IT'S MIDDAY FRIDAY THE 2ND OF DECEMBER. THE MAN ON THE MOON TOUCHES DOWN IN CHRISTCHURCH AFTER A HEALTH SCARE IN ANTARCTICA. WHAT'S THAT ANNOYING SOUND? TURNING A NUISANCE CRAZE INTO A LEARNING TOOL FOR KIDS. AND AN UPDATE ON THE PENSIONER WHO'S PROVING AGE IS NO BARRIER TO GETTING A JOB. DUE TO THE LIVE NATURE OF MIDDAY, WE APOLOGISE FOR THE LACK OF CAPTIONS FOR SOME ITEMS. AHIAHI MARIE. GOOD AFTERNOON. ONE OF THE WORLD'S MOST FAMOUS ASTRONAUTS, BUZZ ALDRIN, IS RECOVERING IN CHRISTCHURCH HOSPITAL AFTER A MEDICAL EMERGENCY IN ANTARCTICA. THE 86-YEAR-OLD'S HOLIDAY WAS CUT SHORT WHEN HE WAS AIRLIFTED OFF THE ICE AFTER BECOMING UNWELL. HERE'S HANNAH MILLS. ALL SMILES FOR THE CAMERA AFTER A GRUELLING 24-HOUR TRIP. BUZZ ALDRIN, THE SECOND MAN TO EVER WALK ON THE MOON, STABLE IN CHRISTCHURCH HOSPITAL AFTER BEING MEDICALLY EVACUATED FROM THE ICE. THE 86-YEAR-OLD WAS VISITING THE SOUTH POLE THROUGH A LUXURY TOURIST OPERATOR WHEN HIS CONDITION DETERIORATED. THE DECISION WAS THEN MADE TO GET HIM OUT. WHAT WAS A LITTLE BIT UNUSUAL ABOUT THIS CASE WAS THAT THE UNITED STATES ANTARCTIC PROGRAMME HAD A PLANE ON THE GROUND RIGHT THERE AT THE SOUTH POLE, AND AS I UNDERSTAND, IT OFFERED TO HELP WITH THE EXTRACTION. THE SKI-EQUIPPED CARGO PLANE TRANSPORTED HIM FROM THE POLE TO MCMURDO STATION, WHERE HE BOARDED A SECOND PLANE FOR THE LONGER FLIGHT TO CHRISTCHURCH. SO, THE FLIGHT FROM MCMURDO SOUND TO CHRISTCHURCH IS AROUND ABOUT EIGHT HOURS IN THE AIRCRAFT THEY FLEW LAST NIGHT. WHILE OUR OWN ANTARCTIC PROGRAMME WASN'T INVOLVED DIRECTLY IN THE EVACUATION OF THE FAMOUS ASTRONAUT, THEY SAY THINGS COULD HAVE BEEN DIFFERENT IN WINTER. IN WINTER, IT'S A VERY DIFFERENT SCENARIO. WE HAVE TO CONSIDER THE SAFETY OF THE AIRCREWS WHO ARE FLYING DOWN THERE. HE SAYS ORGANISATIONS ARE WELL PREPARED FOR SUCH EVENTS. FROM THE ICE IT'S MODERATELY COMMON. BUT IF I JUST LOOK AT SCOTT BASE AND OUR OWN STAFF, WE DON'T REALLY HAVE THAT MANY, MAYBE ONE A YEAR. ALDRIN'S BEING TREATED FOR FLUID IN HIS LUNGS AND IS SAID TO BE RESPONDING WELL TO ANTIBIOTICS. HE'LL REMAIN IN CHRISTCHURCH HOSPITAL OVERNIGHT FOR OBSERVATION. HIS MANAGER SAYS HE'S IN GOOD SPIRITS. HANNAH MILLS, 1 NEWS. A BODY BELIEVED TO BE A MAN SWEPT AWAY IN THE MANAWATU RIVER LAST NIGHT HAS BEEN RECOVERED. POLICE DIVERS FOUND THE BODY IN THE RIVER AND WILL NOW FORMALLY IDENTIFY IT. THERE'S BEEN AN EXTENSIVE SEARCH AND RESCUE OPERATION