Quest Volume 19 No 1 is now available - Theme: We Made Things Happen!

[Magick M. Maphanga]

 

 

Editor’s Note   Theme   Planetarium 2.0: New high-tech Digital Dome catapults Johannesburg Planetarium into the Future Mining virtually: How to go underground in a mine without going underground Using 3D construction printing: To reduce SA’s housing backlog What if you could actually print your food?: South African research on the implication New UFS Sci-Ed Centre: Built to inspire and empower Staring at the Sun: Africa’s first operational space weather centre was recently launched in Hermanus South Africa’s SALT Telescope aids in discovery of unique white dwarf star system: Cutting-edge astronomy from far-flung Sutherland   Features   Rooibos research “blooming”: Thanks to recent funding by boost Interview: Talking with 2022’s Famelab SA winner Tiny fossils: And a big story to tell Quality research in Africa matters more than ever: For the whole world We built it, they came: The crucial small carnivores in our big cities   News   MeerKAT team wins: Royal Astronomical Society honours telescope team with prestigious award ChatGPT under the spotlight at universities: Stellenbosch, UKZN, Wits and Turnitin weigh in Celebrating women in science: From packer to seafaring scientist   Regulars   YouTube reviews Call for articles Subscription   Editorial Team  | Advertise   |   Contact  |   Subscribe   |   Submit

 

 

 

ASSAf Disclaimer: The views and opinions included in this email belong to their author and do not necessarily mirror the views and opinions of the organisation. Our employees are obliged not to make any defamatory statements, infringe, or authorize infringement of any legal right. Therefore, the organisation will not accept any liability for such statements included in emails. In case of any damages or other liabilities arising, employees are fully responsible for the content of their emails. The processing of personal information by ASSAf is done lawfully and not excessive to the purpose of processing in compliance with the POPI Act, any codes of conduct issued by the Information Regulator in terms of the POPI Act and / or relevant legislation providing appropriate security safeguards for the processing of personal information of others.

[Magick M. Maphanga]

 

Editor’s Note   Theme

South Africa’s energy transition: An overall analysis of what a just transition would and should mean for the country The national power crisis: Going off the grid works for the wealthy - but could deepen injustice for the poor Global and local energy crises?: A look at what is meant by an energy crisis, and the shared responsibility of energy conservation Green hydrogen: Sounds like a win for developing countries, but cost and transport are problems Water-Energy-Food (WEF): The challenges of the Water-Energy-Food (WEF) nexus in South Africa From waste to watts: Leveraging agrowaste to address South Africa’s power crisis   Features   Hello Iani!: South African sedimentologist part of team to discover new species of dinosaur in Utah Using nanophotonic biosensors: Laser light used for advanced disease detection The approaching storm......of disinfectant resistance ZA App Alert!: Looking at two new proudly South African apps Winning essays: The first “Welcome to the Blue Planet” competition shows SA youth has tons of promise Yellow jacket wasps, zoomed in: Using microscopy to see fascinating details on the bodies and wings of wasps   News   Apple takes on VR: The Vision Pro is billed as the first ‘spatial computer’ Deceptive daisy: Clever flower’s ability to create fake flies finally explained ’Ghost’ imaging: SA team makes giant leap towards a 3D quantum camera Medicinal mushroom: Matie student identifies species of medicinal mushroom endemic to Knysna forest   Regulars   Book review Subscription

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ASSAf Disclaimer: The views and opinions included in this email belong to their author and do not necessarily mirror the views and opinions of the organisation. Our employees are obliged not to make any defamatory statements, infringe, or authorize infringement of any legal right. Therefore, the organisation will not accept any liability for such statements included in emails. In case of any damages or other liabilities arising, employees are fully responsible for the content of their emails. The processing of personal information by ASSAf is done lawfully and not excessive to the purpose of processing in compliance with the POPI Act, any codes of conduct issued by the Information Regulator in terms of the POPI Act and / or relevant legislation providing appropriate security safeguards for the processing of personal information of others.

