Author: Webadmin

A new consortium targeting research and development of COVID-19 drugs in Kenya has been birthed. The nascent consortium that brings together five local Universities and KEMRI has received an initial seed funding of over Ksh. 50 million from the National Research Fund (NRF) for this task. Members of the consortium who are also the Principal Investigators (PIs) include Prof. Isabel Wagara from Egerton University, Dr. Peter Kirira from Mount Kenya University, Dr. Meshack Onyambu from Kenyatta University, Dr. Martin Magu, … Continue reading “KEMRI HOSTS THE COVID-19 DRUG DEVELOPMENT CONSORTIUM”

Domain 5: Freedom and responsibility in science An ongoing social revolution in many societies is concerned with combating racism and gender stereotypes, recognizing the value of all and ensuring inclusivity. These issues are as important in science as they are in wider society. At the same time, political destabilization and the climate emergency have led to a new era of displacement of peoples seeking refuge in other countries. These pressures have also tended to inhibit freedom in the practice of … Continue reading “DIVERSITY, INCLUSIVITY AND FREEDOM IN SCIENCE”

Climate change will lead to a mental health crisis as people are forced out of their homes and witness natural disasters, it is feared. But acting to protect green spaces and areas with rich ecosystems can both protect the climate and improve mental health, experts believe. Extreme weather is expected to become more common because of global warming, with the recent flooding in Germany widely seen as an example. This is likely to cause particularly severe crises in places that are already … Continue reading “SCIENTISTS WARN OF ‘IMMENSE MENTAL HEALTH IMPACT’ OF CLIMATE CHANGE”

As the world is still grappling with the pandemic and its devastating effects, the need for rapid and affordable means of communicating and accessing scientific knowledge is strikingly apparent. Earlier this year the international scientific community, as represented by the ISC membership, recognized the need for a change through a resolution committing to work to reform scientific publishing. In this blog, we explore how Africa – similarly to the rest of the world – has adapted to the pressing realities … Continue reading “THE PANDEMIC AND THE CHANGING PUBLISHING SCIENCE IN AFRICA”

ICGEB Grants are awarded following consideration and shortlisting by a Team working under the ICGEB Appointed Governor/ICGEB Liaison Officer for Kenya (Director General, NACOSTI).

What does science look like to you? Is it a flashlight illuminating the dark? Or is it the shadows dancing on the walls, elusive and obscure? Really, it’s both. It’s what we know and what we don’t know. The co-existence of those truths is what makes science such an incredibly important tool to understanding our world. And never has it been more vital to decipher science’s complexities for a wider audience. We face unprecedented circumstances and intricate challenges. But science … Continue reading “UNLOCKING SCIENCE”

The Omicron variant: what do we know so far? In a podcast interview for the Lancet, Salim Abdool Karim, renowned epidemiologist and the ISC’s new Vice-President for Outreach and Engagement, describes the discovery of the Omicron SARS-CoV-2 variant and what we know so far. He also provides a more personal view of the impacts the new variant has on countries like South Africa, and on the need for international collaboration to deal with threats. What does science look like to … Continue reading “THE SCIENTIFIC KNOWLEDGE REQUIRED TO BOOST UNDERSTANDING OF CASCADING AND UNCERTAIN RISKS”

Two former NIH directors call for a cabinet-level department to formulate long-range science policy and oversee technology development.

A new cotton variety with good agronomic performance and great fibre quality developed within a short turn-around time using nuclear techniques in Bangladesh. (Photo: K. Islam/Cotton Development Board, Ministry of Agriculture, Bangladesh) Cotton is the oldest known and most used textile around the world. While it took around 3,000 years to understand how to cultivate and process the first wild cotton, now with nuclear techniques, new and improved varieties have been developed in Bangladesh in record time: just five years. … Continue reading “NUCLEAR TECHNIQUES HELP BANGLADESHI EXPERTS DEVELOP IMPROVED COTTON VARIETIES IN RECORD TIME”

Remarks to the 2021 Biological Weapons Convention Meeting of States Parties RemarksAmbassador Bonnie Denise Jenkins, Under Secretary For Arms Control And International Security 2021 Biological Weapons Convention Meeting Of States Parties Geneva, SwitzerlandNovember 22, 2021 (As prepared) Mr. Chairman, The Biological Weapons Convention is one of the key international security agreements that guard against the threat of weapons of mass destruction. It is an honor for me to join you and colleagues from other States Parties, and I assure you … Continue reading “REMARKS TO THE 2021 BWC MEETING OF STATES PARTIES”