display Latest news from University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg on News en-us Copyright 2025 News 115 31 / /images/newswise-logo-rss.gif /articles/pioneering-tests-could-improve-the-assessment-of-dementia-in-ageing-africans2/?sc=rsin /articles/pioneering-tests-could-improve-the-assessment-of-dementia-in-ageing-africans2/?sc=rsin Wed, 02 Apr 2025 07:30:44 EST Researchers have introduced improved cognitive tests to assess dementia in older Africans, part of the HAALSI-HCAP study in rural South Africa. These tools, tailored for local contexts, enhance global ageing research and could inform a national survey. With dementia rates rising, findings will aid prevention and policy. University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg /articles/reduced-sodium-legislation-saves-lives/?sc=rsin /articles/reduced-sodium-legislation-saves-lives/?sc=rsin Sat, 29 Mar 2025 13:30:56 EST South Africa's 2013 sodium reduction law is lowering blood pressure and improving health. A study by Wits & Harvard found a 10% drop in sodium intake, with stricter limits in processed foods. Even small reductions cut heart disease risk. Experts say more countries should follow suit. #PublicHealth University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg /articles/pioneering-tests-could-improve-the-assessment-of-dementia-in-ageing-africans/?sc=rsin /articles/pioneering-tests-could-improve-the-assessment-of-dementia-in-ageing-africans/?sc=rsin Wed, 26 Mar 2025 09:35:01 EST Researchers have introduced specialised dementia tests tailored for older African adults, improving on standard cognitive assessments. These tools, part of HAALSI-HCAP, aim to address data gaps in Africa's ageing studies. The initiative aligns with global efforts and may inform national dementia surveys in South Africa. University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg /articles/although-art-coverage-has-improved-older-adults-face-considerable-barriers-to-hiv-prevention-including-educational-disparities-and-gender-inequities-particularly-in-rural-settings-tailored-interventions-targeting-older-populations-are-essential-to-address/?sc=rsin /articles/although-art-coverage-has-improved-older-adults-face-considerable-barriers-to-hiv-prevention-including-educational-disparities-and-gender-inequities-particularly-in-rural-settings-tailored-interventions-targeting-older-populations-are-essential-to-address/?sc=rsin Wed, 26 Mar 2025 07:30:27 EST University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg /articles/leadership-training-empowers-africa-s-health-regulators/?sc=rsin /articles/leadership-training-empowers-africa-s-health-regulators/?sc=rsin Sun, 23 Mar 2025 08:45:10 EST Africa's top health regulators convened in Johannesburg for the inaugural African Regulatory Leadership Programme (ARLP), aimed at strengthening regulatory leadership and advancing the establishment of the African Medicines Agency. Hosted at Wits Business School, the programme responds to global funding cuts and the challenge of substandard medicines by developing leadership capacity across Africa's national regulatory authorities. University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg /articles/study-shows-type-2-diabetes-doubled-in-sub-saharan-africa-in-6-years/?sc=rsin /articles/study-shows-type-2-diabetes-doubled-in-sub-saharan-africa-in-6-years/?sc=rsin Thu, 27 Feb 2025 01:45:00 EST This study highlights the rapid rise of type 2 diabetes in sub-Saharan Africa, with prevalence doubling in six years among middle-aged individuals in South Africa, Kenya, Ghana, and Burkina Faso. The findings, published in The Lancet Global Health, suggest prior estimates were too low and stress the need for targeted health interventions. University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg /articles/award-winning-pharmaco-geneticist-advances-drug-discovery-and-development-for-africans/?sc=rsin /articles/award-winning-pharmaco-geneticist-advances-drug-discovery-and-development-for-africans/?sc=rsin Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:35:45 EST Masimirembwa, a Distinguished Professor at Wits University's Sydney Brenner Institute for Molecular Bioscience (SBIMB), received the award at a ceremony in California, USA, on 7 February. The PMWC Pioneer Award recognises Masimirembwa's groundbreaking work in pharmacogenomics, shedding light on how genetic differences influence drug responses across diverse populations. University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg /articles/cash-and-counselling-slash-unsuccessful-tb-outcomes-by-half/?sc=rsin /articles/cash-and-counselling-slash-unsuccessful-tb-outcomes-by-half/?sc=rsin Fri, 07 Feb 2025 04:35:09 EST A new study shows that tuberculosis patients cash-incentivised and counselled have a 52% lower relative risk of having an unsuccessful treatment outcome. University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg /articles/carbon-revenues-fuel-misguided-policies-in-african-conservation/?sc=rsin /articles/carbon-revenues-fuel-misguided-policies-in-african-conservation/?sc=rsin Tue, 07 Jan 2025 05:10:51 EST A group of researchers from 26 universities and institutes working in Africa have warned conservationists, farmers and landowners to be cautious of consultants and companies recommending a single veld-burning strategy to sequester carbon in order to capitalise on carbon credits. University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg /articles/new-digital-dome-launches-in-joburg/?sc=rsin /articles/new-digital-dome-launches-in-joburg/?sc=rsin Tue, 12 Nov 2024 23:55:21 EST After major refurbishments, the old Johannesburg Planetarium has been transformed into the state-of-the-art Wits Anglo American Digital Dome. University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg /articles/rising-heat-exposure-threatens-maternal-and-newborn-health/?sc=rsin /articles/rising-heat-exposure-threatens-maternal-and-newborn-health/?sc=rsin Mon, 11 Nov 2024 05:00:30 EST With year-on-year record breaking global temperatures, the health risks for vulnerable populations--especially pregnant women and newborns--are increasingly concerning. University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg /articles/collaborative-effort-uncovers-rare-meteorite-in-eastern-cape/?sc=rsin /articles/collaborative-effort-uncovers-rare-meteorite-in-eastern-cape/?sc=rsin Tue, 03 Sep 2024 04:05:17 EST The spectacular entry of a meteorite into Earth's atmosphere over South Africa's Eastern Cape Province on Sunday 25 August has unleashed a chain of events that would not be out of place in a Hollywood movie script. University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg /articles/global-health-expert-to-discuss-africa-s-mpox-response-and-vaccine-equity/?sc=rsin /articles/global-health-expert-to-discuss-africa-s-mpox-response-and-vaccine-equity/?sc=rsin Tue, 27 Aug 2024 09:40:48 EST University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg /articles/new-wing-in-bara-burns-unit-takes-flight/?sc=rsin /articles/new-wing-in-bara-burns-unit-takes-flight/?sc=rsin Tue, 27 Aug 2024 06:05:57 EST R100 million expansion to Wits Roy McAlpine Burns Unit at Baragwanath Hospital officially opens to serve Soweto, SA and Africa. University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg /articles/wits-flower-hall-listed-as-world-s-best-innovative-building-up-for-award-in-2024/?sc=rsin /articles/wits-flower-hall-listed-as-world-s-best-innovative-building-up-for-award-in-2024/?sc=rsin Tue, 27 Aug 2024 06:05:56 EST In a significant move towards sustainability, the Flower Hall introduced new services designed to support energy-efficient use of the facility. University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg /articles/2-million-grant-to-research-reducing-aids-related-deaths-caused-by-bacterial-and-fungal-infections/?sc=rsin /articles/2-million-grant-to-research-reducing-aids-related-deaths-caused-by-bacterial-and-fungal-infections/?sc=rsin Tue, 06 Aug 2024 04:05:48 EST Professor Nelesh Govender was awarded one of 7 prestigious 5-year UK National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Global Research Professorships. University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg /articles/beprecise-consortium-unveils-guidelines-to-enhance-reporting-in-precision-medicine-research/?sc=rsin /articles/beprecise-consortium-unveils-guidelines-to-enhance-reporting-in-precision-medicine-research/?sc=rsin Wed, 24 Jul 2024 06:05:21 EST The inaugural reporting guidelines for precision medicine research, of which Wits University Professor Michele Ramsay is co-author, have been published in Nature Medicine. University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg /articles/mobile-phone-data-help-track-pathogen-spread-and-evolution-of-superbugs/?sc=rsin /articles/mobile-phone-data-help-track-pathogen-spread-and-evolution-of-superbugs/?sc=rsin Mon, 15 Jul 2024 07:05:41 EST Novel way to map spread and evolution of pathogens, and their responses to vaccines and antibiotics, reveals how to help predict and prevent future outbreaks. University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg /articles/a-novel-way-to-save-rhinos/?sc=rsin /articles/a-novel-way-to-save-rhinos/?sc=rsin Tue, 25 Jun 2024 06:05:59 EST The Rhisotope Project at Wits is entering a new testing phase with the insertion of radioisotopes into 20 live rhinoceros. University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg /articles/study-that-empowers-traditional-health-practitioners-to-test-for-hiv-expands-in-rural-south-africa/?sc=rsin /articles/study-that-empowers-traditional-health-practitioners-to-test-for-hiv-expands-in-rural-south-africa/?sc=rsin Tue, 21 May 2024 03:05:57 EST A National Institutes of Health five-year, $2.8 million grant to Wits and Vanderbilt University will advance traditional health practitioner-initiated HIV testing. University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg