Global Average Research Articles

A meta-analysis of Chinese men's penile size in a global context.

Penile size is a topic of significant interest among men and healthcare professionals. However, data on adult male penile dimensions in China are scarce, hindering clinical counseling and research. This study aimed to establish normative data for Chinese penile size and compare it with a global reference population. We conducted a meta-analysis of published studies on penile size, focusing on Chinese and international data. Studies from East and Southeast Asia were excluded to minimize regional confounding factors. The analysis included 23 Chinese studies encompassing 34,060 men aged 16-57 years, and 19 international studies encompassing 15,216 men aged 16-91 years. Penile length and circumference were assessed in both flaccid and erect states. This study established the first nomogram and percentile distribution chart for adult male penile size in China. The mean flaccid length was 7.42cm (standard deviation [SD]±0.95cm), and the mean flaccid circumference was 8.54cm (SD±0.62cm). The mean erect length was 12.42cm (SD±1.63cm), and the mean erect circumference was 10.75cm (SD±1.34cm). Compared with the global reference population (flaccid length: 9.09cm±1.51cm, flaccid circumference: 9.12cm±0.93cm; p<0.05 for both), Chinese men exhibited statistically significant shorter flaccid lengths and circumferences. No significant differences were observed in erect length or circumference between Chinese men and the global reference population (p>0.05 for both). Notably, the growth coefficient during erection (defined as the percentage increase from flaccid length to erect length) was significantly higher in Chinese men (67.39%) compared with the global average (43.45%; p<0.05), supporting the hypothesis of a proportionally greater increase in shorter penises. This study provides novel and comprehensive data on penile size in Chinese men. Compared with a global reference population, Chinese men exhibited shorter flaccid penises but a higher proportional increase upon erection. These findings may be of value for clinical counseling and future research on penile size variations. The newly developed nomogram and percentile chart can serve as a valuable tool for both patients and healthcare professionals.

Examining the impact of dry climates temperature on citrus fruit internal ripening

High temperatures alter the ripening process of citrus fruit, affecting quality, flavor, harvest time and marketing period. For example, citrus fruits ripen faster and are sweeter in tropical hot-humid climates than in Mediterranean warm-dry climates due to higher sugar accumulation and organic acid catabolism. Considering that: 1) over 60 % of the world's citrus exports come from countries with warm Mediterranean climates, and 2) the Mediterranean region is warming 20 % faster than the global average, the citrus industry will face significant challenges in the coming years. The range of high temperatures and the timing at which they determine sugar and acid content in dry climates have not been studied under field conditions. Therefore, a study was undertaken over 6 years to determine the relationship between high temperature and citrus ripening in two dry macroclimates, hot (Arid, in Morocco) and warm (Mediterranean, in Spain), and 5 microclimates of the Mediterranean region.Heat stress in these dry climates correlates with changes in fruit quality (lower juice and sugar content, and higher organic acids), depending on the maximum temperature threshold and the time of onset and duration of heat. In the arid climate, the heat stress threshold was found to be a significant number of days above 35 °C. This was particularly important at the beginning of summer (July in the northern hemisphere). However, in the current Mediterranean climate of Spain, the percentage of summer days above 35 °C is still low indicating that other microclimatic conditions are involved in determining fruit quality. In particular, an increase in the number of days with temperatures between 27 °C and 33 °C in late summer and early autumn was found to correlate with reduced citric acid concentration. Microclimate did not determine sucrose, fructose, and glucose concentrations.

Progress Toward the Elimination of Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C in the Country of Georgia, April 2015-April 2024.

