South Africa

A newer dating technique using cosmogenic isotopes finds Australopithecus remains from the Sterkfontein caves to be about 1 million years older than previous estimates, potentially changing scientists’ understanding of humanity’s origins.

The presence and spread of new, more-infectious and immune-evading variants show that the coronavirus is not done mutating.

The discovery that what was long believed to be one fly species is actually two deepens researchers’ understanding of plant-pollinator relationships in a unique habitat in southern Africa.

An analysis suggests that a commercially important mass migration of fish may have no real adaptive value.

The plan’s signatories seek to make the results of their funded research available to all, but some scientists say the transition to open access has led to climbing publication fees and could exacerbate global disparities.

Countries outside the US and Europe that are already used to long wait times for laboratory supplies are facing greater research disruptions than ever during the pandemic.

Priceless collections of books, manuscripts, and personal papers have been lost.

B.1.525 shares a mutation with the B.1.351 variant first detected in South Africa that seems to allow the virus to dodge the immune system.

New data suggest that the company’s approved COVID-19 vaccine protects against different virus variants, but could be less effective against the one that originated in South Africa.

The pandemic and accompanying lockdowns have meant missing growing seasons and losing out on key data. As restrictions are partially lifted, researchers are adjusting to the new normal.

An isotopic analysis of eggshell beads dating back more than 30,000 years indicates that they helped build networks that stretched for hundreds of kilometers.

If proven successful, the five-minute test could be a good temporary indicator before a confirmatory PCR test.

The company had helped develop a tool to aid decision-making in distributing limited medical equipment among coronavirus patients, but two high-profile retractions call into question the validity of Surgisphere’s work in toto.

The South African scientist fought for women’s access to healthcare in disadvantaged communities.

The study showed that a vaccine combining a variety of immune-stimulating components was no more effective than a placebo.

The information we’ve gathered showed us that warthogs can be used as disease sentinels, avoiding the need to resort to testing valuable or endangered animals.

A new facility located in a congested community with high tuberculosis rates brings basic science and cutting edge techniques into the heart of disease circulation.

From canceled conferences to delayed publications, fallout of the shutdown spread beyond US borders, prompting concerns about long-term damage to international collaboration.

The 51-year-old University of Cape Town researcher had been suffering from depression, and his death has prompted reflection on being a black academic in South Africa.