SS Health and Medical Science Issue 08

1Science Stars Magazine Health and Medical Science Issue | www.sciencestars.co.za

LIFE WITHIN HEALTH AND MEDICAL SCIENCE

ISSUE 08SCIENCESTARS

2 Science Stars Magazine Health and Medical Science Issue | www.sciencestars.co.za

UPCOMING DST EVENTS Scifest Africa Budget Vote National Science Week


UPCOMING DST EVENTS Scifest Africa Budget Vote National Science Week

CO

NT

EN

Ts

FEATURES

8 Shireen Mentor

Bold and Steadfast

12 ARC

Dr Shadrack Moephuli

15 Careers

Health & Medical Science

20 dST

Innovation Bridge

22 Ellen Ngarande

M.astering Medical Biomaterials

26 SKA

Shared Sky Exhibition

29 Science Experiment

Balloon Blow-up

31 DST

Advancement of Science

36 UWC

Profile of Life Science Building

44 DST

Mineral Processing

CONTENTSCONTENTS


Nikitia Davids

theFOREWORD

Research Council) studies the crops and their nutritional value.The anxiety about the workload and cost of becoming a doctor vanishes the moment you hold that new-born baby in your arms or see how well the patient is recovering after a major surgery. Whatever you do for that patient, big or small, their thankfulness makes all the stress and anxiety worthwhile, even if just for that moment.On good days and even on bad days, I would not trade my career for the world.

The ability to give life is a gift beyond description, whether you are bringing a new life into the world or restoring a slightly older one. As a fourth-year medical student, I get to be a part of these experiences daily.Medicine is a field in which you never stop learning, even when you are old and grey. Your work is never complete. As soon as you have seen one patient, you are staring into the eyes of the next. After a long day of work (if you are not on 24-hour call), you need to brush up on theoretical knowledge in preparation for the next day.To become a doctor is not easy nor cheap. Tuition fees, textbooks, equipment and medical clothing are a few of the expenses to take into consideration as it is a substantial amount. Fortunately, there are bursaries available in South Africa, allowing this dream to fol-low a realistic path.This Health and Medical Science issue of Science Stars covers the many career options available and also highlights some success stories of students in various fields. The content goes beyond the work done in waiting rooms and hospitals. This issue also explains the work done in the fields, where the ARC (Agriculture

Fourth-year MB,ChB student at the University of Stellenbosch

An insider’s perspective

FEATUREFOREWORD

6 Science Stars Magazine Astronomy Issue | www.sciencestars.co.za

The most recent (and undeniably the most devastating) health issue that crippled the world was the rapid spread of the Ebola epidem-ic. The disease instantly became a household name worldwide, rais-ing concern about the healthcare efficiency in Africa and anticipat-ing an overnight cure by leading medical scientists. Along with this global scare came the realisation that Health and Medical Science is a field that needs constant attention in the form of theoretical and practical advancements. When the Science Stars team started brainstorming ideas for the Health and Medical Science

issue, we all immediately thought of the most obvious job titles in the field – doctors and dentists. But after further discussion, we came up with an extensive list of interesting careers that can be viewed on the Careers Page (pages 15 & 16).We also give you some advice on choosing your future university and speak to a young neuroscientist from the University of the Western Cape (UWC) whose career path is lit by success despite her challenging circumstances growing up on the Cape Flats.Thought you knew everything there was to know about maintaining a balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle? Our Nutritional Facts (page 33) might teach you a few interesting things that could improve your aca-demic performance. Turn to the Science News (page 42) to catch up on the latest news and developments on the national Science front.In the process of compiling this issue, I realized that there is so much more to Health and Medical Science than a lab coat and a syringe. This complex field of study includes everything from engineering human cells to a trip to the vet to having braces straighten crooked teeth. A career in Health Science is one that is always open to new learning possibilities and exciting technological advancements. With the con-stant influx of knowledge and medical discoveries, Health and Medical Science will never be subject to stagnation and there will always be room for new employees and developments.

The world is in need of some healing.

Shani Rhoda

Managing Editor • Evans [email protected]

Deputy Editor • Shani Rhoda

Graphic Designer • Cinzia-Joey Swartz

Project Manager • Renata Williams

Contributing Writers • Thandile Mban Chairman • Madambi Rambuda

Public Relations • Bongeka Mnotoza

Sales Representative • Tinyiko [email protected]

Ambassador • Azwindinni Muronga

Copyright 2015 Roswika Media. All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or any means, electronically or mechanically, without prior permission.

Science Stars is published by Roswika Media - a member of Shanduka Black Umbrellas.

10th Floor, The Pinnacle2 Burg StreetCape Town, 8000

021 839 [email protected]

LetteR FROMTHE DEPUTY EDITOR

teamScience Stars

Deputy Editor

ED’S NOTE

From building schools to supporting black entrepreneurs, from making university study possible for disadvantaged students to providing work experience for young work seekers, Shanduka Foundation strives to develop South Africa’s human potential. Over the last decade, Shanduka Foundation has created opportunities for educational development, career growth and entrepreneurial advancement.

• Adopt-a-School Foundation mobilises companies and individuals to adopt disadvantaged schools with the aim of improving the academic, infrastructural, social and security environment in schools.

• Shanduka Black Umbrellas nurtures qualifying 100% black-owned businesses by providing meaningful access to markets, networks and finance through its small enterprise incubators and online enterprise and supplier development portal.

• The Cyril Ramaphosa Education Trust provides bursaries to disadvantaged students and organises vacation work in companies in the Shanduka Group.

• The Shanduka internship programme provides experiential training for selected learners and job seekers within Shanduka Group and across its partner network.

Thanks to the ongoing support of many partners in business, government and civil society, Shanduka Foundation is making a significant impact in the lives of young South Africans.

To find out more about the work of the foundation and its programmes, visit

www.shanduka.co.za/shanduka-foundation

FROM CLASSROOM TO BOARDROOM

A DECADE OF EMPOWERMENT


SHIREEN MENTOR

Raised by a single parent, excelling

academically has always been a

challenge for Shireen Mentor from

the Cape Flats. Demolishing any obstacles

standing in her way, this top student from

UWC has made an exceptional success of

her studies by practising self-control and

perseverance in everyday life.

What is Neuroscience?Neuroscience is basically the study of the

central nervous system and the function-

ing of neurons. The study focuses on how

important the blood-brain barrier is to the

normal functioning of those neurons.

Where are you from? I was born in Cape Town and raised by a

single parent. My mother is originally from

Bonteheuwel, which is a disadvantaged

community.

She then moved out of Bonteheuwel and

raised myself and my sister in Montana,

which is based in the Cape Flats area.

How did you decide that this is the career you want to pursue?Part of our school’s career guidance efforts

was to expose students to different fields

of study and that is where I was really

exposed to Science. It sparked an interest

in the different fields of Science.

I also attended the career days at UWC

and that is when I was exposed to Medical

Biosciences. I was also exposed to the

different divisions in the field of Medical

Sciences and Neuroscience was one of the

areas that sparked my interest.

How did you get to MSc level?I matriculated in 2006 and I started my

undergraduate studies in 2007. I decided

to do Medical Bioscience, purely because

I love Biology, the human body and the

way it functions. And then, Prof. Fisher hap-

pened to be one of my first lecturers and

he advised me to always study my work and

study for an hour every day.

I have always had a passion for my work

so I always worked really hard and applied

myself where necessary, despite the chal-

lenges.

The subjects I had were Chemistry,

Mathematics, Statistics – they were difficult

subjects but whatever I didn’t understand, I

would go back to the lecturer and I would

ask for help.

One thing I learnt about university is that

there’s nothing surprising, they teach you

what you need to know – it’s up to you as a

student to put in the effort and hours into

your studies.

BOLD AND STEADFASTA Career as a Neuroscientist


FEATURESHIREEN MENTOR

Being a cum laude student, many other universities, including the University of Stellenbosch, have offered you place-ments, but you chose to remain at UWC. I had initially applied to all three universi-

ties – UCT, SU, and UWC. I was provision-

ally accepted at all three, but my matric

Mathematics mark was a bit low. So, my

acceptance letters were declined and then

I got to UWC and they offered to accept

me for the course in Medical Biosciences.

