Science and research news from Africa. Covers Congo Basin wildlife, maternity care, malaria resurgence, and drug-resistant parasites.
Using genetic evidence from over 20 species of locusts, researchers found that ancestors of the African desert locust flew across the Atlantic, giving rise to diverse New World species. The study's findings suggest high-altitude winds were essential for the swarm's flight, with modern-day examples supporting this hypothesis.
A team of researchers assembled ancient gourd remnants across the Americas and found they matched modern gourds in Asia, suggesting a pre-pottery Asian origin. The findings indicate that people arrived in the New World with domesticated plants and tools, changing our understanding of the founding of the Americas.
A recent clinical trial in Ghana found that IPTi reduced malaria by 25 percent and anemia by 20 percent in children up to 15 months old. Researchers are discussing the results at a symposium on IPTi, which has shown clear potential as a new prevention strategy for fighting malaria in Africa. Similar large-scale implementation studies a...
The United Nations University is building an online academy to promote sustainable development in Africa through information and communications technologies. The academy will provide online training in water, environment, renewable energy, and biotechnology, aiming to improve African competitiveness and lift productivity.
Climate models project significant changes in global water availability by 2050, with varying trends across regions. The study highlights the complex relationship between climate and water resources, noting that warmer temperatures can lead to both increased and decreased water supply in different parts of the world.
Researchers have found that two genetic conditions, sickle cell trait and a mild version of thalassemia, offer natural protection against malaria but can be rendered ineffective when occurring together. This study of Kenyan children highlights the complexity of genetic interactions in naturally acquired immunity.
A Cornell University study reveals that child-headed households in Namibia often rely on their youthful social networks for support, highlighting the need for young Africans to be trained as social supports. The study of over 200 children found that 60% turn to other youths for help and advice, with many facing suicidal thoughts.
A new multilateral initiative aims to develop a sustainable malaria research infrastructure in Africa by supporting competitively awarded grants for centers of excellence. Trained African scientists are crucial in assembling interdisciplinary teams and conducting research projects focused on developing better tools to fight the disease.
Two 'screen and treat' cervical cancer prevention programs in low-resource settings resulted in lower precancerous lesions and cervical cancer prevalence. Novel non-cytology-based screening methods, such as HPV DNA testing and visual inspection with acetic acid, were associated with significant reductions in cervical cancer risk.
Population growth is expected to double in Africa by 2050, posing a significant threat to poverty reduction. Experts argue that continued high fertility rates and rapid population growth could be more serious obstacles to development than AIDS, threatening food security and increasing dependence on international assistance.
Dr. Henry Gabelnick, a renowned expert in reproductive health and microbicide development, has been awarded the lifetime achievement award by International Conference on AIDS India. The award recognizes his significant contributions to the field, including the development of Ushercell, a microbicide consisting of cellulose sulfate.
Researchers sequenced goby DNA to find evidence of invasion; genetic analysis suggests Atlantic gobies invaded during warm period 150,000 years ago. Warmer climate may lead to further expansion of marine species beyond cold water barriers.
Researchers uncover fossils of two new species, Biretia fayumensis and Biretia megalopsis, in Egypt's Fayum desert, dating back 37 million years. The discoveries confirm that the common ancestor of humans, monkeys, and apes originated in Africa, with one species appearing to be nocturnal.
Experts propose thorough output-based assistance (OBA) to accurately target aid funds. OBA improves quality of care and devolves financial decisions to the lowest level, potentially increasing 80% of allocated money reaching the poor.
The experimental vaccine combines synthetically modified elements of four HIV genes found in subtypes A, B and C, representing about 85% of HIV infections worldwide. The trial aims to test the safety and ability of the vaccine to generate an immune response in healthy adults.
Researchers found that Agulhas eddies, which transport seawater from the Indian Ocean to the South Atlantic Ocean, are large warm rings of water with a diameter of about 300 kilometres. These eddies import considerable quantities of heat into the Atlantic Ocean, contributing to climate change and global warming.
A rapid impact package of four anti-parasitic drugs could bring tangible benefits to Africa's poorest communities by controlling seven neglected diseases. The cost of the package would be negligible, ranging from $0.07 to $0.40 per person per year.
In KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, hospital admissions for malaria dropped by 89% after introducing an antimalarial combination called artemether-lumefantrine (AL) and improving mosquito control with DDT. The province also saw a significant decline in outpatient cases and malaria-related deaths.
The prevalence of drug-resistant gonorrhoea is increasing in South Africa, with reports of treatment failure coinciding with the emergence of ciprofloxacin-resistant isolates. The country's health department has been urged to take action and conduct nationwide surveillance to assess the extent of the problem.
