Articles tagged with Africa
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A recent study published in PLOS ONE suggests that the Cape Parrot should be classified as a distinct species due to its genetically distinct markers. The research analyzed DNA samples from five Poicephalus species and found that the Cape Parrot shares common ancestry with other subspecies only at around 2 million years ago.
Scientists from the University of Kansas are investigating how climate, plate tectonics and other factors influenced evolution by bringing species together in modern-day Turkey 42 million years ago. The study aims to shed light on the role climate change played in mammalian evolution and its relevance today.
Researchers are monitoring drug resistance to HIV prevention drugs in sub-Saharan Africa through a $5 million initiative. The project aims to prevent new infections and develop cost-effective diagnostic plans.
The 'golden jackals' of East Africa and Eurasia are two separate species, with the latter being a new species, African golden wolf, that has a distribution across North and East Africa. Genetic data shows they have been evolving independently for at least a million years.
A team of researchers has recovered a magnetic field record from ancient minerals for Iron Age southern Africa, combining it with the weakening Earth's magnetic field. The data suggests that the region beneath southern Africa may be responsible for some recent and future pole reversals.
The improved survival rate of HIV patients in sub-Saharan Africa facilitates the study of cardiovascular disease in these patients. Studies have shown that highly active antiretroviral treatment is associated with a 50% reduction in HIV-related cardiomyopathy, and researchers now have access to a population with both HIV and cardiovasc...
Researchers have identified four new highly endangered species of West African torrent-frogs, revealing a previously unknown level of molecular variation. The discovery highlights the urgent need for conservation efforts in the Upper Guinean biodiversity hotspot, where habitat loss threatens the survival of these unique species.
Researchers describe skull, skeleton, and dental replacement of Tiarajudens eccentricus, a Brazilian species with remarkable features. The discovery reveals that head-butting and canine display during male-male combat were already present in mammals 270 million years ago.
A study of Middle Stone Age stone tool technologies at Sibudu and Blombos revealed that similar types of tools were used by groups more than 1,000 km apart. However, differences in tool making were found between the Still Bay and Howiesons Poort assemblages, suggesting distinct cultural traditions.
Researchers found that stunting affects children under three, with disparities by province and age. They recommend a multi-sectoral approach to address stunting and improve maternal nutrition.
A 49,000-year-old milk-and-ochre-based paint has been discovered in South Africa, predating the introduction of domestic cattle. The use of this paint raises questions about its purpose and significance.
A new dinosaur, Sefapanosaurus, has been discovered in South Africa with distinctive features such as a cross-shaped ankle bone. The fossil, found in the late 1930s, provides insight into transitional early sauropodomorph dinosaurs roaming southern Africa.
A study using DNA from ivory samples identifies two major areas of elephant poaching in Africa, with over 85% of seized ivory tracing back to these regions. This research could help combat ivory trafficking at its source and inform law enforcement efforts.
Since 1990, $458 billion was disbursed to developing countries for health, with the US government providing 31.2% and private philanthropies like the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation contributing 7.1%. Maternal health and newborn/child health received most of these funds.
The Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting is expanding its commitment to young African scientists through the newly created Horst Köhler Fellowship Programme. Thirty-five African students will participate in the meeting, with funding provided by the Robert Bosch Foundation and German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development.
Researchers used innovative methods to examine the ground around Mbeya in Tanzania, finding evidence of fluidisation and massive ground deformation. This discovery could be used to model how structures might be affected by future earthquakes, providing a valuable tool for hazard assessment.
A new species of leafminer on grapevine in the Western Cape has been identified as Holocacista capensis. The moth feeds on wild grapes and creates a tunnel inside the leaf, causing collateral damage to the vine.
A study published in the June issue of Health Affairs found that PEPFAR funding was associated with a 13% increase in male employment in ten sub-Saharan African countries. The authors suggest that these findings could inform future aid allocation decisions, potentially generating significant economic benefits.
The study, published in the American Journal of Human Genetics, used 225 human genome sequences from Egyptians and Ethiopians to determine the most likely route of human migration out of Africa. The research found that Egypt was the primary gateway for humans migrating north, supporting a northern route rather than a southern one.
A new study reveals that Egypt was the major gateway out of Africa, with migrants following a northern route. The analysis of 225 genomic sequences from Ethiopians and Egyptians provides crucial insights into early human evolution.
A recent study reveals the emergence of a highly resistant strain of typhoid in Africa, with data showing its rapid spread across the continent. The H58-strain has been found to acquire resistance to commonly available antibiotics, making it easier for the bacteria to retain these genes.
