Science and research news from Africa. Covers Congo Basin wildlife, maternity care, malaria resurgence, and drug-resistant parasites.
A new review of research from across sub-Saharan Africa found that food insecurity is linked to depression, suicide attempts, HIV vulnerabilities, and poorer sexual and reproductive health outcomes among adolescent mothers. The study suggests that addressing hunger may also help reduce depression and other mental health burdens.
African water conflicts are driven by uncertainty over water availability under extreme climate conditions, rather than an absolute lack of water. Advanced water modeling can provide a shared foundation for managing transboundary water resources and resolving disputes.
Research shows that weather information alone won't shield poor livestock farmers from climate change impacts, highlighting the need for paired climate forecasts and risk-smoothing measures
Researchers used infrared cameras to create a 3D view of biodiversity in the Congo Basin, revealing which mammals share the forest and how they use that space. The study identified 47 mammal taxa and found that 25% of arboreal mammals preferred the understory, highlighting the value of surveying the lower-mid forest strata.
A hospital-based intervention combining training, quality improvement, and leadership support has been shown to reduce stillbirths and newborn deaths in sub-Saharan Africa. The study, published in Nature Medicine, found a 22% decrease in early perinatal death and a 19% reduction in oxygen-deprivation-related complications among newborns.
A recent study by the Ethiopian Public Health Institute and the JAMA Network has identified emerging drug and diagnostic resistance variants as contributing factors to Ethiopia's malaria resurgence. The study highlights the need for continued monitoring and adaptation of treatment strategies to combat the growing malaria epidemic.
A team of researchers at Brown University identified new genetic mutations in malaria parasites that make them less susceptible to current treatments. The findings, published in Nature Medicine, highlight the rapid spread of these variants and the need for improved surveillance and new therapies.
The US government's withdrawal of funding for global HIV programs led to a sharp reduction in the number of people entering HIV care across East Africa. New patient enrollment dropped by 59% and viral load testing declined by 33% within weeks, according to findings from researchers at UC San Francisco.
Researchers have developed an AI tool that can detect online propaganda in Kinyarwanda, a Bantu language spoken by 350 million Africans. The dataset, called KinyaProp, provides examples of misinformation in Kinyarwanda for large language models to learn from and recognize.
A previously unknown species of African monkey, Colobus congoensis, has been identified in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The species, known locally as Likweli, features a distinctive orange face patch and is one of the rarest discoveries in modern primatology.
The African Engineering and Technology Network (Afretec) has signed its tenth university partner, Addis Ababa Science and Technology University (AASTU), to drive digital transformation in Africa. The network, led by Carnegie Mellon University Africa, aims to create long-term sustained change across the continent through research, educa...
A new commentary reveals that most of Africa's biodiversity persists outside formal protected areas, challenging the reliance on fenced reserves and policies like the 30×30 target. Working landscapes, shaped by centuries of human-nature coexistence, often retain higher ecological connectivity and resilience to climate change.
A clinical trial found that adding molecular tests on urine and stool samples did not speed up treatment initiation or reduce mortality in hospitalized patients with HIV. The study showed no significant difference in treatment initiation within 72 hours between the expanded screening group and the standard group.
A team of 14 West African Master's students, accompanied by experienced scientists, will conduct research at depths of up to 4,900 meters on the POLARSTERN research vessel. The 'Floating University' program aims to document long-term changes in the ocean and investigate marine biodiversity.
A study in Nature reveals a sharp increase in wild meat consumption across Central Africa, driven by urban populations. The total annual biomass of wild meat consumed has increased from 0.73 million tonnes in 2000 to 1.10 million tonnes in 2022.
African elephants' genetic history shows they once moved across large distances, exchanging genes throughout the continent. However, current patchy habitats and human activities have led to genetic consequences of isolation, affecting conservation approaches.
A new study found that children who start primary school at older ages completed more years of schooling, had greater wealth in adulthood, and fewer teen pregnancies. This delay allowed them to develop greater literacy and was associated with better health outcomes, including lower rates of HIV infection and child death.
Sickle cell disease affects an estimated 7.74 million people worldwide, with sub-Saharan Africa accounting for two-thirds of global cases. Individuals living in this region are less likely to use medications or go to the hospital for pain crises, relying more on homeopathic remedies and delaying medical care.
Research in Malawi finds that attempts to combat child marriage often neglect local perspectives and cultural norms, leading to challenges in implementing effective solutions. The study proposes an African feminist lens to address the issue, considering relationality, community, and cultural embeddedness to understand the problem.
Scientists have found that African frogs' diversity is linked to historical climate conditions, indicating they adapted to changing environments. The study suggests that even after 12,000 years, tropical frogs still remember the impact of past ice ages on their habitats.
