Researchers have scanned a four-million-year-old fossil cranium and found it shares similarities with that of modern humans. The study revealed the cranium's thick, spongy bone may indicate comparable blood flow to our brains, suggesting an important role in brain protection.
A new study explores the mouth of ancient crocodilians, shedding light on their evolution and behavior. The discovery of a closed secondary palate in early shartegosuchids, a group thought to be extinct, has significant implications for understanding the purpose of this feature in modern crocodiles.
New fossils from South Africa's Waterloo Farm locality reveal the first African tetrapods lived in Antarctica during the Devonian period. These early vertebrates, named Tutusius and Umzantsia, challenge previous assumptions about tetrapod evolution and terrestrialization.
Researchers have developed a way to control spin transport in networks of the smallest electrical conductor known to man. By attaching nano-particles of gadolinium to carbon nanotubes, they increased electrical conductivity and demonstrated the Spin Valve Effect, which can enhance electron transfer in devices.
Researchers found that Homo naledi's brain had a human-like shape and structure, similar to humans, but smaller in size. The study suggests that the species' behavior may have reflected the shape of its brain more than its size, raising new questions about human evolution and the evolution of brain size.
A recent study found that female southern African pythons incubate eggs and care for their babies for about two weeks after hatching. During this time, the mother's body temperature increases significantly, and she loses up to 40% of her body mass.
Scientists have developed an innovative process to detect TB bacteria using a fluorogenic trehalose analog, called DMN-trehalose. This new stain only illuminates inside living TB bacteria, making diagnosis more accurate and quick. The innovation aims to simplify the traditional smear microscopy process.
A new study from the University of the Witwatersrand reveals that magmas can form chromite deposits through decompression as they rise to the surface, producing valuable resources like platinum and chromium. The study suggests that lithostatic pressure reduction plays a vital role in forming these deposits.
A Wits University PhD student has solved part of the evolutionary puzzle of multicellularity by studying the genomic sequence of a four-celled algae. The research identified the ubiquitin proteasomal pathway as a process controlling cell division, which played a key role in the evolution of multicellularity.
Researchers have made it possible to 3-D print and study a 200-million-year-old South African dinosaur skull, the Massospondylus. The digital reconstruction was created using CT scans, allowing for detailed analysis of its inner ear and brain structure.
Researchers sequenced the genomes of 24 South African individuals from different ethnolinguistic origins, revealing high levels of genetic diversity. The study found measurable genetic differences between Nguni and Sotho-Tswana speakers, as well as varying proportions of admixture in Coloured individuals.
A new study reveals that extinct sauropterygians evolved inner ear proportions similar to those of modern aquatic reptiles and mammals. Researchers found similarities between the inner ears of ancient sea monsters like plesiosaurs and modern animals such as crocodiles, whales, and sea turtles.
A large cohort study found that patients with low-level viremia are at increased risk of treatment failure and developing virological failure. Clinical interventions should take place at lower viral loads than current WHO guidelines to prevent poor outcomes.
Researchers found that small fires create "grazing-lawn ecosystems" with higher food quality and increased safety for animals. The study showed that small burns (<25ha) attract large numbers of wildebeest, keeping grass short and palatable.
Researchers at Wits University found that the Willems method of dental age estimation is more accurate than the Demirjian method in different populations. The study highlights the need for population-specific standards for age estimation in Africa, where birth registry and date of birth challenges are common.
The study found Africa has the highest burden of GBS, causing 54% of estimated cases and 65% of stillbirths and infant deaths. A vaccine could potentially prevent 231,000 infant and maternal GBS cases with an 80% effective rate.
Researchers have found that climatic changes related to the Permian-Triassic extinction event occurred 1 million years earlier than previously thought. The discovery was made in the Karoo Basin in South Africa, where fossils revealed a 'faunal turnover' indicating early signs of the extinction event.
Researchers witnessed electromagnetic signals associated with the gravitational wave emission from a neutron star merger, complementing observations from multiple telescopes. This breakthrough marks the beginning of Multi-Messenger astrophysics, allowing scientists to study single events using various techniques.
Scientists have successfully teleported patterns of light over a virtual link using entanglement swapping, paving the way for high-bit-rate secure long-distance quantum communication. This breakthrough uses orbital angular momentum to transmit information without physical photon travel.
Researchers at Wits University discover that complex life emerged through the random joining of simple RNA molecules, enabling self-replication and kickstarting life. The process, which occurred billions of years ago, involved the ligation of small molecules to form larger, more complex ones.
The Sungazer lizard is critically endangered due to poaching and habitat loss, with its population declining by over a third in the last decade. A conservation assessment found that only half of the species' habitat has been irreversibly transformed by humans.
Researchers studying aardvarks in South Africa's Kalahari Desert found that the animals are highly susceptible to warmer and drier climates, leading to severe droughts and high mortality rates. The decline of aardvarks could have indirect consequences for other animals relying on their burrows.
Researchers have discovered pollen evidence of Chrysocoma ciliata dating back 4,000 years, suggesting it may not be an invasive species. The plant's ability to thrive under drought conditions and colonize degraded landscapes has led some to question its status as an invasive species.
A South African child diagnosed with HIV at 32 days old has maintained undetectable viral levels and good health despite ART cessation at age 9.5 years, suggesting early treatment may be key to long-term remission.
The Howiesons Poort tradition, dating back to 66,000-59,000 years ago, demonstrated that early humans could exploit new environments despite pronounced aridification. The development of cultural innovations such as the bow and arrow, engraving ostrich eggshells, and intensive hunting practices allowed HP populations to thrive.
