Yellow fever virus found in semen of Brazilian patient.

Yellow fever virus found in semen of Brazilian patient.Researchers in Brazil recently detected yellow fever virus RNA in urine and semen samples from a convalescent patient in Brazil. Yellow fever is normally detected in blood, but urine has been used to confirm yellow fever infection in humans, researchers from two universities and a research institute in São Paulo noted in their report. But yellow fever was not among the 27 viruses previously identified to persist in semen. The researchers said their findings “suggest that semen can be a useful clinical material for diagnosis of yellow fever and indicate the need for testing urine and semen samples from patients with advanced disease.” “Such testing could improve diagnostics, reduce false-negative results and strengthen the reliability of epidemiologic data during ongoing and future outbreaks,” they wrote in Emerging Infectious Diseases. A recent yellow fever outbreak in Brazil was fueled by cases among monkeys in the Amazon basin and other tropical forests in Brazil, rather than person-to-person transmission involving mosquitoes. Following a large vaccination campaign, Brazil declared an end to the outbreak in September.

Discovery shows how herpes simplex virus reactivates in neurons to trigger disease.

Discovery shows how herpes simplex virus reactivates in neurons to trigger disease. When we get cold sores, the reason is likely related to stress. For the first time, researchers discovered a cellular mechanism that allows the herpes simplex virus to reactivate. They also found how brain cells are duped into allowing this to happen so that the virus can cause disease. When we get cold sores, the reason is likely related to stress. In particular, the neurons in which the herpes simplex virus (HSV) reside, are under stress. For the first time, researchers at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine discovered a cellular mechanism that allows the virus to reactivate. They also found how brain cells are duped into allowing bits of virus to escape the very repressive environment in neurons and cause disease. HSV is found in about 90 percent of the United States population and leads to cold sores, recurrent eye infections, genital lesions, and in rare cases encephalitis -- inflammation of the brain which has a 30 percent mortality rate (70 to 80 percent if left untreated). Its closely related virus, VZV, also causes chicken pox and shingles.

How scientists investigate sleeping viruses using the herpes simplex virus (HSV) .

How scientists investigate sleeping viruses using the herpes simplex virus (HSV).Most virus infections are 'latent' (sleeping) within the nervous system. Princeton scientists are investigating how they go to sleep -- and how to prevent it. Four in five adults are infected with herpes simplex virus, say researchers, but most don't show symptoms like cold sores because the virus infection is 'latent' -- sleeping -- within the nervous system. While many virus researchers are interested in understanding what causes these sleeping viruses to wake up, or reactivate, scientists are now trying to understand what prevents the infection from going to sleep in the first place.

Climate change may accelerate infectious disease outbreaks, say researchers.

Climate change may accelerate infectious disease outbreaks, say researchers. Aside from inflicting devastating natural disasters on often vulnerable communities, climate change can also spur outbreaks of infectious diseases like Zika , malaria and dengue fever, according to a new study by researchers at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus. "Climate change presents complex and wide-reaching threats to human health," said Cecilia Sorensen, MD, lead author of the study and the Living Closer Foundation Fellow in Climate and Health Policy at CU Anschutz. "It can amplify and unmask ecological and socio-political weaknesses and increase the risk of adverse health outcomes in socially vulnerable regions.

Olam launches Cherie Egglicious.

Olam launches Cherie Egglicious. Olam Sanyo Foods, one of Nigeria’s leading noodle-makers, has launched Cherie Egglicious – the first noodles in the country to contain real egg. During the grand launch, Ali Nuhu, Cherie brand ambassador and Kannywood star , sampled a bowl of Cherie Egglicious noodles and then urged fans to try too. “Cherie Egglicious noodles is delicious…

On-farm Demonstration: Improved Weed Control Help Nigerian Farmers Record 27tons/hectare.

On-farm Demonstration: Improved Weed Control Help Nigerian Farmers Record 27tons/hectare. The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) Cassava Weed Management Project (CWMP) have helped On-farm demonstrations in Ogun produce average yields of 27 tons per hectare. The statement revealed that the demonstrations were conducted in 2016 in the three senatorial districts of Ogun states using an integrated weed control package developed by the IITA-CWMP. Presenting the results during the Joint Quarterly Review Meeting of the project in Abeokuta,a scientist at the Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta (FUNAAB) Dr Patience Olorunmaiye, said “the yield from the demonstration plots were impressive and a proof of concept that if farmers adopted improved weed management practices, they would be better off” The highest yield from the demonstration farms was 32 tons/ha with 96 percent of the demonstration farms recording more than 20 tons/ha.

FG Seeks Inclusion in Brazil More Food Program.

FG Seeks Inclusion in Brazil More Food Program. The Federal government through the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh has sought the inclusion of Nigeria into Brazil More Food Programme, as a means to improving the nations agriculture. The Minister stated this when he received a 14 man delegation from Brazil led by its Minister of External Affairs, Aloysio Nunes Ferreira in Abuja on Thursday.According to Ogbeh “We know you started the More Food Program as a policy of cooperation between the South South nations of the world and we are very excited by it. He said “we have been in Brazil twice and with your visit like to strengthen our demand and request that Nigeria be included on the lists of beneficiaries of the program.We have made our submissions and are waiting for the response from Brazil”. Ogbeh noted that “Nigeria has many deficiencies and do not have enough machines,tractors and machineries for value addition and so we really ask Brazil to give us that kind of support on reasonable terms which we shall repay over a period” “What we want to assure Brazil is that if we do take part in that programme,we would repay on schedule and that the support is something that Nigeria will value very highly”.