Article
Meteorology & Atmospheric Sciences
Thando Ndarana, Tsholanang S. Rammopo, Mary-Jane Bopape, Chris J. C. Reason, Hector Chikoore
Summary: By analyzing 39 years of ECMWF renalysis data, this study has shown that South African cut-off low (COL) pressure systems are preceded by downstream development of a baroclinic wave, with two energy centers evolving in different latitudinal regions. The upstream eddy kinetic energy center grows through baroclinic conversion, while the downstream center receives energy through ageostrophic geopotential fluxes induced by Rossby wave breaking. This downstream energy transfer connects South African COLs to midlatitude processes.
ATMOSPHERIC RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Matthew E. Gilbert
Summary: Synchrony between flower opening and pollinator activity is important for maximizing plant fitness. The succulent Bulbine frutescens is a suitable model to study this synchrony, as it flowers year-round. Observations and experiments show that flower opening is primarily influenced by favorable weather conditions, specifically air temperatures above 15 degrees Celsius. Flower development is temperature-dependent, with warm weather promoting bud growth and opening the following day.
FUNCTIONAL ECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Sara Bonetti, Edwin H. Sutanudjaja, Tafadzwanashe Mabhaudhi, Rob Slotow, Carole Dalin
Summary: Agricultural production in arid and semi-arid regions is highly vulnerable to climate change, and sustainable management of water resources is crucial for national and global food security. Using South Africa as a case study, this research maps the water use of major crops and assesses their sustainability in terms of water resources. The findings suggest that irrigation in arid areas leads to unsustainable production for several crops, and climate change scenarios indicate a further intensification of water pressure.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Manuel B. Crespo, Maria Angeles Alonso, Mario Martinez-Azorin, Jose Luis Villar, Ladislav Mucina
Summary: This article discusses the taxonomic identity and phylogenetic relationships of several southern African perennial taxa related to Frankenia repens. The study restores the species status of F. nodiflora and describes two new sea-heath species, F. nummularia and F. anneliseae, within an independent lineage close to F. repens. Molecular analyses and morphological divergence support the recognition of these new species, and a detailed morphological description, ecology, habitat, distribution, and taxonomic relationships are provided. An identification key is also presented to aid in recognizing southern African taxa of Frankenia.
Article
Plant Sciences
Yushan Zhang, Dexin Zhong, Zhanfei Liu, Jiawei Gao
Summary: The study explores the development process of lily cut flowers from cellular, morphological, and physiological aspects. Asymmetric growth caused by structural differences is identified as a major factor in inducing flowering. The decrease of various substances in tepal cells indicates the transition from bud cracking to senescence stages.
HORTICULTURAL PLANT JOURNAL
(2021)
Article
Psychology, Multidisciplinary
Frenette Southwood, Michelle J. White, Heather Brookes, Michelle Pascoe, Mikateko Ndhambi, Sefela Yalala, Olebeng Mahura, Martin Mossmer, Helena Oosthuizen, Nina Brink, Katie Alcock
Summary: This study in South Africa is the first to consider the influence of various factors on expressive vocabulary size in young children. The findings show that sociocultural and individual factors combined explained 25% of the variance in expressive vocabulary size. The results suggest an interplay of sociocultural and individual influences on vocabulary development, highlighting the need for a more complex ecological model to understand these interactions.
FRONTIERS IN PSYCHOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Chao Shi, Shuo Wang, Hao-Hong Cai, Hong-Rui Zhang, Xiao-Xuan Long, Erik Tihelka, Wei-cai Song, Qi Feng, Ri-xin Jiang, Chen-Yang Cai, Natasha Lombard, Xiong Li, Ji Yuan, Jian-ping Zhu, Hui-yu Yang, Xiao-fan Liu, Qiao-ping Xiang, Zun-tian Zhao, Chun-lin Long, Harald Schneider, Xian-chun Zhang, Hua Peng, De-Zhu Li, Yong Fan, Michael S. Engel, Yong-Dong Wang, Robert A. Spicer
Summary: The rapid diversification of flowering plants during the Cretaceous period remains a mystery. The frequent wildfires during this time resulted in fossilized flower fragments that are difficult to compare with modern forms. Additionally, the lack of information about early angiosperm ecology makes it challenging to understand the drivers of their diversification. However, the discovery of well-preserved fossil flowers in Cretaceous amber from Myanmar provides evidence of fire adaptation in angiosperms.
