Science and research news from Africa. Covers Congo Basin wildlife, maternity care, malaria resurgence, and drug-resistant parasites.
A new study led by York University finds that lower-to-middle-income countries struggle with high unemployment rates after COVID-19 lockdowns and economic restrictions. In contrast, higher-income countries such as Canada have better managed their unemployment rates.
A meta-analysis of nearly 300 studies reveals a higher hypertension prevalence in urban areas but with a narrowing gap over time and socio-economic development, indicating rapid increase in rural areas. The study highlights the need for increased awareness and control measures in rural areas to address the growing burden of hypertension.
Researchers analyzed the impact of continental free trade and agricultural development on Africa's food security. They found that combining both approaches can improve trade balances, reduce hunger, and mitigate greenhouse gas emissions.
Researchers developed a statistical mapping tool to predict genetic markers of resistance to Plasmodium falciparum, the parasite that causes malaria. The model uses data from the WorldWide Antimalarial Resistance Network and fills in gaps by making continuous predictions in space and time.
A study of 17 African coastal countries found that those farther from the coast have lower standards of living, with fewer owning radios, TVs, and vehicles. Access to education and infrastructure are key factors in increasing prosperity near ports.
Researchers used Plasmodium falciparum 7G8 challenge trials to test the PfNF54-based PfSPZ Vaccine, providing conservative predictions of its efficacy in Africa. The study found that VE over 24 weeks was as good as or better than VE against Pf7G8 CHMI at 24 weeks.
A study of over 32,000 West African children found that extreme heat exposure increases the prevalence of stunted growth from chronic malnutrition by 12% and of low weight from acute malnutrition by 29%. The researchers estimate that rising temperatures could nearly double the effect of heat exposure on stunting.
Researchers have identified 42 host cell proteins that contribute to the replication and spread of Lassa virus, a disease with high morbidity and mortality in Western Africa. One potential drug target, GSPT1, was found to be involved in viral-host interactions and showed antiviral activity against Lassa without cytotoxicity.
A team of international scientists found that endothermy appeared in mammalian ancestors about 233 million years ago, well before the origin of mammals. Fossils from South Africa's Karoo region played a key role in this discovery, providing an unbroken record of life's evolution.
A new recombinant VSV-vectored vaccine developed at UTMB provides rapid protection against lethal Lassa fever, a pathogen causing severe symptoms and high mortality rates. The vaccine was found to be effective against different strains of the virus, critical for outbreak scenarios.
Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital found that paclitaxel improves clinical outcomes and is cost-effective compared to commonly used treatments in Kenya. Using paclitaxel instead of bleomycin-vincristine could save 6,400 years-of-life and reduce healthcare expenditures by $3.7 million over five years.
A recent study found that climate change will decrease the availability of female low-skilled labor, driving a potential increase in their wages. This could close the wage gap between male and female low-skilled labor as well as the wage gap between low-skilled and high-skilled female labor.
A study found that widely-used kidney function tests are inaccurate for predicting kidney disease in African populations, suggesting a significant underestimation of kidney disease prevalence. The creatinine-based test was shown to be less effective due to unique biological characteristics in African populations, while the cystatin C t...
Researchers at the University of Malaga study the global risk of yellow fever transmission to humans, finding high zoonotic potential in southeastern Brazil and western Amazon basin. The team proposes prioritizing vaccination efforts in regions with favorable conditions for virus presence and mosquito vectors.
A team of researchers has discovered 1.2-billion-year-old groundwater containing radiogenic helium, neon, and xenon, which could sustain subsurface microbial communities. The study reveals how energy stored in the Earth's subsurface can be released and distributed through its crust.
A new study published in Environmental Research Letters estimates that thousands of heat-related child deaths could be prevented if temperature increases are limited to the Paris Agreement's 1.5ºC target through to 2050. Under a high emission scenario, heat-related child mortality is projected to double by 2049 compared to 2005-2014.
The Brigham and Women's Hospital will implement and evaluate an integrated service delivery model (PEN-Plus) for severe chronic noncommunicable diseases, such as type 1 diabetes and rheumatic heart disease, in eight low- and lower-middle-income countries. The initiative aims to enable one million of the world's poorest children and you...
Great White Sharks have been avoiding a South African coastal region due to the presence of Orcas. Long-term sightings and tagging data show that Great Whites flee areas with high Orca activity, adopting a 'flight' strategy reminiscent of wild dogs in response to increased lion presence.
The construction of dams and changes in land use have significantly impacted the amount of sediment rivers carry to oceans. Sediment transport has decreased by 49% globally due to dam construction, while increasing on 36% of rivers in the south, primarily driven by deforestation.