[Magick M. Maphanga]

 

 

 

Editor’s Note   Theme

Generation Space: South Africa’s contribution to a new generation of space exploration South Africa’s first National Space Conference: Celebrating South Africa’s ‘brilliant’ space future A celestial journey: From stargazing in Ancient Africa to the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) Era The #AfricaLookup campaign: Protecting our dark skies Science in (Karoo)Silence: Breaking ground on the future of ground-breaking space science Turning Stars into stories: The power of the naked eye to observe celestial objects Career focus: Exploring careers in astronomy and space science Schools competition: Win a trip to visit the SKA-Mid site in the Karoo   Features   The power of solid-state lasers: Anew way of exploring nature Africa’s big dream: Making our own vaccines. Breaking barriers, blooming strength: Towards women’s health empowerment Brilliants programme winner: Ready to join Generation Space   News   Chandrayaan-3: India puts lunar rover on the moon’s south pole – a historic first. Moon base incoming: South Africa joins China’s International Lunar Research Lunar Station Home grown satellites: Dragonfly Aerospace ensures EOS SAT-1 sustainability with Neurospace partnership Regulars   YouTube reviews Subscription

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[Magick M. Maphanga]

 

 

 

Editor’s Note   Theme

Money 101: Going from pocket to a salary, a budget and life savings The basics of the economy – and you: From inflation to interest rates to tax The not-so stoic investor: Your personality and emotions play role in investing ChatGPT and investing: Can ChatGPT help me to invest? Crypto isn’t dead: The basics of Bitcoin and cryptocurrency investment Opinion piece: Only degrowth can save us 2023 NSTF Brilliants Programme: Turning a scientific idea into a business   Features   Pollen-savvy with AI: SA scientists using Artificial Intelligence to improve pollen forecasts Citizen bird science in KNP: Citizen science and satellite data shed light on bird diversity in Kruger National Park The light electric: Photonics and electronics is all around you Ocean-friendly shark fence: Eco-friendly shark barrier technology from South Africa installed in the Bahamas Biodiversity Biobanks: An insurance policy for future of nature FameLab 2023 winner: AI researcher crowned SA’s top young science communicator   News   Solve for Tomorrow schools’ competition: Winning school showcase innovative potholes solution Ancient diamonds: Old diamonds shine light on the evolution of Earth’s continents Electric minibus taxis: On the bumpy road to electric mobility in SA South African women in science, take a bow: 2023 L’Oreal-UNESCO Women in Science winners announced Regulars YouTube reviews Subscription

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[Magick M. Maphanga]

 

 

Editor’s Note   Theme

The promise of genome engineering in Africa: Lots done, lots more to come Cell and gene therapies: Delivering on many fronts The ethics of Genetics 2.0: Five principles that should guide future DNA’ editing in South Africa Using DNA barcoding to fight illegal wildlife trade: Towards protecting South Africa’s biodiversity Genetics careers focus: What careers are available in genetics in South Africa?   Features   Monsters of the deep: SA’s giant mosasaurs Quantum technologies: Coming to change your future (fast) Minecraft education: Helping to improve learners’ coding and robotic skills Frontiers Planet Prize article: SA researcher one of 23 global finalists Climate change: Alarming Africa-wide report predicts 30% drop in crop revenue, 50 million without water Caesarean births: South Africa’s rates are too high   News   Sugar in baby food: Why Nestle needs to be held to account in Africa SA young scientists showcase pioneering research: ISTEC science and engineering competition in Bali Prof. Tulio de Oliveira recognised again: Selected for TIME100 Health 2024 list   Regulars   Book reviews: Statues and storms Subscription

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ASSAf Disclaimer: The views and opinions included in this email belong to their author and do not necessarily mirror the views and opinions of the organisation. Our employees are obliged not to make any defamatory statements, infringe, or authorize infringement of any legal right. Therefore, the organisation will not accept any liability for such statements included in emails. In case of any damages or other liabilities arising, employees are fully responsible for the content of their emails. The processing of personal information by ASSAf is done lawfully and not excessive to the purpose of processing in compliance with the POPI Act, any codes of conduct issued by the Information Regulator in terms of the POPI Act and / or relevant legislation providing appropriate security safeguards for the processing of personal information of others.

[Magick M. Maphanga]

 

 

Editor’s Note   Theme

Bathed in ‘Earthlight, bathed in hope: Interview with Dr Sian Proctor - SpaceX astronaut Climate Change in South Africa: What does it mean for the country and its people? Unraveling the global ocean Zinc cycle: And it implications for a changing climate Unlocking the secrets of Algoa Bay: New geophysical survey offers insight into SA coastal (and climate) future Prof. Timothy Dube tackles the climate crisis: With innovative AI solutions for water security The Awesome Agulhas Current: – And how to understand it Careers Focus: Climate Science   Features   Beyond parity: The impact of women leaders in science and technology Infertility in the workplace Navigating challenges, staying the course Dog-sized dino discovered: Who likely lived underground Explore STEM with STEMulator: A gift to the nation’s youth   News   Rare meteorite uncovered: Collaborative effort results in Eastern Cape find Pan-African STM Cinema Competition: Win big with your unique science explainer video SA mourns the passing of Dr William Smith: ’Teacher of the nation’ Regulars   YouTube reviews Hopeful news about Climate Change solutions by ‘climate changers’ Subscription

