Science and research news from Africa. Covers Congo Basin wildlife, maternity care, malaria resurgence, and drug-resistant parasites.
A new program combines NASA's LabNotes and FieldNotes technologies with the mFarms platform to provide relevant satellite data to African farmers and distributors. This collaboration aims to improve crop health, reduce food insecurity, and enhance agricultural productivity in sub-Saharan Africa.
The loss of large wildlife has been directly correlated with a significant increase in rodents and zoonotic diseases dangerous to humans. The study suggests that conservation efforts could help mitigate the problem of rodent-borne diseases.
Research found that pregnant immigrants from Sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America, and Caribbean islands are at higher risk of preeclampsia and eclampsia compared to women from other regions. Obstetricians should consider these pregnancies as high-risk and provide enhanced surveillance and culturally sensitive care.
Researchers found East African honeybees resistant to invasive parasites, but preliminary data suggests habitat loss and drought may be major factors driving colony declines. The study recommends protecting nesting habitats and native flowering plants to maintain healthy bee populations.
A Dartmouth-led study found that air temperature drove the expansion and contraction of glaciers in Africa's Rwenzori Mountains at the height of the last ice age. The research suggests that tropical glaciers are rapidly shrinking due to warming climate, not declining snowfall or other factors.
A new study found that children treated at private clinics in sub-Saharan Africa are less likely to receive life-saving oral rehydration therapy, while poorer and rural children face significant disparities in care. The research estimates that closing the gap in care could save up to 20,000 lives annually.
A new diagnostic tool has been developed to identify children with emotional behavior disorders, including those orphaned by HIV/AIDS. The study found that poverty may wash out any effects of AIDS on the children's mental health, and that community-based organizations need training to respond to their needs.
Two new species of weakly electric fishes, Petrocephalus boboto and Petrocephalus arnegardi, have been discovered in the Congo River basin. The species were named after words meaning peace and fellowship in Lingala language, reflecting the authors' hope for peace in troubled Central Africa.
The study found that rural households in areas with low access to improved water and sanitation are more likely to lack these basic services. Geographical mapping reveals substantial levels of inequality in access to improved drinking-water supplies and sanitation across sub-Saharan Africa.
Global health funding reached an all-time high of $31.3 billion in 2013, driven by increased support for maternal and child health. Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) continue to receive relatively little development assistance, despite being a major burden in the developing world.
A study published in Current Biology found that lactase persistence variants were at medium frequencies among the Khoe people, but very low or absent among San hunter-gatherers. The research suggests that pastoralist practices were brought to southern Africa by a small group of migrants from eastern Africa.
Scientists from Museum für Naturkunde Berlin use genetic data and sound analysis to determine the taxonomic status of two West African treefrog species. They found that two previously considered a single species actually belong to two distinct species, one large and one small, with different call characteristics.
Researchers have discovered a magnetic anomaly deep within the Earth's crust that suggests a significant portion of what is now Africa was left behind in the American southeast when Pangea broke up. This finding challenges existing theories on continental rifting and the break-up of supercontinents.
A data-driven approach has been developed to maximize the effectiveness of limited enforcement resources in protecting Africa's threatened wildlife. The method uses spatial planning software to identify weaknesses in current efforts and redirect patrols to increase deterrence, with a potential cost reduction of up to 63%.
A new £1.1 million grant will support research on vulnerability and adaptation in semi-arid regions of East Africa, focusing on the impact of more frequent droughts on livestock and agriculture. The project aims to develop strategies for communities to adapt to climate change by mid-century.
African wildlife faces devastating effects from pesticide use, with a new study uncovering widespread killing of species. The research calls for regional centers to identify hotspots and promote chemical testing, education, and public engagement to combat poisoning.
Scientists have discovered fossils of elapid snakes, including cobras and sea snakes, in Africa dating back to 25 million years ago. The findings suggest that seasonal habitats may have given rise to active hunters earlier than previously reported.
Agroforestry is key to increasing food production in Africa by replenishing soils, improving biodiversity, and conserving natural resources. By adopting sustainable agricultural intensification techniques, farmers can meet the growing population's needs without degrading the environment.
Crop intensification through agroforestry can improve soil fertility, biodiversity, and water quality, increasing food production in Africa. By reducing reliance on chemical fertilizers, farmers can maintain nutrient cycling, organic matter build-up, and ecosystem resilience.
