US Senator Kamala Harris of California has been selected by Joe Biden, Democratic presidential candidate, as his vice-presidential running mate for the 2020 US elections. This nomination makes Ms. Harris the first Black woman and the first person with Indian heritage to be nominated for national office by a major party. Ms. Harris is also…
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The dangerous lack of diversity in science and medicine textbooks
When asked to think of a biologist, chances are that many of us would name one of the many white men we’ve been taught about from a young age. Charles Darwin. Alexander Fleming. Louis Pasteur. Despite the ever-growing recognition in the media of the contributions of women and people of colour to science, it’s clear…
Science
Covid-19: how are African countries coping?
The living conditions in Africa vary greatly; from cramped slums to the large houses where the wealthy live to the villages elsewhere. This means that the spread of Covid-19 in Africa varies greatly as well. Early data has shown that currently there are fewer cases of Covid-19 than were expected, but the number of cases…
Science
Are freshwater species doomed?
A group of scientists from across the globe have unveiled a new plan to halt the decline of biodiversity of our freshwater ecosystems. Referred to as the ‘Emergency Recovery Plan’, it details the actions needed to bend the current downward curve of freshwater biodiversity loss. Published in Bioscience on February 19, the paper outlines a…
Science
Flight of the Bumblebee
The Earth is currently undergoing the sixth mass extinction event – the most widespread and rapid global biodiversity crisis since the extinction of the dinosaurs. A massive decline in bumblebees is now underway resulting from pesticides, parasites, disease, poor weather due to climate change, and other human involvement. A new study has revealed that the…
Science
Coronavirus: it’s origin, virulence, and the quarantine procedures
Coronaviruses are a group of viruses that cause disease in mammals and birds. In humans, coronaviruses cause respiratory infections that are typically mild – these include the common cold. Rarer forms of coronavirus infections have led to previous disease pandemics with SARS, MERS and the current novel coronavirus causing the 2019-2020 Wuhan coronavirus outbreak. These…