February 2024 – Science Africa

Viruses Can Help in Typhoid Fever Surveillance

Viruses Can Help in Typhoid Fever Surveillance By Gift Briton Researchers have found that wastewater can be used to detect the presence of bacteriophages- virus-killing bacteria- to determine areas where typhoid fever infection is most common. This is according to a recently published research study by the Child Health Research Foundation in the open-access journal, […]

Rwandan CSO Spearheads Policy Review to Close Gender Investment Gaps

Rwandan CSO Spearheads Policy Review to Close Gender Investment Gaps By Gift Briton Efforts by Pro-Femmes/Twese Hamwe (PFTH), an umbrella of 53 civil society organizations (CSOs) in Rwanda, to reduce gender inequalities in public investment are bearing fruits. Under the Growth and Economic Opportunities for Women (GrOW) programme, PFTH in collaboration with key government stakeholders […]

Nominations Open for 2024 UNEP Young Champions of the Earth Award

Nominations Open for 2024 UNEP Young Champions of the Earth Award By Joyce Ojanji In a move to address the triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity and nature loss, and pollution, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), has called for nominations for its Young Champions of the Earth award, which recognizes young people’s contributions and outstanding […]

27 Feb, 24

UNEA -6: Unite to Solve Environmental Crisis

UNEA -6: Unite to Solve Environmental Crisis By Sharon Atieno As the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) -the highest decision making body on environmental issues- opened up in Nairobi, Kenya’s capital, the world has been urged to unite for stronger action against the triple crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution. “We are living […]

Portable AI Ultrasound Reducing Maternal Mortality in Sierra Leone

Portable AI Ultrasound Reducing Maternal Mortality in Sierra Leone By Treezer Michelle Atieno To ensure a positive pregnancy experience, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends having at least one routine ultrasound before the 24th week of pregnancy. “One ultrasound scan before 24 weeks of gestation (early ultrasound) is recommended for pregnant women to estimate gestational […]

23 Feb, 24

Raise Standards of Imported Second-Hand Vehicles, Africans Urged

Raise Standards of Imported Second-Hand Vehicles, Africans Urged By Sharon Atieno Africa’s lack of stringent regulations in the importation of heavy-duty vehicles (HDV), including trucks and buses, is resulting in the importation of lower-quality vehicles which contribute significantly to air pollution. This is according to a new United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)report dubbed Used Heavy […]

Interventions to Improve Health Outcomes of Children with HIV Exposure Crucial

Interventions to Improve Health Outcomes of Children with HIV Exposure Crucial By Sharon Atieno With over 16 million HIV-exposed uninfected (HEU) children- born to women living with HIV but remain uninfected- in the world, there is need for more interventions to ensure that these children have improved health outcomes which enable them to thrive. According […]

Kenya Procures New Medication to Reduce Maternal Mortality

Kenya Procures New Medication to Reduce Maternal Mortality By Clifford Akumu In a move aimed at reducing maternal mortality in Kenya, the government has procured 360,000 doses of a new medication that prevents excessive bleeding after childbirth. The consignment is set to arrive in the country in March, 2024. The medication, Heat Stable Carbetocin, was […]

23 Feb, 24

Clean Air: More Effort Needed to Eliminate Harmful Pollutants

Clean Air: More Effort Needed to Eliminate Harmful Pollutants By Sharon Atieno To keep the goal of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius per the Paris Agreement within reach, action is required on all fronts including on the super pollutants. This is according to Inger Andersen, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Executive Director. […]

23 Feb, 24

Reduce Salt, Sugar, Oils in Baby Foods, Nutritionists Urge

Reduce Salt, Sugar, Oils in Baby Foods, Nutritionists Urge By Gift Briton Caregivers are discouraged from feeding infants with products that contain excess sugar, salt or oils. These products offer little benefits to babies and increase their risk of developing non-communicable diseases, including cancer, obesity and diabetes, nutritionists say. “Several processed foods contain excess salt, […]