The average temperature for healthy persons used to be around 37°C
Over the last two centuries, it seems there has been a drop in temperature
Researchers are puzzled as to why this may be the case
In 1868, German physician Carl Wunderlich reported that a healthy body temperature reading was 37°C. Now, almost two centuries later, researchers have noticed that the average body temperature in healthy individuals is declining.
According to a paper compiled by researchers from Stanford University, temperatures of adults in the United States has decreased 0.03°C per decade, which led the authors to believe that people in higher-income countries now have an average body temperature that is 1.6°C lower than in 1868. Researchers attributed this drop in body temperature to reductions in infectious diseases.
Lower temperatures in high-income countries
A more recent study conducted by a group of physicians, anthropologists and local researchers found similar results when studying the Tsimane Amerindians of the Bolivian Amazon.
The existing hypothesis – that people have lower temperatures in high-income countries – led to researchers further hypothesizing that people in lower-income areas would have higher temperatures. The researchers, led by Michael Gurven (professor of anthropology at University of California Santa Barbara), wanted to test the hypothesis in this population.
Why choose the Tsimane?
The Tsimane are indigenous people of lowland Bolivia who have a minimalistic lifestyle, without access to running water and sanitation.
Researchers found that the Tsimane were exposed to many disease-causing agents, “indicated by elevated immune activation biomarkers throughout life”.
The majority of deaths among the Tsimane was due to infection, and they also exhibit endemic polyparasitism (natural infestation by two or more parasites).
They also have a high resting metabolism, which means when they are not moving their bodies they still burn a high number of calories, leading to an increase in temperature. These reasons further led researchers to believe that they would have higher body temperatures.
Predictions contradicted
Body temperatures collected by the Tsimane Health and Life History Project (THLHP) since 2002 were used in the study. Researchers found that contrary to their predictions, there has also been a rapid decrease in average body temperature in the Tsimane population.
According to researchers, during the earliest study period from 2002 to 2006, unadjusted mean BTs for adult women and men were 37.02°C. However, between 2012 to 2018, body temperature dropped by 0.45°C for women and 0.49°C for men.
This drop in temperature happened over two decades, whereas the drop in body temperature in the US population was observed over almost two centuries. Surprisingly, researchers could not find the reasons behind this drop in temperature.
The digital DTP and automation specialist is responsible for the execution and production of creative collateral, of a high standard, for all our marketing and brand communications and is responsible for rolling out digital media according to specific design specs with immaculate precision and speed while being able to closely follow the creative direction. The role is also responsible for building marketing automation programs and reporting on marketing performance, administrating and driving the implementation of the company’s CRM system. Job objectives
Strategic/analytical
Must be able to work within brand guidelines and be able to create differentiation while maintaining cohesion amongst sub-brands.
Ensure any custom or newly created content and design meets legal and compliance requirements by applying the system of process and procedures into all work.
Collaborate with the creative team and within the company to raise standards and awareness of innovation, creativity and design leadership.
To re-purpose existing elements and templates as required by design changes.
To keep abreast of industry design developments and technology, and be able to interpret how these would impact services from a design perspective.
To share information, ideas and best practice with team members.
Digital mindset: Your main focus is designing for digital and mobile environment.
Segment and analyse prospect database to target digital campaigns.
Consultancy (internal/external)
Informal peer review of colleagues’ work.
Engage in team training to further personal and departmental development.
Establish relationships with the team and stakeholders.
Informal guidance to co-workers.
Ensure consistent and continuous communication requirements are met.
Working closely with internal and external resources and suppliers.
Collaborate with the marketing and consulting teams to support lead nurture, lead scoring, and data management.
Delivery
Manage the creative and design process from concept stage to finished artwork and implementation
Produce and QA digital campaign assets including platform-specific creative, AR/VR assets, and other forms of creative using existing templates, as well as creating new templates to spec.
Translate project requirements into workable, scalable solutions.
Analyse firmographic data sources and bulk update the CRM system with the most accurate information, as well as QA data to ensure accurate reporting and decision making.
Create workflows and automated email alerts to make the Consulting team more efficient.