South African and French scientists have dated the nearly complete skeleton of Little Foot to around 3 million years old, refuting previous claims of a younger age. The study analyzed stratigraphy, micro-stratigraphy, and geochemistry to determine the age of the fossil.
Researchers found strong evidence of recent positive selection for lactase persistence in African populations, likely due to pastoralism. Three new genetic variants associated with the trait were identified, as well as two previously known SNPs, suggesting a link between cattle domestication and milk consumption.
A recent study identified genetic factors associated with lactase persistence in African populations, which became more prevalent after cattle domestication in Africa. Individuals retaining high levels of lactase enzyme allow them to digest milk sugars in adulthood.
African smallholder farmers can benefit from agroforestry practices to increase storage of carbon, enhance agricultural productivity, and improve resilience to climate change impacts. Agroforestry is a win-win solution that addresses both mitigation and adaptation needs in food-focused production systems.
Researchers found a clear signal of climate change's impact on malaria, with cases shifting to higher elevations in warmer years and back down in cooler years. Climate warming is expected to increase malaria cases in tropical highland areas, particularly in Africa and South America.
Researchers investigated the break-up of supercontinent Gondwana, finding that a nearly orthogonal West African rift was stopped by an opposing Equatorial Atlantic rift, preventing the formation of a Saharan Atlantic Ocean. This study highlights the importance of rift orientation and extension direction in shaping Africa's margin.
A study found that harvested rainwater frequently contains pathogens like Legionella, Klebsiella, and Yersinia, posing a significant public health hazard, especially for vulnerable populations. The research highlights the need for pretreatment of rainwater before consumption or use in households.
A new study by Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health found that eliminating maternal mortality worldwide would result in a gain of over 0.6 years in life expectancy. This improvement is significant, as it would take place during the most productive ages of human life, carrying non-trivial socio-economic implications.
Scientists have disproven the assumption that tropical cyclone numbers are increasing due to global warming, and instead found they are shifting southward. Late-season frost is also not receding as quickly as flowering, threatening food security.
A Penn-led study found Plasmodium vivax's origin in wild-living apes in central Africa, overturning the dogma that it originated in Asia. The parasite infects both gorillas and chimpanzees, with ape P. vivax exhibiting infection rates consistent with stable transmission within wild communities.
A study by Royal Holloway University found that younger people, men, and childless individuals are more prone to abandoning HIV treatment in South Africa. This can lead to the spread of the disease, putting not only their own lives at risk but also those of others.
Articles explore geological processes such as erosion, deposition, and sedimentation, shedding light on catastrophic outburst floods and sediment routing systems. New findings from the Eocene Escanilla Formation and the Ohanapecosh Formation provide insights into facies architecture and sediment grain size variation.
A recent study published in The Lancet found that over half of the population in countries endemic for malaria continues to live in areas of moderate to intense transmission, with infection rates over 10%. Despite progress made between 2000-2010, the number of people living in high-risk areas fell only by 16%.
Substantial reductions in malaria transmission have been achieved across most of Africa, but 57% of the population still live in areas of moderate-to-high transmission intensity. High population growth rates and emerging resistance to insecticides threaten progress.
A study by World Health Organization found that keeping vaccines at ambient temperatures during campaigns could cut storage and transportation costs in half. The approach significantly reduces the workloads of health workers and extends vaccines to remote areas without access to electricity.
A recent study reveals that bottle gourds originated from Africa and were likely domesticated multiple times in the New World. The research found that modern bottle gourd samples from the Americas matched African genetic profiles, supporting the idea that gourds floated across the Atlantic Ocean frequently.
Recent research in biological anthropology explores how global environmental variations shape human health and biology. The studies examine the effects of diet, energy dynamics, and chronic inflammation on human reproduction, nutrition, and disease prevalence.
African experts will share updates on disease-resistant crops, genetic technologies, and youth empowerment in agriculture. The session aims to nurture the growth of bioscience revolution in Africa's smallholder farming sector.
Hoosen Coovadia, a South African pediatrician and research scientist, has been recognized for his unwavering commitment to sound science guiding public policy. He was awarded the 2013 AAAS Scientific Freedom and Responsibility Award for defying government opposition on HIV/AIDS issues.
New data shows a continued decline of African forest elephants, with 65% lost between 2002 and 2013. The poaching rate is alarming, with 9% per year, resulting in over 96 elephants killed daily.
A WCS-led satellite tracking study found humpback whales share breeding waters with offshore oil rigs, major shipping routes, and toxicants off the coast of western Africa. The researchers identified new parts of the whales' breeding range and migratory routes to sub-Antarctic feeding grounds.
