Posts in category: Uncategorized

People who have a higher biological age than their actual chronological age have a significantly increased risk of stroke and dementia, especially vascular dementia. These are the results of a study from Karolinska Institutet in Sweden published in the Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry. The study is titled, “Clinical biomarker-based biological aging and future risk of neurological disorders in the UK Biobank.”

New materials developed at the University of Surrey could pave the way for a new generation of flexible X-ray detectors, with potential applications ranging from cancer treatment to better airport scanners.

Nine months after giving birth, Caitlin Martin is still waiting to bring her son home from the hospital.

Peanut sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) is safe and effective at inducing desensitization and remission in 1- to 4-year-old children, according to a study published online Oct. 10 in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology.

More than two dozen people lined up outside a state public assistance office in Montana before it opened to ensure they didn’t get cut off from Medicaid.

By NATION REPORTER

EMMANUEL Mwamba and PF members, please stop dragging the President into your PF conflicts, State House Communications Specialist Clayson Hamasaka has said.

…Go top of the league, as Wada and Chicken George settle for stalemate

By MICHAEL MIYOBA

KABWE Warriors have assumed top spot on the MTN Zambia Super League table after slaughtering Green Buffaloes 3-0 in a Week-10 fixture at Godfrey Chitalu Stadium in Kabwe.

A brace from Mwamba Mutombo and a lone goal from Zimbabwean international Ocean Mushure secured the crucial win for Warriors to move to 21 points.

Warriors impressive form has seen them beat Zesco United and Power Dynamos in the last two games and outclassed Buffaloes from the first whistle. They were rewarded in the 12th minute as Mutombo broke the deadlock.

Warriors doubled their lead three minutes before the hour mark thanks to Mushure who scored a screamer with his weaker foot.

Mutombo made things worse for Buffaloes when he completed his brace in the 75th minute after being put through by Chifundo Mphasi.

Meanwhile, Red Arrows missed a chance to maintain top spot on the Super League table after giving up a 1-0 lead to draw 1-1 with the defending champions Power Dynamos.

Alassane Diarra had given the “Airmen” the lead in the 32nd minute after benefitting from Saddam Phiri’s assist.

However, winger Joshua Mutale punished the Airmen with a late equaliser to rescue Power from defeat.

The stalemate relegated Arrows to third with 19, points, two points, behind Warriors and one point behind FC Muza who claimed second position after beating Prison Leopards 2-0 at Nakambala Stadium in Mazabuka.

Goals from Emmanuel Manda and Andrew Phiri gifted Muza the win as they remain the only unbeaten side in the Super League.

In the lunch time kick off at Nkoloma Stadium, young Abraham Siankombo scored a late equaliser against his former club led by George Lwandamina who has failed to lead the Ndola giants to victory in the last three matches.

After a goalless first half, striker Brian Mwila silenced Zesco fans with a sublime strike from outside the 18-yard box to give the Bankers the lead after benefitting from Charles Zulu’s assist five minutes into the second half.

Siankombo had to wait until the 82nd minute to punish his former club which didn’t want to renew his contract during the last transfer window for the two titans to settle for a draw.

At the Dola Hill Stadium in Ndola, Forest Rangers bounced back to winning ways after edging Napsa Stars 1-0 thanks to Jack Chirwa’s first half goal.

At Arthur Davies Stadium in Kitwe, Konkola Blades picked their second win of the season after deeming Mutondo Stars 1-0.

Eric Etienne’s 59th minute goal redeemed Blades who moved to 13th on the Super League table with 10 points.

Mufulira Wanderers moved to sixth on the log with 15 points after beating struggling Trident FC 2-1 at Nkana Stadium in Kitwe.

Today’s Super League action will see rejuvenated Nkana host High Flying Nkwazi FC at Woodlands Stadium while Kansanshi Dynamos will host Green Eagles at Nchanga Stadium in Chililabombwe.

By NAMO PHIRI

THE Zambia National Youth Tank has joined the crusade by Members of Parliament to impeach Speaker of the National Assembly Nelly Muti.

