Latest news with #UCT
IOL News
8 hours ago
- Science
- IOL News
Groundbreaking study reveals biological sex and genetic diversity in Paranthropus robustus
Dr Palesa Madupe, Dr Claire Koenig and Dr Ioannis Patramanis. Image: Victor Yan Kin Lee Researchers from the University of Cape Town (UCT) and the University of Copenhagen have achieved a scientific first by using 2-million-year-old protein traces to determine the biological sex and uncover previously hidden genetic variation in Paranthropus robustus, an extinct close relative of modern humans. Published in the journal Science, the research analysed ancient proteins extracted from fossilised teeth discovered in South Africa's Cradle of Humankind. The remarkable discovery represents some of the oldest human genetic data ever recovered from Africa and challenges established understandings of this early hominin. The study's co-lead, Dr Palesa Madupe, a research associate at UCT's Human Evolution Research Institute (HERI) and postdoctoral fellow at the University of Copenhagen's Globe Institute, is part of a powerful African cohort transforming palaeoanthropology from within. "Because we can sample multiple African Pleistocene hominin individuals classified within the same group, we're now able to observe not just biological sex, but for the first time genetic differences that might have existed among them," said Madupe. UCT's HERI played a central role in the research, with co-director Professor Rebecca Ackermann as a senior author, and contributions from co-director Robyn Pickering and multiple HERI research associates. 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 team used cutting-edge palaeoproteomic techniques and mass spectrometry to identify sex-specific variants of amelogenin, a protein found in tooth enamel. Two of the ancient individuals were conclusively male; the others, inferred through novel quantitative methods, were female. Paper co-lead and postdoctoral researcher at the Center for Protein Research, University of Copenhagen, Claire Koenig, explained: 'Enamel is extremely valuable because it provides information about both biological sex and evolutionary relationships. However, since identifying females relies on the absence of specific protein variants, it is crucial to rigorously control our methods to ensure confident results.' The university explained that unexpectedly, another enamel protein – enamelin, revealed genetic diversity among the four individuals. Two shared a particular variant, a third had a distinct one, and a fourth displayed both. Co-lead and postdoctoral research fellow at the University of Copenhagen's Globe Institute Ioannis Patramanis said while studying proteins, specific mutations are thought to be characteristic of a species. 'We were thus quite surprised to discover that what we initially thought was a mutation uniquely describing Paranthropus robustus was actually variable within that group,' said Patramanis. The university added that this revelation forces a rethink of how ancient hominin species are identified, showing genetic variation, not just skeletal traits, must be considered in understanding their complexity. According to the researchers, Paranthropus lived in Africa between 2.8 and 1.2 million years ago, walking upright and likely coexisting with early members of Homo. Though on a different evolutionary path, its story remains central to understanding human origins. Madupe added that this study not only advances palaeoproteomics in Africa, but also highlights the vital role of African scholars in rewriting human history. 'As a young African researcher, I'm honoured to have significantly contributed to such a high-impact publication as its co-lead. But it's not lost on me that people of colour have a long journey to go before it becomes commonplace more of us need to be leading research like this,' said Madupe. Get your news on the go, click here to join the Cape Argus News WhatsApp channel. Ackermann detailed that HERI was actively leading that shift and the institute launched programmes introducing palaeoproteomic techniques to a new generation of African scientists and is expanding training across the continent. 'We are excited about the capacity building that has come out of this collaboration. The future of African-led palaeoanthropology research is bright,' Ackerman said. Cape Argus
Eyewitness News
3 days ago
- Health
- Eyewitness News
World No Tobacco Day: 'Variety of weird conditions' associated with some e-cigarette flavours, says expert