The American Society for Clinical Pathology is providing laboratory training and quality improvement programs for diagnosis and monitoring of HIV/AIDS patients in resource-limited countries. The program aims to improve the effectiveness of HIV diagnostic, care, and treatment services and interventions.
A national study found that black immigrants' health deteriorates the longer they live in the US, primarily due to racial discrimination. The study, which analyzed data from over 3,000 black immigrants, shows that those born in Europe have the poorest health, while those from Africa and South America fare better.
A new study reveals that tropical deforestation affects rainfall in the US and around the globe, with significant changes observed in various regions. Deforestation in Amazonia influences precipitation in Mexico to Texas, while Central Africa affects the US Midwest, and Southeast Asia alters rainfall in China and the Balkan Peninsula.
The SALT Telescope will provide unparalleled views of the southern Milky Way and nearby galaxies like the Magellanic Clouds. The telescope's Prime Focus Imaging Spectrograph will capture high-resolution pictures and spectra, enabling scientists to study star formation and galaxy evolution.
The Abuja Declaration endorses a five-point strategy to support capture fisheries, develop aquaculture, improve fish market chains, increase benefits from fish trade, and provide decision makers with information. African fish and fishery products have an annual export value of $2.7 billion.
A study found that HPV16/18 vaccine effectiveness varies significantly across regions, with higher rates in Europe and North America compared to sub-Saharan Africa.
A practical screening tool was developed to diagnose severe acute malnutrition in children under five in sub-Saharan Africa. The tool uses a combination of clinical signs and laboratory results to identify at-risk children, enabling timely intervention and improving survival rates.
The discovery confirms a long-term association between people and livestock in southern Africa, challenging the view that the Kalahari was isolated. The findings provide insights into the spread of domestic livestock throughout Africa, highlighting the role of diseases such as tripanosomiasis in delaying their introduction.
A recent study found that HIV therapy success rates are similar between developed and non-developed countries, with a general success rate of 60% after 12-18 months on treatment. People in developing countries who received free ART drugs showed a 30% higher rate of success than those who had to pay for their medication.
The discovery of a 190 million-year-old Massospondylus embryo provides a rare glimpse into the life of an early dinosaur. The delicate bones of most dinosaur embryos were destroyed over time, but this well-preserved skeleton offers detailed anatomy insights into the earliest known dinosaur embryo.
Researchers found cheaper combination of drugs equally effective as artemisinin-based treatment in preventing recurrent malarial infections. In sites with high transmission rates, the cheaper combination worked better, highlighting cost as a major concern.
A team of NASA scientists, led by Dr. Michael King, traveled through Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, and Eritrea to find locations for AERONET sunphotometers. They identified several ideal sites in East Africa to study aerosols and their effects on climate change.
A new study published in Virology suggests that some strains of monkeypox are more virulent than others, depending on their origin in Africa. The 2003 US outbreak was caused by a West African virus, which may have been less deadly due to its strain.
The coelacanth genome provides insights into its evolutionary relationships with other animals, particularly in embryonic development and immunity. The study sheds light on how the species' genes differ from those of other fishes and tetrapods.
Global HIV/AIDS cases are increasing worldwide, with Africa being only one of the regions affected. The Lancet study highlights the need for international cooperation and resource allocation to address this growing epidemic.
A study in South Africa found that a new treatment approach, including isoniazid and cotrimoxazole, reduced tuberculosis incidence among HIV-infected employees by 32%. The intervention was part of a clinic established in 1999 to provide specialist care for HIV-infected employees.
The Johannesburg Sustainable Development Summit identified halving water deprivation by 2015 as a priority; today, 300 million Africans lack access to drinking water. Investments in science and technology are seen as key solutions.
The UK's chronic need to recruit health professionals from overseas is exacerbating the brain drain in English-speaking sub-Saharan Africa. Experts suggest increasing training of doctors and nurses in the UK and providing practical assistance to African countries affected by loss of health professionals.
A new study links drought in southern Africa to the warming of the Indian Ocean, contradicting earlier research that connected it to the Sahelian region. The analysis suggests a late 20th-century cooling of the North Atlantic Ocean was key to Sahelian drought, with recent warming leading to increased rainfall in the area.
A new long-haired forest primate, named Highland Mangabey, has been discovered in Tanzania's Southern Highlands. The critically endangered species is characterized by a distinctive call and adaptation to the cold climate, with an estimated population of between 500-1,000 animals.
