What do macadamias, artichokes, proteas and dinosaurs have in common?
University of Pretoria researchers find that the common ancestor of the approximately 100 species of Protea found in South Africa and Australia’s related macadamia nut trees (such as Macadamia integrifolia) and waratah (Telopea speciosissima) dates back to when dinosaurs went extinct.
Other Related Research
'World's first 3D-printed middle-ear transplant: Technological Advances in the 4IR'
On 13 March 2019, Professor Tshifularo performed three middleear transplants using 3D-printed ossicles (the hammer, anvil and stirrup). This procedure is significantly less risky than the use of prostheses and their associated surgical procedures and is hailed as the answer to conductive hearing loss, a middle-ear problem caused by congenital birth defects, infection, trauma or metabolic disease. The surgery further aims to simplify the reconstruction of ossicles during middle-ear procedures and reduce the risks associated with traditional surgery, which include the potential for facial nerve paralysis.
A day in the life of a research scientist in Antarctica
Explore this gallery to experience a day in the life of research scientists in Antarctica. Antarctica's ice mass is enormous, and melting continental ice will have dramatic effects on oceanic flow patterns and global seal levels. Antarctica is also the last “pristine” continent in that it remains largely unaffected by human activity, which is why conservation is imperative.
Discussion: COVID-19: A coronavirus and how it's affecting the population
Professor Anton Stoltz (Head of the Division of Infectious Diseases in the Department of Internal Medicine); Professor Wanda Markotter (NRF-DSI South African Research Chair in Animal Infectious Diseases and Director of the Centre for Viral Zoonoses); and Professor Marietjie Venter (Head of the Zoonotic Arbo- and Respiratory Virus Research Programme at the Centre for Viral Zoonosis) give an overview of zoonotic diseases like COVID-19.