Blog – Page 31 – Next Einstein Forum

February 8, 2015

Why We Need More Scientists in Davos 2015

In a panel titled “A New Era in the Fight against Cancer,” Scientific American Editor-in-Chief Mariette Dichristina talks with José Baselga, Physician-in-Chief and Chief Medical Officer at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, and Richard W. Vague, Professor in Immunotherapy, School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania. (Benedikt von Loebell/Flickr) The NEF believes that the world needs more […]

February 6, 2015

Dr. Nkem Khumbah on the state of STEM in Africa

“Just about every African country, regional community…African leadership institution has talked about science and its role in development…but their conversation around science has not been matched with what they say they will do…we need to go from intent to practical outcome…” Dr. Nkem Khumbah, NEF’s Executive Curator Can you suggest one practical way that an […]

February 4, 2015

Davos 2015: Some Critical Issues

The World Economic Forum held its 45th Annual Meeting for 2015 in Switzerland from January 21st to the 24th. Among the key highlights under the theme “The New Global Context,” according to Business Report, included: 1) Growth and Stability: Economic recovery after the financial crisis was discussed and solutions posed. 2) Crisis and Cooperation: How […]

December 2, 2014

Nigerian professor Francisca Okeke Predicts Weather

Breaking the barrier of the male-dominated field of physics, Professor Francisca Okeke explains how she predicts meteorological weather and climate using satellite data. On her career goals: What other challenges did you face as you progressed in your career and have you noticed any changes since you started out in this career with regards to […]

November 16, 2014

New Malaria Vaccine Shows Promise in Kenya

The NEF is excited to announce breakthroughs in scientific discoveries in Africa. A recent article highlighted that a new malaria vaccine shows promise in Kenya. The RTS vaccine prevents the malaria parasite from infecting, maturing and multiplying in the liver, from which it typically re-enters the blood and infects red blood cells. “We saw a […]

November 10, 2014

“Africa Needs Science, Not Aid”

The claim is a bold one. Africa needs science, not aid. While Africa continues to experience an economic boom, with Nigeria leading as the continent’s largest economy, its growth is based largely on extraction of natural resources by foreign firms rather than boosting industrial productivity. Authors Nkem Khumbah and Melvin Foote make the point that […]

July 25, 2014

‘Exciting’ drug flushes out HIV

HIV can become part of someone’s DNA and lie dormant for decades, making a cure impossible. Early stage research in six people, reported at the Aids 2014 conference, shows that low-dose chemotherapy can awaken the virus. Experts said it was a promising start, but it was unlikely the drug would work on its own to […]

July 24, 2014

GM’s potential in Africa impeded by ‘dysfunctional debate’

Opportunities to enhance crop yields and reduce poverty in Africa are being lost because of a “polarised public debate” on the continent, according to a report released this week (21 July) by international policy institute Chatham House. Genetic modification (GM) research projects remain stuck at the field trial stage due to governments’ fears keeping the […]

July 23, 2014

Cambridge diagnostic tool offers on-the-spot HIV testing to millions living with HIV in Africa

A new trans-formative point-of-care diagnostic which gives instant results for the detection of genetic material from the HIV virus is being rolled out across Africa. The small, highly portable machine – known as SAMBA II – will help transform the lives of millions, especially HIV exposed infants who have a one in two chance of […]

July 22, 2014

Equipping girls with science to drive change

From behind the walls of a humble-looking building in Bali, a residential neighbourhood of Doula, Cameroon’s fast-paced economic hub, comes a steady, low hum. It emanates from around 20 women — avid learners immersed in scientific theory and hands-on practice. Read more […]