Your eye is made up of different parts, and each plays an important role in your vision. The lens is part of your eye that sits behind your iris (the coloured part of your eye). It’s a clear structure that focuses light entering your eye, allowing your brain to process images. Cataracts Key takeaways: Cataracts form when proteins inside the lens of your eye break down. The main causes of cataracts include ageing, exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light, smoking, certain medications, and medical conditions. Avoiding things that cause cataracts can keep your vision healthy. If you develop cataracts, surgery can remove them…
Author: Abdallah el-Kurebe
Agriculture in drought-prone regions took a major step forward when the Crop Trust and Germany’s federal government provided much-needed support for an international agricultural research institute focused on the drylands of Africa and Asia. The International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) benefitted from a €500,000-project called Immediate Plant Genetic Resource Protection for Long-Term Sustainability. The project contributed to climate resilience and mitigation, better nutrition, and food security in the drylands by supporting the conservation of the diversity of some of these regions’ most important crops. The eight-month project was led by the Crop Trust and the Deutsche…
Imagine a farmer in Kenya battling relentless pests that devour cotton fields or a mother in the Philippines watching her child grow weaker from a lack of essential nutrients. For decades, these struggles seemed insurmountable, but the story is beginning to change. Two new infographics, the Countries Approving GM Crop Cultivation and Contributions of Biotech Crops to Food Security, Sustainability, and Climate Change Solutions released by the International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications (ISAAA), say as of October 2024, 32 countries have embraced genetically modified (GM) crops, signalling a quiet revolution in how global challenges like food security, poverty, and climate…
Drinking water is usually the best way to stay hydrated. But there are times when drinks with added electrolytes can help you recover faster. Examples are after strenuous exercise, activity in very hot or humid weather, or when you’re sick with vomiting or diarrhoea. Key takeaways: Electrolyte drinks contain a mixture of water, sodium, potassium, and chloride. Older adults are at higher risk of becoming dehydrated when they’re sick. Electrolyte drinks can help prevent dehydration. The best electrolyte drink for older adults depends on the nutritional content of the drink, its cost, and the person’s underlying health conditions. In each of…
African leaders have reacted strongly to recent comments by French President Emmanuel Macron on sovereignty, which he made during an interview with France 2 Television. Macron’s remarks, seen by many as dismissive of African nations’ independence and self-determination, have sparked widespread debate across the continent. In his interview, Macron defended France’s involvement in Africa, stating that “true sovereignty is a balance between independence and partnership.” This statement, however, was met with backlash from African leaders and intellectuals who view it as a veiled attempt to justify continued French influence in Africa. Criticism from African leaders Malian Prime Minister Choguel Maïga…
Most modern websites and applications connect to databases programmed using Structured Query Language (SQL). SQL injection (SQLi) vulnerabilities arise when websites do not adequately screen, filter, or control the queries from the website, which permits attackers to attempt to inject fragments of SQL code into database queries to extract information. To prevent SQLi attacks, web application and database programmers need to filter inputs, restrict database code, restrict database access, and maintain, and monitor the application and database. While these five methods work, they apply mostly to code in development because existing code is often too lengthy to check line by…
Lower back pain is a common issue that affects many people at some point in their lives. It can range from a mild ache to a sharp, debilitating sensation that can interfere with daily activities. In this thread, we’ll learn the causes, symptoms, risk factors, complications, preventive tips, treatment options, and supportive activities for managing lower back pain. Symptoms of lower back pain -Dull or aching pain: Persistent discomfort that can affect daily activities. -Sharp, stabbing pain: Sudden, intense pain that can move difficult. -Radiating pain: Pain that spreads to other areas like the buttocks, hips, or legs. -Tingling or…
Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy is set to stand trial over allegations of receiving illegal campaign funds from Libya’s late leader, Muammar Gaddafi, during his 2007 presidential campaign. The charges against Sarkozy include embezzlement, corruption, and illegal campaign financing. The trial, expected to last three months, revolves around claims of a “corrupt pact” between Sarkozy’s camp and Gaddafi’s regime. ALSO READ Google pays Canada Media Can$100m to use content Prosecutors allege that millions of euros were transported to France in cash-filled suitcases to fund Sarkozy’s election bid. ALSO READ Global drug trends: Cannabis tops the List in most countries Sarkozy,…
The battery in your electric car and the magnets in wind turbines rely on critical minerals controlled by China. This gives the country a powerful role in the green transition but also creates challenges for the rest of the world. China’s role in critical minerals China has long been the global leader in producing rare earth elements— a group of 17 metals essential for technologies like electric car, vehicle motors, wind turbines, and mobile phones. ‘China’s dominance gives it a strategic advantage but also exposes vulnerabilities for other nations’, says Gørild Heggelund, research professor at the Fridtjof Nansen Institute, Oslo,…
A recent analysis of global drug use by the World of Statistics has revealed that cannabis remains the most prevalent drug in numerous countries, while others grapple with region-specific substances such as heroin, methamphetamine, and opioids. The findings highlight significant variations in drug preference, shaped by cultural, economic, and geographic factors. Cannabis: The global front-runner Cannabis is the dominant substance in many nations, particularly in North America, Europe, and parts of Asia. Countries such as Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, and the United States report cannabis as their most widely used drug. In Africa, Nigeria and South Africa also…