Sohini Gowan

Homo sapiens-specific evolution unveiled by ancient southern African genomes | Nature Homo sapiens evolved hundreds of thousands of years ago in Africa, later spreading across the globe1, but the early evolutionary process is debated2–6. Here we present whole-genome sequencing data for 28 ancient southern African individuals, including six individuals with 25× to 7.2× genome coverage, dated to between 10,200 and 150 calibrated years before present (cal. bp). All ancient southern Africans dated to more than 1,400 cal. bp show a genetic make-up that is outside the range of genetic variation in modern-day humans (including southern African Khoe-San people, although some retain up to 80% ancient southern African ancestry), manifesting in a large fraction of Homo sapiens-specific variants that are unique to ancient southern Africans. Homo sapiens-specific variants at amino acid-altering sites fixed for all humans—which are likely to have evolved rapidly on the Homo sapiens branch—were enriched for genes associated with kidney function. Some Homo&nbsp

Discoveries from 28 ancient genomes in southern Africa reveal Homo sapiens evolution insights, dating from 10,200 to 150 years ago! Fascinating data! PMID:41339558, Nature 2025, @Nature https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-025-09811-4 #Medsky #Pharmsky #RNA #ASHG #ESHG 🧪

The worst part is studies like this further sow mistrust in the scientific process and impact uptake on vaccines and the acceptance of other proven health interventions. There are examples of this through history. As someone who studies vaccine hesitancy and health misinformation in Africa

It is unethical to randomize children to placebo or other intervention in order to assess the efficacy of an intervention whose effectiveness and clear benefits are already supported by robust clinical trial and longterm surveillance data. I hope the outcry will halt this abominable study.

Some of the most prevalent rumors fueling vaccine hesitancy are:
" africans are being used for experimentation"
" vaccines are meant to depopulate Africa"
" vaccines are meant to kill African babies"
a study like this will only add fuel to a raging fire that is already consuming vaccine uptake.

This is unethical scientific exploitation through "research" on vulnerable populations that will cause harm and will be written about and taught in ethics courses in years to come. This study would not be approved by any IRB in the US or in Europe. African children deserve better.

How Unethical Research Seeds Medical Mistrust The absence of equipoise can turn research into harm

The planned hepatitis B birth-dose trial in Guinea-Bissau raises serious ethical concerns. Withholding a proven, life-saving vaccine from newborns to answer speculative questions is an absence of equipoise with real downstream harms for trust in vaccines.
bktitanji.substack.com/p/how-unethi...

Let's keep sharing these amazing stories about how vaccines have transformed our lives

Journal articles that have something extra, like infographics or a podcast, get more views (according to this new study). These "extenders" to the original article provide more context. In other words, the people want more #scicomm again. www.eurekalert.org/news-release...

Aah, yes. Let me go sell my car to go see (insert random tourist trap) 🙄

Rise Mzansi lost millions over its stance on Israel, says Songezo Zibi Taking a principled position on the situation in Gaza can be costly — as one South African political party has discovered.

Rise Mzansi has lost millions over its Israel stance, says Songezo Zibi. Cheerleaders for the genocide,the SA Jewish Board of Deputies, accused it of “anti-Semitic defamation” before the election, despite the party's then anodyne criticism of Israel. www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025...

After US funding cuts, Mozambican children died: Who bears responsibility? Both the US and Mozambican governments have failed

Last month, Spotlight and GroundUp published a two-part exposé showing how US aid cuts led to the deaths of children in Mozambique. Here, Jesse Copelyn considers what led to this tragedy and who should bear responsibility for it.

Read groundup.org.za/article/afte... by Jesse Copelyn

Add "middle-aged" to that list to unlock next-level confidence

Congratulations!!! So chuffed for you and 'your American' 🤗

Tracing the spatial origins and spread of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron lineages in South Africa - Nature Communications Genomic epidemiology studies have indicated southern Africa as likely sources of emergence of six Omicron lineages since November 2021. Here, the authors trace the geographic origins and dispersion pa...

South Africa remains at forefront of genomics. Recent publication in Nature Comms show how Gauteng has been pivotal in the emergence of various Omicron lineages, including recent as BA.2.86. Manuscript openly accessible: www.nature.com/articles/s41... #Genomics #Omicron #Surveillance

Africa’s Outbreak Response Is the Global Standard Now From outbreak containment to clinical innovation, African nations are setting new global standards for success

Uganda stopped a Sudan Ebola virus outbreak in under 3 months.
No chaos. Just fast action, local leadership, and a rapidly implemented vaccine trial.
Maybe the problem isn’t capacity in Africa after all—maybe it’s the story we keep telling about it.
open.substack.com/pub/bktitanj...

