Genetic blueprint for extraordinary wood-munching fungus from the Northern Cape
ArchivesResearchStellenbosch University Feb 19, 2019
A relatively unknown fungus, accidentally found growing on an Acacia tree in the Northern Cape, has emerged as a voracious wood-munching organism with enormous potential in industries based on renewable resources. The first time someone took note of Coniochaeta pulveracea was more than two hundred years ago, when the... Read more
Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) is a form of TB that is resistant to at least two of the most potent antibiotics used to treat TB (isoniazid and rifampicin). Compared to drug-susceptible TB, MDR-TB treatment takes longer (2 years versus 6 months), is less effective (only about 50% of patients are... Read more
Rhodes University Geography department instrumental in publishing permafrost paper
ResearchRhodes University Feb 14, 2019
Rhodes University staff and students from the department of Geography have contributed to a Nature Communicationsjournal synopsis about global permafrost temperatures. This was made possible through the National Research Foundation (NRF) funded project on Landscape Processes in Antarctic Ecosystems. “The effects of permafrost have been studied since the International Polar... Read more
Bacteria that could cause severe pneumonia (Legionnaires’ disease) may be lurking in your water heater or geyser, a new study at Stellenbosch University (SU) found. “Our research highlights the connection between heating regimes (when and for how long a heater is switched on) and the increase in Legionella, specifically... Read more
High levels of screen time, among babies, children and adolescents, are associated with potential harm. There is increasing concern about the amount of time children and adolescents are spending in recreational screen time. There’s also increasing controversy over whether or not screen time is actually harmful. Since 2016, we (researchers who’ve... Read more
Stellenbosch, UKRI help African teens achieve their full potential
ResearchStellenbosch University Jan 31, 2019
Stellenbosch University (SU) is involved in a long-term initiative championed by the UK Research and Innovation Council (UKRI) that aims to significantly improve the health and life prospects of a generation of Africa’s youth. The project is being led by Professor Lucie Cluver of Oxford University, and consists of... Read more
English-speaking, non-English-speaking Grade Rs have same short-term memory skills
Must-ReadResearchStellenbosch University Jan 30, 2019
Grade R learners whose mother tongue isn’t English perform just as well as their English-speaking peers when it comes to storing and processing small amounts of information needed for, among others, learning, problem solving and performing calculations. What does hold them back, however, is their lack of proficiency in... Read more
NWU researcher awarded for her fight towards better health for Africans
North-West UniversityResearch Jan 30, 2019
Prof Alta Schutte, a biomedical scientist and research professor at the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Hypertension in Africa Research Team (HART), has become a familiar name in the international sphere of biomedical research of high blood pressure or hypertension. She boasts various accolades and achievements, and recently added another award to... Read more
Global Challenge Research Fund partnership for Rhodes University
ResearchRhodes University Jan 29, 2019
Rhodes University is pleased to announce its role as key partner in a major global research programme to influence ocean health and integrated ocean governance for equitable and inclusive sustainability. South Africa is a country deeply connected to the ocean which surrounds it. Our oceans regulate temperatures, influence climate... Read more
Researchers from UCT are included in two of 12 international teams selected by United Kingdom Research and Innovation (UKRI) to establish large interdisciplinary research hubs based at leading UK universities that address the world’s complex development challenges. The research hubs are funded through the Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF),... Read more
A new skill set for SA to compete with the world
Careers Jul 10, 2019
UKZN’s youngest dean claims another first
Achievers Jul 8, 2019
