A recent report from the World Health Organization (WHO) has raised concerns over the continued outbreaks of circulating vaccine-derived polioviruses (cVDPVs), particularly in countries with low immunization rates. The report, covering the period from January 2023 to June 2024, highlights 74 distinct outbreaks across 39 countries, predominantly in Africa, affecting vulnerable populations, including children. According to the US CDC, a vaccine-derived poliovirus (VDPV) is a strain related to the weakened live poliovirus contained in the oral polio vaccine (OPV). The vaccine-derived report indicates that 47 of the outbreaks were newly detected, with countries like Nigeria and Somalia experiencing prolonged transmission due…
Author: Abdallah el-Kurebe
Inflammation is how your body responds to an injury, allergen, or infection. It’s why a sprained ankle doubles in size and why you run a fever when your body is fighting a virus. But in today’s world, your body is constantly exposed to things that turn on the inflammation response — even when it’s not needed. And in the U.S., many of the common foods in our diet have become potential sources of that inflammation. Key takeaways There are many sources of inflammation in our lifestyle — from stress to diet. Chronic inflammation can put you at risk for long-term health conditions like heart…
University College Dublin (UCD) is leading MpoxVax AFRIVAC, a new €1.3 million international consortium that aims to rapidly deploy technology and develop new knowledge to end the current Mpox outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and surrounding countries. Professor Patrick Mallon, Director of the UCD Centre for Experimental Pathogen Host Research (CEPHR) and Professor of Microbial Diseases at UCD School of Medicine, is the Lead Coordinator of the consortium and Professor Bruce Kirenga from the Makerere University Lung Institute in Kampala, Uganda is the Scientific Coordinator. MpoxVax AFRIVAC (Expanding a prospective, clinical trial examining the immune response of participants receiving…
The Kaspersky Global Research and Analysis Team (GReAT) says it has detected that the SideWinder APT group is expanding its attack operations to impact high-profile entities and strategic infrastructure in the Middle East and Africa, utilising a previously unknown espionage toolkit called ‘StealerBot’. As part of its ongoing monitoring of APT activities, Kaspersky discovered that recent campaigns by the SideWinder APT group were targeting high-profile entities and strategic infrastructures in various countries in the Middle East, Turkiye, as well as in Morocco and Djibouti in Africa. The campaign in general remains active and may target other victims. SideWinder, also known…
The United States had the largest area of genetically modified crops worldwide in 2023, at 74.4 million hectares, followed by Brazil with a little over 66.5 million hectares. Genetically Modified Crop Market ALSO READ How We’re Reducing Disease With Genetically Modified Mosquitoes Regarding acreage [worldwide], the most commonly genetically modified crops are soybeans, corn, cotton, and canola as of 2019. In that year, 13.5 per cent of all the cotton grown worldwide was genetically modified. The same was true for 48.2 percent of all soybean plants. Because genetic modifications are proprietary, the market for genetically modified seeds and pesticides is heavily concentrated between…
In South Korea, we met with a Nigerian postdoctoral researcher from Kano, Dr AbdulQaadir Yusuf Maigoro, whose lab is doing fascinating work on malaria control. He invented the machine that can kill mosquitoes from one kilometer. His machine can capture mosquitoes within a range of 600 meters to one kilometer. It first lures them in, then captures them. The machine also identifies the mosquitoes within seconds and the types of illnesses they cause. With this, he works with his professor to mitigate asymptomatic malaria that silently damages the body, including the brain. ALSO READ How We’re Reducing Disease With Genetically…
In September 2024, over 3 million tubes of lubricant eye ointments were recalled. The affected products include Refresh P.M. and Refresh Lacri-Lube, which were distributed across the U.S., Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom. The recall is due to a tube seal issue, which could result in leakage and potential contamination. If your product has been affected by this recall, it’s best to stop using it. Tell your healthcare team if you experience eye infection symptoms such as eye pain, redness, or vision changes. Not all recalls are announced with a press release. To stay up to date on FDA…
Problematic pornography use (PPU) is a type of compulsive sexual behavior disorder (CSBD). It can affect a person’s mental health and sexual relationships. It can also lead to sexual violence. CSBDs make it difficult for the individual to control or manage intense sexual impulses or urges. Medical professionals sometimes refer to these behaviors as out-of-control sexual behavior (OCSB). However, it is important to note that there is much disagreement about whether CSBDs, including PPU, can be a type of porn addiction. Some medical professionals do not recognize porn addiction as a diagnosable condition, and similarly, there is controversy about whether…
As Maiduguri, in the Northeastern region of Nigeria, grapples with the aftermath of devastating flooding, compounded by ongoing malnutrition, disease outbreaks, and insecurity, the Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) International President, Dr. Christos Christou, has called for immediate and intensified humanitarian support for the region. In a statement released following his visit to Maiduguri, Dr. Christou highlighted the severe impact of the recent flooding on millions of people, noting that northern Nigeria has been enduring overlapping crises for years. “People in northern Nigeria have faced overwhelming levels of malnutrition, frequent outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases, and a lack of medical facilities and…
This November, we celebrate 100 years since the discovery of insulin, the hormone that provides the key to understanding and treating diabetes. In this Special Feature and podcast, we look at how far insulin research has come, and we consider what its future may hold. Insulin is the hormone that helps regulate blood sugar levels, keeping them at healthy concentrations. The pancreas is the organ that produces this hormone, which is normally released in quantities dependent on the levels of blood sugar present in the system at any one time. People whose bodies are unable to regulate blood sugar levels have…