Our fractured African roots
Human ancestors were scattered across Africa, with diverse habitats and shifting environmental boundaries leading to a staggering diversity of human forms. The mixing of these populations ultimately shaped our species.
Africa
Science and research news from Africa. Covers Congo Basin wildlife, maternity care, malaria resurgence, and drug-resistant parasites.
Developmental disabilities reported in HIV-positive children in South Africa
A screening tool used on HIV-positive children in South Africa found nearly four times the odds of delays in sitting, standing and speaking compared to HIV-negative children. The study suggests increased attention to early HIV diagnosis and intervention is critical to prevent neurocognitive issues.
Discovery of ancient tools in China suggests humans left Africa earlier than previously thought
Researchers have discovered ancient tools in China that date back to 2.12 million years ago, challenging the long-held assumption that early humans left Africa at this time. The findings indicate that early human ancestors colonized East Asia over two million years ago.
Fuzzy yellow bats reveal evolutionary relationships in Kenya
Researchers used genetic analysis to sort bat species, revealing two new species in Kenya. The findings have implications for conservation and farming efforts.
Project aims to improve asthma control in African schoolchildren
A £2 million project aims to improve asthma control in African schoolchildren, with a focus on 3,000 children aged 12-14. The study will use theatre performances to address asthma knowledge and stigma, and assess the barriers to achieving good control.
ANU scientists discover the world's oldest colors
Scientists from ANU and overseas have discovered the oldest colours in the geological record, dating back 1.1 billion years. The bright pink pigments were extracted from marine black shales of the Taoudeni Basin in Mauritania, West Africa, and are more than half a billion years older than previous pigment discoveries.
SourceAustralian National University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 9, 2018
£2 million awarded to fight disease in East Africa
The University of Warwick has been awarded £2 million to develop genomics and modeling tools to combat viral diseases in East Africa. The project will engage health authorities, institutes, and researchers in the region to identify priority questions and link output to policy.
Research shows plants in Africa 'green up' ahead of rainy season
Researchers found that over 80% of natural vegetation began growing in response to pre-rain green-up signals, with woodlands leading the way. The study challenges traditional assumptions about rainfall's role in African plant growth and highlights the need for further research into environmental cues driving this phenomenon.
$20 blood test could help diagnose hepatitis B patients across Africa
Researchers developed an accurate diagnostic score that uses two simple blood tests to identify patients in need of treatment against the deadly hepatitis B virus. The test was found to be as accurate as existing methods but at a fraction of the cost, making it accessible for sub-Saharan Africa's poorest regions.
Ancient Moroccan dental remains elucidate history of long-lost African fauna
Researchers have discovered ancient Moroccan dental remains that shed light on the history of long-lost African fauna, including embrithopods. The fossilized teeth belong to two new species in the genus Stylolophus and provide evidence for the early evolution of these mammals.
Territory holders and floaters: Two spatial tactics of male cheetahs
Male cheetahs employ two space use tactics: floaters roam over vast areas and territory holders mark and defend small territories. Females use home ranges with sizes between those of territory holders and floaters, highlighting the need for huge natural areas to conserve these cats.
History of side-necked turtle diversification revealed
A new phylogeny of the Pleurodira suborder, including the Yellow-spotted Amazon River turtle, provides insights into the evolutionary history and biogeographical distribution of side-necked turtles. The study found that Pleurodira fossils are scattered across continents, with the oldest species dating back to 125 million years ago.
SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalRoyal Society Open Science·DateJun 26, 2018
Cranium of a four-million-year-old hominin shows similarities to that of modern humans
Researchers have scanned a four-million-year-old fossil cranium and found it shares similarities with that of modern humans. The study revealed the cranium's thick, spongy bone may indicate comparable blood flow to our brains, suggesting an important role in brain protection.
High-protein corn also resistant to parasitic weed
Researchers identified four varieties of high-protein corn that are also resistant or tolerant to the parasitic plant Striga, a major challenge for small-scale farmers in sub-Saharan Africa. These varieties will improve food security and nutrition by allowing farmers to continue growing corn in areas affected by Striga.
Cattle may spread leptospirosis in Africa, study suggests
A study published in PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases found that rice and cattle farming are associated with acute infection. The research suggests that controlling Leptospira infection in livestock could play a role in preventing human leptospirosis in Africa.
