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*2003 World Summit Award recognition
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Winner of the NSTF Award for Science
Winner of the Highway Africa New Media award
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Science in Africa: for the latest in science
from across the continent. Subscribe
for free monthly newsletters to keep up to date on science from
Africa. Guidelines for authors here.
This Month's Features
Vote Earth and switch off your lights
 A
growing social movement planned for 28th March has been transformed
into the world’s first global election, between Earth and global
warming.
Made for 1,5 million years of walking
 Ancient
footprints found in Kenya show that some of the earliest humans
walked like us and did so on anatomically modern feet 1.5 MYA.
Lion stronghold amidst war
 War-torn
border region between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and
adjoining Uganda could hold up to 905 individuals of the threatened
African lion.
Lift-off in search of other earths
 NASA's
bold Kepler mission lifts off in search of planets which could
inhabit life as we know it and is an important step in answering the
question: Are we alone?
Insight/Opinion
Science
is a human right
While the human right "to enjoy the benefits of scientific progress
and its applications", is clearly stated in an international
covenant, 33 years later this is yet to be ratified in countries
such as SA and the US.
Tools to predict Rift Valley
 fever
Scientists validate study which uses a combination of
temperature, precipitation and vegetation data, to predict deadly
Rift Valley fever outbreaks.
Changing environment to fight malaria
Modifying the environment by using everything from shovels and plows
to plant-derived pesticides may be as important as mosquito nets in
the fight against malaria.
Global recession
Recession won't dim astronomy
 Now
is the time to invest in critical science infrastructure and skills
say scientists. Astronomers remain upbeat that recession will not
slow down plans for SKA.
Will recession slow health care?
Many fear the global recession will limit the amount of aid coming
from foreign lenders, governments, and even non-governmental
organizations into Africa.
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In this Issue
Curry ingredient turmeric helps keep cell membranes in tact to ward off
disease.
Studies show that despite their diversity the Pygmies of Central West
Africa share common ancestors.
Survey of the Sahara has captured the first camera-trap photographs of the
critically endangered Saharan cheetah in Algeria.
Health
Missing piece in the puzzle of cancer spread identified. New hopes for drug
therapy in the spread of killer disease.
In a study engaging 3000 women in Africa and the
US, microbicide trials show promise in preventing HIV infection.
Technology
Research by laser physicists into the defects experienced in the production
process of microchips could benefit computer industry.
SA designed system links free Internet based maps with GIS to create user
friendly system for developing land suitability maps.
New propagation technique for
yams, a staple crop in many parts of Africa to enhance production.
Building science
Second round of South Africa's successful Bio Plan competition aimed at
catalysing biotechnology entrepreneurship kicks off this month.
Study reveals that SA and Egypt accounts for over 50% of the continent's
publications while SA for over 80% of its inventiveness. Strategies for
science capacity development in the rest of Africa.
Journalists and scientists converged in Uganda for cold beer, roast goat and
hot science journalism, charting a way towards Africa's future in science
and reporting thereof.
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