FUTH Lafia Medical Library

22/02/2026

22/02/2026

RENEWED HOPE FOR HIV CAREERS: Lenacapavir is now available in Nigeria at ₦58,000 per injection. This is HIV prevention injection, administered twice a year to grant ones protection against HIV.

However, this doesn't replace safe practices or protect ones against other STIs like hepatitis.

Consult a doctor for details.

20/02/2026

Do Red Blood Cells Move: A New Discovery in Babesia Infection.

This study shows something new and surprising. Red blood cells infected with Babesia microti were once believed to be unable to move. But this new study found that some of these infected cells can actually move.

Using live-cell tracking, the study shows that a small number of infected red blood cells move at a speed of up to 5 micrometers per minute. This speed is similar to the normal movement of immune cells called macrophages, which move at about 1 to 3 micrometers per minute.

The movement seems to happen because of the parasite living inside the red blood cell. This suggests that Babesia microti may change the red blood cell in a way that helps the parasite survive, spread in the body, or avoid the immune system.

Their findings help understand better how infected red blood cells and parasites behave, and how this may affect the development and progression of the disease.

https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2509776123

18/02/2026

A new and promising way to treat brain diseases that damage nerve cells is called targeted protein degradation (TPD).

TPD works by using the cell’s natural waste-removal system to find and destroy harmful proteins. These harmful proteins may be misfolded, clumped together, or abnormal—such as tau, alpha-synuclein, or huntingtin. TPD has some important advantages over older treatments like small-molecule inhibitors:

The study revealed that, TPD target proteins that were once thought impossible to treat, such as alpha-synuclein, tau, and clumped protein forms, instead of just blocking part of a protein, TPD completely destroys the protein, stopping all of its harmful actions, unlike gene therapy, TPD can also remove proteins that cause disease because they have been abnormally modified after they were made.

In simple terms, TPD helps the body get rid of harmful proteins more completely and effectively than many traditional treatments.

https://resources.revvity.com/pdfs/wht-targeted-protein-degradation-novel-therapeutic-strategy-for-neurodegenerative-diseases.pdf

18/02/2026

Fastest way to end throat itchy:

An itchy throat is a condition that can make it difficult for you to talk or swallow due to physical irritation.

There are many causes of an itchy throat, but allergies and infections are common reasons. You also may have an itchy throat after spending time around smoke, after talking for a long time, or simply getting dehydrated.

18/02/2026

Health Benefits of Probiotics.

Probiotics are beneficial microorganisms that support overall health, particularly gut health. Their primary benefit lies in maintaining a healthy balance of intestinal bacteria, which is essential for proper digestion and immune function.

They help prevent and manage watery stool (diarrhea), especially antibiotic-associated diarrhoea, and may reduce symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) such as bloating and abdominal discomfort. Probiotics also enhance nutrient absorption and may improve lactose digestion in individuals with milk-sugar intolerance.

Beyond digestive health, probiotics contribute to strengthening the immune system, reducing inflammation, and potentially lowering the risk of certain infections. Emerging research also suggests possible benefits for mental health (gut–brain connection), skin conditions, and metabolic health.

Probiotics play a supportive role in promoting digestive balance, immune resilience, and general well-being.

18/02/2026

How Brain Networks Differ Between Male and Female Over a Lifetime.

Research shows that differences in brain connections between males and females become more noticeable as we grow older. In early childhood, these differences are small, but they increase significantly after puberty and can continue to change throughout adulthood. This may help explain why men and women can have different risks for mental health conditions, such as anxiety and depression.

https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.01.30.702608v1

18/02/2026

RAMADHAN HEALTHY TIPs FOR HOSPITAL COMMUNITY AND GENERAL PUBLIC FOR MAINTAINING GOOD HEALTH WHILE OBSERVING FASTING.

🌙 Health Tips for the Month of Ramadan

The blessed month of Ramadan is a period of fasting, prayer, reflection, and spirituality. While observing the fast from dawn to sunset, it is important, especially for hospital community to maintain good health and strength throughout the month.

1. Eat a Balanced Suhoor (Pre-Dawn Meal), Do not skip Suhoor. And ensure complex carbohydrates (oats, whole grains), protein (eggs, beans, yogurt), and healthy fats.

Add fruits and vegetables for fiber. And avoid excessive salty foods to reduce daytime thirst.

2. Stay Well Hydrated

Drink plenty of water between Iftar and Suhoor (at least 6–8 glasses).

Avoid too many caffeinated drinks (coffee, cola), as they increase dehydration.

Coconut water and natural fruit juices (without excess sugar) are good options.

3. Break Your Fast Gently

Start Iftar with water and dates (as traditionally practiced).

Begin with light meals such as soup before heavy meals.

Avoid overeating or rushing your meal.

Overeating can cause:

Indigestion

Fatigue

Heartburn

4. Special Advice for Patients

Patients with chronic conditions such as:

Diabetes

Hypertension

Asthma

Kidney disease

should consult their doctor before fasting.

Islam permits exemptions for those who are medically unfit to fast. Health comes first.

5. Medication Management

Speak to a healthcare provider about adjusting medication timing.

Never skip prescribed medications without medical advice.

Some medications can be safely rescheduled between Iftar and Suhoor.

6. Light Physical Activity

Gentle walking after Iftar aids digestion.

Avoid intense exercise during fasting hours.

Stretching can help reduce muscle fatigue during shifts.

7. Protect Your Mental Health

Ramadan is spiritually uplifting but can be physically demanding.

Practice patience and stress management.

Take short mindful breaks during work.

Stay connected with colleagues and family.

8. Know When to Break the Fast

Break your fast immediately if you experience:

Severe dizziness

Fainting

Confusion

Severe dehydration

Very low or high blood sugar

Health emergencies override fasting obligations.

Final Reminder

Ramadan is about spiritual growth, discipline, and compassion—not hardship. Maintaining your health ensures you can worship effectively and serve others safely within the hospital community.

May this Ramadan bring good health, strength, and peace to all. 🌙✨

16/02/2026

Type 2 diabetes can be reversed with healthy diet, exercise, and sleep.

Keeping track of blood sugar is very important for people with diabetes, a long-term disease that usually require lifelong medication. But for many people with type 2 diabetes, making healthy changes to diet, exercise, and sleep can actually reverse the condition.

16/02/2026

CART4-34: New immune cells kill cancer safely and may help treat auto-immune diseases."

A new type of engineered immune cell can kill cancer cells just as well as standard CAR-T therapies without weakening the immune system. This therapy, called CART4-34, targets B cells with a gene called IGHV4-34, which is common in cancer cells. In mice with large B-cell lymphoma, CART4-34 destroyed the cancer cells but left healthy B cells unharmed. According to researcher Marco Ruella, these engineered cells might also help treat autoimmune diseases like lupus by removing only the diseased cells."

https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/scitranslmed.adr9382