Search Results (1,211)

Saline habitats, which include both coastal and inland, host specialised halophytic communities that can withstand high salinity. Coastal communities are shaped by tidal inundation and marine connectivity, whereas inland saline habitats are driven by evaporation, groundwater salinisation, and greater landscape isolation. These contrasting hydrological and environmental variables likely drive divergent patterns of genetic diversity, influencing local adaptation, connectivity, and evolutionary divergence, which is important for understanding species persistence and guiding conservation of saline ecosystems under environmental change. This systematic review brings together phylogeographic studies on halophytic species from both environments to uncover global drivers of genetic difference. A systematic search of Web of Science, Scopus, and PubMed was done, and 20 studies were identified focusing on key genera including Salicornia, Sarcocornia, Suaeda, and Triglochin. Distinct genetic clades were often associated with habitat type or geographic region, indicating repeated divergence linked to coastal–inland environmental gradients. Genetic differentiation between coastal and inland halophyte populations is primarily driven by habitat fragmentation, restricted gene flow, historical refugia and recolonisation, salinity-mediated adaptation, and differences in dispersal capacity. As a result, coastal populations are generally more genetically connected, whereas inland populations tend to be more isolated, structured, and evolutionarily divergent. The data also showed a strong regional bias; while research is well established in Europe, Asia, and North America, African inland saline ecosystems are critically understudied. We conclude that habitat connectivity and dispersal pathways are the primary determinants of halophyte genetic structure. Future research must integrate ecological niche modelling and landscape genetics to resolve the evolutionary dynamics of these taxa, particularly in under-sampled regions such as southern Africa, to support effective conservation of saline biodiversity. However, the synthesis is constrained by the small number of eligible studies (n = 23) and their uneven geographic distribution, with limited representation from Africa, South America, and Australia, which restricts the ability to draw fully global conclusions. Recognising and protecting these systems is essential for safeguarding global saline biodiversity. Full article

Hearing-functioning problems contribute substantially to disability and rehabilitation needs globally; however, evidence describing the range and interconnected nature of these problems across African populations remains fragmented. This study aimed to describe hearing-functioning problems associated with high-burden adult health conditions across African populations using data from the Rehab4All database. A secondary exploratory analysis was conducted using data extracted from a large Africa-wide scoping review of functioning problems associated with conditions contributing substantially to years lived with disability (YLD). The parent review systematically searched PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, EBSCOhost, and SABINET and included English-language studies conducted in African adults. Hearing-functioning problems were classified according to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF). Descriptive analyses, visual mapping techniques, and exploratory random-effects prevalence meta-analyses were performed. Ninety-seven articles published between 2007 and 2022 were included. Most studies originated from Southern Africa, particularly South Africa. Human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS), tuberculosis (TB), diabetes mellitus (DM), hearing-loss cohorts, and headache-related conditions contributed most frequently to reported hearing-functioning problems. Hearing loss, tinnitus, and vestibular dysfunction were the most commonly reported problems; however, multidimensional co-occurring auditory and vestibular profiles were frequently identified. Distinct functional patterns emerged across conditions, with TB demonstrating predominantly auditory dysfunction, while HIV/AIDS and DM demonstrated broader auditory–vestibular involvement. Hearing-functioning problems within the African evidence base appear multidimensional, interconnected, and unevenly distributed geographically. Full article

