Articles tagged with Africa
A new study suggests that better access to regional markets is more important than farmers growing a diverse range of crops on their own smallholdings. Markets increase the variety of foods available locally, benefiting the population as a whole.
A team from the University of Cambridge has developed a model to predict desert locust swarms, enabling national agencies to respond quickly. The model uses weather forecast data and computational models to forecast locust swarm movements both short and long-term.
The CEDITRAA project investigates the impact of digitalization on cultural production, focusing on Asia and Africa. It explores how platforms like TikTok shape cultural formats and how globally active online communities emerge in music production.
A new database reveals significant gaps in hippo population knowledge, with fragmented populations relying on protected areas. The research calls for coordinated surveys and a centralized spatial database to improve conservation efforts.
Researchers found that giraffes prefer flat terrain and avoid steep slopes of more than 20° due to energy requirements and risk of falling. This limits their access to habitats in protected reserves, with nearly half of Namibia's habitat being unusable for giraffes.
The Midwest was a hub of Black political activism, where ideas of Marcus Garvey incubated and expanded globally. The region offered unique opportunities for Black people to earn higher wages and exercise their right to vote.
The partnership aims to promote STEM education and careers among African students, increasing student engagement, identity, and career awareness. CMU-Africa and Challenger Center will expand the reach of Virtual Missions across the continent, focusing on underserved areas.
Researchers suggest a scientific framework to operate the Nile's mega dams during droughts, balancing sustainable hydropower generation with minimizing downstream water deficit. The framework aims to increase resilience for over 300 million inhabitants in the Eastern Nile Basin living under uncertain climatic projections.
The Africa-UBC Oceans and Fisheries Visiting Fellows Program has selected two exceptional scholars, Dr. Cynthia A. Adinortey (Ghana) and Dr. Antony Otinga Oteng’o (Kenya), to collaborate with UBC researchers on ocean sustainability projects.
Dr. Kamau-Rutenberg brings expertise in food systems, social inclusion, and gender-sensitive innovation to drive transformative change in Africa's agricultural development. She aims to harness agricultural biodiversity and sustainably transform food systems to improve people's lives.
Researchers will test the hypothesis that environmental manganese exposure is associated with the progression of Parkinson's symptoms and measure neuroinflammation in the brain using MRI scans. The study aims to inform environmental regulations for manganese worldwide and address an environmental justice concern.
A study found that only a small percentage of Ethiopian children under five regularly consume animal-sourced foods, limiting their dietary diversity. Introducing just one meat item into a child's diet each day could make a dramatic difference in preventing stunting and improving cognitive capacity.
The survey reveals critical low lion numbers in Queen Elizabeth and Kidepo Valley National Parks, while hyena populations show resilience across four major protected areas. Advanced spatial capture-recapture methods set a new standard for wildlife monitoring in Africa.
A recent study by the University of Bonn and CABI Centre in Kenya found that milk, eggs, and fish consumption has a positive effect on childhood development in Africa. The study covered over 32,000 child observations across five African countries and showed that animal products significantly reduce the risk of stunting.
A new study found that 75% of households in Kenya and Tanzania adopted a sustainable land management practice to control the invasive Prosopis juliflora. The practice, which involves uprooting the tree and using cleared land for crop and fodder production, was successful in reducing the problem.
Physicists at the University of the Witwatersrand developed an innovative computing system harnessing laser beams and display technology to process multiple possibilities simultaneously. This approach could speed up complex calculations in fields like logistics and finance, with potential applications in quantum optimisation and machin...
A recent study by King's College London analyzed satellite data and found a link between toxic cyanobacteria blooms in watering holes and the deaths of over 300 African elephants in Botswana. The research suggests climate change may have contributed to the poisoning, with increased algal growth linked to extreme weather events.
A new IHME study reveals significant progress in the global fight against HIV/AIDS, with sub-Saharan Africa leading the way in cutting new HIV infections and deaths. However, the world is not on track to meet UNAIDS 2030 targets, with a quarter of people living with HIV not receiving treatment.
A University of Michigan-led study suggests that recycled pacemakers can be used safely and effectively in patients with life-threatening cardiac conditions. The international clinical trial involved nearly 300 people across seven countries and found no significant differences in pacemaker function up to 90 days after the procedure.
The Upanzi Network will fund research projects in Morocco, Botswana, and South Africa, focusing on innovation and open standard technologies. Researchers from different African regions will collaborate to develop context-specific digital solutions, addressing local needs and culture.
