Goodmorning this morning.
I'm excited to announce to you all, my new web address - www.jjchinenye.com
Please do visit.
Keep reading, commenting and let the house love grow.
Signed: JJC
Thursday 10 July 2014
Monday 7 July 2014
HOUSE NOTICE
Good evening this evening to you dearest readers, commenters, and critics. You all are my sweet blog family members and I'm so glad to have you here.
Thank you all for the love y'all have shown me since I started blogging.
I'm so sorry for not blogging today and might probably not tomorrow. Reason is, I'm upgrading my web to serve you better.
I'll be back for good before you say JACK!
Thanks for your love.
JJC
Thank you all for the love y'all have shown me since I started blogging.
I'm so sorry for not blogging today and might probably not tomorrow. Reason is, I'm upgrading my web to serve you better.
I'll be back for good before you say JACK!
Thanks for your love.
JJC
Sunday 6 July 2014
Diamond Bank emerges Best Customer Service ICT Bank
Diamond Bank PLC, has emerged Nigeria's best Bank in Customer Service and ICT in 2014 .
It was given the award in the Annual Banking Awards organized by Businessday newspapers.
Now in its second year, the Annual Banking Awards seeks to reward banks and bankers that have made significant contributions to the industry.
In his address, Mr. Philip Isakpa, Executive Director/CEO of BusinessDay newspapers, said the vision of the Banking Awards was "to practice professionalism, recognize professionalism and reward professionalism."
He noted that following the 2008/09 banking sector reforms, the organizers instituted the awards to support the progressive efforts of Nigerian banks so that the errors of the past were not repeated.
Isakpa noted that the 2014 awards extended its focus from core banking to embrace non-financial institutions such as mortgage and microfinance banks who help deepen the country's export trade financing, as well as retired bank executives that have contributed to the growth of the Nigerian banking industry.
Receiving the awards on behalf of Diamond Bank, Mr. Abiye Koko, Head, IT Services, dedicated the awards to the loyal customers and staff of the bank for their belief in the Diamond brand.
He said: "At Diamond Bank, we are deeply committed to providing safe, accessible and convenient banking to our numerous customers across all our platforms. We see these awards as an endorsement of our efforts and they also reinforce our resolve to continually enrich the lives of our customers with innovative banking solutions."
Mr. Pascal Dozie, former chairman of Diamond Bank, also received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the event.
Source: Vanguard
It was given the award in the Annual Banking Awards organized by Businessday newspapers.
Now in its second year, the Annual Banking Awards seeks to reward banks and bankers that have made significant contributions to the industry.
In his address, Mr. Philip Isakpa, Executive Director/CEO of BusinessDay newspapers, said the vision of the Banking Awards was "to practice professionalism, recognize professionalism and reward professionalism."
He noted that following the 2008/09 banking sector reforms, the organizers instituted the awards to support the progressive efforts of Nigerian banks so that the errors of the past were not repeated.
Isakpa noted that the 2014 awards extended its focus from core banking to embrace non-financial institutions such as mortgage and microfinance banks who help deepen the country's export trade financing, as well as retired bank executives that have contributed to the growth of the Nigerian banking industry.
Receiving the awards on behalf of Diamond Bank, Mr. Abiye Koko, Head, IT Services, dedicated the awards to the loyal customers and staff of the bank for their belief in the Diamond brand.
He said: "At Diamond Bank, we are deeply committed to providing safe, accessible and convenient banking to our numerous customers across all our platforms. We see these awards as an endorsement of our efforts and they also reinforce our resolve to continually enrich the lives of our customers with innovative banking solutions."
Mr. Pascal Dozie, former chairman of Diamond Bank, also received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the event.
Source: Vanguard
Word For Today (From The Psalmist)
1 It is good to praise the LORD
and make music to your name, O Most High,
2 proclaiming your love in the morning
and your faithfulness at night,
3 to the music of the ten-stringed lyre
and the melody of the harp.
4 For you make me glad by your deeds, LORD;
I sing for joy at what your hands have done.
5 How great are your works, LORD,
how profound your thoughts!
6 Senseless people do not know,
fools do not understand,
7 that though the wicked spring up like grass
and all evildoers flourish,
they will be destroyed forever.
8 But you, LORD, are forever exalted.
9 For surely your enemies, LORD,
surely your enemies will perish;
all evildoers will be scattered.
10 You have exalted my horn like that of a wild ox;
fine oils have been poured on me.
11 My eyes have seen the defeat of my adversaries;
my ears have heard the rout of my wicked foes.
12 The righteous will flourish like a palm tree,
they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon;
13 planted in the house of the LORD,
they will flourish in the courts of our God.
14 They will still bear fruit in old age,
they will stay fresh and green,
15 proclaiming, "The LORD is upright;
he is my Rock, and there is no wickedness in him."
(Psalms 92)
22 UNN students escape death in Enugu car accident
The accident reportedly happened around 10am while the students were on their way to the burial of a colleague's mother at Mbaitolu Ikeduru in Imo State.
According to one of the students simply identified as Delight, the accident happened when the driver of their bus was trying to avoid a pothole while moving at top speed.
Delight, who is a student of Library and Information Studies, blamed the accident on the bad portions of the road which makes smooth travel almost impossible.
Wreathing in pains, she said after somersaulting for several times "we all saw ourselves in the median of the expressway way trapped in the vehicles with the roof upside down."
Read the Punch Newspaper report below:
It took the combined efforts of other commuters and sympathisers to evacuate the injured passengers out of the badly damaged bus which has the inscription of Christ Church Chapel Choir C4, UNN Campus.
Although no life was lost virtually all the passages were seriously injured, and their choir robes as well as other personal effects littered on the ground.
A crowd of sympathisers helped to get the critically injured ones to hospitals at Okigwe for medical treatment .
Some people were overheard raining curses on government for its failure to repair the Enugu/ PortHarcourt Expressway which has claimed so many lives through accidents which have become a regular occurrence on the highway.
The Federal Government said last year said it had awarded contract for the total reconstruction of the dual carriage way, but it was observed that work was still at a very slow pace by the construction firm handling the contract.
The contract was segmented and are being handled by two firms both of who are crawling particularly the one handling Umuahia /Lokpanta axis which blocked one lane around Ihube area where work has continued at snail pace since last year.
Comedian, Bovi sends Richard Mofe-Damijo a birthday message
Read what he had to say below:
"Fresh out of school via NYSC, I had come to Lagos with just a bag. Squatting with my uncle who was a squatter, I dusted my scripts and headed to my appointment with Nollywood icon, RMD. He leaned back on his swivel chair and crossed his legs on his table. It was the cleanest pair of mokasin shoes I had ever seen.
In my mind I was before a "god". Tell me about yourself, he said. I mumbled my family history unfluently. Any hopes of selling my scripts to him fizzled when he pointed to a corner in his office that had about a hundred scripts.
I wasn't the only one trying to sell scripts. He promised to read mine and that he did. To fulfill all righteousness he took me to meet potential buyers on movie sets. One of such buyers, a director, ripped my story and made a movie years down the line. After four weeks of escorting RMD on set, he said "I'm looking to hire a PA. If you think you fit the profile go home and think about it and let me know on Monday."
My answer was immediate, "I don't need to To go and think. I can do it" "then resume on Monday". And PA I was for two years and six months but what I came out with, the things I learned from his direct teachings is what u describe as d polishing of diamond.
He have me a book and said "bovistus, if you read this book it would seem like you have a masters without d certificate." And that book was " the 22 immutable laws of branding". And it was true. Once I asked him, how do you cope with the attention and the fame? He replied " ignore it. Or you will just die" once I asked him "when does one cement his status as an entertainer" and he said " you are only as good as your last performance.
There is no holiday on this job. If you flop in your next outing, that's the one people will remember". Once I asked him why a favorite big brother Nigeria character had been shockingly evicted, he smiled, looked me in the eyes and said "whenever you start from the top, there's only one place to go; down". These are few of the very many life changing advice that where handed down to me. More than silver and gold. And I appreciate them forever. Well, all I've been trying to say is " happy birthday to the legend, Richard Mofe-Damijo.
When doctors stop saving lives!
Like a bad coin, strike, the six-letter word that sends cold shivers down the spine of the hapless Nigerian, has reared its ugly head yet again as doctors under the aegis of the Nigerian Medical Association, umbrella body for medical practice in the country, are on the rampage.
Their grouse is as old as the hills. It's the same age-long inter-professional rivalry and dissent over issues of self-preservation and perpetuation.
The ensuing crisis that has taken over the fortunes of healthcare delivery in recent times appears set to linger for much longer as parties involved have stoutly refused to shift ground. In the past week, services in all hospitals across the country have been at ground zero. Scores of sick people have been prematurely sent home. While many may have developed avoidable complications, unknown number of have been lost. But no one seems to care. There are no answers, only nagging questions.
For five consecutive days, people were left in the dark. Even the Federal Ministry of Health kept sealed lips, not deeming it fit to explain to millions of worried Nigerians why they are being denied access to healthcare services in public hospitals managed with tax payers' money.
If government kept mute, the health care professionals have been anything but quiet. They have set about town in a cacophony of words, amplifying the apparent ego trip in the do-or-die attempt to gain
ownership of the health sector..
The scenario is the result of inter-professional rivalry. At one end are medical doctors, at the other end, pharmacists, nurses, laboratory scientists, etc., It has been open war of words.
NMA justifies action Precisely, on the 1st of July, 2014, the NMA called an indefinite strike over what they described as failure of the Federal Government to meet their 24 – point demands.
In press statement heralding the strike, NMA President, Dr.Kayode Obembe, noted: "The NMA is taking this painful route because our silence and gentle approach to these contending issues have been taken for granted. We have to take this action in order to save the health care delivery system from anarchy that is palpably imminent.
The doctors are threatening fire and brimstone if government implements an agreement with other professional groups in the health sector. Obembe, who demanded immediate withdrawal of a circular by the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, directing all importers of medical laboratory equipment to obtain a certificate of registration from the Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria, MLSCN. Among their demands the NMA are insisting on sole headship of health institutions, full possession of the post of Deputy Chairman Medical Advisory Committee (DCMAC), opposition to appointment of Directors in the Hospitals, immediate adjustment of doctors' salaries to maintain relativity, appointment of Surgeon General of the Federation, among others.