Marriage remains a central social institution among the Vatsonga, functioning not merely as a union between individuals but as a cultural institution through which gender identities, kinship relations, ritual obligations, and communal belonging are constructed and transmitted across generations. While scholarship has extensively explored marriage and gender in African societies, limited attention has been paid to the genealogical processes through which Vatsonga marriage rituals have historically shaped gender identities within changing social, political, and religious contexts. This article examines marriage as a site of gender construction by analysing the relationship between ritual practices, identity formation, and social belonging among the Vatsonga of Southern Africa. Using the genealogical approach of Michel Foucault and the theories of African feminists and decolonials, this study employs interpretive qualitative methodology, which entails the analysis of interdisciplinary literature in African philosophy, anthropology, gender studies, theology, and ritual studies. As a result of this analysis, it becomes evident that marriage rituals continue to play a great role in constructing masculinity and femininity, as well as kinship and community. At the same time, however, these rituals are dynamic and have undergone changes in light of colonialism, Christianity, urbanization, migrations, constitutional democracy, and modern concerns regarding gender equality. This article does not present marriage rituals of Vatsonga as static and monolithic practices, but rather shows their historical contingency, cultural dynamism, and continuous negotiation amid social change. Therefore, this study calls for critical engagement with marriage rituals in order to protect culture as well as to ensure gender equality and the dignity of all parties involved. With regard to the application of genealogy to marriage practices of Vatsonga, this article brings new perspectives to current debates on ritual, gender construction, African epistemologies and the decolonisation of marriage studies. Full article

Background: Triple-Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) remains the most aggressive oncological challenge within the African continent, characterized by high molecular heterogeneity, early onset in African women, and the absence of hormonal receptors. Multi-drug resistance (MDR), driven by ATP-binding cassette (ABC) efflux pumps and supported by the persistence of cancer stem cells (CSCs) within the tumor microenvironment, significantly compromises clinical outcomes and traditional treatment efficacy. Objective: This systematic review evaluates the ethnobotanical relevance, phytochemical diversity, and toxicity of some medicinal plants from the African pharmacopoeia specifically utilized or investigated for their activity against the TNBC phenotype. Methods: Following PRISMA guidelines, a systematic search was executed across PubMed, ScienceDirect, Scopus, Web of Science, and AJOL. The study focuses on original research published between 2011 and 2026 utilizing TNBC-specific models (such as MDA-MB-231, BT-20, HCC1937, or 4T1) and analyses the growth habits, parts used, and traditional administration modes of the selected African plant species, distributed across Western, Central, Southern, and Eastern Africa. Following a rigorous multi-reviewer screening process, a final set of 52 primary articles representing 30 distinct genera and 22 botanical families was selected for qualitative and quantitative synthesis. Results: This review identifies plant species actively used or studied in Africa for their anti-TNBC potential, with the most representative botanical families being Asteraceae (13%), Fabaceae (7%), and Annonaceae (7%). These species are traditionally administered through various methods, including decoction, infusion, and mastication, utilizing diverse plant parts such as leaves, stem and root barks. Significant cytotoxic activities against TNBC cell lines (notably MDA-MB-231) were recorded, with IC₅₀ values as low as 5.10 ± 0.28 µg/mL for Catharanthus roseus and 13.56 µg/mL for Nauclea pobeguinii. Furthermore, species such as Vernonia amygdalina and Curcuma longa demonstrated a capacity to enhance the effectiveness of conventional chemotherapy like Doxorubicin, suggesting a strong potential for chemosensitization and therapeutic synergy in managing resistant breast cancer phenotypes. Conclusions: Standardized African phytomedicines represent a promising frontier in overcoming TNBC chemoresistance. However, the lack of clinical trials and end-to-end drug development infrastructure on the continent remains a significant barrier. Transitioning to nano-formulated delivery systems and establishing regional drug discovery hubs under the ethical framework of the Nagoya Protocol are essential steps toward developing precise and equitable oncology treatments from Africa’s rich biodiversity. Full article

This article explores perceptions of educators on challenges of integrating AI in journalism education. It draws on Bourdieu’s field theory, especially the idea of external shocks, social shaping of technology theory and technological domestication theory. Data were gathered through interviews with selected lecturers from universities and colleges in Zimbabwe, Namibia, South Africa and Botswana. The findings show that educators in Zimbabwe and Botswana viewed AI as compromising the integrity of journalism education and as having a psychological toll on them. Contrastingly, educators in Namibia and South Africa, while admitting AI’s shortcomings, emphasised its potential to enhance journalism training in Africa. Full article

