Life Science and Bio-enginering
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Item Raw data on forage species diversity and invasive and or forage species seedbank(Zenodo, 2026-03-06) Ngondya, IssakwisaRaw data on forage species diversity and invasive and or forage species seedbankItem Raw data on forage species diversity and invasive and or forage species seedbank(Zenodo, 2026-03-06) Ngondya, IssakwisaRaw data on forage species diversity and invasive and or forage species seedbankItem Questionnaire for Rainwater Harvesting (RWH) and Soil Moisture Conservation (SMC) Technologies in Maize Production in Babati District, Tanzania(Zenodo, 2026-03-26) Kanyiru, Mary; Meya, Akida; Mkindi, AngelaThis dataset contains the semi-structured guide for surveys, interviews and focus group discussions used to collect data on rainwater harvesting and soil moisture conservation technologies used in maize production in Babati District, Tanzania.Item Heparin-functionalized chitosan-poly(ε-caprolactone) nanoparticles loaded with quinine for selective targeting of infected erythrocytes and enhanced antiplasmodial efficacy(Taylor & Fransic Online, 2026-04-14) Amos, Yohana; Ahmed, Rami; Sauli, Elingarami; Rubaka, Clarence; Tambwe, Mgeni; Tumbo, Anneth; Swai, Hulda; Dube, AdmireMalaria remains a major global health burden, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. Although quinine (QN) is an effective antimalarial, its clinical application is limited by dose-dependent toxicity from nonspecific biodistribution. This study developed heparin-functionalized PCL nanoparticles (Hep-QN-PCL) to target Plasmodium falciparum-infected RBCs and enhance QN’s therapeutic efficacy. QN-loaded PCL nanoparticles were formulated using a double emulsion solvent evaporation technique, followed by chitosan-mediated heparin conjugation. They were evaluated for physicochemical properties, in vitro drug release, hemolysis, cytotoxicity, targeting, and antiplasmodial activity against FCR3 Plasmodium falciparum. Optimized Hep-QN-PCL nanoparticles (353.2 ± 16.8 nm, PDI 0.252, zeta +20.8 ± 1.9 mV, encapsulation 77.9%) showed successful Hep conjugation as confirmed through FTIR and thermal analysis, sustained QN release over 96 h via Fickian diffusion, and enhanced release under iRBC-mimicking conditions. They were hemocompatible (<4% hemolysis), less cytotoxic (LD50 >527 µg/mL vs. 195.7 µg/mL for free QN), and demonstrated increased iRBC targeting (partition 8.50 ± 0.30 vs. 4.20 ± 0.12). Hep-QN-PCL achieved ~5.3-fold higher antiplasmodial potency (IC50 = 23.33 ng/mL vs. 122.86 ng/mL) and 14.2-fold greater selectivity index (22.60 vs. 1.59). These findings demonstrate a targeted nanomedicine platform with improved efficacy and safety for malaria therapy, suitable for further preclinical studies.Item Questionnaire for Rainwater Harvesting (RWH) and Soil Moisture Conservation (SMC) Technologies in Maize Production in Babati District, Tanzania(Zenodo, 2026-03-26) Kanyiru, Mary; Meya, Akida; Mkindi, AngelaThis dataset contains the semi-structured guide for surveys, interviews and focus group discussions used to collect data on rainwater harvesting and soil moisture conservation technologies used in maize production in Babati District, Tanzania.Item Data and code from: Fire-survival strategies of first-year acacia seedlings(Dryad, 2026-04-20) Potter, Arjun; Luchagula, Charles; Mitchell, Shira; Kortessis, Nicholas; Pease, James; Anderson, T.Savannas—defined by discontinuous tree cover and continuous grass cover—are maintained by factors such as drought, fire, and herbivory which impose bottlenecks on tree populations. Despite evidence that young plants are particularly vulnerable to fire, surprisingly little is known about the traits that enable first-year seedlings to survive fire. This limits our understanding of the mechanisms underlying tree establishment and savanna dynamics more generally. We conducted a full factorial common garden experiment to measure the separate and combined impacts of fire, drought, and herbivory on rates on three- to six-month-old seedlings of 12 ‘Acacia’ (sensu lato) species in the genera Vachellia and Senegalia. Results demonstrate an overwhelming impact of fire on mortality, enhanced by drought, but the impact of herbivory was not detectable. Stem thickness was the best predictor of topkill and survival, with threshold diameters of 9.56 mm (95% CI 9.51–9.59) for well-watered and 11.52 mm (95% CI 10.88–12.69) for droughted plants, above which