Science
Explore the frontiers of knowledge with DNE Africa’s science news section. Get the latest updates on space, from the cosmos to animal behavior, plant life, the human brain, genetics, fascinating archaeological finds, the rise of robots, and critical climate change research. Uncover the scientific breakthroughs impacting Africa and beyond.
Ancient Lake Mud Shows 2012 Rwenzori Fire Was Unprecedented for 12,000 Years
A wildfire that swept across part of Africa’s Rwenzori Mountains in 2012 was the first large fire in the area’s highest zones for at least 12,000 years, according to new…
Science
East Africa Rift Study Suggests Continent Slowly Splitting—and May Explain Fossil Richness
A new study has found that the Earth’s crust beneath a key region in East Africa is thinning more than…
Africa’s Elephants Are Losing Genetic Diversity as Habitats Shrink, Study Finds
A major new genetic study has revealed how African elephants once moved freely across the continent, mixing and sharing genes…
Blending Traditional Knowledge and Modern Science Could Help Africa Fight Crop Diseases
A new study says Africa can better protect its crops and improve food security by combining traditional farming knowledge with…
Wastewater Plants in South Africa May Be Spreading Antibiotic Resistance
Wastewater treatment plants in South Africa may be helping to spread antibiotic resistance into rivers and the wider environment, according…
Climate Change Expands Cassava Farming in Africa—but Also Spreads Deadly Crop Disease
Cassava, a key food crop for millions of people in Africa, could grow in more areas as the climate warms.…
Simple Blood Test Could Transform Cancer Diagnosis for Children in Africa
A new study has found that a simple blood test could help doctors diagnose a fast-growing cancer much more quickly…
New African Mushroom Discovery May Solve Mystery of ‘Magic Mushroom’ Origins
Scientists say they may have solved a long-standing mystery about the evolutionary origin of the world’s most widely cultivated “magic…
Pandemic Financial Worries Slowed Digital Finance Adoption in Africa
A new study suggests that financial worries during the COVID-19 pandemic made many people in Africa less likely to use…
Rethinking the Green Revolution: What Tanzanian Farmers Are Teaching Development Planners
In a rural village in Tanzania, farming decisions are rarely simple calculations about seeds, fertilizer, or market prices. They are…
Climate Change Could Deepen Food Crisis in East Africa by 2050
A new scientific review warns that climate change combined with rapid population growth could significantly worsen food insecurity in East…
Community Health Workers and Digital Tools Improve Blood Pressure Control in Rural Africa
A new study from the southern African country of Lesotho suggests that trained community members, supported by a simple tablet-based…
Drought and Floods in Africa Are Shaping Climate Action Behaviour, Review Finds
Extreme weather events such as droughts, floods and heatwaves are increasingly influencing how African communities respond to climate change, affecting…
