by Zama Mngadi Tuberculosis (TB) remains a global health challenge claiming 1,5 million lives annually and 10 million new cases (WHO, 2022). This demands innovative research to unravel its pathogenesis, diagnosis, and effective treatment regimen. In 2017, Namuganga et al., issued an insightful article exploring the suitability of saliva as an alternative diagnostic medium.  Traditionally,…

By Sithuthukile Madonsela Image from: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/health-and-fitness/health/dissection-debate-why-are-medical-schools-cutting-back-on-cadavers/article18296300/ When one thinks of the functions of the various chemicals that comprise embalming fluids, preservation is often the first one that comes to mind. What most people don’t know is that most of these chemicals, for example Formaldehyde, behave as both a fixative and a disinfectant. The problem –…

by Juandre Makaka Most pregnant women encounter a fear of delivering their babies before they are fully developed. Expecting to carry their child and deliver them safely after 39 weeks, delivery before 37 weeks gestation (preterm birth (PTB)) can genuinely cause panic, especially when it spontaneously occurs. As if an unplanned birth is not traumatic…

by Waheed Amanjee Hello, dear readers! Today, we embark on an intriguing journey that bridges the expansive universe of artificial intelligence (AI) with the intimate realm of the womb. Every one of us began life within the safe confines of our mother’s uterus, cushioned by an ocean of amniotic fluid and safeguarded by the cervix,…

by Dzunisani Phaweni With continuing efforts to merge technology with healthcare, exciting advancements are being made in the world of implantable medical devices (IMDs). These devices aim to revolutionize personalized care and real-time metabolic tracking yet are held back by a fundamental problem. Traditional power sources like batteries need to be either recharged or replaced…

by Sharyn Van Der Walt When you think of autism, what’s the first thing that comes to mind? A shy, sensitive person who is either very smart or as “dumb as a doornail”? While that’s the stereotypical view of autistic people, in reality it’s not so black-or-white. Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) exist on a continuum,…

by Michael Goldschagg Most of us are aware that each cell in every living thing contains the same set of instructions responsible for coding the blueprint of that entire organism: DNA. However, in most cases, it is easy to see that each cell does not look the same and is highly specialised – we wouldn’t,…

by Jacinta Demetrio Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common gastrointestinal disorder that presents as recurrent abdominal pain and changes in bowel habits. IBS is a painful disorder that can be costly to treat and even disabling in severe cases. There have been recent psychological studies that suggest that psychosocial factors (especially anxiety and depression)…

by Rachel Brown Macy is a 6-year-old girl with microcephaly, a neurological condition resulting in a reduced brain size. Due to her condition, Macy has experienced developmental delays, problems with her balance and coordination, as well as always being the shortest in her class. Since she was diagnosed, Macy’s parents have been asking many questions…

by Jana Van Der Westhuizen Have you ever had a gut feeling about something or felt butterflies in your stomach? You are most probably receiving communication from your “second brain”, called the enteric nervous system (ENS). The ENS consist of two thin layers of nerves that line the gastrointestinal tract all the way from the…