Articles tagged with Africa
A new system allows thousands of patients in rural Africa to provide anonymous feedback on their care using a basic USSD tool. The results showed promising outcomes, with users enthusiastic about empowering themselves to communicate their experiences.
A recent study on sorghum explores the complex relationship between humans, crops, and the environment during domestication. Researchers found that birds with a taste for sorghum seeds may have driven farmers to select varieties with condensed tannins, which provide a defense mechanism against bird damage.
A study on olive baboons found that females avoid mating if either the male or female shows visible signs of infection, while males do not change their behavior. The researchers aim to understand how sexually transmitted diseases impact non-human primate populations.
A new study by University of Göttingen found that supermarkets contribute to reducing child undernutrition in Kenya. The research revealed a positive correlation between supermarket purchases and improved child growth and height.
Researchers at the University of Warwick have developed a novel bednet design with a barrier that can significantly improve its performance and reduce insecticide use. The barrier design has been shown to be 100% effective in protecting against malaria-transmitting mosquitoes, restoring the efficiency of bednets in Africa.
Ostrich eggshell bead sizes in southern Africa increased with herding introduced around 2,000 years ago, while eastern Africa showed consistently larger sizes over several thousand years without correlation to herding. This suggests that cultural transmission of beads is more complex and not solely linked to herding practices.
Researchers investigated ostrich eggshell bead diameters at 30 sites in Africa, increasing published data and revealing new trends that oppose longstanding beliefs. The study found regional variation with the spread of herding, suggesting contact between eastern and southern African communities.
A new study suggests that summer monsoons from Asia and Africa reached the Middle East at least 125,000 years ago, providing suitable corridors for human migration. This finding corresponds with cyclical changes in Earth's orbit that brought increased summer precipitation, supporting animal and human migration into the region.
A new study reveals that institutional failure, poverty, and social structures hinder women's ability to adapt to climate variability and change. Effective adaptation requires insights into what builds the adaptive capacity of women and men in specific contexts.
A new study reveals that 31.7% of tropical Africa's vascular plant species are potentially threatened with extinction, while an additional 33.2% are potentially rare. The RAINBIO database was used to identify four regions in Africa most exposed to threats.
Scientists using the MeerKAT radio telescope have discovered a unique and previously-unseen flare of radio emission from a binary star system. The source is thought to be associated with an active corona, where two objects orbit each other approximately every 22 days.
Scientists have discovered gases released from deep beneath the Earth's crust in South Africa, which originate from a column of hot material called a hotspot. This hotspot pushes the crust upwards, generating the distinctive landscape consisting of tablelands over one kilometre above sea level.
A new study by Iowa State University researchers found that the Trump administration's policies in Africa have negative implications for economic growth. The study reveals a 'selective delinking' approach that disengages the US from various relations, including aid, trade, and investment.
A recent study led by the University of California, Berkeley found that South African teen girls who experience depression are more likely to contract HIV. The study suggests addressing mental health needs among adolescent girls may help reduce the spread of the disease.
A new study from Harvard University and the University of Leicester estimates that nearly 50,000 people could die prematurely each year from fossil fuel emissions in Africa by 2030. The researchers found that a shift to clean energy sources could have a substantial health benefit for Africans.
A study of 127 ancient individuals' genomes found two major ancestry shifts, one during Neolithic farmers' arrival and another during the Bronze age. The results suggest that by Rome's founding, central Italy's genetics were similar to modern populations, but genetic diversity increased over time.
Researchers have identified a small genetic imprint of Palaeolithic inhabitants in North African populations, contradicting the theory that recent migrations erased their genetic traces. The study, published in Current Biology, reveals unique genetic imprints and patterns of continuity versus replacement.
A team of University of Otago researchers is part of a major new vaccine research project to combat invasive non-typhoidal salmonellosis, a major killer of African children. The Vacc-iNTS project aims to develop an effective vaccine with a five-year budget of NZ$11.8 million.
A team of researchers has discovered a piece of jewelry made from eagle talons, believed to be the oldest known ornament in Europe. The discovery dates back to 39,000 years ago and provides insight into the cultural practices of Neanderthals.
A recent study reveals new genetic variants related to human health in rural Ugandan populations. The research highlights the high level of genetic diversity in Africa, with many previously undiscovered variants identified.
Research reveals that sanderlings migrating to West Africa have lower survival rates, arrive late at breeding grounds, and skip their first breeding season. The study suggests that the costs of longer migratory flights outweigh benefits in winter habitats.