Genre Creators for Trans Rights in the UK and SA Silent auction 'Genre Creators for Trans Rights in the UK and SA' hosted online at 32auctions.

So in the midst of the chaos and joy of Eastercon, @ngjeannette.bsky.social and I have set up a charity auction: Genre Creators for Trans rights in the UK and South Africa as a small personal response to what's happening in the world. You can bid on cool things here www.32auctions.com/genrefortrans

Comprehensive review article on #Malaria in NEJM this month. Gave me lots of joy to see not one but two vaccines now listed as prevention tools for use in endemic regions. A reminder of how much progress has been made thanks to scientific research.
#IDSky #MedSKy
www.nejm.org/doi/full/10....

South Africa as G20 leader can take action on Africa’s food supply: 4 ways to make a difference Holding the G20 presidency this year, South Africa is well positioned to push for new ways to boost agricultural productivity and enhance food security in Africa.

South Africa, the only African country that is a member of the G20, holds the presidencyof the grouping until the end of November 2025.

During this time, it could help drive the African continent’s food security agenda.

4 ways to make a difference here.

theconversation.com/south-africa...

Five years on: how COVID was the catalyst for Africa’s genomic revolution “We built a culture of collaboration, not competition,” Read more of this piece in Nature at the gem - issuu.com/the.gem/docs... #Genomics #Africa #Fellowship

If you're in South Africa, why not sign up for the Coughwatch research programme this flu season. It literally takes 2 mins of your time once a week and helps to track infectious respiratory diseases. Coughwatchsa.org.za

Africa CDC: Aid Cuts Will Result In Millions More African Deaths - Health Policy Watch Two to four million additional Africans are likely to die annually as a result of the shock aid cuts by the United States and other key donors, according to

Africa CDC warns that 2-4 million more Africans per year will die as a result of abrupt #US aid cuts. Dr Tedros calls for US to act in an 'orderly and humane' manner to enable countries to find alternative funding sources.
#USAID #PEPFAR

healthpolicy-watch.news/africa-cdc-a...

South Africa’s unsafe water supplies: licensing service providers won’t solve the issue South Africa’s government has a new plan to license water providers and revoke the licences if they don’t deliver clean, drinkable water.

🚰 Water shortages in South Africa are worsening, with 46% of supply systems failing to ensure safe drinking water.

theconversation.com/south-africa...

#EnvironmentAndEnergy
#WaterCrisis

Happy birthday Nana! Wishing you another year of joy, discovery, and great health. Like science, you prove that wisdom only grows with time. 🤗

Dunno how other nations feel, but I genuinely cannot find our diaspora anywhere on this app.

Please give us geographic Discover and/or Trending options at some stage @bsky.app ❤️🙏

Everything here is so American. There are zero localised discussions. This is not acting as a town hall at all tbh.

How one nation's farming revolution can feed Africa | Wandile Sihlobo | TEDxJohannesburgSalon YouTube video by TEDx Talks

How one nation's farming revolution can feed Africa

www.youtube.com/watch?v=SYNE...

BREAKING: Trump orders USAID-funded HIV organisations in SA to shut down - Bhekisisa In today’s newsletter, Mia Malan explains how US President Donald Trump ordered USAID-funded HIV organisations in SA to shut down. Sign up for our newsletter today. THIS IS A BREAKING, DEVELOPING STOR...

BREAKING: It's the end. #Trump2025 has ordered #HIV projects in SA funded through #USAID to shut down —immediately and permanently. They woke up to the letters. We'll be updating the story throughout the day. bhekisisa.org/health-news-...

Climate talks: global south must seize the moment and take the lead Reducing emissions, removing greenhouse gases, repairing ecosystems and building resilience are the four R’s that can save the planet.

Reducing emissions, removing greenhouse gases, repairing ecosystems and building resilience are the four R’s that can save the planet.

theconversation.com/climate-talk...

#Climate

HIV patients go weeks without medicines after US aid cut Legal challenges have restored funding but damage has been done

HIV patients go weeks without medicines after US aid cut. Legal challenges have restored funding but damage has been done

Read groundup.org.za/article/arv-... by Jesse Copelyn

There are NO land grabs in South Africa. Property rights are intact.

Our farming sector has grown more robustly in the first three decades of democracy.

The sector is a major player in the global agriculture.

(This essay appeared in the Sunday Times on February 16, 2025).

‘Cybertruck Man’
a cartoon in defiance of Musk
#political #cartoonist #cybertruck #elon #musk #democracy #tiananmen