Analyse lead flow to ensure effective and timely follow-up.
Work within the industry standards and guidelines and ensure sign off is obtained from all key stakeholders before implementation.
Conduct regular meetings and design reviews of all work-in-progress with the Art Director and Chief Creative Officer.
QA of work against a brief such as (be not limited to):
Infographics
Presentations
Video
Animation and motion graphics
Electronic publications (interactive PDFs, HTML emails)
Interfaces
Web-based content
Operational knowledge
Extensive knowledge of Salesforce.com or other CRM systems
Excellent knowledge of typographic variations across digital and mobile applications.
Complete understanding and ability to create typographic grid systems and layouts.
Strong understanding of branding, brand strategy and identity systems.
Understanding of how to simplify and re-distribute communication.
Knowledge of effective methods to derive and interpret client objectives.
Knowledge of social and digital best-practice forms of communication.
Knowledge of narrative structure (storytelling).
Industry knowledge
Understanding and familiarisation of digital and social content distribution platforms
Knowledge of key innovation in Digital, Social, Marketing, Video, Cinema, Cultural, Art and Design spaces
Knowledge and interaction with creative specialists in the content creation space.
Technical knowledge
Knowledge of video creation tools, software, equipment and specialist skills (Adobe CC, Invision, Understanding of HTML and CSS)
Good knowledge of different social platforms and their limitations.
Knowledge and understanding of social platforms and best practice tools
Knowledge of digital platforms and channels (formats and outputs)
Knowledge of Multi-channel platform integration
Skills requirements
Excellent verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills.
High levels of concentration and attention to detail.
Ability to conceptualise and create engaging content from strategic direction and insight.
Ability to present ideas in a highly engaging, effective and customer-centric manner.
Ability to efficiently use Google Suite or industry-standard presentation/collaboration tools.
Ability to learn quickly and adapt to changing digital and social media needs and best practices.
High levels of craftsmanship.
Ability to manage time effectively.
Ability to push and adapt content for various platforms and executions.
Ability to collaborate and manage relationships in an agile environment.
Creative problem-solving and innovative thinking.
Ability to give and receive feedback effectively.
Being comfortable with ambiguity, pressure and constant change.
The art director’s role is focused on digital, creative and strategic innovation. This includes creatively applying a concept utilising digital innovation across digital channels to ensure a seamless, strategic digital journey to meet client briefs and their expectations.Job objectives
Leadership
Providing leadership and direction that harnesses the power of the collective team to achieve our business objectives
Drive leadership in terms of Digital Design for our business and for clients
Provide direct leadership and growth to team members and relevant resources
Implementing and driving departmental targets and goals, helping each team member to achieve these goals
Strategic/analytics
Identify platform relevant innovations (eg. Google Marketing Platform, social channels, etc.) in order to share findings with team members
Conduct research on the latest design industry trends (weekly) in order to enhance our creative offerings.
Consistently research and update knowledge and skills on industry tools in order to remain relevant.
Consultancy (internal/external)
Assist and manage junior/intermediate designers within the creative team
Creative collaboration in order to drive conceptual development that can be expanded into multiple digital platforms/channels.
Contributing to knowledge share sessions within the creative team in order to educate and drive experimentation of the new knowledge gained through research.
Support overall team performance by enabling fluidity of skills/expertise transfer into other areas of the team.
Ensure that creative outputs are in line with specifications required by platform partners in order for them to execute client campaigns seamlessly
Ensure that SLA’s with external clients and platform partners are managed within efficient turn around times, in order to mitigate risks between platforms and clients.
Delivery of Creative Digital Design presentations to internal team and external clients as and when required
Delivery
When required, ensure smooth running and delivery of all job outputs within the creative department
Oversee and checking QA of all Junior team members creative work prior to escalation to the Head of Creative
Adapting and craft digital executions from an existing concept for digital outputs, in order to ensure the correct application on digital platforms
Ensure that daily billable hours are met in line with the company’s quarterly targets for self and junior team members
Contributing, building and growing innovation within a digital creative aspect
Day to day digital design for campaigns that are platform or channel-specific.
Consistent and timely reporting of tasks/activities in order to ensure efficiency in studio management.