The type of resources that they had to

offer me was not different to any other

university’s standards and I was able to

excel at this university. Therefore, I don’t

see the need to switch universities to fur-

ther my studies.

What impact do your studies have in South Africa?What made me go down this avenue was

the fact that in disadvantaged, poverty-

stricken communities you’ll find that

there’s a lot of alcohol abuse especially by

young females.

These young females then give birth to

babies that have foetal alcohol syndrome.

As a result, we looked at the blood-brain

barrier, and how important it is to the

normal functioning of neurons and how

alcohol affects that blood-brain barrier.

So, if we can somehow better that or

reverse the damaging effects of alcohol on the blood-brain barrier, we could prevent

increasing cases of foetal alcohol syndrome

within these communities.

Your topic of study addresses a major social issue, but how would you be able to com-municate this to the general public?We would have to target pre-natal clinics

because that’s where the pregnant females

are going so we would have to educate

them in terms of practising better prenatal

care.

We need to find ways of creating aware-

ness, for example, educating children at

schools before they even start engaging in

sexual interactions.

As a scientist, are there any future projects that you are thinking of? Yes, I am thinking of obtaining my PhD, it’s

definitely going to happen.

Ms. Shireen Mentor

Prof. David Fisher


I will probably build on the current study

that I’m doing now and then do some cel-

lular research.

Are you receiving any financial support from any institutions, government or any structures?At the moment, I am being funded by the

National Research Foundation (NRF).

Coming from a single-parent upbringing, how did you finance your undergraduate and Honours studies?Finance was always an issue for me

because my mother is a single parent so I

thought I was going to get a bursary but

because of the financial bracket she was

in, I was unable to receive funding for my

undergraduate studies so she paid for me.

She made contingency plans before I even

entered tertiary institutions.

I managed to work really hard and keep

my grades up so that by the time I got to

post-grad level I was able to get a bursary.

I also work at campus and the university

remunerates me in return.

Other girls your age are worried about their hair and you chose to wear a lab coat. Why do make-up and pencil skirts not interest you?At the end of the day, presentation is

important, but is make-up and a pencil

skirt going to solve problems in our coun-

try? No, it’s not. I’ve always wanted to be

behind the scenes, so research has always

been a passion.

If following my passion means wearing a

lab coat, then I’ll wear one. I’m proud of

wearing it. That lab coat is making a dif-

ference.

SHIREEN MENTOR

What Professor David Fisher says:Twenty years after democracy, SA is still suffering the nega-tive effects of the past. A lack of resources and opportunities presented to certain racial groups has made it difficult for them to excel in primary and high school. When applying for varsity, these disadvantaged students are declined acceptance into their desired fields of study, not because they lack potential, but because they have been unjustly crippled. He says that universi-ties need to take this into account when receiving applications from students whose marks might not be up to standard.

FEATUREDR RAMBANE

111919 ARC Roswika Media.indd 1 2014/08/29 9:59 AM


ARC

Dr Shadrack Moephuli developed

the love for Animal Science from

an early age and today he is liv-

ing his dream as the President and CEO

of Agricultural Research Council (ARC) in

Pretoria.

His career choice, Animal Science, was

inspired by observing the cattle at his

high school and his keen interest in the

veterinarians that would occasionally

come in to vaccinate the cattle. His visits

to laboratories where he saw many black

scientists at work made him to fall in love

with science even more and strived to fol-

low in their footsteps.

Dr Moephuli is seated at the helm of ARC

which is a public entity of the government.

The council’s primary objective is to con-

duct research and development in agricul-

ture and to solve problems that exist in

the agricultural sector through Science.

“We develop new scientific solutions.

Some of those solutions are in the form of

technical advice and some are technolo-

gies, like new machines, or diagnostic kits.

These technologies also exist in the form

of new vaccines to eliminate diseases

in animals, and new varieties of plants

that farmers can use in farming,” said Dr

Moephuli.

“Having done that we ensure that these

are relevant to the actual problems, or

are actually solving the problems that the

farmers might have so that production

and productivity can be achieved, ” he

continued.

Careers at ARCThere are many career opportunities

at the ARC. Most opportunities are in

research science in the fields of Geo-

referencing Information Management

Systems, Veterinary Sciences, Genetics,

Analytical Chemistry, Precision Agriculture,

Engineering and Computer Science to name

a few.

ARC participates in national exhibits and

conferences in the agriculture sector. They

also participate in activities run by the

Department of Science and Technology

(DST) such as National Science Week. This

is in order to raise awareness about the

organisation and its work. There is also

a big drive towards engaging students at

From cattle to CEO

PAVING THE WAY FOR AGRICULTURE


FEATUREARC

universities and schools, especially those

in the rural areas, to encourage them to

take up careers in Science, particularly in

Agricultural Science.

Currently the council does not fund under-

graduate degrees; however there are study

opportunities at Master’s and PhD degree

level.

“At that level we not only pay for the

students university fees, we also provide

students with a form of income, and also

an environment where they will do their

research projects and one-on-one supervi-

sion with some of the world’s leading sci-

entists using state of the art technologies,”

he said.

Asked what the council’s contribution

towards the development of female sci-

entists in the agricultural sector was, Dr

Moephuli said that ARC employs 50%

female scientists. He continued to say that

the majority of the postgraduate students

are black females from rural areas.

According to Dr Moephuli, farmers were

interested in the scientific solution that

would make their enterprises successful.

“Both commercial white farmers and the

land reform farmers use ARC research out-

puts,” he said.

In his term as CEO, Dr Moephuli would like

to ensure that people know about the ARC

and how the research that is done by the

council contributes to their livelihoods.

“Our vision is to make sure that ARC is

recognised as an institution of excellence

in agricultural research and development

and is recognised by everyone in the coun-

try as well as everywhere in the world.”

He hopes that ARC will remain a leading

science institution that delivers ground-

breaking technologies, not only for farm-

ers in the rural areas, but also for those

that might want to do urban farming and

peri-urban farming. The future of ARC

should bring new technologies and scien-

tific solutions not only in agriculture, but

also in other sectors.

On whether he misses doing lab work or

not, Dr Moephuli shares that he misses

working in the laboratory. He also informs

us that the Science foundation has helped

him greatly with the managerial task at

hand.

“Studying Science makes you an analyti-

cal thinker in that you focus on a particular

item and you pay attention to detail. You

then follow through in making sure that

things add up properly through construct-

ing them in a particular way.

That is very important training because that

forms the basis of your success in life, this

then enables you to transform things into

actual solutions,” he concluded.


SCIENCE STARS

Science Stars Updates:• Science Stars Competition

• Science Stars Workshop

• Science Stars Website Revamp

WHAT'S TO COME IN 2015

Science Stars will be at:• SCIFEST AFRICA

• BUDGET VOTE

• NATIONAL SCIENCE WEEK

• WOMEN IN SCIENCE AWARDS

• ESKOM TECHNO X

• SASOL SOLAR CHALLENGE

• WORLD SPACE WEEK

• INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE SYSTEMS EXPO

• SS ANNUAL ROLE MODELING CAMPAIGN

Science Stars Forthcoming Publications:• Scifest (Special Edition) – 1 May 2015

• Nanotechnology - 27 July 2015

• Women In Science (Special Edition) 31 August 2015

• Computer Science 30 September 2015


Choose your path

CAREERS IN HEALTH AND MEDICAL SCIENCE

CAREERS

Written by : Shani Rhoda

The Health and Medical Science field

of study consists of a broad spec-

trum of career paths. Apart from the

most commonly known professions such

as doctors and dentists, there are many

interlinking and unique ways of joining

the world of Health and Medical Science.