It is illegal and politically motivated – JOHESU
But the Joint Health Sector Unions, JOHESU, have cried foul. In swift reaction, National President, JOHESU, Comrade Felix Faniran, said the 5th of June, 2014 collective agreement between JOHESU and the Federal Government was sacrosanct and nothing would stop its implementation The Unions have begun court proceedings against the NMA and Federal Government over implementation of the agreement. Declaring the strike illegal and politically motivated, Faniran avowed that the NMA, not being a registered union, is not legally covered to go on strike.
"The NMA strike is illegal and tailored to aggravate the sufferings of the common people in the public. In this era of bomb blast and various victims being hospitalised, what justification and moral right does
NMA have to embark on strike? Why should NMA commence on this illegal strike when the services of her members are highly needed- where is their human feelings? We can deduce that this strike is politically motivated."
Strike unnecessary – FG
Meanwhile, the Federal government said the ongoing strike is unnecessary. Minister of Health, Professor Onyebuchi Chukwu wondered why the doctors have remained on strike after government signed a Memorandum of Understanding and have almost meet all their demands.
"It is expected that the NMA will call off the strike after its Emergency Delegates Meeting scheduled for next Monday, 7th July, 2014,." He noted.
Expressing disapproval of the unnecessary strike action, Chukwu, a medical doctor himself, said government has made every effort to negotiate with the NMA and ensure the immediate resumption of services in government hospitals.
He said on receipt of the NMA strike notice, government held a meeting with the Association on 25th June, 2014 after which a Memorandum of Understanding which addressed all the 24 issues presented was signed.
"Despite reneging on the MoU, the government immediately invited the NMA to series of meetings on 1 st July, 2014 yet this could not dissuade the NMA from the strike they had embarked on. Another meeting that was planned for 2nd July, 2014 was aborted when the NMA officials failed to show up."
The NMA honoured another 10-hour meeting on Thursday, 3rd July, 2014 under the auspices of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation at the end of which another MoU was signed. "As I speak to you, the government has met its own side of the MoU and it is expected that the members of the NMA would from today begin to respond and attend to all emergency cases in public hospitals in the spirit of this understanding."
By Sola Ogundipe & Chioma Oinna
Source: Vanguard
We Do Not Worship Idols Like Most People Think- Catholic Bishop Clarifies
"We do not worship idols as most people think. Those who lack understanding of the word of God equate our worship for the one true God with support from images and symbols as idolatry. We worship God, worship Jesus Christ and we honour Mary and the Saints. Their images in churches and homes before us represent holiness, sacraments and signs of their presence in our life.
"Let us venerate Mary, Mother of perpetual help for in venerating her, we are going to Jesus Christ. Let us have her images in our individual homes as it will draw us to holiness, remember our vocations, her images will draw us closer to Christ and do whatever Jesus Christ commands us to do," the bishop added.
"We need Mary to help us to overcome in whatever we do, to overcome various challenges in our families, marital and extra marital co-affairs and sex, polygamy, same sex union, divorce and suffering homes. Young ladies need Mary in order not to forsake their Catholic faith by marrying outside the church", he said.
Neymar OUT of World Cup with broken bone in his back after suffering injury in Brazil's quarter-final victory over Colombia
He was carried off on a stretcher and taken to hospital before team doctor Rodrigo Lasmar confirmed his tournament is over
Neymar does not need surgery but is expected to be out for at least four weeks
Crowds gather outside Sao Carlos Hospital after Neymar is taken in
Brazil progress after 2-1 win despite Colombia comeback
Players from all countries tweet 'Get well soon' messages
Brazil superstar Neymar will miss the remainder of the World Cup with a broken bone in his back.
The 22-year-old, who had scored four times to lead his country to the quarter-finals, was carried off on a stretcher in the closing stages of Friday's 2-1 win over Colombia and taken to hospital.
And team doctor Rodrigo Lasmar told local media in Brazil that Neymar will not kick another ball at the finals, expecting his recovery period to be at least four weeks.
'It's not serious in the sense that it doesn't need surgery, but he'll need to immobilize it to recover,' he told SportTV. 'Unfortunately, he's not going to be able to play.
Saturday 5 July 2014
Clinton Paternity Scandal: Clinton told me he is not the father of Chelsea - Former Aide
Read the report from Raderonline..
President Bill Clinton once came clean that he was NOT in fact the biological father of the political pair's only child, Chelsea Clinton. Even more shocking, he allegedly said the real father is the former mayor of Little Rock, Ark., Webster Hubbell, who's also Hillary's one-time law partner, claims former Clinton aide Larry Nichols.
This comes at quite a sensitive time given that Hillary will soon announce whether she will run for president in 2016 and her daughter is pregnant with her first child with her husband, 36-year-old Marc Mezvinsky.
But this isn't the first time the rumor mill has circulated around the 34-year-old former First Daughter's father.
The New Yorker on June 2 cited anti-Clinton blogger Robert Morrow's claims that Hillary and Webster engaged in an affair in 1984 at the Governor's Mansion during Bill's second term.
At the same time, Bill – who later admitted to numerous affairs with Gennifer Flowers and Monica Lewinsky – was involved in a paternity scandal of his own. There were rumors abound that the 67-year-old got a local woman pregnant.
"We were discussing this woman's claims that Bill had knocked her up and what we should do about it," said Nichols. "But he denied that he could have gotten her pregnant. He said he had measles as a kid and that rendered him sterile.
"His exact words were, 'I shoot blanks.' Stunned by what I'd just heard, I asked him, 'Then what about Chelsea?' And he said, 'Oh, Webb (Hubbell) sired her.'"
In an interview with The National ENQUIRER, blogger Morrow says the alleged scandal raises "character questions about Hillary."
"Chelsea is a dead ringer for Webb," he said of the former Associate Attorney General, who Bill appointed when he became Commander-In-Chief. "But Hillary initially kept the pregnancy secret from Bill!
"If your wife becomes pregnant, the husband is usually the second person to know," he added. "But I find it very odd that Bill initially didn't find out about his wife becoming pregnant – and had to learn that fact from a newspaper.
"According to well-respected author Edward Klein's (2005) book, The Truth about Hillary, Bill discovered his wife was pregnant by reading it in the 'Arkansas Gazette,' Morrow continued.
"It's unfortunate, sad really, that Chelsea has no real relationship with Hubbell – who I believe to be her real biological father – when he's alive and kicking and living in North Carolina.
"But it could be she's in denial, despite overwhelming proof that Webb is her real dad."
As the governor of Arkansas, Bill appointed Hubbell as Chief Justice of the Arkansas State Supreme Court, but 10 years later he resigned just before pleading guilty to federal mail fraud and tax evasion for overbilling clients and served 15 months in prison.
The close Clinton family friend, author and lecturer has four kids of his own with wife Suzy and resides in Charlotte, N.C.
Paternity questions aside, Nichols said Bill was a great "father."
"Whatever Chelsea does or doesn't know about her paternity, I'm sure she considers Bill her real dad — despite there being no blood ties," Nichols said. "I saw firsthand what a doting, loving father he was to his little girl.
"He always treated her as if she was his own – which in his heart, I believe she's always been – from day one."
Anambra state to host this year's Gulder Ultimate Search
"The Gulder brand will create opportunities for some other individuals, other than the 'Ultimate Champion', to go home with their dreams on wheels. But you have to stay glued to your TV screens to find out more". Said Marketing Manager, Emmanuel Agu.
So the Gulder team is not giving out any expo yet, like who the anchorman will be? And what exactly is 'The Cube'? But the prize money is fantastic! 10million naira AND a brand new SUV!
Friday 4 July 2014
David and Victoria Beckham celebrates 15 years wedding anniversary
Victoria Beckham took to twitter to announce their 15th wedding anniversary. The couple, who have been together for 17 years, have 4 children. Happy anniversary to them.
Source: Bishop Ikedi blog
Thursday 3 July 2014
Game of Group Leaders
2014 FIFA World Cup
Quarter-finals Fixtures:
***Friday, 4th July***
France vs Germany - 5:00 PM
{Group E vs Group G}
Brazil vs Colombia - 9:00 PM
{Group A vs Group C}
***Saturday, 5th July***
Argentina vs Belgium - 5:00 PM
{Group F vs Group H}
Netherlands vs Costa Rica - 9:00 PM
{Group B vs Group D}
Meanwhile, one Elephant Nelly has predicted that Germany will beat France... Lol.
Quarter-finals Fixtures:
***Friday, 4th July***
France vs Germany - 5:00 PM
{Group E vs Group G}
Brazil vs Colombia - 9:00 PM
{Group A vs Group C}
***Saturday, 5th July***
Argentina vs Belgium - 5:00 PM
{Group F vs Group H}
Netherlands vs Costa Rica - 9:00 PM
{Group B vs Group D}
Meanwhile, one Elephant Nelly has predicted that Germany will beat France... Lol.
Wednesday 2 July 2014
JUST FOR LAUGHS
After their return from Brazil world cup,super eagles players were ashamed of their failure that they decided to disguise themselves so as not to be recognized...
Mikel disguised himself as a monk. While walking on the streets of Lagos,suddenly,an old lady walked up to him & said,
''Hi, Mikel!'' Amazed & annoyed that an old Lady had seen through his disguise,he went back & dressed like a Mallam.
Again he bumped into the same old lady & she said:''where re u going to, Mikel?''
Confused & puzzled,he asked, ''but how did you recognise me Mama?''
The old lady laughed out loud & said,''are u silly or what? Oloshi. Its me, Yobo.'' lolzz!
copied
Mikel disguised himself as a monk. While walking on the streets of Lagos,suddenly,an old lady walked up to him & said,
''Hi, Mikel!'' Amazed & annoyed that an old Lady had seen through his disguise,he went back & dressed like a Mallam.
Again he bumped into the same old lady & she said:''where re u going to, Mikel?''
Confused & puzzled,he asked, ''but how did you recognise me Mama?''
The old lady laughed out loud & said,''are u silly or what? Oloshi. Its me, Yobo.'' lolzz!
copied
Ebola: WHO calls emergency talks on outbreak
By Tulip Mazumdar
Global health reporter
BBC News
The Ebola outbreak in West Africa is the world's largest
Health ministers from 11 African countries are meeting in Accra, Ghana, in an attempt to "get a grip" on the deadly and worsening Ebola outbreak.