seedlings had favorable odds of avoiding topkill by fire and surviving. The ability of seedlings to survive after being topkilled by fire varied by species and was linked to the drought treatment and the existence of stem bases belowground. Thus, fire represents a major demographic bottleneck for first-year acacia seedlings, even when seedlings are established and have sufficient access to water. Synthesis: Acacia seedlings (eleven of twelve species) acquire some ability to survive grass fires in their first year, either by resisting topkill with thickened stems and/or by regrowing from below-ground stems. Our results suggest that small differences in these fire-survival strategies at this crucial life stage translate to large differences in savanna physiognomy and species composition.Item Heparin-functionalized chitosan-poly(ε-caprolactone) nanoparticles loaded with quinine for selective targeting of infected erythrocytes and enhanced antiplasmodial efficacy(Taylor & Fransic Online, 2026-04-14) Amos, Yohana; Ahmed, Rami; Sauli, Elingarami; Rubaka, Clarence; Tambwe, Mgeni; Tumbo, Anneth; Swai, Hulda; Dube, AdmireMalaria remains a major global health burden, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. Although quinine (QN) is an effective antimalarial, its clinical application is limited by dose-dependent toxicity from nonspecific biodistribution. This study developed heparin-functionalized PCL nanoparticles (Hep-QN-PCL) to target Plasmodium falciparum-infected RBCs and enhance QN’s therapeutic efficacy. QN-loaded PCL nanoparticles were formulated using a double emulsion solvent evaporation technique, followed by chitosan-mediated heparin conjugation. They were evaluated for physicochemical properties, in vitro drug release, hemolysis, cytotoxicity, targeting, and antiplasmodial activity against FCR3 Plasmodium falciparum. Optimized Hep-QN-PCL nanoparticles (353.2 ± 16.8 nm, PDI 0.252, zeta +20.8 ± 1.9 mV, encapsulation 77.9%) showed successful Hep conjugation as confirmed through FTIR and thermal analysis, sustained QN release over 96 h via Fickian diffusion, and enhanced release under iRBC-mimicking conditions. They were hemocompatible (<4% hemolysis), less cytotoxic (LD50 >527 µg/mL vs. 195.7 µg/mL for free QN), and demonstrated increased iRBC targeting (partition 8.50 ± 0.30 vs. 4.20 ± 0.12). Hep-QN-PCL achieved ~5.3-fold higher antiplasmodial potency (IC50 = 23.33 ng/mL vs. 122.86 ng/mL) and 14.2-fold greater selectivity index (22.60 vs. 1.59). These findings demonstrate a targeted nanomedicine platform with improved efficacy and safety for malaria therapy, suitable for further preclinical studies.Item The empirical estimates and derived parameters used to calibrate the transmission model for villages testing nets or nets and larviciding in the Kenyan trial [34]. Crude estimates for the total reduction in adult mosquitoes at the village level, the global estimates of species reductions according to the GLMM analysis (Eqs 4–7). The relative species compositions in each village that are used to weight the percentage reductions in adult densities simulated in the transmission model, the village-level statistically estimated ranges in reductions in vectors, the baseline prevalences as measured using microscopy in the ba(PLOS Pathogens, 2025-07-28) Sherrard-Smith, Ellie; Fillinger, Ulrike; Tia, Jean-Philippe; Winskill, Peter; Koudou, Benjamin; Tchicaya, Emile; Sanou, Antoine; Okumu, Fredros; Opiyo, Mercy; Majambere, Silas; Hamlet, Arran; Charles, Giovanni; Lambert, Ben; Churcher, ThomasThe empirical estimates and derived parameters used to calibrate the transmission model for villages testing nets or nets and larviciding in the Kenyan trial [34]. Crude estimates for the total reduction in adult mosquitoes at the village level, the global estimates of species reductions according to the GLMM analysis (Eqs 4–7). The relative species compositions in each village that are used to weight the percentage reductions in adult densities simulated in the transmission model, the village-level statistically estimated ranges in reductions in vectors, the baseline prevalences as measured using microscopy in the baItem The data estimates and derived parameters used to calibrate the transmission model for an ITN-only and ITN plus larviciding trial in Côte d’Ivoire [35]. Crude estimates for the total reduction in larval and adult mosquitoes at the village level (derived from empirical data), the global estimates of vector density reductions