Science and research news from Africa. Covers Congo Basin wildlife, maternity care, malaria resurgence, and drug-resistant parasites.
A new study reveals that a subspecies of grey wolf, previously thought to be a golden jackal, is actually a distinct species found in Africa. Genetic evidence confirms that the Egyptian jackal belongs to the grey wolf species complex.
In sub-Saharan Africa, an estimated 32 million pregnant women are at risk of malaria every year. Despite national policies to reduce and control malaria during pregnancy, coverage rates of two key interventions, insecticide-treated nets and intermittent preventive treatment, remain inadequate.
The study reveals that industrial and traditional fishing activities are putting the monk seal and Atlantic hump-backed dolphin at great danger due to over-exploitation of resources. The researchers call for stricter regulation and monitoring of fishing practices to protect these species.
A new nomogram developed by Matthias Egger and colleagues corrects mortality rate biases in HIV treatment programs, allowing for more accurate estimates of patients lost to follow-up. This method provides a valuable tool for programmatic mortality estimates, helping to keep the HIV treatment effort on track.
Researchers have found that seismic noise from storms in the South Atlantic Ocean and 'footquakes' from soccer matches can be detected by broadband seismometers. The discovery was made using cross-correlation analysis, which reveals a signal that varies with storm intensity.
Recent research reveals significant genetic differences between Asiatic and African cheetah populations, highlighting the need for targeted conservation efforts. The few remaining Asiatic cheetahs in Iran require urgent attention to prevent extinction.
A University of Liverpool-led consortium will analyse Streptococcus pneumoniae serotype 1, a major cause of invasive pneumococcal disease in Africa. The project aims to develop a protein-based vaccine enhancing or replacing current Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccines.
A University of Florida study using lice DNA sequencing found that modern humans started wearing clothes around 70,000 years before migrating into colder climates. The research suggests that clothing played a crucial role in human evolution and survival.
Archaeologists have found evidence of Homo sapiens in the Qesem Cave in Israel dating back to 400,000 years ago. The discovery challenges the long-held theory that modern man emerged from Africa 200,000 years ago and may indicate significant evolutionary changes in human behavior during this period.
African savanna and forest elephants are two separate species, differing in size and genetic diversity. The study used DNA analysis to prove their separation over millions of years, with implications for conservation efforts.
A comprehensive analysis of Africa's fossil rodents provides valuable insights into the continent's paleoecology and sheds light on human evolution. The study documents over 130 genera, underscoring the diversity of habitats in ancient Africa.
The Penn State researchers will implement HealthWise, a curriculum that teaches youth how to utilize their free time, and provides information on safe sexual practices. The program aims to reduce substance use, risky sexual behavior, and violence among South African youth.
Studies detail the successes of African entrepreneurs creating affordable technologies to address local diseases. Despite challenges, some organizations have cleared major hurdles to finance and commercialize their products, offering hope for improved health in sub-Saharan Africa.
African leaders are set to adopt a new strategy for transforming the continent's agriculture and economy. The plan calls for increased investment in modern technologies, infrastructure expansion, and improved education, with a focus on women's empowerment and rural prosperity.
A team of geologists discovered that an ancient wind brought life to the region and preserved the dead in South Africa's Soom Shale. The unique structures found in the shale layers suggest that fierce glacial winds carried nutrients into the surface waters, fuelling prolific life.
A University of Gothenburg study finds that China's plastic bag charging policy reduces consumption by half, with 60% still not complying. The ordinance allows store owners to price bags and keep profits, but competition remains fierce.
A Michigan State University study suggests that rotating corn with shrubby legume mixtures, such as pigeonpea, can increase nutrient-enriched grain productivity. This approach has the potential to enhance food and environmental security in Africa by reducing reliance on starchy cereals and expensive fertilizers.
A new citizen scientist initiative is expanding regional climate modeling efforts, exploring southern Africa, Europe, and the western US, using idle computers of thousands of volunteers. The project aims to fine-tune future climate models by comparing simulations with real data and analyzing changes over the past 50 years.
University of Alberta researchers found a mysterious link between an ancient African lizard and the Komodo dragon. The unique vertebrae shape suggests a shared ancestry, challenging prevailing theories about migration patterns.
A strong link has been found between depression and risky sexual behaviors in South African youth, with depressed individuals more likely to engage in transactional sex and experience relationship violence. Researchers recommend routine screening for depression to reduce HIV risk in the region.
The Aeras Global TB Vaccine Foundation has received an additional €11.7 million grant from the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs to develop new vaccines against tuberculosis.