UNDERWAY SINCE A MAN AND WOMAN WERE SWEPT INTO THE RIVER LAST NIGHT AROUND 6 O'CLOCK, WHEN THEY WERE TRYING TO RESCUE A DOG. THE WOMAN WAS PULLED TO SAFETY, AND THE DOG MADE IT SAFELY TO SHORE A SHORT TIME LATER. PLANS TO RECOVER THE BODY OF A CLIMBER WHO FELL FROM A MID-CANTERBURY MOUNTAIN HAVE BEEN PUT OFF BECAUSE OF CLOUDY WEATHER. A HELICOPTER FOUND A BODY AT MT HARPER YESTERDAY AFTERNOON AFTER A PERSON ACTIVATED A LOCATOR BEACON WHEN THEIR PARTNER DIDN'T RETURN FROM A DAY TRIP CLIMBING THE MOUNTAIN. A REVIEW'S BEEN LAUNCHED INTO HOW THE GOVERNMENT'S ROADING AGENCY MONITORS EMAILS IT SENDS TO PEOPLE. INTERNAL AFFAIRS MINISTER PETER DUNNE'S PROMPTED THE REVIEW. HE SAYS CONCERNS WERE RAISED WITH HIM OVER A ROADING PROJECT IN HIS OHARIU ELECTORATE. MR DUNNE SAYS IT APPEARS NZTA COULD POTENTIALLY SEE WHAT RECIPIENTS DO WITH THE EMAILS IT SENDS TO THEM. IT APPEARS THAT THEY ACTUALLY DON'T GET ACCESS TO THE NAMES OF THE INDIVIDUAL TO WHOM THE DOCUMENT'S BEEN FORWARDED. BUT THEY GET THE NEXT BEST THING ` THEY KNOW THAT THE DOCUMENT'S BEEN FORWARD TO X NUMBER OF PEOPLE. THEY CAN PUT THE DOTS TOGETHER AND WORK OUT WHAT'S HAPPENING. MR DUNNE'S PASSED ON HIS CONCERNS TO THE PRIVACY COMMISSIONER AND THE TRANSPORT MINISTER, AND MINISTER SIMON BRIDGES SAYS THE TRANSPORT AGENCY'S NOW CONDUCTING A REVIEW OF PRIVACY ISSUES. BUT IN A LETTER TO MR DUNNE, MR BRIDGES HAS ALSO SAID EMAIL MONITORING WAS NOT UNCOMMON AMONGST GOVERNMENT AGENCIES. CANDIDATES ARE HITTING THE STREETS ON THE FINAL DAY OF CAMPAIGNING IN THE MT ROSKILL BY-ELECTION. LABOUR'S MICHAEL WOOD AND PARMJEET PARMAR FOR NATIONAL ARE THE FRONT RUNNERS FOR THE SEAT VACATED BY PHIL GOFF WHEN HE BECAME AUCKLAND MAYOR. POLITICAL REPORTER KATIE BRADFORD IS IN THE ELECTORATE AND JOINS US NOW. RUNNERS FOR THE SEAT VACATED BY PHIL GOFF WHEN HE BECAME AUCKLAND MAYOR. POLITICAL REPORTER KATIE BRADFORD IS IN THE ELECTORATE AND JOINS US NOW. KATIE, WHO'S EXPECTED TO WIN? BOTH IN PLAYING THIS TOWN. It has been a sucessful Labour for number of views. Labour is encouraging people to get out and vote. If they lose the seat, it would be a disaster for them. They are trying to get every vote they can in that last little while. It has been a short by-election. THANKS, KATIE. KATIE BRADFORD LIVE FROM MT ROSKILL. 