Featured Research: Science

Web Series

How do UP researchers help people who cannot speak get medical help and tell doctors what is wrong?

Researchers at the University of Pretoria’s (UP) Centre for Augmentative and Alternative Communication (CAAC) in the Faculty of Humanities conducted a study that involved designing a framework to develop health education material for people with complex communication disabilities.

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University of Pretoria researchers give the voiceless a voice

How do people who cannot speak consult with their doctor and tell them what is wrong?
To answer this, researchers at the University of Pretoria’s (UP) Centre for Augmentative and Alternative Communication (CAAC) in the Faculty of Humanities conducted a study that involved designing a framework to develop health education material for people with complex communication disabilities.

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RE.SEARCH Issue 5: Impact

This issue of RE.SEARCH looks at the impact of the University of Pretoria's research from early childhood interventions and the use of traditional medicines for holistic nursing to the role of women in peacekeeping efforts. The issue also provides insight into the critical question of coal power supply and how it will affect the economic opportunities of communities in the future.

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UP microbiologists discover rich diversity of life in Antarctica’s cold, dry soils

The ice-free areas of Antarctica were initially thought to be devoid of life, but with the advent of modern genetic technologies, scientists now know that microorganisms have adapted to living in this extreme environment.

Web Series

What do microorganisms do in Antarctica's soil?

The Dry Valleys of East Antarctica are the most extreme example of polar soils; these valleys are arguably the coldest and driest deserts on Earth. In this episode, Prof Don Cowan explains why these microorganisms are important and what they do in this environment.

Gallery

A day in the life of a research scientist in Antarctica

Explore this gallery to experience a day in the life of research scientists in Antarctica. Antarctica's ice mass is enormous, and melting continental ice will have dramatic effects on oceanic flow patterns and global seal levels. Antarctica is also the last “pristine” continent in that it remains largely unaffected by human activity, which is why conservation is imperative.