Joeve's Blog

Scientists have created a mutant enzyme that breaks down plastic drinks bottles – by accident. The breakthrough could help solve the global plastic pollution crisis by enabling for the first time the full recycling of bottles.

The new research was spurred by the discovery in 2016 of the first bacterium that had naturally evolved to eat plastic, at a waste dump in Japan. Scientists have now revealed the detailed structure of the crucial enzyme produced by the bug.

The international team then tweaked the enzyme to see how it had evolved, but tests showed they had inadvertently made the molecule even better at breaking down the PET (polyethylene terephthalate) plastic used for soft drink bottles. “What actually turned out was we improved the enzyme, which was a bit of a shock,” said Prof John McGeehan, at the University of Portsmouth, UK, who led the research. “It’s great and a real finding.”

The mutant enzyme takes a few days to start breaking down the plastic – far faster than the centuries it takes in the oceans. But the researchers are optimistic this can be speeded up even further and become a viable large-scale process.

“What we are hoping to do is use this enzyme to turn this plastic back into its original components, so we can literally recycle it back to plastic,” said McGeehan. “It means we won’t need to dig up any more oil and, fundamentally, it should reduce the amount of plastic in the environment.”

About 1m plastic bottles are sold each minute around the globe and, with just 14% recycled, many end up in the oceans where they have polluted even the remotest parts, harming marine life and potentially people who eat seafood. “It is incredibly resistant to degradation. Some of those images are horrific,” said McGeehan. “It is one of these wonder materials that has been made a little bit too well.”

However, currently even those bottles that are recycled can only be turned into opaque fibres for clothing or carpets. The new enzyme indicates a way to recycle clear plastic bottles back into clear plastic bottles, which could slash the need to produce new plastic.

General Health - April 17, 2018

Scientists Have Accidentally Created a Mutant Enzyme That Eats Plastic Waste

Scientists have created a mutant enzyme that breaks down plastic drinks bottles – by accident. The breakthrough could help solve the gl...

Babies get a lot of colds because their immune system is immature, making them more vulnerable to illness. Also, more than 200 different viruses can cause the common cold, and your child develops immunity to them one at a time. Think of all the colds you've had in your lifetime – your baby would have to get all those colds to build up the level of immunity you have by the time he's your age.

Growing babies explore a lot and grab everything, so it's easy for him to pick up a cold virus on his hands. Then he can get sick when he puts his fingers in his mouth or nose, or rubs his eyes.

But How Can I tell ?

It can be tricky to tell for sure. If your baby has a cold, she might have a cough or a runny nose with clear mucus that may thicken and turn gray, yellow, or green over the course of a week or so. Along with the cough or congestion, your child may also run a low-grade fever (but not always).

Parents often head straight to the drug store or pharmarcy when their child gets a cold. But experts warn that over-the-counter medications aren't effective for treating kids' coughs and colds and can be dangerous for children younger than 6.

But that doesn't mean your child has to suffer. Whether he has a cough, a cold, or the flu, you can try these gentle, safe home remedies. Although none of these will shorten your child's illness (which usually takes about 10 days to run its course), they may help him feel better.

Lots of rest (all ages)

It takes energy to fight an infection, and that can wear out a child (or an adult). When your child rests, he's healing, which is exactly what he needs to do. Studies show that stress plays a role in illness too. If your child is under pressure – because of school, or friends, or something happening at home – giving him a break may be just what he needs.

Steam (all ages)

Breathing moist air helps loosen the mucus in the nasal passages. A warm bath has the added benefit of relaxing your child.

Saline drops and bulb syringes (all ages)

When kids are too young to blow their nose well, saline drops or a bulb syringe can clear his nose. Using a bulb syringe works best for young babies, especially if a stuffy nose interferes with breastfeeding or bottle-feeding. (Try using it about 15 minutes beforehand.) But if your older child doesn't mind the procedure, there's no reason not to do it.

Extra fluids (all ages)

Drinking plenty of fluids prevents dehydration, thins your child's nasal secretions, and flushes them out.

Warm liquids and chicken soup (6 months and up)

Warm, clear liquids can be very soothing and help relieve congestion. Studies have shown that chicken soup, both canned and homemade, actually relieves cold symptoms like aches, fatigue, congestion, and fever. Broth is a good alternative for babies who are still getting accustomed to solid foods.