The Serengeti is facing significant threats, including climate change, population growth, and infrastructure development, which could lead to the loss of this iconic ecosystem. Researchers are studying the impact of these factors on biodiversity, ecosystem functions, and services.
Researchers mapped regional droughts and land degradation using satellites, revealing improved land conditions across much of West Africa between 1982-2012. Soil moisture observations provided more accurate results than rainfall data, showing the importance of this factor in understanding vegetation dynamics.
A new species of diving beetle, Capelatus prykei, has been identified in the Noordhoek Wetlands near Cape Town. The beetle is highly distinctive and has no direct relatives, with its closest connections found around the Mediterranean and New Guinea. Its unique genetic makeup suggests it is critically endangered due to isolation.
Researchers at UT Austin use regional climate models to assess climate change impact on Malawi's growing season, finding shorter growing seasons and earlier ends by mid-21st century. The study highlights the need for adaptation planning to mitigate global warming's effects.
The world's largest herbivores are declining due to habitat change and hunting, leading to a 'empty landscape' in diverse ecosystems. This loss of species poses significant ecological, social, and economic costs, including reduced food for large carnivores and altered nutrient cycles.
Research from the University of Southampton found that South African women under 26 years old with more equitable gender views were more likely to have used a condom. This suggests that communication between partners and addressing gender norms are crucial for safer sex, particularly among HIV-positive young women.
Researchers are investigating whether plasma from Ebola survivors can help treat patients with the disease. The study aims to determine if protective antibodies in the plasma can be used safely to reduce deaths in current and future outbreaks.
A new archive of Malian photography has been created, providing valuable documentation of modernization in West Africa. The archive features original black-and-white negatives dating from the 1940s, offering a unique perspective on village-based lifestyles and cultural practices.
Hippos' organic matter provides essential nutrients to river fish and aquatic insects, highlighting the ecological importance of hippos in river ecosystems. The study's findings are crucial for understanding the impact of climate change and human development on hippo populations and entire food webs.
A study analyzing individual virus sequences from 287 published studies found that most HIV-1 transmitted drug resistance strains arose independently in sub-Saharan Africa and south/southeast Asia. The study suggests screening for specific high-prevalence mutations could identify patients with TDR before therapy initiation.
The University of Michigan's 1000+ OBGYN Project has developed four new collections of high-quality educational materials to support obstetrician-gynecologist training in low-resource countries. These materials, made publicly available for free, cover topics such as abnormal uterine bleeding and postpartum care, and are intended to imp...
Researchers have dated the Little Foot skeleton to 3.67 million years old, while Oldowan artefacts are approximately 2 million years old. This new evidence sheds light on the age of key hominid and palaeontological discoveries at Sterkfontein Caves.
A team of scientists from Purdue University and other institutions dated the 'Little Foot' skeleton at 3.67 million years old using a new radioisotopic dating technique called isochron burial dating. This places Little Foot as an older relative of Lucy, a famous Australopithecus skeleton dated at 3.2 million years old.
Researchers at the Universities of Cambridge and Tübingen have found that the main increase in body size occurred tens of thousands of years after Homo erectus left Africa, primarily in the Koobi Fora region of Kenya. This study suggests that human body size diversity arose much earlier than previously thought.
Two new plant species, Psoralea diturnerae and P. vanberkelae, have been discovered by citizen scientists in the Cape Floral Kingdom of South Africa. The discovery was made possible through the efforts of a group of amateur botanists known as the Outramps, who have been conducting regular expeditions to monitor and conserve rare species.
Researchers have discovered the early stages of two African sawfly species, Xenapates braunsi and Xenapates gaullei. These larvae feed on specific grass and day flower species, with potential implications for crop protection and invasive weed control.
A 17-million-year-old beaked whale fossil found in Kenya has provided the first exact date for East Africa's mysterious uplift. The whale was stranded inland at a time when the continent was still at sea level and covered with forest, leading to changes in vegetation that drove human evolution.
The reintroduction of lions in the Tembe Elephant Park in South Africa highlights the competition between humans, endemic herbivores, and carnivores. The analysis found that lions compete with humans throughout the year, except winter, while also competing with endemic herbivores in all seasons.
A new report finds that only a small percentage of Africa's wet savannas have potential to produce staple crops while emitting less carbon dioxide. Converting these lands into farmland would release significant greenhouse gases, threatening biodiversity and local food security.
