Tiger breeding, exports flourish in S.Africa: charity
South Africa's legal lion breeding has spawned a tiger farming industry for commercial exports, potentially posing a threat to the species already in decline, an animal welfare group warned Tuesday......»»
Almond genome study paves way for improved breeding strategies
A recent study has unlocked the genetic complexities of almonds, highlighting a significant degree of heterozygosity and the influence of structural variants on gene expression. The research rigorously delineates allele-specific expression patterns,.....»»
Enhancing ratoon rice yield and sustainability through innovative breeding and mechanization
A research team has reviewed the advancements and prospects of ratoon rice cultivation in China, highlighting its significant rise due to improved breeding methods and cultivation technology. They examined key aspects such as cultivar selection, stub.....»»
Protecting one of the world"s most threatened marine animals
Researchers from Murdoch University's Harry Butler Institute have employed the latest genetic techniques to uncover critical breeding and reproductive knowledge about one of the world's most threatened marine animals—the sawfish......»»
How old are South African fossils like the Taung Child? Study offers an answer
One hundred years ago, the discovery of a skull in South Africa's North West province altered our understanding of human evolution. The juvenile skull was dubbed the Taung Child by Raymond Dart, an anatomist at the University of the Witwatersrand, wh.....»»
Thinking aloud: What happens when children read for pleasure in classroom clubs
Every five years, the international Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS) provides an assessment of how well grade 4 learners around the world read for meaning. And every time South Africa participates, the results are shocking. In.....»»
Elephants trample a Spanish tourist to death in South Africa. He left a car to take photos
Elephants trample a Spanish tourist to death in South Africa. He left a car to take photos.....»»
Archaeologists report earliest evidence for plant farming in east Africa
A trove of ancient plant remains excavated in Kenya helps explain the history of plant farming in equatorial eastern Africa, a region long thought to be important for early farming but where scant evidence from actual physical crops has been previous.....»»
How a global collaboration is helping protect biodiversity
Ask a 10-year-old to name some extinct animals and they can usually rattle off ancient species such as the Tasmanian Tiger, Woolly Mammoth and Dodo. Some may even be able to tell you what the animals used to look like without searching online......»»
Opinion: Southern Africa is seen as a leader in wildlife conservation, but its market-driven approach is deeply flawed
Southern Africa's wildlife economy is often hailed as a successful model. The idea behind this model is that biodiversity and wildlife are used as the basis of sustainable economic growth, through an increase in wildlife numbers and in a country's re.....»»
Q&A: Extreme weather in South Africa is disrupting tourism—research tracks the impact on coastal areas
South Africa has experienced some extreme weather events in recent months. These have included floods and an uncommon tornado in South Africa's KwaZulu-Natal province, floods in the Eastern Cape and mid-latitude cyclones in the Western Cape. Kaitano.....»»
Innovative use of hyperspectral data and DCGANs enhances rice protein content estimation
Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is a crucial crop feeding over half of the global population. The demand for high-quality, protein-rich rice is rising, making accurate grain protein content (GPC) estimation vital for breeding superior varieties......»»
They raised $50 million for charity with dusty consoles. Here’s how
Games Done Quick has raised over $50 million for charity over the past 14 years. Here's the tech that keeps the show going......»»
How listening for the right buzz keeps mosquitoes from mating with the wrong species
Researchers from Nagoya University in Japan have uncovered how the yellow fever mosquito and Asian tiger mosquito distinguish their own species from others. Males from these species listen for the specific frequencies of sound made by the flapping wi.....»»
Whale had fishing lines "embedded" into body: Rescue took multiple days
A whale entangled in fishing gear was recently cut free by rescuers during a multiday operation off the coast of South Africa, video footage shows......»»
These oldest inhabited termite mounds have been active for 34,000 years
Scientists in South Africa have been stunned to discover that termite mounds that are still inhabited in an arid region of the country are more than 30,000 years old, meaning they are the oldest known active termite hills......»»
Exploring bird breeding behavior and microbiomes in the radioactive Chornobyl Exclusion Zone
New research finds surprising differences in the diets and gut microbiomes of songbirds living in the radiation-contaminated areas of the Chornobyl Exclusion Zone, Ukraine. This study is also the first to examine the breeding behavior and early life.....»»
Study shows slow-growth diet before breeding offers better long-range health in pigs
Borrowing a page from the dairy industry, researchers with the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station found that a slow-growth diet meant more piglets and healthier and longer-lived momma pigs......»»
New genomic tools for three modern cotton varieties could guide future breeding efforts
We live in an ever-changing and growing world. Changing climates, emerging pests, and other environmental stressors put pressure on the cash crops that feed and fuel the world. As we race to meet the growing demand for sustainable and high-quality fo.....»»
Rapid urbanization in Africa transforms local food systems and threatens biodiversity, says study
Urbanization in Africa is accelerating quickly, showing no signs of slowing down. An international team of researchers addresses critical gaps in our understanding of how this urbanization affects local food and ecological systems, emphasizing the im.....»»
"Cape of Storms": Climate researchers explain Cape Town"s recent extreme weather
A severe storm hit South Africa's Western Cape province between 6 and 9 April 2024, with extreme winds gusting at up to 135km/h. The storm left a trail of destruction across Cape Town and surrounding areas—at least 1,500 people were left homeless a.....»»