23 FAMILIES IN QUAKE DAMAGED GOOSE BAY WILL HAVE TO SPEND AT LEAST ANOTHER WEEK IN TEMPORARY ACCOMMODATION WITH THEIR HOMES STILL UNSAFE TO LIVE IN. 35 HOMES WERE EVACUATED A WEEK AGO BECAUSE OF FEARS DAMS CAUSED BY LANDSLIPS MIGHT GIVE WAY. 12 HAVE NOW BEEN DEEMED SAFE, BUT IT'S STILL TOO DANGEROUS FOR THE REMAINING 23. CIVIL DEFENCE WILL HAVE A NEW REPORT BY THE END OF NEXT WEEK. AND THE PRIME MINISTER'S CHIEF SCIENCE ADVISOR HAS ESTIMATED BETWEEN 5% AND 10% OF THOSE MOST AFFECTED BY THE QUAKE WILL NEED "SPECIALISED PROFESSIONAL PSYCHOLOGICAL HELP AT SOME STAGE". SIR PETER GLUCKMAN THIS MORNING PUBLISHED HIS BRIEFING PAPER ON THE PSYCHOLOGICAL CONSEQUENCES OF THE EARTHQUAKES, DETAILING THE POTENTIAL FOR THOSE AFFECTED TO DEVELOP DEPRESSION, ANXIETY AND POST TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER UNLESS THEY ARE OFFERED SUPPORT. MR GLUCKMAN ALSO SAID THAT DUE TO THE POSSIBILITY OF CONTINUED QUAKES, THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD MAKE A LONG-TERM COMMITMENT TO PSYCHOSOCIAL SUPPORT. AND THE CHARITY PRESBYTERIAN NORTHERN SUPPORT IS TO GIVE COUNSELLING SERVICE LIFELINE ENOUGH MONEY TO KEEP IT RUNNING FOR 18 MONTHS. LIFELINE HAD PREVIOUSLY WARNED IT WAS CASH STRAPPED AND FACING POSSIBLE CLOSURE. A MAGNITUDE 6.3 MAGNITUDE EARTHQUAKE HAS STRUCK SOUTHERN PERU. THE QUAKE'S EPICENTER WAS NORTHWEST OF THE TOWN OF JULIACA AND WAS RELATIVELY SHALLOW. THERE'S BEEN NO REPORTS OF DAMAGE OR INJURIES AS YET. OFFICIALS IN WISCONSIN HAVE BEGUN RECOUNTING THE VOTES FROM LAST MONTH'S U.S. PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION. THE RECOUNT OF ALL WISCONSIN'S THREE MILLION VOTES MUST BE COMPLETED BY DECEMBER 13, WHEN STATE OFFICIALS MUST CERTIFY THE RESULTS OF THE ELECTION. HILLARY CLINTON LOST TO DONALD TRUMP BY LESS THAN 1% OF THE VOTE THERE, BUT FEW EXPECT THE RECOUNT TO REVERSE THAT RESULT. A RECOUNT HAS BEEN REQUESTED IN PENNSYLVANIA AND IS SET TO BE LODGED IN MICHIGAN. THAILAND HAS A OFFICIALLY PROCLAIMED ITS NEW KING. THE CROWN PRINCE (64) HAS ACCEPTED AN INVITATION BY THE THAI GOVERNMENT TO ASSUME THE THRONE, SUCCEEDING HIS MUCH-REVERED LATE FATHER, KING BHUMIBOL. THE WORLD'S LONGEST-SERVING MONARCH DIED IN OCTOBER. THE CHAKRI DYNASTY HAS RULED THAILAND SINCE 1782. A BRITISH HOTLINE SET UP TO OFFER SUPPORT TO VICTIMS OF HISTORICAL SEXUAL ABUSE IN FOOTBALL HAS RECEIVED NEARLY 900 CALLS IN ITS FIRST WEEK. IT COMES AS YET ANOTHER PLAYER HAS COME FORWARD TO SAY HE WAS GROOMED BY HIS COACH AT NEWCASTLE UNITED. THE BBC'S DAN ROAN REPORTS. THE