Fossilized jawbones and teeth from northern Egypt confirm the existence of a primitive lineage of bats, which eventually spread to South America. The discovery sheds light on the evolutionary history of sucker-footed bats, which roost head-up using wet adhesion.
A study conducted by the World Health Organisation found that South Africa has the highest rate of high blood pressure among people aged 50 and over. The condition affects a staggering 78% of those tested, with only 8% having their condition under control.
A new study from South Africa reveals that genetically modified maize has a comparable diversity of insects to conventional crops. The research collected over 8,700 arthropod individuals and found no significant differences in abundance or diversity across different functional groups.
Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania conducted a large-scale HIV intervention project in South Africa, involving nearly 1,200 individuals. The program showed significant improvements in condom use and reductions in unprotected sex among men, with participants reporting increased discussions about safe sex and condom use.
A study in South Africa found that nearly half of XDR-TB patients discharged into the community were treatment failures, posing a significant risk to public health. The study also revealed that these patients could survive for months or even years, allowing them to infect others.
The West African lion is facing extinction, with only an estimated 250 adult lions remaining due to habitat loss and human-lion conflict. Conservation efforts are urgent as losing this unique population would result in the loss of a locally adapted species found nowhere else.
A study found that African vultures focus on areas with high prey mortality, rather than abundance, to locate food sources. Vultures travel vast distances throughout the year in search of food, covering regions larger than New Jersey and New York State combined.
A recent study by a MU researcher found that human occupation of an area may not contribute to population decline of endangered species. The study discovered a resident population of African forest elephants in an unprotected region, highlighting the importance of this habitat for conservation efforts.
After landing in South America, monkeys forged their own niches, evolved new forms, and spread to Caribbean and Patagonia. The study reveals how primate migration and evolution in the Americas were influenced by ancient climates, geology, and geography.
A new study by Aarhus University reveals the optimal locations for carbon-stocking projects in Africa, prioritizing regions with high carbon potential, biodiversity conservation, and feasibility. The research identifies areas such as the Upper Guinean rainforests of West Africa and the Lower Guinean rainforests along the coast of Niger...
A new study analyzed the diet and digestion of cows, chickens, and pigs to determine their impact on climate change. The research found that animal diets vary greatly depending on the region, with some animals requiring more food to produce a kilo of protein than others.
A new study found that antiretroviral therapy has saved 2.8 million years of life in South Africa since 2004, with projections of an additional 15.1 million years saved by 2030. Aggressive HIV testing and treatment strategies could further increase these benefits.
A large-scale study found that government grants in South Africa significantly reduce the risk of sugar daddy relationships among teenage girls, which is a major cause of HIV infection. The study suggests that providing financial security to girls through child support grants can empower them to make safer choices.
A recent study published in PLOS Medicine found that new guidelines for starting anti-AIDS drugs in young children may increase treatment access, but do not significantly impact mortality rates. The study analyzed data from over 3000 children with HIV and found that deferring treatment until CD4 counts and percentages fell below certai...
Researchers have found that a population of fruit bats covering central Africa is infected with two deadly viruses. The African straw-coloured fruit bat was previously known to be a reservoir for these viruses, and its homogeneity and extensive movement make it easy for the viruses to spread.
A new study reveals a genetic mutation that makes certain people sensitive to bitter compounds appeared advantageous for African populations, with potential roles in immune response and metabolism. The research found strong correlations between specific gene variants and increased bitterness sensitivity in East Africans.
A study published in PLOS Medicine suggests that syphilis screening and treatment in pregnant women in sub-Saharan Africa could be a cost-effective use of resources, preventing up to 25,000 newborn deaths and 64,000 stillbirths each year. The intervention could also prevent 2.6 million DALYs annually.
Scientists at UC Riverside are using DNA marker-assisted breeding to accelerate the development of new cowpea varieties with desirable traits such as drought tolerance, pest resistance, and high yield. The research aims to improve crop yields in several African countries, supporting USAID's Feed the Future initiative.
The Xpert test improved same-day diagnosis and reduced treatment drop-out rates in a real-life clinical setting. However, it did not reduce the severity of TB-related illness or overall number of cases treated.
A new relative of the most widespread ant genus Paratrechina has been discovered in Africa, challenging previous understanding of its native range. The newly found species, P. zanjensis, is potentially specialized to miombo woodlands and may provide insights into the biology of Paratrechina longicornis.