Health
More young people, especially girls, are attempting suicide by poisoning, study says
The rate of suicide attempts by poisoning among young people in the United States has more than doubled in the past decade and more than tripled for girls and young women, according to a study published Wednesday.
Researchers at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, and the Central Ohio Poison Center recorded the number of phone calls made to US poison centers between 2000 and 2018 for self-poisoning of children and young adults ages 10 to 24 that were believed to be suicide attempts
Over the 19-year study period, there were 1.6 million intentional poisoning cases, of which 1.16 million (71%) occurred in girls and young women, according to the findings, published in the Journal of Pediatrics.
Between 2000 and 2010, the rates of suicide attempt through poisoning remained relatively stable and even had a small decrease for some age groups. But starting in 2011, the rates dramatically increased, according to the results.For girls ages 10 to 12, the annual number of suicide attempts by poisoning fell 17% between 2000 and 2010, followed by an increase of 338% between 2011 and 2018. For girls 13 to 15, the rate increased 136% from 2011 to 2018, and for those 16 to 18, the rate increased 75%.The increase was smaller but still present for boys.
“It’s not just that there’s more attempts, it’s also the outcomes; the severity is increasing, as well,” said Henry Spiller, director of the Central Ohio Poison Center at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, lead author of the new study.
The percentage of suicide attempts that were severe and required medical intervention also increased during the study period.
An epidemic driven by young women
“We know that certain societal rules and expectations for women can be associated with higher rates of mental health issues and suicide rates,” said Dr. Barbara Robles-Ramamurthy, child and adolescent psychiatrist at the Long School of Medicine at UT Health San Antonio, who was not involved in the study. “Then you add a possible biological component — hormones — and a genetic predisposition.”
Regarding poisoning as a method of suicide, the results may speak to the availability of medications and harmful substances around the home.”We know that medications are part of our daily lives nowadays. We have a ton of bottles everywhere, so when it comes to having easy access, that’s obviously the easiest access that we have to something that we know could harm our bodies,” Robles-Ramamurthy said.
One reason for the increase in depression and suicidal behaviors may be more stress and pressure on kids, said Dr. Gene Beresin, executive director of the Clay Center for Young Healthy Minds at Massachusetts General Hospital and professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, who was not involved in the study.
“Kids are feeling more pressure to achieve, more pressure in school, and are more worried about making a living than in previous years,” he said.Another reason may be the rise of social media and increasing rates of cyberbullying that have come with it, Beresin said.In isolation, none of these factors has been proven to lead to an increase in suicidal behaviors and ultimately suicide, but taken together, a pattern begins to emerge, Beresin said.
The importance of early communication
The study “is a loud signal that more prevention is needed,” said Dr. Ken Ginsburg, a professor of pediatrics at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, co-founder of the Center for Parent and Teen Communicationand author of “Building Resilience in Kids and Teens.” “Good family communication is the best prevention we know.”
Asking for help
The suicide rate in the United States has seen sharp increases in recent years. Studies have shown that the risk of suicide declines sharply when people call the national suicide hotline: 1-800-273-TALK.There is also a crisis text line. For crisis support in Spanish, call 1-888-628-9454.
Fostering good family communication starts with simply spending time with your child, explained Ginsburg, who was not involved in the new research.”Too often, we think that communication is just about checking in on grades or reprimanding behaviors. But high-yield time is being fully present and having your child know that no conversation is out of bounds,” he added.Once families have fostered open communication, Ginsburg recommends that parents work on strategies that allow kids to look for help without feeling shame or stigma. This, he says, is done by congratulating children for being honest with their emotions and reminding them that they will get through difficult times and that they have the unconditional support of their parents.
When professional help is needed, Ginsburg recommends that parents first broach the topic with their children using language such as, “you deserve more than me right now, and we’re going to find the person with the right skills to help you,” he said.Knowing when to look for help is key.
Recognizing warning signs in children
Mental illness — especially when it comes to depression and anxiety — can be silent illnesses or manifest in ways parents would not expect, Robles-Ramamurthy said.In addition to sadness, depression in kids and teens can manifest as anger and irritability, she added.
It’s very normal for your child to start getting a little more moody and defiant,” Robles-Ramamurthy said of the teenage years. “But if you start seeing drastic changes, their academic performance is declining, they’re not spending as much time with family or isolating themselves, those are big red flags.”If those behaviors are present, Robles-Ramamurthy recommends asking teens clearly if they feel depressed or have considered hurting themselves or ending their lives. Asking these questions directly does not increase the risk of suicide, she added.
Business
Nigeria To Receive $5.600,000 From Bill Gates, For Health And Agricultural Reforms, GMOs
Alongside the activities surrounding the 79th United Nations General Assembly in New York, Vice President Kashim Shettima held a meeting with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation leading to the announcement of the donation by the Foundation’s head of Global Development.
Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation is giving Nigeria through Vice President Kashim Shettima, a $5.600,000 funds to speedy up health and agricultural reforms in favour of the GMOs in Nigeria, and flood relief.
Through the Foundation’s head of Global Development Programme, Dr Christopher Elias, Bill Gates pledged $5 million grant approved for Lagos Business School and partners to develop the agricultural economics they called “industrial cassava” and $600,000 for flood relief in Borno State and other health sector initiatives.
Alongside the activities surrounding the 79th United Nations General Assembly in New York, Vice President Kashim Shettima held a meeting with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation leading to the announcement of the donation by the Foundation’s head of Global Development.
Recall that on 4 September, Bill Gates had described the Nigeria’s economy as “stagnated” and proposed agricultural reforms for faster and increased growths in crops, fruits, vegetables amongst others to enhance nutritional values of the Nigerian citizens through the agricultural sector.
In that meeting Chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima, Bill gates urged Nigeria to adopt “innovative crop varieties with shorter growing periods, higher yields, and better pest resistance” pointing to the GMOs to address the food crisis.
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Moreover, at the 79th UN General Assembly in New York, VP Shettima reaffirmed to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the commitment of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu prioritizing health, nutrition, and agricultural development in Nigeria’s national agenda.
In a statement by Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, Office of the Vice President, Stanley Nkwocha, Shettima said: “we are deeply committed to addressing the pressing developmental challenges facing our nation, particularly the significant malnutrition crisis”.
He emphasised the Federal Government’s dedication and urgently working to secure locations for maize production under the Telemaze programme.
VP Shettima, promising swift action to the Gate’s Foundation on import permits for certified seeds, the VP said, “We recognize the critical importance of food security and industrial agricultural development. The Cassava Accelerator programme, in particular, holds immense potential for our economy.
“We are pursuing a whole-of-government approach to digitisation and data exchange systems, which we believe will revolutionise our public services,” he added while reiterating the government’s focus and commitment to digital transformation.
“With the expertise” of Nigeria’s ministers, “and the continued support of partners like the Gates Foundation,” the nation remains confident in its “ability to drive meaningful change and improve the lives of all Nigerians.”
In his response, President of the Global Development Programme at the Gates Foundation, Dr. Christopher Elias, said the Foundation is burdened with worries of the severe flooding in Borno, and is “committed to supporting Nigeria in times of crisis.”
Speaking of Polio, the Foundation said, “We’re impressed by the national task force’s efforts to eliminate variant polioviruses by year-end,” Dr. Elias noted.
Also, President of Global Growth & Opportunity Division at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Rodger Voorhies, detailed plans for scaling up drought-tolerant maize production and advancing the Nigeria Cassava Investment Accelerator programme emphasizing that a $5 million grant has been approved for Lagos Business School and partners to develop the agricultural economics of industrial cassava.
In his words, “Industrial cassava presents a multi-billion-dollar opportunity for Nigeria,” Voorhees stressed.
He requested import permits for 5,000 metric tons of certified GMO maize seed to build a foundation seed system in Nigeria.
Health
Health: Genotype And Compatibility, Phenotype, Blood Groups And DNA
Within the Rh and ABO blood group systems, there are 8 different phenotypes in human blood – A-Positive, B-Positive, A-Negative, B-Negative, AB-Positive, AB-Negative, O-Positive, and O-Negative.
Do you know your genotype and its compatibility, phenotype, blood group and your genetic health?
The genotype is the genetic makeup of an organism and the genetic makeup of an organism is coded for in its DNA, being the hereditary material of the cell.
Medical researches have revealed that the DNA of organisms is organized into sections that code for proteins which are called genes.
Understand that each gene has different versions and the specific version that an organism inherits is its genotype. It is the genotype of an organism that helps to control the phenotype, or the observable traits of that organism.
What are the examples of phenotypes? It include hair color (whether brown, black, blonde), eye color, or even microscopic traits such as which version of a protein is produced inside cells.
How Genotypes, Blood Groups And Phenotypes Are Inherited
Genotypes and blood groups are inherited from parents. There are about 41 types of blood groups according to ISBT in 2019, especially the Rh group and ABO systems.
Within the Rh and ABO blood group systems, there are 8 different phenotypes in human blood – A-Positive, B-Positive, A-Negative, B-Negative, AB-Positive, AB-Negative, O-Positive, and O-Negative.
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The genotype helps to indicate the protein type that is found in the red blood cells (RBCs). People who possess the genotypes SS and SC have sickle cell diseases and based on the type of haemoglobin found in the RBCs, human beings have about six genotypes namely: – AA, AC, AS, CC, SC, and SS.