APPOINTMENT OF A NEW ENGLAND MANAGER USUALLY LEADS TO QUESTIONS ABOUT TEAMS AND TACTICS. BUT WITH A SPORT ENGULFED IN AN ESCALATING SEX ABUSE SCANDAL, GARETH SOUTHGATE NEW TODAY HE HAD TO FACE IT HEAD ON. I'VE PLAYED WITH ONE OF THE PLAYERS WHO'S RECENTLY COME FORWARD, AND THE REALITY OF THAT IS THEY HAVE SAID THEY HAVEN'T FELT ABLE TO SPEAK ABOUT THAT UNTIL THIS MOMENT. THE SCALE OF THIS SCANDAL IS REMARKABLE. AROUND 350 VICTIMS HAVE REPORTED CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE WITHIN UK FOOTBALL CLUBS TO THE POLICE. GREATEST MANCHESTER POLICE ALONE HAVE IDENTIFIED 10 SUSPECTS, AND THE NSPCC'S DEDICATED HELPLINE HAS CONFIRMED IT RECEIVED OVER 860 CALLS IN ITS FIRST WEEK. WE'RE FRANKLY STAGGERED AT THE NUMBER OF CALLS THAT HAVE BEEN MADE TO THIS DEDICATED NSPCC HELPLINE SINCE IT WAS SET UP A WEEK AGO. IT IS UNPRECEDENTED IN OUR EXPERIENCE OF SETTING UP A HELPLINE LIKE THIS TO GET SO MANY CALLS IN SUCH A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. TODAY, FORMER NEWCASTLE UNITED FOOTBALLER DAVID EATOCK TOLD THE BBC HE WAS ABUSED BY THE CLUB'S FORMER YOUTH COACH, GEORGE ORMOND, WHO WAS JAILED IN 2002 FOR INDECENT ASSAULT. THERE'S A LOT OF SHAME, A LOT OF GUILT ATTACHED. A LOT OF CONFUSION. UM,... AND LIKE I SAY, IT WAS JUST IMPOSSIBLE AT THAT TIME TO COME HOME. JUST IMPOSSIBLE. AND WITH MORE PLAYERS SET TO COME FORWARD, THE APPALLING SECRET THAT BRITISH FOOTBALL APPEARS TO HAVE HARBOURED FOR SO LONG IS FINALLY BEING EXPOSED. RUSSIAN PRESIDENT VLADIMIR PUTIN SAYS HE'S READY TO WORK WITH US PRESIDENT-ELECT DONALD TRUMP TO FIGHT TERRORISM. IN HIS ANNUAL STATE OF THE NATION ADDRESS, MR PUTIN SAID THE COUNTRY WASN'T SEEKING CONFLICT AND NEEDED FRIENDS. HOWEVER, HE STRESSED HE WOULDN'T ALLOW ANY HARM TO RUSSIAN INTERESTS. HE PRAISED HIS MILITARY FOR ITS FIGHTING IN SYRIA. IN A SURPRISE MOVE, FRENCH PRESIDENT FRANCOIS HOLLANDE HAS ANNOUNCED HE WILL NOT SEEK A SECOND TERM. THE SOCIALIST LEADER MADE THE ANNOUNCEMENT IN A LIVE TELEVISED ADDRESS. THE 62-YEAR-OLD, WHO HAS LOW POPULARITY RATINGS, HAS BECOME THE FIRST SITTING PRESIDENT IN MODERN FRENCH HISTORY NOT TO SEEK RE-ELECTION. CONSERVATIVE REPUBLICAN PARTY CANDIDATE FRANCOIS FILLON IS SEEN AS A FAVOURITE IN NEXT YEAR'S ELECTION. THE UNITED NATIONS IS CONSIDERING A RUSSIAN PROPOSAL FOR HUMANITARIAN CORRIDORS INTO EASTERN ALEPPO IN SYRIA TO EVACUATE HUNDREDS OF SICK AND INJURED