Articles tagged with Africa
Researchers have developed an almost year-by-year record of the last 3,000 years of West Africa's climate, revealing that catastrophic droughts occurred every 30 to 65 years. The new research suggests that global warming may exacerbate the normal climate pattern, producing even more severe and prolonged droughts.
The fourth round of data from the Global Project on Anti-Tuberculosis Drug Resistance shows a significant regional variation in drug-resistant TB prevalence. The majority of MDR-TB burden falls in China and former Soviet states, with the highest prevalence reported in these regions.
A study published in the Journal of Biogeography found that climate change may lead to longer bird migrations, with some species facing journeys of up to 250 miles longer. This could have significant consequences for birds' survival and ability to adapt.
Researchers have discovered different resistance mutations in east and west Africa, suggesting varying effectiveness of sulfadoxine as an antimalarial drug. Coordinating malaria control efforts across socioeconomically linked areas may be more effective in reducing the malaria burden across the continent.
Resistance to the antimalarial drug sulfadoxine has emerged independently in multiple sites across Africa over the past decade. The study suggests that coordinated control campaigns may be more effective in reducing the African malaria burden by addressing regional differences in parasite strains and levels of resistance.
The study reveals that African Pygmies and their farmer neighbors diverged approximately 60,000 years ago. Genetic analysis indicates a common origin for all Pygmy populations, with distinct physical traits possibly inherited from a shared ancestor.
A Kansas State University research team is exploring the use of native southern African plants in veterinary medicine. They have documented 18 regions where these plants are used to treat various animal health issues, including intestinal parasites and wounds.
Increased schooling across sub-Saharan Africa may lower new HIV infections among younger adults, contradicting previous views of education as an AIDS risk factor. Formal education appears to reduce the risk of HIV infections by up to 34 percent in some countries.
A groundbreaking partnership between Einstein College of Medicine and the University of KwaZulu-Natal will focus on developing faster diagnostic tools and better chemotherapies for TB, MDR-TB, XDR-TB, and HIV. The institute aims to train a new generation of scientists in Africa and bridge the gap between bench and bedside research.
Researchers are assessing changes in African grasslands due to climate change and land use, examining the impact of fire, grazing, and soil fungi. The study aims to conserve biodiversity and promote sustainable management practices for these critical ecosystems.
The CANTAM network, the first EDCTP-funded regional Network of Excellence, aims to build research capacity in Central Africa. Partner institutions from Cameroon, Congo, Gabon, Tanzania, and Germany will collaborate to conduct clinical trials under best practices.
A study found a 13% incidence of major depression disorder and a 21% incidence of other depressive disorders among HIV/AIDS patients in Kenya. The Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) screening tool was shown to be reliable and valid for assessing severity and diagnosis in this population.
A NASA study successfully predicted the 2006-2007 Rift Valley fever outbreak in northeast Africa using a blend of climate measurements and satellite data. The prediction gave public health officials up to six weeks' notice, allowing them to implement disease mitigation measures and lessen human impact.
AfricaArray trains masters and doctoral students in geophysics, supports research on the African superplume. The program combines student education with research and field schools, aiming to improve understanding of the continent's geological phenomena.
A new study identifies 33 countries that will suffer most from climate change's impact on fisheries, including those in Africa, Asia, and South America. These nations face unprecedented hardship due to their high dependency on fish as a source of protein and income.
A RAND Corporation study recommends that the US and its allies in East Africa address radical Islamist groups beyond al Qaeda to create long-term stability. The report highlights existing counterterrorism programs as a starting point for stronger regional collaboration.
Researchers studied the San Andreas fault system, Africa's ancient crustal blocks, and the High Plains aquifer using gravity, magnetic, and seismic data. The results show that Africa is a collage of ancient cratons with mantle roots extending deep into the Earth's interior.
A recent study suggests that the Queen Elizabeth National Park in Uganda could support a large lion population, with estimates suggesting up to 905 individuals. The research, led by University of Wisconsin-Madison professor Adrian Treves, used aerial surveys and prey data to predict lion abundance.
African HIV patients achieve near-perfect adherence rates due to prioritizing treatment to maintain social relationships and ensure future support. This contrasts with North American rates, where individualistic values may hinder adherence success.
A study of over 2,500 pregnant women in Africa found that spousal violence increases the risk of single and repeated fetal loss. The strongest association was with emotional violence, which linked to a 33% reduction in preventable excess recurrent fetal loss if prevalence of abuse is eliminated
A team of scientists found distinct subspecies of rabies virus in African countries, indicating limited movement between localities. With a progressive strategy, neighboring countries can work together to eliminate rabies from sub-Saharan Africa.