So far, 763 people have been infected with the virus - and 468 of these have died.
Most of the cases have been in Guinea where the outbreak started.
But it has since spread to Liberia and Sierra Leone and is now the biggest and most deadly Ebola outbreak the world has seen, say officials.
Health officials from those countries, as well as Ivory Coast, Democratic Republic of Congo, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea Bissau, Mali, Senegal, and Uganda will attend the meeting.
'Get a grip'
The World Health Organization says "drastic" action is needed to stamp out the virus and ensure it does not spread to other countries in the region.
"We're hoping to take decisions about how to enhance collaboration and responses [of these countries] so we can get a grip and halt this outbreak," said WHO spokesman Daniel Epstein
"We need a strong response, especially along the shared border areas where commercial and social activities continue between Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone. That's unlikely to stop."
Fighting Ebola - Dr Edmund Newman
As a virologist at Public Health England, I spent a month at the epicentre of the Ebola outbreak in April.
I was working for the WHO in south-east Guinea as part of the EU mobile laboratory team testing blood samples for the Ebola virus and confirming whether patients were infected or not.
When patients come into the MSF isolation facility, some walk in if they are in the early stage of the disease; others are more seriously ill and need an ambulance.
I also went out into the remote villages to help trace people who might be ill and help inform communities about the virus.
It is very challenging work. There is a lot of misunderstanding and mistrust of foreign nationals coming in and trying to help.
The biggest problem we had was people were not forthcoming about sick members of the community and getting them to the isolation centre. Some families were even hiding sick relatives and bodies.
The WHO says travel restrictions are highly unlikely, and in any case unenforceable. These are porous borders where people travel freely to see family and friends.
Ebola kills up to 90% of those infected. There is no vaccine or cure. It spreads through contact with an infected person's bodily fluids.
The way to stop an outbreak is to isolate those who have it and ensure no-one else is exposed. Medical staff are following up on hundreds of people who have had contact with infected patients. They have to be closely monitored for 21 days before they can be given the all clear.
Ebola is a haemorrhagic fever, which can start suddenly with the onset of high temperature, diarrhoea and vomiting. Some people fight the virus and survive, but most do not. They start bleeding internally and externally and eventually their organs shut down.
Increasing hostility
Understandably, there is a great deal of fear in these communities and that is hindering the international effort to bring the virus under control, say experts.
The medical charity Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) is working with the World Health Organization and the Guinea Ministry of Health. It has four isolation facilities in Guinea and more than 300 international and local staff.
"We are seeing an increasing level of hostility borne out of fear in some communities," said Dr Bart Janssens, MSF director of operations.
"We can no longer go into a number of villages any more to follow up on people who have been in contact with Ebola patients."
The charity says health ministers from affected countries need to urgently improve public understanding of the disease.
"This requires an important mobilisation of all possible community leaders from bottom to top, because we cannot do this alone"
"We are now dealing with an extraordinary situation so we need more resources to fight the epidemic and we need extra help to convince communities to change their attitudes towards the virus."
Global health reporter
BBC News
The Ebola outbreak in West Africa is the world's largest
Health ministers from 11 African countries are meeting in Accra, Ghana, in an attempt to "get a grip" on the deadly and worsening Ebola outbreak.
So far, 763 people have been infected with the virus - and 468 of these have died.
Most of the cases have been in Guinea where the outbreak started.
But it has since spread to Liberia and Sierra Leone and is now the biggest and most deadly Ebola outbreak the world has seen, say officials.
Health officials from those countries, as well as Ivory Coast, Democratic Republic of Congo, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea Bissau, Mali, Senegal, and Uganda will attend the meeting.
'Get a grip'
The World Health Organization says "drastic" action is needed to stamp out the virus and ensure it does not spread to other countries in the region.
"We're hoping to take decisions about how to enhance collaboration and responses [of these countries] so we can get a grip and halt this outbreak," said WHO spokesman Daniel Epstein
"We need a strong response, especially along the shared border areas where commercial and social activities continue between Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone. That's unlikely to stop."
Fighting Ebola - Dr Edmund Newman
As a virologist at Public Health England, I spent a month at the epicentre of the Ebola outbreak in April.
I was working for the WHO in south-east Guinea as part of the EU mobile laboratory team testing blood samples for the Ebola virus and confirming whether patients were infected or not.
When patients come into the MSF isolation facility, some walk in if they are in the early stage of the disease; others are more seriously ill and need an ambulance.
I also went out into the remote villages to help trace people who might be ill and help inform communities about the virus.
It is very challenging work. There is a lot of misunderstanding and mistrust of foreign nationals coming in and trying to help.
The biggest problem we had was people were not forthcoming about sick members of the community and getting them to the isolation centre. Some families were even hiding sick relatives and bodies.
The WHO says travel restrictions are highly unlikely, and in any case unenforceable. These are porous borders where people travel freely to see family and friends.
Ebola kills up to 90% of those infected. There is no vaccine or cure. It spreads through contact with an infected person's bodily fluids.
The way to stop an outbreak is to isolate those who have it and ensure no-one else is exposed. Medical staff are following up on hundreds of people who have had contact with infected patients. They have to be closely monitored for 21 days before they can be given the all clear.
Ebola is a haemorrhagic fever, which can start suddenly with the onset of high temperature, diarrhoea and vomiting. Some people fight the virus and survive, but most do not. They start bleeding internally and externally and eventually their organs shut down.
Increasing hostility
Understandably, there is a great deal of fear in these communities and that is hindering the international effort to bring the virus under control, say experts.
The medical charity Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) is working with the World Health Organization and the Guinea Ministry of Health. It has four isolation facilities in Guinea and more than 300 international and local staff.
"We are seeing an increasing level of hostility borne out of fear in some communities," said Dr Bart Janssens, MSF director of operations.
"We can no longer go into a number of villages any more to follow up on people who have been in contact with Ebola patients."
The charity says health ministers from affected countries need to urgently improve public understanding of the disease.
"This requires an important mobilisation of all possible community leaders from bottom to top, because we cannot do this alone"
"We are now dealing with an extraordinary situation so we need more resources to fight the epidemic and we need extra help to convince communities to change their attitudes towards the virus."
SCIENTISTS CLAIM TO HAVE FOUND THE KEY TO BANISHING GARLIC BREATH
Scientists have found eating an apple, drinking lemon juice, drinking green tea or a small glass of milk is the best way to banish garlic breath
The pungent odour of garlic is created by compounds containing sulphur, which move into the bloodstream when it is eaten and then out through the lungs and sweat glands.
Researchers at Ohio State University have found the best way to get rid of the smell of garlic is by eating and drinking foods which neutralise it.
Apples contain an oxidating enzyme which makes the fruit turn brown when it is exposed to the air. This enzyme sets off a chemical reaction which deodorizes sulphides contained in garlic.
These sulphides in garlic are contained in allyl methyl sulphide, which cannot be broken down during digestion which causes it to be released on the breath and in sweat.
Poplyphenols, chemicals contained in green tea, work in a similar way to neutralise the compound.
The scientists also found that drinking lemon juice, because of its high acidity, neutralises the smell from crushed garlic. Acidic liquids destroy allinase, an enzyme, which activates when garlic is crushed and releases the distinctive smell.
Professor Barringer, of Ohio State University's food science and technology department, said for the best effect the foods should be eaten with garlic.
She found a small glass of milk can also reduce the presence of garlic on the breath.
The study has been published in the Journal of Food Science and involved volunteers eating raw garlic and having four bad smelling compounds in their breath measured. They then ate foods which were thought to neutralise the smell.
Source: The Telegraph
The pungent odour of garlic is created by compounds containing sulphur, which move into the bloodstream when it is eaten and then out through the lungs and sweat glands.
Researchers at Ohio State University have found the best way to get rid of the smell of garlic is by eating and drinking foods which neutralise it.
Apples contain an oxidating enzyme which makes the fruit turn brown when it is exposed to the air. This enzyme sets off a chemical reaction which deodorizes sulphides contained in garlic.
These sulphides in garlic are contained in allyl methyl sulphide, which cannot be broken down during digestion which causes it to be released on the breath and in sweat.
Poplyphenols, chemicals contained in green tea, work in a similar way to neutralise the compound.
The scientists also found that drinking lemon juice, because of its high acidity, neutralises the smell from crushed garlic. Acidic liquids destroy allinase, an enzyme, which activates when garlic is crushed and releases the distinctive smell.
Professor Barringer, of Ohio State University's food science and technology department, said for the best effect the foods should be eaten with garlic.
She found a small glass of milk can also reduce the presence of garlic on the breath.
The study has been published in the Journal of Food Science and involved volunteers eating raw garlic and having four bad smelling compounds in their breath measured. They then ate foods which were thought to neutralise the smell.
Source: The Telegraph
Tuesday 1 July 2014
Osaze and Onazi jokes about their match with France
I, personally thought he deserved a red card but it's all in the past now.
NFF Denies Keshi's Resignation
Nigeria went out of the World Cup tournament in Brazil at the round of 16 stage after a 2-0 defeat to France, after which Keshi said: "It's time for me to go back to my family and face fresh challenges."
That was widely interpreted as a sign he had quit.
However, when contacted by Goal on Tuesday, a NFF spokesman said:
"Coach Keshi has not submitted an official resignation letter. He was not employed in the mixed zone [after the France game] or on Facebook."
Also note that Stephen Keshi is not on Twitter, so the tweet from his alleged account isn't from him.
DID YOU KNOW?
Cucumbers especially its peel, is rich in vitamins your body needs everyday - Vitamins A, B and C, which strengthens the immune system. Cucumbers reduce the level of urinary acids in the body and also keep kidneys healthy.
The water in cucumber has good effect on the internal organs, by cleaning them from all toxins. There is evidence that it can even break kidney stones.
Cucumbers are 90% water, keeping the body hydrated, while helping the body eliminate toxins. Cucumbers have most of the vitamins the body needs in a single day. If you often forget things and do not drink enough water during the day, eat a cold cucumber.