Ensure that all creative output is presented in an acceptable manner to the client (Google Slides/Keynote).
Clear communications with the operations division in order to ensure that deliverables correlate to creative time estimations.
Consistent communication around team dynamics and workflow efficiencies in order to drive a progressive work environment
Attend client briefings in order to define the direction of a creative brief
Experience:
Operational ? 5+ years experience in Digital Design within an Agency environment (essential) ? Intermediate level of experience using Google Suite (Docs, Drive, Calendar, Slides, Sheets, Hangouts etc.) ? Intermediate level of experience using agile working systems (Workflowmax, Trello) Consultancy ? 3+ Years of experience managing teams of people Technical ? 5+ Years experience using Adobe Creative Suite (essential) ? Intermediate level of experience working in InVision and Sketch (desirable) Industry Specific ? 3+ Years experience within a Digital Marketing environment (essential) Operational knowledge
Knowledge of effective methods to derive and interpret client objectives.
Knowledge of the broader design fields (graphic, multimedia, copywriting etc.)
Knowledge of design principles
Knowledge of design processes
Industry knowledge
Knowledge and understanding of digital design trends and latest industry innovations
Knowledge and understanding of the latest trends and their role within a commercial environment
Knowledge of TTL advertising
Technical knowledge
Knowledge of digital platforms and channels (formats and outputs)
Knowledge of Multichannel platform integration
Knowledge of Multi programme integration (e.g. Adobe Illustrator to Photoshop)
Basic knowledge of HTML and CSS
Knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite
Skills requirements
Excellent werbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills
Ability to be agile, and adapt the creative to changing trends in the industry
Ability to have a high propensity to learn quickly
Ability to understand and work on the intricacies of social and digital platforms/channels
Ability to use Google Web Designer
Key focus on attention to detail to ensure accuracy of design/interactive artwork supplied to platforms/channels
Ability to determine which creative will best be suited on a specific platform
Well-rounded skills using Creative Suite (Adobe Illustrator, Adobe InDesign, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe XD) as well as Sketch and InVision
Guest House Relief Receptionist Bloemfontein based guest house is looking for a Relief Receptionist / Administrator. The position requirements are as follows: – Experience in Guest Houses front desk operations.
– Experience in Reservations – check-in and check-out’s.
– General management and administrative duties. – Must be able to work weekends and shifts as is required by hospitality hours on a relief basis. – Answering calls and e-mails. – Fluent in English and Afrikaans
– Valid driver’s license and own transport. Closing date:16 November 2020. Please send your most recent updated CV with a photo to: scjvbfn@gmail.com
We are looking for a Front-end developer experienced in design to join our growing team of professionals. We offer an opportunity to work on offshore accounts – with clientele based all over the globe and are in search of a developer who can complement our team of coders, designers, animators and content managers.
We are looking for someone who knows how to develop complete online websites and project front ends and UIs, is not afraid of deadlines and has a good general understanding of online environments, user experience and the importance of thouroughness in design.
If your submission has not received a reply within seven working days from the date of submission, please consider it unsuccessful.
Requirements
We are not looking for someone who only knows how to design front-end projects with Bootstrapper type frameworks, this position requires independently built design.
Internet and digital media literacy need to be at a very high level, this is not a junior, trainee nor an internship position, and as such, a two to four years of experience in this field is required.
Must have a solid track record and working examples of similar long-term projects and integrations.
Ability to work with Brand UI kits.
Empathy for customer service and a deadline-driven personality are a must.
Ability to work as part of a larger team consisting of production, branding and development specialists will be required, and as such, a general understanding of the industry will be questioned and tested.
Developer coding requirements:
HTML
CSS
Javascript
jQuery
JSON
Sass
Extra points will be granted for experience in:
Git
vanillaJS / ES6
Design skill (Adobe Photoshop)
Terminal/command line compiling
Development speed
ReactJS
Responsive design
Applicants must be prepared to deliver complete designed packages for use of the backend team. Applicants must understand the importance of responsive design, making sure all front-end code looks perfect on all screen sizes.
