Tim Radford Humans have underestimated their closest relatives. They cannot form words, but that does not mean they cannot speak. Bonobos – pygmy chimpanzees observed in the wild – post directions and leave notes for each other when they disperse on the forest floor. And recent research has shown something unexpected: a special area of […]

Tim Radford Wounds might be persuaded to heal without scarring, and limbs persuaded to grow again after amputation, according to scientists in Philadelphia. They have found a race of laboratory mice whose livers regenerate after surgery and whose tails grow again after being severed. Amphibians can lose limbs and grow new ones. Mammals, however, cannot. […]

But health inspectors remain watchful, writes Wonder Hlongwa Durban health authorities are concerned about traditional healers’ hospitals which are springing up in the city and may not conform to health regulations. At the corner of Brand and Moore roads in Durban is a two-storey building belonging to Judas Milazi, a traditional healer who operates a […]

to our cousins Scientist George Schaller wrote of gorillas: “The eyes have a language of their own – being subtle and of emotion that in no other visible way affects the expressions of the animal. I could see hesitation and uneasiness, curiosity and boldness and annoyance.” He believed it was impossible to observe other species, […]

Wally Mbhele Former minister of law and order Adriaan Vlok will be called to testify before the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s amnesty hearing of 10 security policemen who claim they are responsible for the chilling murder of prominent anti-apartheid activist Stanza Bopape. TRC sources this week could not confirm if Judge Louis Harms – who […]

Bongani Siqoko Rugby may have appeared to unite the country when South Africa won the World Cup, but soccer could be the catalyst for real integration of blacks into financial markets. Soccer team Kaizer Chiefs is expected shortly to announce plans to list on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE). Representative Louis “Sprinter” Tshakoane said discussions […]

Brett Davidson Another newcomer on the South African media scene is Hal Interactive, an online electronic media buying system. It’s a one-stop shop where media organisations can promote themselves and sell advertising slots, while media planners and buyers can check schedules and availability and buy space. Hal provides information on all major radio stations and […]

Craig Bartholomew tracked down Rodriguez, who is alive, well, living in Detroit and planning to tour South Africa next month ‘Thanks for your time, and you can thank me for mine, and after that’s said, forget it!” were the poignant last words spoken, live on stage, before blowing his head off. That, at least, was […]

THURSDAY, 6.00PM: THE Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) has terminated financial assistance to the South African Foreign Trade Organisation (Safto). The IDC said on Thursday that it had sponsored Safto’s maintenance of essential export expertise to the tune of R20-million, hoping that Safto would become a national promotion agency. But IDC chief executive officer Khaya Ngqula […]

Andy Duffy Two signposts on the road to Muizenberg in Cape Town look hopelessly out of place. The first is a typical developer’s billboard – an eye-catching affair, beaming optimism about an exciting new development called Westlake. The second, metres away, is a far smaller, typical council sign, advising in three languages that no squatting […]