Scientific and Clinical CareersThere is an endless list of career options

within the field, with employment oppor-

tunities in both the public and private

sector. Each part of the body functions

intricately, which has allowed for the

branching out of the broader Health and

Medical Science field of study. Although

there are general studies, it is a good idea

to specialise in a specific area. Here are some examples of careers in the field:

• Veterinarian (The study of animal

health)

A career as a vet will require a compas-

sionate love of animals and a focused

knowledge of the body and its functions.

The Faculty of Veterinary Science at the

Onderstepoort campus of TUKS is the only

veterinary school in South Africa.

Obtaining a BVSc degree (a 6 year pro-

gramme) at the university is recognised by

the South African Veterinary Council, which

is a necessity in practicing in the field.

• Dietician (The study of dietetics and

human nutrition)

To become a dietician, you will need a

Degree in Dietetics. The BSc in Nutrition

and Dietetics is a 4-year programme

available at Maties, UWC, UCT, UKZN and

NMMU.

After successfully completing the degree,

you will be required to complete a 1-year

period of community service, after which

you can be registered as a dietician with

the Health Professions Council of South

Africa.

• Dentist and Orthodontist (The study of

oral cavities)

UWC is home to Africa’s leading Faculty

of Dentistry with departments in Oral

Hygiene, Orthodontics and Paediatric

Dentistry, Restorative Dentistry, Community

Oral Health, Diagnostic Sciences, as well as

Anaesthesiology & Sedation.

The study can also be done at WITS, CPUT,

UKZN and other smaller institutes.

• Optometrist (The study of the eye)

The Department of Optometry at UJ is a

good choice if you’re planning on pursuing

a career as an optometrist. Dealing with

health-related issues pertaining to the

human eye, the study is recognised with a B

Optom which can be completed on a full-

time basis in 4 years.


CAREERS

• Dermatologist (The study of the skin)

The study of Dermatology can be entered

at WITS, UCT and UKZN, and hands-on

tutorial throughout the course of study

helps to equip learners with a confident

approach to treating skin conditions.

Other interesting job titles in the field of Health and Medical Science include:

Microbiologist - The study of microscopic

life forms;

Cosmetic surgeon - The study of enhancing

physical appearance through reconstruc-

tive surgery;

Geneticist -The study of genetics in living

organisms;

Sports scientist- The study of the effect of

exercise on the human body;

Gynaecologist- The study of female repro-

ductive systems;

Neuroscientist - The study of the nervous

system;

Oncologist- The study of cancerous

tumours;

Radiologist- The study of treating diseases

using medical imagining techniques such

as x-rays;

Audiologist- The study of auditory impair-

ments.

What subjects are essential?To pursue a career in Health and Medical

Science, there are a few subjects that

you need to excel in. Mathematics, Life

Sciences and Physical Science are the fun-

damental subjects, but a good overall aca-

demic performance needs to be achieved

and maintained to be accepted into these

fields of study.

Generally, the minimum NSC Subject

Requirements for acceptance into tertiary

education studies are a level 4 (50 – 59%)

or a level 5 (60 – 69%), but you should

aim for a higher aggregate to secure your

place in the competitive field of study.

Each specific course has its own require-

ments, so it is best to double check these

figures with the universities before the

application process. The sooner you

enquire about the courses you are inter-

ested in, the sooner you can work towards

your goal and ensure you obtain the nec-

essary results in Matric.

Where to study:• University of South Africa (UNISA)

• University of Cape Town (UCT)

• University of the Western Cape (UWC)

• University of Stellenbosch (MATIES)

• University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN)

• University of Pretoria (TUKS)

• University of Witwatersrand (Wits)

• University of Johannesburg (UJ)

• Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University

(NMMU)

• Cape Peninsula University of Technology

(CPUT)

Seokedzi Mothokwa is just one of the 179 learners that SANRAL’s

scholarships from 2012-2013 is helping to realize his dreams

of doing well and going on to study at university.

It’s an investment for us, for him and for our country. Who knows what he may become – but we know

that better education means more opportunities, and that means a better

nation for us all.

At my math and science. And it paid off. SANRAL’s scholarship

programme is helping me to pay for my schooling to

pave the way for my success.

“

”

www.sanral.co.za | 0800 SANRAL (726 725)

3527

3527 BENEFICIARY AD - Science Stars.indd 1 2014/08/12 3:13 PM


DST

Leads to an improved economyINNOVATION BRIDGE

South Africa is stuck between First

World success and Third World prob-

lems – despite many urban advance-

ments made, we still have a crippling

level of poverty. The inaugural Innovation

Bridge is a step in the direction of an

improved economy.

South Africa’s efforts to grow the economy

and create jobs through research and

innovation topped the agenda at the first

Innovation Bridge technology showcase

and matchmaking event, which was held

at CSIR ICC Pretoria Exhibition Hall from

2-3 February 2015.

The inaugural event included policy dia-

logues, plenary discussions, technology

exhibitions and demonstrations with up to

75 technologies from more than 30 pub-

licly funded Research and Development

(R&D) organisations.

What is the aim of the Innovation Bridge?The first-of-its-kind technology match-

making event in South Africa was an

opportunity for local and international

technology-based companies, entrepre-

neurs and financiers to scout for technolo-

gy solutions and investment opportunities.

One of the exhibited innovations at the

event is the mobile health hearing screen-

ing solution. This product transforms

a smart phone into a calibrated device

for early identification of hearing loss,

which – according to the World Health

Organization – affects 360 million people

globally, and more than three million in

South Africa alone.

The event was driven by the Department

of Science and Technology (DST) with

its partners, namely, the Technology

Innovation Agency, the National

Intellectual Property Management

Office (NIPMO) and the Southern African

Research and Innovation Management

Association (SARIMA).

South Africa vs the First WorldDuring the discussion, South Africa’s

Minister of Science and Technology, Naledi

Pandor, said that increasing the number of

researchers and enhancing research, inno-

vation skills and outputs could contribute

positively to improving South Africa’s

economy and job creation efforts.

“Knowledge is the currency of the global

economy. If South Africa wants to continue

to compete in the 21st century, we must

support research and innovation that will

generate growth and jobs, now and in the

future,” she said.

The Minister said that the government

was increasingly investing in research and

development, which showed that South

Africa was improving; but if it wanted to

be globally competitive and in alignment

with the best nations, it had to invest

much more.

According to the 2011 South African

Innovation Survey, South African enterpris-

es had a relatively high and novel innova-

tion rate. The report recommended that

policymakers should take note of these

positive trends and ensure that the policy

and infrastructure environment actively

supported innovation activities in the pro-

ductive sectors of the economy.

Supporting Future Development For its part, DST has supported service

delivery through technology applica-

tions and incentives for businesses to

spend funds on innovation projects. The

Department has also provided support for

the development and commercialisation of

R&D outputs, as well as legislation.

However, there seem to be bottlenecks in

providing infrastructural support to start-up

companies, especially for the commerciali-

sation of innovative products and in remov-

ing complexities in setting up businesses in

the country.

In this context, the Innovation Bridge will

serve as a key platform to close the gap

between R&D and the market, contribute

to economic competitiveness, and stimulate

increased investment in R&D through the

creation of an enabling environment for

technology exploitation and entrepreneur-

ial partnerships.

Ms. Grace Nadeli Mandisa Pandor


TOP ACHIEVERS

Wall of Fame

Top Matric AchieversCongratulations to the class of 2014! Well done on making

it through a gruelling year of intense learning, emotional

goodbyes and excitement for the next phase of learning.

Science Stars wishes to congratulate the top national mat-

ric achievers who have achieved outstanding results.