Article
Psychology, Multidisciplinary
Liandi van den Berg, Petronella Jonck, Jhalukpreya Surujlal
Summary: The study examined youth sports development pathways in a South African context and found that factors such as supportive and challenging environment, as well as long-term development focus, did not have a statistically significant impact on the development pathway of youth athletes. Further research is needed to develop a more suitable measuring instrument to assess talent development within the athlete environment being investigated.
FRONTIERS IN PSYCHOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Environmental Studies
Astrid Wood
Summary: The article examines the development of TOD schemes in Cape Town and Johannesburg, questioning the concept of TOD as a universal mechanism and the specific planning practices in South African cities.
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Machoene Derrick Sekgala, Maretha Opperman, Buhle Mpahleni, Zandile June-Rose Mchiza
Summary: This study aimed to determine the best anthropometric indices for detecting metabolic syndrome (MetS) in male South African taxi drivers. The results showed that %BF and CUN-BAE were the most effective predictors, followed by BMI and WHtR.
FRONTIERS IN NUTRITION
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Fabrizia Ratto, Peter Steward, Steven M. Sait, James Stephen Pryke, Rene Gaigher, Michael J. Samways, William Kunin
Summary: The introduction of enhanced floral resources has a positive impact on apple flower visitors and crop yield in the Cape Floristic Region of South Africa, particularly on apple size and economic value. Increased landscape complexity benefits wild bees but not honey bees, while enhancing overall pollinator abundance and honey bee flower visitation in apple orchards.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED ECOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Psychology, Multidisciplinary
Luzelle Naude, Elizabeth Cornelia van Damme
Summary: The aim of this study was to explore how South African adolescents are affected by and respond to control in their journey of self-discovery. Through focus group discussions, adolescents from the Eastern Cape province in South Africa (n = 120; 58.33% female) shared their experiences of how control shaped their sense of self. Participants understood identity as a continuous and fluid process influenced by significant others and social contexts. Various experiences of control, mostly negative, were articulated by the participants. Thematic analysis revealed three distinct reactions to control: Conforming and Submitting, Finding Freedom, and Internalising, each with implications for identity development and achievement.
CURRENT PSYCHOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Psychology, Multidisciplinary
Luzelle Naude
Summary: This study explores the evaluative nature, relational orientation, and salience of specific domains in the identity narratives of understudied adolescents and emerging adults in central South Africa. Findings indicate that participants' statements are biased towards desirable qualities, balanced on the independent-interdependent continuum, and focused on social qualities, hobbies, sports, interests, as well as values such as respect and work ethic.
CURRENT PSYCHOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Hannah Flach, Petra Dietmann, Matthias Liess, Michael Kuehl, Susanne J. Kuehl
Summary: Glyphosate (GLY), a widely used herbicide, has been found to have negative effects on non-target organisms, including insects, rodents, fish, and amphibians. This study shows that GLY can negatively impact the early embryonic development of amphibians, affecting morphological and neural cardiac development.
ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY
(2023)
Article
Psychology, Multidisciplinary
Nicola Jansen van Vuuren, Stephan Rabie, Anthony Vernon Naidoo
Summary: Career interest assessment is crucial in career guidance and counseling. However, ensuring fair and ethical assessment practices is complex and challenging in diverse multicultural settings like South Africa. Factors such as culture and language may affect individual performance on career interest assessments. Therefore, it is important to consider these factors when developing career interest assessments in the South African context.
