Uncategorized – Page 12 – Next Einstein Forum

February 21, 2014

‘The winds of change are massive!’ Tech innovator calls African diaspora to come back and make a difference

What do the Apollo space missions, laser eye surgery and sustainable cocoa have in common? These are just some of the historic breakthroughs that IBM research labs across the world have helped become a reality over the years. But the prestigious tech firm had a glaring omission on their global map. Africa is now the […]

February 20, 2014

Africa’s untapped renewable energy

Africa’s abundant renewable natural resources such as wind, sunshine and water could be used to improve energy security for the poor, particularly in rural areas that are off the electricity grid. But policies and financial aid are needed to encourage the development of new markets in clean energy. Read more and watch the video here: http://www.scidev.net/global/energy/multimedia/africa-s-untapped-renewable-energy.html?utm_source=link&utm_medium=webfeed&utm_campaign=en […]

February 19, 2014

Using mathematical models to make the best cuts in skull surgery

André Linhares is a University of Waterloo doctoral student who uses mathematical models to help children with facial deformities. Linhares, a PhD student in the Faculty of Math, is working with surgeons at Toronto’s Hospital for Sick Children to help ensure the best possible outcome for children who undergo skull surgery. Read more: https://uwaterloo.ca/stories/using-mathematical-models-make-best-cuts-skull-surgery […]

February 19, 2014

Top research universities join to boost minority science faculty

As an African American man pursuing a PhD in the seciences, Geoff Lovely has sometimes had to overcome a feeling that he didn’t belong in the halls of top research universities where he saw few peers of color. The Caltech student is intent on becoming a professor “where I think I can definitely make an […]

February 18, 2014

Mathematics: Why the brain sees maths as beauty

Mathematicians were shown “ugly” and “beautiful” equations while in a brain scanner at University College London. The same emotional brain centres used to appreciate art were being activated by “beautiful” maths. The researchers suggest there may be a neurobiological basis to beauty. Read more: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-26151062 […]

February 17, 2014

Why are so few women scientists

Science Minister David Willetts, Dame Ann Dowling, Head of Engineering at the University of Cambridge and academic and TV presenter, Alice Roberts discuss why it’s still the case that so few women become scientists or engineers. […]

February 12, 2014

Narrow funding base ‘puts WHO drug programme at risk’

The future of a WHO programme that ensures the quality of medicines for numerous global health NGOs and UN agencies is vulnerable unless more donors start funding it, health experts have warned. The Prequalification of Medicines Programme (PQP) relies on just two donors — the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and global health organisation UNITAID — for roughly 90 per cent […]

February 11, 2014

Project aims to build African health research capacity

A training programme is helping Ghana and Zimbabwe build capacity in health research to provide local evidence for policymakers, researchers say. Researchers implementing the programme — diploma in project design and management (DPDM) — say inadequate capacity for undertaking health research in Africa badly affects the ability of policymakers to have locally relevant evidence to guide their work. […]

February 13, 2013

TWAS awards female chemists and relaunches website

Five female chemists from the developing world will receive US$5,000 prizes this week (15 February) at a ceremony at the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science in Chicago, United States. The winners of the second Elsevier Foundation Awards for Early Career Women Scientists in the Developing World come from Indonesia, […]