according to the GLMM analysis (Eqs 4–7). The relative species compositions in each village that are used to weight the percentage reductions in adult densities simulated in the transmission model, the village-level statistically estimated ranges in reductions in vectors, the baseline and follow up(PLOS One, 2025-07-28) Sherrard-Smith, Ellie; Fillinger, Ulrike; Tia, Jean-Philippe; Winskill, Peter; Koudou, Benjamin; Tchicaya, Emile; Sanou, Antoine; Okumu, Fredros; Opiyo, Mercy; Majambere, Silas; Hamlet, Arran; Charles, Giovanni; Lambert, Ben; Churcher, ThomasThe data estimates and derived parameters used to calibrate the transmission model for an ITN-only and ITN plus larviciding trial in Côte d’Ivoire [35]. Crude estimates for the total reduction in larval and adult mosquitoes at the village level (derived from empirical data), the global estimates of vector density reductions according to the GLMM analysis (Eqs 4–7). The relative species compositions in each village that are used to weight the percentage reductions in adult densities simulated in the transmission model, the village-level statistically estimated ranges in reductions in vectors, the baseline and follow upItem Summary statistics of linear models for maize fumonisins from the 2015 survey.(Frontiers, 2025-01-13) Stafstrom, William; Ngure, Francis; Mshanga, John; Wells, Henry; Nelson, Rebecca; Mischler, JohnSummary statistics of linear models for maize fumonisins from the 2015 survey.Item Compiled table of maize samples’ associated locations, mycotoxin concentrations, soil, and NDVI values from the 2019 survey.(PLOS One, 2025-01-13) Stafstrom, William; Ngure, Francis; Mshanga, John; Wells, Henry; Nelson, Rebecca; Mischler, JohnCompiled table of maize samples’ associated locations, mycotoxin concentrations, soil, and NDVI values from the 2019 survey.Item Data Sheet 1_How much to cut? Finding an optimal thinning intensity of encroaching woody species for the herbaceous community in an East African savanna.zip(Frontiers, 2025-01-06) Abate, Teshome; Abebe, Tesfaye; Treydte, AnnaGlobally, bush encroachment poses a great threat to the conservation of biodiversity and rangeland productivity. However, control methods of encroaching woody species have rarely been experimentally quantified. We assessed the impact of tree thinning intensities on tree mortality, and the herbaceous community in Borana rangelands, an Ethiopian savannah ecosystem. At two 1.4 ha areas of mono-specific Vachellia drepanolobium stands, we set up 20 m x 10 m experimental plots with four tree-thinning treatments (0%, 33%, 67%, and 100% tree removal), with three replications in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) across two sites. The 0% plot was left uncleared and used as control. Over two growing periods, we monitored resulting tree mortality, coppicing, seedling mortality, and recruitment as well as herbaceous layer attributes (diversity, biomass) and the rangeland conditions. Tree thinning intensity significantly increased abundance of the dominant desirable grass species. Total herbaceous and grass species richness, diversity and biomass were significantly improved under high (100%) and moderate (67%) tree removal intensity. We conclude that tree thinning at moderate intensity (67%) was most effective in enhancing mortality of encroached trees, and improving grass diversity, and herbaceous biomass. We stress that effective tree thinning requires post-thinning management and repeated bush control measures. Our findings contribute to development of recommendations on controlling bush encroachment, species restoration, and rangeland productivity in Ethiopian rangelands.Item Dataset: Assessment of heavy metals in soil and water from Bahi district, Tanzania(PLOS One, 2025-06-11) Sumary, Dominic; Raymond, Jofrey; Chacha, Musa; Banzi, Firmi; Gomezulu, EdwinCorrelation coefficient (r) matrix for heavy metal and with metal oxides concentrations in soil samples.Item Dataset: Heterogeneous impacts for malaria control from larviciding across villages and considerations for monitoring and evaluation(PLOS Pathogens, 2025-07-28) Sherrard-Smith, Ellie; Fillinger, Ulrike; Tia, Jean-Philippe; Winskill, Peter; Koudou, Benjamin; Tchicaya, Emile; Sanou, Antoine; Okumu, Fredros; Opiyo, Mercy; Majambere, Silas; Hamlet, Arran; Charles, Giovanni; Lambert, Ben; Churcher, ThomasThe empirical estimates and derived parameters used to calibrate the transmission model for villages testing nets or nets and larviciding in