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Research & innovation

Research & innovation



UCT aspires to become a premier academic meeting point between South Africa, the rest of Africa and the world. Taking advantage of expanding global networks and our distinct vantage point in Africa, we are committed , through innovative research and scholarship, to grapple with the key issues of our natural and social worlds. We are committed both to protecting and encouraging 'curiosity-driven research' and research that has a real impact on our communities and environment.


Nigerian teenagers need digital mentors 17 Jun 2020 Republished
Africa must collaborate with the world on vaccine trials Our scientists must not practise in isolation, but be encouraged to be creative and increase our knowledge of the needs of developing economies, write Professor Mamokgethi Phakeng, vice-chancellor of UCT, and Professor Thokozani Majozi from the University of the Witwatersrand. 09 Jun 2020 Republished
UCT ranked among top 1.4% globally The University of Cape Town has been ranked best in Africa and 268th in the world by the Center for World University Rankings. 08 Jun 2020
Better probiotics for vaginal health UCT-led research has identified the best-performing strains of Lactobacillus bacteria, which could be used to improve the effectiveness of probiotics for vaginal health. 08 Jun 2020
Ethical use of drones in COVID-19 national emergency response programme A new initiative led by academics from UCT aims to build a Drones4Good knowledge community that will extend beyond South Africa, Australia and New Zealand. 08 Jun 2020
The ocean’s genome: protecting and sharing it How can we better protect the ocean genome and ensure greater equity? Professor Rachel Wynberg, who recently co-authored two papers about this resource, offers answers. 08 Jun 2020
Marine microfibres: less plastic than predicted Professor Peter Ryan leads a global team to a remarkable discovery: although microfibres are ubiquitous in ocean surface waters worldwide, less than 10% are synthetic. 05 Jun 2020
Antarctic ice-shelf puzzle The melting of ice shelves can have potentially disastrous repercussions on human populations and natural systems as sea levels rise. 05 Jun 2020 Republished
Epigenetic autism study breaks new ground Dr Colleen O’Ryan embarked on a project to research genes associated with autism spectrum disorder – and it led her right back to UCT. 04 Jun 2020
Study explores establishing a new bearded vulture population in SA A new study, led by scientists at UCT, explores where best to establish a new bearded vulture population in South Africa. 04 Jun 2020
Dual honours for UCT’s Wasserman The Centre for Film and Media Studies’ Professor Herman Wasserman has received two honours from the International Communication Association. 03 Jun 2020
COVID-19’s interaction with HIV and TB investigated The HIATUS study, being launched by UCT’s Wellcome Centre for Infectious Diseases Research in Africa, will investigate the interaction between pandemics in the South African context. 02 Jun 2020
When giant mustelids roamed South Africa Fossils described by scientists from UCT and Iziko Museums shed light on the world 5 million years ago when giant otters and wolverines ranged South Africa’s West Coast. 01 Jun 2020
Death to burial – COVID-19 risks live on Dr Marise Heyns has been travelling the length and breadth of the Western Cape province, training organisations on how to manage human remains in the context of COVID-19. 29 May 2020
Special COVID-19 app to screen SA’s workforce A partnership between UCT and the University of KwaZulu-Natal has delivered a special application that screens public and private sector employees’ readiness to attend work. 29 May 2020
Harnessing plant power to curb COVID-19 How UCT spin-off biotech company, Cape Bio Pharms, is helping to create fast and affordable COVID-19 antibody tests using a relative of the tobacco plant. 28 May 2020

 
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