First tetrapods of Africa lived within the Devonian Antarctic Circle
New fossils from South Africa's Waterloo Farm locality reveal the first African tetrapods lived in Antarctica during the Devonian period. These early vertebrates, named Tutusius and Umzantsia, challenge previous assumptions about tetrapod evolution and terrestrialization.
Scientists stunned by decline of birds during epic Southern African roadtrip
A two-year project found significant declines in birds of prey across Botswana, with 14 out of 29 species monitored showing decreases. The study suggests climate change and poisoning by poachers as potential causes, highlighting the need for urgent research.
Prehistoric teeth dating back 2 million years reveal details on ancient Africa's climate
Researchers at the University of Toronto have discovered that southern Africa was significantly wetter and housed a plant community unlike any other in the modern African savanna two million years ago. Human ancestors lived in environments other than open, arid grasslands during this time period.
UTIA plant geneticist named Fulbright scholar
Hadziabdic Guerry is a plant geneticist working on the frafra potato project, which aims to transform the species into an alternative food source. The research focuses on assessing the genetic diversity and spatial structure of existing populations to improve production and nutritional value.
Storks on the wing
Researchers tracked a group of young storks as they migrated to Africa and Europe, finding that leader birds lead the way to thermals. The study reveals how flying skill affects wintering grounds, with flappy birds opting for shorter journeys.
Giraffes surprise biologists yet again
A new study by University of Bristol PhD student Zoe Muller found that giraffe group sizes are not influenced by predation risk, contradicting a long-held assumption. Giraffe groups were smaller when adult females had calves, highlighting the complexity of their behavior and ecology.
How Nagana is carried by tsetse flies
Tsetse flies transmit Nagana disease to livestock by injecting trypanosomes into the skin, which then invade the bloodstream and cause severe illness. Understanding how these microbes develop inside the fly may lead to new methods of controlling the spread of the disease.
Pay-backs to Africa from the Paris Agreement's temperature targets
A recent study found that limiting global warming to 1.5°C could reduce extreme climate events in Africa, such as droughts and heatwaves, by up to 25% and 20%, respectively. This reduction is projected despite a slight increase in precipitation extremes.
SourceInstitute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalNature Climate Change·DateMay 16, 2018
Global forests expanding: Reflects wellbeing, not rising CO2, experts say
A study finds no correlation between atmospheric CO2 levels and forest expansion/decline, with nations' forest resources mirroring the UN Human Development Index. Forest growth is attributed to factors such as urbanization, market-oriented agriculture, and improved agricultural technologies.
Brain anatomy of Homo naledi
Homo naledi had a small endocranial volume, suggesting a small brain compared to other Homo species. The study found occipital lobe asymmetry and lunate sulcus morphology similar to that seen in modern humans.
SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 14, 2018
Where hominid brains are concerned, size doesn't matter
Researchers found that Homo naledi's brain had a human-like shape and structure, similar to humans, but smaller in size. The study suggests that the species' behavior may have reflected the shape of its brain more than its size, raising new questions about human evolution and the evolution of brain size.
SourceUniversity of the Witwatersrand·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 14, 2018
78,000-year cave record from East Africa shows early cultural innovations
A 78,000-year-old cave site in coastal Kenya reveals a sequence of human occupation and cultural complexity, with technological innovations starting at 67,000 years ago. The discovery challenges previous hypotheses about human migration out of Africa and provides new insights into the adaptability of early humans.
Kenyan cave sheds new light on dawn of modern man
A 48,000-year-old Kenyan cave has yielded a treasure trove of ancient items, including crayons and shell beads, that offer new insights into the dawn of modern man. The site's continuous record of human habitation dates back 78,000 years, providing valuable evidence of early Homo sapiens behavior.
Nurse-led task shifting an effective strategy to control hypertension in Ghana, new study finds
A new study finds that nurse-led task shifting combined with health insurance coverage is an effective strategy to control hypertension in Ghana. The intervention led to a greater reduction in systolic blood pressure compared to health insurance coverage alone.
UTA researcher participates in Nature paper on early human survival
Researchers linked two sites in South Africa to the Toba volcanic eruption, demonstrating that ancestors thrived during the event. Microscopic glass shards found at these sites provide a precise temporal link between activities at one site and another.
