On 13 March 2019, Professor Tshifularo performed three middleear transplants using 3D-printed ossicles (the hammer, anvil and stirrup). This procedure is significantly less risky than the use of prostheses and their associated surgical procedures and is hailed as the answer to conductive hearing loss, a middle-ear problem caused by congenital birth defects, infection, trauma or metabolic disease. The surgery further aims to simplify the reconstruction of ossicles during middle-ear procedures and reduce the risks associated with traditional surgery, which include the potential for facial nerve paralysis.
Prof Mashudu Tshifularo
July 16, 2019
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University of Pretoria (UP) researchers have found that the antioxidant content of certain types of tea can be likened to that found in recommended portions of fruit and vegetables.
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Half a cup of black tea, oolong tea or green tea contained the same amount of antioxidants with radical scavenging capabilities (RSC) as that of a 200mg vitamin C tablet.
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Researchers at the University of Pretoria (UP) may have identified the gene that is responsible for diet-related obesity. By exploring the role of the novel gene Slc7a8, they have made a potential breakthrough in current knowledge about the cellular mechanisms that drive fat accumulation. This understanding is crucial in developing effective treatments.
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