Articles tagged with Africa
The £5.5 million Supporting Evidence Based Interventions (SEBI) initiative is improving livestock health and productivity in sub-Saharan Africa. Researchers are developing evidence-based technologies to address challenges faced by farmers, including disease surveillance platforms and portable diagnostic devices.
A newly discovered infant ape skull from 13 million years ago provides insights into the evolution of human ancestors. The fossil, nicknamed Alesi, reveals a brain cavity, inner ears, and unerupted teeth that indicate it belonged to a new species, Nyanzapithecus alesi.
Research in rural Kenya finds that cultural beliefs about disability are being replaced by medical explanations, leading to reduced stigma and improved understanding. The study reveals that increased contact with disabled individuals can help break down stereotypes and promote inclusivity.
A team of researchers found that the Kangaroo Island trapdoor spider belongs to a genus only found in South Africa, but migrated to Australia across the Indian Ocean. The study suggests that the spiders used land 'rafts' to cross the ocean, rewriting the history of arachnid dispersal.
A recent study published in Journal of Experimental Biology shows that translocated Latvian lesser spotted eagle chicks are capable of returning successfully to Germany, with only small numbers dying during the migration. This breakthrough offers hope for rescuing the declining German population.
A study published in PLOS ONE suggests that an Australian trapdoor spider diverged from its African relatives two million years ago, contradicting the theory of geographical separation. The researchers propose that long-distance dispersal across the ocean may have played a key role in the spider's evolutionary history.
Researchers are studying two lesser-studied primate species in a temperate environment, using thermal imaging cameras and high-tech methods. Preliminary data show human-induced threats, such as temperature fluctuations, affecting the primates' health and conservation status.
The article highlights significant 'unknowns' about trophy hunting's contribution to lion conservation, including the causes of lion mortality and the extent to which hunting affects land use. Innovative funding methods are needed to reverse species loss due to the income shortfall from hunting compared to other forms of tourism.
A new study published in ecancermedicalscience brings together data from 16 localised registers to present a critical new insight into the impact of paediatric cancer across sub-Saharan Africa. The study highlights important trends, such as high incidence rates of rare blood cancers like Burkitt's Lymphoma in cities like Blantyre, Malawi.
The Howiesons Poort tradition, dating back to 66,000-59,000 years ago, demonstrated that early humans could exploit new environments despite pronounced aridification. The development of cultural innovations such as the bow and arrow, engraving ostrich eggshells, and intensive hunting practices allowed HP populations to thrive.
Invasive giant slug <i>Limax maximus</i> has spread to Hokkaido, Japan, where it is preyed upon by microphagous leech <i>Orobdella kawakatsuorum</i>. The study reveals that the invasive species feeds on various crops including cucumber and sweet potato.
The Francis Crick Institute has launched a fellowship programme to train African researchers to combat infectious diseases in their home countries. The programme, called the Crick African Network, will provide two years of intensive training and mentorship to foster the next generation of research leaders in Africa.
Researchers have found and dated artifacts in northern Australia indicating human arrival around 65,000 years ago. This new date calls into question the argument that humans caused the extinction of unique megafauna, suggesting a coexistence view of early humans and wildlife.
A new study reveals a dramatic increase in pangolin hunting across Central Africa, with up to 2.7 million animals harvested annually. The research highlights the need for governments and local communities to work together to protect these critically endangered species.
A new analysis identifies areas around the world most at-risk for hydro-political strife due to planned dams on rivers flowing through multiple nations. The Nile River in Africa is one of the more contentious areas, with Ethiopia's dam construction diverting water from countries downstream.
The Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine has been awarded £11 million to establish a new Global Health Research Unit and two research groups. The funds will support research on lung health, snakebite, and non-communicable diseases in Africa, aiming to improve health outcomes for the poorest communities.
The University of Warwick has received a £5.7m grant to find better ways of delivering healthcare to people living in slums in Asia and Africa. The project aims to identify the best models for health service delivery and persuade politicians to make changes, benefiting nearly a billion people.
A new species of deep-water hermit crab, Paragiopagurus atkinsonae, has been discovered off the West Coast of South Africa. The 'Green-eyed' hermit crab is characterized by its distinctive green coloration and unique home preference, living in soft polypy masses built from sand and sea anemones.
Tulane University has received a $12 million grant to test a promising drug treatment for Lassa fever and develop a vaccine against the deadly disease. The vaccine targets a recently discovered key antibody target on the surface of the virus, which can block it from infecting host cells.