the Kenyan trial [34]. Crude estimates for the total reduction in adult mosquitoes at the village level, the global estimates of species reductions according to the GLMM analysis (Eqs 4–7). The relative species compositions in each village that are used to weight the percentage reductions in adult densities simulated in the transmission model, the village-level statistically estimated ranges in reductions in vectors, the baseline prevalences as measured using microscopy in the baItem Dataset: Population status of leopard in one of Africa’s largest wilderness areas and the challenge of monitoring at scale(Dryad, 2025-11-17) Searle, Charlotte; Strampelli, Paolo; Parsais, Singira; Haule, Leonard; Olesyapa, Kandey; Salum, Nasri; Mtoka, Samuel; Hape, Germanus; Mathayo, Daniel; Elisa, Manase; Lobora, Alex; Dickman, AmyRemarkably little is still understood about how the leopard (Panthera pardus) is faring in much of its remaining African range, despite the species’ importance for ecosystem function and generating funding for conservation via tourism. In this study, we address this knowledge gap in southern Tanzania’s Selous-Nyerere ecosystem, one of the largest intact wilderness areas on the continent, by estimating leopard population density via spatially explicit capture-recapture (SECR) modelling of data from seven camera trap surveys. Population density was highest in Nyerere National Park’s Matambwe sector (8.08 ± SE 1.54 adult and subadult leopards per 100 km2), followed by Selous Game Reserve’s Miguruwe sector (7.38 ± 1.26 per 100 km2); Nyerere NP’s Msolwa sector (6.05 ± 0.78 per 100 km2); Selous GR’s Liwale sector (5.93 ± 0.88 per 100 km2), western Kingupira sector (5.58 ± 0.87 per 100 km2), and eastern Kingupira sector (5.22 ± 0.71 per 100 km2); and Nyerere NP’s Kalulu sector (3.80 ± 0.64 per 100 km2). Together, our surveys covered an important component of extant leopard range in Tanzania, and our findings highlight the importance of the Selous-Nyerere ecosystem as a leopard stronghold. The estimates include the highest leopard densities yet documented in miombo woodland, which represents nearly one fifth of the species’ remaining African range. Unlike lion, leopard population density was highly correlated with relative abundance of preferred prey. Although limited by a small number of data points, this suggests that the two species may not be uniformly affected by anthropogenic threats. Threats to leopard in Selous-Nyerere include accelerating habitat conversion in boundary areas and bushmeat poaching, which impacts leopard indirectly by suppressing prey populations and directly via accidental snaring. Practical implication: Placed in the context of range-wide leopard monitoring, this study highlights the need to address persistent knowledge gaps on the species’ continental status and prioritise sites for monitoring based on their potential to inform evidence-based conservation management.Item Dataset: Replication Data & Code - Large-scale land acquisitions exacerbate local land inequalities in Tanzania(Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 2023-07-31) Sullivan, Jonathan; Samii, Cyrus; Brown, Daniel; Moyo, Francis; Agrawal, ArunLand inequality stalls economic development, entrenches poverty, and is associated with environmental degradation. Yet, rigorous assessments of land-use interventions attend to inequality only rarely. A land inequality lens is especially important to understand how recent large-scale land acquisitions (LSLAs) affect smallholder and indigenous communities across as much as 100 million hectares around the world. This paper studies inequalities in land assets, specifically landholdings and farm size, to derive insights into the distributional outcomes of LSLAs. Using a household survey covering four pairs of land acquisition and control sites in Tanzania, we use a quasi-experimental design to characterize changes in land inequality and subsequent impacts on well-being. We find convincing evidence that LSLAs in Tanzania lead to both reduced landholdings and greater farmland inequality among smallholders. Households in proximity to LSLAs are associated with 21.1% (P = 0.02) smaller landholdings while evidence, although insignificant, is suggestive that farm sizes are also declining. Aggregate estimates, however, hide that households in the bottom quartiles of farm size suffer the brunt of landlessness and land loss induced by LSLAs that combine to generate greater farmland inequality. Additional