Medical Research Council
latest news & developments
Why brilliant ideas aren’t enough
The country has the talent. It has ideas. It has institutions. What it needs is the connective tissue to turn potential into performance — and the patience to accept that…
‘Toxic, hazardous’ dust harming preschool children in Kuils River
Residents say the findings proves their concerns about pollution ‘are real’
In an unequal world, mental health must be redefined
Reducing socioeconomic inequalities and improving mental health are twin goals that cannot be separated; we must demand better from government, while also taking collective…
In the Covid storm our poop doesn’t tell lies
Wastewater Based Epidemiology Surveillance programme surveillance and needs to be escalated in the fight against this pandemic
How SA wants to sell the AstraZeneca vaccine for half the price and what the loss could be
Health Minister Zweli Mkhize says selling on the vaccines will stem wasteful expenditure, but people close to the discussions with AU say they will be sold on the cheap
South Africa pauses Covid-19 vaccine rollout after disappointing AstraZeneca results
SA’s one-million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine will expire by early April — unless India’s Serum Institute can safely extend their use-by date.
Testing sewage: The Covid canary in our wastewater
Local scientists are using wastewater-based epidemiology to trace the SARS-CoV-2 virus in South Africa’s sewage system, which could act as an early warning system for outbreaks…
Incentivise the adoption of 4IR technologies
With great rewards for bringing new technologies into different sectors will come great opportunities for South Africa’s economy
For land reform to have a chance of success, women are key
There is a constitutional imperative to empower the majority gender
Get up, stand up, stand up for your cardiovascular might
Going to gym twice a week isn’t enough to counter the effect of sitting on your backside all week.
SA, UK form Newton Fund to boost science and technology projects
The landmark agreement will see both countries make investments to foster developments in key institutions.
[From our archives] Is SA ready to turn over a new leaf?
Cannabis may well have beneficial properties, but experts warn that smoking it is still bad for your health.
Distinguished women in the life sciences
Winner: Professor Soraya Seedat
Decrease in women abuse = decrease in HIV infections, say researchers
Women who experience gender-based violence have a higher risk of contracting HIV: this should be considered in South Africa’s prevention strategy.
Teenage moms face a litany of ills
Nearly half of all pregnancies in South Africa involve teenagers, statistics reveal.