Latest news with #Africa-specific
Time of India
28-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Local weather conditions, access to cities can impact prevalence of tuberculosis, study finds
New Delhi: Researchers who mapped tuberculosis cases in African countries found that local weather conditions and access to cities can influence prevalence of the bacterial disease. The study's methodology of identifying disease patterns could help fight tuberculosis in a more targeted manner around the world -- particularly in regions where resources are limited, they said. Tuberculosis (TB) mostly affects the lungs and can be deadly if untreated. The disease -- symptoms of which include persistent cough, chest pain and fever -- spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Focusing on 14 nations, including Nigeria and Mozambique, the team, including researchers from Curtin University and The Kids Research Institute Australia, analysed prevalence of tuberculosis from 50 population-based surveys, involving over 15 lakh people. The researchers estimated how common the disease is at a local level, breaking each country down into grids, each five square kilometres in area, to identify hotspots. "Here we estimate 1.28 million TB cases across 14 countries, with marked spatial variations," the authors wrote in the study published in the journal Communications Medicine. "Factors such as temperature, precipitation, and access to cities are positively associated with higher TB prevalence, while higher altitude is linked to lower TB prevalence," they wrote. For example, rainfall tends to keep one spends indoors, thereby increasing person-to-person contact, crowding, and affecting ventilation levels -- all of which have been linked to spreading of tuberculosis, the researchers explained. Lead researcher Alemneh Liyew, PhD candidate from Curtin University's school of population health, said the study uncovered dramatic differences in disease burden between local regions within countries -- which could prove vital in reducing the impact of tuberculosis. "This study highlights how factors such as higher temperatures, rainfall, altitude and better access to cities can influence the prevalence of tuberculosis. "With this data, health resources can be better targeted towards the communities that need them most," Liyew said. The study is also the first to provide local-level tuberculosis maps across Africa, the researcher said. "Until now, we haven't been able to see where within countries the disease is most concentrated," Liyew said. Author Kefyalew Alene, associate professor Curtin University, said the study's findings could potentially help fight the disease outside of Africa. "While some aspects of the study are Africa-specific, using mapping to identify patterns associated with tuberculosis could help battle the disease in a more targeted manner elsewhere," Alene said. "One-size-fits-all national strategies aren't as effective, particularly in regions where resources are limited," the researcher said.
The Hindu
27-05-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
Local weather conditions, access to cities can impact prevalence of tuberculosis, study finds
Researchers who mapped tuberculosis cases in African countries found that local weather conditions and access to cities can influence prevalence of the bacterial disease. The study's methodology of identifying disease patterns could help fight tuberculosis in a more targeted manner around the world -- particularly in regions where resources are limited, they said. Tuberculosis (TB) mostly affects the lungs and can be deadly if untreated. The disease -- symptoms of which include persistent cough, chest pain and fever -- spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Study highlights Focusing on 14 nations, including Nigeria and Mozambique, the team, including researchers from Curtin University and The Kids Research Institute Australia, analysed prevalence of tuberculosis from 50 population-based surveys, involving over 15 lakh people. The researchers estimated how common the disease is at a local level, breaking each country down into grids, each five square kilometres in area, to identify hotspots. "Here we estimate 1.28 million TB cases across 14 countries, with marked spatial variations," the authors wrote in the study published in the journal Communications Medicine. "Factors such as temperature, precipitation, and access to cities are positively associated with higher TB prevalence, while higher altitude is linked to lower TB prevalence," they wrote. For example, rainfall tends to keep one spends indoors, thereby increasing person-to-person contact, crowding, and affecting ventilation levels -- all of which have been linked to spreading of tuberculosis, the researchers explained. Lead researcher Alemneh Liyew, PhD candidate from Curtin University's school of population health, said the study uncovered dramatic differences in disease burden between local regions within countries -- which could prove vital in reducing the impact of tuberculosis. "This study highlights how factors such as higher temperatures, rainfall, altitude and better access to cities can influence the prevalence of tuberculosis. Possibilities of expansion "With this data, health resources can be better targeted towards the communities that need them most," Liyew said. The study is also the first to provide local-level tuberculosis maps across Africa, the researcher said. "Until now, we haven't been able to see where within countries the disease is most concentrated," Liyew said. Author Kefyalew Alene, associate professor Curtin University, said the study's findings could potentially help fight the disease outside of Africa."While some aspects of the study are Africa-specific, using mapping to identify patterns associated with tuberculosis could help battle the disease in a more targeted manner elsewhere," Alene said. "One-size-fits-all national strategies aren't as effective, particularly in regions where resources are limited," the researcher said.
