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Stepping Up Response to Curb Infectious Diseases in Nigeria

 Abuja - In Nigeria, vulnerable populations, especially those in underserved communities, remain at high risk of infectious diseases, including Lassa fever—an acute viral hemorrhagic illness caused by the Lassa virus. Endemic in Nigeria, Lassa fever continues to affect thousands annually, with the dry season (December–April) being the peak transmission period. In 2024, the disease has been particularly severe, with 1,059 confirmed cases reported across 28 states, resulting in 175 deaths (16.6% case fatality rate). Alarmingly, 35 healthcare workers have been infected during the outbreak, underscoring the urgent need for robust infection prevention measures. The Lassa virus is primarily transmitted to humans through exposure to food or household items contaminated with the urine or feces of infected Mastomys rats. Secondary transmission can occur through direct contact with the bodily fluids of infected individuals, posing significant risks to healthcare and laboratory workers who la...
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Cutting calories may reduce cellular ageing and increase lifetime.

State College, Pennsylvania — Penn State researchers are presenting fresh persuasive data linking diets to ageing. Their study focused on telomeres, the genetic "end caps" that protect our chromosomes, and how calorie restriction impacts them. The scientists studied data from a two-year trial of caloric restriction in humans and published their findings in the journal Ageing Cell. They discovered that those who restricted their calories lost telomeres at different rates than the control group. Despite this, both groups concluded the research with roughly identical telomere lengths. Previous research found that reducing calories by 20 to 60 percent resulted in prolonged life for a variety of species. When a person's cells split, some telomeres are lost as chromosomes are copied to a new cell. The cell's telomeres are then shortened in total. The telomere cap eventually disappears as cells divide. The genetic information on the chromosome becomes more vulnerable to de...

Vitamin D demonstrates hidden potency that promotes cancer immunity.

LONDON -- According to recent studies, vitamin D may one day help humans prevent lethal kinds of cancer. Scientists from the Francis Crick Institute, the National Cancer Institute (NCI), and Aalborg University discovered that vitamin D promotes the growth of a specific type of gut bacteria in mice, enhancing cancer immunity. More specifically, the study's authors discovered that feeding mice a vitamin D-rich diet increased their immunological resistance to transplanted tumours and boosted their responses to immunotherapy treatment. This impact persisted even after scientists employed gene editing to eliminate a protein that binds to vitamin D in the blood and keeps it out of tissues. To their astonishment, the researchers discovered that vitamin D affects on epithelial cells in the colon, resulting in an increase in the quantity of Bacteroides fragilis. That bacteria enhanced the mice's immunity to cancer. The study discovered that transplanted tumours grew less, however th...

Take the stairs: Using lifts could shorten your life.

ATHENS, Greece— Taking a lift is a great convenience, but a new study found that it does not improve your longevity. Instead, researchers discovered that taking the stairs can help you live a far longer life. Climbing a few flights of stairs every day lowers a person's risk of cardiovascular disease and mortality, even if they have a history of heart problems. "If you have the choice of taking the stairs or the lift, go for the stairs because it will help your heart," said research author Dr. Sophie Paddock of the University of East Anglia and Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital Foundation Trust in a media release. "Even brief bursts of physical activity have beneficial health impacts, and short bouts of stair climbing should be an achievable target to integrate into daily routines." Although cardiovascular disease is the biggest cause of death in the United States, researchers believe regular exercise can help avoid it. Unfortunately, the new study, pres...

BREAKING: A suspected measles outbreak killed 42 children in Adamawa.

An outbreak of measles in Adamawa State, Northeast Nigeria, has reportedly killed at least 40 youngsters. SaharaReporters discovered that the sickness was spreading in the Mubi North and Gombi local government areas. According to sources from the state's Primary Healthcare Development Agency, 23 people died in Mubi and 19 in Gombi. According to an anonymous source, "So far, there are over 200 infected children; out of which 23 victims have been recorded in Mubi and 19 in Gombi." "There is also a suspected polio case in Gombi." "A team of medical workers has been dispatched to the affected communities to combat the two outbreaks," stated another source. When reached, the state health commissioner, Felix Tangwami, confirmed the outbreak but stated that "details, including mortalities, will be given tomorrow at a press briefing to be addressed by the deputy governor".  Read more updates on  https://docstudyzone.blogspot.com ...

DUI without alcohol? A rare syndrome in the intestines may be the culprit.

  Imagine you are a police officer. You see a car swerving all over the road. You pull over the driver, and they are plainly inebriated. They insist, with slurred speech, that they haven't consumed any alcohol all day. Do you believe them? In 2024, a Belgian man was acquitted after being arrested three times for DUI in four years. Though his position at a brewery raised suspicions, he asserted that he had not been drinking. Three doctors confirmed that he had auto-brewery syndrome and was ignorant. People with this illness have microorganisms in their intestines that produce abnormally high levels of alcohol when they break down sugars and carbs. Though it is an uncommon condition, a lady was acquitted of a DUI conviction in 2016 after being diagnosed with the same syndrome. Her blood alcohol level was four times the legal limit. I am a microbiologist who is fascinated by how the gut microbiome influences human health. As the author of the book "Pleased to Meet Me: Genes, G...

How to improve memory for persons with Alzheimer's

Alzheimer's disease is a difficult ailment that affects millions of individuals around the globe. It is characterized by memory loss and cognitive decline and has a substantial impact on both patients and careers' everyday lives and quality of life. While there is no treatment for Alzheimer's disease, several activities have been demonstrated to aid or prevent the decrease of memory and cognitive function. This article delves into some of the greatest activities supported by research that can benefit people with Alzheimer's. Physical Exercise: Regular physical activity is one of the most effective approaches to improve cognitive function in Alzheimer's patients. Exercise improves blood and oxygen flow to the brain, which can aid to maintain healthy brain cells while also encouraging the formation of new ones. Aerobic exercises such as walking, swimming, or dancing have been shown in studies to improve cognition and decrease the progression of Alzheimer's ...