The study found that the 2023-2024 El Niño event triggered record-breaking sea level surges in Africa, with acceleration outpacing the global average. This unprecedented crisis threatens over 15 million coastal residents with flooding, land subsidence, and extreme weather.
Researchers found interactions between soil moisture patterns and wind in the lowest atmosphere influence where storms develop, providing clues to forecasters about location. The study aims to improve certainty about upcoming storms on hot days and save lives, livestock, and property.
A two-year study found that small household solar power systems have limited capacity, typically only 6 watts, which does not deliver meaningful energy services. Households with access to higher-capacity systems (50+ watts) reap the most direct benefits and are more likely to adopt additional solar components.
A new study explores how religious faith can complement climate science, providing hope, meaning, and motivation for continued action. Faith-based activists in Sweden and South Africa reveal that spirituality gives them strength and direction to commit to climate issues.
The new open-access reference guide emphasizes that breeding objectives must reflect farmer priorities and production realities. Local breeds are critical for climate adaptation and resilience in small-scale and low-input production systems, but many are at risk of extinction due to indiscriminate crossbreeding with exotic breeds.
A $1.8 million grant will fund the development of refrigerated semen storage, eliminating liquid nitrogen needs for dairy farming in developing countries. This technology is expected to increase milk production and improve farmers' incomes, addressing food insecurity.
A sweeping new study has identified tuberculosis as the predominant cause of deadly sepsis among people with HIV in Africa. Immediate treatment for TB significantly increased survival rates, especially when treatment was started before diagnosis.
A study by Chungnam National University finds that climate adaptation can significantly reduce migration from drought and armed conflict in Africa. Countries with stronger adaptive capacity experience lower migration levels during crisis conditions, highlighting the importance of policies addressing environmental and security threats.
Researchers used machine learning to identify conflict labels from data, discovering three archetypes with distinct geographic, demographic, and economic properties. The study emphasizes the limitations of existing conflict classifications and suggests new approaches for predicting conflict severity.
The prevalence of overweight and obesity in Africa has surged, with a significant increase in obesity over the past two decades. Women are nearly five times more likely to be obese than men, while those with tertiary-level education are three times more likely. The study's findings highlight the need for targeted public health interven...
Researchers mapped nearly 400 genetic regions regulating circulating proteins, identifying 18 with a likely causal link to T2D. These findings provide new insights into disease biology and could lead to earlier and more accurate diagnoses, as well as treatments tailored to African populations.
A new study reveals Africa's oldest known in situ cremation pyre containing the remains of an adult, dated around 9,500 years ago. The discovery suggests that ancient African hunter-gatherer communities had complex ritual practices involving posthumous removal and reburial of body parts.
Professor Dan Stein was a visionary who bridged neuroscience, clinical care, and philosophy to transform psychiatric research in Africa. His integrative approach produced scholarship of extraordinary range, with over 1,600 peer-reviewed publications and a Google Scholar h-index exceeding 220.
A community awareness campaign in Nigeria increased awareness of colorectal cancer symptoms and risk factors, leading to earlier detection of the disease. The program also identified precancerous polyps and detected colorectal cancer at curable stages.
Cholera-causing bacteria show substantial genetic diversity and widespread multi-drug resistance to commonly used antibiotics in Africa. A new study analyzed genomic data from 104 isolates across Cote d'Ivoire, Ghana, Zambia, and South Africa, highlighting the urgent need for antimicrobial stewardship.
A new study reveals that elephants, giraffes, and rhinos are unable to get enough salt from their habitats, leading to sodium deficiency. The researchers found that larger-bodied species are more affected by sodium scarcity, which influences their habitat selection and behavior.
PFOS is accumulating in soils and agricultural plants across Africa at levels that may pose ecological and public health risks. The study highlights contamination hotspots in Ghana, South Africa, Kenya, and Uganda, and calls for urgent investment in monitoring, regulation, and research capacity.
A new study explores the potential of long-acting injectable treatments for HIV-positive breastfeeding women, finding that they can prevent up to 160 infant infections per year. The research suggests that these formulations could be cost-effective and widely available globally to reach those who need them most.
A new study in Botswana explores the effectiveness of bee-sound barriers in deterring elephants from raiding crops. While results show a positive reaction from some elephants, differences in response rates between Botswana and other countries suggest context-specific factors are at play.
Researchers at Purdue University are testing a computer-vision method to analyze smartphone photos of pregnant women's eyes to predict preeclampsia risk. The two-year study aims to reduce maternal mortality in Africa and could potentially save thousands of lives.
