Study reveals a novel biomarker, potentially improved therapy for MS and related neurodegenerative disorders

Degeneration of myelin, an insulating sheath required for rapid communication between nerve cells, and neuroinflammation are notable hallmarks of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and related neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease and Huntington’s disease, which affect roughly 2.8 million people in the world. However, little is known about the precise molecular steps by which demyelination leads to the loss of neurons and glia, the two major types of brain cells.

TRIGGER IX: $5BN OF DRUGS SEIZED IN LATIN AMERICAN OPERATION

LONDON – Police in Latin America have seized cocaine and other drugs worth $5 billion in an operation lasting three weeks and spanning 15 countries.

They also seized more than 8, 000 illicit firearms and carried out almost 15, 000 arrests.

Police forces from Mexico in the north to Argentina in the south exchanged information in the operation, which was co-ordinated by Interpol.

Interpol said the arrests had disrupted the workings of several powerful gangs. – REUTERS.

GMO: BIOSAFETY AUTHORITY CHIEFS MUST QUIT, BE CHARGED

NBA Management and Board must resign and face criminal charges for feeding Zambians without consent or knowledge GMO products

The National Biosafety Authority Scientific Advisory Committee Chairperson Dr. Sody Munsaka says the GMO mealie-meal from South Africa is safe.

He has also disclosed that Zambians are already consuming GMO products such as cornflakes, some soups such as Bisto, premixes, spices, some biscuits, starch, maize grit and dog food, that were assessed by the authority and the risk-assessment concluded that the products were safe.

Clearly, the Biosafety Authority Management and Board need to immediately resign.

Further, criminal negligence charges must be considered for them to allow the importation and feeding Zambians on GMO products without following the laid down procedure as provided for by the Biosafety Act of 2007.

The Act prohibits the importation of GMO products that relate to crops and livestock of national importance, which maize is.

Further, the Act provides for public consultation before GMO products are imported for the country or in transit.

The Biosafety Act No. 10 of 2007, Section 11(1) states that;

The Authority shall not grant any approval for the importation, development, production, release into the environment or placing on the market of any genetically modified organism or product of a genetically modified organisms relating to any crop or livestock of NATIONAL IMPORTANCE AND FOOD SECURITY!

Further, Section 14 obligates the Biosafety Authority to conduct public consultation and public participation.

Sect 14(1) states that the Authority shall consult the public prior to the grant of any authorisation.

EMMANUEL MWAMBA.

Artificial intelligence to analyze past epidemics and predict future ones

Before the first cases of COVID-19 became known, an algorithm based on artificial intelligence developed by a company in Canada had already detected a new virus which was spreading across the Chinese city of Wuhan. This demonstration of the potential of new technologies applied to predicting future epidemics led a group of researchers at the Universitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC) and the University of the Balearic Islands (UIB) to use artificial intelligence to investigate new models of predictability, and to evaluate how long the consequences of epidemics persist.

SWITZERLAND INDICTS FORMER GAMBIAN MINISTER FOR CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY 

GENEVA – Switzerland’s attorney general has filed an indictment against Gambia’s former interior minister for crimes against humanity committed under former authoritarian leader Yahya Jammeh, it said in a statement on Tuesday.

Ousman Sonko is accused of having supported, participated in and failed to prevent “systematic and generalised attacks” as part of a repressive campaign by security forces against Jammeh’s opponents, the Office of the Attorney General said.

Sonko’s lawyer was not immediately available for comment. – REUTERS.