Africa’s DNA Mystery: Tracing Humanity’s Forgotten Lineages in the Namib Desert
DNA research from human populations believed to be uncontactable or extinct helps probe the deep genetic structure of Africa. Africa is the birthplace of modern…
Africa News
Africa is the world’s second-largest and second-most populous continent, rich in cultural diversity and natural resources. It spans over 30 million square kilometers, encompassing a wide variety of climates and ecosystems, from the Sahara Desert in the north to the dense rainforests of the Congo Basin. Africa is home to 54 sovereign countries, each with its unique traditions, languages, and histories. The continent’s human history is profound, being the origin of Homo sapiens and a cradle of civilization. Economically, Africa is known for its vast mineral resources, including diamonds, gold, and oil, though many African countries face challenges such as poverty, political instability, and diseases. Recent decades have seen significant progress in areas such as economic growth, technological adoption, and political democratization. Africa also features some of the most stunning wildlife and picturesque landscapes in the world, making it a significant site for tourism and natural studies.
Tipping the Scales: Did an 11,700-Year-Old Event Seal the Horn of Africa’s Dry Fate?
Recent studies indicate that the Horn of Africa may experience increasing dryness, contrary to the majority of climate models that forecasted more rainfall. For decades,…
Lost Giants: New Study Uncovers Decline of African Megafauna
Faysal Bibi from the Museum für Naturkunde in Berlin, and Juan L. Cantalapiedra from the University of Alcalá in Madrid, leveraged thousands of fossil teeth…
Concerning – Over 27% of Young Kids May Have Malaria in Sub-Saharan Africa
Research on nearly 65,000 children up to the age of 5 identified the prevalence of malaria and its associated risk factors across 13 countries in…
When Persia Met Africa: A Tale of Love, Trade, and Ancestry on the Swahili Coast
New research on ancient DNA shows that the Swahili coast of eastern Africa is home to people with both African and Asian ancestry. The study…
Swahili Secrets Unlocked: Ancient DNA Discovery Restores Heritage and Debunks Myths
Life’s work of University of South Florida researcher uncovers first ancient DNA from Swahili civilization. New study brings peace and restores pride to millions of…
Researchers Solve the Ancient “Water” Mystery of the First Large City in Southern Africa
The mystery of how the ancient city of Great Zimbabwe prospered for centuries in a region plagued by droughts has finally been solved. The ruins…
Startling Finding: The Majority of Nigerian Drinking Water Is Contaminated With Microplastics
A new study investigates whether microplastics are pervasive in Nigerian drinking water About 90% of the drinking water in Nigeria comes from boreholes, which are…
Ebola-Like Marburg Virus Found in Sierra Leone Bats
Scientists have detected Marburg virus in fruit bats in Sierra Leone, marking the first time the deadly virus has been found in West Africa. Eleven…
Puzzle of Southern Africa’s Soaring Landscape Finally Solved With Rare Gas Discovery
The discovery of gases released from deep beneath the Earth’s crust could help to explain Southern Africa’s unusual landscape, a study suggests. Scientists have long…
10,000 Years of Cultural Interaction Across Africa Exposed by Ostrich Eggshell Beads
New archeological analysis challenges long-standing hypotheses about ostrich eggshell beads and the spread of pastoralism in Africa. Ostrich eggshell beads are some of the oldest…
Cost-Effective Technology Can Enrich Poor Fields, Increase Yields Close to 50%
Smallholder poverty in sub-Saharan Africa is often linked to sandy soils, which hold little water and are low in nutrients. New technology may be able…
Warning: Hidden Danger From Pet Dogs Discovered
Researchers at the Universities of Abuja and Nigeria, in collaboration with the University of Bristol, have detected a potentially human-infective microbe in pet dogs in…
Experts: Banning Trophy Hunting Can Have a Negative Impact
Experts have outlined “compelling evidence” that suggests banning trophy hunting can negatively affect conservation – arguing that unregulated killings are far more prevalent in non-hunting…
Yale Study Shows HIV Protease Inhibitors Also Offer Protection Against Malaria
New research from Yale University shows that the use of protease inhibitor-based antiretroviral therapy for HIV is an effective measure for reducing malaria in HIV-infected…
Geographically Close Neighbors Have Been Genetically Isolated for Thousands of Years
Hunter-gatherer and pastoralist tribes in sub-Saharan Africa, where humans are thought to have originated, even though linguistically close, belong to two different distinct genetic clusters….
Ebola Outbreak in Uganda Tests Readiness
Since July 16th, 16 people have died in Uganda from an Ebola outbreak. Contrary to previous outbreaks, a laboratory in Entebbe, near Uganda’s capital Kampala…
Humans Implicated in Africa’s Deforestation 3,000 Years Ago
A new study published in the journal Science suggests that humans might have played a significant part in the sudden deforestation of rainforests from Central…