Massive study across western equatorial Africa finds more gorillas and chimpanzees than expected
A decade-long study reveals a significant increase in western lowland gorilla and central chimpanzee populations, with an estimated 360,000 gorillas and 130,000 chimpanzees. However, the majority of great apes exist outside protected areas, highlighting the need for conservation efforts to safeguard their habitat
Climate change not the key driver of human conflict and displacement in East Africa
A new study by UCL found that socio-political factors are the primary cause of conflict and displacement in East Africa, with climate change playing a significant but secondary role. The research suggests that stable governance, economic growth, and reduced population growth can help reduce conflict and displacement.
New research findings suggest that most vulnerable patients across Africa are at risk of receiving sub-optimal malaria treatment
A large proportion of malaria patients in endemic countries are likely to receive low doses of malaria medicine, leading to poorer treatment outcomes and potentially fueling drug resistance. Vulnerable groups like malnourished children and pregnant women require different treatments due to their unique response to antimalarial drugs.
Humans have been driving a global reduction in mammal size for thousands of years
A new study by Felisa A. Smith et al. found a substantial bias in mammal extinction during human dispersal periods, with species that went extinct being two to three times bigger than surviving mammals. This trend is evident globally and reflects hominin-mammal interactions.
New research: High risk of malaria transmission after blood transfusions in sub-Saharan Africa
A new study finds nearly one in four blood bank supplies contain malaria parasites, putting children and pregnant women at risk. The lack of sensitive diagnostic technology exacerbates the issue, highlighting the need for better vigilance and screening practices to keep blood banks safe.
First human migration out of Africa more geographically widespread than previously thought
The discovery of a 90,000-year-old Homo sapiens fossil in Saudi Arabia reveals early dispersals into Eurasia were more expansive than previously thought. The finding suggests that early humans colonized a broader region of southwest Asia than previously believed.
Inner ear provides clues to human dispersal
Researchers analyzed inner ear structure in humans from diverse populations, finding variation within populations greater than between them. The shape of the labyrinth correlates with dispersal distance from Africa, providing insights into human migration history and population movements within continents.
Human inner ear morphology and dispersal from Africa
Researchers analyzed 221 skeletal specimens to examine the correlation between inner ear morphology and genetic markers reflecting human dispersal from Africa. The study found that labyrinth morphology corresponds with dispersal patterns, offering a new avenue for individual-based genotype and phenotype comparisons.
SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 2, 2018
Study finds the emergency department can play a key role in identifying undiagnosed HIV cases in low
Researchers at Johns Hopkins found that 22% of patients tested positive for HIV, including 6% newly diagnosed, in a South African emergency department. The study suggests that emergency departments can play a key role in identifying undiagnosed HIV cases.
Emerging diseases | is MERS-CoV a threat for Africa?
Researchers from CIRAD and Hong Kong University find MERS-CoV strains in African dromedaries differ from those in the Arabian Peninsula, explaining virus transmission. Genetic differences may account for disease not being transmitted to humans in West and North Africa.
New model links yellow fever in Africa to climate, environment
Researchers developed a new model that quantifies yellow fever dynamics across Africa using seasonal climatic measures, confirming the risk varies throughout the year. The model accurately captured geographic and temporal heterogeneities in transmission and offers insights for early interventions.
Scientists discover genomic ancestry of Stone Age North Africans from Morocco
Scientists discovered genomic ancestry of Stone Age North Africans from Morocco, revealing a mix of Near Eastern and sub-Saharan African influences. The study, published in Science, sheds new light on human migration patterns and the history of our species.
Studying DNA of ancient humans from Morocco reveals ancestral surprises
Researchers studied 15,000-year-old human DNA from Morocco's Iberomaurusian culture, finding no European ancestry. Instead, they identified genetic ties to ancient Near Easterners and sub-Saharan Africans, suggesting a pre-agricultural connection between the regions.
Saving lives
A team of climatologists at UC Santa Barbara's Climate Hazards Group has developed skillful predictions for droughts and famines, helping to mitigate their effects on severe food insecurity. Their work, in collaboration with various organizations, aims to make the world more food secure by anticipating climate extremes.
SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalQuarterly Journal of the Royal Meteorological Society·DateMar 14, 2018
Humans flourished through super volcano 74,000 years ago, study finds
Researchers found that humans in South Africa flourished during the volcanic winter caused by the Toba super volcano eruption. The study, published in Nature, used cryptotephra analysis to narrow down the time of the event and its impact on human ancestors.