CAPE TOWN - People across the globe are marking World No Tobacco Day on Saturday, under the theme 'Unmasking the Appeal: Exposing Industry Tactics on Tobacco and Nicotine Products'. While there's extensive research on traditional tobacco products like cigarettes, vaping and e-cigarettes do not have as much long-term research on their effects. This as alternative nicotine products, such as vapes or Zyns, have been reportedly creating new and fatal diseases. Leading pulmonologist at the University of Cape Town (UCT), Professor Richard Van Zyl, said some flavours in e-cigarettes have been found to be linked to new conditions. "The flavourants in e-cigarettes aren't there in tobacco cigarettes. So, we're seeing a variety of weird conditions, you may have heard of something called popcorn lung, which is specifically related to butter flavourant diacetyl, which has been seen in some e-cigarettes, not all e-cigarettes, so it's a weird combination of diseases because of the flavourant." Van Zyl said that the diacetyl flavourant causes inflammation in the lungs. "So popcorn lung, it gets its name from diacetyl, the flavourant of butter popcorn, so that's where the popcorn part comes from, because it was found in workers in a popcorn factory, that's where it gets its name from. What it is because of this specific flavourant in butter flavour, the diacetyl flavourant causes an intense inflammation in the lungs.' He further explained, "So the lungs in a sense fill up with inflammation, and so you can't breathe, and it is often fatal, which is completely different from cigarettes which slowly damage your lungs. Thankfully, popcorn lung is very, very rare, but it is one of the weird things we have seen with electronic cigarettes.'
The Citizen
4 days ago
- Business
- The Citizen
Semigration boosts Cape residential rental yields
Semigration to the Cape has been a major boost for the residential rentals market, especially in areas such as Durbanville which offers a great lifestyle, but more affordability, says Daniela de Villiers, Seeff's rentals manager for the Durbanville area. The higher demand has unlocked more opportunities for investors and landlords in the area, offering attractive rental yields of 6%-10% depending on the area and property, she says. Average rental rates in the Durbanville and surrounding area range between R9,000 to R25,000, and for luxury homes, upwards of R30,000 per month. Luxury estate homes go to as much as R51,000 and R60,000 per month for homes rented out by Seeff in the Kanonberg and Clara Anna Fontein estates. Tenants are coming mainly from Gauteng, particularly the Pretoria area. They are drawn to the area due to the central location, reputable schools, and relative affordability compared to other upmarket locations in Cape Town. Durbanville offers easy access to main arterials, and well-maintained, safe neighbourhoods. The country-like lifestyle and proximity to the Durbanville Wine Valley are also a bonus for people moving from upcountry. Both families and young professionals are flocking to the area. Students from nearby medical facilities, and those doing practical rotations at state hospitals in the area are also drawn to the rental market. Anneke Roux, another rental agent with Seeff who operates in the Welgedacht area, says the area is also popular with those who enjoy an active lifestyle as they can safely walk and cycle in the scenic surroundings. The highest demand in Welgedacht is in the R13,000-R20,000 range while yields range from 6-10%. Schools are a big attraction, according to Allison Oosthuizen, another Seeff rental agent. Young professionals are drawn to the good selection of apartments in the area, including those at the Waterfront. Apartments rent out at R9,000-R11,000 per month which is more affordably priced compared to the Cape Town CBD. Townhouses is a popular alternative as they are also well-priced at R14,000-R18,000. Even luxury homes at R41,000-R51,000 offer good value compared to other upper end areas. The opportunity for investors is mostly for properties in the R1.2m to R2.4m price range where they can achieve a rental income of R9,000 to R20,000 per month, providing a rental yield of 5-7%. Gratia van Jaarsveld, another Seeff rental agent, however, cautions that landlords must keep their prices in line with the market or they could risk not attracting a good calibre tenant within a reasonable period. Pet-friendly properties are always sought-after. When investing in a rental property, a good location is vital, but landlords must maintain properties in a good condition to optimise the rental and retain good tenants. The areas of Pinelands and Thornton, closer to the City, report similar trends. Johan Meyer, licensee from Seeff for the areas, says the high demand is due to proximity to UCT, Groote Schuur Hospital, good schools, and access to the airport. Tenants include students, medical staff as well as those working at the Old Mutual offices. Here too, rental properties are in short supply, and landlords can earn yields of 6-10%. There is high demand for neat, modern accommodation such as the new Pineworx development. Apartments are renting out at R9,500-R14,000 while houses range from R20,000. The highest prices achieved by Seeff over the last year include R25,000 for a rental in Victory Avenue, R35,000 in Uitvlugt, and R42,000 in Links Drive. Issued by Gina Meintjes
Otago Daily Times
4 days ago
- Politics
- Otago Daily Times
US must restore academic freedom
