Top 7 Fruits that Boost Memory and Sustain Focus

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The road to success can get bumpy and life-sapping to wind along. But with constant acquisition of knowledge, self-optimisation and determination, one can become unstoppable. Having clear focus and a robust memory are some of the unrivalled secrets of the super-achievers.

So whether you want to hasten your career development, improve your general work performance, hit the project reporting deadline with a sparkling write up, or perform better in class, having a robust memory is going to be pivotal. And this is going to be a great read for you.

The researchers in Naturopathy have discovered foods that have nutrients which improve brain power and optimise memeory. Naturopathy is a system of the alternative approaches that treat diseases without the use of synthetic drugs.

Kamukama Kabikiire, a Makerere University alumnus is a renown Ugandan researcher in alternative medicine and he unveils some of the best foods for your improved brain efficiency.

"There are manifold brain foods locally available in Uganda that you should be eating to feed both your body and brain," says the researcher. "With a mix of fruits, vegetables, oils, and even chocolate, there's definitely something for everyone."

Avocado

According to Kamukama, these green powerhouses are not only packed with good fats _monosaturated fats_ which keep your skin glowing but they are also amazingly rich in vitamin K and folate which ensure a good flow of blood to the brain. "A good flow of blood to the brain means your brain gets enough nourishment of sugar and other essential nutrients to optimise its alertness," explains Kamukama.

Beets

"Eaten as salads or blended with other fruits to make a natural juice, nutrients in beets help beat up inflammation in the brain," says Kamukama, continuing,"The beets are also very rich in antioxidants." He explains that these antioxidants help rid your blood of toxins making blood entering your brain clean enough for its perfect working.

The researcher also revealed that cow-hoof -locally known as Molokony or ekigere in Uganda; Broccoli; Groundnut (Peanut); Silverfish oil and Tumeric -locally known as ebinzaali are other great brain-boosting packets of nutrients you should consider in your food menu.



Article by Abet Tonny
Tonny is science writer in Uganda with interest in health and the environment.


Source:
1. Book: Self Medication with Foods and Herbs that Fight Diseases by Kamukama Kabikiire

Limited Support from Husbands Fueling Maternal Mortality in Uganda

Photo Credit: weforum.org

No woman should die while giving life. But at the current rate of 336 deaths per 100,000 live births, Uganda does not only have one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the world but it is also manifesting as a very risky corner of the planet for one to be a fertile woman. 

A number of factors continue to sustain the maternal mortality rate in Uganda as one of the highest in the global scale. According to the Uganda Health Alliance, an advocacy group for health, poor policy implementation; inadequate financing; inadequate lifesaving commodities; inadequate human resources in terms of numbers, skill, and quality of care are leading factors fueling maternal deaths in the country.

The Alliance further position some cultural practices and social norms and beliefs such as the unsupportiveness of husbands to be contributing prodigiously to maternal mortality as the country rank as 11th out of 183 countries.

In Uganda, husbands are key decision-makers in the household, effectively determining women's access to health services. When husbands retract from taking active role in antenatal care, such as refusing to provide the transport fair to the pregnant wife, the chance that the woman endures to go for all the required hospital visits can be greatly compromised. 

A recent research study in Kabale District

A recent research study conducted in Kabale District, Western Uganda by prominent researchers, Florence Muheirwe and Said Nuhu, had some shocking findings which are stimulating health experts and policymakers to rethink programmes that reach out to men for the maternal and child health agenda. 

In a quest to explore the community perspective towards the participation of men in maternal and child health care, the researchers immersed themselves in the remote areas of Kabale District to dig out the reality.

Household questioners, in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, direct field observation and document review were employed to reach the goal of the research study.

Key in the intriguing report published in the BMC Public Health journal, hospital issues were generally perceived as women's affairs among the male study participants. Out of 124 respondents, the largest portion, 55% (66) defended that male participation in Maternal and Child Health (MCH) care was irrelevant.

 "Most men do not accompany their partners to family planning, antenatal care and during labour, or delivery," the scientists wrote in the report. "The scene of childbirth is considered as so shameful for husbands to witness." The researchers further revealed that the influence of peers also plays a key role in discouraging supportive husbands.