To avoid a morning hangover or headaches, eat a few cucumber slice before going to bed.
Daily consumption of cucumbers can be regarded as a remedy for chronic constipation.
If you don't like to eat the skin, it can be used for skin irritations and sunburns as aloe would be used. Place a slice over puffy eyes and it's anti-inflammatory properties help reduce puffiness.
The silicon and sulfur in cucumber help to stimulate hair growth. Renews hair and nails. Thanks to the silicon found in cucumbers, your hair and nails will be shinny and strong.
Cucumbers are known to contain Lariciresinol, Pinoresinol and Secoisolariciresinol. These three lignans have a strong history of research in connection with reduced risk of several cancer types.
Cures diabetes, reduces cholesterol and control blood pressure. Cucumber juice contains a hormone which is needed by the cells of the pancreas for producing insulin which has been found to be beneficial to diabetic patient. Researchers found that a compound called sterols in cucumbers may help reduce cholesterol level.
Cucumbers contain a lot of potassium, magnesium and fiber. These work effectively for regulating blood pressure. This makes cucumber very good for treating both low and high blood pressure.
Cucumber is an excellent source of silica which is known to help promote joint health by strengthening the connective tissues. They are also rich in vitamin A, B1 ,B6, C and D, Folate, Calcium, Magnesium, Potassium. When mixed with carrot juice they can relieve gout and arthritis pain by lowering the uric acid levels.
Cucumber relieves bad mouth breathe: take a slice of cucumber and press it to the roof of your mouth with tongue for 30 seconds, the phytochemicals will kill the bacteria in your mouth responsible for bad breath.
It aids in weight loss and digestion: due to its low calories and high water content, cucumber is an ideal meal for people who are looking for weight loss. The high water content and dietary fiber in cucumbers are very effective in ridding the body of toxins from the digestive system, aiding digestion.
It is good for stomach and wounds: cucumber will not only calm your stomach, but also if you cut yourself, just put a slice on the wound and you will soon feel some relieve.
Though cucumbers give me this repugnant taste, I have gotten used to the taste. With these facts, I guess you and I now know how important cucumbers are.
Eat a cucumber today!
Three obstacles for foreigners in Germany
"Sorry, we cannot evaluate the Bachelor's degree of the candidate. That's why we decided to go with another option". This was one of the more frustrating experiences in my work as a recruiter in Germany.
My candidate had a Bachelor's degree from Africa and a Master's degree from the UK. The HR department felt unsure about the unfamiliar African university and decided to play it safe. What she ignored was the Master's degree came from the University of Cambridge.
How can it be that human resources in a medium size company declined a candidate from one of the best universities in the world?
How come the life experience and professional achievements of international professionals can often find so little appreciation in the German job market?
In a normal week I speak to the HR departments of about 50 companies. I also coach an endless stream of international professionals and have worked myself in five different countries before returning to Germany after ten years abroad.
And I'll let you into a secret - the reasons why expats don't find jobs are different from the reasons that we like to tell ourselves.
Three misconceptions hinder the success of international professionals in German businesses.
1. 'HR want the best candidate'
Chances are that you are well educated, highly motivated and you possess a proven track record of achievements in your previous jobs. Naturally, your presentation and CV is focusing on these strengths.
Unfortunately this is lost on most HR people because you don't address the one thing that HR really care about. They do not want the best candidate. HR want to not be blamed for mistakes.
Consider who chooses a profession in human resources (at least in Germany). HR people seldom become members of boards. The departments attract a high percentage of people who want to play it safe.
Therefore, if you are the best candidate for the job, but you also have a lot of question marks, they will reject you. "Better safe than sorry" is the HR motto.
To people with this "safe" mind-set everything unfamiliar equals "dangerous".
First tip: reduce the number of "question marks" in your application as much as possible before you talk about your contribution to the company.
Work experience in Germany, good German language skills, recommendation by mutual contacts, offering a free internship as a chance to get to know each other - all of this helps reduce the perceived "risk".
Try also to circumvent HR and talk directly to the head of the department you would like to work in.
Build a strong network with German people as well. They will know about job opportunities long before you do and could reduce the perceived risk if they introduce you.
2. 'Work for an English speaking company'
You are in a great market; for every three employees who retire in Germany only two young people start their career.
For 40 years our birth rate has been way to low and as a result the replacement rate will soon be only 1:2. Many companies have to search for months for new talent and still cannot fill positions.
But are you profiting from this?
One of my clients is the travel website trivago. The business language at trivago is English. Employees from 60 different countries work in the company's headquarters in Düsseldorf. Trivago gets hundreds of applications, while many German companies can't find talent anywhere.
It is a great place to work for English speakers, no doubt. So, they all apply there. And suddenly you go from a market where you are unique and precious to a market where you are one of way too many.
Where will you get a better job, better pay and a great career? In a job market where you are one out of thousands of candidates? Or in a market where you are one in a market of two, three applicants?
All you need to benefit from the second scenario is to learn the German language. Then you can apply where your contribution is much needed - in the German speaking companies in our country.
3. 'I'm not a sales person'
My recruiting company receives about 100 CVs per week. Many are from great candidates. What still surprises me though is how many of them do not really try to make a connection between themselves and the vacancy.
Sometimes we receive applications which don't have cover letters or don't even mention the position for which the candidate is applying.
When you apply for a job, sell yourself. Selling means correctly identifying a need and offering a solution.
Do not send out hundreds of standard applications. Pick those companies that you would really love to work for. Formulate why working for them would be great. Learn about their real needs and talk about how you can contribute to their goals.
It sounds obvious, but it is frequently ignored.
Our culture and work habits in Germany are different from your home country. Not better or worse – just different. How successful you are will depend on how well you adapt.
Chris Pyak is a business writer and recruiter. His company Immigrant Spirit recruits and retains international talent for companies in Germany.
Source: The Local
Doctors begin indefinite strike July 1 — NMA President
The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) on Monday announced plan to embark on an indefinite strike, starting from Tuesday, July 1.
The NMA President, Dr Kayode Obembe, who made the announcement at a news conference in Abuja, said that the decision followed the expiration of a two-week ultimatum it gave the Federal Government to meet its 24-point demand.
Obembe, said the opted for a "total and indefinite strike" at an emergency delegates meeting held on June 28, after negotiations with the federal government failed to yield relevant results.
"The NMA is taking this painful route because our silence and gentle approach to these contending issues have been taken for granted.
"We have to take this action in order to save the health care delivery system from anarchy that is palpably imminent."
He appealed for understanding, and called on Nigerians to prevail on the government to meet the demands.
The NMA president read out an open letter addressed to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation in which the association listed the 24 ssues it wanted the government to address.
The letter, entitled, "Minimum End Point for Restoration of Sustainable Sanity in Patient Care in Nigerian Hospitals'', was jointly signed by Obembe, NMA Secretary-General, Dr Adewumi Alayaki and all heads of its affiliate bodies.
Some of the major issues include reserving the position of chief medical director to only medical doctors, appointment of Surgeon General of the Federation, passage of National Health Bill and providing security for doctors.
The NMA also wants "increase in duty, hazard and specialist allowances, as well as budget for residency training programme".
It called for the reintegration of its members into the IPPIS platform, and reserving the title of consultants to only medical doctors, among others. (NAN)
Source: Daily Sun
The NMA President, Dr Kayode Obembe, who made the announcement at a news conference in Abuja, said that the decision followed the expiration of a two-week ultimatum it gave the Federal Government to meet its 24-point demand.
Obembe, said the opted for a "total and indefinite strike" at an emergency delegates meeting held on June 28, after negotiations with the federal government failed to yield relevant results.
"The NMA is taking this painful route because our silence and gentle approach to these contending issues have been taken for granted.
"We have to take this action in order to save the health care delivery system from anarchy that is palpably imminent."
He appealed for understanding, and called on Nigerians to prevail on the government to meet the demands.
The NMA president read out an open letter addressed to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation in which the association listed the 24 ssues it wanted the government to address.
The letter, entitled, "Minimum End Point for Restoration of Sustainable Sanity in Patient Care in Nigerian Hospitals'', was jointly signed by Obembe, NMA Secretary-General, Dr Adewumi Alayaki and all heads of its affiliate bodies.
Some of the major issues include reserving the position of chief medical director to only medical doctors, appointment of Surgeon General of the Federation, passage of National Health Bill and providing security for doctors.
The NMA also wants "increase in duty, hazard and specialist allowances, as well as budget for residency training programme".
It called for the reintegration of its members into the IPPIS platform, and reserving the title of consultants to only medical doctors, among others. (NAN)
Source: Daily Sun
STEPHEN KESHI AND JOSEPH YOBO QUIT SUPER EAGLES
Speaking this evening after the Eagles' loss to France in the round of 16, Keshi said it was time to move on.
"I have to go back to my family and face fresh challenges," Keshi said.
Eagles Captain, Yobo Joseph also said he's had enough and can go no further as national team player. "I think I should give the younger ones the opportunity to forge ahead. I have nothing new to offer."
Terrific New July
Here's wishing everyone in the house a great new month.
Every unfinished business in the month of June shall be brought to completion in this July (Phillipians 1 vs 6).
You shall celebrate and be merry through out this month.
In Jesus Name...Amen!
Every unfinished business in the month of June shall be brought to completion in this July (Phillipians 1 vs 6).
You shall celebrate and be merry through out this month.
In Jesus Name...Amen!
Monday 30 June 2014
School fees: LASU to refund N69million to students
The Lagos State University (LASU) is on the brink of refunding over N69 million to students of the institution after the state government reduced school fees paid by the students during the 2013/2014 academic session.
According to reports, the management of the university got a directive from the Governing Council that all payments in excess of the newly approved school fees should be refunded to students.
"In compliance with the directive, the Bursary Department has been charged to commence the compilation of the list of students that will get the refund by cheques and that the comprehensive list of the beneficiaries, the amount to be refunded to each student will be uploaded on the university's website, while roster for the distribution of the cheques to beneficiaries will be made available in due course."
PM News reports:
The Vice Chancellor of the institution, Prof. John Obafunwa commended the state government's efforts in repositioning LASU for excellence and opined that the students, as well as the university community would reciprocate the gesture by contributing their quota to uplift the institution.
