Study shows how children benefit from physical activity in the classroom

When children are physically active, their brains and bodies benefit. This has again been demonstrated by an eight-country Brain Breaks ® study in which the North-West University (NWU) participated. From the NWU’s side, Prof Dané Coetzee at the School of Human Movement Sciences led the charge. The collective research was published in an article…

Study investigates the root of violence in schools

Teaching is often seen as a calling rather than a career. But that calling quickly turns into a nightmare when teachers are attacked by the very people they are trying to educate. Over the past few years, there have been numerous reports in the media of learners physically assaulting, stabbing and even shooting their teachers. Dr Michael…

Behind the scenes of a pandemic

“A learning experience like no other.” This is how Prof Petra Bester, director of the Africa Unit for Transdisciplinary Health Research (AUTHeR) at the North-West University (NWU), describes the unit’s exposure to the inner workings of the North West province’s efforts to combat the Covid-19 pandemic. In the early days of the pandemic, AUTHeR…

NWU researcher investigates role of traditional medicine in skin disorders

Many people rely on traditional plant remedies to treat skin disorders, and now a North-West University (NWU) researcher has investigated why these plants are effective, paving the way for further research by the pharmaceutical industry. “The use of indigenous knowledge in providing primary healthcare, especially in most indigenous African…

North-West University honours its outstanding researchers

The NWU honoured the best of its best researchers and innovators during a virtual awards evening on 3 December 2020.

Many outstanding staff members were acknowledged at the event for achieving excellence in research during 2019, including researchers with new NRF ratings.

Three lecturers chosen as TAU fellows

Three North-West University (NWU) academics have been chosen for the South African Teaching Advancement at University (TAU) Fellowship Programme. It is a great honour to be selected by the TAU panel and confirms that the NWU’s academics have a well-deserved reputation for their expertise, hard work and dedication. The three lecturers who have…

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.…