In the intricate biology of the human body, organs such as the breast, the colon and the lungs are lined with a defensive barrier known as the epithelium. At the heart of this barrier sits a remarkable protein called Mucin-1 (MUC1). In a healthy body, MUC1 is like a sentinel. It stands on the cell…
Hantaviruses are not new. They have circulated for decades in rodent populations, particularly in rats and mice. Humans can become infected if they are bitten or scratched by a rodent or by inhaling aerosolised particles. These are tiny bits of rodent urine, faeces or saliva floating through the air that are contaminated by the virus….
Tiro Moyo, Gerhard Vosloo and Rudra Patel take on global challenges at the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair, showcasing innovation in AI, space science and biomedical research. (Image supplied) Three South African high school learners will represent the country at the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) in the US next month, presenting…
Scientists in Mexican have used a specialised treatment to eliminate Human Papillomavirus (HPV), the virus responsible for most cases of cervical cancer, in a group of patients during clinical research. ALSO READ: Cervical cancer: Rwanda rolls out new HPV vaccine The research team led by Eva Ramón Gallegos, a scientist at Mexico’s National Polytechnic Institute,…
Local young scientists have been awarded gold and silver medals at the Initiative for Research and Innovation in STEM (IRIS) Global Symposium in India. Four local young scientists have won top honours at the Initiative for Research and Innovation in STEM (IRIS) Global Symposium, held in New Delhi, India from 27 to 31 January. The…
The Japan Prize Foundation announced the winners of the 2026 Japan Prize at 1:00 p.m. on 21 January 2026. Prof. Cynthia Dwork (USA) has been awarded the Japan Prize in the field of Electronics, Information, and Communication. Prof. Shizuo Akira (Japan) and Prof. Zhijian “James” Chen (USA) have been awarded the Japan Prize in the…
The world is now using so much fresh water amid the consequences of climate change that it has entered an era of water bankruptcy, with many regions no longer able to bounce back from frequent water shortages. About 4 billion people – nearly half the global population – live with severe water scarcity for at…
From left: Albertus Willem van Niekerk, Dzunisa Chauke, Ismaail Hassen and Milla Vorster. Four young scientists will showcase their award-winning innovations at the World Innovative Science Project Olympiad in Bali, Indonesia, from 10 to 13 December. The selected young scientists are: Dzunisa Chauke, a grade 12 pupil from Khanyisa Education Centre; Milla Vorster, grade 11…
The saying “Nothing Without Us is for Us” is a powerful reminder that lasting solutions can only emerge when those most affected are included in shaping them. This call for inclusion resonates deeply as Africa prepares to participate in key global policy spaces such as the 11th Conference of the Parties (COP11) to the WHO…
A supermassive black hole violently gobbled up an enormous star, producing a cosmic outburst with the light of 10 trillion suns, according to a new study. The black hole flare, as the phenomenon is known, is thought to be the biggest and most distant ever recorded — it was detected from 10 billion light-years away. “This…
