Articles tagged with Africa
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Researchers have found a virus in South African bats that is genetically more closely related to MERS-CoV than any other known virus. This discovery suggests that African bats may play a role in the evolution of MERS-CoV predecessor viruses, potentially leading to human infection through intermediate hosts such as camels.
The study warns that current hunting trends in Central African forests could lead to complete ecological collapse. The authors emphasize the need for sustainable hunting management plans to avoid an environmental catastrophe. Protecting megafauna like elephants and apex predators is crucial to maintaining intact ecosystems.
A study by the University of Edinburgh reveals that deforestation in south-central Africa is driven by population growth and agriculture demands. Sustainable fuel alternatives and reduced burning practices can mitigate this loss, while forest cover north of the Congo basin shows a contradictory trend.
A new study warns that climate change will significantly reduce water flows in the Volta River Basin, depriving countries of water needed to drive turbines and feed farms. The Volta Basin is expected to face severe water shortages by 2100, posing major challenges for agriculture and food security.
A study by Wildlife Conservation Society establishes a conservation roadmap for Tanzania's 27 primate species, identifying priority areas for protection. The most vulnerable species, including the kipunji and Zanzibar red colobus, require adequate protection to prevent extinction.
The IFAD-ICRAF Programme will develop and scale up pro-poor, sustainable biofuel production models in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. It aims to create energy, food security, livelihood, and income-generating opportunities for poor households.
The study identifies regions with severe climate impact changes in various sectors, including water availability in the Mediterranean. It reveals that locations with strong model agreement are more reliable hotspots than those identified by a single projection, highlighting the need for risk management.
The practice of carrying loads on the head has significant biomechanical, maternal, and psycho-social impacts. Load-carrying is linked to poor school attendance and time budgets for women, affecting gender relations.
A 250-million-year-old burrow in South Africa's Karoo Basin has yielded a remarkable discovery: an injured amphibian, Broomistega, and its aestivating therapsid companion, Thrinaxodon. The fossilized remains suggest that short periods of dormancy and burrowing behavior helped mammal ancestors survive the Permo-Triassic extinction event.
The study found that intimate partners were responsible for 38.6% of all female murders and 13.5% of all homicides globally. The rates varied widely across regions, with southeast Asia having the highest rates of murder of women by intimate partners.
Researchers link climate changes to bursts of technological innovation and population growth in sub-Saharan Africa. The study suggests that sudden climate shifts led to the emergence of modern human culture, symbol expression, and agriculture.
A survey of adult South African men found that approximately one in 20 reported consensual sex with a man, while one in ten reported being sexually assaulted by another man. The study highlights the need for targeted HIV prevention messages and addressing male-on-male sexual violence.
A new statistical analysis projects the world population could reach nearly 11 billion by 2100, driven by fertility in Africa. The current African population is expected to nearly quadruple to 4.2 billion by 2100, with Nigeria experiencing the largest increase.
A UGA study found that despite varied legislations, outcomes were similar across four African countries. Poorly done consultations often led to displacement of indigenous communities and loss of livelihoods.
A new study by the University of Colorado Boulder suggests that some hominids added grasses or sedges to their diets around 3.5 million years ago, marking a significant change in their survival and evolution. This shift likely contributed to the emergence of human-like species.
Dozens of agricultural fires in central Africa were detected using NASA's MODIS satellite, highlighting the widespread use of slash-and-burn agriculture methods. These practices threaten biodiversity and air quality, producing smoke that can lead to deforestation and erosion.
A new study links rapid climate change in South Africa to surges in cultural innovation among early modern humans, with evidence of symbols and personal adornments. The research suggests that population growth fueled cultural changes through increased human interactions.
Researchers have found evidence of the 'Bd' fungus among African Clawed Frogs in the US, which has led to the decline or extinction of 200 frog species worldwide. The study suggests that these frogs may be responsible for introducing a devastating disease to amphibians in the US.
Researchers found that the banded mongoose in Botswana carries Leptospira interrogans, the pathogen that causes leptospirosis. The study highlights the widespread but neglected disease as a significant public health risk in Africa.
A recent study suggests that empowering women farmers with knowledge of improved agricultural practices and modern storage methods can significantly increase food security in Sub-Saharan Africa. This approach has been shown to reduce poverty and post-harvest losses, leading to a more stable food supply.