DNA is the genetic material of the cell in human bodies which is arranged in order of sequences called genes.
Human genes come in different versions called alleles. Allele is one of two or more versions of DNA sequence at a particular genomic location.
Each individual inherits two alleles, one from each parent, for a particular genomic location where the type of variation exists. There are two copies of each gene in an individual and the specific combination of alleles which is inherited is called the genotype.
Study shows that alleles can also be dominant if they mask another allele, or recessive. If you inherit two dominant alleles (LL) your genotype is homozygous dominant. But if it is two recessive alleles (ll) your genotype is homozygous recessive.
In any case an individual inherits one of each allele (Ll) the genotype will be heterozygous.
What Are Differences Between Blood Group And Genotype?
The major difference between blood group and genotype is that blood group is what constitutes the different kinds of blood found in human beings, governed by different antigens found on the surface of the red blood cells (RBCs), while genotype forms the genetic constituency of cells in human beings.
Blood Group
It is important to know that the absence or presence of antibodies and inherited antigenic particles on the surface of the red blood cells (RBCs) leads to the classification of humans’ blood into different groups.
The following are the antigens based on the blood group system: Carbohydrates, proteins, and glycoproteins.
Also note that a few of these antigens are found on the surface of the other cell types of different tissues.
According to Study.com, “There are two main types of genotypes, heterozygous and homozygous. If an organism has a heterozygous genotype, this means they inherit two different versions of a gene. If an organism is homozygous for a gene, it means they inherit two of the same versions of the gene.”
As explained earlier, human beings can inherit a version of blood that produces A-type of blood, B-type of blood, or o-type of blood.
The Following Are Some Examples Of Heterozygous And Homozygous Genotypes
Heterozygous genotypes: Ao, AB, or Bo.
Homozygous genotypes for blood type: AA, BB, or oo.
Research shows that different genotypes produce different phenotypes depending on which version is dominant to the other.
Function Of Genotype And Compatibilities
Genotypes makes up for the genetic constitution of each individual.
Your genotype makes up for the entire heritable genetic identity you possess– the genes transferred from your parent to you, which you also transfer to your children, the children’s children throughout generations.
It is the red blood cells (RBCs) that is involved in determining the genotype of human beings.
Understanding the genotypes compatibilities can prevent the hardships caused by Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) in relationships and families, ensuring healthier generations to come.
The genotypes compatibilities:
- AA + AA: No risk of Sickle Cell Disease
- AA + AS: Safe, but potential carrier of the sickle cell trait
- AS + AS: 25% risk of having a child with SCD
- AS + SS / SS + SS: High risk of having a child with SCD
| Blood group | Genotype |
| What are they? | |
| Refers to different human blood types determined by different antigens found on the surface of the RBCs | It makes up for the genetic makeup of a cell |
| Occurrence | |
| Found outside RBCs | Found in every cell |
| What is the phenotype? | |
| In humans, there are 8 phenotypes of blood groups – A-Positive, B-Positive, A-Negative, B-Negative, AB-Positive, AB-Negative, O-Positive, and O-Negative | In humans, there are 6 phenotypes – AA, AC, AS, CC, SC, and SS |
| How are they determined? | |
| By absence or presence of antigens on the surface of the RBCs | By amino acid sequences of haemoglobin in RBCs |
| What traits does it control? | |
| Governs traits of RBC type only | Governs all the characters that are observed |
| Example | |
| A type, O type, AB type, B type, etc | Height, hair colour, eye colour, etc. – those traits controlled by single genes |
Take the step today—know your genotype and secure a brighter future for yourself and your family.
Health
Bill Gates, Anthony Fauci and conspiracy theories (part 2)
In 2022, in the wake of COVID-19, researchers from Harvard University reported that a large percentage of public comments on YouTube revealed suspicions of a ‘Hidden Agenda’ surrounding Gates…
By Femi Olugbile
According to ‘Abigail’, a Nigeria YouTube blogger in a trending video clip, the ‘296’ Nigerian girls who were abducted by Boko Haram fighters a few years ago were ‘stolen’ as part of a sinister plot. She tells a hair-raising story of how Bill Gates, the world’s leading philanthropist, is behind the abductions.
The purpose, according to “Abigail”, is an ongoing scheme to clone human organs for rich white people by inserting cells from their diseased organs into an egg from a woman’s ovary. The implant would grow into an organ which could then be surgically used to replace the diseased organ. The industry is potentially worth ‘thirty trillion dollars.’ It would require an endless supply of ovaries, and Nigerian girls are the main targets.
‘Abigail’ is not the only person who is distrustful of Mr Bill Gates.