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[Magick M. Maphanga]

 

 

Editor’s Note   Theme

AI revolutionises healthcare: SA setting a global benchmark Harnessing the power of light: Lasers in modern medicine Mass spectrometry imaging: The next revolution in understanding health and disease Healthcare healing: Drug trial shows injection twice a year is 100% effective against infection HIV breakthrough: With innovative AI solutions for water security Careers focus: Career advice from medical technologists NSTF Brilliants Programme profile: Lebogang Usher Selepe pursuing his dream through medicine   Features   Disarmament in the digital age: dealing with autonomous weapons, cyber warfare and AI Surviving and thriving: Celebrating mental health awareness month SA-developed biodegradable polymers: A New boon against global plastic pollution Aurora Australis: A geomagnetic storm recently brought the Southern Lights to the Western Cape   News   FameLab 2024 Winner: Yolanda Mngcongo takes first prize SA-developed e-motobikes does 6,000 kms: From Nairobi to Stellies using only solar power Introducing the new JHB Digital Dome: Wits unveils facelift of old planetarium Regulars YouTube reviews: Get inspired by these talks on the latest tech breakthroughs Subscription

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[Magick M. Maphanga]

 

 

Editor’s Note   Theme

A growing crisis: Food insecurity and poverty surging in Southern Africa Drought has devastated South Africa's crops: Why it's happening and what can be done 120 years of SA agriculture: Highlights from research published in the SAJS Worms for pest control?: Dr Tiisetso Lephoto's fight to protect SA's crops Tackling food insecurity through inland fisheries: Sustainable solution investigated in Limpopo 'Era of epidemics?': Report reveals accelerating global health crisis linked to climate change Herding for Health: Using livestock management to enhance eco-conservation, rural livelihoods and food security Careers focus: Exciting STEM careers to tackle food security challenges   Features   Telling stories that bring science to life: Bats and all! The fossil skull that rocked the world: The colonial legacy of the Taung Child, 100 years later The biggest Egyptian tomb discovery in a century: Who was Thutmose II? International Day of Women and Girls in Science: Forestry sector celebrates their female stars   News   South African astronomy research 'in its prime': Launch of local advanced exoplanet-hunting telescope World-leading nanotech-hub launched in SA: 'Redefining what is possible'   Regulars   Book review: Life Esidimeni: Portraits of lives lost Subscription

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[Magick M. Maphanga]

 

 

Editor’s Note

Theme articles   Building fair futures: Ethical AI and robotics for every South Africa From chalkboards to code: The early start of South Africa’s digital classrooms Beyond automation: SA innovation in lasers, robotics and smart manufacturing Cool – and creepy: The weird science of brain computer interfaces Connecting continents: SA and China create world’s longest quantum satellite link Serious play: How a video game sparked a lesson in AI, ethics and empathy From paper to code: Digitisation and AI in the archives of Africa Career focus: Coding, robotics and AI   Feature articles   Supernova-induced climate change: Ocean sediments indicate it could have impacted the Taung child’s kin Plant blindness: Why we overlook plants – and why its hurting us Open days, open minds: Making the most campus visits World Book Day: Going beyond dress-up to close South Africa’s literacy gap From the ground up: How a Drakensberg community is redefining education   News articles   South Africa unveils new world-class dinosaur interpretation centre in the Golden Gate Highlands National Park Local scientists shine at Beijing youth science creation competition New velvet worm species discovered in the Little Karoo Regulars   Report review: ASSAf helps to demystify POPIA for Researchers Subscription

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[Magick M. Maphanga]

Editor’s Note   Theme articles

Data centres, and AI: What the AI boom could mean for the energy sector Africa’s AI energy diet: Can we teach Big Data to go green? Outbreak oracles: How Big Data predicts disease before it spreads What is ‘open data’: And why should we care? Data technology and AI for better humanitarian aid: UNICEF’s Frontier Data Network in action Cybersecurity: Big Data career path Career focus: How data science is building a better South Africa   Feature articles   First malaria treatment for babies: A ‘major step’ to ending the disease in Africa Rhisotope Project goes live: Nuclear innovation a possible ‘game changer’ in the fight against rhino poaching Listening, caring, healing: What makes telemedicine work in South Africa Make plastic go poof!: The exciting potential mechanochemistry Bringing science to life: Mandela-UNIVEN outreach sparks curiosity What students eat: Why healthier campus meals matter for learning   News articles   Robotic surgery used for living donor kidney removal at Tygerberg Hospital Google back the Wits MIND Institute with US$1M boost Breast cancer: New study finds risk in African women Regulars Book review: Fighting an Invisible Enemy: The Story of the National Institute for Communicable Diseases Subscription

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