Background: Migrant agricultural workers in Italy often experience social and health vulnerabilities, including unstable housing and limited access to primary care. In Southern Italy, many live in informal settlements and seek care through outreach services. This study describes patterns of pharmacological treatment in this population and examines how they relate to the clinical conditions managed in mobile clinics. Methods: We analyzed routinely collected data from 2928 unique patients (8547 clinical encounters; 8965 treatment occurrences) managed by Doctors with Africa CUAMM mobile clinics in 12 informal settlements in Apulia, Italy, between 2017 and 2026. Diagnoses were grouped into clinical categories, and pharmacological treatments were classified by therapeutic class. We conducted a descriptive analysis of the distribution of diagnostic categories and associated treatments. Results: The population was predominantly male (96.5%), young (81% <45 years), and largely excluded from regular primary care (93.5% without a General Practitioner). Musculoskeletal disorders and fatigue were the leading diagnostic category (34.0%), followed by gastrointestinal (13.5%) and respiratory conditions (13.0%). Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and analgesics were the most frequently recorded treatments (32.6% of treatment occurrences). Among musculoskeletal presentations, NSAIDs were used in 76% of cases. Gastroprotective agents were documented in 52% of encounters with gastrointestinal symptoms. Among cardiovascular presentations, 87.7% of treatment occurrences involved chronic management with antihypertensives or beta-blockers. Conclusions: In this outreach setting, medication use provides a descriptive picture of common health problems and treatment responses among migrant agricultural workers living in informal settlements. The prominent use of symptomatic pharmacological relief, particularly NSAIDs in musculoskeletal conditions, suggests that care is often focused on managing pain and acute complaints in a population facing barriers to continuous primary care. These findings support the need for stronger inclusion of migrant workers in the National Health Service and for policies that address underlying social and structural determinants of health. Full article

Persistent development constraints and material-intensive production have become central features of Southern Africa’s economic landscape. Globalisation has simultaneously intensified the region’s vulnerability to external shocks and heightened pressure to enhance resource efficiency and transition toward sustainable development. This study examines the effect of economic globalisation on resource productivity among members of the Southern African Customs Union (SACU), a highly integrated, resource-dependent, and economically diverse regional bloc. Using a panel econometric approach covering 1996–2023, the analysis employs a dynamic common correlated effects estimator and panel causality tests to identify long-run elasticities and causal relationships. Results indicate that economic globalisation exerts a significant and negative effect on resource productivity in SACU, with these effects driven primarily by the de jure dimension of the integration process. The findings reveal important complexities within this nexus, including core–periphery dynamics and the internal architectural characteristics of the customs union, with notable feedback loops also identified. The study contributes to the literature by demonstrating that it is not merely the extent of integration that matters for resource efficiency, but the quality and nature of that integration. In doing so, it offers a nuanced understanding of how regional institutional frameworks interact with globalisation to shape sustainability outcomes. Full article

Understanding how different drought indicators characterise future drought conditions is essential for climate monitoring and adaptation planning. This study quantified annual severe- and extreme-drought occurrence rates at the 1- and 3-month timescales using the Standardised Precipitation Index (SPI), the Standardised Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI), and their concurrent signals. Historical conditions during 1951–2010 were compared with projections for 2041–2100 under SSP245 and SSP585 using an ensemble of 12 CMIP6 General Circulation Models. Inter-model uncertainty was assessed using the 5th and 95th ensemble quantiles. The results reveal marked contrasts between precipitation-based and potential-evapotranspiration-sensitive drought indicators. Globally, SPI-based severe-drought occurrence decreases under both scenarios, whereas SPI-based extreme-drought occurrence increases, particularly at the 3-month timescale under SSP585. Stronger and more spatially extensive increases are identified using SPEI. The global mean occurrence rate of SPEI1-based extreme drought increases from 0.231 month/year historically to 0.791 month/year under SSP245 and 1.197 month/year under SSP585. For SPEI3, the corresponding rate increases from 0.207 to 1.090 and 1.716 month/year, respectively, with approximately 92.3% of land grid cells showing increases under SSP585. Concurrent SPI-SPEI severe-drought occurrence decreases, while concurrent extreme-drought occurrence increases across approximately 70–77% of land grid cells. This contrast indicates a redistribution of concurrent drought months from the severe to the extreme severity class under a mutually exclusive classification scheme, particularly at the 3-month timescale. The Mediterranean region, the Amazon and other parts of South America, southern Africa, parts of West and Central Asia, and Australia consistently emerge as major hotspots. Ensemble-quantile results support the direction of increasing SPEI-based and concurrent extreme-drought occurrence, although substantial uncertainty remains in the magnitude of change. These findings demonstrate the value of jointly considering precipitation-based and evaporative-demand-sensitive indicators in drought monitoring and regional climate adaptation planning. Full article

