Tiger breeding, exports flourish in S.Africa: charity
South Africa's legal lion breeding has spawned a tiger farming industry for commercial exports, potentially posing a threat to the species already in decline, an animal welfare group warned Tuesday......»»
Study shows slow-growth diet before breeding offers better long-range health in pigs
Borrowing a page from the dairy industry, researchers with the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station found that a slow-growth diet meant more piglets and healthier and longer-lived momma pigs......»»
New genomic tools for three modern cotton varieties could guide future breeding efforts
We live in an ever-changing and growing world. Changing climates, emerging pests, and other environmental stressors put pressure on the cash crops that feed and fuel the world. As we race to meet the growing demand for sustainable and high-quality fo.....»»
Rapid urbanization in Africa transforms local food systems and threatens biodiversity, says study
Urbanization in Africa is accelerating quickly, showing no signs of slowing down. An international team of researchers addresses critical gaps in our understanding of how this urbanization affects local food and ecological systems, emphasizing the im.....»»
"Cape of Storms": Climate researchers explain Cape Town"s recent extreme weather
A severe storm hit South Africa's Western Cape province between 6 and 9 April 2024, with extreme winds gusting at up to 135km/h. The storm left a trail of destruction across Cape Town and surrounding areas—at least 1,500 people were left homeless a.....»»
As No Mow May ends, here"s why we should keep patches of lawn permanently wild
Over the last century, nearly all of the UK's wildflower meadows have been destroyed by expanding farms, towns and cities. This loss of habitat has driven nature's decline, according to research led by birds and nature conservation charity the RSPB......»»
Researcher uses satellite imagery to investigate ancient urbanism in eastern Africa
At the U of A's Center for Advanced Spatial Technologies, Wolfgang Alders, a National Science Foundation SBE Postdoctoral Fellow, is using satellite imagery and archaeological methods to better understand the origins of urban life on the eastern Afri.....»»
New sensing techniques can detect drought tolerance in ancient crops, may inform new breeding programs
Drought is the most devastating environmental stress that farmers face worldwide. With the added pressures of climate change, drought years have become less predictable, more frequent and more severe......»»
Key tiger habitat swamped by deadly Bangladesh cyclone
Bangladesh forest experts warned Tuesday a key tiger habitat hit by a deadly cyclone had been submerged by seawater deeper and longer than ever before, raising fears for endangered wildlife......»»
Salty soil sensitizes plants to an unconventional mode of bacterial toxicity
A collaborative study between researchers from the Max Planck Institute for Plant Breeding Research and the Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology has shown how a single metabolite can render bacteria toxic to plants under hig.....»»
Secrets of sargassum: Scientists advance knowledge of seaweed causing chaos in the Caribbean and West Africa
Researchers have been working to track and study floating sargassum, a prolific seaweed swamping Caribbean and West African shorelines, and causing environmental and economic harm. The study, "Changes in holopelagic Sargassum spp. biomass composition.....»»
Horn of Africa droughts: Research shows how a network of groundwater bores could help
The Horn of Africa recently suffered its worst drought in almost half a century, and its sixth failed rainfall season in a row......»»
Over 300 million young people have experienced online sexual abuse, exploitation, finds metastudy
It takes a lot to shock Kelvin Lay. My friend and colleague was responsible for setting up Africa's first dedicated child exploitation and human trafficking units, and for many years he was a senior investigating officer for the Child Exploitation On.....»»
South Africa: Gold mine pollution is poisoning Soweto"s water and soil—study finds food gardens are at risk
For 140 years, gold mines in Johannesburg, South Africa have been leaking wastewater contaminated with heavy metals. The acid mine drainage from Johannesburg's estimated 278 abandoned mines and 200 mine dumps includes uranium (a radioactive metal), t.....»»
El Nino not responsible for East Africa floods: Scientists
The El Niño weather pattern did not have "any influence" on widespread flooding that killed hundreds in East Africa this year, an expert group of scientists said Friday......»»
US sues Ticketmaster and owner Live Nation, seeks breakup of monopoly
Live Nation has monopolized "nearly all live music in America today," US says. Enlarge / Ticketmaster advertisements in the United States v. South Africa women's soccer match at Soldier Field on September 24, 2023 in Chicago, Ill.....»»
Researchers propose use of electrical blackouts to determine impact of artificial light on wildlife
New research proposes the use of electrical blackouts, such as those experienced during loadshedding in South Africa, to enhance our understanding of how artificial light in urban areas may be affecting wildlife behaviors......»»
A rare find in ancient Timorese mud may rewrite the history of human settlement in Australasia
Humans arrived in Australia at least 65,000 years ago, according to archaeological evidence. These pioneers were part of an early wave of people traveling eastwards from Africa, through Eurasia, and ultimately into Australia and New Guinea......»»
Kenyan fishers face increased drowning risk from climate change
Fatal drownings are a big risk for small-scale fishers on Africa's largest lake, with many of those deaths attributed to bad weather—conditions that are likely to worsen with climate change, according to a new study......»»
Opinon: Conservation areas stand between needs of local communities and preserving natural resources
For centuries the Makuleke community lived in the northeastern corner of South Africa, close to the modern-day border between Zimbabwe and Mozambique. But by the beginning of the 20th century, the squeeze on a disenfranchised community had begun, as.....»»
Deaf and hard-of-hearing students need more support from their universities: South Africa study
Adjusting to university life tends to be tough no matter who you are. But what happens when deafness makes the usual demands even more difficult? Deaf students or those who are hard of hearing need extra accessibility measures to ensure they're able.....»»