Researchers found that older Africans face significant functional limitations, with women expected to spend 58% of their remaining life with limitations. Investing in health could boost economic growth by enabling older people to contribute to rural agriculture.
The Cassava Brown Streak Disease has been identified as the most serious threat among various cassava viruses, with outbreaks reported in several countries including the Democratic Republic of Congo and Angola. The disease is caused by a highly infectious virus that can claim 100% of a farmer's harvest without their knowledge.
The AfriCoLeish project aims to test new treatments for kala-azar and co-infection with HIV in Ethiopia and Sudan, providing a shorter combination treatment option. The project will also determine appropriate treatment strategies for co-infected patients to prevent relapses.
A mathematical model developed by Yale researchers predicts that combining multiple interventions could prevent up to two-thirds of future HIV infections and reduce prevalence from 19% to 10% in 10 years. The study suggests increasing male circumcision, more frequent screening, and antiretroviral therapy as the most effective strategies.
Randall White, a renowned volcano seismologist, has been recognized by the Seismological Society of America (SSA) for his dedication to public service and seismic forecasting. He has saved countless lives through his work in predicting volcanic eruptions, sharing his techniques with international partners.
Researchers analyze fossilized teeth of Australopithecus sediba and find it shares common dental traits with early humans. The study suggests that sediba is a close relative to humans, but its position in human evolution remains uncertain.
A new study published in PLOS ONE reveals unique social interactions among great white sharks while scavenging on dead whales in South Africa. The team observed 40 different sharks feeding on a carcass over a single day, suggesting that shark populations may rely on scavenging to supplement their regular feeding activities.
The study reveals a severe decline in African forest elephant populations due to poaching and habitat loss. The findings highlight the urgent need for a coordinated global effort to protect this critically endangered species.
Fossil finds in Africa have shed light on the evolutionary past of penguins, revealing that four species coexisted on the continent five million years ago. Rising and falling sea levels are believed to be responsible for the decline of African penguin diversity.
The Third Global Forum on TB Vaccines brings together researchers and stakeholders to review progress and discuss strategies to advance the field. New research suggests that novel vaccines for adolescents and adults could significantly reduce TB cases and deaths in high-burden countries by 2050.
African experts argue that immunization systems are failing due to issues with vaccine supply, financing, and sustainability. The authors call for strengthened programs to address regional and country-specific problems and develop precise strategies to overcome challenges.
A new study reveals that male lions use dense savanna vegetation to hunt prey successfully, often ambushing them from behind vegetation. The findings suggest that changes to vegetation structure could impact the balance of predators and prey.
A new study by Michigan State University found that young people with epilepsy experienced significant reductions in stigmatization after participating in regular peer support groups. The research, published in Epilepsy and Behavior, suggests a potential solution to the debilitating stigma surrounding epilepsy in developing countries.
A study projects that over 230 million women worldwide will have an unmet need for modern contraceptive methods by 2015. Global contraceptive prevalence has increased from 55% in 1990 to 63% in 2010, while unmet need for family planning decreased from 15% to 12% during the same period.
Conservationists and representatives from Ethiopia, Kenya, and Uganda have joined forces to highlight the plight of threatened wild cheetahs due to the illegal pet trade. The CITES Conference of the Parties has accepted a proposal for a study on the cheetah trade, which could impact the survival of cheetah populations in Africa.
A new study from NIMBioS found that using insecticide-treated bed nets can positively affect malaria's reproduction number, leading to potential elimination. The use of ITNs could reduce the transmission of malaria by reducing mosquito density and lifespan.
A new cryptic spider species, Copa kei, has been described in southeastern South Africa, highlighting the region's biodiversity and ecological flexibility. The species exhibits extreme habitat adaptability, contrasting with its close relative C. flavoplumosa, which occupies a wider range of habitats.
A new report by Panthera suggests that fencing and conflict mitigation initiatives are necessary to conserve lion populations in Africa. The study found that unfenced habitats lead to higher costs and lower lion population densities, highlighting the severity of the lion conservation crisis.
The Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors 2010 Study reveals surprising health trends around the world, including rising life expectancy but increasing sickness and disability. The study provides detailed findings on demographics, disease, and disability in 187 countries.
A new CAMH study shows that alcohol is the third leading cause of disease and injury worldwide, with vast differences in drinking patterns across regions. The research found that North Americans and Canadians drink significantly more than the global average, with a detrimental drinking pattern characterized by bingeing.
