Chris Infotainment

Concerns Over Funding Cuts and Continued Research Efforts The Institute of Human Virology, Nigeria (IHVN) has raised concerns about the impact of recent funding cuts from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) on HIV research in the country. These cuts have reportedly slowed down critical research work, especially in the development of new treatments and vaccines for HIV. Despite these challenges, researchers remain committed to their mission, emphasizing that the pause in funding does not mean the end of their efforts. At a press briefing held ahead of the IHVN’s 3rd Annual Scientific Symposium in Abuja, Prof. Alash’le Abimiku, Executive Director of the International Research Centre of Excellence (IRCE), shared insights into the current state of research. She explained that the IRCE had previously received USAID funding to develop HIV vaccines, but this support has now been discontinued. However, she stressed that the team is still actively working on sequenc...

The Hidden Crisis of Postpartum Anaemia When a woman gives birth, the immediate focus is often on the newborn and the mother’s ability to care for the baby. However, many women experience symptoms such as weakness, fatigue, and dizziness after childbirth, which are often dismissed as temporary or normal. These signs, however, can be indicators of a more serious condition—anaemia. Many people, including family members and even healthcare professionals, overlook these symptoms. Women are frequently told that they will feel better once they return home, without considering the possibility of anaemia. This mindset leads to a lack of proper diagnosis and treatment, which can have long-term consequences for both the mother and her child. At the 8th international and scientific conference of the Association of Fetomaternal Medicine Specialists of Nigeria (AFEMSON), experts highlighted the importance of addressing postpartum anaemia. Ms Chisom Chieme from the Centre for Clinical Trials, Res...

The Hidden Messages in Body Odour Whether it's on a busy bus, in a sweaty gym, or on a crowded dancefloor, all of us have experienced an unpleasant whiff of someone's body odour. The pong might have you covering your nose, or reaching for the closest can of deodorant. But if you can bear to sniff it, scientists say the exact aroma can actually divulge a lot about someone. From the unmistakable pong of elevated stress levels, to the stale beer aroma of a tuberculosis infection, your body odour can reveal key clues to your health. And for some 'super-smellers', even complex diseases like early-onset Parkinson's can be detected with a simple sniff. Dr Bruce Kimball, a smell expert from the Monell Chemical Senses Centre, shared insights into how various diseases can alter bodily odours. He mentioned that there was a time when physicians would commonly sniff patients' urine to detect some conditions. This highlights the long-standing relationship between scent and ...

Advancements in HIV Treatment and Vaginal Delivery Mothers living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) who are on Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) and have a low or undetectable viral load can safely choose vaginal delivery, according to recent guidelines. This approach significantly reduces the risk of transmitting the virus to their infants during childbirth. While HIV transmission is still possible, the likelihood is much lower when the mother’s viral load is well-controlled through treatment. The National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) highlights that advances in HIV treatment have dramatically reduced the chances of perinatal transmission. This means that more mothers living with HIV can now have vaginal deliveries without increasing the risk of passing the virus to their babies. However, it is crucial to note that if a mother is not on treatment, the risk of transmission remains high during pregnancy, labor, and breastfeeding. According to NACA, Nigeria bears the highest...

A Rare Condition and a Groundbreaking Surgery A toddler with an extremely rare vein condition was successfully treated in a world-first operation after a doctor noticed something unusual about his head. Conor O’Rourke, now three years old, was diagnosed with a Vein of Galen Malformation (VGM), a condition that affects only ten to twelve babies each year in the UK. This rare disorder causes abnormal connections between veins and arteries in the brain, which can lead to severe complications if not detected early. Conor’s condition was initially overlooked, but it eventually became clear that standard treatments were not effective. This led surgeons to attempt a high-risk open procedure through the skull, a method that had never been used before for this specific type of malformation. Without the operation, Conor would have likely experienced progressive neurological decline over the next one or two years. The surgery proved to be a success, and doctors now consider Conor to be “99 per...