Imagine being able to tell what someone ate thousands of years ago just by examining their bones and teeth. This was what a team of researchers did recently when they analysed the teeth and bones of people buried in Taforalt Cave, north-east Morocco, during the Late Stone Age. Their findings challenge the traditional view that a heavy reliance on plant-based diets started only with agriculture. Zineb Moubtahij unpacks the findings.
In a recent report, the Norwegian Refugee Council listed the 10 most neglected displacement crises in the world. African countries made up nine of the 10 worst crises in 2023 that forced people to flee their homes, with Burkina Faso topping the list for the second year in a row. The situation in these countries has largely been ignored by the media, humanitarian efforts are severely underfunded and international support to find political solutions is insufficient. However, at The Conversation Africa, we’ve worked with academics to shed light on these crises. Here are six articles that explain what’s going on.
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Zineb Moubtahij, Leiden University
Findings from a new study challenge the traditional view that a heavy reliance on plant-based diets started only with the advent of agriculture.
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Kagure Gacheche, The Conversation
Burkina Faso tops the list of the world’s most neglected crises in the world for the second time in a row.
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Samuel Kariuki, Kenya Medical Research Institute
Severe weather such as drought and floods is contributing to cholera outbreaks in Africa.
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Laura Vang Rasmussen, University of Copenhagen; Hanson Nyantakyi-Frimpong, University of Denver; Ingo Grass, University of Hohenheim; Marney Isaac, University of Toronto; Rachel Bezner Kerr, Cornell University
Transitions to diversified farming systems in Africa will require financial support. But barriers can be overcome.
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From our international editions
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Ian Whittaker, Nottingham Trent University
Here’s what’s going on to cause more widespread northern and southern lights.
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Benjamin Chrisinger, Tufts University
Increased mistrust of the US medical profession and higher mortality rates are two consequences of the lack of Black doctors.
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Joseph Curti, University of California, Los Angeles; Morgan Tingley, University of California, Los Angeles
Even in a concrete jungle like Los Angeles, wild species show up in surprising places. New research identifies the types of wildlife that best tolerate urban development.
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Rahul Sidhu, University of Sheffield
A CNN documentary follows two people with Alzheimer’s who took part in a study to determine if lifestyle changes can reverse symptoms.
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Neil McArthur, University of Manitoba
Online dating can be enhanced by using AI to create profiles, provide advice and identify matches.
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