The Chihuahuan Desert Biome (CDB), the largest semi-arid region in North America, has undergone repeated climatic fluctuations during the Interglacial–Glacial Oscillation (IGO) of the last eight million years. We investigated biogeographic and evolutionary patterns of endemic cacti within the present-day Interglacial and the Last Glacial by examining 119 strict endemics, including 75 suitable for Species Distribution Modeling (SDM) and 44 microareal strict endemics, together representing 36.17% of the 329 species in the biome. Cacti probably originated in South America after substantial separation from Africa, with pollen fossils documenting their presence in Mexico by 51.6 Ma. Climatic reconstructions for each phase were developed using regional numerical and co-kriging methods following Sánchez-Santillán and García, complemented by paleoclimatic evidence from Scotese, Roy-Priyadarsi, Van Devender, and Betancourt. MAXENT SDMs and PANBIOTRACKS’ track-node analyses were applied to 3719 specimens representing 2015 localities to explore the colonization patterns and broad evolutionary trends. Combined suitability layers and panbiogeographic analyses revealed a predominant southeastern-to-northwestern colonization pattern, largely following the western flank of the Sierra Madre Oriental and intermontane valleys. The northern sectors were less diverse, more arid, and apparently colonized more recently, whereas the southern sectors concentrated much of the endemic richness and connectivity. The concordance among climatic suitability patterns, tracks, nodes, and the available phylogenetic evidence supports a major role of climatic oscillations in shaping the spatial and evolutionary history of endemic cacti throughout the CDB. Full article

As a core component of terrestrial ecosystems, forests play an irreplaceable ecological role in carbon sequestration, biodiversity conservation, and global climate regulation. Home to key global forest belts including the Congo Basin, the African continent’s forest changes directly shape regional ecological balance and sustainable development while profoundly affecting global ecological security and climate dynamics. Based on the Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSPs), a unified narrative framework for global socioeconomic and environmental change scenarios, this study couples techniques such as the Future Land Use Simulation (FLUS) model, dynamic degree analysis, transition matrix, K-means clustering analysis, and patch fragmentation analysis. This work aims to answer two key questions: (1) What are the spatiotemporal characteristics and dominant drivers of African woodland changes under different SSPs? (2) How do spatial clustering and fragmentation patterns vary across scenarios? It systematically predicts and analyzes the spatiotemporal characteristics, driving mechanisms, and fragmentation change patterns of African woodlands in 2030, 2050, and 2070 under five scenarios (SSP1-SSP5) with 2020 as the baseline. These five official IPCC SSP frameworks represent five distinctly divergent socioeconomic development trajectories ranging from sustainable to fossil-fuel-driven development, which are the core differentiated scenarios recommended by IPCC; full inclusion facilitates systematic comparison of varied forest feedback features across Africa’s diversified national development backgrounds. The research results show that understory forests in the SSP5 (Fossil Fuel-dominated Development) scenario exhibit a stable growth trend, with the total area transferred in significantly exceeding the area transferred out from 2020 to 2070, resulting in a net increase of 143,513 km². This growth occurs because high-income economies under this scenario invest heavily in ecological restoration and forest protection, offsetting carbon-intensive development impacts. The core forest density continues to increase and is distributed in contiguous areas; the SSP4 (uneven development) scenario regarding forest degradation is the most severe, with the dynamic rate expected to drop to −0.05% between 2050 and 2070, and a net transfer of −265,581 km². Forest fragmentation is highest, and the core density area is gradually shrinking. Cluster analysis shows that forest area remains relatively stable in most African countries, with stable countries accounting for as much as 95.49% under scenario SSP5. Regions with woodland expansion are mainly distributed in North Africa and localized parts of Southern Africa. After refinement using independent tree-density evidence, woodland expansion in South Africa is shown to be more limited and spatially heterogeneous; these newly expanded woodlands are mostly artificial plantations and alien invasive tree stands rather than native natural woodlands, mainly occurring in eastern and southeastern areas rather than in arid western regions. The spatiotemporal transfer process exhibits significant periodic differentiation, with 2030–2050 being a critical transitional period for forest change, and the differentiation effect between scenarios intensifying. Fragmentation analysis indicates that scenario SSP3 (regional rivalry, with moderate population growth and weak policy constraints) has the best forest integration and the lowest degree of fragmentation, while scenario SSP4 is most strongly affected by human activities and has the highest risk of patch fragmentation. These findings can provide a scientific basis for African countries to formulate differentiated forest protection policies and optimize ecological restoration plans, while also offering theoretical insights for continental-scale forest ecological management. Full article

