Science and research news from Africa. Covers Congo Basin wildlife, maternity care, malaria resurgence, and drug-resistant parasites.
Grandmothers Against Poverty and AIDS (GAPA) empowers grandmothers caring for HIV/AIDS-affected families with peer support, income-generating activities. Studies show GAPA members experience higher self-esteem and reduced poverty, stigma in their community.
A 12-year-long study by ICRAF reveals that combining legume trees with maize fields increases yield stability and reduces fertilizer use. This sustainable solution helps farmers cope with droughts and degraded soils, producing consistent and relatively high yields year after year.
A new report by Panthera reveals widespread illegal hunting and bushmeat trade in African savannas, posing significant ecological, economic, and social impacts. The report highlights the urgent need for greater efforts to address this issue, or risk losing valuable wildlife resources.
Researchers estimate that modern humans and Neandertals interbred around 37,000 to 86,000 years ago, with the most recent encounters occurring well after modern humans migrated outside of Africa. This suggests that Neandertals had children with the ancestors of present-day people outside of Africa.
A new species of plant-eating dwarf dinosaur, Pegomastax africanus, has been discovered in southern Africa. The species had a unique combination of features, including a short parrot-shaped beak and stabbing canines that were likely used for self-defense and competitive sparring.
A new study reveals the emergence and spread of invasive non-Typhoidal Salmonella disease in sub-Saharan Africa, which has a significant mortality rate of up to 45% in infected people. The disease is caused by a rapidly evolving form of Salmonella Typhimurium that acquired resistance to multiple front-line drugs.
The largest genomic study ever conducted among Khoe and San groups reveals that these groups from southern Africa are descendants of the earliest diversification event in human history. The research found evidence of local adaptation in different Khoe and San groups, as well as surprising stratification among the groups.
In Niger, child mortality rates dropped significantly between 1998 and 2009, with deaths per 1,000 live births decreasing from 226 to 128. The country's universal healthcare system and scale-up of insecticide-treated bed nets, vitamin A supplementation, and community-based treatment also contributed to the decline.
Researchers propose a new way to restore Africa's depleted soils through 'perenniation,' which combines food crops with trees and perennial plants, reducing the need for artificial inputs and improving soil health.
Despite negative stereotypes, religious groups in Africa promote medical solutions and provide care for those affected by HIV/AIDS. Many congregations actively engage both faith and biomedical approaches to address the epidemic.
A recent study suggests that funding agencies should focus on providing a stable blood supply in sub-Saharan Africa. The authors argue that current policies and practices are not suitable for the region's emergency blood transfusion needs. This could lead to long-term reliance on external funding, making services unaffordable.
The Lancet's new series on universal health coverage (UHC) examines its effects on population health, government involvement, and progress in low-income countries. UHC is recognized as a key concept for improving health and increasing societal resilience.
A UCLA study challenges the World Health Organization's approach to HIV prevention in South Africa, suggesting it could lead to millions developing drug-resistant strains and costing billions more than estimated. The researchers argue that providing treatment to those in need would be more effective and cost-efficient.
A UCLA study challenges the World Health Organization's approach to HIV prevention in South Africa, suggesting a 'test and treat' strategy could be more effective but costly. The researchers predict that treating the 1.6 million people who need treatment would be very effective as a form of 'treatment as prevention,' bringing the epide...
A hybrid chicken known as the Kuroiler is being introduced in rural Uganda to improve productivity and provide economic benefits to local families. The project aims to increase returns from family flocks and reduce poverty among hundreds of thousands of households.
A new collection of articles introduces methodological innovations for estimating child mortality, crucial for monitoring progress toward the MDG goal. The UN IGME's evidence-based estimates are necessary for planning national and global health strategies.
Dartmouth medical research has made a breakthrough in developing a new tuberculosis vaccine, DAR-901. The vaccine, produced by growing bacteria related to TB on agar plates and then inactivating them with heat, has shown a statistically significant reduction of 39% in the rate of tuberculosis among HIV-infected patients.
A special journal edition published by the University of Witwatersrand and the Palaeontological Scientific Trust (PAST) reveals groundbreaking findings on Homo habilis and its ecological pressures. The research, conducted over two decades at Olduvai Gorge in Tanzania, sheds new light on human evolution and technological development.
A new study published in The Lancet shows that nurse-centred care of HIV patients can be just as safe and effective as care delivered by doctors. The research found significant improvements in detection of tuberculosis, white blood cell count, weight, and treatment adherence.
A study by researchers at the University of Cambridge suggests that common ancestry, not hybridisation, better explains the average 1-4 per cent DNA shared between Eurasians and Neanderthals. Genetic evidence shows that Africans have almost none of the Neanderthal genome.
