COVID-19 Response: The case for Phytomedicines in Africa with particular focus on Cameroon

Despite enormous efforts deployed and considerable positive results obtained in the global fight against the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) the scourge remains a major international public health hazard. The main control measures at the onset consisted in the application of barrier and hygiene measures to stop the spread of the virus and case identification and clinical management of symptoms in the absence of widely available anti-COVOD-19 drugs. Vaccination as a major control measure became widely available in the advanced countries of the global north, but not in Africa where less than 5-10% 0f the population are vaccinated against COVID-19. However, African countries, possibly excluding South Africa, have been less impacted by COVID-19 pandemic as they registered fewer cases, hospitalizations and deaths. Herein it is postulated that the wide use of African traditional Phytomedicines (herbal medicines) has contributed, at least in part, to the better control of the COVID-19 pandemic in Africa. Abundant evidence in the literature suggests the availability of anti-viral, anti-oxidant and immune-stimulatory agents in the proposed COVID-19 herbal remedies., these activities being similar to those the standard drugs used in the standard treatment/ management of COVID-19. The review also examines a number of COVID-19 herbal medicines including COVID Organics CVO (Madagascar) ADSAR, ELISIR COVID, COROCUR (Cameroon) IHP Detox Tea (Nigeria) and COVIDEX (Uganda) and notes that though approved by the competent authorities in the respective African countries, these phytomedicines have not been approved by the WHO. It is proposed that additional studies be carried out to validate the Africa herbal remedies for possible use as stand-alone or complementary treatment of COVID-19 in addition to vaccination and barrier and hygiene control measures

The Paradox of the Green Energy Revolution: Does Chinese Cobalt Mining in the Democratic Republic of the Congo Undercut Benefits of Green Energy?

A quick, sustainable, and just transition to green energy sources from fossil fuels is vital to avoiding the worst impacts of climate change. The International Labor Organization defines a just transition as "greening the economy in a way that is as fair and inclusive as possible to everyone concerned, creating decent work opportunities and leaving no one behind." To mitigate the years of high greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from wealthy and industrializing countries which have disproportionately impacted poorer, more vulnerable countries, a just transition is essential. The impacts of these high emissions include, but are not limited to, flooding, typhoons, hurricanes, earthquakes, mudslides, and desertification. Recognizing this, a new emphasis has been placed on sustainability in the last decade. Vital to this transition are batteries made from cobalt that go in electric vehicles (EVs), wind turbines, and solar panels. The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is home to an estimated 70% of the world's cobalt deposits of which China controls around 80%. China produces over half of the world's cobalt-containing lithium-ion batteries powering the green energy transition. Growing importance of lithium-ion batteries calls for an in-depth look at the actual sustainability of cobalt mining and its supply chain before labeling battery power as clean energy.No embargoAcademic Major: International Studie

Etat actuel de la sécondarisation de la forêt en périphérie nord de la Réserve de biosphère du Dja (Sud-est Cameroun) : influences des facteurs anthropiques passés et des éléphants

Plusieurs études récentes révèlent une proportion importante de formations secondaires au sein des forêts tropicales africaines. La présente étude a pour but, de caractériser les différents faciès de végétation de la forêt du Dja (Sud-est Cameroun) en ressortant l’état et les causes de sa secondarisation. L’étude a été menée dans deux sites en périphérie nord de la Réserve de biosphère du Dja, l’un situé hors de la Réserve (Mimpala) et l’autre à l’intérieur (Dingué). Un total de 104 km de transects a été parcouru. La caractérisation de la végétation a été faite le long de transects en relevant les différents faciès de végétation traversés. Les marques visibles d’anciennes présences humaines et les réseaux de pistes d’éléphants rencontrés ont été comptabilisés. Les chiffres révèlent une prédominance des formations secondarisées aussi bien dans le site situé à l’extérieur de la Réserve, que dans celui se trouvant dans la Réserve: soit respectivement 52% et 58%. Notre étude permet de montrer que l’état actuel de la secondarisation de la forêt du Dja est fortement lié à l’action anthropique traditionnelle dans un passé plus ou moins récent et à celle des éléphants

Soliton like excitations on a deformable spin model

Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche - Biblioteca Centrale - P.le Aldo Moro, 7 , Rome / CNR - Consiglio Nazionale delle RichercheSIGLEITItal

Plant selection for nest building by western lowland gorillas in Cameroon

peer reviewe