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3 ideas on how science can literally change African world

According to World Economic Forum, Africa represents just 198 researchers per million people, while comparing to USA and UK (4000) seems to be an irrational low number.

Extracting energy from bacteria

Too small to be seen with the naked eye, microbes hide enormous potential to become the energy source of the future.

These microscopic organisms may generate enough power due to their ability to catalyze electrode reactions.

Electrical power is obtained by conversion of organic matter in sewage. Different microbial metabolic strategies have broad applications, e.g., may turn carbon dioxide into usable fuel.

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While sewage flow in Africa is a plentiful difficulty, in most households there is no consistent light. Microbes engineering may solve both issues.

Antibiotics for prevention of malaria

One of the most dangerous vector-borne disease on the continent, Malaria.

The World Health Organisation estimates that Sub-Saharan Africa is the home for the 92% of cases.

To change, scientists discovered robust immunization model in mice, which when infected show no parasites in the blood.

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Thus while our immune system exposed to the danger of malaria would not be able to produce enough specific bacteria, swiftly we can support it by antibiotics or prevent using the emerging vaccinations with a load of a natural infection.

Cheap blood test

Last years cost-effectiveness of drugs had been reduced multiple times. However, testing costs remain on the similar level. It leads to overusing antibiotics or too late detection of the infection.

On a daily basis, people get injured, and only a few of them can afford proper examination. Researchers at the Stanford University School of Medicine made a breakthrough discovery allowing cheap blood test to make out the type of infection - viral or bacterial.

This solution applied in Africa could prevent not only causing damage to the immune system due to lots of antibiotics but also accelerate health service.

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Moreover, approximately only 1% of global R&D investments are spent in Africa, which respectively responds to 1,1% of all scientific knowledge.

It sounds incredibly worrying for the continent being home for 15% of the population.

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