Posts in category: Uncategorized

Christian Glass was a geology geek, a painter and a young man beset by a mental health crisis when he called 911 for help getting his car unstuck in a Colorado mountain town last year.

Indigenous females living “off reserve” face many disparities in health care access, use and unmet needs, found new research in the Canadian Medical Association Journal.

Researchers at the University of East Anglia have developed a new way of identifying patients at risk of an irregular heartbeat, known as atrial fibrillation.

PRESIDENT Hakainde Hichilema could not resist the temptation to appreciate the beautiful football exhibited by MUZA in their 3-0 win over Cano Sport of Equatorial Guinea. MUZA are on some fairytale run in the Confederation Cup as they have now progressed to the next stage of the competition after a 4-1 aggregate win over Cano. […]

BORN in 1893 in Gorakhpur, India, Yogananda was deeply devoted to spirituality from a young age. 

As a child, he experienced moments of divine communion and had visions that foreshadowed his future as a spiritual leader. Throughout his youth, he travelled extensively in his quest to find a guru who could guide him on the path to enlightenment.

His perseverance led him to Swami Sri Yukteswar, who became his beloved guru and mentor. 

Under Sri Yukteswar’s guidance, Yogananda deepened his understanding of yoga and meditation, and embarked on a life dedicated to spreading the teachings of Kriya Yoga, a powerful spiritual technique.

Yogananda’s autobiography delves into the challenges he faced in his mission, including resistance from traditional religious institutions and societal expectations. 

Despite these obstacles, he founded the Self-Realisation Fellowship, an organisation dedicated to disseminating spiritual teachings and practices worldwide.

The book also showcases the profound impact Yogananda had on those he encountered. From sharing wisdom with Mahatma Gandhi to befriending renowned physicist Nikola Tesla, Yogananda’s interactions with prominent figures of his time highlight the universality of his teachings and the profound influence he had on the world.

Beyond his encounters with influential individuals, Yogananda’s autobiography serves as a testament to the transformative power of spiritual practice. 

Throughout his life, he experienced numerous miracles and divine interventions that affirmed his faith in the interconnectedness of all beings and the inherent divinity within each of us.

In addition to his personal narrative, Yogananda provides readers with practical guidance on how to cultivate a spiritual life. He shares insights on yoga, meditation and the importance of balancing spiritual and material pursuits.

Published in 1946, Yogananda’s autobiography remains a timeless masterpiece that continues to inspire and enlighten readers around the world. 

It invites individuals of all backgrounds to embark on their own spiritual journey, encouraging them to seek truth, deepen their connection with the divine, and radiate love and compassion to all beings.

It has been in print for seventy years and translated into over fifty languages by Self-Realisation Fellowship. 

It has been highly acclaimed as a spiritual classic including being designated by Philip Zaleski, while he was under the auspices of HarperCollins Publishers, as one of the “100 most important spiritual books of the 20th Century.”

Today, reading Autobiography of a Yogi has become an unofficial prerequisite for prospective students of the Self-Realisation Fellowship’s “Lessons for Home Study,” a set of lessons, reflections, and assignments that one may read and apply before being initiated into Kriya Yoga.

This book is indeed a gem for anyone wishing to know about yoga and Indian religious philosophies. A spiritual treasure!

By Remmy Kopeka

Every scientific journey begins with curiosity, and my story is not different from other researchers. As an ecology enthusiast, I embarked on a research journey that led me to unravel the fascinating world of small mammals specifically rodents – which helped me to understand their significance in the ecosystem. Today, I share my experience, highlighting some of the important roles rodents play in maintaining the balance of our natural world and supporting sustainable agricultural practices.

Approximately 42% of all mammalian species in the world are rodents, amounting to about 2,552 species (Burgin et al., 2018). Rodents have adapted to all lifestyles: terrestrial (live on land), aquatic (live in water), arboreal(live in trees), and fossorial (live underground). Most species are small, secretive, nocturnal, adaptable, and have keen senses of touch, taste, and smell. For most species of rodents, the incisors continually grow throughout their life span, requiring constant gnawing to keep the incisors sharp and at an appropriate length.

Rodents have ecological, scientific, social, and economic values: They are important in seed and spore dispersal, pollination, seed predation, energy and nutrient cycling, the modification of plant succession and species composition, and as a food source for many predators. (Witmer et al. 1995; Dickman 1999). Additionally, some species provide food and fur for human use. Hence, the indiscriminate removal of native rodents from ecosystems, including agroecosystems, which is not the best management option in many cases (Villa-Cornejo et al. 1998; Aplin and Singleton 2003; Brakes and Smith 2005).