The ‘retired’ co-founder of Microsoft has the dubious distinction of being, not just the most ‘generous’ man in the world, but also the most vilified man on the planet.
In 2022, in the wake of COVID-19, researchers from Harvard University reported that a large percentage of public comments on YouTube revealed suspicions of a ‘Hidden Agenda’ surrounding Gates, including his role in vaccine development and distribution, distrust concerning the supposed harmful effects of 5G network, and dark hints about the implantation of microchips in human beings.
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What is it about this man that attracts so much negativity, from a world citizenry that should be appreciative of his generosity?
It is a complicated matter.
Despite giving away so much, he continues to grow richer. With a private fortune of $138.6 billion and a Foundation worth $67 billion, some observers have noted unkindly that Gates’ total value is more than the GDP of most of the poor countries he is purporting to help.
Gates gave a Ted Talk in 2010 where he seemed to imply that the world’s population crisis could be reduced ‘if we do a really great job on new vaccines, healthcare, reproductive health services.’
He has since explained that he was merely stressing the point that with good healthcare, people would opt to have fewer children, knowing they would survive. But his words were taken as evidence of what later came to be known as ‘The Great Reset’, when rumour was rife that COVID-19 was engineered by Gates and ‘Global Elites’ to depopulate the world.
William Henry Gates III was born on October 28, 1955, in Seattle, Washington, the only son of William. H. Gates Sr. and his first wife. Small and scrawny, he was bullied as a kid. At 13, he joined a prep school where he wrote his first software programme. In 1973, he enrolled at Harvard. He only stayed for two years, when he left to form Microsoft with a friend.
The rest, as they say, is history.
In 2010, he left Microsoft to dedicate himself to philanthropy.
From a psychologist’s perspective, Bill Gates appears to be an inventive genius who believes that by applying rational logic and limitless funds, he can help solve most of the world’s problems, from malaria, to hunger, to climate change. His reach is longer than many Heads of States, and his interests are everywhere.
The blowback is predictable to anyone who has heard the words of Chief Commander Ebenezer Obey’s famous song ‘The Horse, The Man, and His Son’ – about how no one could ever please all the world.
The whole culture of International Aid – Governmental, Agency or NGO, has a seamy undergirding of undue influence, and occasional subversion and corruption, no matter how originally well intended.
It is a truism that nobody can develop a nation, its institutions or its people better than the people themselves. That responsibility cannot be relinquished to any ‘AID’ group. No nation constructs a ‘Strategy’ for another nation. National Questions are for national leadership to ask and answer. Vaccination, including manufacture and decision on whether to deploy? Food production – natural seed only, or side-by-side with GMO?
“From a psychologist’s perspective, Bill Gates appears to be an inventive genius who believes that by applying rational logic and limitless funds, he can help solve most of the world’s problems, from malaria, to hunger, to climate change.”
Strategic Thinking is the ultimate National Security priority, even if Africa is falling down on it currently.
The one suspicion that is not bogus or easy to bat away from Gates’ garment is the activity around ‘food security’ and ‘Climate Smart Agriculture’. Gates Foundation is a facilitator—there is no evidence it stands to profit—in an ongoing push to increase the presence—some say control—of the global seed market by a four-company ‘oligopoly’ (Bayer, Corteva, BASF, Syngenta).
‘GMO’ is a bogey word in Nigeria, true, but ‘improved seeds’ are already here, including tomatoes and other plants and fruits developed by local scientists at IITA, Ibadan, and various agricultural universities. At the same time, fear of ‘GMO’ is real among the public.
The proponents of the drive to ‘globalise food security solutions’ are not necessarily red-eyed monsters eager to starve Africans to death. Many genuinely believe it is the way for the world to go. They included Barack Obama as US President. And Kamala Harris pushed the same point during her official visit to Africa.
‘Improved seed technology’ is copyrighted, and a farmer could technically be jailed for sharing seeds he bought if proposed ‘international treaties’ are enforced. The intentions articulated by ‘Multilateral Organisations’ may be lofty. Or perhaps they are not; who knows? As Ghanaian and Guatemalan peasant farmers are pointing out, such decisions are not in the place of foreigners to make. They are for Ghanaians, and Guatemalans themselves.
No, Bill Gates is not a villain, at least not intentionally.
But the notion of ‘philanthropy’ on such a gargantuan, supranational, intrusive scale carries its own perils. It illustrates the fundamental inequity and unsustainability of the ‘World Economic Order’ and the enormous gulf between the rich and the powerless. People get conditioned to being spoon-fed, and African nations frighteningly seem ready to outsource the continuous strategic thinking required to solve problems and ensure the development and wellbeing of their people to foreign ‘do-gooders’.
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