By LUCY PHIRI

FORMER Minister of Health, Chitalu Chilufya says democracy should not be sacrificed at the altar of politics because no person is above the law.

By Remmy Kopeka and Salima Mvula

Nestled in the verdant landscapes of Northern Zambia, Mungwi town serves as a vibrant hub for both cultural heritage and diverse wildlife species. The town is located 30 kilometers east of Kasama, the provincial capital of Northern Province.  Among the many fascinating wildlife creatures that call this region home, is the ground pangolin.

This ant-eating mammal helps maintain the delicate balance of Mungwi’s ecosystems by protecting forests from termite destruction. The town’s ecosystem consists of a tropical wet climate also known as a rainforest.  It lies within the agroecological region and receives more than 1000mm of rain per annum. The forest is also characterised by dry evergreen Cryptosepalum forests, locally known as the Mavunda, which are endemic to north-western Zambia.

Pangolins are the world’s only scaly mammals, unique because of their distinctive appearance, covered in tough, overlapping scales made of keratin, like those of fingernails. These nocturnal creatures primarily feed on ants and termites using their long, sticky tongues. 

According to a report released by Wildlife Crime Prevention (WCP) Zambia Pangolins are the most trafficked mammal in the world and Zambia’s pangolin population of Temmnicks Ground and White-bellied Tree Pangolins is no exception to this onslaught. 

Pangolins as Victims of Illegal Wildlife Trade

Regrettably, pangolins are in high demand primarily for their scales, which are erroneously believed to possess medicinal properties in traditional Asian medicine. This need puts them at risk, prompting conservation efforts to protect these vulnerable species. In response to the escalating crisis, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) has implemented a ban on the commercial trade of pangolins.

Particularly, in Mungwi town, the ground pangolin, faces an unprecedented crisis as poaching and illegal trade continue to increase, causing the once-thriving pangolin population in the town to dwindle at an alarming rate, leaving conservationists and environmental advocates grappling with an urgent call to action.

Community-Based Conservation Initiatives

For several years, the Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW) in the Northern Area Management Unit has been actively involved in the arrest and apprehension of suspects engaged in the illegal trade of pangolins. DNPW Senior Intelligence Investigation Officer Mr Muma explained that through the DNPW Principal Ranger Team, sensitisation efforts have been carried out amongst community members within Mungwi district, to educate them on the Pangolin species and the dangers attached to engaging in its illegal trade.

He noted that due to persistent efforts, this year has brought a hopeful shift in the narrative. The collective consciousness of the local communities has resulted in a positive transformation, where community members are now voluntarily surrendering pangolins to the local leaders and local authorities.

“We have received some reports from concerned community members and have managed to retrieve some pangolins through the headmen and councilors coming on board to drive this awareness program,” Mr Muma said.

He explained that once a report has been received through their office, the principal ranger team is engaged to retrieve the pangolin, with the assistance of resources from WCP Zambia.

“Once the pangolin is retrieved, an assessment is carried out to determine whether it is fit to be released back into its natural habitat. If it is five kg and above, we release it, unless it requires some medical attention. If it is below the stipulated weight, we hand it over to the WCP rehabilitation centre to be treated,” he added.

Since 2016, WCP Zambia has supported the seizure of over 763 pangolins from the illegal wildlife trade through its collaboration with DNPW. As the pangolins are more valuable to the end consumer alive than dead, many are rescued alive by wildlife authorities. However, their time in the hands of criminals often leaves them malnourished, injured, and weak. The WCP pangolin rehabilitation centre provides treatment and care to these sensitive animals for the best chance of a successful release back into the wild.

While challenges persist in the battle against illegal wildlife trade, the positive shift in community behaviour signifies a beacon of hope. It highlights the potential for transformative change when communities and authorities unite in their commitment to protect endangered wildlife. The proactive involvement of the Mungwi community in safeguarding pangolins stands as a testament to the growing awareness and collective determination to preserve the rich biodiversity of the region. It indicates that with concerted efforts, every individual can contribute to the protection of our planet’s precious wildlife heritage.