On the other side of the focus group discussion: experts at health centre revealed that the major challenge of male involvement in MCH is the fact that a number of men in the area live a careless life of drinking in bars and yet always claiming to be so busy to offer any attention or care to the expecting mother.

“This is a maternity ward for women, what will I be doing there as a man since men do not get pregnant? Even this facility is full of female nurses; I cannot tell them my health problems.” A husband in Kabale District.

And with the newly devised approach where antenatal care service is primarily accorded to expecting mothers accompanied by their partners will only mean more women shall be left out disheartened and unattended to. This will simply mean more pregnancy and delivery-related complications and deaths in the country.

In their summary, the researchers advised that community education and health sensitisation to change the prevailing socio-cultural attitudes and perceptions of men should be prioritised by the Ministry of Health and other players in the health sector. 

"Making use of community social gatherings would be helpful in demystifying misconceptions, change perceptions and attitude, consequently encouraging male participation over time," the researchers wrote in their recommendation.

Article by Abet Tonny, a Science Writer in Uganda.

How Captain Lugard first detected Uganda's Albertine oil in 1891

The inspiring reality that oil is in Uganda can be dated back to 1891. Around this time, Captain F. Lugard, the British colonial administrator, was in perfect term with the Kabaka of Buganda except for Omukama Kabalega of Bunyoro who was becoming counterproductive to his effort of imposing full British control over the beautiful land, Uganda.

And during one of his furious military attacks on Omukama Kabalega, Captain Lugard finds himself in a very uncommon scene, strange surface seeps of black sticky liquid painting the rocky soils of the northern part of the Lake Albert region. Releasing his arm and dipping his fingers in the black thing and then jacking it back for thorough discernment closely against his eyes, the sticky stuff, with experience was real oil. This mega stun would usher in Lugard's perplexing declaration of ownership over the Albertine oil deposit. A lot has since happened from that historical discovery.

On 28th August 2014, the government of Uganda announced that the oil resources in the Lake Albert region are 6.5 billion barrels in volume. And at least 1 billion barrels is the recoverable oil of those 6.5 billion barrels in the underground shelves. Recoverable oil is technically and economically possible extract from the ground.

At the prevailing global price of US$60 per barrel, Uganda's recoverable oil reserve will potentially turn around the country's economy and see the standard of living for millions of its nationals raised if well managed.

How was the oil formed?

Well, Uganda's Albertine oil was formed millions of years ago when dead plant material drifted down through the renown Lake Albert. The plant material was then buried on the lake floor as minute organic material. And while confined in the rocks on the lake floor, this organic material was then transformed over a long period of time by the immense underground heat and pressure into the crude oil of today. Scientists call the oil formed this way ''fossil oil."

How geologists currently locate the fossil oil

Fossil oils occur in the range of 1.5km to 3km depth in the ground concentrated in isolated deposits. Logically, discovering the precious black gold thus requires a lot of knowledge, use of technology,  and is not only very costly but also time-consuming.

Often, oil can be spotted as seeps on the surface as a black sticky liquid the way Captain Lugard did with the Albertine. But in most cases, geologists start by studying surface features, rock and soil types in the area. These features are by experience closely identical in all areas where oil deposit is.

The next step involves taking a seismic survey. Here, a sound wave is sent into the ground by exploding dynamite. Then the returning sound to the surface is measured using a machine. The particular behaviours of the returning of sound to the surface are then profiled by a simple computer program. As backed up by a number of scientific evidence, the profiling is very predictive of the possibility of oil and is one of the last steps to confirm whether there is oil underneath.

Finally, to confirm beyond any dot of doubt, petroleum engineers will drill small wells deep into the ground and the discovery of black sticky liquid in good quantity would call this a successful oil exploration.

Written by Abet Tonny, a Freelance Science Writer in Uganda.


Sources:
1. Uganda oil timeline
2. Uganda Petroleum Authority
3. Environment: Science behind the stories

The World Set to Lose 1 Million more Species, UN Biodiversity Conference in Nairobi

"As we lose this species diversity, we lose the food, water, energy, raw materials, medicine, and cultural and spiritual wellbeing it provides," said Hamadalla Zedan, senior advisor to the Minister of Environment of Egypt, who currently holds the presidency of UN Convention on Biological Diversity, CBD.

