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Human gene editing: who decides the rules?
ShutterstockGene editing technology allows scientists to make changes to an organism’s DNA. It has made it possible to create cattle without horns, tomatoes that ripen slowly over time, and even...
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Why South Africa's children are vulnerable to violence and injuries
South Africa's deep structural poverty is part of the explanation for injuries to childrenShutterstockSouth African children are vulnerable to injuries, not just those that are accidental but also...
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Why many children with autism have oral health problems
Children with autism have a great burden of dental caries. ShutterstockThe World Health Organisation estimates that 1 in 160 children around the world has an autism spectrum disorder. Autism is a...
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Heavy rains put Kenya at risk of mosquito-borne diseases
Mosquito eggs can remain viable for years even in dry conditions and hatch after heavy persistent rains. ShutterstockKenya experienced above-average rainfall since October 2019, causing landslides and...
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What the latest coronavirus tells us about emerging new infections
Passengers on a tram in China wear surgical masks to guard against viral infection.Willie Siau/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty ImagesViruses are quick studies. They’re prolific at adapting to new...
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Knowledge of safe contraception is patchy among young Nigerian students
Emergency contraception can help prevent pregnancy after sex. ShutterstockNearly half of pregnancies among adolescent girls in developing countries are unplanned. In Africa, about 46% of these...
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Explainer: a history of the measles virus and why it's so tenacious
Successful vaccination against measles in childhood should provide lifetime protection.Paul Hennessy/NurPhoto via Getty ImagesThe measles virus has been a part of human life for thousands of years. A...
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Messages about male circumcision aren't clear: why this is dangerous
ShutterstockIn March 2007, international experts endorsed voluntary medical male circumcision as a partial but effective way to reduce the risk of HIV infection in men. According to the World Health...
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Steps Nigeria is taking to prepare for cases of coronavirus
shutterstockThe number of reported cases and deaths of coronavirus is doubling every couple of days, and patients have now been reported from many Asian countries, as well as the Middle East, Europe,...
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Perspectives from Kenya and Ghana on coronavirus preparations
Kenyan health workers from port health services screen inbound travelers for temperatures at Nairobi's Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. EPA/Daniel IrunguChinese officials have identified a novel...
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What needs to happen for better cancer prevention and control in Kenya
Cancer cases are on the rise in many parts of the continent.CI concept/ShutterstockKenya, South Africa and Zimbabwe are leading in new cancer cases in Africa. In 2018 Kenya was reported to have 47 887...
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Many countries regulate e-cigarettes. South Africa should too
ShutterstockOpinions differ on how to regulate electronic cigarettes. But dozens of countries are taking action. In Africa, Kenya already taxes these products, and South Africa is preparing to follow....
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What the discovery of a new HIV strain means for the pandemic
It's important for scientists to have the most thorough understanding of HIV. ShutterstockThe discovery of a rare new strain of HIV for the first time in nearly 20 years recently made headlines around...
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False information fuels fear during disease outbreaks: there is an antidote
The spread of false information can have a devastating impact on affected communities. Woohae Cho/Getty ImagesFalse allegations and rumours about the coronavirus outbreak have been running riot on...
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Dentists in South Africa aren't being taught genetics. Why they should
Many genetic abnormalities involve the oral and dental region of the face.ShutterstockGenetic and genomic research has improved our understanding of the genetic origin of growth, development and...
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New ways to clean homes may help in Ghana's fight against bacterial disease
ShutterstockBacteria that cause disease can be found in homes, schools and hospitals and are building up a resistance to antibiotic drugs. What this means is that, in the not-too-distant future,...
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How nutrition education can make a difference to people with HIV in Nigeria
ShutterstockHIV and AIDS are still global health problems and sub-Saharan Africa remains the most affected region. Globally, around 770,000 people died from AIDS-related conditions in 2018, 160,000 of...
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Africa is way behind the curve in managing heart disease: here's a new approach
Stephen Barnes/ShutterstockThe burden of noncommunicable diseases in sub-Saharan African is growing because of factors such as demographic changes and increases in life expectancy. These diseases...
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Lassa fever: why there's a call to declare a health emergency in Nigeria
Alarmed by a rapid spread of Lassa fever, the Nigerian Academy of Science is calling on government to declare a health emergency. Pius Utomi Ekpei/AFP via Getty ImagesThe Nigerian Academy of Science...
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The search for an effective HIV vaccine continues
New HIV infections remain high.ShutterstockAn HIV vaccine trial that started in 2016 in South Africa was halted in February 2020. The study sponsors made the call after interim results showed that the...
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