A new study reveals that patients attending first referral hospitals in low- and middle-income countries receive safe and effective surgical care comparable to higher level referral centers. District hospitals manage to deliver safe surgical care despite having fewer full-time surgeons and medically trained anaesthetists.
A new study has obtained good climate data from Nigeria, a critical area in Africa, to improve climate models. The research focuses on housing types and electricity use, providing insights into reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
A new study from Uganda documents partial resistance to artemisinin in 11 out of 100 African children with severe malaria, suggesting a growing concern for the efficacy of lifesaving malaria treatments. The study also reveals that 10 patients who were thought to have been cured suffered repeat malaria attacks within 28 days.
A new study reveals significant declines in West African coastal fish stocks, with key local species experiencing reduced catches and smaller fish sizes. Local knowledge from fishermen and fishmongers highlights the impact of semi-industrial fishing practices on marine ecosystems.
Scientists at the University of Gothenburg have discovered four new species of daisies in South Africa using advanced DNA sequencing techniques. The discovery highlights the importance of integrating traditional observations with modern genetic analysis to better understand plant relationships and biodiversity.
A recent assessment has classified almost 1 in 3 Atlantic reef-building coral species as Critically Endangered due to the combined effects of climate change and other environmental factors. This increased threat level highlights the urgent need for conservation efforts to protect these vital ecosystems.
An international team of researchers has confirmed the location of the oldest ochre mine in the world, dating back around 48,000 years. Ochre was found to have spread from the mine to nearby areas, revealing ancient extraction and transport networks.
Large-scale declines in African elephant populations have been confirmed over 53 years of survey data. Forest elephant populations decreased by 90%, while savanna elephant populations fell by 70%. The study, published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, provides a comprehensive assessment of African elephants and highli...
The book uses a 'history from below' approach to center the voices of petitioners, revealing how they framed their demands using language like justice, rights, and equity. Through over 4,000 petitions, Dr. Bright Alozie shows the significance of this genre in shaping colonial society and influencing decision-making.
A study published in Environmental Communication found that social media can harness public awareness and engagement to support wildlife conservation. The caracal, a small wild cat native to Africa, has gained popularity on Facebook and Instagram, leading to increased support for its conservation.
A new study published in The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health found that children living in areas with a high burden of tuberculosis have a consistently high annual risk of developing TB infection throughout childhood. By age 10, over 10% of children developed TB disease.
International oncology experts have gathered in Accra, Ghana to update cancer treatment recommendations for Sub-Saharan Africa. The NCCN Harmonized Guidelines provide context-appropriate, evidence-based care strategies tailored to the region's unique challenges.
Researchers found recurrent severe droughts and erratic wet conditions in the Greater Mara-Serengeti ecosystem, with a 5 degree C temperature rise over six decades. The study highlights the importance of understanding regional climate trends to predict future climate conditions and mitigate their impact on wildlife populations.
Researchers analyzed 17 cases of land degradation reversal across 13 African countries, finding that strong social arrangements and aligned incentives are key to success. Successful interventions often involve local coalitions, external support, and long-term resilience.
A research team, led by Francesco Ferretti, located signs of white sharks at four sites in the Sicilian Channel, a stronghold of the endangered species. The team used improved methods and technologies, including eDNA sampling and camera traps, to detect the presence of the sharks.
A study from Queen Mary University of London reveals that nearly half of African pupils with asthma symptoms have undiagnosed cases, highlighting the need for better access to diagnosis and treatment. The research found that only a small percentage of diagnosed pupils were using medication effectively.
A €1.3 million consortium aims to rapidly deploy technology and develop new knowledge to end the Mpox outbreak in DRC and surrounding countries. The project will expand a trial exploring Mpox vaccination effectiveness in additional African countries.
A new clinical trial has found that the mpox vaccine is safe and generates an immune response equivalent to adults, providing hope for adolescents affected by the virus. The study's interim results were presented at IDWeek2024 conference in Los Angeles.
A genetics study suggests that bonobos have three distinct populations, each with unique genetic patterns. The research highlights the need for conservation efforts to protect these groups and ensure the species' survival.
Wildlife rangers from the Uganda Wildlife Authority successfully monitored lion populations in the Murchison Falls Nile Delta, estimating a density of 13.91 lions per 100 km². The study highlights the cost-effectiveness and value of rangers' skills in conservation efforts.
Researchers analyzed compacted hairs from Tsavo lion museum specimens to find that historic lions preyed on humans, giraffes, wildebeests and oryx. The study provides insights into the ecology and diet of lions in the past and potential human-lion conflicts in Africa.
Researchers identified three genetic regions strongly associated with increased prostate incidence in a diverse group of African men. The study, the largest of its kind in Africa, may lead to new treatment possibilities and refined screening methods.
The painting in the La Belle France cave is believed to be the world's oldest known piece of paleo-art depicting an extinct mammal-like reptile called a dicynodont. The San people were engaging in palaeontology long before Western scientists, and their artwork provides compelling evidence of this.
A new study reveals that green education can nurture a generation of eco-leaders to tackle climate change and environmental issues in the Middle East and North Africa. The study recommends integrating sustainability into national curricula, providing sustainable funding for education initiatives, and monitoring evaluation systems.
A new study reveals that bais, vast treeless clearings in the Congo Basin, are home to numerous endangered species, including Western lowland gorillas and African forest elephants. The researchers found over 2,000 distinct bais, covering less than 0.2% of the national park's landscape.
A study links droughts in Southern Africa to a massive plankton bloom off Madagascar's southeast coast. Climate warming intensified the dust particles carried by wind, which acted as fertilizer in seawater, creating ideal conditions for phytoplankton growth.
A new study shows that belonging to age-based groups affects finances and health, with kin-based societies experiencing significant improvements in child nutrition. Researchers analyzed cash transfer programs in East Africa, finding that pension payments to seniors reduced malnourishment by 5.5% in kin-based households.
A recent study has uncovered a previously unknown farming society in Morocco, dating back to the Final Neolithic period. The site of Oued Beht reveals extensive evidence of large-scale agriculture and deep storage pits, providing significant insights into the role of North Africa in shaping Mediterranean prehistory. This discovery chal...
A new study has identified key factors to build food resilience in Sub-Saharan Africa, including diversifying suppliers, empowering local farmers, and promoting sustainable practices. The proposed blueprint aims to enhance self-sufficiency and reduce reliance on external sources.
Researchers analyzed ancient genomes from the Oakhurst rock shelter in southern Africa, finding that the oldest genomes are genetically similar to San and Khoekhoe groups living today. The study reveals a long history of relative genetic stability until around 1,200 years ago when newcomers introduced new cultures and languages.
A recent clinical trial found that an IV iron treatment called ferric carboxymaltose works faster and better than oral iron tablets in treating anaemia during pregnancy. The study showed improved haemoglobin levels and iron correction with the IV treatment, with comparable side effects.
A study published in PLOS ONE suggests that South African rock art from the 19th century may be inspired by an extinct species of tusked animal called a dicynodont. The artwork, created by the San people, features a long-bodied animal with downward-turned tusks that is comparable to fossilized remains found in the region.
The NIH has released an update on its priorities for mpox research, focusing on understanding the virus's transmission, vaccine development, and treatments. The agenda aims to improve detection and prevention strategies for the disease, which is most severe in people with compromised immune systems.
A recent study presented at the Future of Dementia in Africa conference reveals genetic differences between African and Caucasian populations with Alzheimer's disease. The findings suggest that a lack of diversity in genomic studies may limit the effectiveness of targeted therapies across diverse populations.
A study published in Nature Medicine reveals a correlation between high temperatures in the final week of pregnancy and an increased risk of stillbirth and early neonatal mortality. High temperatures were associated with a 34% higher risk of perinatal death, which doubled during the six hottest months of the year.
A novel low-dose 3-in-1 blood pressure pill (GMRx2) significantly reduces blood pressure in patients with uncontrolled hypertension. After six months treatment, the GMRx2 group achieved a 5.8mmHg lower systolic blood pressure compared to standard care.
A study published in PLOS Global Public Health finds that slow growth in health sector spending is projected in Sub-Saharan Africa until 2050. The decline is driven by tepid growth in government spending and reductions in development assistance for health.
A new study suggests treating all children under 5 with azithromycin in Africa can significantly reduce child mortality. Treating older kids protects younger children from respiratory and lethal infections.
Research reveals that deforestation in Africa's montane forests has induced a higher warming and cloud level rise than climate change alone, leading to decreased water supply. The study found that air temperature increased by 1.4°C and cloud levels rose by 230 meters over the last 20 years.
A study examining tecovirimat's effectiveness on mpox in the DRC found the drug safe but showed no significant impact on lesion duration. The trial, sponsored by the NIH and co-led with the DRC, resulted in lower mortality rates among participants compared to reported cases.