Hepatitis B and hepatitis C are leading causes of cirrhosis and liver cancer and caused 1.3 million deaths worldwide in 2022. Hepatitis B is preventable with vaccination, and hepatitis C is curable with direct-acting antivirals. In 2015, in collaboration with CDC and other partners, Georgia, a country at the intersection of Europe and Asia, launched a hepatitis C elimination program to reduce the prevalence of chronic hepatitis C; at that time, the prevalence was 5.4%, more than five times the global average of 1.0%. In 2016, the World Health Assembly endorsed a goal for the elimination of viral hepatitis as a public health problem by 2030. In 2024, 89% of the Georgian adult population have received screening for hepatitis C, 83% of persons with current chronic HCV infection have received a diagnosis, and 86% of those with diagnosed hepatitis C have started treatment. During 2015-2023, vaccination coverage with the hepatitis B birth dose and with 3 doses of hepatitis B vaccine among infants exceeded 90% for most years. In 2021, the prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen was 0.03% among children and adolescents aged 5-17 years and 2.7% among adults. Georgia has demonstrated substantial progress toward hepatitis B and hepatitis C elimination. Using lessons from the hepatitis C elimination program, scale-up of screening and treatment for hepatitis B among adults would prevent further viral hepatitis-associated morbidity and mortality in Georgia and would accelerate progress toward hepatitis B and hepatitis C elimination by 2030.

Crop mapping and quantitative evaluation of cultivated land use intensity in Shandong Province, 2018–2022

AbstractIndustrialization and urbanization have intensified land‐use pressures on agroecosystems. Monitoring cultivated land use intensity (CLUI) is crucial for implementing sustainable agriculture. However, current agroecosystem management in Shandong Province lacks high‐resolution CLUI information. To address this gap, this study measured and analyzed CLUI at a 1‐km scale in Shandong Province from 2018 to 2022, using self‐produced crop maps and the human appropriation of net primary production (HANPP) framework. The spatial autocorrelation model was used to analyze the spatiotemporal pattern and aggregation characteristics of cultivated land use intensity. The influencing factors of CLUI were analyzed using the propensity score matching method, which helps reduce the interference of confounding factors. The results are as follows: (1) The wheat‐maize planting pattern in Shandong Province has remained relatively stable, with a notable trend toward intensified cultivation in the western region. (2) CLUI exhibited notable spatial and temporal heterogeneity, with low and medium values predominantly located in the western region. CLUI increased from 1.13 to 1.24, exceeding the global average of 0.84. (3) CLUI showed significant spatial aggregation characteristics. In 2018, 2020, and 2022, the western region was mainly characterized by high‐high and high‐low types. In 2019 and 2021, it was mainly characterized by the low‐low type, with less prevalence of low‐high type. The center of gravity of high‐high and low‐high types shifted southwest, whereas that of high‐low and low‐low types shifted northeast. (4) Chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and plastic mulch exhibited significant positive correlations with CLUI, whereas temperature and precipitation showed significant negative correlations. Favorable natural conditions can mitigate human interference, leading to lower CLUI.

Emotional and cognitive influences on alcohol consumption in middle-aged and elderly Tanzanians: a population-based study

Alcohol consumption in Tanzania exceeds the global average. While sociodemographic difference in alcohol consumption in Tanzania have been studied, the relationship between psycho-cognitive phenomena and alcohol consumption has garnered little attention. Our study examines how depressive symptoms and cognitive performance affect alcohol consumption, considering sociodemographic variations. We interviewed 2299 Tanzanian adults, with an average age of 53 years, to assess their alcohol consumption, depressive symptoms, cognitive performance, and sociodemographic characteristics using a zero-inflated negative binomial regression model. The logistic portion of our model revealed that the likelihood alcohol consumption increased by 8.4% (95% confidence interval [CI] 3.6%, 13.1%, p < 0.001) as depressive symptom severity increased. Conversely, the count portion of the model indicated that with each one-unit increase in the severity of depressive symptoms, the estimated number of drinks decreased by 2.3% (95% CI [0.4%, 4.0%], p = .016). Additionally, the number of drinks consumed decreased by 4.7% (95% CI [1.2%, 8.1%], p = .010) for each increased cognitive score. Men exhibited higher alcohol consumption than women, and Christians tended to consume more than Muslims. These findings suggest that middle-aged and elderly adults in Tanzania tend to consume alcohol when they feel depressed but moderate their drinking habits by leveraging their cognitive abilities.