Curiosity 

As a graduate in Wildlife Management from Copperbelt University, curious about many things, I was in search of practical experience that could contribute to the advancement of my career. It was during this time that I became a research assistant in a project focused on “understanding the implications of habitat fragmentation on small mammal diversity, rodent pest regulation, and ecologically based management strategies.” This was PhD research by Dr. Christopher Imakando, a lecturer and researcher at the Copperbelt University. Unknown to me, these unassuming creatures, did not only capture my interest but also reshape my understanding of their significance. 

Heroes in seed dispersal and forest regeneration 

The role of rodents as seed dispersers is one of the most fascinating aspects of their ecological contribution. Rodents contribute to the regrowth of forests by transporting seeds over long distances through their feeding habits. In addition to ensuring the survival of various plant species, this process also supports the wide range of organisms that depend on these plants for food and shelter. Mice and other rodents, like squirrels, unintentionally become the gardeners of nature, creating a rich tapestry of life in the forest.

Soil Stewards and Fertility Enhancers

Moles and other rodents that burrow underground have a secret skill that goes far beyond making tunnels. Their burrows aerate the soil, enhancing water infiltration, root growth, and nutrient accessibility. These conscientious scavengers improve soil fertility and support the general well-being of agricultural lands. This is evidence these tiny creatures are unsung heroes working tirelessly beneath our feet as I observed their tenacious efforts and realized the beneficial effects, they had on soil structure.

Rodents in the Web of Life

Rodents occupy a crucial place in the web of life. They serve as a vital prey source for many predators: small cats, snakes, and birds of prey. Their presence, or absence, can profoundly affect the dynamics of the entire food web, leading to surge effects on the populations and behaviours of other species. Appreciating that all organisms are interconnected in nature it became evident that rodents hold an important position in maintaining the delicate balance of the ecosystems. 

Pests Turned Allies

Due to their sporadic damage to crops, rodents have historically been considered pests in the agricultural sector. However, less than 10% of rodents are pest species in agricultural crops (Singleton et al., 2007). In addition, a more nuanced viewpoint emerges from a deeper understanding of rodents. Insects, larvae, and other small invertebrates are the primary diet of some rodent species, including shrews and field mice, thereby serving as pest controllers in the agricultural sector. Rodents can encourage environmentally friendly and sustainable farming methods by reducing the need for chemical pesticides by controlling the population of insect pests. Therefore, the secret is finding a balance between the advantages of their pest control services and any potential harm brought on by crop damage.However, there is also a negative aspect regarding their relationship with humans. Rodents are known to be reservoirs and carriers of various pathogens that can lead to zoonotic diseases, which are illnesses that can be transmitted from animals to humans.

Conclusion

This transformative journey changed my perspective view as a nuisance to realizing their immense contribution. Rodents play an important role in maintaining the health and sustainability of the ecosystem. Their role may include ecosystem engineering to facilitate forest regeneration, disease regulation, soil enrichment, and the intricate dynamics of the food web. By fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation for these often-underestimated creatures, we can forge a harmonic relationship with them and cultivate a more resilient future for our planet.

Burgin, C.J., Colella, J.P., Kahn, P.L., Upham, N.S. (2018) How many species of mammals are there? Journal of Mammalogy. 99(1), 1–14.

Singleton, G.R., Brown, P.R., Jacob, J., Aplin, K.P., Sudarmaji (2007) Unwanted and unintended effects of culling: A case for ecologically-based rodent management. Integrative Zoology. 2(4), 247–259.

By LIFESTYLE REPORTER

FAST RISING singer songwriter and entertainer, Kabwe Mushinku, known in the music cycles as Super Star, has released his most anticipated single tagged “Judas” which has so far enjoyed impressive airplay success.

The new single which highlights the characteristics of Judas Iscariot who was one of the Twelve Apostles and is know as being notorious for betraying Jesus for 30 pieces of silver of which Jesus was then arrested, tried, and executed was produced by the gifted AmourScole, real names, Amos Mbewe, who made sure the song will have a permanent slot on people’s playlists.

The singer who is know for his story-telling ability in his music, told the Daily Nation Lifestyle & Entertainment news that his life experiences inspired the song which he said are woven into the lyrics and melodies that resonate with reality.

