Our Changing World for Thursday 17 May 2007

On This Programme

Health:

Researchers have created a three-dimensional model of melanoma's spread through the lymph system, and are finding that it challenges traditional medical theory. Louise Wallace interviews Hayley Reynolds and Rod Dunbar of the Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery.

Science:

Poking under leaves and digging among the roots, the annual Fungal Foray comes to the Wairarapa this year. Dacia Herbulock heads into the bush in search of mushrooms and other fungal delights with some of New Zealand's most seasoned mycological experts. Along the way, we hear about new discoveries, and learn why so many amateurs have devoted decades of their lives getting to know the fungi.

For more information on New Zealand fungi:
Landcare Research: Fungal Guide

Landcare Research: NZFungi database

http://hiddenforest.co.nz/fungi

Environment:

Dean Williams speaks to Helene Choquette, the co-director of the environmental documentary film, "Refugees of the Blue Planet", screening in the Human Rights Film Festival in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch.

Coming Up In Our Next Programme

The Catalogue of Life is an ongoing project that aims to create an online database of every living species on Earth, from lichens and conifers, to whales, jellyfish and even viruses. So far they have over 1 million taxonomic descriptions available online.

Our health segment looks at Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. Louise Wallace speaks to the author of a new book that details the experiences of eight women whose children have been affected by the disorder.

We visit a newly designed "green roof", which uses native plants and volcanic rock to create a living layer atop urban buildings.

Plus...the significance of the International Polar Year for Southern Ocean marine research.

Radio New Zealand is not responsible for the content of external links.