Preference will be given to applications with a solid portfolio of case studies in this space. Applicants must be able to independently complete a task without the need for another coder to fix errors or complete it for them. Applicants will be required to complete a short practical test and a multiple-choice exam if the interview proves successful.
Researchers from the American Museum of Natural History have identified a new “hidden” gene in SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes Covid-19, and say this may explain why it is so highly infectious.
The discovery of the “overlapping gene”, named ORF3d, could have a significant impact on how we combat the virus, the research team wrote. Overlapping genes (OLGs) are a type of ‘gene within a gene’, effectively concealed in a string of nucleotides, ScienceAlert explains.
“Overlapping genes may be one of an arsenal of ways in which coronaviruses have evolved to replicate efficiently, thwart host immunity, or get themselves transmitted,” said lead author Chase Nelson, a postdoctoral researcher at Academia Sinica in Taiwan and a visiting scientist at the American Museum of Natural History.
“Knowing that overlapping genes exist and how they function may reveal new avenues for coronavirus control, for example through antiviral drugs.”
Their findings were published in the journal eLife.
According to the team’s findings, the newly discovered gene is present in a previously discovered pangolin coronavirus. This, they say, possibly reveals repeated loss or gain of this gene during the evolution of the new coronavirus, as well as related viruses.
The most effective way to stop the spread of a virus is to prevent contact with everyone who is infected. Those who are infected can be isolated and treated if necessary. To determine who they are, it’s necessary to actively look for and manage cases.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, emerging technologies are being repurposed to help trace whoever has been in contact with an infected person.
Some of these technologies, such as the Global Positioning System (GPS), wi-fi and Bluetooth, are not new. GPS has been used to find accident victims at precise geographic locations. Some of the uses of wi-fi are oxygen monitoring devices, smart beds, access to electronic medical records and real-time access to X-rays and magnetic resonance imaging scans.
Now these tools can also help do one of the most important jobs in the pandemic: track and trace. They allow people some movement and economic activity, with the ability to manage their own risk of being exposed to possible infection or spreading any infection.
The South African government recently introduced a mobile application, COVID Alert SA, to help people notify their close contacts if they are infected.
The app is based on smartphone technology enabled by readily available functions developed by Apple or the Google Exposure Notification System. It uses a phone’s signal to generate a random code. The code is then exchanged with other users of the same app within a two metre radius. These codes are stored on the respective devices for two weeks.
Newly elected DA leader John Steenhuisen has come out guns blazing following President Cyril Ramaphosa’s extension of the national state of disaster by another month, to 15 December, in order to keep Covid-19 prevention measures in place.
Ramaphosa made a number of announcements on Wednesday evening.
South Africa will be allowing tourists from all countries across its borders under an upcoming amendment to the Level 1 Covid-19 lockdown regulations, ending the controversial red-list travel system.
Trading hours will also be normalised, “for instance for the sale of alcohol for retail outlets”.
But Steenhuisen said it was “incomprehensible” that the state of disaster has been extended by yet another month.
“Government cannot keep managing South Africa around a single risk when our nation is so imperilled by far greater risks, such as poverty, hunger and unemployment,” the DA leader said in a statement following Ramaphosa’s address.
As the coronavirus pandemic continues around the world, some people are turning to an emerging black market for fake negative test results.
In France, at Paris’ Charles de Gaulle Airport in September, a group of seven people were arrested for selling falsified digital certificates intended to prove negative coronavirus results, the AP reported last week.
The group was discovered following an investigation sparked by a traveler leaving France for Ethiopia. The traveler reportedly had a fake digital certificate that claimed they tested negative for the virus.
The group in Paris was reportedly selling the fake test results for $180 (R2,800) to $360 (R5,600) apiece.
In another case, in late October, a group of travelers in Brazil was found with falsified negative test results in an attempt to enter the Fernando de Noronha island group, the AP reported.
Rather than buying fake test results, the group is accused of altering their own results.
Dr. Michael Osterholm, an influential Covid-19 advisor to President-elect Joe Biden, on Wednesday called for a four- to six-week nationwide lockdown to help drive down infection numbers.
