Q-Fever.

This an infectious disease caused by a bacteria, Coxiella burnetti and its found worldwide. The bacteria naturally infects some animals, such as goats, sheep and cattle. C. burnetii bacteria are found in the birth materials such as placenta, amniotic fluid and also in urine, feces, and milk of infected animals. The disease is of zoonotic importance people who have close contact with farm animals such as farm workers, vets, abattoir staff and livestock agents carry the greatest risk of contracting Q fever. Abattoir workers are at risk of infection when working on pregnant animals. Farmers must be careful when assisting at calving and avoid direct contact with afterbirth materials. Aborted fetuses and afterbirth should be disposed of safely by burning. The Q fever bacteria is very tough and can survive for months in the environment as infected animals shed the organism in urine, milk, feces and placental fluids. Contact with fetuses and fetal membranes from aborted animals can expose individuals to high doses of infective material. Animals are infected with the Q fever organism by inhaling or ingesting infected material such as urine, milk, feces or after-birth from infected animals. People are infected most frequently by inhaling infected material from these same sources or from environmental contamination. Wind borne transmission of the organism in dust is an important source of infection. Animals with Q fever are not treated, but infected people should receive prompt medical attention to relieve symptoms and avoid serious complications.Tetracycline and doxycline are drugs of choice for treatment although a vaccine is also available for prevention.

Worm study provides clues to better fat-loss therapies for humans.

Scientists have discovered key details of a brain-to-body signaling circuit that enables roundworms to lose weight independently of food intake, and there are reasons to suspect the circuit exists in a similar form in humans and other mammals. Scientists at The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI) have discovered key details of a brain-to-body signaling circuit that enables roundworms to lose weight independently of food intake. The weight-loss circuit is activated by combined signals from the worm versions of the neurotransmitters serotonin and adrenaline, and there are reasons to suspect that it exists in a similar form in humans and other mammals. The study, published by the journal Cell Metabolism noted that boosting serotonin signaling has been seen as a viable strategy for weight loss in people, but results hint that boosting serotonin plus adrenaline should produce more potent effects .The surprising discovery was that serotonin isn't the sole driver of this weight-loss pathway, but works in concert with another neurotransmitter, octopamine -- the C. elegans version of adrenaline (also called epinephrine) in mammals.

Scientists find brain hormone that triggers fat burning.

Scientists find brain hormone that triggers fat burning.Biologists have identified a brain hormone that appears to trigger fat burning in the gut. Their findings in animal models could have implications for future pharmaceutical development. Biologists at The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI) have identified a brain hormone that appears to trigger fat burning in the gut,work published in the journal Nature Communications.Earlier studies had shown that the neurotransmitter serotonin can drive fat loss. The newly discovered fat-burning pathway works like this: a neural circuit in the brain produces serotonin in response to sensory cues, such as food availability. This signals another set of neurons to begin producing FLP-7. FLP-7 then activates a receptor in intestinal cells, and the intestines begin turning fat into energy.

Leonardo DiCarprio unveils Google’s new high-tech tool to curb illegal fishing.

Google has joined hands with popular actor Leonardo DiCarprio’s foundation to crackdown on illegal fishing. The search engine giant and the foundation have launched a new high-tech tool to track down unregulated fishing. The tool named as Global Fishing Watch was launched by Leonardo DiCaprio on Thursday. Main aim of the tool, a surveillance system, is to keep a constant check on global fishing practices taking from space and help bring decline in illegal fishing in the oceans. At the event, DiCaprio encourage everyone to check out the technology, which as per him will make citizens to be better protectors of the oceans. Oceans are vital for the livelihood. In fact, it is the primary food source for millions of people.continue

Hair Loss Among Men Could Help Predict Risk of Prostate Cancer.

Anew research has shown that hair loss among men could help predict risk of prostate cancer. The team of researchers at the University of Toronto team evaluated cases of male pattern baldness and found a strong link between hair loss and prostate cancer risk. The Canadian research team added that high level of testosterone is considered as a reason behind hair loss and prostate malignancy. However, men facing hair loss should not start worrying about the results of this study. Majority of men suffer male pattern baldness as they age and the percentage of bald men rises with age. The research team from the University of Toronto checked medical records and male pattern baldness among 400 men who came to Princess Margaret Cancer Centre in Toronto for prostate biopsy. The research team asked these men about their degree of baldness at age 30. Their current hair loss status was also checked and evaluated on the Norwood scale A study published by the U.S. National Cancer Institute said that men with moderate baldness were more likely to suffer prostate cancer. The University of Toronto team found that men with higher extent of baldness had higher chances of suffering from prostate cancer, among the 400 men who came to Princess Margaret Cancer Center for testing. continue

Koycera Launches Washable Smartphone in Japan.

Japanese company Kyocera has launched a smartphone which can be washed with soap and water. While other smartphone vendors are boasting about water-resistant or waterproof smartphones, Kyocera has gone a step ahead and suggested that users can wash their smartphone with water and soap. Kyocera has launched ‘Rafre smartphone’ in Japan. The smartphone is the second washable phone launched by the company after its first in December 2015. The phone’s touchscreen even works while you wash it under faucet. In its official press release, Kyocera informed, “Like its predecessor, the new rafre features resistance to hot water and a touchscreen that be can be used even when the user’s hands are wet or when wearing gloves.” Using hand gestures, users can use the phone without even touching the screen. Gestures can help you scroll on certain apps without touching the screen and even answer calls. Rafre comes with 2GB RAM and 16 GB internal memory which can be increased by adding SD card. The smartphone offers high quality images with 13 mega pixel camera. The company added, “Furthermore, the new handset is equipped with a special cooking app which allows users to scroll through recipes, set timers and answer calls through hand gestures without having to touch the display. This allows use of the smartphone while users’ hands are coated with cooking ingredients.”continue

The secret of raising pigs from a millionaire farmer.

GASPARD Kabalisa is a management consultant, who has exploited his entrepreneurship and managerial experience and skills to rake in millions from pig rearing. Kabalisa currently owns a model piggery with 70 pigs at Gasanze cell in Nduba sector, Gasabo District. Kabalisa says he started the farm in 2012 with a partner, who later pulled out because of financial reasons. Piggery has many advantages to a farmer: they eat a wide range of feeds, making it easy for a farmer to get feeds.He argues that piggery is also the easiest business to control. Every business can be rentable if done professionally. He says most of the animal feeds, including forages like sweet pepper, taro, squash, sweet potatoes, egg plants, maize are produced on his farm, but he buy a few processed feeds. James Akananiyundi, the veterinary officer at Kabalisa’s farm, however, says cultivated forages are important to supplement the industrial feed, on one hand, and to reduce operational costs on the other hand.Recently, the vet introduced a high yielding variety of beans that are rich in iron to improve the animals’ nutrition and help fight against anemia, which he says is a serious disease pig farmers are wary of. He plans to increase my stock to at least 400 pigs in next five months, set up a modern slaughterhouse on the farm and a small meat processor in order to gain more from business.continue