A new study reveals that Homo sapiens evolved in southern Africa for at least 200,000 years, contradicting previous theories. The analysis of 28 ancient genomes found genetic adaptations that shaped the species and unique variants linked to kidney functions and cognitive evolution.
A study analyzing over 100 cities in Asia, Africa, and Latin America found that compact urban planning is crucial for delivering water and sanitation to growing populations. The research suggests that if cities spread outward rather than building more densely, access to clean water and basic sanitation could be significantly impacted.
The Soybean Innovation Lab is expanding its efforts to build a thriving soybean market in Africa, with a new $1.5 million grant from the Gates Foundation. The lab aims to register at least 10 new soybean varieties in regional catalogs by 2027, including those with resistance to soybean rust.
A new study by Complexity Science Hub researcher Rafael Prieto-Curiel challenges the assumption that larger cities are more violent. The study shows that isolated cities, with limited highway connections, experience nearly seven times more violence against civilians per 100,000 residents than well-connected cities.
Sorfequiline, in combination with pretomanid and linezolid, showed greater activity against TB than the standard of care, indicating potential to shorten treatment time. The regimen had a comparable safety profile to the standard of care for people with drug-sensitive TB.
The new HeiGIT dataset combines PlanetScope imagery with deep-learning models to analyze major transport routes, providing a high-accuracy global classification. The dataset supports better routing for logistics, infrastructure management, and emergency planning, highlighting disparities in road quality and its link to human development.
Seven new species of a distinctive frog-like insect belonging to the genus Batracomorphus have been discovered in Uganda's Kibale National Park. The findings are significant as they mark the first new species recorded in Africa since 1981 and add to the existing 375 known worldwide.
The Phase 3 study demonstrated the safety and non-inferiority of EuTYPH-C Inj.® Multi-dose compared to a World Health Organization (WHO) prequalified comparator TCV, Typbar TCV®. The vaccine was shown to be well-tolerated across all age groups with no serious adverse events.
The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) has expanded access to cancer treatment in Sub-Saharan Africa with new international adaptations. The adaptations reflect significant progress in cancer care delivery, including increased access to imaging techniques and biomarker testing.
The discovery of Wadisuchus kassabi in the Campanian period (80 million years ago) sheds light on the origin and biogeography of Dyrosauridae, a group of ancient crocodiles that thrived in coastal and marine environments. The species highlights Egypt's Western Desert as a cradle of marine croc evolution.
Researchers found that African countries cannot close significant nutrient gaps through domestic food production due to land and water constraints. Strengthening agricultural productivity, reducing food loss, and strengthening trade are needed to meet people's nutritional needs.
The Sahara Desert is expected to see a significant increase in rainfall by the second half of the 21st century, with some regions experiencing up to 25% more precipitation. Researchers warn that this change will have far-reaching consequences for billions of people in Africa and beyond.
Researchers from Uppsala University uncovered the earliest occupation and creation myth links of the Karnak Temple, establishing a 4000-year history of human settlement. The team's analysis suggests that the temple was built on an island of high ground formed by river channels, reflecting Ancient Egyptian cosmogony.
Researchers tested an AI-supported diagnostic method at rural hospitals in Kenya and Tanzania, analyzing cervical cell samples and human papilloma virus (HPV) samples using digital tools. The study found that the AI method worked well technically but faced challenges with inconsistent images and follow-up care.
A new study reveals that dried fish is an overlooked yet vital source of nutrition for millions of people across Africa, particularly for young children and women. The research found that even small portions of dried fish contribute significantly to recommended nutrient intakes for essential minerals like iron and zinc.
The University of Bergen's 'Fair Choices on the Path to Universal Health Coverage' project aims to strengthen low- and middle-income countries in handling cuts in development aid. The project will improve priority setting through evidence-informed, context-specific approaches, collaborating with academic institutions and governing bodi...
Researchers at the University of Chicago created an unprecedented approach to urban development using high-resolution data. The analysis shows that cities with better infrastructure have better developmental outcomes, and that improving access can improve residents' well-being beyond just physical needs.
Researchers found that heat waves across Africa are now hotter, longer, and more frequent, mainly due to human activities. The study aimed to fill the knowledge gap on climate extremes in Africa and provide insights for mitigation and adaptation strategies.
Researchers have found a way to rearrange atoms in a new generation of malaria drugs to make them more soluble, maintaining their effectiveness against drug-resistant parasites. This breakthrough could lead to an effective successor to artemisinin-based combination therapy.
The Davos Alzheimer's Collaborative has launched a five-year plan to strengthen brain health in Africa and beyond, focusing on prevention and economic resilience. The six priorities of the 6x5 Plan include building resilient systems that support lifelong brain health and addressing cardiometabolic and lifestyle factors.