Osterholm, part of Biden’s 13-person Covid-19 advisory panel announced Monday, told Yahoo Finance on Wednesday that the US had a “big pool of money” to help pay for people’s lost wages and get the economy back on track during a lockdown while a vaccine was being rolled out.
Osterholm said a national lockdown would drive the number of new cases down, “like they did in New Zealand and Australia.”
“We could pay for a package right now to cover all of the wages, lost wages for individual workers, for losses to small companies, to medium-sized companies or city, state, county governments. We could do all of that,” he said. “If we did that, then we could lock down for four to six weeks.”
He added: “We could really watch ourselves cruising into the vaccine availability in the first and second quarter of next year while bringing back the economy long before that.”
Over the last seven days, the US has recorded an average of more than 112,000 daily cases. Cases reached an all-time peak of more than 132,000 on Friday.
HEALTH TIPS (as recommended by the NICD and WHO)
• Maintain physical distancing – stay at least one metre away from somebody who is coughing or sneezing
• Practise frequent hand-washing, especially after direct contact with ill people or their environment
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth, as your hands touch many surfaces and could potentially transfer the virus
• Practise respiratory hygiene – cover your mouth with your bent elbow or tissue when you cough or sneeze. Remember to dispose the tissue immediately after use.
Pretoria, Thursday 12 November 2020 – Following the decision by South African banks to discontinue cheques as a form of payment, the South African Revenue Service (SARS) has decided not to accept cheques as a form of payment at Customs ports of entry from 14 December 2020 and at banks from 1 January 2021.
Taxpayers and Customs clients who need to pay SARS can use one of the following options:
eFiling
Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT)
At a bank branch (cash and EFT). All payments can be made at any ABSA, Capitec, FNB, Nedbank or Standard Bank branch.
Travellers entering and leaving the country will still be able to pay cash at the port of entry.
Taxpayers are reminded that all payments must contain the correct beneficiary ID and payment reference number (PRN). Detailed payment information is available on the SARS website www.sars.gov.za.
We are looking for a top-notch senior back-end Java developers for a fast-paced development team that delivers projects on a monthly basis. As part of this team, you will be working on very cool projects and will work closely with QA, Ops, and SA to build functionality on the company’s platform. The SDLC is mainly waterfall with elements of Agile for quick delivery. All the coding is done from the backend in native Java/existing patterns and XML, Jira, Git — this is a base of tech required but solid Java is the priority.
Qualifications:
Five to eight years’ solid Java experience
Must have Java certification
Developers from a corporate/consult to a corporate will be preferred.
Be available to complete a technical assessment
Degree (IT related qualification)
Strong track record of development work
If you are ready to take your career to the next level, then this may be the right opportunity for you!
Reference number for this position is DM40173 which is a permanent position based in Fairlands offering a salary is negotiable on experience.
The time for change is now! E-Merge IT Recruitment is specialist niche recruiters with a wide range of positions available. We offer researched positions with top companies to strong technical candidates. Email Dominic on az.oc.egrem-e@mcinimod or call him on 011 463 3633 to discuss this and other opportunities.
LAPA Publishers, a division of Penguin Random House South Africa, has a vacancy for a qualified and dynamic person to work as a production assistant. Please note, LAPA Publishers’ offices are currently based in Pretoria, with plans to move to Midrand within the next year or early next year.
Main responsibilities
Coordination and execution of various administrative production-related tasks in the publishing department of the company.
Assistance in the execution of the annual publication program and production schedule.
Compile and manage schedules and business plans for printed and digital products.
Regular liaison with collaborators and writers.
Request quotations and negotiate printing prices.
Quality control of the printing and binding of new publications.
Managing the production process of printed and digital products.
Can work under high pressure and manage crises.
Excellent organizational and administrative skills.
Excellent planning skills.
If you are someone who has a love for books with a specific interest in Afrikaans literature and current affairs, has experience in Christian publishing and media, has good language and numeracy, has strong computer skills in Microsoft Office and Pastel Evolution, among others, has excellent interpersonal and communication skills, has experience in the publishing industry, has strong organisational and public relations skills, an appropriate qualification and a valid driving license, this position is for you. If you are interested in this position, please send your CV and a covering letter, clearly stating your salary expectations.