He called for a truce with the Academic Staff Union of Universities, LASU Chapter over the latter's declared trade dispute with the university.
The dispute, according to the union, borders on three main issues, which include the reversal of the high LASU tuition fees; "No vacancy, no promotion" policy of the LASU administration, and the implementation of the Universities Miscellaneous Provisions Amendment Act, 2012 in the institution.
Obafunwa, in his second personal letter to the Chairman, ASUU-LASU on the Trade Dispute, informed the union and reiterated the Governing Council and the state government's position with regards to the approved school fees across different faculties of the institution.
He further pointed out in the letter that promotion of staff is an on-going exercise and that staff members that merited promotion at any promotion cycle could be promoted following due process.
Obafunwa enjoined the union not to relent in its efforts in meeting with the Governing Council of the institution and all other relevant stakeholders in the actualisation of the implementation of the Universities Miscellaneous Provisions Amendment Act, 2012 in LASU.
He, however, stated in clear terms that in the interest of the students and for the good of the public, ASUU-LASU should reconsider its stand and call off its one month-old strike so that the institution could commence normal academic activities for the session.
According to reports, the management of the university got a directive from the Governing Council that all payments in excess of the newly approved school fees should be refunded to students.
"In compliance with the directive, the Bursary Department has been charged to commence the compilation of the list of students that will get the refund by cheques and that the comprehensive list of the beneficiaries, the amount to be refunded to each student will be uploaded on the university's website, while roster for the distribution of the cheques to beneficiaries will be made available in due course."
PM News reports:
The Vice Chancellor of the institution, Prof. John Obafunwa commended the state government's efforts in repositioning LASU for excellence and opined that the students, as well as the university community would reciprocate the gesture by contributing their quota to uplift the institution.
He called for a truce with the Academic Staff Union of Universities, LASU Chapter over the latter's declared trade dispute with the university.
The dispute, according to the union, borders on three main issues, which include the reversal of the high LASU tuition fees; "No vacancy, no promotion" policy of the LASU administration, and the implementation of the Universities Miscellaneous Provisions Amendment Act, 2012 in the institution.
Obafunwa, in his second personal letter to the Chairman, ASUU-LASU on the Trade Dispute, informed the union and reiterated the Governing Council and the state government's position with regards to the approved school fees across different faculties of the institution.
He further pointed out in the letter that promotion of staff is an on-going exercise and that staff members that merited promotion at any promotion cycle could be promoted following due process.
Obafunwa enjoined the union not to relent in its efforts in meeting with the Governing Council of the institution and all other relevant stakeholders in the actualisation of the implementation of the Universities Miscellaneous Provisions Amendment Act, 2012 in LASU.
He, however, stated in clear terms that in the interest of the students and for the good of the public, ASUU-LASU should reconsider its stand and call off its one month-old strike so that the institution could commence normal academic activities for the session.
10 surprising ways marriage makes you healthier
As any happily married person can attest, there are countless perks to matrimony. But you may not realize that those with partners by their sides just may live longer than their unattached counterparts—and avoid serious conditions in the process.
Here are 10 unexpected health bonuses to being hitched.
1. A Longer Life
If you've told your spouse he'll be the death of you, you were probably mistaken. A 2013 study by Duke University Medical Center in Durham, NC, showed that baby boomers in a steady marriage or long-term relationship are half as likely to die than singles during middle age—and they accounted for factors like socioeconomic status and health problems. This is likely because having a companion keeps you emotionally enriched, socially connected and mentally stimulated, all of which are linked to better health.
2. Lower Stress Levels
There are days when your man makes your blood boil, but overall, his presence is likely to keep you zen. A study from the University of Chicago and Northwestern University in Evanston, IL, found that when exposed to a stressful situation, like a major test or life change, the stress hormone cortisol increased more in singles than people in long-term relationships—and high stress levels can lead to a host of problems, from decreased immunity to digestive issues. While every relationship has its ups and downs, researchers say marriage seems to have a "dampening" effect on stress hormones, allowing twosomes to tackle challenges with their sanity (mostly) intact.
3. Lower Risk for a Fatal Heart Attack
Being in love really may keep your heart pumping. A 2013 study published in the European Journal of Preventative Cardiology found that marrieds and cohabiters are less likely than singles to have a deadly heart attack, and more likely to have a better prognosis should they experience a cardiac event. Researchers guess this marital bonus may have to do with the continual support from the extra friends and family marriage affords spouses, plus a partner's watchful eye monitoring for potential problems.
4. Stronger Bones
Married life can get under your skin, and according to researchers at UCLA, it can even get into your bones. Marriage is tied to better bone mineral density (BMD), reducing the risk for developing osteoporosis. While simply being married had positive effects for men, having a happy relationship was crucial for higher BMD in women. Past research has linked stress with poor BMD, so it makes sense that a supportive partner can lower a spouse's stress levels and protect bones.
5. Smoother Recovery After Surgery
Having a caretaker isn't just comforting when you're on the mend; it could be the difference between life and death. Marrieds in a study from Emory University in Atlanta and Rutgers University in Newark, NJ, who underwent heart surgery were three times more likely than the unhitched to survive for at least three months. Why the better outcome for the coupled-up? "If you're emotionally connected to someone, you have something to live for," says clinical psychologist Jeff Ball, PhD, executive director of PCH Treatment Centers in West Los Angeles, CA.
6. Lower Risk for Preventable Death
How many times have you helped your man avoid a mishap? Looking into more than 1 million people over the course of 20 years, researchers from Rice University in Houston and the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia determined divorced men and women had double the chance of dying of the most preventable causes of death (fire, poisoning and smoke inhalation) when compared to marrieds. The researchers think marriage provides a near-constant companion to help eschew emergencies.
7. Lower Risk for Deep Depression
You probably won't notice yourself slipping into emotional despair. "The first symptom of depression is the loss of self-perception," says sex and relationship expert Gail Saltz, MD, associate professor of psychiatry at the New York Presbyterian Hospital Weill-Cornell School of Medicine in New York City and author of Becoming Real. "Your spouse can help identify and prevent a depressive spiral." Dr. Saltz says since your significant other intimately knows your emotions and routines, he's well-equipped to detect changes. Make a pact to mention any shifts to each other—and take one another's observations to heart.
8. Lower Risk for Fatal Cancer
In a stunning study published in the Journal of Oncology in 2013, researchers found that people diagnosed with the most deadly forms of cancer were 20% more likely to beat their diseases if they were married—a higher success rate than some forms of chemotherapy! Being in a stable relationship often allows for early cancer detection, which ups the chances of overcoming the disease. "A spouse can be a 'good nag,' encouraging healthy behaviors, like less drinking or drug use, and better preventive care like getting a colonoscopy or a prostate exam," says Prakash Masand, MD, president of Global Medical Education and former consulting professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Duke University Medical Center.
9. Lower Risk for Dementia
Staying sharp into old age is more likely if you have a spouse to ease your mind. One study tracked 2,000 middle-aged men and women in Finland for around 20 years and revealed that those living with their significant other during mid-life had a 50% lower chance of developing dementia. Getting divorced without getting remarried led to three times greater odds of cognitive troubles, and those who had been widowed before middle age but never remarried were six times more at risk. The researchers noted the importance of staying intellectually and socially stimulated into old age, which having a lifelong companion can provide.
10. Lower Risk for Chronic Conditions
Type 2 diabetes, heart disease and fibromyalgia aren't as common among happily married folks as they are among singles and the unhappily married, found researchers at the University of Missouri in Columbia. "Anything that increases stress can have a negative impact on your body, like excessive criticism and holding grudges and resentment," says psychologist and relationship expert Elizabeth Lombardo, PhD, bestselling author of A Happy You: Your Ultimate Prescription for Happiness. So being in a healthy marriage could be key to avoiding those long-term diseases.
By Jenna Birch
Here are 10 unexpected health bonuses to being hitched.
1. A Longer Life
If you've told your spouse he'll be the death of you, you were probably mistaken. A 2013 study by Duke University Medical Center in Durham, NC, showed that baby boomers in a steady marriage or long-term relationship are half as likely to die than singles during middle age—and they accounted for factors like socioeconomic status and health problems. This is likely because having a companion keeps you emotionally enriched, socially connected and mentally stimulated, all of which are linked to better health.
2. Lower Stress Levels
There are days when your man makes your blood boil, but overall, his presence is likely to keep you zen. A study from the University of Chicago and Northwestern University in Evanston, IL, found that when exposed to a stressful situation, like a major test or life change, the stress hormone cortisol increased more in singles than people in long-term relationships—and high stress levels can lead to a host of problems, from decreased immunity to digestive issues. While every relationship has its ups and downs, researchers say marriage seems to have a "dampening" effect on stress hormones, allowing twosomes to tackle challenges with their sanity (mostly) intact.
3. Lower Risk for a Fatal Heart Attack
Being in love really may keep your heart pumping. A 2013 study published in the European Journal of Preventative Cardiology found that marrieds and cohabiters are less likely than singles to have a deadly heart attack, and more likely to have a better prognosis should they experience a cardiac event. Researchers guess this marital bonus may have to do with the continual support from the extra friends and family marriage affords spouses, plus a partner's watchful eye monitoring for potential problems.
4. Stronger Bones
Married life can get under your skin, and according to researchers at UCLA, it can even get into your bones. Marriage is tied to better bone mineral density (BMD), reducing the risk for developing osteoporosis. While simply being married had positive effects for men, having a happy relationship was crucial for higher BMD in women. Past research has linked stress with poor BMD, so it makes sense that a supportive partner can lower a spouse's stress levels and protect bones.
5. Smoother Recovery After Surgery
Having a caretaker isn't just comforting when you're on the mend; it could be the difference between life and death. Marrieds in a study from Emory University in Atlanta and Rutgers University in Newark, NJ, who underwent heart surgery were three times more likely than the unhitched to survive for at least three months. Why the better outcome for the coupled-up? "If you're emotionally connected to someone, you have something to live for," says clinical psychologist Jeff Ball, PhD, executive director of PCH Treatment Centers in West Los Angeles, CA.