Mathematics First PlaceRohin Jain

Selborne College High School, East London, Eastern Cape

Second placeJulia Claudia Alsemgeest

Hoerskool Pietersburg, Polokwane, Limpopo

Third placeLyle Ressouw

Muir College Boys High School, UItenhage, Eastern Cape

Physical ScienceFirst placeMosa Michael Bila

Ponego Secondary School, Johannesburg, Gauteng

Second placeRohin Jain

Selborne College Boys High, Eastern Cape

Third placeMpumelelo Wiseman Nomzaza

Thuto-Lesedi Secondary School, Gauteng

in Quintile 1First place Reginald ChampalaDr Harry Gwala Secondary School, Benoni,

Gauteng

Second placePrecious MkhariMmametlhake Secondary School, Seabe,

Mpumalanga

Third placeSenzo Lorenzo XabaMtshakelah High School, Ingwavuma,

KwaZulu – Natal

in Quintile 2First placeMantsha Polyvia MathekganeKgomotso Comprehensive High School,

Pretoria, Gauteng

Second placeAvheani MaittakholeMakakavhale Secondary School,

Thohoyandou, Limpopo

Third placeKgabo Philip KubyanaKgomotso Secondary School, Pretoria,

Gauteng

in Quintile 3First placeLuvo LuziphoSt James Senior Secondary School,

Butterworth, Eastern Cape

Second placeRobin Nicole BosmanSwartberg Secondary, Caledon, Western

Cape

Third placeMasindi Pfanelo MphephuThohoyandou Secondary,

Limpopo

in Quintile 4First placeRashmika DeeplalIsipingo Secondary School, Durban,

KwaZulu Natal

Second placeRearabilwe Lesibana MmatliPax High, Polokwane,

Limpopo

Third placeAnri HattinghVryburg High School,

North West

in Quintile 5First place Gareth David MogamberyNew West Secondary School, Durban,

KwaZulu-Natal

Second placeYi-Tin Michelle YuanRustenburg High School for Girls, Cape

Town, Western Cape

Third placeAntoinette SchoemanD.F. Malan High School, Cape Town,

Western Cape

Mathematics & Physical ScienceFirst place Rohin JainSelborne College High School, East

London, Eastern Cape

Second placeLuvo LuziphoSt James Senior Secondary School,

Butterworth, Eastern Cape

Third placeMpumelelo Wiseman NomzazaThuto-Lesedi Secondary School, Boksburg,

Gauteng


MEDICAL BIOMATERIALS

Passionate about a fairly new branch

in the Health Sciences Faculty,

an ambitious young UCT student

named Ellen Ngarande is focused on mak-

ing a change in the world around her.

Please tell us more about yourself. Where do you come from? I’m a budding scientist, born and raised in

Zimbabwe. I relocated to Cape Town 10

years ago mainly for tertiary education

purposes. I obtained my B. SC degree in

molecular and cell biology and Honors

degree in medicine specialising in medical

biochemistry at UCT. Currently, I am with

the cardiovascular research unit work-

ing on my second year Master’s Degree in

Medicine focusing on Biomaterials.

Briefly explain what Medical Biomaterials is and under which faculty it falls?Biomaterial is any substance or matter

that has a mechanical or physical interac-

tion with a biological system. The study

of biomaterials falls under the Health

Science Faculty.

When and how were you introduced to the field of study?I was exposed to the field of Biomaterials

when I joined the Health Science Faculty

whilst undertaking my B. Sc Honors

Degree in Medicine.

Is the university sufficiently equipped (in terms of teaching and practical exposure) for the study? Judging from my current research experi-

ence and the needs for my project, the

university is sufficiently equipped, and

we are at par with the research outputs

with First World countries. Some of the

very advanced, high-end equipment is

usually not readily available in Africa. In

such cases, that’s what collaborations with

other institutions all over the world are

for.

What made you decide to continue your studies up until your Master’s Degree?

Do you think it is beneficial to go beyond undergraduate studies?After acquiring my Honors Degree, I took a

2 year gap and worked as research assistant

with the International Center for Genetic

Engineering and Biotechnology (affiliated

with UCT).

For me it wasn’t enough because in order

to have a respectable scientific contribution

and argument, I needed a higher degree.

That’s why I took up my Masters on a proj-

ect I am excited about. It is beneficial to go

beyond undergraduate studies, not only for

career advancement, but for personal and

mental growth which puts you at an even

better advantage.

Entering the Life of a Medical Biomaterials Student

MASTERING MEDICAL BIOMATERIALS

Written by : Shani Rhoda


MEDICAL BIOMATERIALS

What has been the highlight of your stud-ies and what was the most challenging aspect in your study career?The highlight of my studies so far is when

I was awarded a prestigious UCT-WFIRM

(Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative

Medicine) exchange training program

with a renowned institute in the field of

Regenerative Medicine. I got the oppor-

tunity to go to North Carolina in the USA

for 2 months and experienced first world

scientific research and real life application

of biomaterials and advanced technology

in tissue/organ regeneration.

The most challenging aspect is finding

the will to carry on with the research and

finding solutions when experiments do

not work out.

What are your plans for the next 3 years?

If all goes well with my current research, I

will be doing my PhD.

How does your field of study contribute to a better society, directly or indirectly?In a nutshell, my field of study aims for

a healthy society by finding cost effec-

tive cure for diseases, specifically heart

disease.

What can school pupils do in their spare time to prepare themselves for a career in the study? Learners can visit laboratories at various

institutions like universities and hospitals,

arrange with their school heads to organ-

ise career days where they invite profes-

sionals in various fields to speak about

their work.

Do you think that students at high

school level know enough about Medical Biomaterials?I don’t think the subject of Biomaterials

alone or study thereof is common at high

school level.

This is because Regenerative Medicine is a

fairly new branch of revolutionary medicine

which is probably why it’s not fully pro-

moted at high school level.

Do you have any advice for students who are considering a career in Medical Biomaterials? Like how it is with every career choice, you

have to be passionate about what you do. If

you like solving problems and are inquisi-

tive then you will do well on this career

path.

Most of all, you have to be prepared to

work hard.

We use communication satellites every day when we watch Digital Satellite television (DStv), access the internet or use our cell phones.

Navigation apps use GPS satellites to accurately steer you to your requested destination.

There are boundless opportunities when you consider a career in space.

However you look at it, there is SPACE for you!

Spacecraft are launched into space on rockets and need to be monitored along the way. SANSA provides launch support and recently assisted two Mars launches – NASA’s Mars Science Laboratory and India’s Mars Orbiter Mission.

Weather in space can damage satellites and interfere with our technology like GPS, cell phones and internet. SANSA keeps a close eye on space weather to protect our technology in space and on Earth.

Images from satellites are used to develop maps and monitor natural disasters like floods and droughts.

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South African National Space AgencyTel +27 12 844 0398 | Fax +27 12 844 0396Email [email protected] | Website www.sansa.org.za

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DST

The Square Kilometre Array (SKA)

event was held in Cape Town at

the South African National Gallery,

which is part of the Iziko Museums, on

13 February 2015. The exhibition was

launched in collaboration with Shared

Sky, an indigenous art and astronomy

exhibition, and was a very different and

unique event. This was mainly because it

brought about a different way of looking

at Science and Astronomy. The opening

of the art exhibition was done by the

Minister of Science and Technology, Naledi

Pandor, which is fitting considering its

intriguing coming about.

One might ask what it is that this art

exhibition has to do with Science. The

Shared Sky project was introduced by SKA

as a means of sharing their vision which

“embodies the spirit of the international

science and engineering collaboration that

is the SKA project itself, bringing together

many nations around two sites in Australia

and South Africa to study the same sky”.

The SKA Radio Telescope will be the big-

gest telescope ever to be produced, also

making it one of the biggest scientific

projects to have ever been conducted. This

makes the Shared Sky project a very big

deal, not only to scientists and astronomers,

but as an added value to people’s cultural

heritage.

This project shows us how Science does

not, and has not, been living outside of

human culture and it also shows us how

one stems from the other. We are able to

see how Science is not an isolated sphere,

it highlights the importance of both art and

Science within our cultures and how they

can work hand in hand. Naledi Pandor her-

self stated that “Art is Science, surely it has

to be”, in reference to the art exhibition and

artwork as a whole. This cross-continental

project allows people to come together to

share their human experiences, where they

share stories that have been passed on

from generation to generation. This allows

the people to speak about their shared his-

SKA and Shared Sky bring the stars to earth

DIVERSE CULTURES CELEBRATE THE SAME SKY

Ms. Grace Nadeli Mandisa Pandor


DST

tory.

