Science and research news from Africa. Covers Congo Basin wildlife, maternity care, malaria resurgence, and drug-resistant parasites.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
A study published in Climatic Change reveals that global warming has increased monthly heat records by a factor of 5 worldwide. The researchers found that 80% of observed monthly records would not have occurred without human influence on climate, highlighting the urgent need for adaptation.
Invasive cervical cancer is a leading cause of death in women from Sub-Saharan Africa, where access to health services increases detection rates. A study found that HPV testing was most sensitive, but specificity was reduced compared to pap smears and visual inspection of the cervix.
A recent study published in PNAS found evidence of gene flow from India to Australia around 4,230 years ago, challenging the notion that Australia remained isolated between initial colonization and European arrival. This migration also shares a common origin with populations from New Guinea and the Philippines.
In Ethiopia, a study found that only 66% of patients with HIV disclosed their status to their spouse, while 17% disclosed to siblings and 16.8% to other relatives. The lack of disclosure hinders treatment and prevention efforts.
Research reveals that yeast species and fungal communities on grape surfaces can create differences in wine flavor even among grapes from the same vineyard. The study's findings suggest that viticulturalists and winemakers can plan microharvests better and implement more consistent wine blending strategies.
Researchers found that the environment transitioned rapidly between a closed woodland and an open grassland, triggering evolutionary changes. The team used lake sediments and biomarkers to reconstruct the types of vegetation present, revealing a correlation between environmental changes and planetary movement.
Researchers at the University of Florida have discovered nearly 50 new species of leaf-mining moths in the Congo, doubling the number previously known from the region. The moths have unusual survival strategies and some species can delay plant aging.
A study published in PLOS Medicine found that global infertility rates have remained steady since 1990, with 1.9% of women aged 20 unable to conceive and 10.5% of those who previously gave birth unable to have another child. The levels of infertility varied by region, with higher rates in North Africa and the Middle East.
Global life expectancy has increased by 11.1 years for men and 12.1 years for women since 1970. Notable gains in life expectancy have been observed in the Maldives, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Iran, and Peru. However, some countries, such as Haiti, Lesotho, Belarus, and Ukraine, have experienced significant declines due to various factors like...
A University of Alberta researcher's findings may rewrite the history of humanity's migration out of Africa. The study uncovered fossils, artifacts, and evidence of continuous human occupation in the region dating back at least 200,000 years.
The Global Burden of Disease Study 2010 reveals massive shifts in health trends worldwide, with people living longer but sicker. Chronic diseases and injuries are now the primary causes of death, driven by a growing global population.
A study from the University of Copenhagen found that a drought in the Horn of Africa led to a delayed arrival of European songbirds in northern Europe, causing them to stay longer in Africa. This delay resulted in a late breeding year, but researchers believe it may not have affected population size.
Researchers have discovered that African Homo sapiens developed significant technologies, including abstract art, jewellery, and bone tools, around 75,000 years ago. This breakthrough supports the idea that Africa was the birthplace of modern human behaviour and cognition.
A new study reveals lions have lost 75% of their original natural habitat in Africa, leading to devastating declines in lion populations across the continent. The research identifies only 67 isolated regions with significant lion populations, highlighting the urgent need for conservation efforts.
The study estimates that only 32,000 to 35,000 lions remain on the savannah, down from nearly 100,000 in 1960. The research identified 67 isolated areas of savannah with low human impacts and densities, but most are in West Africa, where lion populations have declined drastically.
A new study published in AIDS Journal found that HIV subtype distribution is strongly influenced by spatial accessibility and transportation networks in Africa. The research used advanced mapping techniques to assess the role of 'spatial connectivity' in the spread of HIV across sub-Saharan Africa.
Grand Challenges Canada awards $100,000 grants to innovators worldwide for bold ideas to tackle health problems in resource-poor countries. Researchers are developing new technologies, such as a high-tech wristband to monitor pregnant women's vital signs and a trading system that rewards vaccination with farm inputs.