The study reveals that anatomically modern humans (Homo sapiens sapiens) first appeared in a southern African homeland and thrived there for 70,000 years. The researchers used mitochondrial DNA to reconstruct the earliest human population history, suggesting that climate changes triggered early migrations.
Researchers have identified two types of dinosaur footprints in Switzerland, Portugal, Spain, and Morocco that suggest large predators strolled between the two continents. The footprints belong to carnivorous theropods similar to Tyrannosaurus rex.
New research reveals that daylight hours are the key factor in starting Africa's iconic 'green-up' phenomenon, where plants and trees grow their leaves. The study found shorter daylight hours before the growing season resulted in later vegetation growth.
Scientists warn that large-scale afforestation in African savannas will destroy valuable ecological, agricultural, and tourist areas. The plan, aimed at mitigating climate change, is considered irresponsible due to its potential to increase wildfire intensity and exacerbate global warming.
A recent study led by Boston College researcher Nadia Abuelezam found little evidence of the 'immigrant health paradox' among Arab Americans. In contrast to previous research on Asian and Latino immigrants, first-generation Arab immigrants had poor health profiles compared to second- or third-generation immigrants.
Researchers sequenced genomes from 426 individuals across 13 African countries, revealing impressive genomic diversity and unique genetic variants among ethnolinguistic groups. The study sheds light on the impact of ancestral migration, cultural demography, and infectious disease on the human genome.
A new global model shows that as many as five billion people could face water and food insecurity by 2050, particularly in Africa and South Asia. The model highlights the urgent need to determine where nature's contributions matter most to people and who is most at risk if these contributions cease.
A new cost-effective technology, subsurface water retention technology (SWRT), has the potential to significantly improve harvests in sub-Saharan Africa's poor fields. SWRT increases water retention and organic material accumulation, making soils more fertile, resulting in higher maize yields and carbon sequestration.
Researchers found that ancient plant and animal communities differed significantly from today's, with a greater diversity of megaherbivores and non-ruminant species. The study suggests that environmental changes driven by grassland expansion and arid climate pulses may have influenced human evolution.
Research analyzing data from 44,993 MSM across 28 African countries found that only 19% of those with HIV were aware of their status, and only 24% were taking anti-retroviral therapy (ART). The UNAIDS targets of 90-90-90 by 2020 will not be achieved among MSM in Africa if the current situation remains unchanged.
A meta-analysis of 44,993 African men who have sex with men found that severe anti-LGBT legislation is associated with lower HIV testing rates and reduced awareness of the disease. The study suggests that countries with more protective and progressive legislation have higher testing rates.
A new global health initiative, NEST360°, aims to reduce newborn mortality in sub-Saharan Africa by 50% through improved hospital care. The $68M program will focus on developing affordable technologies and training for hospitals in four initial countries, with plans to expand to the rest of the continent.
Researchers at Kyoto University analyzed data from over 1,000 captive chimpanzees in Japan, revealing an average life expectancy of 40 years for adults, with males reaching 41.5 years and females 39.2 years on average. The study highlights the importance of providing long-term care to these intelligent, long-lived creatures.
Researchers studied 2016 El Nino event to evaluate the role of excess heat in coral bleaching. They discovered that bleaching is driven by a variety of stressors, with each region responding differently.
Research reveals that subsequent terrorist attacks are more likely to occur within a 20km radius of the initial attack, suggesting a localized pattern. The study also finds that group alliances and rivalries play a crucial role in shaping terror activity, with mutually reinforcing effects between terror attacks and state intervention.
A recent study found that better access to clean water, sanitation services, and family planning can substantially reduce preventable child mortality in Africa. The analysis determined that large households are linked to worsening child health outcomes in developing nations.
Emissions of volatile organic pollutants in West Africa far exceed current estimates, with road traffic, waste combustion, and domestic fires contributing significantly. The study emphasizes the importance of setting up more accurate regional emission inventories to predict health and climate impacts.
A new AI tool will predict near-term crop productivity for African farmers, providing insights into drought tolerance and suitable crops. The app, developed by Penn State researchers, aims to help farmers adapt to climate change through behavioral changes and best practices.
A study by University of Michigan wildlife ecologist Nyeema Harris found that human pressures on mammals in West African protected areas are driven primarily by livestock grazing and forest product gathering, not poaching. The research highlights the need for conservation efforts to incorporate livestock husbandry into management plans.
Scientists have detected extensively drug-resistant Salmonella strains in central Africa that are resistant to nearly all commonly available drugs, a significant threat to public health. The study reveals that these new strains exhibit genetic and behavioral changes that suggest ongoing evolution towards bloodstream infections.