Global analysis of spatio-temporal variation in mineral nutritional quality of pepper (Capsicum spp.) fruit and its regulatory variables: A meta-analysis

Pepper (Capsicum spp.) is an important fruit vegetable worldwide, and it is a rich dietary source of minerals for human being. Yet, the spatio-temporal distribution of pepper fruit mineral composition and the factors influencing such variations at global scale remain unknown. A global meta-analysis of 140 publications providing 649, 562, 690, 811 datapoints was conducted to quantify and evaluate the nutritional quality, comprising potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn), of pepper fruits and its influencing variables. The analysis showed that the global average of K, Mg, Fe and Zn content in pepper fruits was 20–25 g kg−1, 1–1.5 g kg−1, 80–100 mg kg−1, and 20–40 mg kg−1, respectively. There had been a downward trend in pepper fruit nutritional quality over the last decade, especially for Fe and Zn. And, the concentration of all these four nutrients were at lower levels in less developed regions, especially in Africa. Our results showed that the vegetable “green pepper” contains more K, Mg, Fe and Zn than the “hot pepper” used as spice. The concentration of K, Mg, Fe and Zn were increased with fruit yield but that of Fe and Zn were decreased with increase in single fruit weight. Nutritional quality was optimal at mean annual temperature of 10 ℃ − 20 ℃, and was adversely affected when mean annual precipitation was < 500 mm. Pepper fruits produced at pH 6.5–7.5 had higher fruit K concentration while acidic soils (pH<6.5) favored higher Fe and Zn concentrations. The higher soil organic matter (SOM) generally improved the nutritional quality of the pepper. Our results suggest that systematic selection of superior varieties and soil amelioration (adjusting pH and SOM) of the soil-crop system are needed to achieve higher nutritional quality of pepper fruit.

Lifelong Learning and Sub-Saharan Africa's Dream of Economic Emancipation

Sub-Saharan Africa having remained economically poor throughout its more than sixty years of independence, and relying on the finding that the acquisition of a high level of digital and entrepreneurship skills tends to create wealth for nations in modern times, this study investigates the extent to which sub-Saharan Africa's higher education institutions may leverage the facilitation of the learning of digital technologies and entrepreneurship for Africa's economic emancipation through lifelong learning. The work carried out at the level of eight (8) lifelong learning outfits of eight (8) premier universities drawn from the four (4) regions of sub-Saharan Africa is scrutinised through the administration of a six(6)-item questionnaire with a view to establishing whether or not Africa's higher education institutions are currently facilitating the learning of digital technologies and entrepreneurship through lifelong learning to a level that may promote Africa’s economic emancipation. The findings of the current study are that sub-Saharan Africa i). possesses very few higher education institutions in comparison to the global average, ii). is yet to prioritise lifelong learning both nationally and at the higher education level and iii). is incapable to produce the needed population of digital and entrepreneurship graduates that may propel its economic emancipation as a result of its current level of neglect of lifelong learning.

An Overview of Livestock Role in Ensuring Food and Nutrition Security: The Case of Ethiopia

This review aimed to deliver and document summarized information on the contribution of livestock to food and nutrition security, both generally and specifically in the case of Ethiopia. Livestock have made both positive and negative contributions to food and nutrition security. Positively, they provide high biological value, palatable, and nutrient-dense food sources such as milk, meat, and eggs for human consumption. They also offer quick income, employment, source of fuel, social functions, raw materials for industry (hide and skin…. etc.), input for soil fertility (manure) and draft power, indirectly contributing to stable food cultivation. However, livestock also pose negative impacts on food and nutrition supply by competing with humans for grains, utilizing fodder crop lands, emitting greenhouse gases, and transmitting zoonotic diseases to humans. In Ethiopia, trends in livestock populations and food production levels reveal disparities between actual consumption and productivity compared to available resources. Energy, protein, and fat supply from the livestock sector has increased from 2010 to 2021. Yet, the country's per capita consumption of dairy, meat, and eggs remains below global averages, exacerbating undernutrition, particularly in rural areas. Livestock products are rich in high-quality protein and essential micronutrients crucial for growth and development, especially in children and infants. Enhancing nutritional outcomes in Ethiopia necessitates addressing barriers to livestock output and promoting the consumption of livestock-derived foods. Tackling underlying issues impeding livestock productivity is equally vital as efforts to enhance productivity and ensure access to livestock-based foods.

