Science and innovation for development Archives

Omicron: evidence shows it evades immunity from earlier infection more than other variants

South Africa is seeing a spike in COVID-19 cases. EMMANUEL CROSET/AFP via Getty Images Cari van Schalkwyk, South African Centre for Epidemiological Modelling & Analysis (SACEMA) ; Harry Moultrie, National Institute for Communicable Diseases, and Juliet Pulliam, South African Centre for Epidemiological Modelling & Analysis (SACEMA) Scientists are working around the clock to get a better understanding of the Omicron …

Top Kenyan scientist shares the joys and challenges of creating life-saving vaccines

Rift Valley Fever virus, 3D illustration. Kateryna Kon/Shutterstock George Warimwe, University of Oxford Professor George Warimwe should be a household name in Kenya. He’s a leading scientist who has created a life-saving vaccine against Rift Valley Fever. He is also leading policy-changing work on Yellow Fever vaccines. Warimwe has now been awarded the Royal Society Africa Prize for his work …

Breakthrough malaria vaccine offers to reinvigorate the fight against the disease

The first ever malaria vaccine promises to bring the battle against infections back on track. Photo Illustration by Rafael Henrique/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images Eunice Anyango Owino, University of Nairobi The World Health Organization has announced a historic move: it has recommended the widespread use of the first ever malaria vaccine. The recommendation is based on the results of an …

Major new study unveils complexity and vast diversity of Africa’s genetic variation

GettyImages. Zané Lombard, University of the Witwatersrand Africa is the cradle of humankind. All humans are descendants from this common pool of ancestors. Africa and its multitude of ethnolinguistic groups are therefore fundamental to learning more about humankind and our origins. A human genome refers to the complete set of genetic information found in a human cell. We inherit our …

Paying commission to academics reduces the value of research

Academic publishing is often linked to promotions and bonuses. GettyImages Sioux McKenna, Rhodes University and Dr Evelyn Muthama, Rhodes University Many universities around the world pay academics to publish their research. Our recent study in South Africa, though, suggests they should be cautious of such practices. The country’s Department of Higher Education and Training funds public universities for every article …