Articles tagged with Africa
Comprehensive exploration of living organisms, biological systems, and life processes across all scales from molecules to ecosystems. Encompasses cutting-edge research in biology, genetics, molecular biology, ecology, biochemistry, microbiology, botany, zoology, evolutionary biology, genomics, and biotechnology. Investigates cellular mechanisms, organism development, genetic inheritance, biodiversity conservation, metabolic processes, protein synthesis, DNA sequencing, CRISPR gene editing, stem cell research, and the fundamental principles governing all forms of life on Earth.
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Comprehensive investigation of human society, behavior, relationships, and social structures through systematic research and analysis. Encompasses psychology, sociology, anthropology, economics, political science, linguistics, education, demography, communications, and social research methodologies. Examines human cognition, social interactions, cultural phenomena, economic systems, political institutions, language and communication, educational processes, population dynamics, and the complex social, cultural, economic, and political forces shaping human societies, communities, and civilizations throughout history and across the contemporary world.
Fundamental study of the non-living natural world, matter, energy, and physical phenomena governing the universe. Encompasses physics, chemistry, earth sciences, atmospheric sciences, oceanography, materials science, and the investigation of physical laws, chemical reactions, geological processes, climate systems, and planetary dynamics. Explores everything from subatomic particles and quantum mechanics to planetary systems and cosmic phenomena, including energy transformations, molecular interactions, elemental properties, weather patterns, tectonic activity, and the fundamental forces and principles underlying the physical nature of reality.
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Comprehensive study of the universe beyond Earth, encompassing celestial objects, cosmic phenomena, and space exploration. Includes astronomy, astrophysics, planetary science, cosmology, space physics, astrobiology, and space technology. Investigates stars, galaxies, planets, moons, asteroids, comets, black holes, nebulae, exoplanets, dark matter, dark energy, cosmic microwave background, stellar evolution, planetary formation, space weather, solar system dynamics, the search for extraterrestrial life, and humanity's efforts to explore, understand, and unlock the mysteries of the cosmos through observation, theory, and space missions.
Comprehensive examination of tools, techniques, methodologies, and approaches used across scientific disciplines to conduct research, collect data, and analyze results. Encompasses experimental procedures, analytical methods, measurement techniques, instrumentation, imaging technologies, spectroscopic methods, laboratory protocols, observational studies, statistical analysis, computational methods, data visualization, quality control, and methodological innovations. Addresses the practical techniques and theoretical frameworks enabling scientists to investigate phenomena, test hypotheses, gather evidence, ensure reproducibility, and generate reliable knowledge through systematic, rigorous investigation across all areas of scientific inquiry.
Study of abstract structures, patterns, quantities, relationships, and logical reasoning through pure and applied mathematical disciplines. Encompasses algebra, calculus, geometry, topology, number theory, analysis, discrete mathematics, mathematical logic, set theory, probability, statistics, and computational mathematics. Investigates mathematical structures, theorems, proofs, algorithms, functions, equations, and the rigorous logical frameworks underlying quantitative reasoning. Provides the foundational language and tools for all scientific fields, enabling precise description of natural phenomena, modeling of complex systems, and the development of technologies across physics, engineering, computer science, economics, and all quantitative sciences.
A new study suggests that the pet trade in bushbabies could be causing genetic changes within their wild populations, affecting their ability to adapt to human expansion. Researchers analyzed DNA samples from bushbabies across South Africa and found unusual gene mutations that may indicate secret animal trafficking.
Michigan State University scientists are breeding heat-resistant tepary beans to address global food security concerns. By leveraging the genetics of the tepary bean, researchers aim to create beans that can thrive in challenging climates and provide essential nutrients for vulnerable populations.
Researchers developed three scenarios to achieve Indonesia's CPO productivity target of 60 M t by 2035. The business-as-usual scenario requires significant land expansion, while the other two intensification scenarios focus on increasing existing productivity and targeted expansion to avoid high-C peatlands.
Researchers have discovered a way to date fluid-bearing diamonds, revealing three distinct periods of diamond formation spanning over 2 billion years. The study provides insights into the evolution of the deep earth and continents, with potential implications for our understanding of planetary history.
A recent study led by NSU researcher sequenced the leopard genome, showing distinct genetic patterns between African and Asian populations. The analysis suggests that all African leopards should be considered a single subspecies due to abundant gene flow across Africa.
