Author: Helen Okechukwu

A new blood test may soon allow people with coeliac disease to get a diagnosis without eating gluten – a major breakthrough for sufferers of the condition. Researchers from the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute (WEHI) in Australia have developed a test that can detect coeliac disease using a simple blood sample, even if the person is on a strict gluten-free diet. Their findings were published in the journal Gastroenterology. At present, individuals with suspected coeliac disease must undergo a gluten challenge – eating foods containing gluten for several weeks – before testing can confirm the diagnosis. This often leads…

The President of the Read and Earn Federation for United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO REF), Abdulsalami Ladigbolu-Oranmiyan, has urged President chilBola Tinubu to step up efforts to eliminate child labour in Nigeria, calling it a pressing moral and national responsibility. In a statement issued to mark both the International Day Against Child Labour and Nigeria’s Democracy Day, Ladigbolu-Oranmiyan emphasised that the protection of children must be central to the President’s Renewed Hope vision, aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN-SDG)—particularly Goal 8.7, which calls for the global abolition of child labour. He stressed that child…

In a continued effort to strengthen public safety and curb criminal activities in Delta State, the state’s Police Command has apprehended a 40-year-old man and his wife (name withheld) in connection with alleged cultism and armed robbery in the state capital, Asaba. This announcement was made available on Wednesday via the Delta police command spokesperson, Bright Edafe. The arrest, which took place on 9 June, followed a strategic intelligence-led operation conducted by officers of the Command’s DOPS Buffalo Team, under the leadership of Deputy Superintendent (DSP) Charles Evboifo. Acting on credible information, the team stormed a local food canteen known…

Health experts in the United Kingdom (UK) are urging cancer patients and their families to undergo genetic testing following a new study that highlights serious gaps in the detection of Lynch syndrome, a rare inherited condition linked to several types of cancer. The research, carried out by the University of Edinburgh, shows that although most womb cancer patients had their tumours tested for Lynch syndrome markers, many were not referred for further genetic testing. This means that patients who could be at risk of developing more cancers, as well as their family members, may be left unaware of the condition.…

Scotland researchers have made a major breakthrough in the fight against bowel cancer, especially in young people. A new study has found that bowel cancer cells can “shapeshift” into skin or muscle cells, helping them spread more easily around the body. The study, led by experts from the University of Edinburgh and the Cancer Research United Kingdom (UK) Scotland Centre, found that bowel cancer cells can change their form. These cells can start acting like skin or muscle cells, which helps them survive and move to other parts of the body. This change in cell type is known as cellular…

Nipah virus vaccine developed by researchers at the University of Oxford has received a major boost with the backing of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) under its PRIME scheme

The Plateau State Drugs and Medical Commodities Management Agency (PS-DMCMA) has established a Drug Information Centre (DIC) to monitor adverse drug reactions reported by hospitals and individuals. PS-DMCMA is a Nigerian government agency responsible for managing and distributing essential drugs and medical supplies across the state’s public health facilities. Executive Secretary of the agency, Mr Kim Bot, made this known during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Jos. Mr Bot, a pharmacist, said the centre was part of efforts to improve healthcare outcomes and ensure the safe use of medicines across the state. He…

A leading cardiologist with more than 20 years of medical experience has outlined ten simple daily habits that could help protect your heart, and none require a strict diet or expensive prescriptions. Dr Sanjay Bhojraj believes cardiac health starts with your daily routine. “It is not just about what’s on your plate; it is about what you do from the moment you wake up,” he explains. Here are his top heart-friendly habits you can begin today. 1. Aim for 7k–10k steps every day Regular walking helps regulate blood pressure and improve blood sugar levels. No need for intense workouts — just…

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have intercepted a shipment containing 66 parcels of Loud, a potent strain of cannabis, at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Ikeja, Lagos. According to the Director, Media & Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, on Sunday, noted that the interception, which took place on Thursday, followed credible intelligence received ahead of the shipment’s arrival at the airport’s cargo section on 11 May. The NDLEA placed the consignment under surveillance for over three weeks before carrying out a joint inspection with other relevant stakeholders. The illegal drug, weighing 62.20 kilograms, was concealed in…

Water is a transparent, tasteless, and odourless substance that forms the Earth’s hydrosphere, including oceans, lakes, rivers, and rain. Water is also a major constituent of living organisms.