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High-tech mental health support for first responders gets provincial funding boost
The provincial government is supporting a pair of University of Alberta research initiatives in an effort to combat the toll COVID-19 is inflicting on military, veterans, first responders and their families. The U of A-led Heroes in Mind, Advocacy and Research Consortium (HiMARC) that supports mental health for military, veterans and first responders received $362,000
New method facilitates the way to finding new antibodies
It was in the search for broad-spectrum human antibodies against snake venom that Associate Professor Andreas Laustsen found a new way to use the Nobel Prize-winning method, phage display. A way of using the method that makes it much faster and cheaper to detect broad-spectrum antibodies against snake toxins, but also against bacteria and viruses.
A 28-carat diamond just became the most expensive jewel ever auctioned online
Christie's just broke a world record. The auction house sold a 28.86-carat diamond for $2,115,000 (around R36 million) in an online auction – the most expensive diamond to ever be auctioned online, Annabelle Spranklen reported for Tatler. The diamond sold for above its upper estimate of $2 million, according to Forbes. The sale happened on
Western Cape gets additional beds for self-isolation
The Western Cape provincial government is making more than 4,000 beds available to those who have no place to quarantine or self-isolate. But as the province is preparing for its peak, it seems people are reluctant to take up the offer – which comes at no cost. Western Cape health officials have taken to the
NASA’s TESS delivers new insights into an Ultrahot World
Measurements from NASA Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) have enabled astronomers to greatly improve their understanding of the bizarre environment of KELT-9 b, one of the hottest planets known. “The weirdness factor is high with KELT-9 b,” said John Ahlers, an astronomer at Universities Space Research Association in Columbia, Maryland, and NASA’s Goddard Space Flight
New battery electrolyte may boost the performance of electric vehicles
A new lithium-based electrolyte invented by Stanford University scientists could pave the way for the next generation of battery-powered electric vehicles. In a study published in Nature Energy, Stanford researchers demonstrate how their novel electrolyte design boosts the performance of lithium metal batteries, a promising technology for powering electric vehicles, laptops, and other devices. A conventional (clear) electrolyte
South African rand collapses despite months of cautious trade
The South African rand dipped in cautious trade ahead of a busy economic calendar this week, which kicked off with the Q1 GDP release according to NKC Research. While the first quarter growth figures beat expectations – with a contraction of 2 percent q-o-q smashing the analyst forecast of around -4 percent q-o-q – sentiment
Tokyo Airport rolls out automated rideables to help with social distancing
Personal mobility devices to transport passengers with limited mobility are rolling at Haneda Airport, Tokyo. These were released in an automation play for labour shortage-hit Japan that has taken on new urgency as the coronavirus outbreak compels social distancing. The initial three devices, which replace push wheelchairs, are from Yokohama-headquartered startup Whill and run between
MTN launches 5G network in South Africa
MTN announced today that it is launching its 5G network in parts of Johannesburg, Cape Town and Bloemfontein. According to MTN, right now you’ll only be able to get coverage in Bryanston and Honeydew in Gauteng, Universitas in Bloemfontein and Blouberg in Cape Town The company says it’s expanding coverage to other areas, including Pretoria,
Business Adjust: How to care for Covid-19 positive employees
Chances of employees contracting coronavirus (Covid-19) have risen alongside the increasing numbers of positive cases in South Africa as more return to work. Businesses, therefore, need to be prepared for this occurrence. Below is a simple guide in the event of an employee testing positive; (please note, this is not a complete guide). Compliance Ensure
Energy association welcomes plans to implement the Integrated Resource Plan 2019 (IRP2019)
The SA Photovoltaic Industry Association has welcomed updates on plans to implement the Integrated Resource Plan 2019 (IRP2019) which would contribute to the country’s Covid-19 economic recovery package.Association chief operations officer Niveshen Govender said the IRP’s biggest opportunity was in low-cost electricity, which would create additional operational and construction jobs and only consistency would open
Boeing and FAA start first test flights of 737 Max since deadly crashes
Boeing and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) began a series of test flights on Monday to determine whether the 737 Max should be allowed back in the air, after it was involved in two deadly crashes that killed 346 people in 2018 and 2019. The tests are expected to last around three days. “While the
These young entrepreneurs are cornering the fast-food delivery market in townships
Sit-down and take-away meals were not allowed for many weeks during the national lockdown. This has created a big demand for food delivery services – but the mainstream apps are not available in SA's townships. A number of apps have been launched by young entrepreneurs who see a big demand in this market. Restrictions introduced
Large petrol increase coming this week – but fuel will still be cheaper than in March
A large R1.73 a litre hike is expected in petrol prices on Wednesday this week. This is the result of a recovering oil price, and continued weakness in the rand. The Gauteng petrol price (95) fell from R16.16 at the start of the year to R12.22 in May thanks to the oil price slump –
Mark Zuckerberg losses R120 billion as Coca-Cola suspends all social media advertising for 30 days
A boycott of Facebook by major advertisers is hammering the social media giant's stock price and chief executive Mark Zuckerberg's personal fortune. Zuckerberg's net wealth is down by R120 billion as of Saturday, while Facebook's share price dropped more than 8% at the close of Friday trading, as the ad boycott snowballs. Coca-Cola is the
Amazon to launch a new service for building apps even if you don't know how to code
Amazon is launching a new service called Honeycode that makes it possible for Amazon Web Services customers to build their own apps without any coding experience. The service, which Amazon announced on Wednesday, will be free for up to 20 users. After that, customers can pay to add more users and additional storage. The service
Capitec scraps free airtime and electricity purchases
The days of free airtime and electricity purchases on Capitec’s app are just about over. The company announced this week that it’s implementing a 50c flat fee on all purchases of airtime and electricity through its app, mobile, and internet banking channels. The fee also applies when clients buy prepaid data, and SMS bundles. The
Apple unveils iOS 14, the latest version of its iPhone software
The new software, which will likely arrive on iPhone at the end of the year, was on display at Apple's annual developer conference, WWDC. While past events have taken place at Apple's Cupertino, California headquarters, this year's event was hosted virtually in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak. Apple's new iPhone software is a significant
All of the companies no longer advertising on Facebook due to its lack of hate speech moderation
US civil rights organisations League asked advertisers to stop advertising advertisements on Facebook in the wake of George Floyd's death at the hands of police officers. The North Face was the first major brand to halt its paid advertising on Facebook. The North Face announced its decision on Friday. The clothing company said it would
What cinemas will be like when they reopen
Cinemas are anxiously awaiting the publication of regulations that will allow them to reopen – and the conditions that will apply. There will likely be fewer movies every day, and a lot more disinfectant, when cinemas reopen under relaxed lockdown rules announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa on Wednesday. Ramaphosa promised details on when and under what