analyses find that land inequality is not offset by improvements in other livelihood dimensions, rather farm size decreases among households near LSLAs are associated with no income improvements, lower wealth, increased poverty, and higher food insecurity. The results demonstrate that without explicit consideration of distributional outcomes, land-use policies can systematically reinforce existing inequalities.Item Dataset: Using dung densities to assess the ecological effectiveness of a protected area network(Zenodo, 2024-03-05) Giliba, Richard; Kiffner, Christian; Fust, Pascal; Loos, JacquelineGiven recent global endeavors to increase protected area coverage, it is crucial to comprehensively evaluate the efficacy of various area-based conservation strategies in effectively reducing biodiversity loss. Here, we investigated responses of wildlife populations to different protection levels and environmental variables at the landscape scale in the Katavi-Rukwa Ecosystem, western Tanzania. To this end, we conducted line distance sampling surveys and counted dung of six target mammal species (elephant, giraffe, buffalo, zebra, topi, hartebeest) along foot transects within areas differing in protection levels (from strict to less-strictly protected: national park, game reserve, forest reserve, game-controlled area, and unprotected areas). Based on these dung counts, we modelled the spatial distribution of these six mammal species using a species-specific density surface modelling framework. We, found consistent effects of protection level and land-use variables on the spatial distribution of the target mammal species: dung densities were highest in the national park and game reserves, intermediate in less-strictly protected areas and lowest in un-protected areas. Beyond species-specific environmental predictors for dung densities, our results highlight consistent negative associations between dung densities of the target species and distance to cropland and avoidance of areas in proximity to houses. Our findings underpin differences in ecological effectiveness of protected areas within one ecosystem. Protection level and land use play crucial roles in moderating the spatial distribution of all considered mammal species. Our findings suggest that a landscape approach needs to guide effective conservation across the entire protection gradient of the Katavi-Rukwa Ecosystem.Item Dataset: Multiple paternity and number of offspring in mammals(Zenodo, 2018-10-23) Dobson, F. Stephen; Abebe, Ash; Correia, Hannah; Kasumo, Christian; Zinner, Bertram; Correia, HannahMany cooperative social attributes are being linked to characteristics of mating systems, particularly to the rate of multiple paternity that typifies a population. Under the logic that greater offspring production by females should engender greater competition among males to mate with females, it is predicted that multiple paternity should increase with litter sizes. We tested the predicted positive association of multiple paternity and litter size with a meta-analysis of 59 species of mammals. The probability of multiple paternity and mean litter size were positively correlated, but not significantly (Zr = 0.202). Also, the mean number of sires of litters increased with mean litter size, but not significantly (Zr = 0.235). We developed a combinatorial formula for the influence of number of male mates and litter size on the probability of multiple paternity. We used Bayesian Markov chain Monte Carlo simulations to generate an expectation for the form of the relationship between the probability of multiple paternity and mean litter size. Under the assumption of random samplings of numbers of mates, the expected association of the probability of multiple paternity and mean litter sizes among species was positive, curvilinear, and relatively high. However, the empirical probabilities of multiple paternities were much less than expected, suggesting that behavioral factors (such as mating-associated behaviors) or ecological characteristics (such as population density) likely limit the number of male mates for reproductive females. The probability of multiple paternity in a population is an estimate of mating patterns that does not closely reflect the number of sires of individual litters. We suggest use of the estimated probability of mating success for males as an alternative measure of their contribution to the mating system.Item Dataset: SNP genotyping of indigenous goats of Uganda based