Browsing by Author "Casanueva, Ana"
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Item Extremophiles in biofuel synthesis(Taylor and Francis Group, 2010) Barnard, Desire; Casanueva, Ana; Tuffin, MarlaThe current global energy situation has demonstrated an urgent need for the development of alternative fuel sourcesto the continually diminishing fossil fuel reserves. Much research to address this issue focuses on the developmentof financially viable technologies for the production of biofuels. The current market for biofuels, defined as fuelproducts obtained from organic substrates, is dominated by bioethanol, biodiesel, biobutanol and biogas, relying onthe use of substrates such as sugars, starch and oil crops, agricultural and animal wastes, and lignocellulosic biomass.This conversion from biomass to biofuel through microbial catalysis has gained much momentum as biotechnologyhas evolved to its current status. Extremophiles are a robust group of organisms producing stable enzymes, which areoften capable of tolerating changes in environmental conditions such as pH and temperature. The potentialapplication of such organisms and their enzymes in biotechnology is enormous, and a particular application is inbiofuel production. In this review an overview of the different biofuels is given, covering those already producedcommercially as well as those under development. The past and present trends in biofuel production are discussed,and future prospects for the industry are highlighted. The focus is on the current and future application ofextremophilic organisms and enzymes in technologies to develop and improve the biotechnological production ofbiofuels.Item Learning to be a health activist(José Frantz, 2020) Casanueva, AnaIn 2009, Professor Alan Christoffels from the South African National Bioinformatics Institute and Professor Trish Struthers from the School of Public Health decided to join forces on a multidisciplinary project aimed at developing an innovative health intervention for South African school learners from Grades 7 to 9. Funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) programme from the United States, a learning resource kit, titled “How to Be a Health Activist”, was developed with the aim of engaging and educating teenagers about tuberculosis within the context of HIV, as well as dealing with issues of self-esteem, poverty and helping them make informed decisions about their lives to help mitigate some of the health risks they face. This was, however, not just another learning resource for school learners.Item Scorecard can help monitor children’s psycho-social health and wellbeing(José Frantz, 2020) Casanueva, AnaHealthy early childhood development is fundamental to success and happiness, not only during childhood but throughout the course of a person’s life. This not only includes linguistic and cognitive development but also physical, social and emotional development. This development and the environment surrounding a child could either enhance or hinder optimal development of the individual. Schools are seen as an important environment for the promotion of education, but they could also be crucial for the promotion of health in children, as well as their families and community, through specific health-promotion programmes. The right programmes in a school setting could make a positive contribution to the overall health of the children and society.