Article
Environmental Studies
Oliver Asiamah, Samuel Kwaku Agyei, Bossman Ahmed, Ellen Animah Agyei
Summary: The natural resource endowment in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) countries has not led to economic growth and development. The study finds evidence supporting the existence of the Dutch disease and pull effect mechanisms, suggesting that natural resource dependence hinders growth in non-natural resource sectors and the overall economy. The findings emphasize the need for resource-rich countries in SSA to encourage innovation, diversification, and prudent financial management, while building strong institutional structures, to stimulate economic growth and reduce dependence on natural resources.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Priyanka Jha, Stefan Schmidt
Summary: The extensive use of fossil fuels in sub-Saharan Africa has led to an increase in greenhouse gas emissions, negatively impacting sustainable development goals. However, biofuels produced from energy crops can help reduce GHG emissions if the total emissions are lower than fossil fuels being displaced. It is crucial to carefully assess how biofuel feedstock cultivation impacts local socioeconomic conditions, food insecurity, and biodiversity in order to promote sustainable biofuel production and uplift livelihoods in the region.
RENEWABLE & SUSTAINABLE ENERGY REVIEWS
(2021)
Article
Environmental Studies
Oliver Asiamah, Samuel Kwaku Agyei, Ahmed Bossman, Ellen Animah Agyei, Joseph Asucam, Michael Arku-Asare
Summary: The study shows a negative association between natural resource dependence and institutional quality, supporting the rent-seeking theory. Additionally, employment, education, and FDI have significant positive relationships with institutional quality. To avoid the resource curse, policy development in SSA countries should focus on encouraging economic modernization and diversification, as well as incorporating sustainable natural resource exploitation policies.
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Justine M. Nyaga, Cecilia M. Onyango, Johanna Wetterlind, Mats Soderstrom
Summary: Precision agriculture has great potential for growth in sub-Saharan Africa, but it faces challenges in terms of socio-economic factors and technology. Most research has been conducted in countries like South Africa, Nigeria, and Kenya, primarily on small farms. Collaboration between researchers from inside and outside Africa has played a significant role in advancing precision agriculture in the region.
PRECISION AGRICULTURE
(2021)
Article
Environmental Studies
Wenxue Li, Fei Liu
Summary: This paper examines the patterns in 18 sub-Saharan African countries from 1985 to 2019 to determine if any strategies can enhance the capacity factor of green resources, particularly by focusing on financial markets and integration. The empirical findings using a dynamic panel model suggest that measures to promote economic growth should improve the capacity factor of green resources in Africa. Decomposing the management indicators into dereality and judicial decision components reveals a similar but stronger long-term impact. Moreover, logistic regression analysis indicates that the impact of financial integration on green energy capacity is positive but inconsistent across different green resources. Overall, the data highlights a positive relationship between growth and the ability to generate renewable resources, while a weak correlation is observed between economic literacy and renewable energy resources.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Nugun P. Jellason, Elizabeth J. Z. Robinson, Chukwuma C. Ogbaga
Summary: Agriculture 4.0, the fourth agricultural revolution, involves the application of smart technologies to enhance agriculture and food production sustainability. Sub-Saharan Africa's position in this new technology trajectory is critically assessed, revealing both challenges and opportunities for adopting Agriculture 4.0 technologies in the region.
APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL
(2021)
Review
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Cecilia M. Onyango, Justine M. Nyaga, Johanna Wetterlind, Mats Soderstrom, Kristin Piikki
Summary: There are opportunities for the adoption of precision agriculture technologies worldwide. The use of various precision agriculture practices in Sub-Saharan Africa showed promising results in enhancing productivity among smallholder farmers. The implementation of these technologies can support sustainable agricultural development in the region.
Article
Agronomy
Jonne Rodenburg, Kazuki Saito
Summary: This research provides an overview of the challenges faced by the rice production sector in sub-Saharan Africa and the historical efforts in agronomy research. It also presents six main recommendations for future research, including increasing focus on rainfed rice-based systems, developing integrated cropping and farming systems, and prioritizing sustainability.
FIELD CROPS RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Development Studies
Elizavetta Dorinet, Pierre-Andre Jouvet, Julien Wolfersberger
Summary: The study found that an increase in the commodity price index leads to a drop in agricultural productivity in Sub-Saharan economies, possibly due to the lack of spillovers across sectors and the low level of agricultural investment in autocratic regimes. Additionally, higher agricultural productivity is positively associated with the release of workers towards manufacturing and services, thus driving structural transformation.
