Uncategorized – Page 4 – Next Einstein Forum

June 19, 2014

Philips introduces ultra sound machine in Kenya to aid pregnant women

Philips has introduced an innovative mobile ultra sound system (VISIQ) that aims at bringing high quality, affordable healthcare to pregnant mothers in Kenya. Ulrich Klaus, Philips’ Business Development Manager said in Nairobi that the VISIQ provides high quality images for expectant mothers wherever care is taking place. Read More […]

June 18, 2014

Project that mails antimalarial boxes to start spin-off

An initiative that mails a box of antimalarial compounds for free to scientists around the world has helped boost research on drug discovery and development since its launch in 2011 and inspired a second project for neglected tropical diseases, according to product-development partnership the Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV). The Malaria Box contains samples of 400 compounds […]

June 17, 2014

‘Super banana’ could save millions in Africa

A super-enriched banana genetically engineered to improve the lives of millions of people in Africa will soon have its first human trial, which will test its effect on vitamin A levels, Australian researchers said Monday. The project plans to have the special banana varieties – enriched with alpha and beta carotene which the body converts […]

June 16, 2014

Technology’s part in the tale of Rwanda’s child soldiers

Last month, while in East Africa for interviews about higher education — watch out for our Spotlight on the topic later this month — I picked up a book from the handful of English titles stocked by the hotel. It was a personal account of child soldiers by the Canadian senator, humanitarian, author and retired general, Roméo Dallaire. His […]

June 12, 2014

Laptop ‘tops other ICT tools important for e-learning’

The information and communication technology (ICT) device with greatest potential for education and training is laptop, whereas Facebook is the most popular social media, according to a new survey of e-learning professionals in Africa. Researchers from Integrated Communications, Worldwide Events (ICWE) in Germany surveyed 1,444 e-learning professionals from 55 countries in Africa through e-mail between March and May this year. Read […]

June 12, 2014

GM lab mosquitoes may aid malaria fight

Scientists have created mosquitoes that produce 95% male offspring, with the aim of helping control malaria. Flooding cages of normal mosquitoes with the new strain caused a shortage of females and a population crash. The system works by shredding the X chromosome during sperm production, leaving very few X-carrying sperm to produce female embryos. Read more […]

June 10, 2014

Should hydropower truly be described as renewable?

A revival in huge hydro projects may cut carbon emissions, but proponents’ use of the term ‘renewable’ is misplaced. Hydroelectric dams are the quintessential expression of human control of nature. As well as power, they create reservoirs of clean water, which to some are both pleasing to the eye and a place for tranquil recreation. They […]

June 6, 2014

African smallholders ‘need tech to spur food security

African countries need to help smallholder farmers access technologies that will enable them increase farm yields, achieve resilience and better nutrition to address poverty, food security as well as economic growth, a conference has heard. Kanayo Nwanze, president of the International Fund for Agricultural Development, says this will only be possible through a paradigm shift that enables smallholder farmers, particularly in rural areas, […]

June 5, 2014

World Lung Award comes to Africa for the First Time.

A University of Cape Town professor has become the first Africa-based researcher to win the prestigious World Lung Health Award. Heather Zar, who heads UCT’s department of paediatrics, accepted the award at a ceremony in San Diego in the US on 21 May. The American Thoracic Society gives the award for outstanding contributions to the field of […]

June 4, 2014

The problems with the arguments against GM crops

New evidence shows that arguments against GM crops are unfounded, says Margaret Karembu. The year 2013 marked the 18th consecutive year of commercial cultivation of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) or now commonly referred to as biotech crops. And in just under two decades, the volume of land on which biotech crops are grown has increased from 1.7 million […]