Africa

Archaeologists have discovered the oldest evidence of artificial structures made of wood, dating back almost half a million years – predating the appearance of our own species and suggesting our relatives settled down much earlier than we thought.

A new study provides interesting insights into how children’s mental well-being and education might be improved by adopting the hunter-gatherer childrearing practices that have been lost in developed countries.

Men of African descent have a far higher incidence of prostate cancer. A new meta-analysis, the largest to date, has identified new genetic variants specific to men with African ancestry, which could change the way the disease is detected and treated.

In the first big real-world test for monoclonal antibodies against malaria a new study has reported extraordinarily promising results, with a novel therapy found to be 88.2% effective at preventing infections across a six-month period.

The Roam Air is cheap, lightweight, practically focused, and capable of riding up to 180 km on a pair of removable batteries. It's been designed, developed and built in Kenya, to suit the needs of African riders in rural and urban areas.

A statement from the World Health Organization has announced the discovery of two potential cases of Marburg Virus Disease in Ghana. Pending further lab work they could be the first cases of this highly infectious disease ever found in the country.

German company Wingcopter has signed a deal to roll out 12,000 of its long-range, triple-drop delivery drones across Africa over the next five years, in what promises to be the largest commercial drone deployment ever attempted.

Diébédo Francis Kéré has won the 2022 Pritzker Prize. The judges highlighted the architect's ingenious approach to sustainability, which embraces passive techniques like natural ventilation to provide comfort in challenging conditions.

African startup Phractyl has shown us a concept unlike anything we've seen before – or are likely to see again, if we're honest. With tracked feet, bird legs, a tilting cabin and tilting wings, this avant-garde absurdity promises "near-VTOL" flight.

A new analysis by the World Health Organization has estimated six in seven COVID-19 cases have gone undetected in Africa. The report indicates the real number of cases could be 60 million and a program to increase testing capacity has been proposed.

Back in January, Sweden's Cake joined with the Southern African Wildlife College and Goal Zero to develop a special electric motorcycle to aid anti-poaching measures in the African bush. Now the bikes have been delivered and are in use by rangers.

Following a successful pilot study encompassing nearly one million children the World Health Organization is now recommending widespread use of the world's first malaria vaccine across all sub-Saharan Africa.