Recent events at United States universities evoke vivid memories from my student past. While studying at the University of Cape Town (UCT) in 1958, the Extension of University Education Act was passed by the South African apartheid regime. It became "a criminal offence for a non-white student to register to a hitherto open university without the written consent of the Minister of Internal Affairs". At that time about 5% of SA university students were non-white, 552 at UCT. The Bill evoked vigorous public opposition, including street marches through major cities; support was received from 296 leading international universities. The UCT vice-chancellor, TB Davie, described four criteria of university academic freedom: who might be taught, what could be taught, how it should be taught, who was to be admitted to study. In 1959, a Flame of Academic Freedom was ceremonially extinguished in a prominent position on the university campus. A plaque describing the event was unveiled, but accompanied by another adjacent plaque leaving a blank date for when the flame would be reignited; this occurred in 1994. Many have repeated "if you have done nothing wrong, you have nothing to fear". But when "nothing wrong" excludes treating all fellow human beings with dignity and respect, is it a crime to follow your conscience? Democracies, and universities, encourage questions seeking the truth. Autocracies and totalitarian regimes discourage questions; exposing the truth may clash with uncompromising policies. US university students are facing similar challenges while advocating for matters of international justice. During my 20 years as an under- and post-graduate student and then on UCT staff, we protested apartheid policies. Most protest actions included demonstrations and having personal friendships and socialising with non-white students. Many of us were involved with charitable activities (mainly health and education) in underprivileged Coloured areas. Throughout the country, students and staff of all races were targeted. Some of our associates on campus were bullied, expelled, had activities and phone calls traced, banned, assaulted, whipped, deported, imprisoned without trial (some for 90 and some for 180 days, often in solitary confinement) and a few murdered. The "crimes" they had committed usually related to peacefully protesting apartheid policies in word or deed. As now in the US, anyone questioning official policy was construed as being an enemy of the state. Many American students are being persecuted and prosecuted for speaking out about international abuses in human rights. As in SA, authorities judge students according to their own interpretation, rightly or wrongly, of what they think is being protested. Current US policies make this particularly difficult for non-Americans who face potential deportation without trial. University administrations are being penalised heavily for defending their students and academic freedom. In 1965, a fellow SA researcher was denied permission by government authorities to present a paper accepted for presentation at a European nutrition meeting. The reason was the research exposed the dreadful nutritional status of Cape Coloured children. The situation was notified to congress organisers, requesting they leave the abstract on the programme but tell the audience why he was banned from presenting in person. That was the end of my friend's academic career. Should we not all continue to protest politically induced child starvation? As a Swiss citizen, I would be vulnerable if targeted during any protest. Advice was sought from the Swiss Consulate; he agreed I needed to follow my conscience, but advised against taking any leading role. The next day a protest letter appeared in the Cape Times , signed by all the medical registrars at Groote Schuur Hospital; my heart sank when the signatories appeared in alphabetic order, with mine at the top. We all had our mugshots taken when we went to farewell our mentor at the airport. Later that year, I presented a research paper at a scientific meeting in recently "liberated" Czechoslovakia. The irony was that the Russian communist system had been overtly suppressing the Czech public in similar ways to the apartheid regime in SA under the guise of being "anti-communist". Following these events, my wife (a health visitor in a poor Coloured area) and I became aware of dramatically increased official attention: our movements tracked, phone tapped, house searched and we were aware of police surveillance. Together with a large cohort of young academics, we left the country (in our case to New Zealand) in 1978. Young US academics are having their consciences silenced by those who believe they have a monopoly on the truth. Just as we had to abide by the dictates of cruel apartheid laws, US staff and students are free to express their views provided they agree with Make America Great Again policies. This is disastrous for universities and for the intellectual development and future prosperity of any nation. The career-enhancing post-doc experience I enjoyed in the US would not be possible under their current policies. True academic freedom must be restored before current policies induce a brain-drain and ruin outstanding American international institutions. ■Gil Barbezat is an emeritus professor of medicine, University of Otago.