PEOPLE. BUT BOTH SYRIA AND RUSSIA HAVE REJECTED A REQUEST FOR A PAUSE IN FIGHTING. THE CITY IS DIVIDED, WITH THOUSAND OF CIVILIANS ATTEMPTING TO FLEE RENEWED FIGHTING. THE BBC'S LYSE DOUCET REPORTS. NO ONE CAN TRULY SEE WHERE THIS BRUTAL WAR IS TAKING ALEPPO NOW. BUT ALL TOO CLEAR ARE THE SCARS IT'S LEFT BEHIND. WE DROVE INTO WEST ALEPPO TODAY. CAR HORN BEEPS ON ITS EDGES, A WRECKED LANDSCAPE. BOOM! AND IN THE REBEL-HELD EAST OF THIS CITY, A DESTRUCTIVE CONFLICT INTENSIFIES. RAPID GUNFIRE THE SYRIAN MILITARY, BACKED BY IRANIAN AND RUSSIAN ALLIES, ARE PUSHING DEEPER INTO THIS ENCLAVE. REBEL FORCES HAVE NOW REGROUPED, VOWING TO FIGHT BACK. THE WORST BATTLES OF THIS SIX-YEAR WAR ARE CREATING ITS WORST HUMANITARIAN CRISIS. TENS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE ARE FLEEING INTO WEST ALEPPO, THE AREA UNDER GOVERNMENT CONTROL, TAKING REFUGE IN SHELTERS LIKE THIS. TRANSLATOR: I WISH SYRIA WOULD RETURN TO THE WAY IT WAS FIVE YEARS AGO ` A COUNTRY OF SAFETY, OF PROSPERITY. IN GENEVA TODAY, THE UN AGAIN CALLED ON ALL SIDES TO PROTECT THE PEOPLE OF ALEPPO, ESPECIALLY THOSE STILL TRAPPED IN THE EAST, WHERE FOOD AND MEDICINE ARE RUNNING OUT. CHILDREN SING EVERY DAY, ANOTHER LIGHT GOES OUT. NOW THE LAST CLOWN OF EAST ALEPPO HAS BEEN KILLED IN AN AIRSTRIKE. ANAS AL-BASHA (24) WAS KNOWN AS THE MAN WHO MADE CHILDREN LAUGH, A RARE BIT OF JOY IN THE DARKEST OF TIMES. A NEW SCHOOLYARD CRAZE IS CAUSING A RUCKUS OVER THE DITCH. TEACHERS AND PARENTS ARE COMPLAINING THAT "BOTTLE FLIPPING" IS LOUD, ANNOYING AND ADDICTIVE. SOME AUSTRALIAN SCHOOLS HAVE BANNED IT ALTOGETHER, BUT OTHERS ARE ACTIVELY ENCOURAGING IT, USING IT TO TEACH MATHS. THE ABC'S JANE MARGETTS REPORTS. SCHOOLYARD CRAZES COME AND GO. THERE ARE THOSE THAT GO UP AND DOWN, OTHERS THAT GO ROUND AND ROUND, AND THERE ARE THOSE THAT REQUIRE NO MOVING AT ALL. THE LATEST IS BOTTLE FLIPPING. THIS IS A FLIP-OFF. SOMETIMES IT GETS VERY VERY COMPETITIVE. I REALLY LIKE SCIENCE, AND I LIKE PRETTY MUCH FUN THINGS, SO IT'S PRETTY MUCH BOTH OF THEM MIXED TOGETHER. THIS POPULAR PRINCIPAL HAS TURNED BOTTLE FLIPPING INTO A COMPETITIVE SPORT. HE SAYS IT BUILDS RESILIENCE. WE'RE LOOKING TO PROMOTE ACTIVITIES WHERE STUDENTS ARE OUTSIDE, NOT IN FRONT OF A SCREEN. THEY'RE LINING UP IN THEIR DROVES FOR THE PRINCIPAL'S CHALLENGE. THREE FLIPS IN A ROW GETS THEM A CANTEEN TREAT. AWESOME. GOOD JOB. BUT PARENTAL TOLERANCE IS LOW. MY