Researchers analyzed DNA of 28 ancient southern Africans, finding 490 modern human-specific genetic variants, including immune system and kidney function genes. These adaptations may be related to human's water-retention and body-cooling system, giving special endurance.
A study from the University of Johannesburg presents a promising industrial process that can turn sugarcane waste into green hydrogen with high energy efficiency and low tar content. The Sorption-Enhanced Chemical Looping Gasification (SECLG) process produces a small fraction of unwanted by-products, making it an attractive alternative...
Research by Prof Nicholas Ngepah reveals that inequality cancels out the benefits of positive economic growth and social grants for people living in poverty, especially during economic downturns. In contrast, poor households experience more poverty reduction when the economy grows positively.
The Citrus Growers` Association of Southern Africa (CGA) has played a crucial role in the industry's success, driving growth through a resilient coalition of growers and independent resources mandated by the government. The CGA invests in research and development to stay ahead of changing market demands and fosters competitive rivalry ...
The illegal wildlife trade is a significant financial portfolio that creates state-level security and development risks. Implementing AML laws and sharing intelligence with banks can boost IWT law enforcement. Countries like Singapore, UK, and Australia are making progress in combating money laundering and IWT.
Researchers have found that sorghum bran packs a bigger nutritional punch than whole grain due to its high levels of calcium, magnesium, leucine, and valine. The climate-resilient grain holds its own against other top grains in terms of macro- and micronutrients.
A team of researchers at the University of Johannesburg has made a groundbreaking discovery about how tomato plants defend themselves against the devastating ToCSV virus. By studying the molecular genetics of infected tomato varieties, they found that viral DNA methylation plays a crucial role in resistance to ToCSV.
Researchers developed a new type of photocatalyst harnessing the visible portion of sunlight spectrum. The photocatalyst achieved high photo-to-chemical conversation efficiency and was found to be extremely stable under various conditions, including high temperatures and different pH levels.
A study found that 'harmless' Listeria innocua strains are developing resistance to temperature, pH, dehydration and other stresses, as well as hypervirulence similar to pathogenic L. monocytogenes. The strains were collected from raw, dried and processed meats at commercial food processing facilities in South Africa.
Researchers from the University of Johannesburg deployed Few Shot Learning (FSL) for NIALM, a non-intrusive appliance load monitoring system. FSL requires only 7 test images to recognize appliances with 97.83% accuracy, making it faster and more cost-effective than traditional Machine Learning.
Researchers have discovered a high-antioxidant ingredient in passion fruit peels that can preserve fresh fruits and cuts in an edible coating, reducing spoilage and plastic packaging. The microencapsulated powders are stable, non-hygroscopic, and suitable for industrial applications.
Scientists from the University of Johannesburg identified ten times more volatile signal compounds from the bacteria, boosting plant growth and protection. Rhizobacteria can protect crops from abiotic and biotic stresses by producing valuable VOCs that trigger Induced Systemic Resistance (ISR) in plants.
A new study suggests that the Hypatia Stone, discovered in Egypt, may be the first tangible evidence on Earth of a supernova type Ia explosion. The stone's unique chemistry and elemental composition contradict conventional views of solar system formation, potentially revealing a long-hidden secret about our cosmic neighborhood.
Artificial Intelligence can now identify legendary batting techniques used by Sir Donald Bradman and modern players. Researchers developed a deep learning computer vision AI model to detect lateral backlift batters from straight ones.
Researchers emphasize the need for monitoring drinking water for HIV medications, as they can contaminate rivers and streams through wastewater. The lack of regulation on pharmaceuticals in wastewater treatment plants poses a significant challenge in ensuring safe drinking water.
Researchers have developed a new light-emitting material that doubles the intensity of existing LEDs while also being more energy-efficient. The material, cerium-doped zinc oxide, has the potential to be used in commercial LED lighting applications and could make lighting more affordable for households and businesses worldwide.
A new study improves AI diagnoses by penalizing algorithms for false negatives, which can be more urgent than accuracy. Researchers achieved significant improvements in precision and recall for chronic kidney disease and other conditions using cost sensitivity techniques.
Scientists from the University of Johannesburg found that shining two lasers on adult stem cells accelerates their transformation into different types of cells. The consecutive irradiation increases proliferation and differentiation under laboratory conditions, paving the way for potential therapies to repair damaged tissues.
The AI optimization improves the motor's power factor, reducing disruptions to the power grid. The optimized motor shows excellent performance, with improved efficiency and increased torque while drawing less current.
The poor are unlikely to obey strict lockdowns due to lack of nutrition, economic opportunities, and infrastructure. African policymakers need to prioritize social and economic measures over stringent lockdowns to slow the spread of COVID-19 and future pandemics.
Research from University of Johannesburg uncovers essential amino acids in wild African fruits. The study reveals several species exceed daily nutritional values recommended by WHO. The white olive and jacket plum are good candidates to boost immune function against viruses due to high lysine content.
A recent study by researchers at the University of Johannesburg shows how AI can forecast municipal solid waste in a large African city. By using machine learning algorithms and combining data from various sources, including census data and landfill site records, the team was able to predict the city's waste management needs until 2050...