A research team has used genetic techniques to determine the geographic origin of leprosy, a disease that has been stigmatized for centuries. The study found four distinct types of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the bacterium Mycobacterium leprae, which are linked to specific regions and continents.
The 3 by 5 program faces challenges in achieving its goal of treating 3 million people with HIV/AIDS, mainly due to insufficient financial resources (US$163 million vs US$174 million) and inadequate WHO staff deployment. Three countries, India, South Africa, and Nigeria, are crucial in addressing the issue, especially in Africa where o...
Proconsul, a 18 million-year-old creature, holds the key to human and ape origins. The book provides an insider's view on fossil discovery and interpretation, exploring Proconsul's anatomy, diet, and habits.
AESEDA aims to entice minority students to enroll in Penn State's College of Earth and Mineral Sciences, with a focus on Africa connection. The program involves partnerships with HBCUs and Nigerian universities to develop natural resources and energy management in Africa.
The Roll Back Malaria partnership, which includes WHO, UNICEF, and the World Bank, has failed to achieve its aims of reducing malaria mortality. Despite a seven-year initiative, malaria rates have increased, making it unlikely that the 2010 target to halve deaths will be met.
Researchers have discovered two new species of giant amphibians in Africa, which are similar to crocodiles in shape. The findings suggest that climate change over 250 million years ago had a dramatic effect on species survival and evolution.
Research links seasonal climate variations to meningitis outbreaks in Sahelo-Sudanian Africa. The study suggests that Harmattan winds drive the transmission of meningococcus bacteria, leading to epidemic cycles.
A study published in Science found that charcoal use in Africa contributes to premature deaths and greenhouse gas emissions. The authors suggest transitioning from biomass fuels to cleaner alternatives could prevent millions of premature deaths.
A study by Harvard researchers suggests promoting cleaner charcoal production can prevent up to 2.8 million deaths and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 45-66%. Transitioning from biomass fuels to petroleum-based fossil fuels offers the biggest health benefits, but is unlikely due to economic and infrastructure constraints.
A recent study published in The Lancet found that a new vaccine against childhood pneumonia reduced the first episode of pneumonia diagnosed by chest x-ray by 37% and overall child mortality by 16%. The vaccine also lowered disease caused by pneumococcus bacteria types by 77%, providing promising results for global health.
Researchers found evidence of the first elephant shrews' presence in North America, suggesting a greater animal migration than previously thought. This discovery has significant implications for our understanding of mammalian evolution and the history of continental breakups.
Researchers analyzed data from a three-year study in rural Zimbabwe and found no correlation between contaminated needle use and increased HIV transmission. The study collected data from over 1,800 participants and excluded injections as a major transmission route.
A recent study reveals that HIV/AIDS deaths were likely three times as high as reported by the government in 2000-01, due to misclassification on death certificates. The South African Government must acknowledge and tackle the HIV/AIDS crisis, which has been slow to progress in providing antiretroviral treatment.
Researchers reconstructed climatic conditions in western Egypt 130,000 years ago, finding a humid event that supported human presence and wildlife. The study provides new insights into the dispersal of humans out of Africa and the impact of climate change on ancient societies.
Researchers have developed coating technologies to improve the environmental persistence of biopesticides, increasing their resistance to UV radiation. This technology could make other biopesticides more effective as well.
The AAAS has selected five science reporters from Africa to receive fellowships and training at the 2005 Annual Meeting. The program aims to encourage outstanding young science journalists and support their coverage of science and health topics in developing countries.
Scientists have found that climate change is a major contributing factor to droughts' increasing frequency and severity, with rising temperatures accounting for almost half of the global trend. The study used a unique analysis to estimate how much of the global trend in soil moisture was due solely to warming-induced evaporation.
The University of Georgia has received a grant to promote trade between the US and Uganda, with the goal of creating jobs and economic growth for both countries. The project is part of the Africa Initiative on campus and aims to build capacity in international trade.
Key findings highlight the need for renewed public health strategies, especially in high-risk groups, to prevent sexually transmitted HIV. Experts emphasize the importance of abstinence, fidelity, and condom use, as well as providing contraception to women on antiretroviral drugs, particularly in Africa.
A new fossil discovery in Spain reveals a 13-million-year-old ape species, Pierolapithecus catalaunicus, that shares key features with modern great apes. The species' unique adaptations for climbing and its relatively complete skeleton suggest it may have been the last common ancestor of all great apes.
The Lancet publishes a series of articles on public health in complex emergencies, highlighting progress made in responding to health consequences of such events. Despite improvements, renewed focus is required on major causes of death in conflict-affected societies, including acute respiratory infections and malnutrition.