Natural and Agricultural Sciences
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PAReTT: a Python package for the automated retrieval and management of divergence time data from the TimeTree resource for downstream analyses
(Springer, 2023)Evolutionary processes happen gradually over time and are, thus, considered time dependent. In addition, several evolutionary processes are either adaptations to local habitats or changing habitats, otherwise restricted ... -
Time trees and clock genes: a systematic review and comparative analysis of contemporary avian migration genetics
(Wiley, 2023)Timing is a crucial aspect for survival and reproduction in seasonal environments leading to carefully scheduled annual programs of migration in many species. But what are the exact mechanisms through which birds (class: ... -
Determinants of rural household livelihood dependence on non-timber forest products: a case study from Inanda Community, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
(Frontiers, 2022)Natural forest resources are the most accessible sources of services, products and incomes for many adjacent rural communities. However, the declining resilience of forests and agricultural sectors particularly in South ... -
With the continuing increase in Sub-Saharan African countries, will Sustainable Development Goal 1 ever be achieved by 2030?
(MDPI, 2022)The poor in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) are in a worse predicament than their counterparts in other regions. The goal of this study was to establish the key drivers of poverty in SSA by looking at how economic variables affect ... -
The introduction of captive bred African lions (Panthera leo) to a private wildlife reserve in the Limpopo Province, South Africa
(University of the Free State, 2021-11-15)The objective was to utilise an unique opportunity to monitor and explore the social and feeding behaviour, and the reproductive ability of captive bred, and reared African lions (Panthera leo) when reintroduced as a ... -
Assessing small-scale fisheries potential of Gariep Dam, South Africa's largest impoundment
(University of the Free State, 2022-07)South African inland fisheries are considered poorly developed and fish resources are mainly utilised by recreational and subsistence fishers. The South African government has identified inland fisheries as an opportunity ... -
Counter‑gradient variation and the expensive tissue hypothesis explain parallel brain size reductions at high elevation in cricetid and murid rodents
(Springer Nature, 2023)To better understand functional morphological adaptations to high elevation (> 3000 m above sea level) life in both North American and African mountain-associated rodents, we used microCT scanning to acquire 3D images and ... -
Metagenomic assessment of nitrate-contaminated mine wastewaters and optimization of complete denitrification by indigenous enriched bacteria
(Frontiers, 2023)Nitrate contamination in water remains to be on the rise globally due to continuous anthropogenic activities, such as mining and farming, which utilize high amounts of ammonium nitrate explosives and chemical-NPK-fertilizers, ... -
A review on graphene (GN) and graphite oxide (GO) based biodegradable polymer composites and their usage as selective adsorbents for heavy metals in water
(MDPI, 2023)Water pollution due to heavy metal ions has become a persistent and increasing problem globally. To combat this, carbonaceous materials have been explored as possible adsorbents of these metal ions from solution. The problem ... -
Operational characteristics of women street food vendors in rural South Africa
(Frontiers, 2023)Objective: To characterize the operations of the street food enterprise in the Vhembe district, focusing on business profile, sold foods, inputs, pricing, record-keeping practices and total running cost. Methods: A ... -
Heterosis and combining ability of iron, zinc and their bioavailability in maize inbred lines under low nitrogen and optimal environments
(Cell Press, 2023)Iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn) nutrient enrichment of staple crops through biofortification can contribute to alleviating micronutrient deficiency in sub-Saharan Africa. A line × tester mating design was used to determine the ... -
Overcoming barriers for people with disabilities participating in income-generating activities: a proposed development framework
(AOSIS, 2023)Background: People with disabilities in sheltered workshops are disempowered and face many barriers, adversely affecting their income-generating activities and weakening their competitiveness in the labour market. There ... -
Combining ability estimates for quality and non-quality protein maize inbred lines for grain yield, agronomic, and quality traits
(Frontiers, 2023)Introduction: Biofortified maize varieties could contribute to the fight against hunger and malnutrition of the increasing human population and help meet the high demand of maize for human consumption, industrial use and ... -
Permissionless blockchain systems as pseudo-random number generators for decentralized consensus
(IEEE, 2023)Consensus algorithms that function in permissionless blockchain systems must randomly select new block proposers in a decentralised environment. Our contribution is a new blockchain consensus algorithm called Proof-of-Publicly ... -
Candida albicans-enteric viral interactions—the prostaglandin E2 connection and host immune responses
(Cell Press, 2023)The human microbiome comprises trillions of microorganisms residing within different mucosal cavities and across the body surface. The gut microbiota modulates host susceptibility to viral infections in several ways, and ... -
Enhancing household welfare through perennial crop production in Northern Ghana
(MDPI, 2023)As Ghana seeks to diversify its agricultural export commodity trade away from its over-reliance on cocoa, empirical evidence is critical to inform policy direction on the implementation of programs to promote such an agenda. ... -
Strengthening Namibia's flood early warning system through a critical gap analysis
(MDPI, 2023)Floods are considered leading hydrometeorological disasters, which are increasing in frequency, intensity and complexity with the evolution of climate change. Their associated impacts have detrimental and often prolonged ... -
Susceptibility tests and predictions of transporter profile in Serratia species
(MDPI, 2022)Disinfectants and biosecurity are critically important to control microbial diseases. Resistance to disinfectants compromises sectors such as agriculture and healthcare systems. Currently, efflux pumps are the most common ... -
Filamentous fungi for sustainable remediation of pharmaceutical compounds, heavy metal and oil hydrocarbons
(Frontiers, 2023)This review presents a comprehensive summary of the latest research in the field of bioremediation with filamentous fungi. The main focus is on the issue of recent progress in remediation of pharmaceutical compounds, heavy ... -
Effects of the density of invasive Lantana camera plants on the biodiversity of large and small mammals in the Groenkloof Nature Reserve (GNR) in South Africa
(MDPI, 2023)Multi-scale approaches have been used to determine scales at which mammal species are responding to habitat destruction due to invasion, but the impacts of weeds on mammals have not been extensively studied, especially in ...
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