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Jilly_in_VA

(9,852 posts)
Tue Sep 28, 2021, 02:56 PM Sep 2021

African Researchers Say They Face Bias In The World Of Science. Here's One Solution

Ambi Ahmad Adamu received five noes in a row.

Ambi, as he's known, is a 46-year-old biochemist who lives in Bauchi, Nigeria. He earned his Ph.D. at Ahmadu Bello University and now works there as a researcher, hoping to use his research to improve the lives of Nigerians.

One topic he's addressed is how to detoxify water that's polluted by chromium 6, a carcinogenic chemical commonly found in industrial waste. Detoxification methods in use are expensive or take their own toll on the environment.

To avoid these side effects, Ambi used a plant called Hibiscus sabdariffa, a species of Hibiscus native to parts of Africa and India and used to make a local drink in Nigeria called "sobo." When the plant is processed, waste matter is usually thrown out. Ambi and his team tried to extract antioxidants to use in water detoxification.

Despite the obstacles – he had to make a 5-hour drive from his home to Ahmadu Bello University in Zaria to conduct his research – he says he found success. In 15 minutes, the antioxidants from the Hibiscus waste reduced the concentration of chromium 6 in water by 72%. "Turning waste to wealth" is how Ambi describes the process.

https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2021/09/28/1016628282/african-researchers-say-they-face-bias-in-the-world-of-science-heres-one-solutio
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I've checked out the journal. It's open source and appears to be free online
https://www.journals.elsevier.com/scientific-african

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African Researchers Say They Face Bias In The World Of Science. Here's One Solution (Original Post) Jilly_in_VA Sep 2021 OP
Thanks for this. If we could only end ethnic and gender bias in our various abqtommy Sep 2021 #1
There are some great links Jilly_in_VA Sep 2021 #2
Fascinating plant, too! Here's a page of google images connected to their articles on this Hibiscus: Judi Lynn Sep 2021 #3

abqtommy

(14,118 posts)
1. Thanks for this. If we could only end ethnic and gender bias in our various
Tue Sep 28, 2021, 04:55 PM
Sep 2021

societies we'd be well on the way to having that best possible world most of us want.

Jilly_in_VA

(9,852 posts)
2. There are some great links
Tue Sep 28, 2021, 05:01 PM
Sep 2021

on the Scientific African page. They are all open source. The healthcare and earth science ones are of particular interest to me. I encourage y'all to check it out.

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