Author: TalkAfrique Sci&Tek

Providing Science and Technology news of interest to the African continent and people.

Why You Should Plan to Deliver in the Fall

Babies born in spring are slightly more likely to develop anorexia nervosa (an eating disorder characterized by extremely low body weight, distorted body image and an obsessive fear of gaining weight), while those born in the fall have a lower risk, say researchers. A report published in the British Journal of Psychiatry suggests temperature, sunlight,… Continue reading Why You Should Plan to Deliver in the Fall

Using Mosquitoes To ‘Vaccinate’ Against Malaria

Joanne Silberner,NPR The parasite responsible for the intense fevers, chills, and headaches of malaria is very skilled at hiding in the in the body. That means vaccines don’t work all that well to prevent the disease. So Dutch researchers are trying a new approach — “vaccinating” people by having them get bitten by mosquitoes carrying… Continue reading Using Mosquitoes To ‘Vaccinate’ Against Malaria

Human Speech Originated in Africa: Study Suggests

Human speech originated in central and southern Africa, according to new research on languages. It is then said to have spread around the globe alongside migrating human populations. A comprehensive study of phonemes, or the perceptually distinct units of sound that differentiate words, used in 504 human languages reveals that the dialects containing the most… Continue reading Human Speech Originated in Africa: Study Suggests

Resource-rich Africa Well Placed to Transition to ‘Green Economy’ – UN official

28 March 2011 –Africa is well poised to take advantage of a host of opportunities on the continent for building a ‘green economy,’ one that generates decent jobs in an environmentally sustainable way, a senior United Nations official said today. “This continent is in many ways the envy of the 21st century world,” Achim Steiner,… Continue reading Resource-rich Africa Well Placed to Transition to ‘Green Economy’ – UN official

A Green Economy Statement by Achim Steiner to African Ministers of Finance, Planning and Economic Development

Delivered at the 2011 Joint Annual Meetings of African Union Conference of Ministers of Economy and Finance and the Economics Commission for Africa Conference of African Ministers of Finance, Planning and Economic Development 28 March 2011- Addis Ababa, Ladies and Gentlemen, We meet some 13 months before what could prove to be one of the… Continue reading A Green Economy Statement by Achim Steiner to African Ministers of Finance, Planning and Economic Development