Pigs can help improve IVF efficiency.

Pigs can help improve IVF efficiency.In a trial involving female pigs, researchers from the University of Missouri, USA, have discovered that IVF efficiency can be improved for humans. The researchers published the article in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Science. R. Michael Roberts and Randall Prather, both professors of Animal Science at the University of Missouri, usually work with pigs to research stem cells and the mechanisms these cells use to proliferate, communicate and grow in the body. During an attempt to improve how they grow these cells, researchers in their labs discovered a method that uses a special liquid medium and improves the success of IVF in pigs.more

Pigs feel neuropathic pain due to tail mutilation.

Pigs feel neuropathic pain due to tail mutilation. Tail mutiliation causes neuropathic pain-like sensations in piglets – that has become clear from recent UK and Danish research. In their published paper in Nature, researchers from Newcastle University, the Scottish Rural College (SRUC) and Aarhus University concluded: “Tail amputation in pigs appears to evoke acute and sustained changes in peripheral mechanical sensitivity, which resemble features of neuropathic pain reported in humans and other species and provides new information on implications for the welfare of animals subjected to this type of injury.” more

VETERINARY MEDICINE: Knowing more about animal bites and rabies may save your life .

VETERINARY MEDICINE: Knowing more about animal bites and rabies may save your life . Cases of rabies have come up in the past week with children in villages near Serian, Sarawak being hospitalized after animal bites.

 VETERINARY MEDICINE: Knowing more about animal bites and rabies may save your life .Two children have died so far. Rabies is caused by a virus (genus Lyssavirus), and is derived from the Latin word for “to rage”. The disease has been recognized for over 4,000 years, though it was only in 1885 that the first vaccine for it was created by French biologist Louis Pasteur. 

 That vaccine is the predecessor of the highly effective vaccines we have today.The virus is transmitted through the infected saliva of a host animal, usually through a bite or scratch from an infected animal.more VETERINARY MEDICINE: Knowing more about animal bites and rabies may save your life . 

 According to the World Health Organization (WHO), dogs are the main source of infection, contributing up to 99% of all rabies transmissions to humans. Many animals can be host to the rabies virus, although it’s most common in dogs, cats, bats, foxes, jackals and mongooses.

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First child to undergo double hand transplant surgery achieves dream .

First child to undergo double hand transplant surgery achieves dream .Zion Harvey was also able to write and also feed and dress himself independently 18 months after the procedure which took nearly 11 hours. The American youngster, who was aged eight when the procedure took place, is able to complete the tasks following months of occupational therapy and psychological support, according to a medical report published in The Lancet Child and Adolescent Health journal. Dr Sandra Amaral, of the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, said: “Our study shows that hand transplant surgery is possible when carefully managed and supported by a team of surgeons, transplant specialists, occupational therapists, rehabilitation teams, social workers and psychologists. “Eighteen months after the surgery, the child is more independent and able to complete day-to-day activities. more

Baby dies of viral meningitis after deadly kiss.

Baby dies of viral meningitis after deadly kiss.Mariana Sifrit, the infant girl who contracted viral meningitis caused by HSV-1 when she was less than a week old, died Tuesday morning, her mother posted on Facebook. HSV-1 is the same herpes virus that causes cold sores, and only rarely does it lead to viral meningitis, which causes the tissue covering the brain and spinal cord to become enflamed, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It is believed that baby Mariana contracted the deadly virus from a kiss. Mariana's parents, Nicole and Shane Sifrit, both tested negative for the virus, they told CNN affiliate WHO. more

How a woman grows 500 plants in her apartment.

How a woman grows 500 plants in her apartment. The model-turned-sustainable-clothing-activist-turned-sustainable-food-movement-activist has had an eventful career. Oakes currently heads up marketing for Foodstand, whose aim is to “to connect a community of good eaters,” and also runs a website about detoxing from sugar. But leading up to these jobs, she earned an environmental science degree, worked as a model, wrote a book (with another due out this year), and launched a service to connect designers with sustainable fabrics. For 11 years, Oakes has lived in a 1,200-square-foot converted industrial space in Williamsburg, which is filled with 500 plants, including a living wall, an irrigated vertical garden constructed out of mason jars, and, in a closet garden, edible plants ranging from the familiar (herbs, greens) to the exotic (a pineapple plant, curry leaves—the latter of which she raves about). more

Heritage Bank, Biase Plantations seal N232m pact on oil palm production.

Heritage Bank, Biase Plantations seal N232m pact on oil palm production. HERITAGE Bank Plc has signed N232million Pilot phase of Out-growers agreement with Biase Plantations Limited (BPL) and its joint venture partner, PZ Wilmar Limited source