Great reed warblers migrate at high altitudes during day to avoid heat, contradicting typical nocturnal behavior. Researchers tracked birds using data loggers, finding they flew up to 5400 meters at dawn.
Most human origins stories are incompatible with the fossils found today, according to a new review that argues for the importance of fossil apes in understanding human evolution. The study examines the major discoveries in hominin origins since Darwin's time and finds that relying on living apes alone is insufficient.
The Novavax Covid-19 vaccine demonstrated an overall efficacy of 49% in the initial analysis and 60% among healthy adults without HIV, providing protection against mild disease caused by the B.1.351 variant prevalent in South Africa. The updated analysis showed 100% protection against severe Covid-19 due to the B.1.351 variant.
Researchers have uncovered the oldest known human burial in Africa, dating back to 78,000 years ago. The discovery, made at Panga ya Saidi cave site in Kenya, reveals evidence of an intentional burial and suggests that Homo sapiens practiced mortuary rites similar to those of Neanderthals.
A team of researchers from CNRS has uncovered the earliest human burial site in Africa, dated to approximately 78,000 years ago. The discovery at Panga ya Saidi in Kenya reveals a complex funerary treatment involving a shroud and potential ritual participation from the child's community.
A study by researchers from the University of Leeds and colleagues found that 80% of community water supply systems in Ghana, Mali, and Niger had at least one lead-containing component. Sixty percent of tested water samples contained lead, with nine percent exceeding World Health Organisation guidelines.
Child vaccination rates in Africa are significantly lower where people distrust local and national authorities. A study of 167,000 children across 22 African countries found that mistrust in courts, parliament, and government can lead to a 11% increase in unvaccinated children.
African waters contribute to global fish supply, generating $15 billion for Africa's GDP in 2011. However, climate change and pollution threaten fish stocks, raising concerns about sustainability. A new study uses AIS satellite data to describe spatial characteristics of African and foreign industrial fishing activities.
A recent study by University of Missouri researcher Wilson Majee found that rural youth who lack access to education are more likely to engage in risky behaviors such as substance abuse. The study suggests that a combination of factors, including poverty, unemployment, and lack of resources, can create feelings of hopelessness and desp...
A new study predicts that ignoring climate change will lead to life-threatening heatwaves in the region, with temperatures reaching up to 56 degrees Celsius and affecting 600 million people. The research team recommends immediate climate change mitigation measures to avoid such extreme events.
The ANTICOV study is testing a new potential treatment that combines nitazoxanide and ciclesonide to treat people with mild-to-moderate COVID-19. The trial aims to identify early treatments that can prevent progression to severe disease and potentially limit transmission.
Researchers mapped forest composition and vulnerability in Central Africa, finding some areas more sensitive to climate change than others. The study suggests that preserving diversity of forest types is essential for sustainable management policies and fighting against climate change.
A new study on the Little Foot fossil suggests that early human ancestors used their arms to bear substantial weight while climbing trees. The research, published in the Journal of Human Evolution, analyzed the upper body of the 3.67 million-year-old Australopithecus individual and found evidence of apelike characteristics.
A recent study has found that South-Eastern Bantu-speaking groups are genetically diverse, with distinct languages and histories, and cannot be treated as a single entity in disease research. This discovery may lead to more accurate genetic analysis and better understanding of complex diseases such as diabetes and hypertension.
A new study classifies different types of wildlife traffickers and sellers in Brazzaville and Pointe Noire, Republic of Congo. The findings help conservation and law enforcement authorities prioritize efforts on professional criminals and identify patterns among repeat offenders.
A study analyzing 588 fossil land vertebrate specimens from the Karoo Basin, South Africa, found high extinction rates initially co-occurred with low origination rates. The ancient mammal relative Lystrosaurus experienced population peaks both before and after the end-Permian extinction event.
Researchers at Goethe University and University of Bristol discovered beeswax residues in 3500 year-old Nok culture pottery, revealing the oldest direct evidence of honey collecting in Africa. The analysis of chemical compounds in potsherds sheds new light on the diet and daily life of prehistoric people.