A new study found that willow warblers' genetic make-up determines their migration patterns depending on where they breed in the summer. The researchers discovered significant differences in over 200 genes between birds breeding in southern and northern Sweden, Finland, and the Baltic States.
A new report predicts that diabetes cases will continue to rise in sub-Saharan Africa, overwhelming health systems and crippling patients' finances. The economic cost of diabetes is expected to more than double, reaching up to $59.3 billion per year by 2030.
The report reveals that type 2 diabetes prevalence in sub-Saharan Africa has reached 22% in some countries, with only half of diagnosed cases receiving treatment. The Lancet commission calls for decisive action to address the growing burden, which could nearly triple to $59 billion by 2030.
A major conservation effort is underway to conserve the last remaining paintbrush lilies in Stellenbosch University Botanical Garden. The species, Haemanthus pumilio, has declined drastically due to habitat destruction and invasive species. The garden aims to increase the population through micropropagation and control burns.
Researchers are surveying vultures in Ethiopia to estimate populations and distributions, track movements, and evaluate human repercussions of vulture declines. The Bab-el-Mandeb Strait is a critical site for conservation efforts due to its large concentration of migrating birds from Eurasia and Africa.
A new study has found significant inequalities in malaria research funding in sub-Saharan Africa, with countries like Chad and Central African Republic receiving no investment. The study reveals that Tanzania and Kenya received the most research funding, while Nigeria received the most non-research funding.
A new study reveals that most families in low-income countries lack access to soap at home, with significant disparities across regions. The research underscores the importance of improving handwashing behavior and access to soap in impoverished areas, particularly for children vulnerable to preventable diseases.
A UTEP doctoral candidate has discovered three new species of chameleons in the Albertine Rift region of Central Africa. The reptiles were found to be endemic to specific mountain ranges, with two species named after their habitats and a third species named after herpetologist Krystal Tolley.
Researchers identify new Aleodon species in Brazil, previously thought to be Chiniquodontids. The discovery strengthens the correlation between probainognathians from South America and Africa.
A statistical analysis of HIV/AIDS interventions in South Africa reveals significant disparities between rural and urban areas. The study found that earlier access to interventions is crucial in rural areas due to cultural factors such as stigmatization.
Researchers have discovered the oldest securely aged fossil evidence of modern humans in Africa, pushing back their origins by 100,000 years. The findings from Jebel Irhoud, Morocco, reveal a complex evolutionary history of mankind that likely involved the entire African continent.
The discovery of ancient Homo sapiens fossils in Morocco pushes back the origins of our species by 100,000 years. The fossils, dated to around 300,000 years ago, reveal a modern-looking face and teeth, but an archaic braincase shape.
Scientists assess invasive alien plant control measures in Kruger National Park, finding shortcomings including inadequate goal-setting and planning. The study recommends prioritizing species based on formal documentation and regular monitoring to optimize funding allocation.
Scientists from Granada and Almería discover a new species of plant in the Málaga region, previously misclassified as Linaria salzmannii. The plant, Linaria becerrae, has distinct flower characteristics and is found in sandy substrates in the Desfiladero de los Gaitanes natural area.
Scientists have dated prehistoric rock paintings in southern Africa up to 5500 years old, surpassing previous estimates. The technique used reveals that these paintings were made over a long period, with some sites producing similar art for over 1,000 years.
A new study by Michigan State University scholars highlights the need to address inadequate healthcare and water access in Africa to reduce neonatal mortality rates. The study found that nearly half of under-5 child deaths occur during the neonatal period, emphasizing the importance of timely interventions.
A study published in The Lancet Global Health found that one in five children born as a twin in sub-Saharan Africa dies before the age of five. Twin births carry higher risks for the children and mother, including early delivery and low birthweight. Improving medical support could reduce twin mortality rates in the region.
A Rutgers study reveals that springs played a critical role in early human survival and migration in East Africa. The research suggests that climate change may not have been the primary factor driving human evolution.
Dr. Terrie Taylor is using a $8.5 million federal grant to study why previous malaria prevention methods have been unsuccessful and how progress can be made in Malawi. Her team will focus on identifying 'reservoirs of infection' - people who are infected but not sick, and understanding mosquito behavior to develop effective treatments.
A new study finds that countries most affected by weather-related disasters do not necessarily spend more on commercial weather and climate information services. Developing countries actually commit a higher percentage of their GDP to these services, recognizing their value in mitigating risks.
Researchers discovered two fossils of Graecopithecus freybergi with fused premolar roots, characteristic of modern humans and early humans, indicating a European origin for the pre-human lineage. The study also suggests that environmental changes, such as the formation of the Sahara desert, drove the evolution of pre-humans.