The current policy in South Africa allows individual schools to decide whether or not to distribute condoms, leading to limited access for adolescents. The researchers argue that making condoms available in schools would increase access and prevent HIV transmission among the country's youth, who account for 34% of new HIV infections.
Researchers have created a family tree of 2,000 protea plant species, revealing that two regions – South Western Australia and the Cape Floristic Region – are experiencing accelerated speciation rates. This surge is linked to climate change approximately 10-20 million years ago, which led to hotter, drier conditions and vegetation fires.
Researchers have found that men outnumbered women in the ancient African exodus, tracing variations in X chromosomes and non-sex chromosomes to support their conclusion. The study's lead author notes that these findings align with anthropologists' teachings on hunter-gatherer populations.
Researchers have discovered two giant plumes of hot rock deep within the earth linked to plate motions that shape the continents. The superplumes, one beneath Hawaii and the other beneath Africa, are surrounded by a wall of plates from Earth's crust that have sunk into the mantle.
Researchers from the American Museum of Natural History have identified three distinct species of African dwarf crocodiles through genetic analysis. The study reveals that these animals are diagnostically distinct and have been on their own evolutionary trajectory for a long time.
A new study explores the lived experience of Rwandan women who were raped during the 1994 genocide, highlighting themes unique to these survivors. The research reveals a loss of dignity, identity, and hope for the future, as well as social isolation and stigma surrounding rape and its aftermath.
A new study found that a fractional dose of a commonly used meningitis vaccine is as effective as the full dose, allowing for more efficient use of scarce vaccine resources. The research was conducted in Uganda and suggests that using 1/5 doses could be an alternative in mass vaccination campaigns during epidemics.
The African AIDS Vaccine Programme (AAVP) is a network of African HIV vaccine stakeholders working towards an AIDS-free continent. The programme, established in 2000, supports and represents diverse communities involved in HIV vaccine research and development.
Experts warn that cuts in funding for agricultural research and programs could be catastrophic for millions of smallholder farmers in Africa. Targeted investments in areas like controlling stem-rust infections and boosting small-scale fisheries could greatly boost crop yields and lift families out of poverty.
The initiative aims to develop an institution-building relationship between the two universities, focusing on aligning educational and research capacity with national health goals. The project will also test effective teaching, research, and practice strategies, translating research into policy implementation.
The UCAR project aims to provide long-term weather forecasts to medical officials in Africa to target vaccination programs and reduce meningitis epidemics. The forecasts will be used to focus on regions most at risk, pulling back from areas that are about to get rain, and helping vulnerable populations.
Bed net usage has increased six-fold since 2000, but 90 million children remain unprotected, with Nigeria accounting for a quarter of all unprotected children. Free distribution of nets has led to higher coverage rates, highlighting the need for targeted funding and efforts.
Insecticide-treated bednet coverage increased from 1.8% in 2000 to 18.5% by 2007, leaving 89.6 million children unprotected, with 25% in Nigeria alone.
A recent discovery in Ethiopia's Gona region has challenged previous estimates of Homo erectus infant head size, indicating a possible increase in brain capacity. The findings, published in Science, suggest that the ancient human ancestor may have been born with brains comparable to those of modern humans.
The US Agency for International Development has awarded a $1 million grant to Virginia Tech to enhance agricultural productivity and trade barriers in Africa. The project aims to increase yields, reduce crop risks, and promote long-term productivity growth through science-based methods.
The incidence of malaria has fallen dramatically in The Gambia over the past five years, with significant decreases in malaria-positive slides and admissions. Improved measures to prevent malaria, including increased use of insecticide-treated bed nets and indoor residual spraying, are believed to be major contributors to this decline.
Between 1999-2007, malaria incidence and mortality declined significantly in The Gambia thanks to increased funding and targeted interventions for pregnant women and young children. Proportions of malaria-positive slides decreased by up to 82% and deaths attributed to malaria fell by 100% in some hospitals.
A study by the Wildlife Conservation Society found that roads in Central Africa's Congo Basin are creating 'siege mentality' among forest elephants, forcing them to become isolated and confined. This reduces their ability to find suitable habitat and increases the risk of poaching.
The discovery of burned flint at Gesher Benot Ya'aqov site pushes back the accepted date for man's fire-making ability by half a million years, indicating that early humans controlled fire from 790,000 years ago. This skill enabled ancient humans to leave their surroundings and populate new environments.