Dew condensation on passive collectors can supplement water availability across different climates, but its prediction remains uncertain because condensation depends on both atmospheric conditions and collector properties. This study evaluated a physically based model of dew condensation potential (horizontal condenser surface) using field observations from four sites: Helsinki (Finland), Maktau (Kenya), Ajaccio (Corsica, France), and Bordeaux (France). Simulations were primarily driven by ERA5 reanalysis data, while on-site weather station data were used for sensitivity analysis where available. Near-future dew behavior at the European sites was further examined using EURO-CORDEX climate data. The model reproduced the general timing and cumulative progression of condensation, but predicted yields were generally greater than observed yields, especially at Helsinki and Maktau. The best agreement was obtained by Bordeaux, where the experimental setup closely matched the model assumptions. On-site weather stations data improved agreement, highlighting the importance of site-specific nocturnal conditions. CORDEX simulations showed clear site differences, with Bordeaux having the highest and most stable projected condensation potential, Ajaccio frequent but low-intensity condensation, and Helsinki lower annual totals but comparable yield per dew night. The results show that the model was useful for comparing relative condensation potential across climates and identifying dew seasons, but accurately estimating the harvestable dew requires better representation of collector properties such as geometry and surface. Full article

Microseisms, as the most energetic component of the Earth’s background noise field, represent a forefront area of research where precise location of their sources is paramount. This study systematically investigates the spatiotemporal characteristics of 50 mHz Rayleigh wave microseisms using the dense Shandong array deployed in eastern China, through beamforming and a multi-array combined analysis. The results reveal that the incident direction of the Rayleigh waves exhibits distinct temporal and seasonal variations, primarily originating from four back-azimuth sectors. To further constrain the source regions, we integrate background noise data from the Alaska array and the Venezuela array (supplemented by the Indonesia array). The multi-array product back-projection, by cross-constraining back-azimuths from geographically separated arrays, mitigates the inherent ambiguity of single-array analyses and enables robust global source localization. This approach not only improves the reliability of source attribution but also demonstrates the potential of using microseismic noise as a passive tool for monitoring ocean wave activity and investigating solid-Earth structure. The combined analysis identifies four microseism source regions (M1–M4): the Bering Sea–Gulf of Alaska–Aleutian Islands, the central South Pacific, the southwestern Indian Ocean off southern Africa, and the northeastern North Atlantic–Northern Europe. These source regions fundamentally correspond to areas of elevated significant wave height, confirming the coupled ocean–solid Earth excitation mechanism. These findings provide a methodological basis for future applications of multi-array microseismic monitoring in ocean-climate studies and seismic imaging. Full article

