Magic in the mountains: The world of plant-animal interactions
Pollination is the process of transferring pollen from the male part of a flower to the female part, being a crucial step for plant reproduction that leads to the formation of seeds and fruit. This process enables plants to reproduce, providing food security and supporting ecosystems by forming the base of the food web, purifying water, and […]
Plastic pollution crisis – the quest for clean water
A global concern in the modern era is the widespread pollution of the environment and water bodies from plastic waste and heavy metals. This mounting threat to human and planetary health is exacerbated by the 19–23 million tonnes of plastic leaking every year into the world’s oceans, rivers, and lakes, according to the United Nations […]
Clean air: Symbiosis of plants and humans
To breathe is to draw vitality from our atmospheric interdependence with others. This vitality derives first and foremost from the photosynthesising capacities of plants. Without plants, our planetary atmospheres would have remained hostile to human life. It is this foundational debt to plants that informs the current research of Prof Helene Strauss from the Department […]
Bananas – a power fruit in purifying water
Bananas! A versatile, tasty and accessible power fruit, packed with vitamins and good for blood sugar, digestive health, the heart and excellent in purifying water. Prof Jeanet Conradie, Research Fellow in the Department of Chemistry at the University of the Free State (UFS), and her team are researching the use of banana peel, amongst other […]