Shared Sky brings together two distinct

communities - the artists that are the

descendants of the San from the Bethesda

Arts Centre in Nieu Bethesda situ-

ated in the Eastern Cape and the Yamaji

Aboriginal artists from the Yamaji Art

Centre in Geraldton, Australia. It is incred-

ibly fascinating seeing and realising how

these people, these artists, have grown to

have such rich and unique cultures over

the generations. Where these cultures

have actually grown so beautifully in two

very distinct and very different parts of the

world and yet share the very same serious

concerns when it comes to the preserva-

tion and love for each of their cultural

heritages.

For each culture, art is not something that

has just come about recently. Although

their canvases may have changed over

time, going from rock and caves to

paper and linen, the message and what

is expressed has not. Both the San and

Yamaji people looked at the same night

sky, where they painted their visions as the

night sky spoke to them. The SKA Radio

Telescope and its scientists have allowed

these artists to be brought closer to their

muse through technology, where they

have an artistic and scientific viewpoint.

Charmaine Green, whose artwork refers to

Coma Berenices states that “After talking

and spending time with the scientists, I

want to look at other constellations. The

story behind Coma Berenices caught my

attention because of the relationship to

the importance of the hair to the night

sky. In our culture, hair is not to be cut at

night”. This shows the connections that

can be made between one’s culture, the

night sky and how Science can help make

these discoveries thus enhancing ones

artwork.

The connections made by each culture’s

artwork to one another shows us how the

night sky is shared by all humanity and

helps us understand that it has no borders.

Therefore, even though we may live sepa-

rately as the human race and live our sep-

arate lives on our secluded and bordered

areas, we live under the same sky, where

the moon and the different constellations

carry the stories of many generations of

the vast cultures. These stories allow us to

begin new conversations which show new

and different perspectives when it comes to

our lives and experiences. These conversa-

tions do not necessarily have to only be

spoken, but they can also be shown through

art exhibitions such as Shared Sky.

The exhibition will end on the 31st May

2015. This gives people from all walks life,

whether you have a more of a scientific

mind or an artistic one, the opportunity to

see how these two components collaborate

in the most unique and fascinating manner.

The exhibition is both moving and colourful

and would make for a great day out for the

whole family.

The South African National Gallery is open

to visitors on a daily basis and the operat-

ing times are from 10h00 to 17h00.


Terms & Conditions: In order for a vote to be valid, voters need to like the Science Stars Magazine Facebook page as well as your picture. Competition closes on 31 May 2015

How to Enter:1. Like “Science Stars Magazine” on Facebook

2. Send a selfie with our Science Stars magazine to our Facebook inbox.

3. Share your picture and get all your friends to like it.The more likes you have, the better your chances of

winning.1st Prize - A Huawei tablet

/sciencestars.faceb.co.za

@ScienceStars2


FEATUREEXPERIMENT

BALLOON BLOW-UP HOME EXPERIMENT

You will need: 1. Bottle 2. Vinegar 3. Baking Soda 4. Funnel 5. Balloon

The reason it is Science relatedWhen the baking soda and vinegar mix, it creates a chemical reaction. We can tell by this through seeing bubbles. This chemical reaction gives off a gas which inflates the balloon.

What you will need. 1. Use the funnel to pour 1/2 cup of white vinegar into the bottle. Rinse and dry the funnel.

2. Use the (clean and dry) funnel to put 1 tablespoon of baking soda into the bottom of the balloon. Shake gently to make sure all of the baking soda falls to the bottom.

3. Stretch the open end of the balloon over the neck of the bottle and make sure it is secured tightly. Let the rest of the balloon hang over the side (while you hold the bottle upright) so that no baking soda falls into the bottle just yet.

4. Hold onto the neck of the bottle (where the end of the balloon is) and care-fully lift the heavier end of the balloon until you are holding it completely upright. All of the baking soda should fall into the bottle. The reaction will be immediate.

Terms & Conditions: In order for a vote to be valid, voters need to like the Science Stars Magazine Facebook page as well as your picture. Competition closes on 31 May 2015

How to Enter:1. Like “Science Stars Magazine” on Facebook

2. Send a selfie with our Science Stars magazine to our Facebook inbox.

3. Share your picture and get all your friends to like it.The more likes you have, the better your chances of

winning.1st Prize - A Huawei tablet

/sciencestars.faceb.co.za

@ScienceStars2


“Science is very interesting and challenging, but it became more fun and educational when I had to go to the field to learn about water sam-pling, soil water and ground water. We had to collect air samples which were then taken to a lab for tests, in the hope of discovering any dis-eases present in the air we breathe.”Jennerveve Davids: Environmental Management

Studying towards a career in Science has its ups and downs. Some students have shared their daily duties, loves and challenges of this exciting journey.

QUOTES

“The world that we live in wouldn’t exist without Science. Being an engineer means being involved in the production sector, such as creating plastics, using raw materials to produce computers or laptops, as well as food pro-cessing. Chemical Engineering is a very large field as it starts from the design to production to the operation of an idea. The job also aims to improve what has already been produced and spot possible problems that may arise.” John Mulamba: Chemical Engineering

“With the advancement of modern technology, the world has become a better place for all of us living in it. My dream was not to use what already exists, but to make things that will improve the lives of ordinary people, and that is why I decided to become an electrical engineer.” Tawanda Mukanhairi: Electrical Engineering

“There have been some challenges during my studies but they pre-pared me for the field work I did during my internship in Mpumalanga last year. I enjoyed every minute of working outside and get-ting my hands dirty and I look forward to a future in Environment Management.” Anelisa Grabe: Environmental Management

STUDENTS SHARE THEIR THOUGHTS


FEATUREDST

Naledi Pandor highlights the significance and predicts its future.

THE ADVANCEMENT OF SCIENCE IN AFRICA

It is our belief that Africa’s capacity for

innovation will shape the future of

not only Africans, but everyone on this

planet. Companies such as Microsoft, IBM,

and Intel have recognised the innovation

potential of some regions of Africa, but we

have not yet built research and develop-

ment partnerships that will lead to the

emergence of a robust and productive

innovation system in Africa.

Whether it is in Nanotechnology or

Astronomy, Laser Technology or High

Performance Computing, South Africa has

made an impact in the global Science

area. Measured by the impact of their pub-

lications in international scientific jour-

nals, South African researchers are among

the most productive in the world.

Africa is confronted by many global chal-

lenges, such as climate change, pandemic

diseases or energy security. In order to

address these, enhanced global Science

and innovation partnerships are required to

unleash Africa’s enormous potential to con-

tribute to global knowledge generation.

Using Science to Alleviate Poverty and Inequality South African programmes to lift people

out of poverty, especially in remote rural

areas through Science- and Technology-

based interventions, have attracted huge

international interest from respected part-

ners, such as the Bill and Melinda Gates

Foundation. South Africa is now at the fore-

front of innovative programmes to provide

decent sanitation service delivery to impov-

erished communities.

CSIR’s “wireless mesh network”, which

brings Internet connectivity to rural areas, is

not only narrowing but also eliminating the

digital divide and enables micro enterprise

development in poverty-stricken areas.

Life SciencesWith regard to Life Sciences, South African

scientists have for years been at the fore-

front of the fight against infectious diseases

such as HIV-Aids, Malaria and Tuberculosis.


DST

Our goal is now to ensure our scientific

excellence will translate into the develop-

ment of South Africa’s own pharmaceutical

industry, which will create jobs. A secret

weapon in our Life Sciences arsenal with

tremendous potential is our pioneering

work in indigenous knowledge systems.

Marine ScienceOur research in Marine Science and

its potential contribution to the blue

economy and our successful technology

development programmes to support

beneficiation of raw materials, such as the

development of the Titanium metal power

industry and fluoro-chemicals products.

Our investment in advanced manufactur-

ing technologies continues to ensure the

South African aeronautics industry is a

sought after partner for global players like

Airbus and Boeing.

