26 Feb 2013

Science & Technology

 



At last... Some meaningful action against corrupt officials?

Service delivery is a major problem as it is, but what exacerbates the issue is when those charged with using our tax monies to deliver services too often use it to further their own ends and enrich themselves. So it is to be welcomed that Minister of Justice and Reconciliation Jeff Radebe has announced that the names of those government officials convicted of corruption are to be published.

In a similar vein, National Planning Minister Trevor Manuel says there should be consequences for public servants who do not deliver. Many people might add to that: "What about adding non-performing government ministers and provincial MECs to the mix?"

Writing from the US, Reuben Yonatan tells us what we can expect from VoIP in 2013. As he says, the future is always bright for any kind of computer-related or especially internet-related technology so we can always expect new innovations, but just what sort of innovations can we predict?

It is the government's job to provide the environment in which business can thrive, and it is the job of business to then provide employment. Unfortunately, it appears that in SA much conspires against the establishment and healthy growth of SMEs; a recent study finds South Africa is hostile to SMEs.

Finally, the thought of our tame motoring editor Henrie Geyser in makeup - fancy or otherwise - is, well... deeply disturbing. But the same cannot be said, thank goodness, for Opel's new OPC rocket, which Henrie reckons is a rocket ship with fancy make-up.

Rod Baker: Content Director

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Science

Cheaper water test to improve lives
[Cadine Pillay] A home kit to test the microbial quality of tap water has been invented in a laboratory at Rhodes University, in Grahamstown, Eastern Cape, costing exactly R5 (US$0.56) to make. Read more >>

South African team develops new rabies antidote
[Wilma den Hartigh] Researchers from South Africa's Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) have developed the world's first injectable medicine from a tobacco plant - an antidote for rabies which could change the way the deadly viral disease is treated worldwide. Read more >>

RT meteorite footage goes big on YouTube
MOSCOW, RUSSIA: Russia Today (RT)'s footage of the Siberian meteor blast claimed to have become the most watched video of the phenomenon on YouTube. (Video) Read more >>


Technology

Low-cost ultrasound for moms, babies
[Wilma den Hartigh] Researchers from the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and the Medical Research Council have developed a low-cost Doppler ultrasound device, known as Umbiflow, which will improve primary health care services for pregnant women. Read more >>

Technical consumer goods market with positive annual balance
NUREMBERG, GERMANY: The Technical Consumer Goods market closed the fourth quarter, as well as the total year, with a sales growth of 2.8%. Sales volume generated from October to December amounted to €15.1bn. The total sales volume for 2012 was around €51.6bn. This is the result of GfK TEMAX Germany for the fourth quarter of 2012. Read more >>

Nuclear power will help lower emissions, diversify energy mix
South Africa intends to introduce nuclear power that will help to lower carbon emissions, Energy Minister Dipuo Peters said on Tuesday, adding that it would be done safely. Read more >>


Government
Scarce skills - what are they?
Despite it being a legislative requirement, several government departments on Wednesday (20 February) denied responsibility for drawing up and publishing the National Scarce and Critical Skills List - indicating the confusion that resulted after President Jacob Zuma increased the number of ministries in 2009. Read more >>

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2013 Biz Trends Report


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