Babies born to obese mothers are at higher risk of complications and death, including admission to neonatal care, macrosomia, low Apgar score, and mortality. The study highlights the urgent need for research into the causes of death and strategies for educating women on maintaining a healthy weight during pregnancy.
Research tracking 259 elite rugby players found that those competing in tournaments across multiple time zones were twice to three times as likely to get ill as on their home turf. The study suggests various stressors such as pollution, temperature, and germs may be involved in the increased risk of illness.
Researchers analyzed fossil teeth to determine the dietary preferences of three groups of hominins in South Africa. The study found that Australopithecus had a more varied diet than early Homo, while Paranthropus had a primarily herbivorous-like diet
A mobile HIV-testing clinic integrated with active tuberculosis case finding in underserviced areas of Cape Town demonstrated high feasibility, yield, and treatment success. The study found that the service was well-received by HIV-negative individuals with symptoms suggestive of TB, as well as all HIV-positive individuals.
African farmers face devastating losses due to cassava brown streak disease. Researchers have made progress in developing virus-resistant cassava using RNA interference technology, pointing towards improved cassava productivity and economic growth for the region.
Michigan State University will lead a new global food security effort using a $7.3 million federal grant. The program aims to strengthen agricultural research institutions and train researchers in Africa and Asia, focusing on plant breeding, food science, and food security.
Researchers developed an online mapping tool analyzing how climate and other forces interact to threaten African community security. The tool ranks regions based on four sources of vulnerability, including physical exposure, population size, resilience, and governance effectiveness.
A global analysis of sleep problems found that 16.6% of adults in developing countries experience insomnia and other severe sleep disturbances, close to rates seen in developed nations. The study highlights a growing public health issue in low-income settings, particularly among older women.
A new report concludes that commercial 'wildlife encounter' operations promoting captive lion reintroduction do little to conserve African lions. Wild-born lions are better equipped for survival and release compared to captive-bred ones. These programs divert critical resources from projects addressing declining wild lion populations.
A recent study has pushed back the estimated emergence of the Later Stone Age in South Africa to approximately 44,000 to 42,000 years ago. This finding suggests that early humans inhabited the region during this time period, coinciding with the migration of modern humans from Africa to Europe around 45,000 years ago.
A team of international researchers has dated and directly analyzed organic artifacts from Border Cave in South Africa, revealing evidence of San material culture dating back 44,000 years. This finding pushes the timeline for the emergence of modern human culture earlier than previously thought.
A clinical study in Uganda found that adults with high CD4+ counts can work 30% more hours and have children with higher school enrollment rates compared to those with low CD4+ counts. Early HIV treatment may prevent economic decline, improve education outcomes, and maintain them at levels seen among HIV-negative peers.
A large clinical trial testing a vaginal ring containing dapivirine, a potent antiretroviral drug, is underway in Africa to evaluate its safety and effectiveness in preventing HIV transmission among women. The trial aims to enroll 3,500 women across several African countries.
A new combination of drugs to treat tuberculosis shows promise, killing over 99% of patients' TB bacteria within two weeks. The treatment could also be used for patients infected with drug-resistant forms of the disease.
A community health campaign in Uganda tested 4,343 people for HIV and offered testing, treatment, and prevention services for malaria, tuberculosis, diabetes, and hypertension. The campaign demonstrated the feasibility of rapid testing and linkage to care in resource-poor settings.
A new study assessing HIV drug resistance shows rising rates in some areas of Africa since antiretroviral therapy roll-out. The prevalence of drug resistance has increased significantly, mainly driven by non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTI) resistance in East and Southern Africa.
A new diagnostic tool has been found to significantly improve clinical practice among veterinary and animal health officers in Uganda. The tool, a low-cost decision support card, was introduced to 15 clinical participants and led to an increase in the number of clinical signs recorded, suggesting improved examination skills.
The ONR Rough Rhino system tracked over 600 vessels of interest during the recent AMLEP operation, culminating in 24 boardings by maritime security teams. The system provided a comprehensive maritime domain awareness picture for dark and light targets.
International experts warn of SA's unhealthy eating habits linked to big food corporations, urging gov action to make healthy foods more accessible and restrict high-calorie products. The authors suggest policy responses including public education and regulation of the industry.
Research funded by ESRC finds that Avon Representatives in South Africa earn enough to cover household expenditures, placing them in the top half of black females in their community. The study highlights the benefits of entrepreneurship training, financial autonomy, and self-confidence for women.
