More activities needed to promote early object control skills

Under the guidance of physical education teachers, schoolgirls in South Africa should be exposed to more activities that promote early object control skills.

This is one of the recommendations of a study conducted by Marilette Visagie in conjunction with Prof Anita Pienaar and Prof Dané Coetzee of the Physical Activity, Sport and…

NWU hosts its second Autism symposium

Autism affects one in 68 children, and the earlier it is diagnosed, the more effectively it can be managed. The Institute for Psychology and Wellbeing at the North-West University’s (NWU’s) campus in Potchefstroom is helping to raise awareness by hosting its second Autism Symposium. It will be held at the Dawie du Plessis Lecture Hall on 29…

Four NWU researchers in running for Science Oscars

Four scientists of the North-West University (NWU) are finalists in the National Science and Technology’s (NSTF) prestigious science awards, also known as the “Science Oscars” of South Africa.

Prof Louis du Preez (zoology), Prof Alta Schutte (cardiovascular physiology), Prof Melville Saayman (tourism) and Prof Linda Godfrey (waste…

NWU hosts its second Autism symposium

Autism affects one in 68 children, and the earlier it is diagnosed, the more effectively it can be managed. The Institute for Psychology and Wellbeing at the North-West University’s (NWU’s) campus in Potchefstroom is helping to raise awareness by hosting its second Autism Symposium. It will be held at the Dawie du Plessis Lecture Hall on 29…

New study shows effects of visual therapy on children with DCD

There is hope for children suffering from Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD). This is the bottom line of a new study by Prof Dané Coetzee and Prof Anita Pienaar at the North-West University's (NWU’s) Physical Activity, Sport and Recreation (PhASRec) research focus area.

Their study of 32 children between the ages of seven and…

NWU researchers receive R9m to study heart disease in Africa

Non-communicable or lifestyle diseases will be the most common cause of death in Africa by 2030, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Researchers from the North-West University (NWU) are at the heart of a novel, R80 million public-private collaboration to boost South Africa’s medical research capabilities.

The NWU's…

NWU contributes to health grading of SA’s youth

Children in South Africa are still in trouble. This became evident during the launch of the Healthy Active Kids SA Report Card (HAKSA) in Johannesburg on Wednesday 24 May. The report card is spearheaded by Discovery Health and the Sport Science Institute of South Africa, with the NWU playing a major role in the drafting thereof.

The…

NWU highlights importance of blood pressure awareness

The North-West University (NWU) has joined the worldwide campaign to raise blood pressure awareness with a series of screenings at its campuses and in surrounding communities in May as part of the largest screening campaign ever.

May marks International Blood Pressure Month and 17 May is International Blood Pressure Day. The May…

Minister appoints two NWU experts

A national honour recently bestowed two experts of the North-West University (NWU). Prof Jeanetta du Plessis and Prof Richard Gordon, both from the Centre of Excellence in Pharmaceutical Sciences (Pharmacen), were appointed as members of the National Health Research Committee.

The committee falls under the National Department of…

NWU researchers receive significant funding to tackle huge threat in Africa

A portfolio of clinical research programmes are set to launch on South African soil with the potential to enhance the scientific understanding of what is expected to become the most common cause of death in South Africa - non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Researchers studying cardiovascular diseases and it’s risk factors at the North-West…