Elsevier will donate 10% of its revenue to MSF for all subscriptions to MD Consult, purchased between Nov. 15 and Dec. 31, 2010. This campaign aims to provide medical assistance and support to people around the world affected by war, natural disasters, and other crises.
A Hebrew University-developed insect control method, applied in Mali, demonstrates a significant decline in malaria-bearing mosquitoes. The Attractive Toxic Sugar Bait Method (ATSB) significantly reduced mosquito populations and is considered a powerful tool for controlling malaria vectors.
The 'malaria map' has shrunk by over 150 years, with 32 countries nearing elimination and many more in controlled low-endemic states. The fight against malaria involves two main parasite species, <i>Plasmodium falciparum</i> and <i>Plasmodium vivax</i>, highlighting the need for improved diagnostic tests and radical treatment options.
Researchers used mathematical models and maps to estimate malaria elimination feasibility in countries with the deadliest form of the disease. The data suggest that Plasmodium falciparum malaria could be eliminated in most areas in 10-15 years if transmission is reduced by 90%.
Researchers have discovered the oldest evidence of pressure flaking in South Africa's Blombos Cave, pushing the origins of a skillful stone-tool-sharpening method back more than 50,000 years. The technique, used by anatomically modern humans, allows for precise control over tool shape and sharpness.
A new discovery in Libya's Dur At-Talah escarpment suggests that anthropoids colonized Africa from Asia, rather than evolving there. The site yields three distinct families of anthropoid primates that lived in North Africa around 39 million years ago.
Despite extensive research, fossil pollen from Central and West Africa provides no definitive evidence for communities of rainforest trees at the beginning of the Cenozoic. Paleobotanist Bonnie F. Jacobs and her colleagues have mapped out the limited fossil record, which consists of only 82 sites, most dating back to 50 million years ago.
The African Successes project identifies and analyzes African successes, focusing on economic and political improvements, transparency, and freedom of press. Researchers are studying successful initiatives such as an anti-malaria campaign in Zambia and a cellphone-based money transfer system in Kenya.
The study predicts that severe and prolonged droughts will affect much of the globe in the next 30 years, with dry conditions increasing substantially across Eurasia, Africa, Australia, and parts of North America. By the end of the century, densely populated regions may face extreme drought conditions.
The Water Efficient Maize for Africa (WEMA) varieties, developed through a public-private partnership, show promising results with preliminary evidence of 24-35 percent higher yields. The project aims to test transgenic maize in confined field trials to evaluate their potential in drought conditions.
The University of Illinois College of ACES will strengthen rural farmers' livelihoods by modernizing agricultural Extension systems in 20 poorest developing countries. The five-year project aims to transform these systems to increase farm incomes and improve rural poverty, using sustainable natural resource management practices.
Research found a decline in global evapotranspiration, a key component of the global climate system, over the past decade, mainly in the Southern Hemisphere. The shift coincided with reduced precipitation and increased drought stress on vegetation.
Global malaria funding has increased by 166% since 2007 but falls 60% short of the required $4.9 billion for comprehensive control in 2010. Meanwhile, 21 countries, including 12 in Africa, have received adequate or near-adequate funds to implement effective malaria interventions.
Researchers are exploring the cowpea's high protein content, drought resistance, and ability to infuse soils with nitrogen, making it a promising crop for Africa's food security. The conference highlights innovative approaches to breeding resilient varieties and using biotechnology to combat pests and diseases.
The ICIAM Collatz Prize recognizes individual scientists under 42 worldwide for outstanding research in industrial and applied mathematics, while the Lagrange Prize honors career-long contributions. Other notable prizes include the Maxwell, Pioneer, and Su Buchin Prizes.
The latest global under-5 mortality rates show significant declines in many regions, with reductions of at least 50% in most areas except sub-Saharan Africa, southern Asia, and Oceania. However, the planet is not on track to meet MDG4's goal of reducing child mortality by two-thirds between 1990 and 2015.
Scientists have discovered that Simian Immunodeficiency Virus (SIV), an ancestor of HIV, is thousands of years old, challenging previous estimates. The research suggests SIV may be even older than a million years and has implications for understanding the origin of HIV.
A new model by UCLA researchers suggests the WHO's test-and-treat strategy for HIV in South Africa may not be feasible due to substantial cost underestimation. The study found that annual testing, prevention programs, and healthcare infrastructure scaling up were not accounted for in the original proposal.
