News
UP Ampath Chair in Human Genetics focuses on better health for all South Africans
Knowledge exchange and innovation to ultimately benefit health economics in South Africa were the main focus as the University of Pretoria (UP) and pathology and laboratory medicine services provider Ampath signed an addendum to a Memorandum of Agreement recently.
Exploring the unknown territory of big data in the food and agricultural landscape
The 2nd African Research Universities Alliance (ARUA) conference was held in Nairobi from 18-20 November. This biennial event brings together the brightest minds from across Africa to foster diaglog on key development issues and how it can be addressed - in Africa for Africa. This years’ theme explored the role of African universities in the fourth industrial revolution.
New study finds today’s gorillas may be smarter than human ‘ancestors’ of three million years ago
The great apes, including humans, gorillas, chimpanzees, bonobos and orangutans, are very intelligent. But how does the intelligence of living great apes, such as Koko the gorilla, compare with our 3 million-year-old relatives, such as “Lucy” the Australopithecine?
UP’s Faculty of Law scores first for Africa with third consecutive year in THE global top 100 university subject rankings
The University of Pretoria’s (UP) Faculty of Law has for the third consecutive year been ranked in Times Higher Education’s (THE) 2020 survey of the Top 100 World University Rankings by subject. This achievement is unparalleled in South Africa and Africa.
Namibia’s urban poor are stuck in limbo, without land or services
Informal settlements are increasingly emerging in cities in developing countries across the world, including Africa. Today an estimated 25% of the world’s urban population live in informal settlements.
Malawi study highlights the importance of men in childcare and nutrition
In Malawi, as in many other societies, women have historically been responsible for housework, food and childcare. Women’s household responsibilities have often left them with heavier workloads than men.
Groundbreaking study reveals southern Africa as birthplace of modern Homo sapiens, who migrated due to climate shifts
A study has concluded that the earliest ancestors of anatomically modern humans (Homo sapiens sapiens) emerged in a southern African “homeland” and thrived there for 70 000 years, before some migrated due to climate shifts.
Millions survive breast cancer, but the disease needs vigilance
Statistics show that one in 28 women in South Africa may develop breast cancer in their life. This represents approximately 25% of all cancers in women. Globally, more than two million new cases of breast cancer were reported in 2018.
Climate change and poverty go hand in hand
The fight to end poverty and hunger through agriculture has become more difficult because of the challenge of climate change. Ending poverty, hunger and malnutrition, and tackling climate change have to be dealt with simultaneously.
‘Curriculum transformation should extend beyond the classroom’: World-renowned African Philosophy expert delivers public lecture at UP
Professor Mogobe Ramose took guests on an epistemological tour of former prime minister of the Union of South Africa Jan Smuts, and related this to post-apartheid South Africa, highlighting the need for continued insistence on the role of justice and ethics in contemporary South Africa.
UP and the Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources Policy Network sign memorandum of understanding
UP and the Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources Policy Analysis Network have signed a memorandum of understanding to explore and prioritise opportunities for synergy between the two institutions for greater impact in the food, agriculture and natural resources sectors on the African continent.
UP unveils world-class Biomechanics Lab
UP's SEMLI recently opened the doors to its new Biomechanics Lab, which is already providing support services to TuksSport’s first teams as well as elite track and field athletes.
UP launches United Nations guidelines on less lethal weapons
Researchers in the Faculty of Law at UP led the process to draft the first UN international standards on the use of less lethal weapons. They developed the UN Human Rights Guidance on Less Lethal Weapons in Law Enforcement in collaboration with the Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights.
Beating hunger: How aeroponics could provide the solution to feeding 10 billion people
By 2050, we will need to produce at least 50% more food than we do currently to feed 10 billion people. However, over half the land in the world is already used to produce food, and agriculture has a significant negative impact on the environment.
Beating food insecurity with African grains
Food security is a major issue in Africa. About 20% of the African population is undernourished, with sub-Saharan Africa being the worst hit by food insecurity. Of the 821 million people who are undernourished in the world today, about a third are in Africa. Of these, 90% are in sub-Saharan Africa.
UP Vice-Principal becomes first female president of the Royal Society of South Africa
The University of Pretoria’s Vice Principal for Research and Postgraduate Education, Professor Stephanie Burton, has been elected President of the Royal Society of South Africa, the first woman to hold the position in the organisation’s 111-year history.
UP and CSIR study reveals plant vaccines could save poultry industry
The University of Pretoria (UP) has joined forces with the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) to successfully develop a vaccine against avian influenza using tobacco plants, bypassing the many biosafety risks involved with using traditional live vaccine viruses.
Science fiction offers a useful way to explore China-Africa relations
In 2007 the then President of China, Hu Jintao, delivered a speech to South Africans acknowledging the benefits of a strategic partnership. He also stressed that the connection is not merely pragmatic. It must, he argued, serve to honour and deepen the countries’ long abiding friendship in the future.
Can robots replace teachers?
A study by the McKinsey Global Institute reports that 50% of companies believe that automation will decrease their numbers of full-time staff by 2022, and robots will replace 800 million workers across the world by 2030.
Why knowing what black mamba venom does to the human body is crucial
Black mambas are extremely dangerous reptiles – in fact, many consider the species to be one of the world’s deadliest snakes. They won’t seek out human interaction. But if cornered or confronted, they will strike. And their venom is lethal.