Astronomy SciencesMeerKAT, the South AfricanSquare

Kilometre Array (SKA) precursor, is already

contributing to the development of astro-

nomical and engineering skills across

Africa. Since technologies being developed

for these telescopes will be commer-

cialised in the next 10-20 years, young

Africans currently working on the project

will be in high demand around the world.

Engineers, astrophysicists, ICT specialists

and several other professions have been

able to participate in our initiatives. Some

of our telescopes are located in remote

rural areas –we have had to build roads,

ensure energy supply and connectivity for

all our projects. All this astronomy work

has brought economic opportunity to vul-

nerable communities and supported the

development of science and mathematics

at local schools.

Radio astronomy investment in recent

years has raised both the supply of and

demand for a skilled Science, Technology

and Engineering workforce. Because of

this increase of human capital in African

economies, it has contributed to the cre-

ation and growth of a high-knowledge

skill-base across the African continent.

The Future of Science in AfricaThere is now a golden opportunity to

develop new, strategic and mutually ben-

eficial African Science partnerships. These

are partnerships that will not only enrich

the global scientific knowledge base but

also transform scientific disciplines to the

benefit of us all.

The most important new technology driver

is highly skilled human capital. We all

compete in a global market for scientists

and entrepreneurs. It’s remarkable that

of the five South African Nobel laureates

who have received their prize for chem-

istry or medicine, all now live in other

countries.

Determining the best technology policy

is relatively straightforward, but having

the people ready to take advantage of

resource-rich opportunities is the real

challenge.


NUTRITIONAL FACTS

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Milk is an important source of calcium,

but it is not the only way to building strong bones. Vegetables such as broc-

coli, shellfish, salmon, almonds and dried beans.

Without proper nutrition, students per-form worse academically and fail to excel in sports.

Dehydration can cause headaches and fatigue.

Humans can live up to 40 days without

consuming any food, depending on the

amount of water intake, stored body fat

and muscle mass.

It is possible for children to be over nour-ished. Health problems such as type two diabetes and high cholesterol can lead to obesity in very young children.

Girls need a greater iron intake in their

diets to make up for what is lost during

their monthly periods.

Fibre is found in grains, fruits and vege-

tables and contributes towards a healthy

digestive system. Fibre leaves one feel-

ing full, preventing overeating.

The 5-second rule is a myth. Bacteria can attach to food instantly and although not all bacteria is harmful, some do cause health issues such as diarrhea.

In moderate doses, caffeine increases mental alertness and triggers a tempo-rary energy boost. Over-indulging has negative effects such as anxiety, head-aches and dizziness.

It has been proven that kids who eat breakfast perform better at school. Healthy breakfast options include whole-grain cereal and low-fat milk or a peanut butter and jam sandwich.

NUTRITIONAL FACTS


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DOWNCROSSWORD PUZZLE

Health Word ScrambleChallenge your puzzle solving skills with our health word scramble.

1. What percentage of the human body

is water?

2. Our bodies needs _______ essential

vitamins

3. A humans thumb is as long as his or

her nose? True or false?

4. What are one of the major types of

health facilities?

5. The smallest bones in the body are

found in?

6. What heart smart supplement is

derived from the lilly family?

ACROSS

PUZZLE

1. How many taste buds are there on your

your tongue?

2. _____ have the highest metobolic rate.

3.The energy-burning aspect of metabo-

lism is called?

4. A sneeze accur at about 100 miles an

hour? True or false?

5. The _______ is responsible for regulat-

ing the body’s metabolism.

1. ACATRBEI

2. LBDOO

3. ELGYALR

4. IEXEESRC

5. ISVUR

6. LPSHIOAT

7. IEIMDECN

8. EIHYGEN

9. ULGSN

10. REAWT

11. ERTHA

12. XGYNEO

13. IESADSE

14. OSTYMMSP

15. ESNUR


ANSWERS

CROSSWORD PUZZLE

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SUDOKUANSWERSMathematics magazine

THE PHILOSOPHY OF MATHEMATICS

ISSUE 07SCIENCESTARS

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SUDOKU ANSWERS 11/12/14

1. Thirty-seven (37)

2. 30 Degrees

3. Two hundred and ten (210)

4. The Hypotenuse

5. Six (6)

6. Three (3)

7. 43, 560 Square feet

8. Fours- 11, 13, 17, 19

9. 1050

10. They are all square numbers

11. Three Quarters (3/4)

12. One hundred and Sixty eight

QUIZ


UWC

Modern technology and information enables research projects at UWC

Science Stars visited the University

of the Western Cape’s Medical and

Health Sciences laboratory and

spoke to Professor Ralf Henkel, the Head

of Department of the Faculty of Natural

Sciences. We found out about the latest

technological advancements and research

projects that are currently undertaken

by the university’s students and research

groups.

Name a few of the major projects under-taken within the Health and Medical Science department at the university.The department is quite diverse. The

department consists of different areas of

expertise such as cancer, cardiovascular,

reproduction, nutrition, biology, toxicology

and anatomy. It is quite a big variety of

fields of specialisation and each of these

have their own projects. With regards to

nutrition, the university recently estab-

lished a national centre for nutrition.

Otherwise, we have major funded projects

in reproduction, cancer and biology.

There are also projects relating to the

large usage of crystal meth (tik) and other

drugs, specifically in the Western Cape. We

are also looking at herbal remedies for

testosterone replacement in men to pre-

vent testosterone cancer in our indigenous

knowledge research projects.

What state-of-the-art equipment do you have at the moment that can assist the scientists?Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), lumi-

nometers, inverted microscopes, cell

motion analyser and chemical identifica-

tion amongst others.

What equipment will be added in the future?That depends on which direction the

department and the individual researchers

decide to take and what funding is avail-

able.

What is the main aim of the lab? Is it more for the students of UWC or for larger research projects?We have two types of labs – the under-

graduate labs are for students who are

still training and then, we have research

labs which is specialised for research

projects undertaken by Honours, Masters,

Doctoral and Post-Doctoral students.

Is it possible for school groups to take a tour of these labs?Small groups can be guided under supervi-

sion, but it must be noted that a laboratory

has many potential risks.

Are the labs, and the faculty as a whole, efficiently equipped to tackle pressing health issues in the country, such as the

UWC LAB HEALTH AND MEDICAL RESEARCH

Prof. Ralf Henkel


UWC

aforementioned cancer?With our current water research project,

we are investigating water quality and

how poor water quality affects the health

in an area, especially in informal settle-

ments. By investigating the male repro-

ductive organs, we also learn more about

infertility. All our research projects are

somehow related to daily health issues –

breast cancer and prostate cancer, depend-

ing on the particular interests.

How often will the equipment in the lab be upgraded?If we receive funding, updating the lab’s

equipment will be possible, otherwise

we’ll have to collaborate with other

groups who have the latest equipment, or

carry on using the existing equipment.

Are there any facilities on the university’s campus that complement the work done in the labs, such as a library or research centre?

It is essential for us to have a library.

Without access to actual information, a

scientist is stranded. It is crucial to have

access to up to date information without

being barred.

Were there any special requirements that were necessary in the design of the lab?From our side, the planning committee

stated that we have to have gas, we have

to have CO2. If there’s CO2 there has to

be relevant safety measures and access

control. There must be extractor facilities

for toxic substances, and cold rooms for

freezing cells.

What are the benefits of having the lab on the community on the whole?The research benefits the community and

this research is carried out in our labs

and our research groups and relates to

valid society problems, like cancer, fertility

issues, cardiovascular, water, obesity and

other major health issues.

How many students are currently enrolled in the faculty? About 800-900 postgraduates are enrolled

in the faculty.

Do you think that the facilities will con-tribute towards students’ decisions to study at UWC?Students have to think about their future

career and part of being a scientist

involves proper education in conducting

research projects. The labs are properly

designed and equipped to conduct such

projects.

In comparison to other universities, how does UWC’s Health Science facilities differ to the facilities offered elsewhere?