NDTV
27-05-2025
- Health
- NDTV
Local Weather Conditions Can Impact Prevalence Of Tuberculosis: Study
New Delhi: Researchers who mapped tuberculosis cases in African countries found that local weather conditions and access to cities can influence prevalence of the bacterial disease. The study's methodology of identifying disease patterns could help fight tuberculosis in a more targeted manner around the world -- particularly in regions where resources are limited, they said. Tuberculosis (TB) mostly affects the lungs and can be deadly if untreated. The disease -- symptoms of which include persistent cough, chest pain and fever -- spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Focusing on 14 nations, including Nigeria and Mozambique, the team, including researchers from Curtin University and The Kids Research Institute Australia, analysed prevalence of tuberculosis from 50 population-based surveys, involving over 15 lakh people. The researchers estimated how common the disease is at a local level, breaking each country down into grids, each five square kilometres in area, to identify hotspots. "Here we estimate 1.28 million TB cases across 14 countries, with marked spatial variations," the authors wrote in the study published in the journal Communications Medicine. "Factors such as temperature, precipitation, and access to cities are positively associated with higher TB prevalence, while higher altitude is linked to lower TB prevalence," they wrote. For example, rainfall tends to keep one spends indoors, thereby increasing person-to-person contact, crowding, and affecting ventilation levels -- all of which have been linked to spreading of tuberculosis, the researchers explained. Lead researcher Alemneh Liyew, PhD candidate from Curtin University's school of population health, said the study uncovered dramatic differences in disease burden between local regions within countries -- which could prove vital in reducing the impact of tuberculosis. "This study highlights how factors such as higher temperatures, rainfall, altitude and better access to cities can influence the prevalence of tuberculosis. "With this data, health resources can be better targeted towards the communities that need them most," Liyew said. The study is also the first to provide local-level tuberculosis maps across Africa, the researcher said. "Until now, we haven't been able to see where within countries the disease is most concentrated," Liyew said. Author Kefyalew Alene, associate professor Curtin University, said the study's findings could potentially help fight the disease outside of Africa. "While some aspects of the study are Africa-specific, using mapping to identify patterns associated with tuberculosis could help battle the disease in a more targeted manner elsewhere," Alene said. "One-size-fits-all national strategies aren't as effective, particularly in regions where resources are limited," the researcher said.
Hypebeast
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Hypebeast
LABRUM Honors Its Roots With adidas Africa Day Superstar Collaboration
Foday Dumbuya'sLABRUMis making it big, and we're here for it. After collaborating withGuinnesson a playful furniture collection, the British brand celebrates its West African roots withadidas. The duo continue their collaboration fromFall/Winter 2024, joining forces for Africa Day with a special-editionSuperstar. Celebrated on May 25, Africa Day honors the region's creative diversity. The adidas x LABRUM Africa Day Superstar marks the latter's fifth yearly celebration, dressing the low-top sneaker in black aniline leather and Africa-specific accents. The kicks feature leather shell toes with three-dimensional lining and Pan-African flag hues on the medial three stripes. The tongues are embroidered with LABRUM's signature Nomoli figure, while the rear leather heels don contrasting red and green finishes. The collaboration is completed with adidas' chunky Freizeit outsoles for a sleek look. Take a closer look at the adidas x LABRUM Africa Day Superstar collaboration in the gallery above. It will be available in-store andonlinevia LABRUM for £120 GBP (approximately $160 USD), with all proceeds going to LABRUM's charity foundation.
