Scientists have taken an important step towards creating artificial sperm and eggs for infertility treatment by recreating the way the human body produces sperm.

The team of researchers, from Gurdon Institute, University of Cambridge, are considered to be the first team to have attained what is referred to as the “halfway point” which a significant landmark on the path between stem cells and immature sperm.

This pathway, which the team are making effort to track and understand involves embryonic cells turning into immature sperm via a series of complex steps known as meiosis.

The Nigerian Senate has commended the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN) for the ongoing campaign against drug abuse especially the anti-codeine campaign set to be inaugurated across the country.The Senate President, Bukola Saraki who gave the commendation on his personal Facebook and Twitter pages said it is encouraging to see the PCN taking an active stance against the use and distribution of illegal substances. He urged Nigerians to support the drive.

A recent US study has revealed that girls who go through puberty early in life could be more likely to experience depression and behavior problems that last into their 20s compared to peers who start menstruation later.

Researchers studied data on up to 7,800 women who had their first menstrual cycle at an average age of 12. The women were interviewed four times, starting around age 16 and continuing until about age 28.

Girls who experienced early puberty between age 8 and 10 were more likely than older girls to become depressed, and their symptoms were also more severe in adolescence, the study found.

With earlier puberty, girls were also more likely to have behavior issues that may lead to vices like stealing, lying, breaking into buildings and selling drugs. The link lasted into young adulthood.

The World Health Organization, WHO, confirmed that there were 32 positive cases of yellow fever infection in Nigeria between July to December 2017. The confirmed cases were part of 63 samples sent to the regional reference laboratory, Institute Pasteur de Dakar, IPD, in Senegal, for confirmation of yellow fever infection from 341 suspected cases reported from 16 states of the Federation.