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Science with Africa related activities
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Outcome of CODIST
Addis Ababa hosts African Innovation Framework Workshop
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia 29 June 2009 (ECA) - A two-day consultative workshop on developing an African Innovation Framework opened in Addis Ababa, today to chart the way towards developing a concrete and “implementable” framework to guide Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) development in the continent. The second objective of the workshop is to focus on the opportunities and challenges for the development of African innovation strategy to complement national, sub-regional and sectoral ICT, Science and Technology policies and strategies.
Opening the workshop, Ms. Aida Opoku-Mensah, Director of the ICT, Science and Technology Division (ISTD) of the ECA stressed on the pivotal role that this initiative plays in supporting ECA’s STI programme. She recalled that ECA, through the African Information Society Initiative (AISI), has been engaged in addressing the continent’s technological development challenges since 1996. [more]
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Ten African countries win awards for using ICT to improve public service delivery
Addis Ababa, 4 May 2009 (ECA) – Twelve innovative projects from 10 African countries have won the 2009 Technology in Government in Africa (TIGA) awards in recognition of achievements that led to changes in the use of ICTs for public service delivery, according to an announcement last Thursday in Addis Ababa by the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) and its partners, the Governments of Canada and Finland. [more]
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Science and innovation can help Africa thrive in coming decades, says Janneh
Science, knowledge and innovation can help Africa survive the global financial crisis and thrive in the coming decades, United Nations Under Secretary-General and the Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Africa, Mr. Abdoulie Janneh, said in Addis Ababa today. [more]
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ECA calls on African scientists to use ICT to shield continent from global crisis, initiate growth
A senior official of the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) today called on African scientists to develop scientific proposals on how governments of the continent could cope with the current economic crisis and initiate growth. [more]
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Malaria immunity trigger found for multiple mosquito species
Researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health have for the first time identified a molecular pathway that triggers an immune response in multiple mosquito species capable of stopping the development of Plasmodium falciparum-the parasite that causes malaria in humans. [more]
Professor sheds light on DNA mechanisms
By manipulating individual atoms in DNA and forming unique molecules, a Georgia State University researcher hopes to open new avenues in research towards better understanding the mechanisms of DNA replication and transcription, and perhaps leading to new treatments for diseases. Chemistry and chemical biology Professor Zhen Huang and his lab were able for the first time, to manipulate groups of molecules, called methyl and phosphate groups, in DNA that has been altered to contain selenium in order to bring them close enough together to form hydrogen bonds. [more]
Australia starts 1st swine flu vaccine trials
ADELAIDE, Australia (AP) - The world's first human trials of a swine flu vaccine have begun in Australia, drug company officials said Wednesday, with the aim of controlling the virus that has so far killed more than 700 worldwide. [more]
Putting the Cell in Cell Phone: Adapter Turns Its Camera into a Microscope
A few years ago University of California, Berkeley, professor Daniel Fletcher challenged the undergraduate students in his optics and microscopy course to develop an instrument using only a cell phone and a few objective lenses. It was not until after the project began that Fletcher and the students realized they had created a powerful yet inexpensive instrument that could potentially be used to test for diseases common in developing countries, such as malaria, sickle-cell anemia and tuberculosis. [more]
First South African developed HIV vaccines begin testing in SA
CAPE TOWN: Two South African developed HIV vaccines have begun clinical testing in South Africa (Crossroads, Cape Town and at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital, Soweto).
The South African AIDS Vaccine Initiative (SAAVI), which is a lead programme of the South African Medical Research Council (MRC) and is supported by the South African government, this week announced the start of the phase I safety trial in SA. The trial, called SAAVI 102/HVTN 073, is being conducted jointly with the HIV Vaccine Trials Network (HVTN) and the US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the US National Institutes of Health (NIH). It will test two vaccines developed by the University of Cape Town (UCT) through joint funding from SAAVI and NIAID. [more]
Breakthrough in battle against aflatoxin in African food crops
Ibadan, Nigeria - IITA researchers and partners have developed a safe and natural method that could drastically cut aflatoxin contamination in African food crops by as much as 99 per cent.