6. Lower Risk for Preventable Death
How many times have you helped your man avoid a mishap? Looking into more than 1 million people over the course of 20 years, researchers from Rice University in Houston and the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia determined divorced men and women had double the chance of dying of the most preventable causes of death (fire, poisoning and smoke inhalation) when compared to marrieds. The researchers think marriage provides a near-constant companion to help eschew emergencies.
7. Lower Risk for Deep Depression
You probably won't notice yourself slipping into emotional despair. "The first symptom of depression is the loss of self-perception," says sex and relationship expert Gail Saltz, MD, associate professor of psychiatry at the New York Presbyterian Hospital Weill-Cornell School of Medicine in New York City and author of Becoming Real. "Your spouse can help identify and prevent a depressive spiral." Dr. Saltz says since your significant other intimately knows your emotions and routines, he's well-equipped to detect changes. Make a pact to mention any shifts to each other—and take one another's observations to heart.
8. Lower Risk for Fatal Cancer
In a stunning study published in the Journal of Oncology in 2013, researchers found that people diagnosed with the most deadly forms of cancer were 20% more likely to beat their diseases if they were married—a higher success rate than some forms of chemotherapy! Being in a stable relationship often allows for early cancer detection, which ups the chances of overcoming the disease. "A spouse can be a 'good nag,' encouraging healthy behaviors, like less drinking or drug use, and better preventive care like getting a colonoscopy or a prostate exam," says Prakash Masand, MD, president of Global Medical Education and former consulting professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Duke University Medical Center.
9. Lower Risk for Dementia
Staying sharp into old age is more likely if you have a spouse to ease your mind. One study tracked 2,000 middle-aged men and women in Finland for around 20 years and revealed that those living with their significant other during mid-life had a 50% lower chance of developing dementia. Getting divorced without getting remarried led to three times greater odds of cognitive troubles, and those who had been widowed before middle age but never remarried were six times more at risk. The researchers noted the importance of staying intellectually and socially stimulated into old age, which having a lifelong companion can provide.
10. Lower Risk for Chronic Conditions
Type 2 diabetes, heart disease and fibromyalgia aren't as common among happily married folks as they are among singles and the unhappily married, found researchers at the University of Missouri in Columbia. "Anything that increases stress can have a negative impact on your body, like excessive criticism and holding grudges and resentment," says psychologist and relationship expert Elizabeth Lombardo, PhD, bestselling author of A Happy You: Your Ultimate Prescription for Happiness. So being in a healthy marriage could be key to avoiding those long-term diseases.
By Jenna Birch
Sad
After watching this match with 90minutes of blood pressure rising, the Eagles will be flying back home.
I was optimistic about this game.
So sad...
I was optimistic about this game.
So sad...
Why People Say, 'God Bless You' When You Sneeze
A sneeze begins with a tickling sensation in the nerve endings that sends a message to your brain that it needs to rid itself of something irritating the lining of your nose. You first take a deep breath and hold it, which tightens your chest muscles. The pressure of air in your lungs increases, you close your eyes, your tongue presses against the roof of your mouth and suddenly your breath comes out fast through your nose.
So where did the myth originate that your heart stops when you sneeze?
The changing pressure in your chest due to sneezing also changes your blood flow, which may change the rhythm of your heartbeat. Dr. Richard Conti, past president of the American College of Cardiology, speculates that the belief that the heart actually comes to a stop during a sneeze could result from the sensation of having the heart "skip a beat." When there is a prolonged delay before the heart's next beat, he said, that beat is then more forceful and more noticeable, perhaps as a funny sensation in the throat or upper chest (Ray, 1992).
WHY DO PEOPLE SAY, "GOD BLESS YOU," AFTER SOMEONE SNEEZES?
There are varying accounts as to the origin of this response. One belief is that it originated in Rome when the bubonic plague was raging through Europe. One of the symptoms of the plague was coughing and sneezing, and it is believed that Pope Gregory VII suggested saying "God bless you" after a person sneezed in hopes that this prayer would protect them from an otherwise certain death.
The expression may have also originated from superstition. Some people believe that the custom of asking for God's blessing began when ancient man thought that the soul was in the form of air and resided in the body's head. A sneeze, therefore, might accidentally expel the spirit from the body unless God blessed you and prevented this from occurring. Some ancient cultures also thought that sneezing forced evil spirits out of the body endangering others because these spirits might now enter their bodies. The blessing was bestowed to protect both the person sneezed and others around him.
Sneeze responses from around the world:
English – "Bless you" or "God bless you"
German – "Gesundheit"
Greeks and Romans – "Banish the Omen"
Hindu – "Live" and responds "With you"
Zulu – "I am now blessed"
Interesting facts:
Sneezes are an automatic reflex that can't be stopped once sneezing starts.
Sneezes can travel at a speed of 100 miles per hour and the wet spray can radiate five feet.
People don't sneeze when they are asleep because the nerves involved in nerve reflex are also resting.
Between 18 and 35% of the population sneezes when exposed to sudden bright light.
Some people sneeze when plucking their eyebrows because the nerve endings in the face are irritated and then fire an impulse that reaches the nasal nerve.
The custom of saying "God bless you" after a sneeze was begun literally as a blessing. Pope Gregory the Great (540-604 AD) ascended to the Papacy just in time for the start of the plague (his successor succumbed to it). Gregory (who also invented the ever-popular Gregorian chant) called for litanies, processions and unceasing prayer for God's help and intercession. Columns marched through the streets chanting, "Kyrie Eleison" (Greek for "Lord have mercy"). When someone sneezed, they were immediately blessed ("God bless you!") in the hope that they would not subsequently develop the plague. All that prayer apparently worked, judging by how quickly the plague of 590 AD diminished.
The connection of sneezing to the plague is not the first association of sneezing with death. According to Man, Myth, and Magic: The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Mythology, Religion and the Unknown, many cultures, even some in Europe, believe that sneezing expels the soul--the "breath of life"--from the body. That doesn't seem too far-fetched when you realize that sneezing can send tiny particles speeding out of your nose at up to 100 miles per hour!
We know today, of course, that when you sneeze, your heart doesn't stop, nor will your eyes pop out if you can keep them open (www.straightdope.com/classics/a2_30 4.html), nor does your soul get expelled. What does get expelled are hundreds upon thousands of microscopic germs. The current advice when you sneeze is to cover your mouth with your arm rather than your hand. That way, all those germs won't be on your hands when you touch the countless things you're going to touch in the course of the day (don't tell us; we don't want to know).
There are many superstitions regarding sneezing; here are some of them:
Sneeze on Monday for health,
Sneeze on Tuesday for wealth,
Sneeze on Wednesday for a letter,
Sneeze on Thursday for something better,
Sneeze on Friday for sorrow,
Sneeze on Saturday, see your sweetheart tomorrow,
Sneeze on Sunday, safety seek.
One for sorrow
Two for joy
Three for a letter
Four for a boy.
Five for silver
Six for gold
Seven for a secret, never to be told.
And lastly, a sneeze before breakfast is a sign that you will hear exciting news before the end of the day.
Lol! Do you agree?
Source:
http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read...
I have no Facebook account – Ekweremadu
The Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, said on Sunday in Abuja warned the public not to deal with any Facebook account bearing his name.
This is contained in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media, Mr Uche Anichukwu.
The statement noted that any Facebook account bearing Ekweremadu's name was created by impostors.
"The attention of the Office of the Deputy President of the Senate has been drawn to the activities of impostors who open Facebook accounts in the name of the deputy senate president.
"Ekweremadu has no Facebook account and anyone dealing with or communicating with anyone who claims to be the Deputy President of the Senate on any matter is certainly doing so at his or her or risk.
"The person is obviously dealing with fraudsters whose intent is to engage in shady deals and defraud unsuspecting members of the public," it said.
The statement, therefore, warned members of the public not to have anything to do with any of such Facebook accounts.
It said the accounts "absolutely has nothing to do with Ekweremadu or the Office of the Deputy Senate President.'' (NAN)
Source: Vanguard
This is contained in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media, Mr Uche Anichukwu.
The statement noted that any Facebook account bearing Ekweremadu's name was created by impostors.
"The attention of the Office of the Deputy President of the Senate has been drawn to the activities of impostors who open Facebook accounts in the name of the deputy senate president.
"Ekweremadu has no Facebook account and anyone dealing with or communicating with anyone who claims to be the Deputy President of the Senate on any matter is certainly doing so at his or her or risk.
"The person is obviously dealing with fraudsters whose intent is to engage in shady deals and defraud unsuspecting members of the public," it said.
The statement, therefore, warned members of the public not to have anything to do with any of such Facebook accounts.
It said the accounts "absolutely has nothing to do with Ekweremadu or the Office of the Deputy Senate President.'' (NAN)
Source: Vanguard
Sunday 29 June 2014
Nobody wants to be Nigeria’s Maradona, says Mikel
By Stefan Coerts in BrasiliaNigeria star John Obi Mikel has insisted that the team is all that matters for Stephen Keshi's men and that none of the players are looking for individual glory, saying that no-one wants to be the African side's Diego Maradona.Previous Super Eagles squad contained stars such as Jay-Jay Okocha, Rashidi Yekini and Daniel Amokachi, yet the current crop of players has impressed with their togetherness rather than with individual quality.Mikel and Ahmed Musa – who netted twice against Argentina – have been touted as Nigeria's biggest stars, yet the Chelsea midfielder has stressed that he's not thinking about individual success."I only care about the team. Nobody wants to be the Maradona of this team," Mikel said at a press conference ahead of Nigeria's round of 16 game against France."We don't want to be talking about individuals. We all want to do our utmost for the team and I will keep giving my all."Nigeria's preparation for Sunday's match against the French was marred by a row over appearance fees, with Keshi's men boycotting training the day before their trip to Brasilia, yet Mikel has insisted there were never any real issues."There were no major problems over money, just some little discussions. It's what happens in football. I play for Chelsea and I know how these things work. They happen everywhere. "Things were quickly sorted and this will not affect our focus for the game. There were never any massive problems." France have impressed so far this World Cup with some sublime performances in the group stages and Mikel expects a tight encounter at the Estadio Mane Garrincha."It will be a spectacular game and we are very motivated. The match could be decided by details. It will be a close encounter. "I have played against some of the France players before in the Champions League. The coaches have also done their homework on how to approach the game and have given us all the details we need."Meanwhile, head coach Stephen Keshi was full of respect for France as well ahead of their round of 16 encounter."The France players all play at big clubs across the world and [Didier] Deschamps has plenty of options. They have started the tournament really well. It will be a very difficult game. "The players are all aware of what happened early on against Argentina in the gruop stages. We came out differently after the break. I hope we can take this experience with us toward the match against France."It has been a very open tournament. You can never predict what will happen. Look at the Netherlands game [against Mexico] and what happened. Even Brazil are not guaranteed anything. It's been a wonderful tournament."Keshi has so far been reluctant to use star attacker Victor Moses, leading to suggestions that the duo have fallen out, but the Nigeria boss has stressed he doesn't have any problems with the Chelsea man, who was on loan at Liverpool last season."There is no problem with Moses. We have a lot of good players and I can play anybody I want."All the players who are here are good players."