Review
Agronomy
Shem Kuyah, Gudeta Weldesemayat Sileshi, Libere Nkurunziza, Ngonidzashe Chirinda, Pierre Celestin Ndayisaba, Kangbeni Dimobe, Ingrid Oborn
Summary: The push for sustainable agricultural intensification in Africa has led to the identification of key agronomic practices, such as agroforestry and conservation agriculture, that can increase productivity while reducing carbon footprint. However, adoption of these practices on smallholder farms in sub-Saharan Africa faces challenges.
AGRONOMY FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Craig Leisher, Nathaniel Robinson, Matthew Brown, Deo Kujirakwinja, Mauricio Castro Schmitz, Michelle Wieland, David Wilkie
Summary: Sub-Saharan Africa receives significant investments in biodiversity conservation, but there is a lack of prioritization, resulting in suboptimal regional investments. This study identifies the highest threats to biodiversity in the region, including crop cultivation, fishing, logging and hunting.
BIODIVERSITY AND CONSERVATION
(2022)
Editorial Material
Soil Science
Qin Muhan
Summary: This study explores the development bottleneck of agriculture in Sub-Saharan Africa and suggests measures to develop agricultural resilience. Both technological and social measures are essential to improve land resilience, and policies addressing risk mitigation and inequality reduction are crucial. A development framework for agriculture resilience is elaborated, aiming to achieve a more productive, sustainable, stable, and equally beneficial agricultural system in Sub-Saharan African countries.
SOIL USE AND MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Development Studies
Anasuya Haldar, Narayan Sethi, Pabitra Kumar Jena, Purna Chandra Padhan
Summary: This study examines the role of governance and renewable energy in alleviating energy poverty in 22 Sub-Saharan African countries from 2000 to 2018. It finds that government expenditure increases economic growth, which reduces energy poverty. Additionally, the study shows that energy poverty initially increases and then decreases with rising renewable energy share. The findings highlight the need for transparent governance, strong institutions, and a resilient grid infrastructure to address energy poverty in the region.
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
(2023)
Article
Development Studies
Jian Wang, Yuzhen Zhang, Angelina Kissiwaa Twum, Andrew Osei Agyemang
Summary: This study analyzed the linkage between industrialization, trade openness, and consumption-based carbon emissions in Sub-Sahara Africa, aiming to find a balance between development and climate protection. The results showed that both industrial and urban growth were positively associated with carbon emissions, and trade openness moderated the link between industrial growth and carbon emissions.
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Benjamin L. Rice, Akshaya Annapragada, Rachel E. Baker, Marjolein Bruijning, Winfred Dotse-Gborgbortsi, Keitly Mensah, Ian F. Miller, Nkengafac Villyen Motaze, Antso Raherinandrasana, Malavika Rajeev, Julio Rakotonirina, Tanjona Ramiadantsoa, Fidisoa Rasambainarivo, Weiyu Yu, Bryan T. Grenfell, Andrew J. Tatem, C. Jessica E. Metcalf
Summary: The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has shown low burdens in sub-Saharan Africa compared to other regions, potentially influenced by factors such as climate and population demographics. Caution is needed when interpreting analyses that aggregate data from low- and middle-income settings. Heterogeneity in connectivity across sub-Saharan Africa may contribute to variance in the pace of viral spread.
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Jo-Anna B. Baxter, Yaqub Wasan, Muhammad Islam, Simon Cousens, Sajid B. Soofi, Imran Ahmed, Daniel W. Sellen, Zulfiqar A. Bhutta
Summary: The study found that dietary diversity was lacking among sampled Pakistani adolescent girls, mainly due to poverty being the most important predictor of a diet lacking in diversity. Among the social determinants associated with DDS, wealth quintile had the strongest association.
MATERNAL AND CHILD NUTRITION
(2022)
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Alison Mildon, Jane Francis, Stacia Stewart, Bronwyn Underhill, Yi Man Ng, Christina Rousseau, Erica Di Ruggiero, Cindy-Lee Dennis, Deborah L. O'Connor, Daniel W. Sellen
Summary: While 70% of participants continued breastfeeding for 6 months, only 18% practiced exclusive breastfeeding for the full duration. The early use of formula was common in the first three months, and the introduction of solids and non-formula fluids at 5 to 6 months further compromised exclusive breastfeeding rates. Transitions between different categories of breastmilk feeding intensity were common, with 35% making two or more transitions. High levels of breastmilk provision were observed despite low rates of exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months, highlighting the need for nuanced reporting and intervention designs in future studies.
