Articles tagged with Africa
A network of African scientists has secured funding to develop new drugs for malaria and TB, two major diseases affecting the continent. The Grand Challenges Africa Drug Discovery Accelerator Programme will support leading research efforts on these diseases.
A new study from Uppsala University found that increased access to water in arid areas can lead to a surge in demand for water and pasture, threatening the livelihoods of nomadic livestock farmers. The research highlights the need for effective management of water infrastructure to ensure climate resilience.
A new analysis reveals that approximately 30-90% of first-time mothers worldwide receive medical augmentation with oxytocin, despite only 10-15% experiencing prolonged labor. This excessive treatment increases the risk of stillbirths, brain damage, and complications for subsequent pregnancies.
Researchers created a comprehensive map of land use after deforestation in Africa, identifying 15 forms of land use including crops, pastureland, and mining. The study provides improved insights for enhancing transparency on commodity expansion leading to deforestation.
A study of 276,000 children aged 6-23 months in 92 low- and middle-income countries reveals that 10.4% were zero-food children, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions to improve infant nutrition. The prevalence is particularly urgent in West and Central Africa and India.
A new study shows that Africa's rice production can be increased by employing improved agronomic practices such as soil nutrition, weed control, and water management. This can help meet projected demand of 150 million tons by 2050 without increasing imports or land conversion.
A new study from Stanford University found significant discrepancies in common poverty measurement approaches, leading to vastly different conclusions about who lives in poverty. The research suggests that the choice of measurement approach can completely change the extent to which programs and policies reach vulnerable populations.
A recent study published in the journal Blood revealed that hydroxyurea treatment resulted in a 60% reduction in severe or invasive infections among Ugandan children with sickle cell anemia. The findings provide powerful justification for hydroxyurea's use as a standard of care in Africa, which could ultimately save countless lives.
A new study sheds light on the preferences of five East African countries, finding that education and information about revenue usage are crucial factors in making climate policies acceptable. The researchers also discovered that investments in social programs, rather than environmental programs, increase policy acceptance.
Research in Kenya's Ol Pejeta Conservancy reveals invasive big-headed ants have reduced lions' effectiveness at killing zebras. Lions now primarily target African buffalo instead, maintaining population stability.
The NEST360 alliance is launching Phase 2 with a focus on five sub-Saharan countries to reduce newborn deaths by 75% through improved medical care and systems-change approach. The initiative aims to limit newborn deaths to no more than 12 per 1000 live births by 2030, aligning with the U.N.'s SDG 3.2 goal.
The Paarl Africa Underground Laboratory (PAUL) will be a game-changer for universities in South Africa and its partners, offering benefits through new jobs and research opportunities. The laboratory will enable scientists to study dark matter and neutrinos in a radiation-free environment.
Rising temperatures caused by climate change will impact southern Africa's remaining black and white rhinoceros populations, scientists report. The region's diverse national parks will struggle to adapt to increasing heat, with some species facing extinction due to rising temperatures and changing precipitation patterns.
Researchers have demonstrated a connection between quantum entanglement and topology, allowing for the preservation of quantum information even when entanglement is fragile. This breakthrough enables a new encoding mechanism that utilizes entanglement to encode quantum information in scenarios with minimal entanglement.
A new study published in Science Advances suggests that protected areas for elephants are most effective when connected to allow populations to stabilize naturally. This approach, known as 'connecting parks,' enables herds to move freely and absorb immigrants, reducing the need for human intervention.
A recent study in Uganda found that asymptomatic individuals with low-level malaria infections had highly variable parasite dynamics and species present. Frequent sampling every other day or daily was sufficient to detect a proportion of infections similar to daily testing, but less frequent tests may miss up to one-third of cases.
A major research study argues that diversifying away from maize and switching to crops like cassava, millet, and sorghum will improve nutrition security in sub-Saharan Africa. The study highlights the need for policymakers to prioritize nutritional quality in agricultural policy.
According to a new study, African countries saw an 80% increase in people moving to rivers and cities during or after droughts, leading to increased flood risk. This resettlement pattern is expected to intensify due to climate change, exacerbating drought's impact on vulnerable populations.
Researchers at Uppsala University have identified nine distinct evolutionary lines among African lark species, revealing new species diversity. The study proposes splitting two known species into seven, while also confirming convergent evolution and diverging relationships among closely related species.
Researchers used genetic information from 104 aardvark poop samples to study their distribution and movement across the African landscape. They found regional divisions and larger home ranges, but also restricted movement through arid areas due to climate change.