WORD FOR TODAY
LIMIT YOUR LIMITATIONS
1 Sam 17:37-51
This is a story we all are familiar with: 'David and Goliath'.
Goliath thought David was too small for him, even the Israelis looked at Goliath and said, "he is too big to hit" but David thought Goliath was too big to miss.
Our limitations are like giants. They come at us in all shapes and sizes. Their names are familiar to us as Goliath's: lust, fear, suffering, shame, etc. Only you know the giants who come against you.
You've got to know how to limit your limitations. Maybe you only have a few stones and a slingshot. But, with hearts ablaze with the Holyspirit, you can trample on giants.
King Saul was a mighty warrior but he was a bigman with a small heart. David had a heart bigger than all. For forty days the Jews sat around exaggerating the bigness of Goliath. After a month of fear talk, the giant must have grown bigger in their imaginations.
Giants never get smaller with time. But the issue should never be the size of the giant. Rather, the size of our God. In verse 45, David also knows that the battle isn't his to win. His confidence is his Almighty God.
Do not procrastinate, giants don't get smaller with time. Negative self talk is the mother of procrastination. David did not allow difficulty keep him from making history.
Is there a giant in your life? Some addiction or bad habit, bitterness, anger or some other giants. God is still the same all-powerful, all-wise and ever-present God.
Hold down those limitations now!
1 Sam 17:37-51
This is a story we all are familiar with: 'David and Goliath'.
Goliath thought David was too small for him, even the Israelis looked at Goliath and said, "he is too big to hit" but David thought Goliath was too big to miss.
Our limitations are like giants. They come at us in all shapes and sizes. Their names are familiar to us as Goliath's: lust, fear, suffering, shame, etc. Only you know the giants who come against you.
You've got to know how to limit your limitations. Maybe you only have a few stones and a slingshot. But, with hearts ablaze with the Holyspirit, you can trample on giants.
King Saul was a mighty warrior but he was a bigman with a small heart. David had a heart bigger than all. For forty days the Jews sat around exaggerating the bigness of Goliath. After a month of fear talk, the giant must have grown bigger in their imaginations.
Giants never get smaller with time. But the issue should never be the size of the giant. Rather, the size of our God. In verse 45, David also knows that the battle isn't his to win. His confidence is his Almighty God.
Do not procrastinate, giants don't get smaller with time. Negative self talk is the mother of procrastination. David did not allow difficulty keep him from making history.
Is there a giant in your life? Some addiction or bad habit, bitterness, anger or some other giants. God is still the same all-powerful, all-wise and ever-present God.
Hold down those limitations now!
Help Me!
Those who own PS4 help me ooooo. I'm playing FIFA 14, where do I press if I want Luis Suarez to bite?
Get Inspired
This story was sent in by an ardent reader. Got inspired after reading. Enjoy!
It was like, I wasn't sure of what lies ahead of me! It's the first time in my life when I actually knew am totally on my own. I am through with my service year, now the job market was to be my new adventure. Shouts of happy new year in the air, people celebrating, of course I joined in the celebration but on the other hand, I was weighed down by the thoughts that the year has just started. How am I gonna survive the crazy job searches, the interviews and how would i meet up with what the soceity required of me?
Instantaneously, I experienced the precipitation of anxiety emanating from fears about my enigmatic future but I allayed these fears because I convinced myself of an auspicous future.
In the 3rd week of January I was called up for an interview at one of the numerous outsourcing agencies flooding the Nigerian labour market now. The interview was by 10am, I got to the venue by 9am only to find an intimidating number of job applicants like me all filling up about 3 canopies of which I joined. It ended, I suceeded and was anxious to hear what the pay looks like, at my craziest dismay, it was an outrageous amount of 18,000 naira per month, then the rest based on commissions.
I refused to do such a job and before I could know it, an offer flew in from a bank, a better pay. I accepted to do the job, but as I started, I lacked enthusiasm about the job. It was like my mind was bamboozled by the way a biochemist would end up in the banking sector rather than just doing some cool science stuffs. I worked with a very low spirit yet with no option! This was happening in the month of february, 2014.
So I asked God for a miracle and he did it! As the month was just about to be eclipsed by the dorminance of the following month 'March', a Manufacturing Company which I once applied for came asking me to resume with them as soon as possible, told them am yet to be paid, my month's salary by the bank!
Sounded like a joke when I was issued a cheque for the same amount paid me by employers (the bank) asking me to go tender my resignation letter and resume work the following week. With great delight I jumped at it because it was a better offer compared to what I was earning. In the month of march, I started work at this new company! It was like a fulfilment of my wish, ever since, I have been subjected to travelling kilometers shuttling my house and my workplace. This is the month of june now, I now am working on my next phase in life!
Life is a mystery
Embrace it with hard and positive mindset, only then, would you soar high like that eagle in the sky. #mystory
Bendommynique de great
It was like, I wasn't sure of what lies ahead of me! It's the first time in my life when I actually knew am totally on my own. I am through with my service year, now the job market was to be my new adventure. Shouts of happy new year in the air, people celebrating, of course I joined in the celebration but on the other hand, I was weighed down by the thoughts that the year has just started. How am I gonna survive the crazy job searches, the interviews and how would i meet up with what the soceity required of me?
Instantaneously, I experienced the precipitation of anxiety emanating from fears about my enigmatic future but I allayed these fears because I convinced myself of an auspicous future.
In the 3rd week of January I was called up for an interview at one of the numerous outsourcing agencies flooding the Nigerian labour market now. The interview was by 10am, I got to the venue by 9am only to find an intimidating number of job applicants like me all filling up about 3 canopies of which I joined. It ended, I suceeded and was anxious to hear what the pay looks like, at my craziest dismay, it was an outrageous amount of 18,000 naira per month, then the rest based on commissions.
I refused to do such a job and before I could know it, an offer flew in from a bank, a better pay. I accepted to do the job, but as I started, I lacked enthusiasm about the job. It was like my mind was bamboozled by the way a biochemist would end up in the banking sector rather than just doing some cool science stuffs. I worked with a very low spirit yet with no option! This was happening in the month of february, 2014.
So I asked God for a miracle and he did it! As the month was just about to be eclipsed by the dorminance of the following month 'March', a Manufacturing Company which I once applied for came asking me to resume with them as soon as possible, told them am yet to be paid, my month's salary by the bank!
Sounded like a joke when I was issued a cheque for the same amount paid me by employers (the bank) asking me to go tender my resignation letter and resume work the following week. With great delight I jumped at it because it was a better offer compared to what I was earning. In the month of march, I started work at this new company! It was like a fulfilment of my wish, ever since, I have been subjected to travelling kilometers shuttling my house and my workplace. This is the month of june now, I now am working on my next phase in life!
Life is a mystery
Embrace it with hard and positive mindset, only then, would you soar high like that eagle in the sky. #mystory
Bendommynique de great
Pres. Jonathan to watch Super Eagles live in Brazil if they reach quarter-final
This was revealed by Super Eagles captain, Joseph Yobo, who said the additional incentive from the president has motivated the players to beat France at all cost. Nigeria has never reached the quarter-final stage of any World Cup
"He assured us when he called that he's behind us and if we beat France and qualify for the quarter-final, he will come and visit us and watch the next game. That's a very big motivation for us to know that the president will come and visit us. It's better than money and we are determined to go there and fight and give our best. It's a morale booster." Yobo told
kickoffnigeria.com
Saturday 28 June 2014
Algerians savouring chance of revenge over Germans
Bosnian Halilhodzic — who has rewarded the loyalty of the Algerian football authorities for not sacking him last year despite a poor showing in the Africa Cup of Nations — said the infamous 1982 match between Austria and neighbours the then West Germany remained ingrained in Algerians memories.
Thirty-two years ago Algeria were controversially eliminated from the World Cup on goal difference when West Germany — whom the Algerians had sensationally beaten 2-1 in their group game — and Austria played out a mutually beneficial 1-0 win for the Germans.
The match became known as 'the game of shame'.
Algeria set up what is bound to be a highly-charged game with a 1-1 draw with Russia on Thursday to secure their historic qualification.
"We have not forgotten about it. Everyone talks about Algeria and Germany from 1982," said Halilhodzic.
"Thirty-two years ia a long time, but I am very proud of what we have achieved tonight and we deserve to be here.
"Algeria played a heroic match and our qualification for the second round is perfectly deserved."
"This is the result of what we have done for the past three years, we have progressed a lot. This is the reward.
"I love it as a coach when I see my team fighting like this."
Halilhodzic, who played for the then Yugoslavia in the 1982 World Cup, admitted, however, that the present German side looks a formidable opponent.
"I saw the game against the United States (Germany won 1-0 on Thursday to top their group). They are an outstanding team, so it will be difficult, indeed I would go further and say extremely complicated."
The Algerian press didn't care two hoots about that with the official Algerian agency APS reaching for the skies in terms of hyperbole.
"Perhaps one has to go back to July 5 1962, and independence for Algeria (from France), in order to recall such fervour and such an explosion of joy," it rejoiced.
Halilhodzic, a much-travelled coach who numbers among his former employers Paris Saint Germain and Ivory Coast, said he did not believe that Algeria was the flag bearer for Arabic countries but for all those who cheered for the underdog.
"After our match against South Korea (a 4-2 victory which was their first at a World Cup finals since beating Chile in 1982), we received congratulations from all over the world," he said.
