Latest News & Developments
medical research
Study finds human brains growing larger, potentially lowering dementia risk
A study from the University of California reveals that larger brain sizes, observed across generations, could serve as a protective buffer against age-related brain diseases like Alzheimer's and Dementia.
Alzheimer’s can be transmitted between humans. But this is why there is no need for concern, say experts
Alzheimer’s can be spread from human to human through rare medical accidents, research suggests. However, experts stressed there was no evidence the disease can be passed between people through everyday activities.
Does NHI spell the end for medical aid and gap cover?
The implementation of NHI does not necessarily mean that medical aid and gap cover will no longer have a role to play.
Donald Gordon Foundation's R200 million donation transforms University of Cape Town's Neuroscience Institute
The landmark donation would be used toward research that spans conditions from HIV and alcohol impact before birth to trauma, infection, epilepsy, stroke, dementia, and Alzheimer's disease in old age.
WATCH: This is how police and two Cape universities are using technology to crack cold cases
Stellenbosch University and police have turned to technology to help crack cold cases and find families find closure in the Western Cape.
Durban-born scientist awarded prestigious Outstanding Female Scientist Prize in Paris
Dr Naidoo received the award for her seminal scientific contributions to the treatment of patients with tuberculosis and HIV co-infection that has shaped local and international treatment guidelines.
Cannabis sector could be catalytic for rural economies, says experts
The cannabis sector could be a catalyst in the development of rural economies and establish South Africa as a major player in the global medicinal cannabis industry if the right legislation is put in place, experts believe.
UKZN student selected to present at World Federation of Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology conference
Nelson R. Mandela School of Medicine student, Mohamed Hoosen Suleman, was counted among the Mail and Guardian’s Top 200 Young South Africans in its 17th Edition.
Tributes pour in for Professor Hoosen Jerry Coovadia
Tributes have continued to pour in for Professor Jerry Coovadia, who has been described as an icon in health and transcended boundaries.
What is the Nobel Prize?
The Nobel prizes, arguably the world's most prestigious awards, are to be announced this week, starting with the award for medicine or physiology on Monday. The prizes, with 11 million Swedish crowns (about $1 million) each, are also given for achievements in physics, literature, chemistry, and peace.
Hungarian and US scientists win medicine Nobel for Covid-19 vaccine discoveries
Katalin Kariko and Drew Weissman contributed to the unprecedented rate of vaccine development during one of the greatest threats to human health in modern times.
WATCH: Tedopi, positive results for a lung cancer vaccine
French biotechnology company OSE Immunotherapeutics on Monday presented positive results from its Tedopi therapeutic vaccine in patients with advanced lung cancer, showing a reduced risk of death compared with chemotherapy.
World Health Organization says new Covid strain, ‘Eris’ not likely to be severe
The main symptoms of this rising sub-variant are similar to previous Omicron symptoms, including sore throat, runny nose and headaches.
Bob, the famous green turtle is actually female!
According to Dr Bernice van Huyssteen, the Turtle Conservation Centre's turtle doctor, sea turtle males and females are genetically identical.
SA cockroach ‘pandemic’: know your roaches
Gauteng, Limpopo, the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal are the most affected due to the unusually lengthy humid and wet conditions experienced this summer.
UCT study finds obesity in pregnant women could increase risk of poor health for mother and baby
This is the first study to investigate the effects of maternal obesity and GDM simultaneously and to be carried out in a low-middle income country, where obesity and GDM during pregnancy have a substantial health and economic impact.
Stellenbosch University awarded R40m grant from US to develop HIV prevention strategies for rural communities in Africa
South Africa has the largest HIV epidemic worldwide, with 7. 8 million people living with HIV and one in every seven new infections occurring in this country.
New digital tools will enable UCT scientists to prepare for malaria outbreaks in southern Africa
The climate crisis is a health emergency which is threatening the lives and wellbeing of communities around the world in many ways – including the spread of infectious diseases.
Discovery Health notes a spike in ‘lifestyle conditions’ claims from Covid-19 survivors
A medical insurer has reported a spike in lifestyle conditions in those who survived Covid-19.
PhD graduate in psychiatry focuses on mental health care in children in SA and Africa
Her PhD explored a simple observational tool – the shared pleasure paradigm – for clinicians at grassroots level to screen for at-risk babies and their mothers with mental illness in SA.
UKZN ENT registrar awarded for research presentation at national congress
Dr Sarena Maistry, a medical registrar in the Department, was recently awarded first prize for the Best Registrar Oral presentation at the congress.
Stellenbosch University professor awarded prestigious Royal Society Africa Prize
Prof Novel Chegou’s immunology research focuses on the development of new tuberculosis diagnostic tests.
Japanese government awards Dr Salim Abdool Karim and his wife Dr Quarraisha Abdool Karim the Fourth Hideyo Noguchi Africa Prize for Medical Research
The Government of Japan has awarded the Fourth Hideyo Noguchi Africa Prize in the Medical Research category to South Africa’s Dr Salim S Abdool Karim and his wife Dr Quarraisha Abdool Karim.
Top tips to help you get moving in the morning
When you work out in the morning, you prioritise your health - and exercise becomes one less thing on your to-do list.
Researcher speaks on how a desire to help led to him tracking and making sense of Covid stats through graphs
Computational modelling researcher at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, Ridhwaan Suliman, made the complicated Covid numbers simple for us to understand. He shares how and why he took on this mammoth task.