Researchers found that PAHs toxins degrade in sunlight into smaller 'children' compounds that are often more toxic than the original 'parent' PAHs. These compounds can accumulate in rivers, dams, and agricultural land, posing significant environmental challenges.
Researchers developed a diagnostic test to assess numeracy skills in first graders, which also measures listening comprehension and executive functions. The study found that a 15-week 'maths boost' program significantly improved numerical relational skills in children who received extra practice.
Scientists discovered a rare magnetar in the Sculptor constellation as the source of giant gamma-ray burst GRB 200415A. The burst was powerful enough to disrupt mobile phone reception and shed light on the universe's early history.
A new, efficient method to detect toxic heavy metals like arsenic, cadmium, and chromium in vegetables and drinking water has been developed by researchers at the University of Johannesburg. The technique combines established methods with automation and can test for multiple metals simultaneously.
A team of researchers at the University of Johannesburg has developed a natural fibre-reinforced polymer hybrid nanocomposite material using plantain fibers and carbon nanotubes. The resulting composite exhibits improved tensile and flexural strength compared to epoxy resin alone.
Researchers replaced R134a with energy-efficient R600a and added MWCNT nanoparticles, reducing electricity use by a quarter. The new mix improved cooling capacity and reduced evaporation temperature, making home refrigeration more accessible for low-income households.
Researchers analyzed volcanic samples from Santorini and Aegina to understand why they have different eruption styles. The study found that the islands' locations on the Aegean microplate led to varying lava mix recipes, resulting in calderas versus lava domes.
Researchers at the University of Johannesburg found that high-temperature heat-treatment can significantly improve fly ash geopolymer concrete's resistance to extreme alkali attack. The findings show that the material maintains about 50% residual strength after being immersed in an extreme alkali medium.
A new study published in Science has found that Homo erectus ancestors are older than previously thought, with fossils dating back to 2.04-1.95 million years ago in South Africa. This challenges the long-held theory of Africa's origin as the homeland of modern humans.
A South African study reveals that most teenagers who leave children's homes do not engage in criminal activities, with about three-quarters reporting no involvement. However, a small percentage of care-leavers commit more serious incidents of crime, often driven by survival needs.
Researchers at the University of Johannesburg have decoded how priming with rhizobacteria enhances sorghum's resistance to fungal attacks. The low-cost approach can be used to counter other pathogens in economically important food crops, boosting crop yields and reducing environmental impact.
Researchers detected tera-electron volt radiation in the afterglow of GRB 190114C, a gamma-ray burst from a dying star. This validated their predictions and provided new insights into the extreme environment of gamma-ray bursts.
Researchers have developed a new method to analyze plant resistance to bacterial wilt at the seedling stage, allowing for early detection of disease-resistant cultivars. This approach combines plant metabolomics and statistical modeling to identify key chemicals that confer resistance.
Researchers found that a specific type of fish louse, Argulus japonicus, can accumulate high concentrations of metals, potentially serving as an early warning system for water quality. The lice's unique mechanisms for protecting themselves from toxins may hold the key to detecting metal pollution.
A study published in Nature Scientific Reports found that nuclear DNA analysis can highlight genetic differences between sardine populations, contradicting previous conclusions based on mitochondrial DNA analysis. This new understanding has significant implications for fisheries management and conservation strategies.
Researchers developed a robust model for general causality that identifies multiple causal connections without time-sequence data. The Multivariate Additive Noise Model (MANM) works on simulated real-world datasets, offering opportunities to analyze complex phenomena in areas like economics and disease outbreaks.
Researchers at the University of Johannesburg have discovered a new family of economical silver-based complexes that show very promising results against various human cancers. These complexes, such as UJ3, are selective and have low toxicity, making them a potential alternative to existing chemotherapy drugs.
Researchers developed a one-step, efficient method to remove Diazepam from wastewater using titanium dioxide nanofibers. The process is designed for municipal treatment plants, promising faster, lower-cost treatment.
Researchers have developed a 3D temperature-based model to understand the CGDS film-growing process. The model connects particle impact velocity, energy transformation, and temperature rise in three dimensions, predicting how the average temperature of the particle impact zone will rise and subside.
Researchers analyzed the Hypatia stone, a pebble found in Egypt, and discovered unique minerals that suggest it originated from pre-solar material. The stone contains polyaromatic hydrocarbons, metallic aluminum, phosphides, and moissanite, which are uncommon in our solar system.
The LAB-IN-A-BOX portable DNA barcoding kit enables rapid species identification, improving enforcement responses against wildlife trafficking and invasive species. This technology has the potential to greatly impact conservation efforts in developing countries.
A new study examines the mental health status of caregivers and its impact on child food security and perceptions of the child's health. Caregiver depression is associated with child food insecurity and lower levels of child health in urban areas.
The collision of neutron stars has been observed directly for the first time, confirming a key aspect of Albert Einstein's General Relativity theory. The detection, made possible by a global research collaboration, reveals that gravitational waves and gamma ray bursts are produced during these collisions.
A new study has pushed back the emergence of modern humans by an estimated 50,000 years to between 350,000 and 260,000 years ago. The findings were made possible by a collaboration between geneticists and archaeologists who reconstructed the full genome of a 2,000-year-old boy found in South Africa.