Efficient Organic Carbon Burial by Bottom Currents in the Ocean: A Potential Role in Climate Modulation

AbstractBottom currents play a major role in deep‐sea sedimentation, but their significance in the burial of organic carbon is poorly quantified at a global scale. Here we show that Holocene fluxes of organic carbon into the contourite drifts are high, with a global average of 0.09 g cm−2 Kyr−1. At individual drift sites, fluxes are commonly 1–2 orders of magnitude greater than rates in surrounding areas and in global depth‐similar zones. These high fluxes of organic carbon into the contourite drifts are due to high rates of sedimentation. Over the past 50 million years, sedimentation rates at the studied contourite drift sites have overall increased, coincident with decreasing atmospheric CO2 and a cooling global climate. Our work suggests that a ramp‐up of the bottom‐current carbon pump has accelerated removal of CO2 from the atmosphere and oceanic water, thus contributing to the overall global cooling after the Eocene Thermal Maximum.

Impact of Phosphorus and Sulphur Levels on Growth Parameters of Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.)

Background: Groundnut, a well-recognized oilseed crop belonging to the Leguminosae family, faces several challenges in India that results in lesser productivity compared to the global average. The principal underlying cause of India’s diminished groundnut production lies in the irregular and inadequate utilization of essential nutrients. Given its status as a leguminous oilseed crop, it exhibits a heightened demand for phosphorus, calcium and sulphur, which often remains unmet, further exacerbating the problem. Methods: In a field experiment, split-plot design was employed to investigate the impact of four phosphorus levels (Control, 40, 50 and 60 kg P2O5 ha-1) and four sulphur levels (Control, 25, 50 and 75 kg S ha-1) on the growth parameters of groundnut. Results: The findings demonstrate that the utilization of phosphorus and sulphur fertilizers yielded significant improvements in various aspects of groundnut growth parameters. These improvements encompassed increased plant height, root length, improved root-to-shoot ratio on a length and weight basis, greater numbers of root nodules per plant and dry weight of root nodules per plant.

Comparisons of aerosol types and optical characters over Shouxian Area China observed from ground- and space-based systems.

This study evaluates the performance of moderate-resolution Imaging spectroradiometer (MODIS) in aerosol optical depth(AOD) and Ångström exponent(AE) retrievals under high aerosol loading conditions across various aerosol types, utilizing ground-based and space-borne aerosol measurements in Shouxian, China. The intercomparison reveals cloud-aerosol LiDAR with orthogonal polarization's (CALIOP) efficacy in detecting significant aerosol layers and the refinement of sunphotometer-based aerosol type classification through CALIPSO, achieving approximately 80% accuracy. Analysis of 2016-2017 data indicates substantial aerosol presence in Shouxian, with monthly mean AODs ranging from 0.35 to 0.72 at 550 nm, significantly above the global average. The predominant aerosol types were mixed-type (54.8%), desert dust (21.2%), urban/industrial(15.5%), biomass-burning aerosol (6.4%), and continental aerosol (12.1%), with frequent observations of elevated long-range transported aerosol layers. MODIS AOD retrievals generally align with sunphotometer measurements but exhibit higher biases, especially with increasing AOD magnitudes. However, there is a notable difference between MODIS and sunphotometer aerosol AE measurements, with MODIS accurately assessing BBA but showing varied performance across other aerosol types. The combination of AOD and AE of the DD aerosol type is the most accurate. Further analysis showed that MODIS AOD biases and AE biases are negatively correlated, these negative bias correlations show strong aerosol type sensitivities. Monthly analysis of MODIS and sunphotometer comparisons highlights varying performance, particularly during normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) transitions, suggesting that local vegetation cycles and associated surface spectral reflectance changes significantly impact MODIS aerosol retrieval accuracy under high aerosol loading conditions.

