The observable part of our universe is 93 billion light years in diameter and growing. It holds secrets accumulated over 13.8 billion years of interstellar expansion, cosmic explosions, and the fusion of matter that has shaped all that is known and all that isn’t. These are numbers that the mind struggles to comprehend. Just think of the research opportunities that await.
When a species becomes extinct in the wild, the loss is permanent. For Africa, a serious loss is the extinction of the Tanzanian Kihansi spray toad (Nectophrynoides asperginis) due to habitat change and infectious disease.
This should serve as a wakeup call for policy makers to prioritise and implement conservation measures for endangered species.
Dr Moleboheng Ramulumo, a senior lecturer in the School of Mathematics, Science, and Technology Education at the North-West University (NWU), has been recognised as one of South Africa’s Top 60 Young Scientists.
This recognition is awarded by the South African Young Academy of Science, in collaboration with the Academy of Science of South Africa, the Department of Science and Innovation, and the National Research Foundation.
Maize seeds quickly germinate and become thriving seedlings when primed with fertiliser made from nanoparticles extracted from an indigenous African herb, impepho.
This potent herb (helichrysum odoratissimum), also known as kooigoed and African sage, is at the centre of the research of Dr Bongiwe Dhlamini-Zungu, a recent PhD graduate in chemistry from the North-West University (NWU). Her study focused on developing nano-engineered, environmentally friendly fertilisers designed to boost crop yields with reduced inputs.
Gone are the days of the throwaway economy. Environmental scientists and pioneers like Prof Linda Godfrey of the North-West University (NWU) are leading the charge towards a thriving circular economy.
With over 20 years dedicated to studying the waste sector, Prof Godfrey has observed the unsustainability of the traditional linear economy model, characterised by extraction, production, consumption, and disposal. She argues that this model has severe environmental and health impacts and advocates a shift to a circular economy.
The North-West University's (NWU’s) Vanderbijlpark Campus hosted BMI Day, an annual event organised by the Centre for Business Mathematics and Informatics (CBMI) on 14 August 2024.
Since its inception in 2022, BMI Day has grown into a tradition, bringing together current students and accomplished alumni, and – for the first time this year – high-achieving Grade 11 and 12 learners from nearby schools.
Prof Raphael Mukaro, an associate professor in physics at the North-West University (NWU), has been recognised as a leading scholar by ScholarGPS.
The Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences at the North-West University (NWU) hosted its third Food Security and Safety (FSS) seminar on 8 August 2024.
NWU alumnus and CEO of Eco-Agro Enterprise Pty Ltd Dr Sydwell Sihlangu was the guest speaker.
Dr Sihlangu spoke about academic entrepreneurship, which he described as a means of commercialisation, transforming knowledge into products, processes and organisations, thereby contributing to economic growth and innovation.
One of the greatest challenges facing Africa is food security. Dr Godfrey Mhlongo, a recent PhD graduate in animal science from the North-West University (NWU), believes indigenous chickens, brown seaweed and oyster mushroom spawn could help feed the continent and preserve the environment.
He has conducted research on the use of oyster mushrooms to optimise brown seaweed in feed for indigenous chickens.
North-West University (NWU) academic Prof Olubukola Oluranti Babalola and student Sinenhlanhla Mthembu have been named finalists for the 2024 South African Women in Science Awards (SAWiSA).
These awards recognise outstanding contributions by women in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
Prof Babalola and Sinenhlanhla will join other distinguished women at the awards ceremony on 15 August in Mbombela.