A recent study published in Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences found that AI technology can accurately identify prehistoric and modern African antelopes, with an accuracy rate of over 90% compared to humans. This breakthrough sheds light on ancient ecosystems and their impact on human evolution.
Genetic material from Neanderthal ancestors may have influenced the preference for waking up early in some people. Studies found that introgressed genetic variants from Neanderthals are associated with increased morningness and a shorter circadian period, which is beneficial at higher latitudes.
The TAF/EVG fast-dissolving vaginal insert is being evaluated in a Phase 1 study to determine its safety and user acceptability. The study aims to assess the product's effectiveness as an on-demand HIV prevention method for women, particularly those who do not want or can't use daily PrEP or long-acting products.
Researchers found that honeyguides in Tanzania and Mozambique discriminate among human calls, responding more readily to local than foreign calls. This complex communication system benefits both species by increasing their chances of accessing calorie-dense honey and beeswax.
A new study found that the Protecting Life in Global Health Assistance policy reduced provision and use of contraceptives, as well as community health volunteer services, in African countries. This policy, formerly known as the Mexico City Policy, had detrimental effects on family planning service delivery and utilization.
A new HIV prevention study, PrEPVacc, has stopped further vaccinations due to little or no chance of demonstrating vaccine efficacy in preventing HIV acquisition. The trial, testing two different combinations of HIV vaccines and a new oral PrEP drug formulation, aims to find out if either can prevent HIV infection.
Researchers discovered that only a small proportion of red blood cell precursor cells infected by Plasmodium vivax are likely to produce the parasite, confirming its ability to replicate outside the bloodstream. This finding raises new questions about malaria diagnosis and treatment strategies in Duffy-negative individuals.
Scientists discovered that the Sahara Desert was greener during the time of Homo erectus' migration, allowing for a more hospitable passage. This discovery sheds new light on how early humans adapted to their environment.
Anopheles stephensi, a malaria-carrying mosquito, has been found to exploit construction sites and brick-making facilities in Jigjiga, Ethiopia, during the dry season. Targeted control measures, such as stocking construction pits with larvae-eating fish, may help mitigate malarial outbreaks in the city.
Researchers reconstructed data on fertility and education using a modeling framework, affirming existing literature that educated women have lower fertility rates. The study highlights the spillover effect of education on fertility behavior, with more women following suit in communities where education levels increase.
Researchers from SapienCE Centre of Excellence use dripstones to study past climate in South Africa. They found that the region experienced highly variable rainfall and slightly warmer temperatures during a crucial time period for early human occupations.
Archaeologists recommend using state-of-the-art techniques, such as micromorphology, to analyze evidence and increase confidence in claims about human evolution. This approach aims to rewrite our understanding of human ancestors by uncovering hidden clues in ancient sediments.
A comprehensive genetic analysis of modern and ancient individuals suggests that Bantu-speaking populations originated in western Africa and expanded south and east in several waves. The study identifies key crossroads of interaction between different routes of expansion in Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Researchers discovered ancient bird-like footprints in Southern Africa that date back over 210 million years, 60 million years before the earliest known bird fossil. The tracks were found at multiple sites and show a mix of dinosaur and bird-like characteristics.
In a study of almost 20,000 post-mortem investigations, researchers found that 7 in 8 homicide victims in South Africa were male. Homicide rates peak on weekends and holidays, highlighting the need for targeted interventions to address this epidemic.
A new study found that most people with colorectal cancer in sub-Saharan Africa receive inadequate treatment, leading to significantly improved life expectancy through simple measures. The mortality rate is up to 3.5 times higher in regions studied compared to countries with medium HDI scores.
A recent study published in Nature Communications reveals that disrupted NAD(H) homeostasis is a key factor in tuberculosis pathogenesis. The researchers found that the glycolytic pathway can be selectively inhibited using an LDH enzyme with mostly LDHA subunits, which preferentially converts pyruvate to lactate and NADH to NAD+.
The Malaria Atlas Project has received a $16 million grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to track and tackle malaria globally. The project will focus on boosting research in Sub-Saharan Africa, where malaria is endemic, and strengthening research capacity.
A new conservation tool, Lion Localizer, helps authorities track the origin of illegally traded lion parts by analyzing mitochondrial DNA. The tool provides critical information on population impact and resource allocation, supporting efforts to protect tiny West African lion populations.
The Asian malaria mosquito Anopheles stephensi is spreading drug and diagnostic resistant malaria in Africa, increasing the risk of malaria infections by 270%. Its unique ecology and resistance to insecticides make it challenging for conventional mosquito control tools.