This building is one of the most recent

buildings that was built for this purpose,

so it is the most modern. In the end, what

counts is the qualification of the principal-

investigators working in the labs and what

equipment is available. What is essentially

done in the lab and what is published is

also important.

Briefly explain the significance of the fac-ulty in the country and how the research conducted through the projects contribute to the growth of the economy. Research in general builds the future. For

instance, finding South African herbal

extracts can create jobs in the farming

industry and the pharmaceutical industry

and it will benefit the public’s health as

well as the affordability for individuals. The

data collected in research projects can also

contribute to policy-making.

Is there anything else you would like to add to motivate students wanting to study in the field of Health and Medical Science?These labs, and universities in general,

should actually be the centre point of

future development of a country because

this is where the knowledge is created.

Universities should not just be an extended

high school. Students wanting to come

to university must come prepared and

they must be able to do basic things in

the important subjects such as Maths and

Science. The end goal of a university is

knowledge creation.


30981 CSIR SP Gugu HR ol.indd 1 2014/10/20 1:24 PM

1 7

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QUIZ

QUIZTest your brain

Which cavity of the brain is the largest?

A. Cerebrum

B. Cerebellum

C. Medulla

D. Hypothalamus

Which is not a sensory organ?

A. Eye

B. Ear

C. Liver

D. Skin

How many bones are in the body?

A. 377

B. 206

C. 119

D. 4

What is the largest sensory organ?

A. Nose

B. Eye

C. Skin

D. Ear

Which is the largest internal organ?

A. Liver

B. Kidney

C. Lungs

D. Heart

What is the resting beat of your heart?

A. 70 beats

B. 100 beats

C. 57 beats

D. 130 beats

Which organ in the body is connected to the ear by the auditory

nerve?

A. brain

B. trachea

C. spinal cord

D. ear drum

What is another name for short sightedness?

A. glaucoma

B. cataracts

C. hyper myopia

D. myopia

2

30981 CSIR SP Gugu HR ol.indd 1 2014/10/20 1:24 PM


CSIR ADVERTORIAL

CSIR IN SOUTH AFRICA’S DEVELOPMENT

The role in the socio-economic growth

Who we are

The Council for Scientific and

Industrial Research (CSIR) was constituted

by an Act of Parliament in 1945 with a

mandate to foster industrial and scien-

tific development and contribute to the

improved quality of life of South Africans.

The CSIR is differentiated from other sci-

ence councils by its ability to undertake

integrated, multidisciplinary research

across diverse areas of science.

The CSIR has offices in Gauteng, the

Western Cape, the Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-

Natal, and Mpumalanga.

What does this mean?

The CSIR can deliver on its mandate to

improve the lives of South Africans and

respond to national priorities by pooling

together the best expertise from a range

of scientific disciplines to ensure compre-

hensive and integrated solutions.

What we do

The CSIR undertakes directed research

and development (R&D) for socio-eco-

nomic growth. It defines its role as:

• Fostering industrial development, includ-

ing technology development and transfer,

new sector development, start-ups, pilot-

ing, productivity and waste minimisation

and strategic initiatives.

• Building national capability, including

support to service delivery, policy develop-

ment and information management.

The CSIR generates knowledge and

research output to be applied or trans-

ferred as proven technologies, skilled

people and through projects that add

commercial and social benefit.

Specific areas of focus are health, energy,

the natural environment, the built envi-

ronment, defence and security as well as

the needs of industry – specifically mining

and advanced manufacturing.

Its multidisciplinary skills base includes

expertise in core technologies such as

information and communications tech-

nology, photonics, robotics, cybersecurity,

sensors, materials sciences, optronics and

biotechnology, and leading scientific infra-

structure.

The CSIR is developing and executing a

Growth and Impact Strategy to grow the

impact of its work, building on existing

capabilities.The current focus within the

CSIR Growth and Impact Strategy is the

addition of Flagship Programmes, compris-

ing large, impact-driven development and

innovation initiatives integrated across the

CSIR. Flagship Programmes aim to achieve

impact at the national scale and include

focus areas such as water sustainability,

health, and safety and security.

Over the years, South Africa has benefited

from many CSIR innovations such as the

development of the now ubiquitous lithium

ion battery; improved architectural design

of hospitals to limit the spread of tuber-

culosis; a satellite-based fire information

tool that delivers locations of active fires

in near-real time over southern and east-

ern Africa; a machine that determines the

condition of a road 20 years from now; a

device that warns miners of loose rocks in

underground mines; a camera that shows

power-loss on electrical installations at


FEATURECSIR ADVERTORIAL

night and day; an eye treatment prod-

uct that has taken the beauty market by

storm; or a system that protects vehicles

and its occupants from the effects of land-

mine explosions; a novel hosting system

that allows for the loading of more – and

different types of – boats onto ships, giv-

ing the South African Navy an effective

and rapidly deployable tool against acts

of piracy.

How we do it

The CSIR works closely with government,

state-owned enterprises, funding agencies,

tertiary education institutions, other sci-

ence councils as well as a range of public

and private sector institutions locally

and abroad – either as partners or clients

where the focus is on quality science,

skills and socio-economic improvement.

Twitter: @CSIR (http://twitter.com/CSIR)Facebook: CSIRSouthAfrica (https://www.facebook.com/CSIRSouthAfrica)LinkedIn group: CSIR (South Africa)YouTube: CSIRNewMedia (http://www.youtube.com/CSIRNewMedia)

42 Science Stars Magazine Mathematics Issue | www.sciencestars.co.za

SCIENCE NEWS

SCIENCE NEWS

The South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC), togeth-

er with three of the country’s finest universities, aims to tackle

one of the leading causes of death worldwide by establishing

Cancer Research Centres around the country.

Space will have its first black African visi-tor as 25-year-old Mandla Maseko from a township in Pretoria prepares for his orbit-al trip in 2015.

The vice-president of engineering for Twitter, Nandini Ramani, addressed young South African girls from Khayelitsha at a meeting that formed part of the TechWomen mentorship programme.

World-renowned South African AIDS researcher, Professor Salim S. Abdool Karim, was recently awarded an African Union science prize for his great work on HIV prevention and treatment.

The International Year of Light kicks

off at Scifest Africa 2015.The annual science festival will be held

in Grahamstown in the Eastern Cape

from 18-24 March 2015.

The CSIR’s Microsystems Research Group is working to develop paper-based diagnostic sensors, ideal for low-resource areas such as rural clinics

Climate change is affecting ecosystems on a global scale and in

the Southern African region temperatures are increasing at about

twice the global rate. CSIR researchers project that this alarm-

ing statistic will impact many different local sectors, for example

agriculture and industries.


FEATURESCIFEST

At the speed of light!Scifest Africa

Scifest Africa, South Africa’s National

Science Festival, invites visitors to

see the light from space, the spar-

kling light through diamonds, and the

shining light of inspiration at this year’s

event to be held in Grahamstown from 18

to 24 March.

The 2015 theme, “Science alight!”, will

form part of the 2015 International Year of

Light and Light-based Technologies.

The event will celebrate several anniver-

saries, including the 1000th anniversary

of the publication of the seven volume

treatise on optics by Ibn al-Haytham, the

centenary of Einstein’s theory of general

relativity and the announcement last year

that the 2014 Nobel Prize for Physics had

been awarded to the inventors of the blue

LED.

The festival programme will offer visi-

tors exhibitions and over 600 interactive

events that will explore all facets of light,

including Anatomy, Architecture, Arts and

Culture, Astronomy, Atmospheric Sciences,

Aviation, Biotechnology, Chemistry, Diet,

Energy, Fibre Optics, Gravity, Lasers, Matter,

Microscopy, Nanotechnology, Optics,

Photonics, Space Sciences, the spectrum,

and the universe.

A sure highlight will be the attendance of

a high-level delegation from NASA, whose

contributions will focus on the John

Webb Space Telescope, Mars Exploration

Programme, New Horizons Mission and

Rosetta Mission, and will include public

appearances by astronaut, Dr Catherine

Coleman.

