Featured Research: Technology

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RE.SEARCH 13: One Health

This edition is curated around the concept of One Health, in which the University of Pretoria plays a leading role globally, and is based on our research expertise in the various disciplines across healthcare for people, the environment and animals.

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Better brain health: UP neurosurgeon develops non-invasive, eye-based method to measure intracranial pressure

Paediatric neurosurgeon Professor Llewellyn Padayachy, Head of the Department of Neurosurgery at the University of Pretoria’s (UP) Steve Biko Academic Hospital, is redefining how brain-related diseases are diagnosed and treated, especially in low-resource settings. He’s at the forefront of pioneering work in non-invasive techniques to assess and measure raised pressure inside the skull,...

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Minds matter

Africa faces immense challenges in neurosurgery, such as severe underfunding, a lack of training positions and a high burden of disease. There is one neurosurgeon per four million people, far below the WHO’s recommendation of one per 200 000. This shortage, compounded by the lack of a central brain tumour registry and limited access to diagnostics, severely impacts patient outcomes.

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From ancient wisdom flows modern water solutions

Highly sophisticated water management techniques of ancient civilisations demonstrate the ingenuity of inhabitants who lived with limited water. It appears we need to look to the past to ensure a stable water supply in the future.

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UP scientists win Breakthrough Prize in Fundamental Physics for global research into particle discovery

Two University of Pretoria (UP) researchers have been awarded the 2025 Breakthrough Prize in Fundamental Physics, along with colleagues from the European Organisation for Nuclear Research (CERN), for their contribution to the ATLAS experiment. The general-purpose particle physics experiment seeks to exploit the full discovery potential of CERN’s Large Hadron Collider near Geneva.

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Youth vaping and cannabis co-use: Policy failure or mental health crisis?

A silent storm is brewing among South African youth – a rapid rise in vaping and cannabis co-use. Is this an unintended consequence of recent policy shifts, such as the Cannabis for Private Use Act of 2024 and delayed regulation of e-cigarettes? Or are we witnessing a deeper, overlooked youth mental health crisis? Drawing on new national survey data and global trends, this lecture explores...