Elevating the head (12 months and up)

Elevating your child's head while she rests can help her breathe more comfortably.

Nose blowing (age 2 and up)

Clearing mucus from your child's nose helps her breathe and sleep more easily and generally makes her more comfortable.

Neti pot (4 years and up)

A neti pot flushes a mild saline solution through the nasal passages, moisturizing the area and thinning, loosening, and rinsing away mucus. Think of it as nasal irrigation.

According to one European report, researchers studied nearly 400 children ages 6 to 10 and found that a nasal spray made from seawater relieved cold symptoms faster than standard cold medications.

It's not certain whether the seawater simply helps clear the mucus or if trace elements in the water are beneficial. But other scientists who studied the effectiveness of saline nasal wash solutions also found benefits.

General Health - January 31, 2018

Infant Watch: Cold or Flu ?

Babies get a lot of colds because their immune system is immature, making them more vulnerable to illness. Also, more than 200 differe...

Natural wetland systems have often been described as the “earth’s kidneys” because they filter pollutants from water that flows through on its way to receiving lakes, streams and oceans. Because these systems can improve water quality, engineers and scientists construct systems that replicate the functions of natural wetlands. Constructed wetlands are treatment systems that use natural processes involving wetland vegetation, soils, and their associated microbial assemblages to improve water quality.

A constructed wetland is an artificial wetland to treat municipal or industrial wastewater, greywater or storm water runoff. It may also be designed for land reclamation after mining, or as a mitigation step for natural areas lost to land development.

Constructed wetlands are engineered systems that use natural functions of vegetation, soil, and organisms to treat wastewater. They are one example of phytoremediation. Depending on the type of wastewater the design of the constructed wetland has to be adjusted accordingly. It may also be necessary to use pre-treatment or post-treatment steps.

Similarly to natural wetlands, constructed wetlands also act as a biofilter or and can remove pollutants such as heavy metals from the water. Some constructed wetlands may also serve as a habitat for native and migratory wildlife, although that is not their main purpose.

(Constructed wetlands) can be considered treatment systems that use natural processes to stabilize, sequester, accumulate, degrade, metabolize, and/or mineralize contaminants. Although constructed wetland applications were limited to treating primarily storm water and municipal wastewaters, they are now being used in new applications and on new contaminants.

Vegetation in a wetland provides a substrate (roots, stems, and leaves) upon which microorganisms can grow as they break down organic materials. This community of microorganisms is known as the periphyton. The periphyton and natural chemical processes are responsible for approximately 90 percent of pollutant removal and waste breakdown.

A constructed wetland is an engineered sequence of water bodies designed to filter and treat waterborne pollutants found in sewage, industrial effluent or storm water runoff. Constructed wetlands are used for wastewater treatment or for greywater treatment, and can be incorporated into an ecological sanitation approach. They can be used after a septic tank for primary treatment, in order to separate the solids from the liquid effluent.

The plants remove about seven to ten percent of pollutants, and act as a carbon source for the microbes when they decay. Different species of aquatic plants have different rates of heavy metal uptake, a consideration for plant selection in a constructed wetland used for water treatment. Constructed wetlands are of two basic types: subsurface flow and surface flow wetlands.

The main three constructed wetlands types are:

• Subsurface flow constructed wetland - this wetland can be either with vertical flow (the effluent moves vertically, from the planted layer down through the substrate and out) or with horizontal flow (the effluent moves horizontally, parallel to the surface)

• Surface flow constructed wetland

• Floating treatment wetland

The planted vegetation plays an important role in contaminant removal. The filter bed, consisting usually of sand and gravel, has an equally important role to play.

Subsurface flow constructed wetlands

Subsurface flow wetlands can be further classified as horizontal flow and vertical flow constructed wetlands. In the vertical flow constructed wetland, the effluent moves vertically from the planted layer down through the substrate and out (requiring air pumps to aerate the bed). In the horizontal flow CW the effluent moves horizontally via gravity, parallel to the surface, with no surface water thus avoiding mosquito breeding. Vertical flow CWs are considered to be more efficient with less area required compared to horizontal flow CWs. However, they need to be interval-loaded and their design requires more know-how while horizontal flow CWs can receive wastewater continuously and are easier to build.