Fish and tips: Historical and projected changes in commercial fish species' habitat suitability in the Southern Hemisphere

Global warming has significantly altered fish distribution patterns in the ocean, shifting towards higher latitudes and deeper waters. This is particularly relevant in high-latitude marine ecosystems, where climate-driven environmental changes are occurring at higher rates than the global average. Species Distribution Models (SDMs) are increasingly being used for predicting distributional shifts in habitat suitability for marine species as a response to climate change. Here, we used SDMs to project habitat suitability changes for a range of high-latitude, pelagic and benthopelagic commercial fish species and crustaceans (10 species); from 1850 to two future climate change scenarios (SSP1–2.6: low climate forcing; and SSP5–8.5: high climate forcing). The study includes 11 Large Marine Ecosystems (LME) spanning South America, Southern Africa, Australia, and New Zealand. We identified declining and southward-shifting patterns in suitable habitat areas for most species, particularly under the SSP5–8.5 scenario and for some species such as Argentine hake (Merluccius hubbsi) in South America, or snoek (Thyrsites atun) off Southern Africa. Geographical constraints will likely result in species from Southern Africa, Australia, and New Zealand facing the most pronounced habitat losses due to rising sea surface temperatures (SST). In contrast, South American species might encounter greater opportunities for migrating southward. Additionally, the SSP5–8.5 scenario predicts that South America will be more environmentally stable compared to other regions. Overall, our findings suggest that the Patagonian shelf could serve as a climate refuge, due to higher environmental stability highlighting the importance of proactive management strategies in this area for species conservation. This study significantly contributes to fisheries and conservation management, providing valuable insights for future protection efforts in the Southern Hemisphere.

Latest Developments in Early Detection and Effective Treatment of Cancer: A Meeting Report.

Despite a lower estimated rate of cancer incidence in Iran compared to the global average, the trend is unfortunately increasing. This necessitates the implementation of early detection of cancer and targeted therapies to effectively treat various types of cancer. Therefore, the 5th "International Royan Cancer Conference: From Bench to Bedside" was held to focus on critical cancer-related aspects such as gene- and cell therapy, immunotherapy, oligonucleotides in cancer treatment, biosensors for detection, and drug delivery. The 2-day conference took place in February 2024 at the Royan Institute, Tehran. This collaborative effort brought together experts from both basic and clinical research fields. The primary objective of the conference was to address clinical challenges and harness the potential of basic sciences for early cancer diagnosis and treatment, with a robust emphasis on ethical considerations. The conference aimed to ensure optimal patient care while advancing scientific understanding in the field and facilitating effective research collaborations among researchers and enthusiasts dedicated to combating cancer.

The Blue Zone Buzz: Learnings from the Blue Zone

In various regions around the world, there exist pockets where people live exceptionally long and healthy lives, far exceedingthe global average. These regions, known as Blue Zones, have garnered the attention of researchers and health enthusiastsalike, as they hold the key to unlocking the secrets of longevity and well-being. In this editorial, we explore the conceptof Blue Zones, delving into their characteristics, lifestyle factors, and the lessons we can learn from these remarkablecommunities. We propose the evidence-based Blue Zone Hexagon, to highlight the actions and targets we can focus on, soas to make our country a Blue Zone country.