IOL News
5 days ago
- Health
- IOL News
University of Cape Town leads regional action plan against drug-resistant malaria in East Africa
UCT is part of a research consortium that has played a pivotal role in developing the first regional action plan to combat drug-resistant malaria in East Africa. Image: Pexels/Jimmy Chan A research consortium led by the University of Cape Town (UCT) has played a pivotal role in developing the first regional action plan to combat drug-resistant malaria in East Africa. Endorsed by health ministers from across the region, the plan represents a major step forward in preserving the efficacy of life-saving antimalarial treatments. The Regional Detailed Action Plan for Responding to Antimalarial Drug Resistance in East Africa was officially endorsed in May 2025 at the 25th Ordinary Meeting of the East African Community (EAC) Sectoral Council of Ministers of Health. Developed through a partnership between UCT's Mitigating Antimalarial Resistance Consortium in South-East Africa (MARC SE-Africa) and the EAC Roll Back Malaria Secretariat, the plan unites national malaria programmes and global health stakeholders behind a common goal: safeguarding effective malaria treatment amid growing resistance and tightening global funding. Senior researcher at UCT and technical advisor within the consortium, Dr Stephanie van Wyk, said: 'This is a landmark achievement. This endorsement reflects the potential realised when scientific evidence, political will and regional solidarity converge. UCT remains committed to fostering solutions that not only assist our East African neighbours but also provide a template for responses to drug resistant malaria in other African regions. By enhancing case management and proactively addressing resistance challenges through regional collaboration, we contribute to safeguarding the effectiveness of antimalarial treatments throughout the endemic regions of Southern Africa.' The action plan targets drug-resistant Plasmodium falciparum, especially resistance to artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs) – the frontline treatment for malaria.– the frontline treatment for malaria. The plan outlines a roadmap for optimised treatment protocols, improved supply chain management and strengthened regional cooperation by integrating the latest research and surveillance data. It also identifies evidence-based short- and medium-term interventions to address resistance before it undermines decades of progress in malaria control. 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 Next Stay Close ✕ The plan's development involved intensive collaboration with leading national and international health partners, including the Global Fund, the President's Malaria Initiative, the Clinton Health Access Initiative, the African Leaders Malaria Alliance and Medicines for Malaria Venture. The EAC Roll Back Malaria Secretariat, led by Dr Michael Katende, played a central coordinating role in aligning partner countries and institutions behind a shared vision. 'Malaria knows no borders, and neither should our response. This consensus-based regional action plan demonstrates the power of multinational collaboration in tackling drug-resistant malaria. Now is the critical moment for East African nations and international partners to commit to sustained action and ensure effective malaria treatment remains available for millions at risk,' said Professor Karen Barnes, lead of MARC SE-Africa and coordinator of the initiative at UCT. With more than 300 million people – over 80% of the EAC population – living at risk of malaria, the plan arrives at a critical juncture. Resistance is rising, and funding shortfalls threaten to reverse hard-won gains. The coordinated approach signals a shift toward African-led, research-driven and politically unified responses to one of the continent's most pressing public health threats. Through this regional initiative, East Africa sets a new precedent for protecting the impact of ACTs, reinforcing its commitment to collective action, and demonstrating leadership in global health innovation.
