Articles tagged with 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Researchers used phylogenetic analysis to classify tropical forests into two major regions: an American-African combined region and an Indo-Pacific region. The study also identified a dry region encompassing areas in America, Africa, India, and Madagascar, as well as a subtropical region with parts of America and Asia.
A study published by NYU Steinhardt School finds that all children with disabilities experience violence from birth in West Africa. Violence begins as soon as children are born, and varies depending on the type of impairment.
A Montana State University ecologist has received a prestigious Swedish professorship to further his research on predator-prey relationships and conservation of Africa's top carnivores. The award allows him to collaborate with experts in molecular ecology and explore how human activities isolate ecosystems.
A widely used parental guidance program has been shown to reduce domestic conflict and boost economic resilience in South Africa's poorest communities. The Sinovuyo Caring Families Programme for Parents and Teens transformed family relationships in severely at risk communities, improving teenagers' safety and family relationships.
The discovery of Mansourasaurus shahinae, a long-necked plant-eater with bony plates, fills gaps in Africa's Late Cretaceous fossil record. The species helps answer questions about Africa's connections to Europe and the degree to which its animals evolved independently.
The African Leaders Malaria Alliance added neglected tropical diseases to its annual scorecard, revealing progress and gaps across five diseases that affect countries' poorest communities. Most data points to progress, but areas of concern include nearly two-thirds of countries having a NTD coverage index of less than 50%.