logo
Vaccinologists go nuts for cashews

Vaccinologists go nuts for cashews

eNCA24-05-2025

JOHANNESBURG - We all know cashews are a great snack and they're good for you, rich in nutrients, fibre and antioxidants.
But now vaccinologists are going nuts for the superfood.
Cashew nutshell liquid has been found to be a crucial ingredient in mRNA vaccines.
Yes, that's the same tech behind the jabs you received during the Covid pandemic.
Now, Wits Antiviral Gene Therapy Research and Synthetic Organic Chemistry Units has secured a R7-million grant for further research.
We crack the shell with Professor Patrick Arbuthnot, head of the Antiviral Gene Therapy Research Unit at Wits University.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Rising cancer claims highlight health challenges in South Africa
Rising cancer claims highlight health challenges in South Africa

IOL News

time7 hours ago

  • IOL News

Rising cancer claims highlight health challenges in South Africa

Sanlam's latest claims data reveals a worrying trend of rising cancer and cardiovascular claims in South Africa, highlighting the impact of lifestyle diseases and the ongoing effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on health screenings. Cancer remains a leading cause of severe illness claims, accounting for 54% of total payouts in this category- a 30% increase from 2023, according to Sanlam. According to the group, notably, prostate cancer claims among men have doubled, while breast cancer claims among women have risen by 33%. Cardiovascular conditions were responsible for 20% of death claims and 17% of disability claims. Sanlam says the sharp rise in cancer and cardiovascular claims points to shifting health challenges affecting South Africans today, with lifestyle diseases becoming increasingly prevalent. According to the group, conditions such as heart disease, certain cancers, musculoskeletal disorders, and mental health issues are contributing to a growing claims burden. Marion Morkel, chief medical officer at Sanlam underscores the knock-on effect of the pandemic, which resulted in delayed screenings and late-stage diagnoses. 'Cancer claims under the Severe Illness category rose by 30% year-on-year – prostate claims doubled in men, and breast cancer claims rose 33% in women. These increases, while concerning, are partly the result of the knock-on effect of the Covid-19 pandemic, with proactive screenings having been delayed for several years.' Sanlam says South Africa's hypertension rates remain among the highest globally, serving as an early warning sign for heart disease and stroke. Stroke and musculoskeletal disorders have risen sharply among women, including those under 50, reflecting a worrying trend. Morkel emphasises the importance of early detection, urging South Africans to take charge of their health metrics, including blood pressure, cholesterol, glucose, and BMI. 'Regular screenings and self-checks – especially for breast cancer – are essential. For heart health, know your numbers: blood pressure, cholesterol, glucose, and BMI. And once you reach your mid-40s to early 50s, make regular check-ups a priority.' This information is included in Sanlam's claims data which also reveals gender disparities in disability and income protection claims. 60% of disability claims were filed by men, while 61% of sickness income claims were filed by women—20% of whom claimed for pregnancy- and childbirth-related conditions. Severe illness claims were evenly split across genders, reinforcing the universal nature of health risks. The claims data shows that Sanlam Risk and Savings has paid out a staggering R6.62 billion in individual insurance claims in 2024, marking a 9.24% increase from the previous year. 'The World Health Organisation recommends that annual health screenings and checks start in our 30s, and we urge South Africans to prioritise these as part of their yearly routine," Morkel says. Sanlam's claims statistics for 2024 reveal record-high payouts, with R5.47 billion allocated to death and funeral claims, R501.6 million to disability, loss of income, and impairment claims, and R650.3 million to severe illness and injury claims. Over the past six years, the insurer has disbursed more than R36 billion in claims, making 2024 one of the highest payout years outside the Covid-19 peak in 2021. Rhoderic Nel, Sanlam Risk and Savings chief executive points to a troubling trend—more younger individuals filing claims. 'Currently about 24% of all living benefit claims are from clients younger than 35 years old, with increases being seen in income protection claims (up from 15% in 2022 to around 25% in 2024). It's a sobering reminder that life-changing illness can strike at any age. Being financially prepared isn't something to delay – it's something to start now.' Nel stresses that each claim represents more than just a policy number—it's a life, a family, and a future. 'Every claim we pay is a promise kept. Behind each one is more than a name or contract number, it's a family, a story, a future changed. That's why our claims philosophy is rooted in fairness and compassion. People need support quickly, so we're constantly striving to reduce the time it takes to settle claims," says Nel. As health and financial risks evolve, Sanlam's data highlights the importance of financial preparedness. 'This isn't just about payouts. It's about helping people stay on their feet when life takes an unexpected turn," says Nel. PERSONAL FINANCE