Dietary diversity and iron deficiency anemia among a cohort of singleton pregnancies: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundIron deficiency anemia (IDA) is considered one of the most common medical disorders observed during pregnancy. In low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), anemia and micronutrients deficiencies among pregnant women are associated with low consumption of animal products, monotonous starchy-diets, and seasonal consumption of vegetables and fruits.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted with 198 pregnant mothers aged between 19–45 years who visited the antenatal care clinics in Northern Jordan to document the prevalence of IDA and to describe the associations between dietary diversity, diet quality scores and oral iron supplementation with the pregnant women iron status. Participants were stratified into three groups by gestational age (n = 66 women per group). Gestational age, blood parameters, minimum dietary diversity score (MDD-W), and prime diet quality score for healthy (PDQSHF) and unhealthy foods (PDQSUF) were assessed using 24- hour dietary recall.ResultsPrevalence of mild to moderate anemia was 27.8% among pregnant women. Third-trimester pregnant women were most affected. 52.5% have depleted iron stores (ferritin < 15 ng/ml), of them 30.8% have iron deficiency, and 21.7% have IDA. The (M ± SD) of the MDD-W, PDQSHF, and PDQSUF were 4.8 ± 1.6, 12.8 ± 3.9, and 7.2 ± 2.8 respectively. 52.5% achieved the MDD-W, 68% consumed < 4 servings/week of healthy food groups, and 50% consumed > 4 servings/week of unhealthy food groups. Mothers with higher MDD-W and PDQS had higher Hb and serum concentrations. Those taking iron supplements had significantly (p = 0.001) higher means of Hb, serum ferritin, and gestational weight gain. Significant differences were also found between PDQSHF, PDQSUF and the first and third trimester.ConclusionsMild to moderate IDA is prevalent among pregnant mothers, especially in the third trimester. However, the prevalence of IDA among Jordanian pregnant women is lower than the global average. A high-quality, diverse diet, combined with oral iron supplementation and food fortification with iron, will help improve iron status, prevent anemia, and reduce its prevalence.

Modeling Sea Level Rise Using Ensemble Techniques: Impacts on Coastal Adaptation, Freshwater Ecosystems, Agriculture and Infrastructure

Sea level rise (SLR) is a crucial indicator of climate change, primarily driven by greenhouse gas emissions and the subsequent increase in global temperatures. The impact of SLR, however, varies regionally due to factors such as ocean bathymetry, resulting in distinct shifts across different areas compared to the global average. Understanding the complex factors influencing SLR across diverse spatial scales, along with the associated uncertainties, is essential. This study focuses on the East Coast of the United States and Gulf of Mexico, utilizing historical SLR data from 1993 to 2023. To forecast SLR trends from 2024 to 2103, a weighted ensemble model comprising SARIMAX, LSTM, and exponential smoothing models was employed. Additionally, using historical greenhouse gas data, an ensemble of LSTM models was used to predict real-time SLR values, achieving a testing loss of 0.005. Furthermore, conductance and dissolved oxygen (DO) values were assessed for the entire forecasting period, leveraging forecasted SLR trends to evaluate the impacts on marine life, agriculture, and infrastructure.

1096 The African Surgical Outcomes Study in Paediatric Patients (ASOS-Paeds) and Global Paediatric Perioperative Mortality - a Meta-analysis

Abstract Aim There is little data for surgical outcomes of children in Africa. This is of particular importance as children constitute 40% of the African population, compared to a global average of 25%. As part of ASOS-Paeds - a prospective cohort study of children undergoing surgery in African countries, we undertook a meta-analysis to synthesise the evidence on global paediatric perioperative mortality. Method We searched MEDLINE, Embase and WHO Global Index Medicus for studies published within the last decade, reporting paediatric perioperative mortality. We included studies with ≥200 children that reported perioperative mortality for multiple surgical specialties and procedures. Perioperative mortality was defined as death within 30 days of surgery. For meta-analysis, proportions were combined using a random effects model. Results After screening 13,258 s and reviewing 158 full-text reports, data from 9 studies were eligible for synthesis along with data from ASOS-Paeds. The meta-analysis included 579,733 children from Africa, Europe, and North America. The pooled perioperative mortality rate per 1,000 children (95% CI) was 17.91 (9.78, 26.04) in Africa compared to 2.18 (0.95, 3.42) in Europe and North America. This equates to excess paediatric perioperative mortality in Africa between 6 (in the best-case scenario) to 25 (in the worst-case scenario) per 1,000 children. Conclusions Perioperative mortality for children undergoing surgery in Africa is 8-fold higher than in Europe and North America. Access to safe and affordable anaesthesia and surgery should be a public health priority and urgent action is needed to improve surgical outcomes for children in Africa.