A MU researcher has earned a federal grant from the United States Fulbright Program to conduct community engagement research in South Africa. He aims to assist disengaged, vulnerable youth in rural areas through community development initiatives.
Fossils found in the 'Cradle of Humankind' in South Africa are estimated to be between 3.4 and 3.7 million years old, making them older than previously thought. This new age range places these fossils at the beginning of the Australopithecus era, challenging previous theories that they were near the end.
Fossils from Sterkfontein Caves in South Africa reveal nearly four million years of hominin evolution. The new ages of Australopithecus-bearing deposits place the South African hominins as contemporaries of other early species, like Australopithecus afarensis, in east Africa.
Researchers at the University of Washington discovered that African wild dogs, a highly endangered species, shifted their breeding dates later in response to changing temperatures, leading to reduced pup survival rates. The study highlights how large predators can be vulnerable to climate change and its impact on life history events.
Three African vulture species have significantly larger home ranges than existing protected areas, increasing exposure to human-related food sources and environmental toxins. Conservation efforts require addressing challenges outside protected areas.
A new study reveals that population declines have been greatest among species that migrate to areas with more human infrastructure, habitat degradation, and climate change. The research identified 16 human-induced threats to migratory birds, including infrastructure associated with bird disturbance and collisions.
A study by the INGENIO Institute finds that prolonged temperature and precipitation increases cause conflict beyond affected areas, affecting populations up to 550km radius. Climate change adaptation strategies must consider each territory's particularities to mitigate conflict risks.
A team of researchers has discovered a property of light that remains unchanged in complex media, allowing for distortion-free communication and sensing. By applying a novel quantum approach, they showed that all light has this invariant property, which can be exploited to correct distortions without losing any light.
African countries face a growing cancer burden, with an estimated 2.1 million new cases and 1.4 million related deaths expected by 2040. Insufficient healthcare resources and infrastructure will likely overwhelm capacity levels, delaying screenings and limiting treatment options if action is not taken.
Two fossil skulls of a 12- to 15-million-year-old hyena from China suggest the animal was on its way to becoming an insectivore, like the modern aardwolf. The fossils show characteristics intermediate between those of bone-cracking hyenas and termite-eating aardwolves.
A study published in PLOS Global Public Health found that patients in Tanzania faced barriers to accessing rehabilitative care following an injury, including difficulty finding transportation or childcare. The research highlights the need for improved patient education and increased access to outpatient services.
Researchers observe fruit bat migration patterns mirroring seasonal landscapes in sub-Saharan Africa, suggesting a unique role in plant pollination. The study reveals the ecologically underestimated fruit bats transport plant seeds along the 'green wave', potentially affecting local ecosystems.
A new multicenter study found that pregnant women with COVID-19 in Sub-Saharan Africa have a significantly increased risk of needing intensive care and dying compared to uninfected hospitalized pregnant women. The study also highlighted the importance of COVID-19 vaccination as part of prenatal care to improve mother and infant outcomes.
A new species of large-bodied meat-eating dinosaur, an abelisaurid theropod, has been found in the Bahariya Oasis of Egypt's Western Desert. The discovery provides the first known record of this group from a middle Cretaceous-aged rock unit, and sheds light on the biodiversity of Cretaceous dinosaurs in Egypt and northeastern Africa.
Researchers have re-evaluated chicken remains from over 600 sites worldwide, revealing that domestication occurred around 1,500 BC in Southeast Asia. Chickens were initially regarded as exotica and only later used as a food source.
A team led by University of Utah Health has improved the quality and consistency of care in emergency situations in Rwanda. The project, which began a decade ago, provided advanced training for emergency responders and hospital staff and established standardized checklists for patient care.
Researchers from the University of Helsinki used new techniques to observe tree hyraxes in Kenya's Taita Hills, finding that they are social animals with specific habitat preferences. The study estimated a population size of no more than 2,000–4,000 individuals, shedding light on the behavior and conservation of these unique mammals.
The polyphagous shot hole borer is estimated to cause $18.45 billion in economic losses over the next ten years if left unchecked. Urban areas are particularly vulnerable due to stressed trees and non-native species.
A new retrospective study analyzed seven patients with monkeypox in the UK between 2018 and 2021, suggesting potential benefits of antiviral medications like tecovirimat. However, brincidofovir showed little clinical benefit and raised concerns about liver toxicity.
The current monkeypox outbreak is more widespread than previous ones outside of Africa, with significant cases reported in Europe, the UK, and North America. A notable increase in cases among men who have sex with men has been observed, although the cause remains unclear.
