All University of the Witwatersrand articles
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NewsNature’s 10: Ten people who shaped science in 2025
Microbiologists and scientists tackling infectious diseases are among Nature’s annual list of ten people at the heart of some of the biggest science stories of 2025.
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NewsIs malaria messaging working? African biostatisticians have the data
New analysis shows malaria messaging works. Using advanced causal methods, researchers found that exposure to prevention messages increases insecticide-treated net use among women and children in Uganda, offering rare causal evidence to guide policy.
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NewsHIV significantly affects sleep, with many living in a state akin to chronic jet lag
A new study describes how people living with HIV experience higher rates of sleep issues even when virally suppressed, which has been associated with a higher risk for heart disease, depression and cognitive decline.
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NewsNext-generation ‘molecular scissors’ may offer hope for chronic hepatitis B sufferers
Researchers have developed engineered precision ’molecular scissors’ that can permanently disable the genetic blueprint of the hepatitis B virus (HBV). The approach directly targets covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA), the stubborn viral reservoir.
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NewsLong-acting injectable cabotegravir for HIV prevention is safe in pregnancy
Long-acting injectable cabotegravir (CAB-LA) was safe and well tolerated as HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) before and during pregnancy in the follow-up phase of a global study.
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NewsMobile phone data helps track pathogen spread and evolution of superbugs
Combining genomic data and human travel patterns over a 14-year period in South Africa reveals key insights into the spread, evolution and resistance patterns of a major bacterium behind pneumonia and meningitis globally.
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NewsEdited BCG offers potential vaccine to prevent tuberculosis in people of all ages
TB remains the leading cause of death by infectious disease globally, with South Africa having one of the highest incidence rates in the world. Source: Y tambe Apparatus for BCG vaccination - Kuchiki’s needle While the BCG vaccine used to prevent TB is widely available for infants, ...
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NewsClose contact within households may not influence COVID-19 transmission
A study measuring the impact of close contact on SARS-CoV-2 virus transmission within households suggests that being in proximity to someone with the virus may not influence the likelihood of becoming infected.