Researchers found striking similarities between Ethiopian and non-African genomes, suggesting a 3,000-year-old genetic exchange. This discovery supports the legend of the Queen of Sheba and her companions, providing insights into human evolution and cultural diversity.
Researchers reveal evidence of dairy farming in prehistoric Saharan Africa around 7,000 years ago, based on fatty acid analysis of ancient pottery. This finding confirms the early presence of domesticated cattle and milk in the region.
The Inclusive Wealth Index (IWI) assesses a country's wealth by including manufactured, human and natural capital, providing a more comprehensive picture of sustainability. The report reveals significant natural resource depletion in key economies, highlighting the need for a revised definition of wealth to secure future generations.
Research team studied genetic diversity of coelacanths in Africa, revealing low genetic diversity but specific patterns in certain regions. The study shows that coelacanths can continue to develop and adapt to new conditions despite their slow evolutionary rate.
Indiana University's Kelley School of Business is hosting 100 college students from across the Middle East and North Africa for a four-week program. The students will develop business plans, social entrepreneurship, nonprofit management, and other topics before competing in a team business plan competition upon their return home.
A new approach, seasonal malaria chemoprevention (SMC), has been found to have significant public health benefits if implemented in high-risk areas. Researchers estimate that up to 11 million malaria cases and 50,000 deaths could be prevented annually with full implementation.
The 37-million-year-old Afrasia fossil closely resembles Afrotarsius libycus, indicating that early anthropoids colonized Africa shortly before these animals lived. This discovery supports the idea that Asian anthropoids are the source of earliest human ancestors.
Researchers developed a program to screen and treat pregnant women for mental health disorders, achieving high uptake and acceptability rates. The model demonstrates the feasibility of stepped care approaches for primary healthcare settings.
A systematic review found high prevalence rates of malaria and STIs/RTIs among pregnant women in sub-Saharan Africa. The pooled prevalence estimates indicate that 32% of peripheral malaria and 25.8% placental malaria were present, while bacterial vaginosis affected 50.8% of the population.
The Office of Naval Research has launched an initiative to develop a web-based application, ICODE MDA, to enhance maritime domain awareness and combat piracy, drug smuggling, and other threats. The project partners with Chilean researchers to create software for automation, small-target detection, and intent detection.
A University of Iowa researcher has discovered a new species of crocodile, the largest known true crocodile, which lived between 2 and 4 million years ago in Kenya. The species, Crocodylus thorbjarnarsoni, is estimated to have measured up to 27 feet in length, making it significantly larger than the present-day Nile crocodile.
A new research published in The Lancet reveals that coordinated efforts across multiple sectors in Millennium Village sites in sub-Saharan Africa have led to a third reduction in child mortality rates under 5 years old. The study found that integrated interventions, including agricultural inputs and basic improvements in water and sani...
Researchers from Durham University found that the probability of fractures extending beyond 0.6 kilometers is exceptionally low, with only one per cent risk beyond 350 meters. This analysis has implications for setting minimum distance requirements for fracking operations to prevent contamination of groundwater.
Researchers at Aarhus University have discovered that climate change over millions of years shapes the composition of species assemblages in the tropics. The study reveals distinct differences in palm species diversity between South America and Africa, with South America boasting higher biodiversity due to its relatively stable climate.
A recent study found that infants in sub-Saharan Africa are at high risk of snail fever infection, which can cause impaired memory, thought, and internal organ damage. The study suggests that a common drug, praziquantel, can safely cure the infection in a single dose.
A global study presented at the World Congress of Cardiology reveals that patients with rheumatic heart disease are not receiving necessary surgery or secondary prevention treatments. In Africa and India, only 41% of patients enrolled had received surgery, highlighting a dire lack of surgical services available in most centers.
The study estimates the total volume of groundwater in Africa to be around 0.66 million km3, sufficient for hand pumps to supply drinking water in many populated areas. However, high-yielding boreholes are limited to specific regions, and a careful approach is needed to ensure successful development.
African-led initiative calls for increased research and advocacy on rectal microbicides to address the growing issue of unprotected anal intercourse in Africa, which is 10-20 times more likely to result in HIV infection than unprotected vaginal intercourse.
Researchers have found a partial foot skeleton that belongs to an early human ancestor, distinct from Lucy's species and Ardipithecus ramidus. The Burtele foot shows unique characteristics, including an opposable great toe, suggesting the presence of multiple hominin species during the late Pliocene era.
Researchers at the University of Toronto and Hebrew University have identified evidence of controlled fire use by human ancestors dating back to one million years ago. The findings, published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, suggest that Homo erectus may have begun using fire as part of their way of life.