MUM CAN GET SOMETIMES REALLY IRRITATED WHEN, LIKE, SHE'S, LIKE, RESTING COS SHE HAD A BIG DAY. AND SOME SCHOOLS HAVE BANNED IT ALTOGETHER. IT'S NOISY. IT'S DISTRACTING. IN THE END, TEACHERS AT THIS SCHOOL DECIDED TO PUT IT TO GOOD USE. BECAUSE I SAID, 'IF YOU ARE GONNA FLIP BOTTLES, LET'S MAKE IT MATHS.' THEY'RE USING BOTTLE FLIPPING TO TEACH PROBABILITY, FRACTIONS AND PERCENTAGES. THEY WERE INTO IT. SOME OF THEM ASKED IF THEY COULD STAY IN AT LUNCHTIME TO KEEP DOING IT. SO IF THIS NEW FAD IS DRIVING YOU MAD, YOU MAY LIKE TO CHANGE YOUR APPROACH. AND IF YOU CAN'T BEAT THEM, YOU MAY AS WELL JOIN THEM. ALL CHEER YES! (LAUGHS) AND YOU EDGED IT. AND IT THE EDGE IS TOO EASY, TRY A LEDGE. A DROWNING KOALA HAS BEEN PULLED TO SAFETY IN AUSTRALIA. A MAN SPOTTED THE ANIMAL STRUGGLING IN A RIVER IN VICTORIA, GENTLY GRABBING IT BY THE SCRUFF OF THE NECK BEFORE PLACING IT BACK ON LAND, WHERE IT WANDERED OFF INTO THE BUSH. STILL TO COME ON MIDDAY ` REMEMBER THE BORED PENSIONER WHO PLACED A WORK WANTED AD IN HIS LOCAL PAPER? WELL, WE HAVE AN UPDATE FOR YOU. AND A CLEVER DEVICE THAT'S GIVING HEART PATIENTS A NEW LEASE OF LIFE. A BORED BRITISH MAN (89) WHO PUT AN AD IN A PAPER SAYING HE WANTED A JOB HAS BEEN OFFERED WORK AT A BAR AND RESTAURANT. EX-SERVICEMAN JOE BARTLEY MADE HEADLINES AROUND THE WORLD WITH HIS PLEA, SAYING HE WAS DYING OF BOREDOM AFTER THE DEATH OF HIS WIFE. THE CANTINA KITCHEN OFFERED HIM A JOB, THE OWNER SAYING THEY JUST COULDN'T LET SOMEONE THAT PRO-ACTIVE GO. MR BARTLEY STARTS THIS WEEKEND, CLEARING TABLES. HE SAYS HE POURED HIMSELF A STIFF DRINK WHEN HE HEARD THE NEWS. YOU MAY REMEMBER THE STORY FROM A FEW MONTHS AGO ABOUT A SMALL SCOTTISH ISLAND WITH A BIG PROBLEM ` MUCK HAD PLENTY OF CHILDREN TO TEACH, BUT NO TEACHER. ONE WOMAN FROM THE UK LIKED THE LOOK OF ISLAND LIFE, AND NOW SHE'S THERE. THE BBC'S LORNA GORDON MET HER. SAYING GOODBYE TO THE MAINLAND, WITH ITS COMFORTS AND CONVENIENCES, FOR A NEW LIFE ACROSS THE SEA. (RINGS BELL) MUCK'S NEW TEACHER TRAVELLED 600 MILES TO TAKE UP HER POST AT THE SCHOOL. IT'S A BIG CHANGE. THE CLASS IS SMALL, JUST LIKE THE ISLAND. AND THAT WAS PART OF THE ATTRACTION. I WAS REALLY INSPIRED BY THE IDEA OF SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT, BUT HAVING AN ADVENTURE THAT THE WHOLE FAMILY COULD ENJOY AND JUST DOING SOMETHING BRAVE. YOU ENJOYING IT SO FAR? I LOVE IT. I REALLY LOVE LIVING HERE. WHAT'S