Research shows Eurasian Blackcaps, a widespread warbler species, are adapting to changing climate by reversing their migration patterns to spend winters in British Isles backyard gardens. These birds have a steady food supply and better body condition, allowing them to move less and avoid predators more effectively.
A new study reveals that intestinal worm infections can change vaginal immunity and increase the likelihood of Herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) infection. The research found that targeting eosinophils can prevent this pathology, suggesting a potential solution to reduce STI severity.
Scientists have discovered ancient honey hunting in prehistoric West Africa using chemical analysis of pottery fragments. The study found that around one-third of the pottery vessels used by the ancient Nok people were used to process or store beeswax, indicating a significant role of honey in their diet.
A study by PRICELESS-SA found a 51% reduction in sugar, 52% reduction in calories, and 29% reduction in volume of taxed beverages. The tax led to changes in consumer behavior, with lower-income households experiencing larger reductions in purchases.
A new study found that modern human-like brains evolved comparatively late in the genus Homo and after their first African dispersal. The research analyzed fossilized skulls to discover that early humans retained primitive brain organization until later innovations allowed for unique behaviors and abilities.
The modern human brain is believed to have originated in Africa around 1.7 million years ago, with significant advancements in brain structure and function occurring during this time frame. The study used CT scans to analyze fossil skulls and compared them to those of great apes and humans.
Seven African organizations have received funding for innovative COVID-19 data projects from the NYU Tandon School of Engineering, GovLab, and AFD. The projects aim to address social, economic, and health challenges in Africa through new collaborations with non-traditional datasets.
A new study found COVID-19 restrictions significantly impacted bean production, threatening to reverse gains made in achieving no poverty and zero hunger. The pandemic exacerbated existing insecurities in food systems, with poor communities particularly affected by border closures, lockdowns, and reduced access to inputs and finance.
Global Africa aims to report on various issues in Africa and worldwide, fostering international-level evaluation standards. The journal's launch is part of a program that includes training courses, pop-up seminars, and conferences to cultivate African research production and dissemination ecosystem.
African elephants could occupy a fraction of their potential range if protected from human pressure, with 62% of Africa suitable for their survival. The study found that elephants have great potential for recovery into areas where the human footprint is light.
A recent review of over 10,000 medical records from four African countries has shed light on pregnancy and neonatal outcomes, as well as the frequency of various complications. The study's findings will help determine the safety of PrEP and dapivirine ring for HIV prevention in pregnant women.
The UK and South Africa coronavirus variants are more contagious and deadly than the original virus due to mutations in their spike protein. The Frontera supercomputer aided in building infection models of these variants.
Urban populations across Africa are forecasted to triple by 2050, resulting in significant environmental changes. Including local community voices in early planning stages can help reduce the impact of climate-related events and promote more inclusive urban climate policies.
A study co-developed with local stakeholders explores regional water scenarios to facilitate rational water resource planning in the extended Lake Victoria Basin. The analysis suggests that water use and withdrawal will increase significantly due to population and GDP growth, coupled with climate change.
China seeks to maintain economic growth by increasing its global presence, investing in infrastructure, and securing trade routes. In Africa, China has established itself as the largest trading partner, while in the Arctic, it is expanding its military presence and securing resources.
A new study finds that restaurants in urban areas of Central Africa are key drivers in keeping protected wildlife on the menu. The study reveals that procurement of wild meat by restaurants is more targeted than opportunistic, with monkeys identified as hot products.
A landmark South African study validates the need for second-generation Covid-19 vaccines, as the AstraZeneca vaccine showed minimal protection against mild to moderate infections caused by the B.1.351 variant. Despite this, the WHO recommends continued deployment of the vaccine in countries where the variant circulates.
A genetic analysis of a fossil toe bone from the Haitian cave-rail has uncovered unexpected links between Caribbean bird life and the Old World. The study found that the species' closest relatives are actually flufftails, flying birds native to sub-Saharan Africa, Madagascar, and New Guinea, and adzebills, large, extinct, flightless bi...
A new study reveals a significant increase in global twin births, with about 1.6 million twins born each year worldwide. The rate has risen by a third since the 1980s, mainly due to growth in medically assisted reproduction and delayed childbearing.
A team of researchers, including UC Riverside biomedical scientists, identified the South African COVID-19 variant, which has been detected in at least 40 countries. The variant has mutations that make it resistant to antibodies generated by existing vaccines, potentially reducing vaccine efficacy.