A new study finds most hurricanes over the Atlantic originate as intense thunderstorms in Western Africa, with larger cloud coverage predicting higher hurricane intensity. Only 10% of African disturbances turn into hurricanes, but spatial coverage can foretell intensity a week later.
A study by Aksel Sundström reveals that bribery among South African government inspectors contributes to overfishing, allowing fishermen to break rules and exploit protected areas. The researchers found that inspectors are often bribed or blackmailed into ignoring regulations, putting marine resources at risk.
The Messak Settafet escarpment in the Saharan desert features a vast 'carpet' of stone-age tools, averaging 75 artefacts per square metre. The tools were extracted and discarded over hundreds of thousands of years, creating an entire landscape modified by hominins.
A new study has cast doubt on the theory that ancient tsetse-infested bush stopped African herders in their tracks. The research found extensive grasslands east of Lake Victoria during a nearly 2,000-year-old settlement.
Researchers at Stanford University and the University of Copenhagen have used ancient DNA to identify the ethnic origins of three African-born slaves found in the Caribbean. The study, published in PNAS, marks a significant breakthrough in genealogical research and sheds light on the trans-Atlantic slave trade.
Fossil discoveries in Libya's Sirt Basin reveal a unique group of ancient mammals, shedding light on climate change and environmental shift. The findings suggest that global cooling and drying led to habitat fragmentation, promoting allopatric speciation and altering the evolution of primates.
Researchers found that early herders from northern Africa could travel past Lake Victoria on their way to southern Africa due to the area's grassy landscape, not a tsetse fly-infested environment. This new discovery sheds light on the migration route of early human populations.
Children under five in sub-Saharan Africa are at higher risk of developing schistosomiasis due to increased exposure to contaminated water, a study suggests. The research highlights the need for mass administration of anti-parasite medication to include preschool-age children in treatment programs.
Researchers mapped the African continent using satellite data, discovering regions that have received drastically different amounts of rainfall over the past decade. The study found that areas such as the Congo, Nigeria, and Madagascar have become drier, while others like the Sahel zone have become greener due to increased rainfall.
A new study reveals that over 40% of Indian women are underweight before pregnancy, leading to lower birth weights and potential long-term consequences. The findings highlight the need for improved maternal nutrition monitoring in India, where social status and patriarchal societies contribute to health disparities.
A study by University of Miami researchers found dengue virus circulating in urban areas of Ghana, with 21.6% of malaria patients tested positive for long-lasting dengue IgG antibodies, indicating lifetime exposure. The findings suggest that up to one-third of all outpatient visits could be misdiagnosed as malaria.
African food security requires a customized approach, according to new research. The study suggests that developing new technologies for tree and root crops could be more effective than copying Asian approaches. Key findings reveal that labor-intensive technologies are not suitable for Africa due to abundant labor costs.
A new report finds that sub-Saharan Africans perceive their own health care systems as low-rated, but prioritize jobs and economic growth over healthcare. The research suggests that HIV/AIDS aid may have improved perceptions of health care in some countries, despite chronic poverty and unemployment.
Researchers found that maize production creates a perfect storm for plague transmission, with rodents and fleas increasing the risk of human infection. The study highlights the need for caution in expanding agriculture across Africa to prevent similar risks.
Researchers suggest that human dispersal into southern Asia via Arabia was linked to changing climate and environmental conditions, with increased rainfall supporting populations. The Al Sibetah alluvial fan sequence provides a unique record of landscape change in southeast Arabia, revealing multiple humid episodes during glacial periods.
The HVTN 100 trial aims to build on the RV144 results by testing a modified vaccine regimen with greater protection for southern Africa's predominant HIV subtype. The trial will enroll 252 HIV-uninfected adults and monitor safety and immune responses.
The EU and GBIF are launching a €3.9 million project to enhance capacity and mobilize data from Africa, the Caribbean, and the Pacific. The BID initiative aims to improve biodiversity management in these regions and support human well-being.
Cricket batsmen tend to bat more conservatively as they approach a half-century or century to maximize their chances of reaching it. This study found that adopting a conservative style at this stage reduces their chances of dismissal.
A team of researchers has discovered three new extinct monkey fossils in the Peruvian Amazon, pushing back the colonization of South America by monkeys to at least 36 million years ago. The findings provide the first evidence that monkeys crossed the Atlantic Ocean from Africa.
A new study reveals that hepatitis C is more common than previously thought, with over 180 million people worldwide infected. The study also found that active infection rates are high in West Africa, where cultural and daily practices contribute to transmission.