Rising cancer and heart disease cases drive R6. 62 Billion payout by one of South Africa's largest insurers
Rising cancer and heart disease cases drive R6. 62 Billion payout by one of South Africa's largest insurers

IOL News

time11 hours ago

  • IOL News

Rising cancer and heart disease cases drive R6. 62 Billion payout by one of South Africa's largest insurers

The latest data point to shifting health challenges facing South Africans today Image: Freepik Cancer, heart disease, and other lifestyle-related conditions contributed to a significant increase in insurance claims in 2024, with Sanlam Risk and Savings paying out R6.62 billion up 9.24% from the previous year. According to the company, the latest data 'point to shifting health challenges facing South Africans today – evidenced by increases in claims for illnesses like heart disease, certain cancers and musculoskeletal disorders, and mental health concerns.' Key 2024 claims statistics R5.47 billion in death and funeral claims R501.6 million in disability, loss of income, and impairment claims R650.3 million in severe illness and injury claims Over the past six years, Sanlam has paid out more than R36 billion in claims, with 2024 ranking among the highest annual totals second only to the Covid-19 peak in 2021. Cancer accounted for 54% of all severe illness claims, with the number of cancer-related claims rising 30% year-on-year. Prostate cancer claims in men doubled Breast cancer claims in women rose 33% Cardiovascular conditions made up 20% of death claims and 17% of disability claims. Sanlam paid out more than 99% of all death claims in 2024, with the highest single claim reaching R36.2 million Dr Marion Morkel, Sanlam's Chief Medical Officer, pointed out that lifestyle diseases are becoming a major driver of claims. 'The World Health Organisation recommends that annual health screenings and checks start in our 30s and we urge South Africans to prioritise these as part of their yearly routine," she said. 'Cancer claims under the severe Illness category rose by 30% year-on-year – prostate claims doubled in men and breast cancer claims rose 33% in women. These increases, while concerning, are partly the result of the knock-on effect of the Covid-19 pandemic with proactive screenings having been delayed for several years.' Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ The data also showed a rise in stroke and musculoskeletal disorders among women, including women in the younger age groups (pre-50). Rhoderic Nel, Sanlam Risk and Savings Chief Executive said currently about 24% of all living benefit claims are from clients younger than 35 years old, with increases being seen in income protection claims. 'Currently about 24% of all living benefit claims are from clients younger than 35 years old, with increases being seen in income protection claims (up from 15% in 2022 to around 25% in 2024). It's a sobering reminder that life-changing illness can strike at any age. Being financially prepared isn't something to delay – it's something to start now.' IOL Business Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel

Africa should step up own vaccines, says cholera-hit Angola
Africa should step up own vaccines, says cholera-hit Angola

Eyewitness News

time11 hours ago

  • Eyewitness News

Africa should step up own vaccines, says cholera-hit Angola

LUANDA - Africa should step up production of its own vaccines to deal with a range of health issues, Angola, battling hundreds of cholera deaths this year, said Wednesday. "To enable a strong and sustainable response to this crisis and future crises, it is essential to put production of medicines and vaccines on our continent," Angolan President Joao Lourenco, who also heads the African Union, told a videoconference with other African leaders, his office said. "Total dependence on external imports limits our ability to respond and compromises our health sovereignty," Lourenco said during a conference which included World Health Organization (WHO) director general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. More than 90 percent of vaccines, medicines, medical tests, and other essential health supplies used in Africa are imported, according to a report by the African Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (ACDCP) published in April. Several African countries are battling cholera outbreaks with Sudan, South Sudan, Democratic Republic of Congo and Angola among the worst hit. As of 2 June, Angola had recorded more than 24,530 cases this year, with 718 deaths, according to the Angolan presidency. On 27 May, the Sudanese health ministry reported 172 deaths from the disease in a single week in the war-torn country. Africa's dependence on imported health products has proven disastrous during previous epidemics, including COVID-19, Ebola, Marburg and mpox, the ACDCP report said. That leaves the continent at the mercy of global trade tensions, geopolitical disruption and logistical delays, it said. Public health emergencies have significantly increased in Africa, rising from 152 in 2022 to 213 in 2024, the report added.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store