Brittle star fossils found in South Africa are over 410 million years old, the oldest known examples who lived at high latitude

The Paarl Africa Underground Laboratory (PAUL) will be a game-changer for universities in South Africa and its partners, offering benefits through new jobs and research opportunities. The laboratory will enable scientists to study dark matter and neutrinos in a radiation-free environment.

The Africa Centre for Therapeutic Innovation (ACTI) brings together diverse disciplines to address unique healthcare challenges in Africa. ACTI will focus on delivering mechanistic understanding of drug action and developing new laboratory methods to combat diseases like tuberculosis and malaria.

Astronomers have identified the edge of the Milky Way's star-forming disc for the first time, finding that most star formation happens within 40,000 light-years of the Galactic Center. This discovery uses a new approach combining star ages with galaxy simulations to pinpoint the boundary.

Researchers found that North American mammals expanded their range southward much earlier than thought, with identical fossils discovered in Mexico dating back to 10 million years ago. This 'holding pen' era primed the pump for intermittent exchange between 7 and 3 million years ago.

Researchers have discovered ancient termite mounds in Namaqualand, South Africa that date back a staggering 34,000 years. The mounds, which are still inhabited by termites, provide valuable insights into prehistoric climate conditions and natural carbon sequestration processes.

Scientists have discovered new fossils of Australopithecus and Homo coexisting between 2.6 to 2.8 million years ago, shedding light on human evolution. The new species of Australopithecus has been identified as a distinct lineage, challenging traditional views of human origins.