Horn of Africa droughts: how a network of groundwater bores could help – study: The Horn of Africa recently suffered its worst drought in almost half a century, and its sixth failed rainfall season in a row. Fifty million people were directly affected and 100 million more were indirectly affected. About 20 million people risked …
Clothed pig carcasses are revealing the secrets of mummification – South African study provides insights for forensic scientists: Establishing time-since-death is key in forensic investigations. gorodenkoff It was the kind of task any competent seamstress has completed hundreds of times before: altering denim jeans and jerseys. But there was something different about this piece of …
Mapping malaria in Africa: climate change study predicts where mosquitoes will breed in future: Water bodies such as the Nile River, pictured here running through Juba in South Sudan, are included in the new model. Frontpage The relationship between climate and malaria transmission is complex and has been the subject of intense study for some …
Seychelles: floating baby corals can help save damaged reefs – new study: The Seychelles archipelago of 115 islands stretches across a vast area of the western Indian Ocean. Each island is fringed by coral reefs. Coral reefs are formed by colonies of invertebrate animals that build hard skeletons and grow in a myriad of forms. …
Deaf and hard-of-hearing students need more support from their universities – South Africa study: Students who are Deaf or hard of hearing may feel isolated. Jorge Elizaquibel Adjusting to university life tends to be tough no matter who you are. But what happens when deafness makes the usual demands even more difficult? Deaf students or …
South Africa: Gold mine pollution is poisoning Soweto’s water and soil – study finds food gardens are at risk: For 140 years, gold mines in Johannesburg, South Africa have been leaking wastewater contaminated with heavy metals. The acid mine drainage from Johannesburg’s estimated 278 abandoned mines and 200 mine dumps includes uranium (a radioactive metal), …
Small businesses can help South Africa fight unemployment if they get proper support – study: South Africa has an alarming unemployment rate of approximately 32.1%. Solutions have been elusive. The unemployment rate has been consistently high for decades. Our research has revolved around entrepreneurship. We have examined the “liability of newness” related to small and …
Over 26 million South Africans get a social grant. Fear of losing the payment used to be a reason to vote for the ANC, but no longer – study: Social grants to reduce poverty feature prominently in the campaign promises of political parties in South Africa’s 2024 national and provincial general elections, set for 29 …
Minimum wage for South African farm workers: study shows 2013 hike helped reduce poverty even though compliance was poor: Minimum wage policies are typically aimed at reducing poverty. Yet there is little direct evidence of this effect, especially in developing countries. And none for South Africa. In a recent paper, we consider the income, employment …
Nature conservation works, and we’re getting better at it – new study: To work in nature conservation is to battle a headwind of bad news. When the overwhelming picture indicates the natural world is in decline, is there any room for optimism? Well, our new global study has some good news: we provide the strongest …
South African study shows the power of sharing daily experiences for teachers to learn how to include all learners: Teachers can learn from each other and come to see that they are inclusive educators. zeljkosantrac/Getty Images Globally, more than 258 million children and young people between the ages of 6 and 17 are not in …
Africa’s wildebeest: those that can’t migrate are becoming genetically weaker – new study: Wildebeest – large African antelopes with distinctively curved horns – are famous for their great migrations on the grasslands of eastern and southern Africa. One hundred and fifty years ago, they migrated in huge numbers across the continent, in search of grazing …
Rural schools in South Africa can produce good exam results too: study shows what’s behind one success story: A child walking to school in the rural village of Qunu in South Africa. Jennifer Bruce/AFP via Getty Images Each weekday, hundreds of thousands of children and teenagers in South Africa’s rural areas (which make up just …
Why do identical informal businesses set up side by side? It’s a survival tactic – Kenya study: The population on the African continent will have nearly doubled by 2050, according to UN projections. About 800 million more young Africans will enter the job market by then. Combine this forecast with the high youth unemployment rate …
Chimpanzees stayed in an ‘invisible cage’ after zoo enclosure was enlarged – South African study: Captive chimpanzees are one of the most popular species kept in zoos because of their charismatic appeal and similarity to humans. They are the closest living relatives of humans because of the shared genes and behavioural and psychological similarities. Zoos …
The Turing scheme was supposed to help more disadvantaged UK students study abroad – but they may still be losing out: Kichigin/Shutterstock The loss of access for UK university students to the Erasmus+ scheme – a Europe-wide exchange programme that offers students the opportunity and funding to study or work abroad for up to a year …
Offshore wind farms: policymakers are more influenced by reports that accentuate negative impacts – new study: New metrics could help policymakers assess the benefits and environmental effects of offshore wind more effectively dragancfm/Shutterstock Towering up to 260m above the ocean’s surface, modern wind turbines are impressive feats of engineering, producing much-needed renewable energy. But what …
Side-effects of expanding forests could limit their potential to tackle climate change – new study: The complex effects of planting more trees need to be taken into consideration. Mikai/Shutterstock Tackling climate change by planting trees has an intuitive appeal. They absorb the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide from the atmosphere without using expensive technology. The suggestion …