An extract of a plant’s fruit in Nigeria could protect against seizure and prevent brain degeneration. It could therefore be studied further for the development of a new antiepileptic drug.

Plant-based products (herbal mixtures and concoctions) can be formulated quickly and some get approval from the National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control as marketable products. But drug products of microbial origin are uncommon. The last time Nigeria reported a novel antimicrobial compound of microbial origin was in 1986, under a project commissioned by Pfizer. The compound was used to treat coccidiosis in poultry and to promote growth in swine. It was the second such compound from Nigeria, but research stalled in the decades that followed.

Antibiotics, life-saving drugs used to treat some humans and animal disease conditions, persist in the environment after usage. Their unlawful usage in veterinary service for poultries, piggeries, cattle farms, aquacultures and other livestock farms continues to increase, thereby putting strain on reliable drugs to remain effective.

Keywords: Sulfonamide, antibiotic resistance, Oyo State, Osun State; Veterinary; antibiotics.

The term ‘epilepsy’ is derived from the Greek word ‘epilambanein’, meaning ‘to seize or attack’. It is a chronic non-communicable neurological disorder that can be inherited or acquired. The belief that epilepsy is a contagious disease or spiritual attack is not scientifically accurate.

Food smoking belongs to one of the oldest technologies of food preservation which mankind has used in meat and fish processing. Although it is a common source of protein in most diets, smoking not only gives them unique taste, texture and aroma, it also improves preservation due to its dehydrating and bactericidal properties. However, smoking has serious unintended effects that are potential health hazards. "Smoked foods may be contaminated by cancer-causing components of wood smoke – mainly polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and other derivatives of PAHs, which break down in human bodies to more toxic and dangerous PAHs," says Dr Temilola Oluseyi, a Senior Lecturer and Group Leader of Analytical and Environmental Chemistry Research Group, Department of Chemistry, University of Lagos, Nigeria.

The programme was aimed at inspiring and motivating students (especially girls) of Nigerian secondary schools and Universities towards developing genuine interests and taking up career paths in life science and science courses generally.

Even though early progress in neuroscience began in 'ancient' Egypt, Africa’s research capacity in this area has not kept pace with the developments in the field. The above was the assertion of a team of neuroscientists, who recently conducted a long-term analysis of research outputs in the field of neuroscience, in the continent.

The advent of COVID-19 has awakened the culture of using hand sanitizers in Nigeria. As a result, the public domain is saturated with different kinds of hand-hygiene products. These are preparations designed for the purpose of reducing or eliminating germs in the hands, and thus preventing the transmission of agents of infectious diseases through the hands. The two main categories of hand-hygiene products recommended by the World Health Organization are soaps and products containing chemical antimicrobial agents.

Academic Publishing Centre (APC) was built last year by the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) for the Federal University of Technology, Minna (FUTMinna), in Niger State, North Central Nigeria. The APC was established to address the dearth of indigenously-authored and locally-produced tertiary level textbooks, together with other related academic publications in Nigeria’s tertiary education institutions. It is one way of motivating students to read and to foster sustainability in book development. While it is true that foreign books are helpful, the development of an indigenous book industry is needed to provide opportunities for the nation’s writers, thinkers and artists. However, Ngozi Nnam, a Professor of Community and Public Health Nutrition, said “If you diversify, you will get better information. If you get your information from books published locally, you will be abreast on what is happening in Nigeria, but one should not limit him or herself to only the Nigerian context. Look beyond Nigeria, across Africa and the world. This will make one have a global presentation of what he or she is researching on.”

The second edition of the National Life Sciences Competition (NLSC) for tertiary institutions and secondary schools in Nigeria dedicated to inspiring more young people to pursue science careers is scheduled for March 29 to July 4

Though, malaria is 'deadly' and have claimed millions of lives, especially in Africa, it is the brain that controls both the pain and fever aspects of the disease in human beings, a research lecturer at the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN), in Kwara State, Dr. Aboyeji Lukuman Oyewole, has said.

Most vitamins, such as A, B, C, D and E are present in Moringa. These vitamins are important in many body processes, including protection of cells of the body, digestion of food, good eye sight and strong bones and teeth. Their deficiency results in so many different disease conditions. The leaves of Moringa contain ten times more vitamin A than carrots and seven times more vitamin C than oranges.

Studies have shown that pressure, competition and stress experienced by students puts them at high risk for mental health issues. However, precise estimates of the prevalence of anxiety and depression in this population remain elusive. Nevertheless, students need and deserve thoughtful, evidence-based support in order to address mental health issues on their campuses with urgency and focus.

In recent time, the need for increased energy demand has heightened a very enticing discussion on an energy technology that involves transforming municipal solid waste to energy. Municipal solid waste (MSW) can be used as an energy source in the same way as carbon-containing energy source materials. Some futurists believe that the world will eventually have a waste-based economy. However, this has thrown repeated question that mostly goes around and getting much of the attention these days― could MSW be the fuel of the future?

The MSW can release a substantial quantity of energy that can be harnessed to drive socio-economic ventures to fruition. For example, an overflowing waste that would otherwise throw to dumpsites could produce electricity. This doesn't just make electricity, but can also make money for the people that can venture into the business given the total global waste-to-energy market projection revenues of $45 billion (equivalent to 20 trillion and 250 billion Naira) over the next six years.

With the current annual average of around 1,200 scientific publications by the University of Ibadan, it will require about 325 years to reach Harvard Medical School, while 100, 109 and 131 years will be needed to meet up with University of Tokyo, University of Melborne, and University of Sao Paolo, respectively, if these universities are to (theoretically) stop scientific publications now.

Misuse of malaria drugs can lead to stomach health problems

Studies have shown that continuous heating and reheating of oil aids its transformation into trans fats, which not only raises the bad cholesterol - low density lipoprotein (LDL) - levels in the body, but also lowers the good cholesterol - high density lipoprotein (HDL) levels. "The chemical changes that take place in reheating of cooking oils will increase the percentage of trans fats - a form of fat which is harmful to the body- thereby leading to an increase in the bad cholesterol profile known as low density lipoprotein (LDL)," The cholesterol usually formed from this fat travel to different parts of the body system through the blood, alongside the transportation of vitamins and minerals. However, once there's an increase in the bad cholesterol (LDL), it builds up on the walls of the blood vessels, thereby forming what is known as plaque,which overtime narrows the blood vessels leading to different health risks especially, heart related diseases.

In Nigeria’s North East where Beans are mostly cultivated, farmers have identified Cowpea Witchweed as a major cause of their pre-harvest losses. The pest, which is referred to as ‘WutaWuta’ (Fire-Fire) in their local Hausa language was drawn from the ravaging effect of the pest on its host (beans seedling). Recurrent losses over the years have discouraged many farmers in this region from cultivating the legume, while others who manage to farm sell their harvest at exorbitant prices to recoup losses.

Tuberculosis for a long time is a public health challenge in Nigeria. It is one communicable disease that has claimed lives and has continued to claim lives among humans. However for animals, there are revelations that bovine TB, a form of Tuberculosis found in cattle is becoming epidemic in the country among humans. This challenge pose not a little set back to the combined effort of the government and development partners to eradicate the disease in the country by 2030.

How dangerous are beef consumed in Nigeria? Researchers and veterinary experts in the country are at parallel decisions on this matter. According to study, about 1.3 million cattle are slaughtered for consumption in the country with majority of it coming from abattoirs and butchers houses across the country. For researchers and veterinary experts, the bone of contention is the danger pose by the antimicrobial residue in beef due to antibiotics and other drugs administered to cattle before taken to slaughter houses.