The Event Horizon Telescope Collaboration has captured the first direct visual evidence of a supermassive black hole at the centre of our galaxy. The image reveals a dark central region surrounded by a bright ring-like structure, indicating the presence of a massive object four million times more massive than our Sun.
Conservation efforts have made progress along the African east coast, but tens of thousands of sea turtles still die each year. The study highlights the importance of local knowledge and community engagement in turtle conservation.
Researchers documented traditional wooden boats in the Zanzibar Channel, showing continued use despite modern transportation developments. The study highlights innovations such as outboard engines and portable generators, which have transformed fishing methods.
A recent study published in The Lancet Planetary Health found that improving market access has a positive impact on nutritional status in rural sub-Saharan Africa. Meanwhile, increasing crop diversity had little effect on children's growth and nutrition. Diversifying animal production, however, showed positive effects.
A recent study reveals that nearly two-thirds of traditional farmer crop varieties are already represented in genebanks, but conservation gaps persist for key crops like pearl millet and potatoes. The analysis highlights areas with high diversity in landraces, such as Bangladesh, Ethiopia, and India.
Cancer incidence is projected to double in SSA by 2040, with 1.4 million cases per year expected without rapid interventions. Women are more affected by cancer than men in the region, with breast and cervical cancers among the most common types.
Researchers at University of Exeter discovered engravings in Tanzania's Zanzibar archipelago made by soldiers on guard duty, revealing ships that sailed on the western Indian Ocean during the 19th century. The graffiti depict various vessel types, including European-style frigates and settee-rigged ocean-going vessels, providing valuab...
Researchers have identified over 2.4 million households in 49 countries as being below a certain economic threshold, based on the percentage of unlit settlements detected using nighttime light satellite images. The study found a clear association between increasing percentages of unlit communities and decreasing economic wellbeing levels.
A new online portal developed by UKCEH enables forecasters to provide communities with more reliable warnings about large storms in the Sahel region. The portal uses state-of-the-art weather forecast models to predict storm behavior, taking into account factors such as land surface temperatures, soil moisture, and atmospheric humidity.
A new study highlights the importance of addressing Africa's unique media landscape in combating misinformation. Pavement media, including discussions in marketplaces and social spaces, play a key role in spreading false information.
A study found that B12 deficiency is widespread among young children in low-income countries, leading to poor motor development and anaemia. Daily B12 supplements are crucial for brain development, but food relief programs often fail to provide sufficient amounts.
The UN Convention to Combat Desertification's Global Land Outlook 2 report warns that up to 40% of the planet's land is degraded, threatening half of humanity and roughly 1/2 of world GDP. The report offers hundreds of practical ways to restore land and ecosystem health.
A recent study found that community-based rangeland management projects in Namibia improved resource governance but had limited impact on environmental and economic outcomes. The projects aimed to increase household incomes and improve rangeland conditions through coordinated land use practices, but ultimately failed to achieve signifi...
Researchers found a simulated annual downward trend in surface PM10 concentrations in Senegal and Cabo Verde after the 1980s. However, there was an increase in dust over the Western Sahara transported to Cabo Verde, suggesting Eastern Atlantic dust continued on toward the U.S. and Caribbean.
A randomized controlled trial of 2,275 women in Kenya found a single dose of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine to be highly effective. The study results support the adoption of a single-dose HPV vaccination, which could increase accessibility in low- and middle-income countries.
Research by Sightsavers and others estimates that blind people are nearly four times as likely to experience anxiety and depression as those with no vision impairment. The study highlights the need for governments and organizations to be aware of this issue and design health services to address it.
A recent study combining climate data with fossil records of large mammals in Africa found that times of erratic climate change do not lead to major evolutionary changes. The research, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, suggests that environmental variability and species turnover may not be closely related.
Researchers used GPS data from 65 bird tracking studies to identify areas where migrating birds are more sensitive to onshore wind turbine or power line development. These 'collision hotspots' are concentrated along important migration routes, coastlines, and near breeding locations in Europe and North Africa.
A new study by Radboud University reveals that birth registrations in Africa are hindered by contextual factors such as rural-urban differences and centralized registration systems. The research suggests addressing these broader factors to increase birth registrations and ensure essential human rights for unregistered children.
A decade-long study of over 17,000 South Africans found a significant link between community disasters and depression onset. Vulnerable groups showed the greatest risk increase, underscoring the need for targeted support.
A study found that climate change could lead to significant economic losses of $15-40 billion annually for livestock farmers, especially in poor, tropical countries. Adaptation measures such as breeding heat-stress tolerant cattle and relocating animals to suitable regions can mitigate these losses.