A new report highlights Africa's deteriorating air quality, with particulate matter concentration levels five to ten times the World Health Organisation's recommended level. The researchers call for collective efforts, regionally tailored solutions, and global collaboration to tackle this issue.
Ruixin Yang has received $8,000 from the International Food Policy Research Institute to conduct hazard maps and review existing methods for climate change research. He is developing a Python program to identify and assess climate hazards in Africa.
A new study reveals that climate change widens the inequality gap in South Africa, particularly for poorer segments of the population. The research highlights the need for climate change policies to address poverty and inequality, as warming is expected to reduce average growth and exacerbate inequalities by the end of the century.
Researchers found that chimpanzees are more likely to climb hills when heading towards contested borders, where they can quietly rest and hear distant sounds of rival groups. This behavior suggests that chimpanzees gauge the distance of rivals and act accordingly to avoid costly fights.
A species of Asian mosquito, Anopheles stephensi, is responsible for a sharp expansion of malaria cases in Africa, particularly in urban areas. The mosquito's ability to thrive in dry conditions and adapt to new breeding sites has made it a significant threat to public health.
A recent study analyzed the South African automotive industry to understand the link between multinational vehicle assemblers and local parts suppliers. The research team found that while production of first-tier suppliers increased with automobile expansion, lower-tier suppliers showed no similar growth. This suggests a diamond-shaped...
The Kenyan government and food industry could save billions USD by implementing trans fat limits, which would also reduce heart disease cases and prevent deaths. Experts urge food manufacturers to prioritize consumer health by removing trans fats from products now.
A new study by Duke University researchers has found endemic malaria in Turkana County, Kenya, with a significant incidence of Plasmodium vivax, a parasite historically rare in sub-Saharan Africa. The presence of invasive mosquito species Anopheles stephensi also poses challenges to the continent's malaria control efforts.
A study found that the host's immune response to Trypanosoma brucei infection triggers lipolysis, leading to weight loss and a protective effect against disease progression. This discovery opens up new treatment strategies targeting the infection in adipose tissue.
A team of researchers analyzed ancient leaf waxes to study past rainfall and drought patterns. By comparing their data with climate models, they verified how well those models capture past climate change and improved the accuracy of future rainfall predictions.
Banana Xanthomonas Wilt (BXW) could cause a 55% reduction in banana production in newly affected regions within 10 years. The disease is projected to result in significant economic losses, with consumers bearing 40% of the estimated $25 billion cost.
A new study led by UCL researchers finds that integrated health care for chronic high-burden conditions like diabetes and hypertension is feasible and cost-effective. The study showed that integrated care was associated with high levels of retention in care, no adverse effect on viral suppression among people with HIV, and cost-saving ...
A large public health survey in rural South Africa found that approximately half of people living with HIV, diabetes or hypertension have unmet health needs. The study's novel framework quantifies met and unmet health needs for individuals living with infectious and non-communicable diseases.
In Eritrea, a new artemisinin-resistant variant has been detected, accompanied by gene deletions that render rapid diagnostic tests ineffective. This emergence poses a significant threat to malaria control efforts in the Horn of Africa and beyond.
Recent state-sponsored infrastructure projects in Angola and Mozambique have been linked to climate-related humanitarian disasters. Research by Ruy Blanes highlights the need for local consideration in planning, as neglect can lead to devastating consequences.
Researchers from a Portuguese-Angolan TwinLab conducted fieldwork in the Angolan Namib desert, discovering groups thought to be extinct or uncontactable. The study reveals unique Pre-Bantu ancestry in modern populations from the Namib desert, divergent from other southern African ancestries.
New research on fossil crocodile ancestors finds they exhibited slow growth rates similar to modern-day crocodilians. The discovery challenges prevailing wisdom on the evolution of slow growth in living crocodiles.
A Phase 1 trial of a preventive HIV vaccine candidate has begun enrollment in the US and South Africa. The vaccine, VIR-1388, aims to instruct immune cells to recognize and respond to HIV.
A new analysis of COVID-19 cases in Africa found that the rate of infection was likely much higher than reported in the initial stages. The researchers estimated that approximately 66% of all infections were asymptomatic, while about 5% were severe and 27% were mild.
Philip Low, a Purdue University researcher, is working on validating a previously successful malaria treatment by reducing the number of days required for therapy. His goal is to prevent drug-resistant strains from proliferating and save lives in developing countries.