CSIR female researchers at the forefront of improving health care in SA
The CSIR has developed a diabetes-detecting chip to monitor blood sugar levels by analysing breath. The breath analyser technology aims to supplement, and eventually replace, the current invasive “finger prick” glucometer for monitoring diabetes in both young and old patients with a completely pain-free solution through a breath analyser based on nanowire sensors.
The breath analyser technology was among some of the technologies displayed at the media briefing held in Pretoria.
Women in science, technology and innovation honoured
The Department of Science and Technology rolled out the red carpet for women achievers in science, technology and innovation at a gala dinner in Limpopo on Thursday evening, 23 August.
The South African Women in Science Awards (SAWISA) was held under the theme, "100 years of Mama Albertina Sisulu: Women united in moving South Africa forward", emphasising Sisulu's great courage as a unifying leader during the apartheid era. In 1956, Sisulu was instrumental in leading about 20 000 women from across South Africa to march on the Union Buildings in Pretoria to protest the law requiring black women to carry passes.
Government launches research chairs focused on waste management
Government has launched South Africa's first ever research chairs on waste management, aimed at transforming the sector while contributing to the country's socio-economic development.
The new chairs under the South African Research Chairs Initiative (SARChI) – the South African Research Chair in Waste and Climate, and in Waste and Society – were launched in Pretoria today.
CSIR scientist becomes South Africa’s rising star
CSIR senior scientist and advanced material testing lab manager, Georges Mturi, is South Africa’s rising star. Mturi scooped the Standard Bank Rising Star Award in the Service: Public & Private category at an event held at the Hilton Hotel in Sandton, Johannesburg recently.
The Rising Star Awards recognise inspirational and passionate individuals in South Africa who have a capacity for achievement and success.
CSIR and Gold Yard partner to scale up industrial development in Africa
The CSIR and Gold Yard International Exchange Service (Gold Yard), an organisation representing various provincial bureau of China State Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs, have signed an agreement which is set to boost industrial development on the African continent.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed by CSIR CEO, Dr Thulani Dlamini, and Gold Yard General Manager, Mr Anquan Chi, in Pretoria, on Wednesday, 25 July 2018.
CSIR-designed LiDAR mobile system to monitor air quality in uMhlathuze Municipality
The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has designed and constructed a mobile light detection and ranging (LiDAR) lab that will be operating at the University of Zululand, the second university to have and operate a LiDAR system within in its premises in South Africa.
This atmospheric laser radar is a state-of-the-art instrument that uses the most powerful techniques for active remote sensing of the earth’s atmosphere.
CSIR releases a scientific report on the Knysna-Elandskraal fire
Strong bergwind conditions coupled with very dry vegetation most probably resulted in the flare-up of a lightning-induced smouldering fire on the morning of 7 June 2017 in the Elandskraal region, northwest of Knysna, resulting in one of the worst fire disasters in South Africa’s history.
This is according to a scientific report which the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) recently concluded.
First waste management outlook for Africa – publication launched in Pretoria
Recycling only 4% of the waste it generates, Africa has become a dumping ground for waste, particularly hazardous waste, often from developed countries. A far cry from the African Union’s vision that “African cities will be recycling at least 50% of the waste they generate by 2023”.
This and other findings are outlined in the report released by the United Nations Environment and the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) on 5 June 2018, World Environment Day, at the Sustainability Week in Pretoria.
Discovery of a new coastal current off Madagascar
South African, Malagasy and French researchers have discovered the existence of a coastal current off Madagascar. The newly-described current, the South-west Madagascar Coastal Current, flows poleward off the south-west coast of Madagascar. Knowledge about and a thorough understanding of it will help scientists understand ocean circulation in the region and have direct implications for the management of local fisheries south of Madagascar.