A study conducted in KwaZulu Natal, South Africa among 162 people living with HIV found that home delivery of antiretroviral therapy (ART) significantly increased viral suppression compared to clinic care. The paid home delivery model improved health outcomes, particularly for men who struggle with clinic-based services.
A recent study predicts that COVID-19 variants from the UK and South Africa may reduce vaccine effectiveness and increase the likelihood of reinfections. The study found that antibodies from Moderna and Pfizer vaccines were less effective against these variants, causing a reduction in protective efficacy.
Research found that new COVID-19 variants can neutralize antibodies produced in response to vaccination or natural infection. The findings suggest that COVID-19 drugs and vaccines may become less effective against these variants, posing a concern for people who need protection the most.
Despite Africa being home to 17% of the world's population, African authors account for only 3% of COVID-19 research papers. Analysis of top medical journals reveals a significant underrepresentation of African authors and perspectives in global health literature.
A recent study published in The Lancet found that targeted indoor residual spraying is a non-inferior and cost-effective approach to preventing malaria in low-transmission settings. By focusing on neighborhoods with recent evidence of transmission, this method reduces the need for widespread spraying and saves significant resources.
New research finds that social norms and experience with extreme weather events significantly influence professional action on climate change among East African natural resource managers. A study suggests that aligning climate services with social norms could offer a low-hanging fruit for designing more effective interventions.
A newly translated journal from a 17th-century German barber-surgeon reveals the complexities of the Atlantic slave trade. Through his accounts, historians gain insight into the quotidian brutality and banality of evil in the trade.
A study found traces of grapevine products in Sicilian amphorae, suggesting local wine trade persisted during the Byzantine-Islamic transition. Grape syrup and vinegar were also detected, used as preservatives in medicinal purposes and cuisine.
A new study found that nearly 1 in 5 recently deceased people in Lusaka tested positive for COVID-19, highlighting the need for proper diagnostics and testing. The study's findings have important implications for global health decision makers, emphasizing the importance of equitable access to vaccines.
Climate change is projected to worsen heat stress conditions in East Africa, impacting dairy cattle, beef cattle, sheep, goat, pigs, and poultry. Implementing well-targeted climate adaptation strategies, such as breeding heat-tolerant animals and providing adequate water access, is crucial to mitigate the effects of rising temperatures.
The new online tool provides a nuanced understanding of the pandemic's impact across sub-Saharan Africa, accounting for regional risk factors and varying healthcare access. The study reveals that different drivers of viral spread, such as connectivity and chronic diseases, significantly affect local outbreak trajectories.
A study published in The BMJ found that COVID-19 deaths accounted for 15-20% of all sampled deaths in Zambia, contradicting the widely held view that the virus has largely skipped Africa. The virus was detected in 70 people, with most deaths occurring in the community and among older adults.
A recent study has quantified groundwater recharge rates across Africa using ground measurements, helping to identify the sustainability of water resources. The results show that approximately 2% of all groundwater storage is replenished in Africa every decade, and recharge can occur even in semi-arid areas.
A research team from Leibniz-IZW found that water can be a vector for spreading mammalian viruses, with equine herpesviruses (EHV) remaining stable and infectious in water. The study suggests that viral stability in restricted freshwater sources enables their spread among animals, particularly during times of stress and congregation.
A new study reveals that Bantu-speaking communities in the Congo rainforest underwent a major population collapse from 1600 to 1400 years ago, possibly due to a prolonged disease epidemic. This finding challenges the commonly held belief of continuous settlement and affects seven present-day African countries.
A traditional Tanzanian diet rich in whole grains, fruits, and vegetables has been shown to have a beneficial effect on inflammation and immune system functioning. In contrast, an urban Western-style diet with more saturated fats and processed foods led to increased inflammatory proteins.
A new collection of genetic data helps breeders understand yam characteristics, reducing the need for trial and error. The catalog provides valuable information on physical traits, such as stem number and tuber weight, to inform breeding decisions.
Researchers have discovered a temporary bright spot in the decline of nitrogen oxides, byproducts of combustion, across the north equatorial part of Africa. The decline is linked to a decrease in dry-season fires managed land practices, as well as increasing population densities and urban emissions.