Risk of waterborne diseases grows in rural areas of Zimbabwe

Mhondoro is a farm settlement about 45km southwest of the Zimbabwean capital Harare. Two children, two-year-old twins, splash about in a pool of greenish water close to their mother's hut. 4 Jan 2012 06:52

Nighttime images help track disease from the sky

Normally used to spot where people live, satellite images of nighttime lights can help keep tabs on the diseases festering among them, too, according to new research. 12 Dec 2011 12:50

Bristol researchers to help tackle the global problem of antibiotic resistance

Antibiotic resistance has become an escalating health issue that threatens our ability to control bacterial infections. To help tackle this global health problem an international collaboration, comprising researchers from the UK and Canada, has been awarded around £4.5 million to develop new strategies for treating 'superbugs'. 28 Nov 2011 13:15

Wits scientists working to neutralise HIV

Professor Caroline Tiemessen is attempting to understand why some individuals - referred to as elite controllers - are able to be HIV infected, but successfully suppress virus replication to undetectable levels. This is according to a report published on allAfrica.com. 14 Nov 2011 13:18

Could social media be used to detect disease outbreaks?

New research has looked at whether social media could be used to track an event or phenomenon, such as flu outbreaks and rainfall rates. 7 Nov 2011 13:20

Non-communicable diseases: Africa must 'spend a lot more'

BERLIN, GERMANY: According to scidev.net, Olive Shisana, CEO of the South African Human Sciences Research Council, said at the World Health Summit in Berlin, Germany that infectious diseases, such as tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS, are expected to decline while non-communicable diseases, including cardiovascular disease, cancer and diabetes, will increase in Africa over the coming decades. 4 Nov 2011 11:47

New test can precisely pinpoint food pathogens

ITHACA, NY, USA: With salmonella-tainted ground turkey sickening more than 100 people and listeria-contaminated cantaloupes killing 15 this year, the ability to detect outbreaks of food-borne illness and determine their sources has become a top public health priority. 27 Oct 2011 10:03

Comparing apples with pears - the SA pharmaceutical market is not the same as the US one!

[Alexis Apostolidis] A recent report by the American Federal Trade Commission ("FTC", the equivalent to South Africa's competition authorities) on the short and long-term effects of authorised generics sparked an article in the Business Report on Friday, 14 October- "Delay in generics robbing SA's sick". An authorised generic is an approved brand name drug marketed as a generic. 20 Oct 2011 09:19

Young people having more unprotected sex

LONDON: The number of young people having unprotected sex in the West has risen sharply over the past two years, a survey said on Monday (26 September 2011), with health professionals concerned the safe sex message is falling on deaf ears. 28 Sep 2011 14:19

Spotlight on Rabies

PRETORIA: In marking World Rabies Day on Wednesday, 28 September 2011, the Department of Health will host a panel discussion with various experts on rabies to help increase public awareness of the condition. 27 Sep 2011 09:48

Survey shows decline in condom use among South African youth

Condom use involving sex with a non-married, non-cohabiting partner among South African youth between the ages of 16-24 years in the country's three largest cities declined between 2006 and 2010, a survey by non-profit organisation Society for Family Health (SFH) has shown. 15 Sep 2011 10:22

Scientists develop new technologies for understanding bacterial infections

Understanding how bacteria infect cells is crucial to preventing countless human diseases. In a recent breakthrough, scientists from the University of Bristol have discovered a new approach for studying molecules within their natural environment, opening the door to understanding the complexity of how bacteria infect people. 5 Sep 2011 13:41

National Research Foundation honours Prof Makgoba

UKZN'S Vice-Chancellor Professor Malegapuru Makgoba has been awarded the prestigious National Research Foundation (NRF) President's Lifetime Achiever Award for his 'extraordinary contribution to the development of science...' The award was announced at a special function in Pretoria last night. 5 Sep 2011 13:25

Travellers to Zambia need Yellow Fever certificate

PRETORIA: South Africans travelling to Zambia will now be required to have a Yellow Fever vaccination certificate, the Department of Health said on Friday, 26 August 2011. 29 Aug 2011 10:33