Scientists have dated prehistoric rock paintings in southern Africa up to 5500 years old, surpassing previous estimates. The technique used reveals that these paintings were made over a long period, with some sites producing similar art for over 1,000 years.
The fossil hominin Homo naledi lived between 335,000 and 236,000 years ago, overlapping with the emergence of modern human behavior in southern Africa. The discovery challenges previous predictions of its age and raises questions about human evolution.
Researchers identified a genetic mutation responsible for keratolytic winter erythema (KWE), a rare skin disorder prevalent among Afrikaners. The discovery enables dermatologists to diagnose KWE in patients and provides a starting point for developing potential treatments.
Researchers tracked elephant sleep using Fitbits and found they slept mostly in the early morning, with environmental conditions influencing timing. The study suggests elephants may not dream daily like humans do, but rather every few days.
A fossilized skull of Euchambersia revealed the first evidence of an ancient venomous vertebrate. The reptile's unique anatomy allowed its venom to flow directly into its mouth and prey through specialized teeth. This discovery sheds light on the evolution of venom in mammals.
Researchers at Wits University have discovered that puff adders use a unique strategy called 'lingual luring' to attract and catch amphibian prey. By extending their tongues for up to 30 seconds, puff adders increase the odds of catching their prey within striking range.
Scientists have discovered ancient zircons on the island of Mauritius, dating back 3 billion years, suggesting a long-lost continent named Mauritia existed beneath the island. This finding supports the theory that the break-up of supercontinent Gondwana led to the formation of the Indian Ocean.
Scientists at the University of the Witwatersrand have made a groundbreaking discovery that allows for real-time error correction in quantum communications. By utilizing classical entangled light, they can establish secure quantum links over long distances, paving the way for major advances in data transfer and encryption.
A cross-sectional study found that HIV-positive patients with chronic pain did not experience significant functional interference, maintaining high activity levels. This contradicts previous assumptions and highlights the complex relationship between HIV-related pain and physical activity.
Researchers used CT scans to investigate the origin of pre-mammalian therapsids' distinctive canines, finding they were not used for fighting but for display behavior. The study suggests sexual selection played a crucial role in the evolution of mammals, dating back 300 million years.
Researchers at the University of the Witwatersrand have developed a technique to calculate the transport properties of carbon superlattice devices, enabling the creation of high-frequency electronic and optoelectronic devices. This breakthrough could lead to significant advancements in industries such as biology, space technology, and ...
A recent study suggests that the arrival of browsing medium-sized antelopes in Africa was a key factor in replacing ancient forests with open savannas. The researchers found that thorn trees evolved around the same time as antelope, coinciding with the diversification of spiny plants and the opening up of forests to grass invaders.
Research collaboration reveals that blood flow to the brain increased by 600% over human evolution, linked to intelligence growth. Ancient fossil skulls show larger holes in arteries, indicating faster increase in blood flow rate.
A recent study on the internal anatomy of a fossil human relative's heel bone reveals greater similarities with gorillas than chimpanzees. The researchers discovered that this fossil, from the StW 352 Australopithecus africanus, exhibited gorilla-like levels of joint mobility and structural reinforcement.
A team of researchers discovered the oldest evidence for cancer and bony tumors in human fossils, dating back 1.7 million years. The findings push back the origins of these diseases from recent times to deep prehistory.
A newly discovered ancient turtle fossil reveals that the turtle shell initially evolved for burrowing, not protection. The fossil, about 15 cm long, was found by an 8-year-old boy and helps solve a long-standing mystery in the field of evolutionary biology.
A study published in PLOS ONE suggests climate shifts influenced human subsistence strategies but not the driving factor behind cultural and technological innovations during Middle Stone Age. Researchers found that environmental variation did not coincide with these innovations, implying other factors drove human innovation.
Scientists from Wits University discovered that mammal-like reptiles evolved hair around 240-246 million years ago, assisting their survival. This discovery suggests a possible link between the evolution of hair and whiskers with the development of mammals.
African researchers have made a breakthrough in optical communication by demonstrating a significant increase in the amount of information that can be packed into light. The team used over 100 patterns of light, exploiting three degrees of freedom to achieve this result, which could potentially increase bandwidth by 100 times.
Researchers used high-tech laser scanning, photogrammetry, and 3D mapping to create a detailed digital representation of the Rising Star Cave System and Dinaledi Chamber. The precise reconstruction provides new insights into the chamber's structure and location, as well as the fossil site's formation processes.
Researchers sequenced the genome of Gonium pectorale, a simple green algae, to understand how it evolved from a single cell into a multicellular organism. The study sheds light on the early stages of multicellularity and its significance in the evolution of life.
Scientists found that ancient mammal relatives, known as therapsids, adapted to drastic climate change by breeding younger and having shorter life expectancies. This allowed them to thrive in the aftermath of mass extinction events.
Researchers successfully extracted ancient DNA from a southern African mummy, providing insights into past population dynamics. The analysis revealed genetic ties to the Sotho-Tswana and Khoesan communities, shedding light on the region's cultural heritage.
A new type of laser enables the creation of twisted light with controlled spin, producing vector vortex beams and polarised light. This innovation has significant applications in optics, machining metals, and communication.
Two new hominin fossils, a finger bone and a molar, were found in the Sterkfontein Caves, associated with early stone tools dating back 2.18 million years. The specimens possess intriguing features that raise more questions than answers.