Editor's note

In recent decades a number of countries have held regular multiparty elections while simultaneously continuing to violate minimum standards of democracy. Barbara Yoxon looks at Kenya’s most recent elections in this light.

With more than 36 million people living with HIV the quest to find a vaccine continues. Penny Moore and Lynn Morris explain how scientists have turned to new strategies based on lessons learnt from studying the immune systems of HIV-infected people.

Lake Victoria, one of Africa’s Great Lakes, supports communities living on its shores. But its resources are dwindling. Fiona Nunan explores the social ties and networks that connect people and how understanding these could help protect the lake.

When the first ever heart transplant took place 50 years ago in Cape Town under the leadership of Dr Chris Barnard, it had all the makings of media gold. The historic operation demonstrated the power of the mass media to transform a scientist into a global icon, writes Marina Joubert.

Julius Maina

Regional Editor East Africa

Top Stories

Why elections don't always equal democracy: the case of Kenya

Barbara Yoxon, University of York

Elections, even free and competitive ones, don't always mean that a country is more democratic. Instead of weakening the elite’s grip on power, elections might actually make them stronger.

Designer proteins: the new generation of HIV vaccines being put to the test

Penny Moore, University of the Witwatersrand; Lynn Morris, University of the Witwatersrand

Three new HIV vaccine concepts which rely on high-tech designer proteins are being trialled to see if they can stop the virus.

A close up look at the social networks of Lake Victoria’s fisherfolk

Fiona Nunan, University of Birmingham

Social ties between Lake Victoria's fisherfolk are critical for gaining access to credit, employment, maintaining reliable and skilled labour and access to markets.

How an historic heart transplant created a celebrity scientist 50 years ago

Marina Joubert, Stellenbosch University

The unprecedented media interest in the first human heart transplant 50 years ago transformed many of the rules that governed the relationships between medicine and the media.

Politics + Society

Health + Medicine

Science + Technology

Environment + Energy

Business + Economy

Arts + Culture