Table of contents for Issue 318 - February 2022 in MiniMag

AIR POLLUTION Air pollution is caused by solid and liquid particles and certain gases that are suspended in the air. These particles and gases can come from car and truck exhausts, factories, dust, pollen, mould spores, volcanoes and wildfires. The solid and liquid particles suspended in our air are called aerosols. Breathing in polluted air can be very bad for our health. Long-term exposure to air pollution has been associated with diseases of the heart and lungs, cancers and other health problems. Soil is one of the most significant elements of the natural world that the Earth possesses. Soil is the source that not only allows us to grow our food, but is also home to so much of life. SOIL POLLUTION Soil pollution is when there are chemicals present…

Discussing and debating developments in science is important, because we all need to be a part of shaping what the future looks like. Science is such a big part of our world and our lives and, so, it is influenced by and affects people, the environment, economics, politics, culture, and more. The National Science Schools Debates project, run by the South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement, encourages young people to think about and talk about the many different perspectives around science and technology research and developments. In the provincial competition in 2021, teams discussed and debated the exciting topic of gene editing. Gene editing raises many ethical questions (what is right and what is wrong), so the teams had interesting discussions, while always remaining respectful of each other’s…

Leap Day for Frogs 28 February Get to know this fascinating amphibian and do your part to protect its habitat! Fold-a-frog! Why not get creative and fold your very own cute frog to sit on your desk and help you get through your homework this year! Small frog in a big pond Frogs and tadpoles have thin, porous skin, through which they absorb chemicals from the air and water. For this reason, more than any other terrestrial animal, they need water to survive. Most wetland frogs have very limited tolerances for drying. Frogs also need water to be able to reproduce. Local rainfall can create temporary pools suitable for some species to breed. However, most species depend on wetland flooding to breed, particularly in inland areas, where water can be…

This is the first part of a new stamp series called “SA Endangered Species”. The set features six threatened frog species that occur only within SA. Photographs were provided by Andrew Turner, Atherton de Villiers, Louis du Preez, Joshua Weeber and Werner Conradie. The SA Post Office worked closely with the Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT), in particular their Threatened Amphibian Programme, during the creation of this educational stamp theme. On 29 February 2020, the EWT led a guided walk at the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens, as part of ‘Leap Day for Frogs’. One of the frogs featured on the stamps also occurs here, the Critically Endangered Table Mountain Ghost Frog – known only from six streams on the slopes of Table Mountain. This national event takes place each year to…

French – the language of love – seems fitting with Valentine’s Day just around the corner. In difficult times, people have always managed to find moments to celebrate something good, something positive and Valentine’s Day is just that! It pushes us to reflect on the people in our lives and to appreciate them. Valentine’s Day is not about buying expensive gifts, but rather treasuring the people that we love. Challenge yourself this year to tell people you love them – love doesn’t always have to be the romantic kind. Write your parents a letter, find out how a friend is really doing and embrace your pets. We wish you a February filled with happiness and if you can’t find the bright light at the end of the tunnel – be…

Make Valentine’s Day special for everyone around you! Just a smile, an act of kindness or a caring gesture can light up the day for someone who might be in need today. “To give of yourself, is to truly give!” Did you know? Teachers receive the most Valentines! The first known official celebration of Saint Valentine’s Day took place in Paris on 14 February 1400. Can you find all the hidden words in this puzzle? ♥ CARD ♥ SMOOCH ♥ POETRY ♥ LOVE ♥ PINK ♥ ROSES ♥ ♥ CUPID ♥ HEART ♥ MOON ♥ DATE ♥ FEBRUARY ♥ PARTY ♥ ♥ BELOVED ♥ VALENTINE ♥ STARLIGHT ♥ SWEETS ♥…

Genes provide the building instructions for the proteins, chemicals and structures in your body. Differences in our genes give us different characteristics and ‘errors’ in genes can lead to diseases. People have been changing and shaping genes in plants and animals (for example, to give us more food) for a long time. But it hasn’t been easy. Cross-breeding plants with different characteristics to make the next generation better to eat has been used for thousands of years, but this is only useful for some characteristics and it can take many generations to give you better crops. Some other forms of genetic engineering, like using bacteria called Agrobacterium to add DNA to a plant’s genome, are not always specific or successful. But now gene editing technology is faster, cheaper and much easier…

Hippopotamuses As well as the water-loving common hippopotamus, there is a second type, the pygmy hippopotamus, which prefers to live in forests. They spend up to 18 hours a day immersed in lakes and rivers where they can rest, save energy, and avoid the heat of the African sun. Their nearly hairless skin produces a pink, oily liquid that acts as a sunscreen and helps prevent any wounds from becoming infected by dirty water. Feeding takes place at night, when a herd emerges from the water and follows a well-established trail that leads to a favourite feeding site. Under water In deep water, hippopotamuses can walk or run along the river bed. Once under water, their ears and nostrils close to keep the water out, enabling them to stay submerged…

Although wetlands are often wet, a wetland might not be wet year-round. Some wetlands are temporary and seasonal – they occur for a few weeks at a time and then disappear until they are refilled with water. Other wetlands are always under water. Many wetlands serve as transition zones between land and water areas. The living wetland Wetlands may support both aquatic and terrestrial species. Because of their wet nature, wetlands are home to specially adapted water-loving species (both plants and animals) and promote the development of characteristic wetland soils. Wetlands are among the most productive eco-systems in the world, comparable to rain forests and coral reefs. An immense variety of species of microbes, plants, insects, amphibians, reptiles, birds, fish and mammals can be part of a wetland ecosystem. Migrating…

MUST WATCH! CN TO THE RESCUE Are you ready for some uproarious comedy? Well, join in on the fun with Tapiwa and his crazy family in the brand-spanking-new season of CN to the Rescue! It’s a weirdly world full of adventure, laughter, and creativity with our favourite African family. This new season takes us deeper into the magical world of Tapiwa’s ‘Imagination Room’, where the lines between reality and animation become more blurred, the danger becomes more real, and the adventure becomes even crazier than ever! Is the new mysterious family member, Uncle Ezekius, a good guy, or is he plotting evil? Will Tapiwa and his family find a way out of the ‘Imagination Room’ in time? Join the madness as we bring the Imagination Room straight to your Living…

Take care of your skin this summer! Did You Know? It only takes fifteen minutes of sun exposure to cause sunburn, leading to permanent, irreversible damage to your skin, even after such a short time … This damage increases every time you go out into the sun and, may, eventually lead to skin cancer which is why CANSA urges everyone to be SunSmart, and serious about protecting their skin, in a bid to lower their risk of skin cancer. Skin cancer is the most common cancer worldwide … South Africa has one of the highest monitored ultraviolet (UV) levels in the world, it also has one of the highest incidences of skin cancer globally. Damage from both UVA and UVB rays can lead to skin cancer… Ultraviolet rays (UVA and…