The sun2grow solar greenhouse.

The sun2grow solar greenhouse solution harvests two vital natural resources: energy from the sun and fertility from the soil. Our custom designed, photovoltaic turnkey systems allow a maximisation of energy production, and simultaneously an optimization of cultivation conditions. The greenhouse business is a burgeoning sector in many tariff-regulated nations. Communities highly benefit from the usage of PV technology improving the economics of agricultural sectors, accelerating the modernization of facilities and creating job opportunities. Consequently, the sun2grow solar greenhouse solution represents the optimal way to utilize the power of the sun and support the well being of local communities. more

Solar energy as a reliable source for improving education.

Solar energy as a reliable source for improving education. Given the severity of the energy shortage in Pakistan, crippling the development of the country, the Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) decided to forgo its fuel cost for its gas/diesel gensets and move to long-term sustainability by making use of solar power. In early 2013, LUMS started considering a long-term, sustainable strategy to tackle the electricity crisis and therefore called upon The meeco Group to work together for the development of electricity generation capacity and the implementation of renewable energy solutions. Within that year a first 51 kwp sun2roof installation was executed as proof of concept. see

Anisakis infection associated with eating raw or under cooked fish.

Parasitic infection associated with eating raw fish is increasing, and consumers of raw fish delicacies have been warned. The Anisakis infection linked to eating raw fish or under cooked fish is often associated with severe abdominal pain ,nausea,vomiting and fever within hours to 2 weeks of consuming infected fish. The larvae of the parasite is common in squids,mackerel,salmon ,sardines , squids and Japanese horse mackerel. A study done in 2008 published in the U.S. journal Clinical Microbiology Reviews, states that Anisakis can also induce allergic reactions and immune hypersensitivity. Consumers are advised to heat fish at over 60 degrees for a minute to kill larvae. Fish lovers should endeavor to remove the intestines alongside other internal organs as the larvae are usually in these sites. Food hygiene and proper handling comes to play here to ensure food safety. According to Japan times, Japanese comedian Tomoharu Shoji, revealed on the Fuji TV program “Tokudane” on Wednesday that he contracted the parasite last summer. Shoji, 41, said he had been diagnosed with Anisakis after eating raw salmon and salmon roe with rice while on location. He said he started feeling strong, persistent pain in the middle of the night that was misdiagnosed by the first doctor as stomach spasms. Later, it turned out that he had eaten seafood infected with eight larvae that had perforated his stomach and caused it to bleed. Experts advise that people with severe pain should go see a doctor and have the parasite removed using endoscopes.

How to use zinc to treat diarrhoea in piglets and children.

Zinc oxide is used to prevent post weaning diarrhoea in piglets.The mode of action of the zinc oxide is unknown but farmers attest to the efficacy of this compound and the interesting twist is that World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends the use of zinc alongside oral re hydration therapy to reduce the duration and severity of diarrhoea in children. The role of zinc in diarrhoea treatment has been linked to the level of zinc in the blood, in children with diarrhoea the zinc level in the blood was low but with zinc supplementation the level increased and diarrhoea ceased. Scientist working with the principle of zinc in children with diarrhoea decided to find the connection, they discovered that the level of zinc in blood of piglets before weaning was same as healthy children while the level of zinc post weaning was same as children with diarrhoea. This drop in level of zinc occurred as fast as 2 days post weaning signifying the need to prevent post weaning diarrhoea by providing zinc supplements at onset of weaning. Piglets deficient in zinc are immunosuppressed with reduced physiological functions as zinc is needed for cellular growth,cellular metabolism and resistance to infection. more

Pigs from the quarantine zone in African Swine Fever affected areas can be slaughtered.

In Ukraine,pigs from the quarantine zone in Africa Swine Fever areas are now okay for slaughter and used for processing and further production of sausages. This is contrary to the old rule where all pigs must be burnt, the update law was stated was announced in updated veterinary instructions aimed to combat the virus released by Ukraine’s State Veterinary and Phytosanitary Service (Gosvetphitosluzba), late April. Boris Kobal, the head of the food safety department of Gosvetphitosluzba said that the old version of the instruction was no longer meeting the needs of the time and required updating, according to the service’s website. This updated instruction introduces new definitions of biological safety as it distinguishes between farms with high levels of biological safety versus infected facilities, and also specifies closed pig farm operations. The instruction facilitates veterinary control during African Swine Fever (ASF) outbreaks, as it, not only allows healthy pigs to be sent for slaughter, but it also reduces the required limits of quarantine zones. This is because surveillance zones are also being installed, where enhanced veterinary control is applied, but not as strict as in quarantine zones. continue

Cannabis reverses aging process in the brain.

A new study using mice has shown that cannabis can be used to reverse aging process. Memory function and performance are usually reduced as aging sets in,but this process in the brain can be reversed with cannabis. The study carried out by scientists at the University of Bonn with their colleagues at The Hebrew University of Jerusalem (Israel),showed that old animals were able to regress to the state of two-month-old mice with a prolonged low-dose treatment with a cannabis active ingredient. This according to result is handy for treating dementia.

Children exposed to flower pesticides show neurobehavioral effects.

A new study published in the May 2017 issue of the journal NeuroToxicology has shown that children exposed to flower pesticides exhibit neurological behaviors. The research carried out in Ecuador examined children who did not work in agriculture but lived in agricultural communities. The study showed short term neurological behavior in these children which coincided with peak periods when flower pesticides are used. Ecuador is the third largest producers of roses in the world ,the industry is buoyant and they rely heavily on agricultural pesticides. The study showed that children examined sooner after the flower harvest displayed lower performance , such as attention, self-control, visuospatial processing which is the ability to perceive and interact with our visual world and sensorimotor ,the eye-hand coordination compared to children examined later in a time of lower flower production and pesticide use. Early exposure to commonly used agricultural pesticides is associated with neurobehavioral delays in children, such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder(ADHD). Pesticide exposure has also been linked to altered development of reflexes and psychomotor and mental function in newborns with boys more susceptible than girls.