FRONTIERS IN PSYCHOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Oluwakemi K. Sobiyi, Guy P. P. Kamatou, Alvaro M. Viljoen, Anthony R. Magee, Ben-Erik Van Wyk
JOURNAL OF ESSENTIAL OIL RESEARCH
(2017)
Article
Plant Sciences
E. L. Kotina, A. A. Oskolski, P. M. Tilney, B-E. Van Wyk
SOUTH AFRICAN JOURNAL OF BOTANY
(2016)
Article
Plant Sciences
H. De Wet, M. Struwig, B. -E. Van Wyk
SOUTH AFRICAN JOURNAL OF BOTANY
(2016)
Article
Plant Sciences
A. K. Ruiters, P. M. Tilney, S. F. Van Vuuren, A. M. Viljoen, G. P. P. Kamatou, B. -E. Van Wyk
SOUTH AFRICAN JOURNAL OF BOTANY
(2016)
Editorial Material
Plant Sciences
Ben-Erik Van Wyk, Tandiwe Nkonki, Teodor Van Wyk
Article
Plant Sciences
Anthony R. Magee, Odette E. Curtis, B-E. Van Wyk
Article
Forestry
Ekaterina L. Kotina, Alexei A. Oskolski, Patricia M. Tilney, Ben-Erik Van Wyk
Article
Plant Sciences
S. -L. Hutchinson, B. -E. Van Wyk, A. R. Magee
SOUTH AFRICAN JOURNAL OF BOTANY
(2017)
Article
Plant Sciences
K. H. C. Baser, G. Ozek, I. M. Hulley, T. Ozek, P. M. Tilney, B. -E. Van Wyk
SOUTH AFRICAN JOURNAL OF BOTANY
(2017)
Review
Plant Sciences
B. -E. Van Wyk, B. Gorelik
SOUTH AFRICAN JOURNAL OF BOTANY
(2017)
Article
Plant Sciences
B. -E. Van Wyk, M. A. Stander, H. S. Long
SOUTH AFRICAN JOURNAL OF BOTANY
(2017)
Article
Plant Sciences
M. Marianne le Roux, Paul Wilkin, Kevin Balkwill, J. Stephen Boatwright, Benny Bytebier, Denis Filer, Cornelia Klak, Ronell R. Klopper, Marinda Koekemoer, Laurence Livermore, Roy Lubke, Anthony R. Magee, John C. Manning, Alan Paton, Tim Pearce, Jasper Slingsby, Ben-Erik van Wyk, Janine E. Victor, Lize von Staden
Article
Plant Sciences
Pieter J. D. Winter, Patricia M. Tilney, Ben-Erik Van Wyk
Article
Plant Sciences
Ekaterina L. Kotina, Alexei A. Oskolski, Patricia M. Tilney, Ben-Erik Van Wyk
Article
Plant Sciences
Mei Liu, Ben-Erik Van Wyk, Patricia M. Tilney, Gregory M. Plunkett, Porter P. Lowry, Anthony R. Magee
PAKISTAN JOURNAL OF BOTANY
(2016)
Article
Plant Sciences
Anaswara Rani, Sneha Asha, Minsa Mini, Pooja P. Rajan, Merin Tomy, Ashita Jose, Xavier Ts, Praveen Kumar
Summary: This study focuses on the eco-friendly synthesis of copper oxide nanoparticles using Centra-therum punctatum leaf extract. The synthesized nanoparticles showed potent antimicrobial activity and effectively inhibited biofilm formation by Pseudomonas aeruginosa. These findings demonstrate the potential of copper oxide nanoparticles for environmentally friendly synthesis and applications.
SOUTH AFRICAN JOURNAL OF BOTANY
(2024)
Article
Plant Sciences
Bruno Fagundes dos Santos, Talita Oliveira de Arauja, Camilla Oliveira Rios, Advanio Inacio Siqueira-Silva, Eduardo Gusmao Pereira
Summary: This study investigated the interaction between iron excess and phosphorus deficiency in Paspalum densum. The results showed that iron excess decreased phosphorus concentration in roots, while phosphorus deficiency increased iron concentration in leaves. Stomatal limitation was the main cause of decreased photosynthesis due to iron excess. Phosphorus deficiency contributed to higher phosphorus use efficiency and biomass.
SOUTH AFRICAN JOURNAL OF BOTANY
(2024)