Running from 27th to 30th August 2019 in Nairobi, the four-day conference which focused on forging an agreement for better nature conservation, attracted over 500 delegates from 100 countries.  A wide range of organizations from indigenous groups, civil society, government authorities, and the private sector, participated in the official discussions for a new global biodiversity framework.

Referring to the four most recent global scale reports on species diversity, Zedan said the rates at which habit for wild species is being destroyed is petrifying. "These reports tell us, in no uncertain terms, that we are losing species and land and marine spaces that support the species at terrifying rates," he said.

Hamadalla Zedan; reigning CBD President

Earlier in May this year 2019, the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES), released its Global Assesment report. This report including the 6th Global Environment Outlook, the Global Resources Outlook and IPCC report on Climate Change had very intriguing findings that have provided the much needed "strong scientific and political basis" for developing the biodiversity framework.

The CBD boss further revealed that in the above eye-opening reports, the populations of mammals, birds, and fish fell 60% between 1970 and 2014. "We are set to lose at least one million out of the eight million species on earth," stressed the CBD president, continuing that the key drivers of the species diversity loss include habitat conversion, over-exploitation, pollution and climate change.

Hamadalla, however, proposed tangible way outs to the heightening threat on global species diversity. "There is a need to set biodiversity frameworks with measurable targets and clear indicators," adding that the targets set should have buy-in from those sectors that largely cause species diversity loss.

Tourism sector and nature conservationists have always found themselves in endless ideological debates with sectors like the oil and gas, pesticide and urban development.

The multi-stakeholder conference that ended on the 30th August 2019 in Kenya's capital city of Nairobi, leaves much to be expected in the fight to preserve and conserve nature not only for economic reseasons but also for the future generation.


Article by Abet Tonny, a Freelance Science Writer in Uganda.

1. Click here to read Hamadalla Zedan's full speech.

2. You may also love to read>>Why Uganda is becoming the world's topnotch destination for "Birding"

Uganda; The World's Finest Destination for Bird-Watching

"Some birds are not meant to be caged, that's all. Their feathers are too bright, their songs too sweet and wild." Stephen King in his book: A story from Different Seasons.

Birds are some of the most fascinating creatures on the face of the earth. Though we may spot some around our home yard, forests remain the biggest home comforting multiplicity of some of the world's spectacular birds. The number of bird species is estimated at around 18,000 for the entire world.

Presenting in multiple shades of feather coloration, the incredible beauty of birds reveal to us the sacred richness of nature. Have you ever imagined this, that despite being removed from the hunter-gatherer lifestyle, the human soul's affinity for nature seems untamed? And that wild tours, hiking, bird-watching, hunting, and backpacking are still the most envied and enjoyed mind replenishing outdoor activities treasured worldwide by humans of all races?

Nature has countless of beautiful treasures. Birds are some of the epitomes. Bird-watching is one incredible way we re-connect with nature to gain back the peace of heart and mind.

Birds are well spread globally. But Uganda continues to attract huge number of ecotourists exposing the beautiful nation as one of the topnotch destinations for bird lovers. Her matchless richness in bird species and very hospitable people seems to be the enduring secret. Uganda Tourism Center estimates the number of bird species to be around 1,061 in Uganda. Recently, Uganda was named the friendliest country in the world following research conducted among expatriates globally.

Birds like Doherty's Bushshrike, African Green Broadbill, Saddle-billed, and Great Blue Turaco among other breathtakingly beautiful birds continue to sustain Uganda as the world's most charming destination for bird-watching.

Topmost popular birding places in Uganda include Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, Bwindi Impentrable National Park and Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Written by Abet Tonny, an experienced Science Writer in Uganda.

Tonny enjoys wild tours, meeting new people and photography

Nature&Religion: "Multiply and Subdue the Earth."

"If the human population of the world continues increasing at its current rate, there will soon be no room for either wildlife or wild places." The immortal words of Sir Peter Scott, the founder of WWF. 

The United Nations Population Division estimates that the global population will be hitting 7.79 billion by 2020. The environmental impacts of increasing pressure on land due to the bulging population size are visible.

Wisdom-filled and logical as Sir Peter's words may be perceived, most religions have always had a reverse view. The world's religions command some of the largest audiences. Their decision thus matters a lot.

