pet projects, instead of focusing on the delivering what New Zealand needs. Rather than chasing a political headline, the government could look to support and expand the medical schools we already have. Our health system and patients deserve no less.