on the Goat_IGGC_65K_v2 illumina chip(Zenodo, 2024) Nantongo, Ziwena; Birungi, Josephine; Obol Opiyo, Stephen; Shirima, Gabriel; Mugerwa, Swidiq; Mutai, Collins; Kyalo, Martina; Munishi, Linus; Agaba, Morris; Mrode, RaphaelUganda's indigenous goats are characterised based on ethnic communities that raise them, average mature weight, and hair coat characteristics. Uganda's indigenous goats have been genotyped based on the Goat_IGGC_65K_v2 illumina chip to study their population structure and genetic characteristics. Information generated from this data is vital for the sustainable utilisation, development, and conservation of Uganda's goat genetic resources. Methods The data was collected from genomic DNA extracted from ear tissue samples of 1032 indigenous goats from different agro-ecological zones of Uganda. The study aimed to characterise the genetic diversity, population structure and signatures of selection of indigenous goats in different agroecological zones of Uganda. Indigenous goats were identified in their known phenotypic/ ethnic classifications of Mubende, Kigezi and Small East African goats in all the 10 agroecologies. Ear tissue samples were collected from each goat using the allflex tissue sampling system that allows for no cross contamination as each sample self locks in a single use tube after it is collected. Genomic DNA was extracted from each sample using the TANBEAD automated DNA extraction system with the 6T2 total tissue DNA extraction kit. DNA samples were genotyped based on the Goat_IGGC_65K_v2 illumina chip. Data processing After genotyping, 59725 SNPs from 1032 genotypes were received in PLINK format. The data was opened in Tassel Version 5.2 and saved as VCF format for further processing. The near complete goat genome (ARS1) was used as reference to align all the SNPs to the right chromosomes and chromosome positions using R (version 4.3.3) software. The final data set was saved as a VCF file for analysis.Item Dataset: Integrating stakeholders' perspectives and spatial modelling to develop scenarios of future land use and land cover change in northern Tanzania(Zenodo, 2021-01-13) Kariuki, Rebecca; Munishi, Linus; Courtney-Mustaphi, Colin; Capitani, Claudia; Shoemaker, Anna; Lane, Paul; Marchant, RobRapid rates of land use and land cover change (LULCC) in eastern Africa and limited instances of genuinely equal partnerships involving scientists, communities and decision makers challenge the development of robust pathways toward future environmental and socioeconomic sustainability. We use a participatory modelling tool, Kesho, to assess the biophysical, socioeconomic, cultural and governance factors that influenced past (1959-1999) and present (2000-2018) LULCC in northern Tanzania and to simulate four scenarios of land cover change to the year 2030. Simulations of the scenarios used spatial modelling to integrate stakeholders' perceptions of future environmental change with social and environmental data on recent trends in LULCC. From stakeholders' perspectives, between 1959 and 2018, LULCC was influenced by climate variability, availability of natural resources, agriculture expansion, urbanization, tourism growth, and legislation governing land access and natural resource management. Among other socio-environmental-political LULCC drivers, the stakeholders envisioned that from 2018 to 2030 LULCC will largely be influenced by land health, natural and economic capital, and political will in implementing land use plans and policies. The projected scenarios suggest that by 2030 agricultural land will have expanded by 8-20% under different scenarios and herbaceous vegetation and forest land cover will be reduced by 2.5-5% and 10-19% respectively. Stakeholder discussions further identified desirable futures in 2030 as those with improved infrastructure, restored degraded landscapes, effective wildlife conservation, and better farming techniques. The undesirable futures in 2030 were those characterized by land degradation, poverty, and cultural loss. Insights from our work identify the implications of future LULCC scenarios on wildlife and cultural conservation and in meeting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and targets by 2030. The Kesho approach capitalizes on knowledge exchanges among diverse stakeholders, and in the process promotes social learning, provides a sense of ownership of outputs generated, democratizes scientific understanding, and improves the quality and relevance of the outputs.