NB: Only shortlisted candidates will be interviewed and previously disadvantaged candidates will be given preference.
If you have not heard from us within six weeks, you should regard your application as unsuccessful.
The Corporate Communication and Marketing Division (CCMD) creates a competitive advantage for Stellenbosch University (SU) by strategically positioning the brand favourably, implementing effective communication and marketing initiatives – including student recruitment –and by arranging institutional events for various stakeholders. The Division offers a dynamic, innovative and interesting work environment. Most of the Division’s activities are deadline-driven, fast-paced and often require extended working hours.
The CCMD currently has a vacancy for a manager publications. The incumbent will be responsible to co-create a publications strategy and operational plan, and for the implementation of the plan which will include the production of a collection of printed and digital institutional publications for a variety of stakeholders. Institutional publications are not limited to traditional print or digital publications; it may include marketing/promotional collateral, a variety of PowerPoint presentations aimed at different stakeholders; video production and the news carousel on the SU website. The Manager: Publications also takes responsibility for the strategy, content alignment and production management of the University’s Annual Integrated Report, including the compilation of briefing documents for written and visual content contributors and graphic designer, and ensures compliance with the Department of Higher Education and Training’s requirements for integrated annual reporting.
Duties:
Management of various corporate publications
Co-developing and implementing a corporate publications strategy and plan with objectives aligned with SU’s Integrated Communication Strategy and Plan;
Compiling an annual production plan for institutional publications, including the Integrated Annual Report, and managing its scheduling and roll out;
Conceptualising various publications in accordance with objectives and stakeholders;
Overseeing the production and print management of various corporate publications;
Compiling the annual budget for corporate publications and managing the expenditure;
Ensuring high quality written and visual content, cutting-edge publication formats and innovative design;
Managing the distribution and delivery of publications;
Ensuring alignment with corporate brand identity, and compliance with protocols and guidelines;
Benchmarking SU publications against international best practice;
Procuring internal and external service providers.
Content creation for publications
Writing, re-writing, editing, translating and proof-reading content for various SU publications that are published in both English and Afrikaans;
Commissioning and managing the contributions by copy writers, photographers and graphic designers;
Ensuring alignment of content with institutional narrative and tone;
Interpreting written information for conversion into visual communication, e.g. graphs and infographics.
Requirements:
Relevant Bmdegree or equivalent qualification in communication/journalism/marketing/public relations;
Approximately six to eight years’ working experience in the relevant fields with at least five years in publication management or publishing, including print and digital publication production, financial management and staff coordination;
Proven experience in strategy development, planning and implementation related to publications;
Excellent language proficiency and experience in high-level content creation and quality control, with the ability to sign-off on English and Afrikaans publications for production: printing/digital distribution;
Computer literate in MS Office (Word, Excel and PowerPoint) as well as knowledge of digital publication platforms;
Ability to function effectively in a multilingual and multicultural environment;
Ability to work independently, make objective and decisive, yet flexible decisions under pressure and within set deadlines, and the ability to work in a multi-skilled, professional team;
Accurate reporting of information and attention to fine detail.
Recommendations:
Relevant postgraduate qualification;
Experience in a corporate communication or marketing division;
Knowledge of the higher education sector;
Experience in project management;
Knowledge of integrated reporting.
Commencement of duties: 1 January 2021 or as soon as possible thereafter
Closing date: 25 November 2020
Enquiries regarding job contents: Ms. Candes Keating on 021 808 9175, or at target=”_blank. Please do not send applications to this email address.
Applications for the position will only be accepted via the online application platform as indicated. For technical assistance with the platform and remuneration enquiries, please contact the Human Resources Division on 021 808 2753, or at az.ca.nus@rh-e-nus
The University is committed to employment equity (EE), and appointments will be made in line with the EE plan for the specific environment as well as Stellenbosch University’s institutional EE Plan.
The University reserves the right not to make an appointment.
Your application, comprising a comprehensive curriculum vitae (including the names and e-mail address of at least three referees), must reach the University before or on the closing date of the advertised post.
