Posts in category: Uncategorized

Researchers have identified common and rare gene mutations that increase risk for schizophrenia. Yet it’s unclear what biological mechanisms go awry in the brain to cause psychosis and other disabling symptoms, due in part to a lack of valid animal models to study in the lab.

Lenacapavir, an injection, has been approved by the FDA for multi-drug resistant HIV.

Two blood biomarkers could be predictive of cognitive deficits six and 12 months after a diagnosis of COVID-19, reports a new study published in Nature Medicine. These findings, based on data from more than 1,800 patients who were admitted to the hospital with COVID-19, were validated in an independent dataset, and provide biological insights into factors that may drive long-term cognitive dysfunction due to COVID-19.

Dr. Thimo Ruethers from James Cook University’s Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine (AITHM) and JCU’s Tropical Futures Institute (TFI) in Singapore says that shellfish allergy affects up to 3% of the general population, is usually lifelong and commonly triggers anaphylaxis—a condition that leads to respiratory collapse and can be fatal. In Australia, shellfish allergy is the number one trigger of food-related fatal anaphylaxis.

A program designed to ensure fairness and that people living in the most disadvantaged U.S. neighborhoods would be offered a scarce, potentially life-saving medication proved feasible in a large health system. The approach can improve equity in receipt of the drug by people disproportionately affected by disease, according to a new analysis published in JAMA Health Forum by University of Pittsburgh and UPMC scientist-clinicians.

By NATION REPORTER

THE continued trend by the State to politically reward UPND cadres with colossal sums of public money on grounds of false imprisonment without a successful court process is but a brazen act of criminality, conspiringly being perpetrated by State and the party in government, Brebnar Changala has charged.

Mr Changala, a longtime civil rights and political activist has described the compensation of five UPND cadres including President Hakainde Hichilema’s senior Private Secretary with a whopping K6.4 million through a consent judgement as a criminal act being entertained by the State.

Mr Changala said the claimed recompense of K6.4 million to President Hichilema’s co-accused in his treason charge while in opposition was an immoral exercise upon which the head of State and Attorney General Mulilo Kabesha should make serious reflection.

The State has consented to a judgement that the five UPND members who were arrested together with President Hakainde Hichilema for treason in 2017 be compensated a total sum of K32 million

Mr  Mulilo Kabesha has consented to an order which would see each of the appellants receive K6.4 million the order has since been filed in the Lusaka High Court and dated August 14, 2023 signed by both the State and the appellants.

The five include Wallace Chakawa, President Hichilema’s senior Private Secretary, Mr Hamusonde Hamaleka, Mr Pretorius Haloba, Mr Laston Mulilanduba and Mr Muleya Hachinda.

But Mr Changala accused the UPND of conspiring with the State to defraud Zambians through what he termed fraudulent consent orders which has so far seen as many ruling party cadres being awarded huge sums of money on grounds of either malicious prosecution of false imprisonment.

“The decision to award five UPND cadres K6.4 million as costs in a consent judgement is blatant thievery. One day, the things which the UPND is doing will back fire because the law must be applied equally and fairly.”

“Some nolle prosequis are as old as 16-17 years old yet there has not been any compensation. Why is it that fresh nolle prosequis, which are less than three years have been compensated? In any case, when one is discharged on a nolle, they are not entirely discharged. And when did the people who have been compensated sue the State for compensation when they were discharged on a nolle,” Mr Changala wondered.

Mr Changala said the trend that had come under the new dawn administration was scary and worrisome.

He said from the day President Hichilema was sworn in, their members and only them had been going to court and through the Attorney General, had entered consent judgements in which they were swindling the tax payers. 

Mr Changala said UPND cadres were not the only citizens who were maliciously prosecuted and offered a nolle prosequi as there were many Zambians who were maliciously prosecuted and had nolle prosequi entered in their favour.

Mr Changala gave an example of himself, Emily Sikazwe, Inonge Wina and Petronella Chisanga as some of the personalities who were prosecuted and had nolles in their favour but had never been compensated.

“I have had eight (8) nolle prosequis which were entered but they had never been compensated for it. The Attorney General is a conspirator in this chaotic and hemorrhaging financial matter at the treasury” Mr Changala said

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A study by the University of Stirling has found first-time participants in parkruns are more likely to return if events are near to freshwater and woodland.

A team of researchers at the University of Kentucky has found that a drug used to treat multiple sclerosis (MS) is potentially effective as a therapy for Alzheimer’s disease.

By BUUMBA CHIMBULU in Dakar

ZAMBIA has been used as a case study on the efficiency of the G20 Common Framework in providing debt treatment at the third African Conference on Debt and Development (AfCoDD III) taking place in Dakar, Senegal.

This was during a break away session focussing on “Efficiency of the G20 Common Framework in Providing Debt Treatment” which focussed on experiences from Zambia being the first African country to be on the G20 Common Framework debt deal.

The session, which took place yesterday, examined Zambia’s debt situations within the broader context of the African debt challenges.

Peter Mumba, Civil Society Organisation (CSO) Debt Alliance Coordinator made a presentation on “Profiling Zambia’s experience under the G20 Common Framework” during the session. In his presentation, Mr Mumba highlighted that Zambia’s case showed progress could be made to render the Common Framework more workable to restructure LICs sovereign debt

He pointed out that Zambia’s case also exemplifies the call for a “New Debt Movement” and outlook that was needed to address issues of domestic resource mobilisation and equitable investment in public services in Africa.

Mr Mumba however indicated that the success of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme depended on generating consensus among key stakeholders on the need for reforms.

He also indicated that more needed to be done to refine a comprehensive, efficient, and effective sovereign debt restructuring procedure.

Earlier in opening the session, Centre for Trade Policy and Development Executive Director, Isaac Mwaipopo said there were a number of both lessons and challenges that other countries could take away from Zambia’s experiences.

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GOVERNMENT has commended Liberi Foundation for constructing various projects among them school infrastructure and health facilities.

The Foundation, which was founded in 2017 by Wilma Kaptjin, aims to provide high quality education and improved health care to children and young people in the district.

Liberi Foundation was now helping renovate Siamatika primary school and the construction of a modern health facility and a semi-detached staff house which are almost complete in Siavonga District.

Siavonga District Commissioner Geofrey Jakopo expressed happiness at the quality works being exhibited in the area.

Mr Jakopo thanked Liberi Foundation and its partners for supporting Infrastructure development and uplifting health services in the district.

The District Commissioner recognised the social corporate responsibility Liberi Foundation is doing in the district, urging them to continue with the service.

“I am happy with what the donors’ Liberi is doing, I urge them to continue doing such projects in the district, the place is spacious and I have gone into the Wards and the pharmacy. The project is marvelous, I am happy with such developments, “he said.

Mr Jakopo said once the works are completed, the clinic will help to decongest Siavonga District Hospital as people will no longer have to travel long distances to access medical care.

“This will help us decongest Siavonga District Hospital and people will access health care,” said Mr Jakopo.

Meanwhile Namuzunga area Councillor Yousoff Siamatika is elated to see the construction of Siamatika Morden clinic by Liberi Foundation.

Mr Siamatika said the facility will help reduce the risk of other diseases as well as counter challenges of transferring patients to other nearby health facilities.

The councilor added that 5000 people will benefit from accessing health care at the facility. – ZANIS.

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