Sub-Saharan Africa news in brief: 11–24 February 2010 24 February 2010

February 24, 2010

Sub-Saharan Africa news in brief: 11–24 February 2010

24 February 2010 |

EN

Scientists will develop new tests for goat plague

Flickr/clstal

Below is a round up of news from or about Sub-Saharan Africa for the period 11–24 February 2010.

South Africa closer to once-a-week TB treatment

South Africa's Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)

says that it is a step closer to replacing daily tuberculosis drugs

with weekly therapy. A study found that providing drugs once a week for

four weeks is "just as effective" as daily treatment over the same

period. More>>

UK seeks a biotechnology solution for Africa livestock diseases

The Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) has

announced plans to fund 16 projects aiming to tackle the increasing

risks of livestock diseases in developing countries. The US$13 million

scheme includes plans to tackle foot and mouth disease in Tanzania and

develop new diagnostic tests for goat plague in Uganda, as well as

other projects in Ethiopia and Kenya. More>>

E-health technologies 'working well' in Africa

Health system in developing countries are using information and

communication technologies (ICT) to improve their care of patients, a

survey has shown. The benefits of e-health projects in Africa include

the ability to track patients, and using communication technologies to

encourage and monitor medication use among rural populations and people

in areas with poor infrastructure. More>>

Tackling environment and transport in Africa

A three-year international project is underway to solve African's

transport infrastructure problems, which have a negative effect on

public health and the environment. Through the Transport and

Environment — Science Technology (TEST) network, researchers will

engage in knowledge-sharing, networking and building research capacity.

More>>

Maternal deaths in Africa avoidable

Research conducted in Sub-Saharan Africa has indicated that most

maternal deaths reported in the region could be avoided. According to

the research, published in BioMed Central Public Health,

the main causes of death are blood loss, infection, pre-eclampsia and

obstruction during birth, all of which could be prevented by effective

and efficient health systems. More>>

Obesity on the rise among Africa's urban poor

Rates of obesity are increasing among Africa's urban populations,

particularly the poor, a study of seven countries has found. The

report, published in BioMed Central,

warns that the continent faces a serious health problem and calls for

early prevention through measures such as diet and physical activity. More>>

African tree provides insights into water purification

Researchers from Botswana and Sweden have described how seeds from the Moringa oleifora

tree can be used to purify water. They say that small amounts of

protein contained within the seeds bind the seeds to each other and

other surfaces, causing contaminated particles to clump together. They

said this insight into how the seeds interact could inform water

purification research. More>>

Free trade hurting African agriculture

A report appearing in the Proceedings of National Academies of Sciences

(PNAS) says that the emergence of free trade policies has increased

hunger and diminished food production in Africa. The report says

farmers in Africa were forced to compete with farmers across the world

who have advanced farming technologies. More>>

Compiled by Kimani Chege.

If you would like to suggest a story for this news in brief, please email southern.africa@...

February 24, 2010