Research suggests that the fine crafting of handaxes by Homo erectus/ergaster in the Lower Palaeolithic period was driven by a desire to prove trustworthiness rather than physical fitness. The 'trustworthy handaxe theory' proposes that attention to detail is about demonstrating emotional reliability and capacity for strong relationships.
The Vision for Change project aims to increase cocoa yields and improve farmer livelihoods through agroforestry practices, research on improved varieties, and market support. By leveraging private-public partnerships, Mars Inc. and ICRAF hope to scale up the initiative to millions of farmers across West Africa.
A rapid Xpert test for tuberculosis (TB) could reduce TB deaths and improve treatment outcomes in southern Africa. Implementing the test is expected to prevent an estimated 132,000 TB cases and 182,000 TB deaths over 10 years, but would increase health service costs by US$460 million.
A $243,000 NSF grant will help understand and quantify interactions between human conflict and natural systems in the Lake Victoria region. The project aims to improve regional fisheries management and sustain aquatic resources critical for local inhabitants.
Josiah Tlou, a renowned educator and international expert, has been named Distinguished Global Scholar by the National Council for the Social Studies. His contributions include developing social studies curricula in Malawi and promoting education through partnerships with USAID and UNICEF.
The MenAfriVac meningitis A vaccine has been approved for use outside the cold chain for up to four days, enabling expanded access to vaccination programs. The vaccine's heat stability has been validated through a rigorous review and pilot use in Benin, with promising results showing reduced disease burden and herd immunity.
An international advisory group argues that female genital surgeries are poorly understood and unfairly characterized, citing medical research and cultural complexities. The practice is often misconstrued as mutilation and a violation of human rights, but experts argue it's an aesthetic enhancement in many societies.
Kent Campbell, PATH's Malaria Control Program director, received the LePrince Medal for his work on controlling malaria in Africa. Through his leadership, more than one million child deaths have been prevented, and Zambia became the first country to achieve high coverage with malaria control tools.
Researchers identified trust as a crucial factor in the success or failure of agbiotech public-private partnerships. The study found that integrity, open communication, and accountability were essential components of trust in these partnerships, while a lack of transparency and poor performance can erode trust.
A new $2 million grant will support a pan-continental bioinformatics research network in Africa. The H3ABioNet project aims to aggregate and analyze large datasets, establish collaborations among preexisting centers, and train African students and scientists in bioinformatics.
Tropical Storm Murjan made landfall on October 25 in eastern Somalia, just south of Cape Guardafui. The storm's western half brought thunderstorms with cloud top temperatures as cold as -63F (-52C), potentially leading to heavy rainfall.
Researchers are exploring genetic differences to improve TB treatment outcomes in Sub-Saharan Africa. The study aims to identify genes that affect the effectiveness and reaction to anti-TB drugs, with potential benefits for patients with HIV/AIDS.
The report highlights poor road safety, traffic congestion, and air pollution in Africa, with urban populations expanding at unprecedented rates. It makes recommendations for sustainable transport policies based on five central principles to maximize accessibility and equity.
Meat from wild animals like antelope and rodents is increasingly important in African diets due to scarcity of traditional livestock. Researchers highlight the nutritional value of bushmeat, providing protein, calories, vitamins, and minerals.
Researchers discovered that migratory birds carrying ticks can transmit Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic fever to new areas in southern Europe. The study found one bird species, the woodchat shrike, was a carrier of virus-infected ticks.
A new Stanford analysis integrates genetic and anthropological data to provide a comprehensive understanding of human expansion out of Africa. The study reveals that this event had a significant impact on human genetic diversity, which persists in present-day populations.
A new study by the University of Colorado Boulder team analyzed extensive climate datasets and violent conflicts in East Africa, finding moderate increases in temperature reduce conflict risk slightly, while very hot temperatures increase it. Socioeconomic factors have a much greater impact on conflict risk than climate change.
Researchers discovered that beetles roll their dung balls to avoid overheating, and climb on top of them to regulate body temperature. This behavior is especially prevalent during the midday sun, with beetles climbing their balls seven times as often as those on cooler ground.