LATEST NEWS

1 Million Species Facing Extinction The world is currently facing the largest possible extinction across species to date. According to a new United Nations report on ecosystems and biodiversity, the rate at which these species are likely to become extinct is ‘unprecedented’ and is accelerating rapidly. The latest extinction statistics were recently released in a “landmark” new report compiled by the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES). The report contains extensive research and data and was a collaborative compilation done by 145 expert authors from fifty countries with further input from another 310 contributing authors across the world. The Report, which was compiled over the past three years, examines and assesses the environmental changes that have taken place in the [...]

The Cash in Cannabis Cannabis, once one of the most “cultivated, trafficked and widely abused illicit drug[s]” (WHO) in the world, is now no longer viewed as just that, but rather as a potentially lucrative and high-yielding agricultural industry on its own. The expected worldwide trajectory of legal marijuana and cannabis growth could be worth approximately $194 billion in seven years according to 2018’s BMO report. The projected industry worth is largely dependent on the legalisation of marijuana in both the United States as well as all 28 countries in the European Union – and would have to include the legalisation of both the medical and recreational use of the drug (Financial Post, 2018). So how does all of this affect or rather [...]

Militant MammalsThe use of animals in service based industries such as the military, the navy, police forces, airport security and many more is a relatively common practice. However the animals employed in the militia are a far cry from the furry compatriots we associate with the police force or airport security – both of which predominantly use dogs.  The military in particular has an interesting history of animal use and employment for a multitude of services – most of which predated the introduction of modern technology and machinery. Over the course of history, these have included dogs, cats, pigeons, pigs, horses, elephants, bears, bats, dolphins, whales and sea lions. Horses are often the first animal after dogs to come to mind when thinking of [...]

Sharks and the ‘Big C’ Sharks and cancer are not two words that would generally ever be associated with one another, or thought to have any significant links. Recently however, scientists have done just that and have taken their exploration of the ‘big C’ (aka cancer to you and me) to new levels, or should we say new depths rather. The chosen shark for the study was the great white shark, a species that is common in South African waters. Scientists have now successfully mapped the great white shark genome, which according to the Oxford Dictionary is “the complete set of genes or genetic material present in a cell or organism” and have identified an astounding 41 pairs of chromosomes, versus the mere [...]

What do eggs have to do with Easter? Easter Sunday takes place on the 21st of April this year. Depending on the hemisphere, Easter either occurs towards the beginning of spring in the Northern hemisphere, or the beginning of autumn for those who reside in the Southern hemisphere. Easter, as most know it, is a Christian holiday which celebrates the ‘belief’ that Jesus Christ was resurrected on that day. If the New Testament of the Bible is followed, Easter Sunday has become a day of celebration as it is seen as the day that Jesus Christ ‘rose from the dead’ three days after he was crucified. Easter like Valentine’s Day, has also become synonymous with chocolate, and more specifically in Easter’s case – [...]

The Stages of Darkness (According to Eskom) ‘Load shedding’ has become a term that sends shivers down most South African’s spines as it inevitably entails hours of darkness, unproductivity – economic and other, unprecedented traffic and an endless domino effect of more far reaching and negative repercussions for us all.  Load shedding is a term that is continuously thrown around by the media – for good reason, however what does it actually mean and why are we experiencing it now, and so frequently? Eskom, is South Africa’s state owned primary ‘electricity supplier’ which means that they are principally responsible for producing and distributing electricity countrywide. Most of this electricity is distributed to the relevant municipalities who then supply the majority of us. According [...]