Subsurface flow wetlands can treat a variety of different wastewaters, such as household wastewater, agricultural, paper mill wastewater, mining runoff, tannery or meat processing wastes, storm water.

The quality of the effluent is determined by the design and should be customized for the intended reuse application (like irrigation or toilet flushing) or the disposal method.

Surface Flow Constructed wetlands

Surface Flow Constructed wetlands (SFCW) Also called Free Water Surface CWs (FWS) Biological activity takes mainly place in the superior layer of the soil, in the stems of the plants and in the water. Waterproofing is not always used. SFCW are birthing grounds to mosquitoes and require greater protection from public access than Subsurface Flow CWs.

In a free-surface constructed wetland (also known as surface flow CW or free water surface CW), water flows above ground and plants are rooted in the sediment layer at the base of the basin or floating in the water. As the water slowly flows through the wetland, simultaneous physical, chemical and biological processes filter solids, degrade organics and remove nutrients from the wastewater. The channel or basin is lined with an impermeable barrier (clay or geo-textile) covered with rocks, gravel and soil and planted with native vegetation (e.g., cattails, reeds and/or rushes). The wetland is flooded with wastewater to a depth of 10 to 45 cm above ground level. The wetland is compartmentalized into at least two independent flow paths. The number of compartments in series depends on the treatment target. The efficiency of the free-water surface constructed wetland also depends on how well the water is distributed at the inlet. Wastewater can be fed into the wetland, using weirs or by drilling holes in a distribution pipe, to allow it to enter at evenly spaced intervals.

Floating System Wetlands

Floating treatment wetlands (FTWs) are manmade ecosystems that mimic natural wetlands. FTWs are created using floating rafts that support plants grown hydroponically. The rafts float on a wet pond water surface and can be used to improve water quality by filtering, consuming, or breaking down pollutants (e.g., nutrients, sediment, and metals) from the water.

If it can be demonstrated that FTWs effectively remove waterborne pollutants, FTWs could be placed on most existing lakes and ponds. Many of these ponds located in urban settings are used as storm water catchments.

Nitrogen removal by nitrification/denitrification is the process mediated by microorganisms. The physical process of volatilization also is important in nitrogen removal. Plants take up the dissolved nutrients and other pollutants from the water, using them to produce additional plant biomass. The nutrients and pollutants then move through the plant body to underground storage organs when the plants senesce, being deposited in the bottom sediments through litter and peat accretion when the plants die. Wetland microorganisms, including bacteria and fungi, remove soluble organic matter, coagulate colloidal material, stabilize organic matter, and convert organic matter into various gases and new cell tissue. Many of the microorganisms are the same as those occurring in conventional wastewater treatment systems. The effectiveness of all processes (biological, chemical, physical) varies with the water residence time (i.e., the length of time the water stays in the wetland). Longer retention times accelerate the remove of more contaminants, although too-long retention times can have detrimental effects.

- January 29, 2018

Constructed Wetlands & Water Treatment

Natural wetland systems have often been described as the “earth’s kidneys” because they filter pollutants from water that flows throug...

On Sunday the 14th of January 2018, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) was notified of four cases of Lassa fever among health care workers in Ebonyi State, Nigeria. Three of the four cases have subsequently passed away.

The Honourable Minister of Health, Professor Isaac Adewole, immediately requested that NCDC provides support to the Government of Ebonyi State, to investigate and respond to this cluster of cases.

Following the report, the Federal Ministry of Health through the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, in collaboration with the World Health Organisation (WHO) immediately commenced the public health response, supporting the Ebonyi State Ministry of Health. A Rapid Response Team has been immediately deployed from NCDC to support the State in response coordination, contact tracing, case management and strengthening infection prevention and control (IPC) procedures. The NCDC has also provided urgently required medical supplies and drugs to support case management in the State.

Key Facts

Lassa fever is an acute viral haemorrhagic illness of 2-21 days duration that occurs in West Africa.
The Lassa virus is transmitted to humans via contact with food or household items contaminated with rodent urine or faeces.
Person-to-person infections and laboratory transmission can also occur, particularly in hospitals lacking adequate infection prevention and control measures.
Lassa fever is known to be endemic in Benin, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Mali, Sierra Leone, and Nigeria, but probably exists in other West African countries as well.
The overall case-fatality rate is 1%. Observed case-fatality rate among patients hospitalized with severe cases of Lassa fever is 15%.
Early supportive care with rehydration and symptomatic treatment improves survival.

