Stellenbosch University

Regime Shifts and Transformations in Social-Ecological Systems: Advancing Critical Frontiers for Safe and Just Futures

Current research challenges in sustainability science require us to consider nonlinear changes—shifts that do not happen gradually but can be sudden and difficult to predict. Central questions are therefore how we can prevent harmful shifts, promote desirable ones, and better ant...

Exploring the effect of a science-themed career exhibition on South African children’s perceptions of scientists

Abstract Background The Draw-a-Scientist Test (DAST) has been widely employed to explore individuals' perceptions of scientists, aiming to identify stereotypical images that could influence attitudes towards science-related career decisions. Purpose This study examines young chil...

One in seven has severe pain: a point-prevalence study of hospitalised patients across Africa

ABSTRACT: Acute pain in hospitalised patients is common, yet African data are scarce. We conducted a prospective point-prevalence study of hospitalised adult patients across Africa to determine acute pain prevalence and severity and investigate associations of pain with critical...

Perennial Crop Type Discrimination with AVIRIS-NG Hyperspectral Imagery and Machine Learning

Accurate maps of perennial crop types support agricultural monitoring, water-use accounting, and strategic decisions on climate adaptation. Hyperspectral imagery offers the fine spectral detail needed to separate spectrally similar plant species, but its high dimensionality compl...

Serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D, calcium, phosphate, and magnesium levels in association with bone mineral density at the hip and lumbar spine in African breastfeeding women: a longitudinal evaluation

The relationship between vitamin D status and serum calcium, phosphate, and magnesium levels, as well as bone mineral density, in African breastfeeding women remains understudied. Bone resorption is essential for maintaining mineral balance when demand for calcium, phosphate, and...

Floods and Food Security in Rural South Africa: Lived Experiences of Households, Farmers, and Food Entrepreneurs in Hamakuya Village

Abstract Floods disrupt food and nutrition security by affecting food availability, accessibility, utilization, and stability. This study examined the effects of flooding on household food accessibility, availability, and stability, and identified coping and adaptation strategies...

Site-specific optimisation of soybean seeding rates: evidence from local on-farm trials

Limited research exists on optimal soybean (Glycine max L.) seeding rates and plant populations in South Africa. This study utilised on-farm precision experimentation data to evaluate the impact of three management approaches on productivity and profitability. Variable seeding ra...

Distinct Sex-Specific Characteristics of Apoe Deficient and Ldlr Deficient Mice in Atherosclerosis: Implications for Model Selection and Therapy Development

The progression of cardiovascular disease shows significant sexual dimorphism: although females generally develop the disease later in life, they exhibit a higher age-related incidence than males. While current studies have separately reported sex differences in atherosclerotic d...

The World Psychiatric Association (WPA) Guideline on Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders Management for Low- and Middle-Income Countries

There is a pressing need to address the unique challenges of managing Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders (SSD) in Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs), where mental health resources are scarce and unevenly distributed. To develop this evidence-based guideline, we conducted a sy...

Baseline characterization of inshore reef soundscapes and noise dynamics along the southeast coast of South Africa

Underwater noise has risen in certain parts of the world, driven by continued growth of maritime economic activity. In South Africa, increasing economic development threatens to elevate underwater noise levels in marine habitats, yet knowledge of marine soundscapes remains very l...

Promoting smoking cessation and preventing relapse to tobacco use following a smokefree mental health in‐patient stay: A multi‐centre randomised controlled feasibility study

Abstract Aims This study assessed the feasibility and acceptability of a new theory‐ and evidence‐based intervention designed to prevent return to pre‐admission smoking behaviours after discharge from a smokefree mental health in‐patient setting in the United Kingdom (UK). Design...