Asteroids in the solar system could contain undiscovered, superheavy elements
Oct 30, 2023 10:54 am UTC| Science
For centuries, the quest for new elements was a driving force in many scientific disciplines. Understanding an atoms structure and the development of nuclear science allowed scientists to accomplish the old goal of...
Oct 27, 2023 15:04 pm UTC| Science
Our Sun is a steady and everlasting companion. Reliable like a clock, its apparent passage across the sky allows us to measure time. The Sun and its path is also the source of Earths seasons. But in many respects, our Sun...
Physics has long failed to explain life – but we're testing a groundbreaking new theory in the lab
Oct 25, 2023 05:34 am UTC| Science
Modern physics can explain everything from the spin of the tiniest particle to the behaviour of entire galaxy clusters. But it cant explain life. Theres simply no formula to explain the difference between a living lump of...
Breakthroughs in medicine: top virologist on the two most important developments for Africa
Oct 24, 2023 09:30 am UTC| Science
There have been several important breakthroughs in medical science recently. Crispr, mRNA, next-generation cancer treatments and game-changing vaccines are some of them. Oyewale Tomori, a virologist with decades-long...
Oct 20, 2023 13:12 pm UTC| Science
The Nobel Prize in chemistry for 2023 goes to three scientists for the discovery and synthesis of quantum dots. The Conversation Weekly podcast caught up with one of this trio, physical chemist Louis Brus, who did...
Evolution revolution: how a Cape Town museum exhibit is rewriting the story of humankind
Oct 19, 2023 04:47 am UTC| Science
Picture your typical human evolution museum display. You walk into a dimly lit space with glass boxes on white plinths or roped off areas. There are lots and lots of bones. Maybe a bit of history on how those bones were...
Oct 18, 2023 11:32 am UTC| Science
One way physicists seek clues to unravel the mysteries of the universe is by smashing matter together and inspecting the debris. But these types of destructive experiments, while incredibly informative, have limits. We...
Johannesburg in a time of darkness: Ivan Vladislavić’s new memoir reminds us of the city’s fragility
Labour can afford to be far more ambitious with its economic policies – voters are on board
Sudan: civil war stretches into a second year with no end in sight