4-eared cat.

This a rarely seen genetic mutation which was first documented in 1938 in Ashtabula, Ohio, with a four-eared cat named Toots. The mutation has been studied, and is argued to be a recessive gene mutation needed from both parents in order to produce four ears.This condition does not affect the health or the temperament of the cat in any way, cat with this condition is not restricted physically as well as all locomotory apparatus are functional. The cat with this rare status,like any other can succumb to any infection if appropriate care is not taken. This is case of 'Batman', who is three years old who was being treated for an upper respiratory infection before he could be put up for adoption.

Buy Nigeria Campaign!!!

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has said that the ministry will soon embark on “Buy Nigeria Campaign’’ to raise awareness on local contents. The minister made the disclosure when the management of Omatek Ventures Plc demonstrated its locally made Light-Emitting Diode (LED) bulbs and fluorescent in his office. The company also demonstrated its locally assembled computers, solar panels and components for generating power into homes and offices. Mohammed said that the campaign would help to sensitise the public to the benefits of patronizing Nigerian products. The minister underscored the need for Nigerians to develop the habit of conserving power, stressing that “when you reduce power consumption, you create energy.’’The minister said the country might have to legislate and enforce the use of LED lighting products which use less energy and last longer than other types of lighting systems. The Chief Executive Officer of Omatek, Mrs Florence Seriki, explained that LED bulbs and fluorescent tubes save energy, were brighter than other products, do not get hot and last for minimum of five years. According to her, while a conventional bulb consumes 66.9W, an LED bulb with brighter light consumes just 7.3W. Mrs Seriki explained that the company had a local manufacturing plant for LED products and assembly plants for computers and solar power panel and accessories. She said the solar power panels and accessories were of different capacity for generating electricity for homes, offices and factories. Seriki said the company had a consumer scheme, particularly for civil servants and workers in private offices, for seamless payments through their monthly salaries. continue

Giant whale washed ashore in Ondo state.

A huge Whale was washed ashore on Enu-Ama beach, in Ilaje area of Ondo state, yesterday. A large crowd gathered around the whale and majority helped themselves to a piece of the creature. Poor creature, washed ashore on the wrong beach. continue

Underwater treadmill to tackle pet obesity.

A local veterinary specialty and emergency hospital will open a new athletic center at its Buffalo Grove location. Officials for the Veterinary Specialty Center say pet obesity and over-exercising was their motivation for creating the center. The new athletic center is hoping to meet the increased demand for exercise and recovery services for pets, many of them due to the rise in orthopedic pet surgeries during the past several years. According to the American Pet Products Association, U.S. residents will spend an estimated $15.92 billion on veterinary care this year. This means Americans on a whole are spending more money on their pets than ever before. “…VSC is opening its new Athletic Center to not only aid in recovery, but also to provide preventative classes, therapies and more to reduce weight loss and injuries due to over exercising, which are contributing factors to the increase in orthopedic surgeries,” the hospital said in a statement. The center is slated to open on Aug. 18 and will offer treatments including laser therapy, circulation therapy and other therapy on its underwater treadmills.continue

Kidneys of 23-year-old Nigerian ‘disappears’ .

It was like a fairy tale when one Isa Hamma of Chaffa Jaule village in Fufore Loal Government area of Adamawa State presented himself at the Jimeta Clinic and Maternity for an ailment and after diagnosing him was issued with drugs and discharged, but told to return after three days for follow up. According to the elder brother of the victim, Mallam Umaru Isa Yahaya, when they came back for the follow up on the appointed date, the Doctor handling the case at the clinic, Dr. Yakubu Hassan, after clinic observation told them that the ailment requires surgical operation if they can afford to pay N50,000.He said they raised the money and the surgery was carried out. However, after the surgery, the victim could not urinate, resulting in the swelling of his body. “On seeing the condition of the patient he (Doctor) referred us to the Federal Teaching Hospital, Gombe because he said the case is beyond his limit,” he said Yahaya added that at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Gombe, the medical personnel said “kidneys of the victim was removed after he underwent surgical nephrectomy at the Jimeta Clinic and can only survive if another kidney was planted on him or depend on hemodialysis, and referred them to Federal Medical Centre Yola on account of its proximity”. He stated that they now spend not less than N40,000 weekly for the dialysis at the Federal Medical Centre, Yola. He solicited for assistance from well spirited individuals to enable the patient continue surviving on dialysis. Contacted on the issue, Hassan confirmed that the said patient was operated on for an ailment that has nothing to do with kidneys. He said based on the nature of the case, he referred them to a Consultant at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Gombe. more

Mosquito traps laced with human scent help fight malaria .

Dutch and Kenyan scientists have designed a unique mosquito trap which uses human odour to attract the malaria-carrying insects, helping cut the number of cases dramatically, researchers said Wednesday. A three-year study in Kenya found the special traps baited with synthetic smell helped to catch 70 per cent of the local malaria mosquito population, and led to a 30 per cent drop in cases in households using the devices. Published in The Lancet, the research was carried out on the Kenyan island of Rusinga with the participation of all 25,000 residents. “The odour-baited trap may also offer a solution to diseases like dengue fever and the Zika virus,” Wageningen University in The Netherlands, which led the research, said in a statement. Both dengue and Zika are caused by parasites carried by a different kind of mosquito to the malaria-bearing one, but which is also attracted by human smell. The trap also reduces the need to rely on pesticides to control mosquitoes, which are becoming increasingly resistant to such chemicals. Using pesticides is also dangerous to agriculture. “Beating malaria without using insecticides is my ultimate dream,” said Willem Takken from Wageningen University in The Netherlands. He led the study along with researchers from the Kenyan International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology and the Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute. The solar-powered traps were laced with human pong and placed either outside or inside homes on the island, on Lake Victoria. Mosquito nets and anti-malarial drugs were also used to combat the disease. Since the traps need electricity to work, the researchers installed solar panels on the houses as there is no electricity grid on the island. In an added benefit for the local people, the panels could also power two light bulbs, and charge mobile phones. “Every minute, a child dies of malaria. This disease costs Africa twelve billion dollars a year” in health-care costs and lost production, the Dutch university said. Malaria is caused by parasites transmitted to people through the bites of infected female mosquitoes. There is currently no vaccine and some 438,000 people died last year from the disease, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).culled from .themalaymailonline.com

Chilling mystery illness leaves boy, 4, crying tears of BLOOD and eyes bulging out of sockets.

A little boy suffers from bleeding EYES after he was suddenly struck by a mystery illness. Sagar Dorji, four, was a normal, happy little boy until just a few months ago. But suddenly his eyes started to regularly bulge and bleed, leaving the poor youngster writhing in pain. Sagar, who was born to family of labourers, is from Lakhimpur in the northeastern state of Assam, India. Heartbrokingly, mum Kusum Dorji is forced to helplessly watch her son suffer. "He was a healthy boy until recently. The problem started two-three months ago," she said. "First, his eyes got swollen and looked bloodshot. Then it started peeping out of the socket and bleeding. The child has been moved to a state-run hospital - but his family doesn't have the £140 required for medical tests before starting his treatment. Sagar Dorji Child with bleeding eyesSagar Dorji suffers immense pain from the condition. The doctors, who are reportedly treating him for cancer, refused to comment on Sagar’s case. Moved by the plight of the Dorjis, local well-wishers are trying to raise the cash for his medical bills. Mrs Dorji has put out a plea for help on the internet, posting: "I appeal to all kind-hearted people to help me save my son.Continue