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Chimpanzees practice wound treatment and herbal medicine
In a striking exhibition of natural health care, wild chimpanzees in Gabon were observed how insects were applied to wounds and the diet of medicinal plants. The behavior documented over a year provides convincing evidence that great monkeys can be conveyed and treated with a sense of the purpose1The study published in Limits of ecology and evolution Shows.
The research team recorded more than 50 different healing files, including the wounds of others and provided new insights into the cognitive and cultural sophistication of chimpanzees. Apart from our understanding of animal behavior, these results can help to guide the discovery of medicines and to strengthen the calls to protect ecologically rich primate habitats, according to the team.
Africa's risk of climate worsened by large greenhouse gases
A recently carried out analysis that combines machine learning and decades of emissions data from carbon dioxide (CO₂) and methane (CH4) missions increase the susceptibility of Africa for climate extremes. The study2 In Humanities and social science communicationAnalyzed data from 1993 to 2024 in all 54 African countries and found the CO2 and CH4 emission patterns, showed a continuous increase in the African region. CO2 and CH4 influence the average surface temperature (MST) with a level of significance of 1% and has a positive effect on the middle sea level (MSL) at a level of significance of 5%. ”
The authors demand reduction guidelines that appeal more than just emissions – and have the importance of an integrative infrastructure and governance.
MPOX transmission through repeated animal shift
Genomic data from hundreds of MPOX virus samples in West Africa indicate a repeated transmission of animal-to-human transmissions, followed by continued spread within the municipalities. The report, published in Natureshows that MPOX is not only zoonotic, but is also able to be transmitted by humans to humans3.
This increases red flags for health authorities and increases the case for strategies that associated people, animals and the environment. The study also suggests that the complete selection of the MPOX load can be underestimated, which makes genomic monitoring an important instrument for future outbreaks.
Geospatial tools find solar-powered water solutions
A new automated mapping tool, which is known as autogis, helps in some of the driest regions of Africa, ideal locations for solar pond tongue-driven systems for the treatment of water. These ponds offer an environmentally friendly method for the treatment of water shortages using thermal energy to clean contaminated sources4.
The work, published in Scientific reportsUse an algorithm that integrated environmental data such as solar radiation, wind speed, temperature, clear sky, cloud cover and precipitation to find the best places for solar ponds. The researchers hope that the model of African governments will support the planning of an inexpensive, air -conditioned infrastructure for municipalities that are confronted with increasing resource stress.
Drug resistance threatens the prevention of malaria
Mutations in the Plasmodium falciparum dihydropteroat synthase (DHPS) -Gengen weaken the influence of sulfadoxin pyrimethamine (SP)-a cornerstone of malaria prevention in all of Africa. Due to genomic data of 1639 participants at seven clinical studies at 12 locations in Benin, Malawi, Mozambique, North Tansania and South Africa, an international team found that the DHPS The triple mutant variant is now widespread in regions with high transmission and significantly reduces the protective advantages of SP.
The results could lead to a rethinking how SP is used in public health campaigns, especially in programs that target infants, pregnant women and children during the top transmission times. Research, published in Natural communication5argues that localized genomic surveillance and the development of new antimaliaMedicaments are urgently required to maintain the control profits of malaria.
These research highlights were partly created using artificial intelligence and edited by an employee of Nature Africa.