MATERNAL AND CHILD NUTRITION
(2022)
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Alison Mildon, Jane Francis, Stacia Stewart, Bronwyn Underhill, Yi Man Ng, Elle Richards, Christina Rousseau, Erica Di Ruggiero, Cindy-Lee Dennis, Deborah L. O'Connor, Daniel W. Sellen
Summary: Only one-third of Canadian infants are exclusively breastfed for the first 6 months of life as recommended. Skilled lactation support in the early postpartum period is one strategy for improving breastfeeding outcomes by building breastfeeding self-efficacy and resolving difficulties. This pre/post intervention study aims to examine the effect on breastfeeding outcomes of an evidence-based in-home lactation support intervention provided through the Canada Prenatal Nutrition Program (CPNP).
INTERNATIONAL BREASTFEEDING JOURNAL
(2021)
Correction
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Alison Mildon, Jane Francis, Stacia Stewart, Bronwyn Underhill, Yi Man Ng, Elle Richards, Christina Rousseau, Erica Di Ruggiero, Cindy-Lee Dennis, Deborah L. O'Connor, Daniel W. Sellen
INTERNATIONAL BREASTFEEDING JOURNAL
(2021)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Iulia Badescu, David P. Watts, M. Anne Katzenberg, Daniel W. Sellen
Summary: Maternal lactational investment can vary based on infant sex, with mothers of male chimpanzees showing higher levels of milk contribution and longer inter-birth intervals compared to mothers of female chimpanzees. This bias towards sons suggests potential greater maternal investment in male offspring and may ultimately lead to higher reproductive success and inclusive fitness for mothers.
BEHAVIORAL ECOLOGY AND SOCIOBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Amos K. Laar, Phyllis Addo, Richmond Aryeetey, Charles Agyemang, Francis Zotor, Gershim Asiki, Krystal K. Rampalli, Gideon S. Amevinya, Akua Tandoh, Silver Nanema, Akosua Pokua Adjei, Matilda E. Laar, Kobby Mensah, Dennis Laryea, Daniel Sellen, Stefanie Vandevijvere, Christopher Turner, Hibbah Osei-Kwasi, Mark Spires, Christine Blake, Dominic Rowland, Suneetha Kadiyala, Isabel Madzorera, Adama Diouf, Namukolo Covic, Isaac M. Dzudzor, Reginald Annan, Peiman Milani, John Nortey, Nicholas Bricas, Sukati Mphumuzi, Kenneth Yongabi Anchang, Ali Jafri, Meenal Dhall, Amanda Lee, Sally Mackay, Samuel O. Oti, Karen Hofman, Edward A. Frongillo, Michelle Holdsworth
Summary: This paper highlights the lack of research and policy action in Africa to improve food environments and reduce the intake of suboptimal diets and its adverse health outcomes. The dietary and nutrition transitions in Africa have led to changes in food environments and dietary behaviors, contributing to the complex burden of malnutrition-obesity and other diet-related noncommunicable diseases. Unhealthy or obesogenic food environments have been linked to suboptimal diets and associated adverse health outcomes. The paper emphasizes the urgent need for contextual evidence to motivate and enable supportive food environments in Africa for better population health.
ADVANCES IN NUTRITION
(2022)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Shane A. Norris, Catherine E. Draper, Alessandra Prioreschi, C. M. Smuts, Lisa Jayne Ware, CindyLee Dennis, Philip Awadalla, D. Bassani, Zulfiqar Bhutta, Laurent Briollais, D. William Cameron, Tobias Chirwa, B. Fallon, C. M. Gray, Jill Hamilton, J. Jamison, Heather Jaspan, Jennifer Jenkins, Kathleen Kahn, A. P. Kengne, Estelle Lambert, Naomi Levitt, Marie-Claude Martin, Michele Ramsay, Daniel Roth, Stephen Scherer, Daniel Sellen, Wiedaad Slemming, Deborah Sloboda, M. Szyf, Stephen Tollman, Mark Tomlinson, Suzanne Tough, Stephen G. Matthews, Linda Richter, Stephen Lye
Summary: The evolving burden of disease in South Africa poses challenges, including persistent infectious diseases, increasing obesity rates, especially among women, and rising non-communicable diseases. This study aims to improve the health and reduce the risk of obesity and non-communicable diseases in South African children by intervening during the preconception period and pregnancy, focusing on women's nutrition, physical and mental health, and health behaviors. It is the first individual randomized controlled trial in Africa to test the efficacy of a complex continuum of care intervention.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Iulia Badescu, David P. Watts, Cassandra Curteanu, Kelly J. Desruelle, Daniel W. Sellen
Summary: The interaction between infant feeding and maternal lactational physiology affects inter-birth intervals and maternal reproductive trade-offs. This study suggests that chimpanzee mothers maintain a fixed level of lactation effort over several years as infants increasingly supplement their energy and nutritional needs through independent foraging.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Alison Mildon, Jane Francis, Stacia Stewart, Bronwyn Underhill, Yi Man Ng, Christina Rousseau, Erica Di Ruggiero, Cindy-Lee Dennis, Alex Kiss, Deborah L. O'Connor, Daniel W. Sellen
Summary: This study aims to examine whether the use of expressed human milk in the first two weeks postpartum is associated with the cessation of human milk feeding and non-exclusive human milk feeding up to 6 months. The results show that the use of expressed human milk at 2 weeks postpartum is associated with the cessation of human milk feeding before 6 months and with non-exclusive human milk feeding to 4 months and 6 months.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Akua Tandoh, Richmond Aryeetey, Charles Agyemang, Michelle Holdsworth, Gershim Asiki, Francis Zotor, Kobby Mensah, Matilda E. Laar, Dennis Laryea, Daniel Sellen, Stefanie Vandevijvere, Amos Laar
Summary: This paper introduces the concept of the Africa Food Environment Research Network (FERN) initiative, which aims to enhance research capacity and collaboration in studying food environments in Africa. The initiative focuses on building research capacity, promoting partnerships, and addressing the current and future needs of food environment research and monitoring in Africa.