A study published in Science found that acting on climate change can have a significant return on investment, avoiding damages to people, infrastructure, and ecosystems. The research suggests that rapidly reducing greenhouse gas emissions is essential to mitigate the impacts of climate change.
The proportion of bacteria resistant to antimicrobials has increased significantly worldwide, with critical consequences for animal health and human consumers. A new map reveals high resistance rates in regions such as northeast China, northeast India, and southern Brazil, where key antibiotics have lost efficacy.
A team of scientists has solved the mystery of 'Fraser's Clawed Frog', an unusual species found in West Africa. The study, published in PLOS ONE, reveals that the frog inhabits hot and arid regions of northern Cameroon and Ghana, contradicting previous assumptions about its geographic origin.
Researchers created a virtual 300,000-year-old fossil skull with relatively modern features, similar to some fossils only 100,000 years old. The study suggests that the species Homo sapiens arose through hybridization of South and East African populations, contradicting previous theories.
Dogs in Africa are susceptible to severe and often fatal disease if bitten by infected tsetse flies, characterized by symptoms such as corneal cloudiness. Researchers have developed molecular methods to accurately diagnose the disease, revealing a surprising link between canine and human cases.
A new report by The Lancet Commission on malaria eradication suggests that malaria can be eradicated by 2050 with the right tools, strategies, and sufficient funding. The report analyzes existing evidence with new epidemiological and financial analyses to demonstrate the feasibility of eradication.
Scientists investigated the genetic diversity of Plasmodium falciparum across sub-Saharan Africa, identifying distinct regional characteristics and potential drivers of variation. Human movement and malaria drug resistance are key factors contributing to this diversity, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions.
Researchers developed a method to predict Painted Lady butterfly migrations and found that the species relies on reproductive success in both Africa and Europe. The model suggests that overwintering might occur near the equator between December and February, posing a risk due to climate change.
A new species of prehistoric murine has been identified from fossils in Lebanon, providing the first physical evidence of initial Asian-African mouse dispersal. The findings suggest that Progonomys manolo is one of the earliest representatives of Progonomys, which spread out of southern Asia 16 million years ago.
Researchers have discovered primitive picrite lavas that may provide the first direct sample of a hot mantle plume underneath southern Africa during the Jurassic period. The Luenha picrites show compositional similarities to magmas formed in other deep mantle plume-related volcanic provinces worldwide.
New research suggests that global food waste due to overeating has a significant impact on the environment. The study estimates that excess bodyweight corresponds to roughly 140 billion tonnes of food waste globally, with growing meat consumption leading to higher land and water usage.
African malaria parasites exhibit distinct genetic features in different regions, sharing genes that confer resistance to antimalarial drugs. This study highlights the risk of multi-drug resistance compromising previous success in controlling malaria.
According to a study published in Current Biology, 79 plants have been confirmed extinct from South Africa's three biodiversity hotspots since 1700, representing 45.4% of all known plant extinctions from 10 world hotspots. The main drivers for these extinctions are agriculture, urbanisation, and invasive species.
A large survey of adults in sub-Saharan Africa found that bribery is a major obstacle to healthcare access, with those who paid bribes four times more likely to report difficulties. The study suggests that efforts to address corruption may be needed to achieve universal health coverage.
A satellite study found that a region in northern tropical Africa emits between 1 and 1.5 billion tonnes of carbon annually, comparable to the emissions of 200 million cars. The research uses data from two NASA satellites and improves understanding of greenhouse gas sources.
A new study led by UCL and Cardiff University finds that groundwater replenishment depends on heavy rainfalls and flood events amplified by climate change. This knowledge can inform strategies to enhance groundwater supplies in drylands, where it is often the only lasting source of freshwater.
A new study reveals that higher rainfall does not necessarily equate to higher groundwater recharge, and that aridity and episodicity play a crucial role in determining groundwater replenishment. The research also finds that some sub-Saharan African countries are experiencing declining groundwater levels due to drying climate trends.
A new species of early dinosaur, Ngwevu intloko, has been discovered after being misidentified in the university's fossil vaults. The dinosaur is a bipedal sauropodomorph with a long slender neck and small head, measuring three metres from snout to tail.
A study by University of Houston researchers found that people in sub-Saharan Africa perceive exposure to disinformation is high, while trust in national media and social media is low. This lack of trust can lead to uninformed choices and decreased ability to make good judgments.