Once called the “white gold” of Indian agriculture, cotton has always been central to India’s economy and the lives of millions of small farmers. But by the 1990s, this prized crop was on the brink of collapse. Pests like the bollworm had outsmarted insecticides, farmers faced devastating losses, and cotton farming had become a desperate gamble. The ABNE Biotechnology and Biosafety Global Virtual Study Tour of Brazil, Argentina, India, and Bangladesh, organised by the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources at Michigan State University, took place from March 24 to 27, 2025. From the presentations on India’s cotton revolution by…
Author: Abdallah el-Kurebe
Argentina isn’t just known for tango, football, and beef — it’s also a quiet giant in the world of agricultural biotechnology (AgricBiotech). With a regulatory system built firmly on science, innovation, and international collaboration, Argentina has shaped a model that many countries now look to as a gold standard for balancing progress with safety. In different paper presentations on Agricultural Biotechnology (AgricBiotech) in Argentina, Martin Lema, University of Buenos Aires’ Fernando Bravo, and the Head of Biotech Directorate, Facundo Simeone, gave details of the country’s strides in modern biotechnology during the ABNE Biotechnology and Biosafety Global Virtual Study Tour of…
In a ground-breaking experiment, scientists have discovered a brand-new colour, one they say has never been seen before by human eye. Dubbed ‘olo’, the colour is described as an intense blue-green that sits outside the usual range of what the human eye can see. A study, published in the journal ‘Science Advances,’ details how a team of researchers from the University of California, Berkeley, and the University of Washington pioneer a new technology called Oz. This innovation allows scientists to stimulate individual photoreceptor cells in the human retina using laser light. “The Oz system represents a new experimental platform in…
Burkina Faso’s transitional government has granted a mining license to Russian mining company Nordgold for a major gold project expected to yield approximately 20 metric tons of gold over the next eight years. The project, known as the Yeou Gold Project, is situated in the country’s northern region, an area rich in mineral resources but plagued by security challenges. According to officials, Nordgold plans to invest significantly in the development of the mine, which is projected to boost Burkina Faso’s gold output and strengthen its position as one of Africa’s leading gold producers. Under the terms of the license, Nordgold…
When Brazil passed its first biosafety law in 1995, few could have predicted just how profoundly biotechnology would transform the country’s agricultural sector. Today, Brazil is not just feeding its people—it’s helping to feed the world. Thanks to decades of investment in science and a robust regulatory system, Brazil now ranks among the world’s top producers and exporters of key crops like soybeans, corn, and cotton. And at the heart of this transformation is the widespread adoption of genetically modified organisms (GMOs). According to a recent report titled “25 Years of GMO in the Field”, by Catharina Pires of CropLife…
As cervical cancer continues to claim the lives of thousands of African women each year, health experts are calling for urgent action to increase uptake of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine—a proven tool in cancer prevention. Despite its availability and effectiveness, the vaccine’s adoption remains alarmingly low across sub-Saharan Africa, driven largely by widespread vaccine hesitancy. At the recent HPV Media Roundtable during World and Africa Immunisation Week (April 24–30, 2025), leading researchers sounded the alarm. “HPV is fuelling high cervical cancer rates in Africa, yet myths and mistrust are standing in the way of saving lives,” said Prof. Hannelie…
A lady appears in a viral video claiming that brushing teeth at night prevents heart attacks and hypertension. The video has received considerable attention, including on prominent social media platforms and WhatsApp groups. CLAIM: Want to hear so many stories of people, young and old, suddenly passing away with a heart attack? It’s become so common, right? We know we can prevent heart disease with good exercise, good nutrition and less stress, in good sleep. But there is one thing, one major thing that you can do every year. I’m sure you’re doing it, but it’s just a reminder that…
Visceral fat is the fat stored deep inside your stomach, surrounding vital organs like the liver, pancreas, intestines and kidneys. It is hidden, unlike subcutaneous fat (the fat you can feel), making it even more dangerous. It is a risk factor for so many chronic diseases, and slim people are not left out. How is this fat accumulated, and how do you lose it? Why is it dangerous? Visceral fat is dangerous because it is metabolically active and interferes with normal organ function. It causes hormonal imbalance and inflammation, it also increases the risk of: Type 2 diabetes Hypertension Heart…
Did you know that many of us unknowingly hurt our sexual health with habits we think are harmless? These habits can lead to problems like erectile dysfunction, low libido, and even infertility. Observe some common ways men mess up their sexual health Not moving enough If you are sitting around all day or not exercising, it can affect your sexual health. Lack of exercise reduces blood flow, lowers energy, and messes with your hormones. A little movement goes a long way. Regular exercise helps your circulation, boosts testosterone, and keeps your sex drive strong. Watching too much porn Porn can…
In countries like Nigeria, people rarely treat malaria without adding medications for typhoid. Most times it’s joked about, other times it’s mandated. Question is: Do we always need to treat for typhoid? What are the consequences? What is typhoid fever? Typhoid fever is a systemic infection that is caused by the bacterium Salmonella enterica serotype Typhi (S. Typhi), and to a milder extent, serotype Salmonella paratyphi. It can be life-threatening if not diagnosed and treated on time. How does it spread? Typhoid usually spreads through the faecal-oral route, i.e, the bacteria are taken in when someone consumes contaminated food or…