The study estimates that more than 330,000 lives were lost to HIV/AIDS in South Africa between 2000 and 2005 due to the delay in implementing antiretroviral treatment. The researchers also found that an estimated 35,000 babies were born with HIV during this period due to the lack of a mother-to-child transmission prophylaxis program.
Researchers found that most cases of strangulation occurred early in the morning, often in homes, and were more common among victims who had consumed excessive alcohol. The study revealed a significant correlation between sexual violence and female strangulation rates in South Africa.
The SAPIT trial shows that integrating TB and HIV treatment saves lives, reducing mortality among co-infected patients. The study found that providing antiretroviral therapy at the same time as TB treatment significantly reduces mortality, especially in South Africa where 70% of TB patients are infected with HIV.
A study published in the journal AIDS found that HIV-infected patients taking efavirenz had higher treatment adherence and lower rates of virologic failure and death compared to those taking nevirapine. This suggests a more favorable clinical outcome for efavirenz-based therapies.
Researchers find fossil river channels in Libya with a distinctly volcanic signature, supporting the theory that monsoon rains fueled rivers to the Mediterranean. The discovery provides an alternative route for early human migrations out of sub-Saharan Africa.
Researchers will analyze staple food and horticultural markets, focusing on maize, cassava, sorghum, cotton, and vegetables. The goal is to increase agricultural productivity and create efficient, sustainable markets for small farmers.
African countries are grappling with a growing number of chronic infectious and non-communicable diseases due to scale-up of antiretroviral therapy for HIV. Mortality from all-cause diseases increased by 87% between 1992 and 2005, primarily due to rising deaths from infectious disease affecting both sexes.
Task-shifting from doctors to nurses and lay providers can improve primary health care coverage. Effective supervision and alternative financing structures are key to success.
A Brown-led research team has discovered that the Lake Tanganyika area's climate is linked to ocean and atmospheric patterns in the Northern Hemisphere. The region's rainfall sensitivity is high, with small changes triggering significant precipitation fluctuations.
A recent study confirms the importance of primary health care in addressing maternal and child deaths, HIV, and chronic diseases. The authors emphasize the need for community participation, intersectoral collaboration, and equitable access to healthcare. To achieve universal health coverage, reviving Alma-Ata's core values is crucial.
The latest child mortality figures show a 27% decrease in global mortality rates for children under five since 1990. Despite progress in some low-income countries, many are not on track to meet the target of reducing child mortality by two-thirds between 1990 and 2015.
A 'dodgy dossier' of faulty intelligence and tactics contributed to the failure of the war against malaria in tropical countries. Dr. Colin Sutherland explains that a one-size-fits-all approach was miscalculated, and the parasite is now at its strongest in these regions.
The University of Houston has trained its first class of 'homegrown' oil geophysicists in Africa, addressing a critical shortage in the petroleum industry. The program, in collaboration with the University of Cape Town, provided a comprehensive education in petroleum geophysics and prepared students for jobs in the oil industry.
A national study found 27.5% of married or cohabiting men report perpetrating physical violence against their female partner. Men who witnessed parental violence as children were almost 4 times more likely to be violent.
Researchers have identified how maize streak virus (MSV) became a serious pest in Africa's most important food crop, potentially saving millions of lives. By comparing MSV genomes to its less harmful relatives, scientists discovered that recombination led to the emergence of a more severe disease strain.
Scientists at the Smithsonian Institution have discovered a new species of olive-backed forest robin in Gabon, Africa. The bird was found to be a separate and distinct species through DNA analysis, bringing the country's total known bird species to 753.
A new study identifies a link between warming Indian Ocean and declining rainfall in eastern Africa, impacting food security. The team found that human-caused warming of the Indian Ocean leads to increased rainfall over the ocean, reducing onshore moisture flow and resulting in dry air over Africa.
The Wildlife Conservation Society has discovered a significant increase in western lowland gorillas, with a census showing over 125,000 individuals in the Republic of Congo. The census data revealed high densities of gorillas in some areas, indicating successful conservation efforts and a food-rich habitat.
Researchers used a genetic technique pioneered at Stanford to analyze Y chromosomes from men in Tanzania and southern Africa. They discovered a novel mutation shared by some men in both locations, implying a common ancestor, and found that pastoralists first tended sheep and cattle in southern Africa around 2,000 years ago. This new ge...
Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) enrolled over 12,000 patients in 43 studies across 18 countries, providing extensive evidence on malaria medication efficacy. These studies played a crucial role in shaping treatment policies in conflict-affected regions.