GLOBAL HEALTH PROMOTION
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Akosua Pokua Adjei, Gideon Senyo Amevinya, Wilhemina Quarpong, Akua Tandoh, Richmond Aryeetey, Michelle Holdsworth, Charles Agyemang, Francis Zotor, Matilda E. Laar, Kobby Mensah, Phyllis Addo, Dennis Laryea, Gershim Asiki, Daniel Sellen, Stefanie Vandevijvere, Amos Laar
Summary: This study reveals the widespread availability of ultra-processed foods in modern retail outlets in the selected districts. The majority of the foods sold were categorized as unhealthy, with a high proportion of processed foods and sugar-sweetened beverages. The ratio of ultra-processed to unprocessed foods was 5:1, indicating a need for measures to improve the availability of healthy foods in supermarkets and mini-marts.
FRONTIERS IN PUBLIC HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Alison Mildon, Jane Francis, Stacia Stewart, Bronwyn Underhill, Yi Man Ng, Christina Rousseau, Valerie Tarasuk, Erica Di Ruggiero, Cindy-Lee Dennis, Deborah L. O'Connor, Daniel W. Sellen
Summary: This study aimed to assess the prevalence, severity, and predictors of household food insecurity among vulnerable women accessing the Canada Prenatal Nutrition Program (CPNP), as well as the associations between household food insecurity and breastfeeding practices up to 6 months. The results showed that household food insecurity was highly prevalent among this cohort, affecting almost half of the participants. However, there was no significant association between food insecurity and continued or exclusive breastfeeding.
PUBLIC HEALTH NUTRITION
(2023)
Article
Anthropology
Beatrice Caffe, Aaron Blackwell, Bethaney D. Fehrenkamp, Janet E. Williams, Ryan M. Pace, Kimberly A. Lackey, Lorena Ruiz, Juan M. Rodriguez, Mark A. McGuire, James A. Foster, Daniel W. Sellen, Elizabeth W. Kamau-Mbuthia, Egidioh W. Kamundia, Samwel Mbugua, Sophie E. Moore, Andrew M. Prentice, Linda J. Kvist, Gloria E. Otoo, Rossina G. Pareja, Lars Bode, Dubale Gebeyehu, Debela K. Gindola, Sarah Boothman, Katherine Flores, Michelle K. McGuire, Courtney L. Meehan
Summary: By investigating the relationship between the concentrations of immune factors in breast milk and infant sex and maternal condition, this study found that IgG concentrations were influenced by maternal diet diversity, with lower concentrations in breast milk of women consuming diets with low diversity and male infants, providing minimal support for the Trivers-Willard hypothesis.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF HUMAN BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Zoology
Iulia Badescu, Cassandra Curteanu, Daniel W. Sellen, David P. Watts, M. Anne Katzenberg
Summary: This study used stable isotopes to assess the feeding patterns of wild chimpanzee infants. By analyzing naturally shed hair, the researchers found that infants had the highest dependency on plant food at 1-2 years old, and started relying more heavily on plants from the age of 2. However, milk remained an important dietary component for older infants.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PRIMATOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Jane Francis, Alison Mildon, Stacia Stewart, Bronwyn Underhill, Samantha Ismail, Erica Di Ruggiero, Valerie Tarasuk, Daniel W. Sellen, Deborah L. O'Connor
Summary: A study conducted at a CPNP site in Canada using charitable funds to support lactation found that while all participants initiated breastfeeding and 84% continued for 6 months, adherence to the recommended 6 months of exclusive breastfeeding was low, with only 16% achieving this goal.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR EQUITY IN HEALTH
(2021)