For this brand new single, Kabwe hired the expertise of uprising artists in Fly Jay, Young Super Star and Jolines who did justice to the song. This is the singer’s fourth release for this year.

Twenty years ago, when researchers from the Human Genome Project announced that they had completed the first-ever sequence of an entire set of human DNA, the discovery was heralded as comparable to “splitting the atom or going to the moon.” The announcement forever transformed the fields of genomics, biology, and medicine, allowing researchers to investigate more complex questions and seek more complicated answers related to the human body and how to treat disease.

By TROY MUKUPA

“Running a business is not as easy as ABC, it is a complex yet simple process if aided by the right tools. It is a fact that working for yourself will be harder than it would be for someone else. You need to be dedicated, driven and willing to work long hours. My advise, don’t let the fear of failure get in your way. The best entrepreneurs are risk takers, but they also know what risks to not dive into,” says business owner and Pastor at Royal Citizens Of Heaven Church, Pastor Jonathan Thole.

CEO and proprietor of TJ Innovations, a fast growing business company dealing in giving of low-interest-rate loans, supplying of phones, accessories and as an Organization consultancy company, Pastor Jonathan, who is currently pursuing a Bachelor in Human Resource Management (HRM) at Mansfield University in Lusaka and is in his 3rd year Bauclarative studies, said one shouldn’t be afraid to ask for help from the already established business owners before starting a business, “Meaningful feedback, whether positive or negative, will help you improve your idea or come up with a different one”

Pastor Jonathan, who has been running the TJ Innovations business for over 2 years now said he believes anything started small can grow big with determination and focus.

“As TJ Innovation, we are a business company that has a long standing reputation and a trustworthy relationship with our clients. For over 2 years we have proven to be a reliable business company in terms of our products, our supply services and the low interest rates on our loans. We are currently based in Ngombe Compound but we also operate as a mobile operating business as we continue doing our best to follow and offer our services to our customers,” added Pastor Jonathan when asked what sets his business apart from others.

“I do believe without a doubt that anything started small can grow big with determination and focus in place. 3 years ago TJ Innovations was just an idea but because I was determined and focused to making it into reality, today it is a business that is setting trends and is now among those that started way back before TJ Innovations,” addded Pastor Jonathan.

By TROY MUKUPA

So far, the year 2023 has been an amazing year as far as music is concerned. Off course all the hit songs and album released from January to now wouldn’t be possible without the effort of producers. The Daily Nation Lifestyle and Entertainment recently took time to interview fast-rising-talented songwriter and skillful music producer with exceptional music production capabilities, Joosy Beats, who without any doubt deserves to sit among the elite-music-producers in this industry.

The young talented producer has been a top notch producer for 4 years now making a number of hit songs for both the upcoming and the already established artists. His ability to give an international touch to music production makes him one of the fastest-rising music producer with multiple hits accredited to his name.

“As a teenager I liked listening to music a lot, and at some point, I realized there was someone behind the scenes who was making those sounds happen,” said Joozy Beats, when asked what made him want to become a music producer.

The young-energetic producer, who has been running the studio for over four (4) years now and has assisted many artists with their recording projects, bringing their vision to fruition and guiding their sound along the way with perfection, said his inspiration to do music production was amplified/inspired by renowned Zambian music producer, Stash.

Joosy Beats, whose real name is Joshua Musonda, he is the proprietor of a fast-rising music studio/label based in Lusaka, precisely at six (6) miles area called Jazzy House Studios, with a certain adeptness to music production.

His excellence-production-works point to why he is becoming a popular and most-sought figure with upcoming and already established artistes in the industry. He produces any requested music. However, it is noticeable that hip pop, Afro music and Zed dunka highly influence his music.

He has produced hits like “Gone To Soon” by JYD Africa, “Ebenezer – Kutali Mwanfumya” by Prince Paul, “Caribbean Queen” by Dhalifa idols and Twakula Tu Chinje” by Dumbwe, to mention but a few. He also has worked with a number of uprising artists talented in Melissa and Princess clc.

“My advise to upcoming artist is to stay focused and determined. Also one has to having a heart to learn and cope up with new sounds since music is an art that keeps changing,” when asked what advise he had for upcoming artists. “Always work hard and take music seriously because good music not only stands the test of time but teaches, builds and encourages people in many ways indefinable.”