IT LIKE HAVING A NEW TEACHER? KIND. IT'S A RELIEF. YEAH. SHE REALLY HELPS US DO OUR WORK, AND SHE'S VERY NICE. AND SHE'S REALLY KIND. LAURA APPLIED FOR THE POSITION AFTER SEEING OUR REPORT ON THE ISLAND'S DILEMMA. THE PARENTS' PLEA ON SOCIAL MEDIA FOR A TEACHER FOR THEIR CHILDREN SPREAD TO AMERICA, AUSTRALIA AND THE PHILIPPINES. THERE WAS PLENTY OF INTEREST IN TEACHING IN THIS REMOTE, RURAL LOCATION. WITH THE NEAREST SHOP A LONG FERRY RIDE AWAY, THE FAMILY'S KITCHEN IS FULLY STOCKED BEFORE WINTER CLOSES IN. WE BOUGHT A CHEST FREEZER BACK DOWN SOUTH AND PACKED IT FULL OF FOOD. AND LAURA'S BROUGHT PLENTY OF TEA AS WELL, SO (CHUCKLES) YEAH. HOW MUCH TEA? 26 BOXES, WAS IT? SOMETHING LIKE THAT. THE MARINERS HOPE TO STAY HERE FOR MANY YEARS TO COME. THEY ARE GRATEFUL THEY'VE HAD THE CHANCE TO SWAP THE 9 TO 5 FOR ISLAND LIFE IN THIS ISOLATED CORNER. AUSTRALIAN RESEARCHERS HAVE FOUND A NOVEL WAY OF MENDING A DAMAGED HEART. THEY'VE DEVELOPED A PATCH THAT CAN HELP RESTORE THE HEART'S RHYTHM AFTER A SERIOUS ATTACK. CHANNEL NINE'S GABRIELLA ROGERS HAS MORE. THIS PINK PATCH COULD MAKE A REAL DIFFERENCE TO THE LIVES OF PEOPLE WHO'VE HAD A HEART ATTACK. REALLY LUCKY THAT IT WAS A MILD HEART ATTACK. AND FROM WHAT THEY'VE SAID, I HAVEN'T HAD ANY DAMAGE TO MY HEART. BUT DAMAGE CAN OCCUR THE LONGER THE BLOCKAGE IS LEFT UNTREATED. SOME OF THE CELLS WILL DIE, WILL SCAR UP, AND THE HEART, THAT PUMPING CHAMBER NO LONGER WORKS IN UNIFORM. THIS PATCH IS DESIGNED TO PREVENT THE POTENTIALLY FATAL CHANGES TO THE HEART'S RHYTHM CAUSED BY SCARRING. THE BLACK DOT CONTAINS THE CONDUCTIVE MATERIAL, BUT ITS BASE IS COMPLETELY ORGANIC. THE MAIN PART OF IT IS CRAB SHELL ` YOU KNOW, THE SEAFOOD THAT WE EAT. THE PATCH IS PLACED OVER PART OF THE DAMAGED HEART AND HEALTHY TISSUE TO SYNCHRONISE THE ELECTRICAL SIGNALS AND PREVENT FUTURE PROBLEMS. IN THE FUTURE, STEM CELLS COULD BE ADDED TO HELP REGENERATE THE HEART. THE PINK DYE ALLOWS THE PATCH TO STICK TO THE HEART USING A GREEN LASER, A TECHNIQUE THAT HAS BEEN PIONEERED BY ANOTHER SYDNEY RESEARCHER. THE TECHNOLOGY WAS TESTED ON RATS BY THE TEAM'S UK COUNTERPARTS. THEY FOUND THE PATCH IMPROVED THE TRANSMISSION OF ELECTRICAL IMPULSES ACROSS THE DAMAGED HEART. WE ARE VERY EXCITED. IT'S A SIGNIFICANT ADVANCE. MEANWHILE, MARK WILL UNDERGO BYPASS SURGERY TO FIX HIS DAMAGED ARTERIES. THE FACT THAT I'M GOING TO SURVIVE THIS AND CAN BE REHABILITATED IS