Other international contributions to the

programme will come from Argentina,

China, France, Germany, Turkey, the UK

and USA. Back by popular demand, is

blind astronomer Wanda Diaz, who will tell

the story of how she followed a career in

astronomy against all odds and how she

listens to the stars.

The festival programme will also place spe-

cial focus on Grahamstown’s Observatory

Museum, home to the only Victorian camera

obscura in the southern hemisphere, and

the room in which the first diamond found

in South Africa, later named the Eureka

Diamond, was identified in 1867.

Sponsored by the Department of Science

and Technology (DST), Scifest Africa remains

the largest festival of its kind on the African

continent, welcoming over 68,000 visitors

of all ages to Grahamstown in 2014.


DST

Mineral processing to become a key industry

TURNING SOIL INTO SUSTAINABLE INCOME

The Minister of Science and

Technology, Naledi Pandor, says the

time is now for the Non-Aligned

Movement countries to make the best of

the resources in their soil.

Minister Pandor was speaking at the

start of the Department of Science and

Technology/Non-Aligned Movement’s

Centre for Science and Technology

Training Programme on Minerals

Processing and Beneficiation, hosted

by the Council for Mineral Technology

(Mintek), in Johannesburg.

The three-month training programme

(to be held from 15 January to 30 March

2015) will see the participants being

exposed to Mintek techniques for mineral

processing and undergoing in-service

training. The first cohort comprises par-

ticipants from 11 countries, namely Egypt,

Eritrea, Ethiopia, India, Nigeria, South

Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Syria, Tajikistan

and Zambia. Minister Pandor gave exam-

ples of what South Africa was doing to

localise and advance the field of mineral

beneficiation.

The first example is titanium. South Africa

is the second largest supplier of the

mineral ore that can produce titanium

metal. However, we add little value to the

mineral ore before export. The Council

for Scientific and Industrial Research

has developed a novel process in which

titanium metal can be produced from our

abundant mineral resources. These new

capabilities can position South Africa as

a world leader in the cost-competitive

production of high-grade titanium metal

powder. Titanium is a sought after metal,

especially in the aerospace industry, where

aircraft and satellites need to be lighter so

as to consume less fuel.

Another example is platinum. Ten years ago

we launched the Hydrogen South Africa

(HySA) programme. This marked the initia-

tion of research and development activities

by two centres of Latest News competence,

namely, HySA Catalysis and HySA Systems.

We also established Clean Energy, a South

African fuel cell company that will ini-

tially market and eventually assemble and

manufacture fuel cells in Sub-Sahara Africa,

in partnership with Anglo Platinum and

Altergy Power Systems.

Minister Pandor concluded: “A third example

is fluorine. Five years ago, we launched the

Multi-purpose Fluorination Pilot Plant at

Necsa’s Pelchem in Pelindaba. Through this

initiative, South Africa has the potential

not only to develop much-needed human

capital, but also to reduce the country’s

chemical trade deficit through exports, to

attract foreign direct investment, and to

increase high-tech research and develop-

ment towards a stronger fluorochemicals

industrial base”.


FEATUREDST

Local technologies to uplift South Africa's market

RECOGNITION OF HOME GROWN TECHNOLOGIES

The Minister of Science and

Technology, Naledi Pandor, has

urged the private sector, govern-

ment and research institutions to col-

laborate in elevating the recognition of

home-grown technologies to service the

country’s markets and address local needs.

The Top Technology 100 (TT100) pro-

gramme, an initiative of the Department

of Science and Technology (DST), working

together with the Technology Innovation

Agency, the National Intellectual Property

Management Office and the Southern

African Research and Innovation

Management Association, is committed

to increasing employment. Furthermore,

providing hope for budding entrepreneurs

in the technology field, and demonstrating

that developing countries are capable of

competing with the best.

The TT100 Awards is an annual event

hosted by the Da Vinci Institute for

the Management of Technology and

Innovation, under the auspices of DST. This

year the awards ceremony is taking place

on the sidelines of a first-of-its-kind event

in South Africa, namely, the Innovation

Bridge. This is an event that DST has

organised to bring together innovators,

financiers and technology incubators

under one roof, a platform that aims to

bridge the gap between them.

Speaking at the TT100 Awards ceremony

in Pretoria, the Minister said that there

seemed a lack appreciation in South Africa

for home-grown technological capabilities,

even in areas in which the country’s offer-

ings were generally recognised as the best

in the world.

“We need to implement our policies that

favour South African-based technologies

and local procurement,” the Minister said,

adding this was out of concern that both

the state and the private sector preferred

international over local technology sup-

pliers.

The 2014 TT100 Awards Programme not

only showcases the increase in the output

and quality of South African technologies,

but has also expanded its scope to include

organisations from Brazil, Russia, India and

China.

Among the recipients was Eskom’s

Group Executive for Sustainability, Dr

Steve Lennon, who received a Lifetime

Achievement Award.

Dr Lennon, who also chaired the National

Advisory Council on Innovation, is widely

recognised locally and internationally for

leadership in areas such as technologi-

cal innovation and R&D, sustainability

management and energy, including project

development and funding and establishing

partnerships and networks, such as investor

relationships.

The Minister’s Award for Overall Excellence

was taken by Accsys (Pty) Ltd in the cat-

egory of medium enterprises, and PFK

Electronics (Pty) Ltd in the large enterprises

category. These are awarded to recognise

companies that consistently and progres-

sively demonstrate a unique ability to man-

age core elements of the business, includ-

ing technology, innovation, people, systems,

research and sustainability.

In the Emerging Enterprise category, Olive

Expert Services (Pty) Ltd scooped four

awards for overall excellence.

“It is encouraging to see how, year-on-year,

many of these organisations have been able

to find innovative ways of sustaining their

businesses, and, in many cases, have been

able to export their products and services

in fiercely competitive global markets,” said

the Minister.


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Qs & As

WHAT HEALTH SCIENCE MEANS TO THE YOUTH

When you think of Health & Medical Science, what is the first thing that comes to your mind?

• “Health issues (e.g. HIV)” - Notemba Silewana• “Pharmaceutical industries” - Nomandla Genge• “Medication and health services” - Yazini Bekebu

What would interest you into pursuing a career in the sci-ence field?

• “Working in laboratories” - Ziyanda Tukwayo• “Educating people about Health & Medical Science in the community and rural areas”- Reabetswe Tebele• “Seeing more young people taking Science seriously” Asanda Voto

If you could choose any field of study in Science and Health, which field would you choose?

• “Pathology” - Notemba Silewana• “Nature Conservation (Conservation Ecology)” - Asanda Voto• “Environmental Health” - Katlego Mafura• “Analytical Chemistry” - Nomandla Genge• “Radiology” - Reabetswe Tebele• “Doctor” - Ziyanda Tukwayo• “Pharmaceuticals” - Yazini Bekebu

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At Engen, we want to give you some extra encouragement during your final exams because we understand that education is the first step to a brighter future. That’s one of the reasons why we invest in subjects that will be of long-term value to our business and South Africa. For nearly 3 decades, Engen Maths and Science Schools have provided extra tuition to learners in grades 10 to 12 across the country. Engen wishes you every success for your final matric exams.

Exercise and eat correctly to combat stress.

If the workload is too big, join a study group. But make sure you actually study.

Don’t postpone difficult topics

when studying - tackle the hard

bits first.

Don’t procrastinate!

Good luck!

Studytips

Draw up a study

timetable.

Create a study environment free from

clutter and distractions.

Get a decent night’s sleep. It helps with your concentration.Use tables,

flowcharts and figures - pictures can help you remember

facts.Go over as many past papers as you can.

Get up a little earlier on the morning of an exam - it will allow

you time to have a proper breakfast and you will feel calm when you

arrive at your exam venue.

Make flashcards, use acronyms, sing jingles - anything to help you remember.

www.engenoil.com/education

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SS Health and Medical Science Issue 08

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Transcript of SS Health and Medical Science Issue 08