Trace elements in the Upper Indus River Basin (UIRB) of Western Himalayas: Quantification, sources modeling, and impacts

This study conducted a comprehensive analysis of trace element concentrations in the Upper Indus River Basin (UIRB), a glacier-fed region in the Western Himalayas (WH), aiming to discern their environmental and anthropogenic sources and implications. Despite limited prior data, 69 samples were collected in 2019 from diverse sources within the UIRB, including mainstream, tributaries, and groundwater, to assess trace element concentrations. Enrichment factor (EF) results and comparisons with regional and global averages suggest that rising levels of Zn, Cd, and As may pose safety concerns for drinking water quality. Advanced multivariate statistical techniques such as principal component analysis (PCA), absolute principal component scores (APCS-MLR), Monte Carlo simulation (MCS), etc were applied to estimate the associated human health hazards and also identified key sources of trace elements. The 95th percentile of the MCS results indicates that the estimated total cancer risk for children is significantly greater than (>1000 times) the USEPA’s acceptable risk threshold of 1.0 × 10−6. The results classified most of the trace elements into two distinct groups: Group A (Li, Rb, Sr, U, Cs, V, Ni, TI, Sb, Mo, Ge), linked to geogenic sources, showed lower concentrations in the lower-middle river reaches, including tributaries and downstream regions. Group B (Pb, Nb, Cr, Zn, Be, Al, Th, Ga, Cu, Co), influenced by both geogenic and anthropogenic activities, exhibited higher concentrations near urban centers and midstream areas, aligning with increased municipal waste and agricultural activities. Furthermore, APCS-MLR source apportionment indicated that trace elements originated from natural geogenic processes, including rock-water interactions and mineral dissolution, as well as anthropogenic activities. These findings underscore the need for targeted measures to mitigate anthropogenic impacts and safeguard water resources for communities along the IRB and WH.

Sea Level Variability Assessment along the African Coast

Studying changes in the sea level is essential for the sustainable development of coastal areas. The aim of this study was to analyse time series and investigate the regional variability of the sea surface and the effect of individual factors on its behaviour. In this study, we utilised the most recent satellite altimetry data (over a period of 29 years, i.e., from 1993 to 2022) and tide gauge observations (long-term time series) in order to estimate changes in the sea level. Unlike in previous studies, the rates of the sea level changes around the entire African coast were determined. In addition, time series of the changes in the sea surface temperature and salinity were used to determine the rate of changes arising from the thermal expansion of the ocean. The regional rate of the sea level rise between 1993 and 2022 deviated significantly from the global average, with values ranging from 2.48 to 5.44 mm/year (based on satellite altimetry data, depending on the location of the point).

African climate politics and multilateralism: Domestic factors and cross-country variation in climate ambitions

ABSTRACT This article examines how domestic factors explain variations in the ambitions of sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) countries to meet the requirements of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change. Although Africa contributes only 3.8% of global greenhouse gas emissions, it is highly vulnerable to climate change. All 54 African countries have ratified the Paris Agreement, and by May 2022, 44 had submitted updated nationally determined contributions (NDCs), showing strong commitment to mitigating global temperature rise. Although SSA countries’ NDCs are more robust than the global average, significant cross-country variations exist. This article builds on the limited research on these variations to explore whether democracy, GDP, oil consumption, and historical emissions influence NDC ambition across 44 SSA countries. The analysis finds a statistically significant negative relationship between GDP and NDC ambition, while other variables show no significance. This study is crucial for understanding how domestic factors shape climate commitments in SSA.