BECAUSE OF THE TECHNOLOGY THAT'S AVAILABLE AT THE MOMENT. IN SPORT, TIGER WOODS' RETURN TO COMPETITIVE GOLF AFTER 15 MONTHS OFF HAS BEEN MIXED, TO SAY THE LEAST. THE FORMER WORLD NUMBER ONE STARTED HIS ROUND IN THE BAHAMAS IN IMPRESSIVE FASHION, MAKING FOUR BIRDIES IN HIS FIRST EIGHT HOLES, TOPPED OFF BY A BRILLIANT TEE SHOT AT THE PAR 3 EIGHTH. BUT AFTER MOVING INTO A SHARE OF THE LEAD AT THE HERO WORLD CHALLENGE, THINGS TOOK A TURN FOR THE WORSE. HE'S NOT GONNA LIKE THIS. HE'S INTO THE LONG STUFF. IT'S ALMOST LIKE HE'S TESTING HIMSELF, HITTING DRIVER HERE. HE DOESN'T HAVE TO HIT THAT. THIS IS IN THE WATER. IT'S IN THE WATER. HE FINISHED WITH TWO DOUBLE BOGEYS IN HIS FINAL THREE HOLES FOR A ONE-OVER-PAR 73. HE'S SITTING SECOND TO LAST IN THE 18 PLAYER FIELD. THE NZ WOMEN'S SEVENS TEAM HAS MADE A GREAT START TO THE NEW INTERNATIONAL SEASON. THE BLACK FERNS HAVE WON THEIR FIRST THREE POOL MATCHES AT THE OPENING LEG IN DUBAI, WITH MICHAELA BLYDE GETTING A HAT-TRICK IN THE 31-NIL ROMP AGAINST FRANCE. A GREAT CHANCE FOR BLYDE, MICHAELA BLYDE. THEY GAVE HER A SMIDGEN OF ROOM, AND SHE MADE FRANCE PAY. PUMPED, TO BE HONEST. ALL THE GIRLS ARE REALLY EXCITED FOR TOMORROW. WE'VE HAD AN AWESOME DAY, WE'VE PLAYED AWESOME, AND WE'VE MADE SURE THAT WE'VE STUCK TO OUR GAME PLAN FOR EVERY GAME, AND IT WORKED, WHICH IS A GOOD THING, SO WE'RE REALLY EXCITED FOR TOMORROW. BUT THE OLYMPIC SILVER MEDALLISTS ENDED THE FIRST DAY WITH THREE PLAYERS ON THE INJURED LIST, BUT NOT PLAYMAKER KELLY BRAZIER, WHO WAS CLOBBERED DURING THE 19-10 WIN OVER FIJI. STILL TO COME ON MIDDAY` I'LL BE BACK WITH THE AFTERNOON WEATHER. PLUS, LIGHTS, SANTA, ACTION! WE'RE THERE AS THE FESTIVE SEASON IS OFFICIALLY TURNED ON. NOW TO THE WEATHER. FOR WEATHER, SEE TVNZ.CO.NZ FINALLY, ONE OF THE HIGH 'LIGHTS', IF YOU'LL EXCUSE THE PUN, OF THE CHRISTMAS SEASON IS UP AND RUNNING. VIRTUALLY EVERY HOUSEHOLD IN AUCKLAND'S FRANKLIN RD GETS INTO THE FESTIVE SPIRIT BY ADORNING THEIR HOMES IN ELABORATE LIGHT DISPLAYS. THOUSANDS OF VISITORS ARE EXPECTED TO VISIT THE ROAD DURING DECEMBER, BRINGING TRAFFIC TO A STANDSTILL ON THE PONSONBY ROAD. THANKS FOR JOINING US. THE 1 NEWS HOUR WILL BE HERE AT 6. WHEREVER YOU'RE WATCHING, THANKS FOR YOUR COMPANY AND HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND. GOOD AFTERNOON. CAPTIONS BY FAITH HAMBLYN AND JAKE EBDALE. CAPTIONS WERE MADE POSSIBLE WITH FUNDING FROM NZ ON AIR.