This study analyses the Reformed liturgy as a site of ritual contestation that both shapes and facilitates the reconstruction and transformation of gender roles and identities in African contexts. Rooted in genealogical and decolonial scholarship, it examines how a ministry, long-reformed yet fundamentally integral to African-congregational communities, continues to express masculine forms of agency already present in reformed worship that influence perceptions of power, belonging, and identity. The emphasis is on Reformed communities in Southern Africa, where the arrangements of liturgical practices, preaching, eldership, sacramental administration, and life-cycle rites persist in grappling with a colonial past from an African epistemological perspective. This study examines the intersections of baptism, marriage, funerals, and ordination with customary rites such as lobola (bridewealth), initiation, and ancestor veneration, drawing on liturgical theology, ritual studies, and African gender scholarship to reveal both reproductive and resistant dynamics while simultaneously reshaping a new order within these practices. This article examines the ways in which worship facilitates continuity, rupture, and transformation within African gender identities, while seeking to situate Reformed liturgy within an African context of ritual ecologies rather than to contrast them. This approach may enhance decolonial discourse by illuminating contemporary discussions on liturgical studies and gender. Full article

Background: Strychnos madagascariensis Poir (Loganiaceae) is a drought-tolerant indigenous fruit tree of East and southern Africa, valued for its food, medicinal, and socio-economic contributions to rural communities. Despite its importance as a candidate food crop, intraspecific morphological and genetic diversity had not previously been characterized, and no simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers had been developed for this species, leaving breeders and conservation planners without the basic diversity baseline needed to prioritize material for domestication. Methods: This study assessed vegetative and reproductive trait variation, variance components, and broad-sense heritability, and SSR-based genetic diversity among 27 morphologically defined S. madagascariensis morphotypes at Bonamanzi Game Reserve, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Three trees were measured per morphotype (81 trees total), over two growing seasons. Genetic diversity was characterized in one representative tree per morphotype using seventeen newly developed SSR loci, the first such markers reported for this species, and analyzed with population structure (STRUCTURE version 2.3.4), PCA, and Nei’s genetic distance. Results: Twenty-seven morphotypes were identified based on leaf colour, shape, hairiness and size, dominated by grey (41%), elongated (59%), less hairy (48%), and medium-sized (>50–90 mm) leaves. Fruit diameter and mass showed the highest inter-morphotype variation (r = 0.949) and also the highest broad-sense heritability (H² = 55.3% and 47.8%, respectively), indicating strong genetic control of these traits and their suitability as targets for selective breeding. Environmental variance exceeded genotypic variance for most traits. A total of 144 alleles were identified across 17 SSR loci (mean 4.24 alleles/locus; mean PIC = 0.31). Population structure gave a preliminary, tentative signal of two genetic clusters (K = 2) with substantial admixture, which we interpret cautiously, given the limited sampling depth. Conclusions: This is the first study to characterize intraspecific morphological variation in S. madagascariensis and the first to develop SSR markers for the species. The results provide a preliminary, single-site framework for conservation genetics and crop improvement that should be validated with larger, multi-site samples. Grey morphotypes GyEvH1, GyEvH2, GyEvH3, GyRlH1 and GyEH2 combined consistent fruiting performance with favourable fruit-trait values and are proposed as priority candidates for further evaluation in domestication and breeding programmes. Full article

Cultural heritage is a critical pillar of identity, social cohesion and continuity within ethnocultural communities. However, the preservation of cultural heritage across Southern Africa is largely constrained by fragmented colonial policy implementation, and limited community engagement. This study critically examines the application of the Evidence-Based Policy and Practice (EBPP) model as a decolonizing framework for sustainable management of cultural heritage. The study conducts a structured scoping review of literature to explore the integration of EBPP with the principles of Collective Benefit, Authority to Control, Responsibility, Ethics (CARE), and the principles of Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable (FAIR) to support inclusive and ethical governance. The findings of the study reveal that sustainable management of cultural heritage is dependent upon community-led governance, alignment between research, policy, and practice, and strengthening of intellectual property protections. The study identifies persistent gaps in the operationalization of indigenous knowledge policies and highlighted the need for participatory approaches to ensure the long-term sustainability of cultural heritage. The study argues that the integration of EBPP, alongside the principles of CARE and FAIR, significantly enhances accountability, fosters data sovereignty, and supports the decolonization of knowledge systems. Thus, the study makes a significant contribution to the growing global discourse on sustainable development by positioning cultural heritage as a dynamic resource for social transformation. Full article