Scientists at the University of Toronto have discovered chemicals and genes that may break Striga's stranglehold on crops in sub-Saharan Africa. By manipulating strigolactone production, they aim to reduce the parasite's ability to kill crops.
A new Special Paper documents the latest research on granite origins, covering historical context, current evolution, and global perspectives. Key findings highlight the diversity of granite-related research and its ongoing thrust.
Researchers found that villagers with higher cognitive and decision-making abilities were more likely to take protective steps against HIV. Formal education was key to teaching people how to think critically and make informed decisions.
Researchers estimate ITN coverage in 44 African countries between 2000 and 2008, with some countries scaling up coverage to over 60%. However, others, such as Nigeria, remain undercovered. The study suggests increased development assistance for health is related to improved ITN coverage.
The new atlas identifies areas with urgent need for mass treatment and predicts infection risk in data-lacking areas. The Global Atlas of Helminth Infections aims to improve sanitation and health education to control worm infections.
Research in Guinea reveals why chimpanzees attack humans, highlighting the importance of habitat conservation to prevent resource-based attacks. The team studied eleven attacks, finding that they occurred during periods of crop-raiding and food scarcity.
A modeling study found that high malaria transmission areas in Africa require additional tools beyond current interventions like artemisinin-combination therapy and bednets. Targeting outdoor-biting mosquitoes with new strategies may be necessary for achieving elimination in these areas.
Researchers have successfully transferred green pepper genes into African bananas, giving them resistance to the deadly Banana Xanthomonas Wilt disease. The banana varieties exhibit strong resistance to the disease and could potentially save millions of farmers' livelihoods.
Trials in Asia and Africa have demonstrated the rotavirus vaccine's ability to prevent severe gastroenteritis and save thousands of lives. The vaccine has shown promise in reducing disease incidence, especially among infants.
Scientists report the discovery of a unique Cretaceous creature with mammal-like teeth, challenging traditional views of ancient animal life. The new species, Pakasuchus, was found in Tanzania and is believed to have been a land-dwelling, insect-eating creature that thrived during the middle Cretaceous period.
The AWARD Fellowship program recognizes and supports top African female scientists conducting critical food security research. Since its inception in 2008, the fellowships have empowered over 1,600 women scientists to strengthen their research and leadership skills.
A new report by FARA and Imperial College London reveals that crops can be produced for bioenergy on a significant scale in west, eastern, and southern Africa without harming food production or natural habitats. The study suggests that policies are needed to address potential conflicts, but views bioenergy as crucial to unlocking Afric...
The large-scale roll-out of adult male circumcision (AMC) in Orange Farm, South Africa has been successful in reducing HIV prevalence. The study's findings suggest that AMC can be a feasible short-term strategy for HIV prevention in low-income communities with high HIV prevalence.
Rapid losses of African native livestock threaten the continent's food supply as investments are needed to preserve unique traits and prevent extinction. Experts urge urgent action to stop the loss of genetic diversity, particularly in West Africa, where drought- and disease-resistant animals are under siege.
Researchers developed two new risk models to predict the survival of HIV patients in sub-Saharan Africa. The models identified key factors such as CD4 cell count, clinical stage, and bodyweight that increase the risk of death. These predictions will aid in clinical decision making and improve treatment outcomes.
A new species of small fish, the bearded goby, has been found to eat jellyfish and thrive in an oxygen-depleted zone off the coast of southwest Africa. This unexpected predator-prey relationship puts jellyfish back into the food cycle.
Large mammal populations in African national parks have declined by up to 59% since 1970, with some species experiencing dramatic decreases. Despite this, improved management and conservation efforts in southern Africa offer a glimmer of hope for the long-term survival of these iconic species.
Tulane University will establish an International Center of Excellence in Malaria Research for West and Central Africa, aiming to achieve malaria control in the region. The seven-year project will involve 48 investigators from 10 institutions, including four African partners.
Researchers found that small-scale corruption in the South African police force is commonplace and often condoned by those involved. Police officers frequently accept gifts from residents, which should not be seen as bribes but rather as a social gesture to build relationships.
Strong health research systems are needed to address bottlenecks in implementing effective interventions for maternal, newborn, and child health in sub-Saharan Africa. Investing in African scientists, institutions, and systems is crucial to deliver solutions tailored to local problems.
A new Policy paper argues that the estimated $30 billion needed to improve maternal, neonatal and child health is insufficient due to overlooked service delivery costs. Donors need a more realistic understanding of the funding required to achieve MDG targets for child and maternal health.