Scientists of the African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF), Kenya, the United States Department for Agriculture (USDA) and IITA have collaboratively demonstrated the ability of a natural fungi found in Nigeria to significantly reduce concentrations of aflatoxins in maize. In the long-term, this research would lead to the improvement of the health of vulnerable groups, especially women and children, and help reduce related global trade losses estimated at US$ 1.2 billion. African economies lose about US$ 450 million annually to aflatoxin contamination. [more]
New Bio-Safety law in Ethiopia to regulate R&D of GMO
Ethiopian government has approved a new Proclamation on Bio-Safety law to help regulate research and exploitation of genetically modified organisms (GMO).
The legislation, which various environmental groups and local consumer associations have been calling for contains various regulations aimed at protecting human and animal health, and biological diversity, by managing and even totally avoiding GMO threats.
The draft bill drafted by the Federal Environmental Protection Authority (FEPA),was among agenda items, but was never discussed in the first meeting of the Environment Council. The council's membership includes ministers, regional presidents and a civil society representative, Negusu Aklilu, Director of the Forum for the Environment (FfE). [more]
South Africa: Innovation Agency Takes Shape to promote the commercialisation of Research
Cape Town — South Africa's government has taken a key step towards establishing an agency that it hopes will improve the country's patchy record in commercialising research. Science minister Naledi Pandor unveiled the board members of the soon-to-be-launched Technology Innovation Agency (TIA) in Johannesburg this month .
The TIA, to be launched in November, will coordinate innovation funding and provide strategic advice to the government on how to transform South Africa into a knowledge economy. South Africa houses excellent research, according to a 2007 evaluation by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), but has made only modest progress in translating this potential into substantial economic growth. [more]
African Union Scientific Awards 2009
The programme is designed to celebrate and acknowledge the achievements of African scientists and to promote all efforts to transform scientific research into entrepreneurship, attract investments to Africa, and create research centers of excellence. It will further encourage the science community, and the public to participate in scientific engagements towards addressing critical problems in Africa. The programme will contribute towards raising the profile of science and technology sector and building a scientific culture amongst African citizens. There is a strong urge for Africa to quickly mobilize its scientific resources, competencies and comparative advantages to champion programmes that promote access to science and technology by all, strengthen research capacities, and increase the use, and generation of scientific knowledge for the development of the continent. [more]
5th conference of the African Association of Woman Geoscientists
The African Association of Women Geoscientists (AAWG) is organizing the 5th conference of the African Association of Woman Geoscientists at Grand – Bassam Cote D’lvoire April 11 – 17 2010. The objectives and purposes for which the Association is constituted are to : Promote the advancement of scientific and technological knowledge in the field of geosciences ; Disseminate information on scientific and technical research and discoveries and promote public understanding of the role of geosciences in Africa’s development ; Establish and maintain relations between African scientists and the international scientific community ; Provide a forum for discussion and cooperation in geosciences and other related professions in Africa. [more]
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7th Congress of Toxicology in Developing Countries
The Toxicology Society of South Africa (TOXSA) was established as a Learned Society on 15 May 2001 in Stellenbosch, South Africa. In 2009, TOXSA will be hosting the 7th Congress of Toxicology in Developing Countries (7CTDC) to be held in Sun City, South Africa on 6-10 September 2009. [more]
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Financial Crisis & its impact on Science & Technology in Africa
Prof. Sospeter Muhongo, Regional Director of the
International Council for Science - Regional Office for
Africa ICSU ROA
Today’s world is struggling with an unprecedented financial crisis in history. This financial turmoil has inevitable posed an impact on the economies of countries by reducing growth, trade, investment flows, employment and remittances. For developing countries, in particular, the global financial crisis will reduce the demand for their traded goods and investment inflows which in turn will retard economic growth and slow down poverty reduction, industrialization and meeting the United Nations Millennium Development Goals. [more]
ICT, Science & Technology Division (ISTD)
PO Box 3001
Addis Ababa
Ethiopia