Research News
NWU researcher helps uncover new data about Earth and the Milky Way
A new study has lifted the veil on some of the mysteries of the Milky Way. It has found that the Earth is moving faster than it used to and is nearly 2 000 light-years closer to the black hole in the centre of the Milky Way Galaxy. This is according to new data, documented over a period of 15 years, by the Japanese radio astronomy project, VLBI…
NWU Faculty of Health Sciences recognises excellence in research and innovation
The North-West University’s (NWU’s) Faculty of Health Sciences hosted its first-ever Research and Innovation Awards ceremony on 18 November 2020 to recognise the efforts and achievements of its faculty members. The faculty calculated the performance of researchers according to set criteria - not only calculating the number of outputs, but also…
NWU’s eye on the cosmos just became bigger
The North-West University’s (NWU’s) Mahikeng Astronomy Observatory now boasts a new, bigger and better telescope – the New Mahikeng Astronomy Telescope. The new telescope, manufactured by Planewave Instruments in the USA, has a 50 cm diameter which is significantly bigger than the older 41 cm Meade LX200 GPS telescope that was unveiled in 2018…
Understanding consensual non-monogamy (swinging) from a South African perspective
While some people consider it a taboo, swinging - the act of allowing one’s partner to engage in sexual intercourse with other people - has been practised around the globe for decades.
A simple Google search gives thousands of results on the lifestyle, yet relatively little is known about swinging from a South African perspective.…
People solve problems, making anthropology the right place to be
The North-West University (NWU) Anthropology subject group is growing from strength to strength, and aims to make the NWU one of the top universities at which to study this field.
“Recognising that the complicated problems of our society can only be solved with people, the subject group has embarked on a process of recurriculation…
Pre-TSD and the Covid-19 conundrum
The impact of the Covid-19 epidemic on our mental health cannot be understated. From a South African perspective, months of a hard lockdown has changed the way we live, the way we work and the very way we operate. Mentally we have not escape unscarred.
A new study by Afriforte and the WorkWell research unit at the North-West…
Project on swearing produces scientific knowledge
“To my mind, the project has progressed exceptionally well. Not only have technology and infrastructure been established for sound research in the years ahead, but we have also gained a large number of registered users.”
These are the words of Prof Gerhard van Huyssteen, professor in Afrikaans and Dutch Linguistics at the North-West…
Getting the most out of medicinal plant extracts with nanotechnology
A North-West University (NWU) graduate is bringing together age-old plant knowledge and the latest nanotechnology to make the most of medicinal plant extracts.
According to a United States National Nanotechnology Initiative, nanotechnology is currently revolutionising the technology and industrial sectors. These include information…
TRADE hosts economic development master-class event
Informal sector can play bigger role in job creation
The TRADE research focus area at the North-West University (NWU) hosted a successful online master-class event on 4 September.
The event was open to the public and focused on economic development. It was well attended by members of TRADE,…
Space law specialist lands top fellowship
Prof Wian Erlank of the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Law Faculty has been awarded a prestigious research fellowship by an internationally renowned foundation.
The Alexander von Humboldt Foundation focuses on sponsoring scientists and scholars across all disciplines and nationalities. It provides researchers with the opportunity to…