Conservation assessments for endemic earthworm species in KwaZulu-Natal Province are hindered by lack of common names. Assigning English names facilitates inclusion in environmental impact assessments, highlighting the importance of biodiversity preservation.
A new study published in PLOS Medicine found that undiagnosed Ebola virus infection was probably very rare among international healthcare workers deployed during the 2013-2015 outbreak. Despite asymptomatic cases occurring, no evidence of missed infections was found, but 'near miss' exposure incidents were common, putting frontline wor...
Cases of drug-resistant tuberculosis are expected to rise significantly in India, the Philippines, Russia, and South Africa between 2000 and 2040. The growing epidemic is predicted to be driven by person-to-person transmission, rather than strains acquiring resistance to anti-tuberculosis drugs.
The fossil hominin Homo naledi lived between 335,000 and 236,000 years ago, overlapping with the emergence of modern human behavior in southern Africa. The discovery challenges previous predictions of its age and raises questions about human evolution.
The University of California, Irvine is leading a $2 million effort to cultivate new strains of mosquitoes to fight malaria in Africa. A team of experts will develop and test these insects in the field to disrupt malaria transmission.
Researchers analyzed 548,055 single nucleotide polymorphisms to model Bantu-speaking peoples' migration paths and gene variations. They found that BSPs acquired adaptive genes from other African populations, including immune-related genes, and retained western RHG ancestry in modern African Americans.
A study led by the University of Bath discovered a distinct dinosaur fauna in Africa at the end of the Cretaceous period. The newly discovered species, Chenanisaurus barbaricus, was found in phosphate deposits in Morocco and is considered one of the last dinosaurs on Earth before its extinction.
A new study by Colorado State University researchers demonstrates a method to quickly detect Zika virus in mosquito populations, informing decision-making on disease-prevention methods. The use of loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) allows for easy detection in human and mosquito samples from the US, Brazil, and Nicaragua.
A new fossil cichlid discovered in East Africa provides insights into the evolutionary history of the cichlid family. The analysis of its unique 'mosaic-like' set of characters supports the idea that interspecies hybridization played a prominent role in their evolution.
A decade-long surgical outreach program has improved screening and diagnosis, reducing RHD-related deaths by 10% in Rwanda. The program also established a sustainable cardiothoracic care center, training local personnel to improve cardiovascular disease management.
The University of California, Irvine has received a $9.6 million grant to conduct malaria control research in sub-Saharan Africa. The project aims to assess the impact of environmental changes on malaria epidemiology and transmission.
Two new species of African mole-rats were formally described as Fukomys hanangensis and Fukomys livingstoni. Genetic analysis revealed two distinct evolutionary lineages that suggest geological and volcanic activity isolated these populations in East Africa.
A comprehensive study on the bones of Homo floresiensis has found that they most likely evolved from an African ancestor and share a common ancestor with Homo habilis. The findings contradict the popular theory that Homo floresiensis evolved from Homo erectus.
The NIH has awarded $9 million to seven international centers focused on malaria research, aiming to understand complex interactions between human hosts and mosquito vectors. The 7-year awards will support vital research to control, eliminate, and eventually eradicate malaria, a global health threat that claims millions of lives annually.
The Amazonian Center of Excellence for Malaria Research, led by UC San Diego's Joseph Vinetz, MD, will receive a $8.3 million NIH grant over seven years to tackle malaria in endemic regions. The research aims to develop new antimalarial compounds and improve therapy options.
A five-year, $13 million partnership between MSU and MasterCard Foundation will provide employment opportunities to 15,000 young people in Tanzania and Nigeria's horticulture, aquaculture, and agrifood sectors. The program aims for gender equity, addressing constraints affecting youth entrepreneurship and job creation.
Cholera cases in East Africa increase by roughly 50,000 during El Niño years due to increased rainfall and vulnerable water systems. This research can help health ministries anticipate future cholera surges and save lives.
African forests, which feed and provide subsistence means to at least 100 million people, are being cleared at a rate of over 10% by 2025 due to expanding agricultural production. The study recommends policies that prioritize forest conservation and local control of land to mitigate deforestation.
Researchers discovered that the herpes virus family evolved independently but also showed signs of recombination with HSV-1, which occurred between 34,000-95,000 years ago. This challenges previous theories on human migration and origins of STDs.
The study suggests that choosing wind sites to match electricity demand reduces system costs and enhances equitable distribution of renewable energy. Countries can save hundreds of millions to billions of dollars per year by pursuing low-cost, accessible, and environmentally friendly solar and wind farms.