Science and research news from Africa. Covers Congo Basin wildlife, maternity care, malaria resurgence, and drug-resistant parasites.
Researchers analysed viromes in blood samples from patients with Ebola symptoms, finding potential links between co-infected pathogens and worsening clinical outcomes. The study aims to identify new pathogens and improve diagnosis for other VHFs.
Researchers at Oxford University create new method for counting lions, using spatially explicit approach with high-resolution photographs and powerful computers. The study estimates 16.85 lions per 100 square kilometers in the Maasai Mara, with a posterior standard deviation of just 1.3.
A new study found that even with optimized yields, sub-Saharan Africa will not meet its grain demand by 2050. Closing the yield gap requires a large acceleration in farming practices and investments in agricultural development. The region must prioritize strategic investments to upgrade infrastructure and ensure food security.
A new species of assassin flies has been discovered in South Africa, along with the redescription of its genus. The study, published in African Invertebrates, reveals seven species within the genus and establishes a new tribe, shedding light on the unique adaptations of these predatory insects.
Scientists have discovered fossils of sulfur-oxidizing bacteria in ancient rocks from South Africa and Western Australia, dating back to the Neoarchean Eon, 2.8 to 2.5 billion years ago. These findings suggest that life existed on Earth before the Great Oxidation Event, which led to a significant increase in oxygen levels.
Researchers reconstructed the African dust plume over the last 23,000 years and observed a dramatic reduction in dust beginning around 11,000 years ago. This weakened plume may have allowed more sunlight to reach the ocean, increasing its temperature by 0.15 degrees Celsius, leading to an increase in monsoon rains over North Africa.
Researchers predict malaria elimination is achievable in southern Africa if vector control measures are implemented aggressively and mass drug campaigns focus on high-risk areas. Human movement within the region should be targeted to prevent importation of infections.
Researchers have made significant progress in understanding the genetic diversity of Onchocerca volvulus, the parasite that causes river blindness. The study reveals gene flow between savanna and forest strains, with genes from the savanna strain flowing into the forest strain due to differences in climate and black fly behavior.
The CReSP initiative aims to benefit at least 50 million people in high-vulnerability regions by promoting climate-smart and nutritious sweetpotato varieties. Orange-fleshed sweetpotato varieties have been shown to reduce chronic malnutrition and child stunting when promoted with nutrition counseling.
Researchers from Slovenia and South Africa discovered heterospecific mating in African golden orbweb spiders, where males mate with females of different species. The study suggests that such interactions could play a role in determining community structure and may be costly to rarest species.
A groundbreaking study in Uganda finds that self-injection of the Sayana Press contraceptive is both feasible and highly acceptable among women. The research suggests that this method can increase convenience and privacy for women seeking family planning options.
The global prevalence of high blood pressure has more than doubled over the past 40 years, with significant increases observed in low- and middle-income countries. High blood pressure remains a major risk factor for stroke and heart disease, claiming over 7.5 million lives annually.
A new study by the University of Oxford has created a plant-species hotspot map for tropical Africa, identifying critical areas for global biodiversity conservation. The map reveals regions with high concentrations of globally rare plants, such as the Horn of Africa and south-east Democratic Republic of Congo.
Researchers created a bioquality map to measure global rarity and identify critical plant species hotspots in tropical Africa. The Horn of Africa, Democratic Republic of Congo, and other regions were found to be 'hottest' for plant biodiversity.
Researchers found wild chimpanzees in Guinea using long and robust sticks as tools to extract freshwater green algae from streams and ponds. This new behaviour variant differs from previous reports and suggests that algae provide an important nutritional benefit during the dry season.
Researchers analyzed diamonds from the Denver Museum of Nature & Science and University of British Columbia, gaining a rare look at the processes that led to Earth's crust formation. The study reveals an incredible 3-billion-year journey through tectonic collisions and volcanic eruptions.
A new study by the University of Utah uses radiocarbon dating and genetic analysis to track the origin of seized ivory, revealing that nearly all shipments come from elephants killed in the past three years. This intelligence can help combat illegal animal product trade and inform strategies for protecting elephant populations.
A recent study published in BMC Medicine found that the prevalence of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) in West Africa is significantly higher than previously thought. The study revealed that MDR-TB strains were widely circulating and drug resistance was a much bigger problem in the region than anticipated.
Archaeologists have discovered the oldest known physical evidence for chickens in Africa, dating back over 2,700 years. The discovery sheds new light on how domesticated chickens were introduced to Africa via trade routes along the Red Sea and East African coast.