"Algeria has not only gained the sympathy of the Arab countries but also in my homeland of Bosnia, in Croatia… here in Brazil people appreciate our behaviour.
"There are better teams than ours, but this team has won a lot of supporters in these finals.
"Against Germany we will be the small team against the giants and the Brazilian fans will be on our side. We will do everything in our power not to let them down."
Source: Vanguard
Marketing (JustForLaughs)
Lecturer AKpos explains marketing to his students:
1. You see a Gorgeous Girl at a party. You go up to her and say: "I am very rich. Marry me!" - That's Direct Marketing.
2. You are at a party with a bunch of friends and see a Gorgeous Girl. One of your friends goes up to her and pointing at you says: "He's very rich, Marry him!" – That's Advertising.
3. You are at a party and see a Gorgeous Girl. She walks up to you and says: "You are very rich! Can I marry you?" - That's Brand Recognition.
4. You see a Gorgeous Girl at a party. You go to her and say: "I am very rich. Marry me!" She gives you a nice hard slap on your face. - That's Customer Feedback.
5. You see a Gorgeous Girl at a party. You go to her and say: "I am very rich. Marry me!" And she introduces you to her husband.- That's Demand and Supply Gap.
6. You see a Gorgeous Girl at a party. You go to her and before you say: "I'm rich, Marry me!", your wife arrives. – That's Restriction for Entering New Markets.
I still dey look this Akpors.
1. You see a Gorgeous Girl at a party. You go up to her and say: "I am very rich. Marry me!" - That's Direct Marketing.
2. You are at a party with a bunch of friends and see a Gorgeous Girl. One of your friends goes up to her and pointing at you says: "He's very rich, Marry him!" – That's Advertising.
3. You are at a party and see a Gorgeous Girl. She walks up to you and says: "You are very rich! Can I marry you?" - That's Brand Recognition.
4. You see a Gorgeous Girl at a party. You go to her and say: "I am very rich. Marry me!" She gives you a nice hard slap on your face. - That's Customer Feedback.
5. You see a Gorgeous Girl at a party. You go to her and say: "I am very rich. Marry me!" And she introduces you to her husband.- That's Demand and Supply Gap.
6. You see a Gorgeous Girl at a party. You go to her and before you say: "I'm rich, Marry me!", your wife arrives. – That's Restriction for Entering New Markets.
I still dey look this Akpors.
Women offered hope of breast cancer-predicting blood tests
Researchers discover a way of testing genetic predisposition to cancer in blood tests even if they don't have the 'Jolie gene' which prompted the actress Angelina Jolie to have a double mastectomy
A simple blood test that predicts a woman's likelihood of suffering breast cancer is being developed by scientists.
For the first time, researchers have identified a way of discovering whether a woman is at risk even if she has no genetic predisposition such as the 'Jolie gene' which promted the actress Angelina Jolie to have a double mastectomy.
Within five years, they hope to develop a test that can predict the danger of breast or ovarian cancer for up to a decade ahead.
Experts said that the findings were a "promising" and exciting prospect, which could in future help protect women.
The study, by scientists at University College London, found that women who developed hereditary breast cancer, caused by a BRCA1 mutation, had the same changes to molecules in their blood as others who developed the disease despite having no genetic predisposition. The changes were found several years before diagnosis.
Almost 50,000 women a year are diagnosed with breast cancer in the UK, and almost 12,000 die.
Around 10 per cent of breast cancers are caused by BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene variants inherited from parents, but the rest are unexplained.
Until now, there has been no reliable way to predict a likelihood of non-inherited breast cancer.
The "switch" discovered by scientists is part of a process that causes genes to be turned on or off. It is influenced by factors including alcohol and smoking, so women who knew they were more likely to develop breast cancer could adopt changes to their lifestyle, experts said.
The changes could be detected in blood samples years before symptoms develop, the study suggests.
Professor Martin Widschwendter, the lead researcher, said: "We identified an epigenetic signature in women with a mutated BRCA1 gene that was linked to increased cancer risk and lower survival rates.
"Surprisingly, we found the same signature in large cohorts of women without the BRCA1 mutation and it was able to predict breast cancer risk several years before diagnosis."
Dr Matthew Lam, senior research officer at the charity Breakthrough Breast Cancer, said: "These results are definitely promising and we're excited to learn how further research could build on these findings."
He added: "This could mean that in the future a woman may be able to have a simple blood test to look for this DNA signature, and therefore know if she is at a higher risk of developing breast cancer. If she does have this signature, she could then work with her doctor to explore the options available to help her take control of her own risk."
What proportion of women at higher risk of breast cancer have the epigenetic marker is unknown. The scientists analysed blood sample DNA from 119 postmenopausal women who went on to develop breast cancer over a period of up to 12 years, and 122 who remained cancer-free.
Their results appear in the online journal Genome Medicine.
SOURCE: The Telegraph
A simple blood test that predicts a woman's likelihood of suffering breast cancer is being developed by scientists.
For the first time, researchers have identified a way of discovering whether a woman is at risk even if she has no genetic predisposition such as the 'Jolie gene' which promted the actress Angelina Jolie to have a double mastectomy.
Within five years, they hope to develop a test that can predict the danger of breast or ovarian cancer for up to a decade ahead.
Experts said that the findings were a "promising" and exciting prospect, which could in future help protect women.
The study, by scientists at University College London, found that women who developed hereditary breast cancer, caused by a BRCA1 mutation, had the same changes to molecules in their blood as others who developed the disease despite having no genetic predisposition. The changes were found several years before diagnosis.
Almost 50,000 women a year are diagnosed with breast cancer in the UK, and almost 12,000 die.
Around 10 per cent of breast cancers are caused by BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene variants inherited from parents, but the rest are unexplained.
Until now, there has been no reliable way to predict a likelihood of non-inherited breast cancer.
The "switch" discovered by scientists is part of a process that causes genes to be turned on or off. It is influenced by factors including alcohol and smoking, so women who knew they were more likely to develop breast cancer could adopt changes to their lifestyle, experts said.
The changes could be detected in blood samples years before symptoms develop, the study suggests.
Professor Martin Widschwendter, the lead researcher, said: "We identified an epigenetic signature in women with a mutated BRCA1 gene that was linked to increased cancer risk and lower survival rates.
"Surprisingly, we found the same signature in large cohorts of women without the BRCA1 mutation and it was able to predict breast cancer risk several years before diagnosis."
Dr Matthew Lam, senior research officer at the charity Breakthrough Breast Cancer, said: "These results are definitely promising and we're excited to learn how further research could build on these findings."
He added: "This could mean that in the future a woman may be able to have a simple blood test to look for this DNA signature, and therefore know if she is at a higher risk of developing breast cancer. If she does have this signature, she could then work with her doctor to explore the options available to help her take control of her own risk."
What proportion of women at higher risk of breast cancer have the epigenetic marker is unknown. The scientists analysed blood sample DNA from 119 postmenopausal women who went on to develop breast cancer over a period of up to 12 years, and 122 who remained cancer-free.
Their results appear in the online journal Genome Medicine.
SOURCE: The Telegraph
Weekend Brain Teaser
You saw a laptop of 97K. You didn't have the cash,
so you borrowed 50K from your mum and 50K
from your dad = 100K. You bought the laptop which
left you with 3K balance. You gave your dad 1K and your
mum 1K and kept the other 1K to yourself.
Now you owe your mum 49K and your dad 49K. Now
49K+49K = 98K + your 1K kept = 99K. Where is
the missing 1K?
Solve it and tell me the answer.
so you borrowed 50K from your mum and 50K
from your dad = 100K. You bought the laptop which
left you with 3K balance. You gave your dad 1K and your
mum 1K and kept the other 1K to yourself.
Now you owe your mum 49K and your dad 49K. Now
49K+49K = 98K + your 1K kept = 99K. Where is
the missing 1K?
Solve it and tell me the answer.
Frank Edoho Reveals His 2 Memorable Moments As The Host Of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire
WWTBAM is already 10 years. Considering the fact that many TV game shows didnt last this long, how would you describe the game show, with respect to its consistency?
Well, the major factor that has made the show consistent for ten years, are the people behind it; they pay attention to details. The producers always say we should adopt the strategy of continuous improvement, and thats what we have been doing. Every time a season ends, we do a review. We tell ourselves that we are doing well, but we could be better. So, in which areas do we need to do more work? We do a post mortem of the penultimate season and we use that as a benchmark for the next show. It is very challenging because many people have been watching this show for ten years and the show has become a template. We try to tweak the variables of the show, so that every season turns out to be like a brand new season.
Could you share some of the memorable moments you have had as the producer of WWTBAM?
I have two memorable moments; the first was when Aruoma Ufodike clinched the ultimate prize of ten million naira. WWTBAM is designed to safeguard fraud. I see the questions for the first time when everyone is seeing it. I dont have fore knowledge of the questions, for security reasons. Also, my demeanor will show that I am seeing the question for the first time. And when the questions pop up, the answer is not there. So when I see the question and the options, sometimes I am mulling in my head, what the answer is. So the day the ten million naira was won, I knew the answer to the question, but I had to keep my composure because I knew we were on the brink of history.
I had a dead pan expression on my face, a poker face that I had developed for the past ten years. The guy phoned a friend, the friend said he was one hundred percent sure, that was the answer. Aruoma said he trusts his friend, so I locked it in and said you know if you are wrong, you stand to lose N4.75m. The guy said ok. So I locked it in and he won N10m! The episode where I had the other memorable moment was not aired. The contestant was acting like he had mental issues. I will ask him a question; he will stare right into my eyes and ask me the same question, instead of responding with an answer. Initially, I thought he was trying to be funny, but after a while, I knew something was amiss. Those were the two moments.
SOURCE:Information Nigeria
Friday 27 June 2014
#ThisIsTheGame
The Black Stars insisted the Ghanaian government charter a plane to fly out their $3m appearance fees- in cash.
Deputy Sports Minister Joseph Yamin told Ghanaian radio station Citi FM: "The government had to mobilise the money and a chartered flight to Brazil."
A rather po-faced statement from the Ghana FA explained: "The government is pre-financing the payment of the Black Stars appearance fees, which will be reimbursed when FIFA's prize money for Ghana's participation in the World Cup is paid." What do you make of this?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)