According to the Chief Executive Officer of the NCDC, Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, ‘Health care workers in health facilities are particularly at risk of contracting the disease, especially where infection prevention and control (IPC) procedures are not strictly adhered to. We therefore strongly advise that health care workers practice universal care precautions while handling patients at all times, not just when Lassa fever is suspected. We commiserate with the Federal Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki (FETHA) and Ebonyi State Government, and will support them to avert a future occurrence’. Although there is no vaccine currently available for Lassa fever, the disease can be prevented. Members of the public are advised to keep their environments clean in order to discourage rats from entering homes. Food stuff should be stored in rodent-proof containers, garbage should be disposed properly and far from the home, and hand washing should be practiced frequently.

Health care workers are again reminded that Lassa fever presents initially like any other disease causing a febrile illness such as malaria; and are advised to practice universal care precautions at all times. Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT) must be applied to all suspected cases of malaria. When the RDT is negative, other causes of febrile illness including Lassa fever should be considered.

Extra caution should be taken by family members who are providing care for patients with Lassa fever. In addition, States are encouraged to ensure safe burial practices for patients who die from Lassa fever.

The National guidelines for Infection Prevention and Control, as well as Lassa fever case management have been developed, disseminated to States and are available on the NCDC website for download (http://ncdc.gov.ng/diseases/guidelines).

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control remains committed to supporting all States’ public health teams to prevent and respond to public health threats.

Nigeria - January 16, 2018

Reported Cases of Lassa Fever Ebonyi, Nigeria

On Sunday the 14th of January 2018, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) was notified of four cases of Lassa fever among healt...

With all the information bombarding us daily about issues related to women's health, it's easy to feel overloaded and confused. Although each person has very individual needs, here are some top-rated health issues facing today's women and some positive steps that we can take to control them;

Disease Awareness, Diagnosis, and Treatment

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), in 2009, the five” leading causes of death in females” are: Heart disease, cancer, stroke, chronic lower respiratory diseases, and Alzheimer’s disease. It is important for each woman to know her risks for developing any of these or other conditions and take proactive steps to nurture better health for life.

Healthful Diet and Culinary Skills

Not everyone has to become a chef, but learning the basics of preparing well-balanced, healthful meals is an excellent way to provide the fuel necessary to be at your best. When you take your diet into your own hands, you also control a greater part of your weight management and any medical conditions you might have, such as diabetes.

Education

A strong education, formal or informal, can be tremendously empowering and translate to a better job which, in turn, can help a woman secure a better financial future, including the ability to pay for healthcare when needed. Also, ongoing learning is one of the tools that may help minimize the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease, which is the fifth leading cause of death in women.

Stress Management

According to the Centers for Disease Control, the sixth leading cause of death in women is “unintentional injuries.” When we are under extreme stress, we may be more likely to have accidents, miss crucial details, or feel like our lives are spiraling out of control. Acquiring and applying tools to manage stress can greatly reduce these burdens and enable us to be more positive, productive, and safe.

Financial Literacy

Beyond clipping coupons or knowing about every sale at the mall, financial literacy helps us prioritize our budgets, plan for the future, and make decisions that can support our dreams and our realities. Knowledge and action based on sound financial literacy can make a big difference in reducing stress and other health-related issues, not to mention provide us with the money to pay for healthcare when we need it.

Spiritual Strength

When we are hurting, when pain or illness hit us hard, and when we feel most alone, we need inner strength and wisdom to get through the darkness. A strong spirit helps us promote health and resist activities and thoughts that are unhealthful. A strong spirit gives us the discipline we need to make good progress in health and life. And a strong spirit gives us courage to truly become the wonderful, health-filled and good women God means for us to be.

General Health - January 08, 2018

Top Health Issues Facing Today's Women

With all the information bombarding us daily about issues related to women's health, it's easy to feel overloaded and confus...

Joeve's Blog

Scientists Have Accidentally Created a Mutant Enzyme That Eats Plastic Waste

Infant Watch: Cold or Flu ?

Constructed Wetlands & Water Treatment

Reported Cases of Lassa Fever Ebonyi, Nigeria

Top Health Issues Facing Today's Women

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