Category: Science Matters

Research Nugget Impact of SA’s Plastic Industry on Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Life-Cycle Approach Plastics are everywhere and part of modern-day living, offering unique properties that make them ideal for a wide range of applications. However, this convenience comes with a

Research Nugget Promising Nano-based Treatment Approach for Parkinson’s Disease Parkinson’s diseases (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder which affects millions of people worldwide. With the number of cases estimated to increase by 2040, alternative treatment approaches are necessary as current therapeutics

Research Nugget SA Traditional Medicinal Plants with Potential to Manage Preeclampsia Preeclampsia, a hypertensive disorder of pregnancy, is the most common direct cause of maternal deaths in South Africa. Current management strategies of preeclampsia primarily involve the use of pharmaceutical

Research Nugget Breaking the glass ceiling: Women’s publication trends in SA universities The past two decades have seen a significant increase in the publication output of women at South African universities. From 2005 to 2020, the share of female-authored publications

Research Nugget Front-of-Pack Nutrition labels as a tool to guide consumers identify healthier foods The development of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), such as diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular and chronic respiratory diseases, is strongly linked to an unhealthy diet, with ultra-processed foods being

Research Nugget What influences SA consumers to buy green products? With increased awareness of the catastrophic effects of unsustainable patterns of consumption and production on the planet, there is a need to understand which factors influence South African consumers’ purchase

Science systems across the world are increasingly recognising the importance of the broader societal impact of research, which includes the interdependent dimensions of social, economic, and environmental impact. Given the significant shifts over time, both nationally and internationally, in considerations

In pursuit of a society that critically engages with science and technology, participatory research action grants have been awarded to local public universities under a ‘unique’ Science Shop model in support of the strategic imperatives of the Science Engagement Strategy

Invasive alien species are a major driver of global environmental change, requiring a range of management interventions to ameliorate their impacts on biodiversity, ecosystems, human well-being, and local livelihoods. Researchers in invasion science commonly engage stakeholders in order to integrate

According to the 1999 Kellogg Commission Report entitled Returning To Our Roots: The engaged institution, higher education institutions worldwide make substantial contributions to human resource development and knowledge production by the nature of their status as teaching, learning and research