Big game hunters in Africa urged to drop the lead to help save vultures
Research in Botswana finds high levels of lead in African vultures, linked to hunting activity, with conservation efforts urging a national ban on lead bullets and awareness among policymakers.
New research solves the 60-year-old paleontological mystery of a 'phantom' dicynodont
A new study validates 'phantom' fossil footprints collected in the 1950s showing dicynodonts coexisting with dinosaurs. The discovery sheds light on ancient ecosystems and highlights the importance of trace fossils like footprints.
Elephant declines imperil Africa's forests
A Duke University study found that reduced forest elephant populations will lead to significant changes in tree species composition and structure, as well as understory density and nutrient availability. Without intervention, up to 96% of Central Africa's forests may undergo major transformations.
Humans thrived in South Africa through the Toba super-volcanic eruption ~74,000 years ago
Scientists discovered that early modern humans on the coast of South Africa continued to thrive despite a massive volcanic eruption around 74,000 years ago. The team found evidence of a 'refugia' area with abundant resources like shellfish, allowing human groups to survive the devastating event.
Modern humans flourished through ancient supervolcano eruption 74,000 years ago
Scientists have discovered evidence that early modern humans on the coast of South Africa thrived through a 74,000-year-old ancient supervolcano eruption. The team found cryptotephra shards with a distinct chemical signature linking them to Mount Toba, confirming human occupation during the event.
Food abundance driving conflict in Africa, not food scarcity
A study published in the American Journal of Agricultural Economics refutes the idea that climate change leads to civil war in Africa due to food scarcity. Instead, conflicts are driven by competition over abundant food resources, with most armed groups unable to sustain themselves and instead seeking control over local food supplies.
Focusing on cholera hotspots could cut Africa's cholera burden in half
New studies suggest that concentrating control measures in high-incidence districts and areas surrounding cholera victims' homes can significantly reduce the disease's impact. By targeting these hotspots, Africa could cut its cholera burden by 50 percent.
New data helps explain recent fluctuations in Earth's magnetic field
Researchers gathered ancient clay samples to compile a record of Earth's magnetic field strength over many centuries, revealing the South Atlantic Anomaly is part of a recurring phenomenon. The data suggests that the region under southern Africa may be responsible for recent changes in the global magnetic field.
Precision maps reveal significant health and education disparities within African nations
Two studies mapping Africa's entire continent in 5x5 square kilometers reveal significant inequities in health and education. Despite improvements in some areas, stunting, wasting, and underweight persist in many countries, with a focus on rural-urban and male-female disparities.
Identifying high STI prevalence populations in sub-Saharan Africa
Two studies found that curable STI prevalence exceeds older women and similar-aged men in sub-Saharan Africa, particularly among young women. High rates of chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, and trichomoniasis were also detected in young men.
Wood fuels key to easing food insecurity situation in sub-Saharan Africa
The study highlights the importance of considering access to wood fuels when formulating policies to deal with food insecurity in sub-Saharan Africa. Researchers suggest expanding sustainable biomass production and consumption, including agroforestry practices to ease the burden on women, who collect most firewood.
Humans changed the ecosystems of Central Africa more than 2,600 years ago
A team of scientists discovered that humans triggered the transformation of dense forests to savannahs in Central Africa around 2,600 years ago. The sudden change, known as the 'rainforest crisis,' was not caused by climate change but rather by human activities such as agriculture and population growth.
SourceGFZ GeoForschungsZentrum Potsdam, Helmholtz Centre·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 26, 2018
Continental interiors may not be as tectonically stable as geologists think
Researchers identified unexpected geophysical signals beneath stable continental interiors of South America and Africa, suggesting recent geologic activity. Cratons, ancient rocks on Earth's surface, may have experienced delamination, a process where the denser lower mantle layer peels away from the buoyant upper layer.
SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalNature Geoscience·DateFeb 19, 2018
Recovering population of Zimbabwean African lions show low genetic diversity
A study published in PLOS ONE found that Zimbabwe's Savé Valley lion population has low genetic diversity due to inbreeding, which could impact its health. The authors suggest introducing new unrelated lions to enhance the population's genetic diversity and ensure its long-term future.
No volcanic winter in East Africa from ancient Toba eruption
New research from the University of Arizona contradicts the Toba catastrophe hypothesis by showing no significant negative impact on vegetation growing in East Africa after the 74,000-year-old volcanic eruption. The study found some die-off of mountain plants just after the eruption, but no massive die-off of vegetation at all elevations.