A Johns Hopkins study reveals that former trainees from sub-Saharan Africa are leaving a positive mark on the African bioethics landscape, with many becoming instructors, serving on IRBs, or publishing bioethics-related research. The training programs have built sustainable capacity in Africa and fostered lasting networks of profession...
The Wellcome Trust is transferring two major research programs, DELTAS Africa and H3Africa, to AESA's Alliance for Accelerating Excellence in Science in Africa, aiming to increase Africa-led research and address pressing health challenges. This shift reflects a significant change in international funding partnerships with African insti...
A study using geolocation technology tracked the 10,000-kilometer migration of Great Reed Warblers from Turkey to sub-Saharan Africa, revealing key regions of importance for the species. The research highlights the lack of protection many of these regions receive, posing a threat to bird populations.
Cassava is a crucial crop for 110% growth in global food demand, with potential for yield improvement through boosting sunlight conversion. Researchers are urging more research to address climate change and sustain yields.
An international study has revealed that the UK and France experience the highest number of malaria cases imported from other countries. The research found that countries with the highest average number of imported infections per year were France, UK, and USA.
The ZikaPLAN consortium aims to address knowledge gaps, prevent disease spread, and educate affected populations in Latin America. The global network will also build sustainable response capacity for Zika and other emerging infectious diseases.
A team of researchers, including a Pitt University expert, analyzed core samples from Lake Malawi to find that the continent has experienced a 100,000-year cycle of wet and dry conditions, contrary to previous studies that suggested it was drying. The findings shed new light on human evolutionary theory and the savannah hypothesis.
A two-and-a-half-year study found that children who survived cerebral malaria had indistinguishable cognitive development compared to healthy peers, despite poor overall performance. The results highlight the need to investigate additional factors such as nutrition and environmental conditions.
Female meerkats can produce up to twice as much testosterone as males, which may lead to a trade-off in their immune system, making them more prone to infections. Dominant females tend to live longer and give birth to more litters than subordinate females.
In the Democratic Republic of Congo, a park ranger was recently killed while defending Grauer's gorillas, highlighting the increasing threats to rangers and their families. The WCS Senior Conservation Scientist for Africa expresses concern over these increased threats to animal protection.
Historic analysis of East African ivory reveals where elephants roamed and were hunted during the 19th century, shedding light on the ecological impact of the ivory trade. The study maps elephant geography in the region and informs contemporary conservation strategies.
Middle Stone Age humans developed intentional heat treatment of silcrete rock to facilitate the flaking process, which impacted all subsequent stages of silcrete tool production and use. The authors suggest that this technique may provide direct evidence of the extensive use of fire applied to a whole lithic chain of production.
The Global Precipitation Measurement mission captured heavy rainfall rates within Hurricane Nicole's eye, with strong storms dropping rain at a rate of over 113 mm per hour. The satellite also analyzed the storm's top heights, finding powerful storms reaching only about 12 km in height.
Research from Lund University finds that ENSO leads to increased shortages of food and animal feed in rural areas of eastern and southern Africa. The study calculates the impact of carbon dioxide absorption by vegetation on food production and predicts a worsening situation as weather phenomena become more frequent.
A phylogenetic analysis supports transoceanic dispersal of Amaurobioides genus across Southern Hemisphere continents. The study suggests that an ancestral population existed on ancient supercontinent Gondwana and dispersed eastward during the Miocene era.
A new family of earthworms, Kazimierzidae, has been established for a South African genus with an exclusive circulatory system. The species are restricted to small areas along the western and south-western Atlantic coast of South Africa.
A team of scientists has identified the African origin of the black grains grown by Suriname Maroons, tracing back to Mande-speaking farmers in Western Ivory Coast. The study combines ethnobotanic, historic and genetic research to uncover the migration history of people and crops.
A new large-scale analysis found that logged forests in Central Africa may contain nearly twice as much deadwood as unlogged forests, and up to 3.8 times more than previous estimates. This underestimation has broad implications for regional forestry practices and global carbon emissions.
A study from Lund University finds that foreign agricultural companies' crop choices and water management contribute to increased water shortages and competition for resources. This leads to a higher risk of conflicts between humans, plants, and animals in affected areas.
Researchers find that lifting the ivory ban will not address the issue of elephant poaching, as the demand for ivory is too great. They recommend managing demand effectively and promoting alternative sources of income for communities living with elephants.
Scientists have reclassified giraffes into four distinct species based on genetic analysis, revealing new insights into their biology and conservation needs. The study highlights the urgent need for protection efforts to safeguard these endangered animals in Africa.