Conservationists confirm a staggering 62% loss of African forest elephants over the past decade due to poaching. The species' survival is threatened by human density, infrastructure development, and poor governance.
A study published in BioMed Central's Investigative Genetics journal found that over 80% of game meat samples in South Africa were mislabeled, with some species being substituted almost entirely. The labelling error has implications for animal safety and cultural/religious practices.
Leading environmental scientists propose a highly regulated legal trade in rhino horn to conserve Africa's remaining rhinos. The plan, published in the journal Science, could meet global demand for horn by humanely shaving horns of live rhinos or animals dying of natural causes.
The large-scale antiretroviral treatment (ART) program in rural South Africa has led to a rapid and dramatic increase in population adult life expectancy, with gains observed in both men and women. The benefit of providing ART far outweighs the cost, with a cost-effectiveness ratio of $1593 per life year saved.
A University of Missouri researcher found that receiving pensions improves health perceptions in older men and women, with women reporting better well-being initially. However, after five years, men's well-being improved before declining, while women's benefits persisted.
A study published in PLOS Medicine found that age-related macular degeneration is prevalent in Kenya, causing visual impairment and blindness. The condition was detected in 12.4% of the population aged over 50, with advanced stages found in 1.2%.
Researchers found that hourly temperature data provides a more accurate estimate of malaria parasite development rate than mean monthly temperatures. This approach has implications for understanding and predicting malaria transmission risk in different climates and regions.
Researchers at World Agroforestry Centre developed nomographs to map out fire behavior, pinpointing optimal conditions for early-season prescribed fires. These controlled burns reduce the risk of late dry season bushfires, exacerbated by climate change.
A review and meta-analysis found that 3 or more doses of intermittent preventive therapy during pregnancy with sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine were associated with higher birth weights and lower risk of low birth weight. The researchers also noted that increasing resistance to the drug may require more frequent dosing.
International researchers argue that mobile health technology needs more evidence to support its widespread use in healthcare. The authors highlight the need for innovative research designs and standardized features to inform the scale-up of mHealth interventions.
A team at Vienna University of Veterinary Medicine found the same strain of Usutu virus in dead blackbirds in Italy in 1996 as in Austria's cases. This suggests the virus was present in Italy before reaching Europe, and forensic pathology can help unravel origins of emerging diseases.
A new study tracks vulture movements, revealing they often avoid national parks to scavenge on private farmland, risking exposure to poisonous veterinary drugs. This behavior poses a significant threat to the endangered white-backed vulture species in Africa and India.
The article discusses various geological topics, including the flatness of Earth, chemical weathering, and the distribution of radiogenic lead in zircons. The findings show that mountains do not play a significant role in 'carbon drawdown' effect and challenge previous studies.
A study of white-backed vulture movements across southern Africa reveals they prefer to forage on private farmland, risking exposure to poisonous veterinary drugs. The birds travel long distances to find food, with some individuals crossing multiple country borders in search of sustenance.
A large-scale study reveals that parasites and inadequate prenatal care contribute significantly to epilepsy prevalence in sub-Saharan Africa. The research found that adults with parasitic infections were 1.5-3 times more likely to have epilepsy than those without exposure.
Researchers at the University of Witwatersrand and University of Johannesburg have discovered a new species of ancient fox, Vulpes Skinneri, from the Malapa site. The fossils, which date back two million years, show distinct differences from existing fox species and provide insight into the evolution of modern African mammals.
Researchers studied paleoclimate data to understand historical patterns of aridity in Eastern Africa, revealing a clear pattern of dry and wet periods. Climate model simulations showed that sea surface temperatures in the Indian Ocean drive rainfall variations in East Africa.
Researchers found divergent mtDNA lineages in Bantu-speaking groups from Zambia, which were incorporated into their genepool through intermarriage with indigenous Khoisan women. These relic lineages demonstrate that Khoisan peoples survived until the present day despite the extinction of their source populations.
Researchers warn of bleak outlook for savanna fuelwood supplies in Africa, with potential exhaustion in 13 years. To avoid this, reducing fuelwood use by 15% annually is proposed until only 20% of households rely on it.
The African Partnership for Chronic Disease Research will collect detailed health and disease information from over 24,000 individuals across 10 countries. This will provide a unique framework for researchers in these countries and enable the development of long-term strategies for disease control and management.