Catastrophic declines in wilderness areas have occurred globally over the last two decades, with almost 10% of the world's land area lost. The Amazon and Central Africa have been severely impacted, highlighting the need for international policies to protect remaining wilderness.
A new study has identified four highly distinct groups of giraffe, each with its own genetic profile, indicating they should be recognized as four separate species. The researchers hope this discovery will lead to targeted conservation efforts for the endangered species.
Research reveals catastrophic decline in global wilderness areas, with an estimated 3.3 million square kilometers lost since the 1990s, highlighting the urgent need for conservation efforts and international protection.
A study published in Health Affairs evaluated the impact of in-service training and supervision on quality of care for pregnant women and sick children in sub-Saharan Africa. The research found that while receiving recent training and supervision was associated with improved quality, it did not exceed 50% of expected performance.
Researchers found that genetic clustering of southern African populations is closely tied to the ecogeography of the Kalahari Desert region. The study analyzed genome-wide data from 21 KhoeSan groups and identified five primary ancestries, suggesting a geographically complex set of migration events.
Researchers tracked 41 boats across 28 sites in the Republic of Congo, collecting 5,500 hours of data on fishing trips. Fishers in urban areas travel far offshore with minimal safety gear, while those in rural areas make daily trips closer to shore.
A recent study suggests that the arrival of browsing medium-sized antelopes in Africa was a key factor in replacing ancient forests with open savannas. The researchers found that thorn trees evolved around the same time as antelope, coinciding with the diversification of spiny plants and the opening up of forests to grass invaders.
A recent study published in PLOS ONE suggests that climate change was not a primary driver of technological innovation among Stone Age humans. Researchers analyzed animal remains from South Africa's southern Cape, finding that human populations were able to absorb changes to the climate through resources like long-distance contact and ...
A new study identifies countries in Africa and Asia at greatest risk of Zika virus transmission due to climate, mosquito presence, and large populations. The analysis highlights India, the Philippines, Indonesia, Nigeria, Vietnam, Pakistan, and Bangladesh as top countries, emphasizing the need for public health decision-making support.
A new study identifies India, China, the Philippines, Indonesia, Nigeria, Vietnam, Pakistan, and Bangladesh as high-risk countries for local Zika virus transmission. The research team analyzed airline passenger traffic data to determine which countries are at greatest risk due to climate conditions and limited health resources.
A recent revision of the custard apple genus Monanthotaxis has revealed nine new species from tropical Africa, confirming the importance of herbarium collections in botany. The newly described species are found mainly in western central Africa and Tanzania, with several classified as critically endangered.
A novel schistosomiasis vaccine called Sm14 Vaccine has reached phase II clinical studies, prioritized by the World Health Organization. The vaccine aims to prevent the parasite that causes the disease from installing in the patient's organism and causing damage.
A Baylor University study found that individual characteristics such as income, education, and relationship status are associated with greater satisfaction. Sex life satisfaction was not linked to country-level variables like wealth or HIV/AIDS concern.
A Baylor University study found that individual-level characteristics, such as higher income and education, are associated with greater sex life satisfaction in Sub-Saharan Africa. Satisfaction is not linked to country-level variables like wealth, suggesting that factors beyond economic status influence overall happiness.
Two novel African types of Salmonella Enteritidis, genetically distinct from the Western type, have been identified through a global-scale genetic study. These bacteria have developed resistance to multiple antibiotics and are a major cause of blood poisoning and death in Africa.
The University of Kansas is partnering with the Peace Corps to provide custom, web-based resources to staff and volunteers in Africa. The Community Tool Box will support volunteers with research-based knowledge from disciplines such as community development and urban planning, making best practices easy to implement in the field.
Researchers have discovered three newly dead specimens of the scaly-tailed squirrel, hinting at its evolution over 49 million years. The study reveals that Zenkerella is a distant cousin of two other squirrels with gliding abilities, leading to the creation of a new family name.
The Einstein-Montefiore and CUNY research team will use the data for their own research projects, addressing scientific clinical and healthcare delivery questions that inform care in Central Africa and beyond. The ongoing study involves over 50,000 HIV-positive children and adults taking anti-retroviral therapy.
A new study finds that palm oil production is driving deforestation in Africa, South America, Southeast Asia, and Mesoamerica, posing significant threats to biodiversity. Conservation efforts will need to be tailored to each region's unique challenges to protect at-risk species.
A new study from Imperial College London and the Medical Research Council Unit The Gambia found that a 'screen-and-treat' programme for hepatitis B can reduce deadly complications of the virus. The initiative is cost-effective and feasible in Sub-Saharan Africa, where around 80 million people are infected.