Insight as that of the WWF's founder in a religious angle can be viewed as "being worldly-minded." And sometimes, radical religious leaders in heartily safeguard of their faithful from being tainted by men who are focused on earthly things may go ahead advising the followers to stay away from those men.

According to Dr Douglas A. Sylva, the cause of environmental degradation does not appear to be the base number of people in a country, but how those people produce and consume goods, as well as how they are organised politically. Dr Sylva was the director of research at the recently renamed Catholic Family and Human Rights Institute. 

Banking on the case of Russia where one million fewer births than deaths were recorded in the previous year, the Institute's director of research wonders why fertility decline, not fertility growth is emerging as the most serious population problem. "About half of the earth's nations now have below-replacement rate, "further argues Douglas, adding that the world's governments do not have an interest in further reducing fertility. "Nor should they have the authority to do so," remarks the senior researcher.

Whilst Douglas's argument carries intriguing ideas that better enlighten the current discussions around preservation and conservation of the environment, it also exposes one other crucial factor -the contribution of religion to the state of the global environment.  His writing brought to light some of the cornerstone doctrines of the Christian religion. Touching on the subject of fertility, a key determinant of population growth. 

It's also arguably true that a number of programs attempting to control population growth by the use of natural methods like abstinence from sex and mastering the unfolding of the menstruation cycle have always failed in yielding the desired result. 

According to a published investigation report by the BBC, the general Christian acceptance of contraception is relatively new; all churches disapproved of artificial contraception until the start of the 20th century. More in the investigation report, "Modern time Christian churches hold different views about the rightness and wrongness of using birth control." 

"The Roman Catholic church only allows 'natural' birth control," partly reads the report continuing, "artificial birth control is banned." And according to the writer, this means couples should only have sex during the infertile period of a woman's monthly cycle.  

This doctrinal stand presents with no surprise, much catholic faithful having some of the largest numbers of children in the developing countries. Several other Christian sects have the same doctrine as the Catholics on fertility and birth control. It presents with no surprise that prominent critics of artificial contraception emerge from these Christian sects.

These religious critics of artificial contraception will always argue that the issue of fertility should not even be discussed reclining, "God created humans to multiply and subdue the earth." Their interpretation of the word 'subdue' is something "use it the way you like." Their arguments are always inspired by scriptural text Genesis 1:8 in the Judeo-Christian Bible which reads: "God blessed them and said, "Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it."

The Forerunner Bible Commentary, one of the most reliable Bible commentaries interprets the above scripture, Genesis 1:28, much differently: "God did not give man the authority to degrade and destroy the earth but He the authority to be the vocal stewards over nature." Unsurprisingly, the Forerunner, quietens the environmentalists writing, "They (environmentalists) are wrong, however, to blame God for the earth's ecological problems; He is not responsible for man's destruction of the natural world."

Analysis by Abet Tonny, a Ugandan Science Writer.

Oil Exploitation Activities Shrinking Wildlife Diversity in Murchison Park, New Research

Recently; Tourists crossing Murchison Falls

By Abet Tonny

“Observed animals’ reactions included avoidance, migration and a few cases of death," reads the major findings of the research continuing that only some limited number of animals on very rare occasions was sighted near sites where oil wells have been drilled, suggesting that oil and gas exploration created unsuitable conditions in their natural habitat. 

The concern about the possible environmental impacts of the oil exploration and drilling activities taking place in the Albertine region of Uganda has been high among environmental scientists and naturalists from near and far. The interest being inspired by lessons from other countries where oil and gas exploitation has and is ongoing. Logically, the blessing of oil extraction often comes with sizable damage to the natural environment due to its invasiveness on land, forests and multitudes of inhabiting wild organisms like the guerrillas, antelopes and birds.

In 2018, three experienced Ugandan scientists: Pius Mbuyo and Lavine Awino with Elizabeth Diamond Kamara as the Lead researcher rolled out to discover the true reality. They were in for a quest to understand the impacts of oil and gas exploration on wildlife in the Albertine Rift species diversity hotspots within Murchison Falls National Park.

The data collection involved both direct observation at four different sites which were approximately 4 km apart and use of interview techniques to unveil the realities. According to the report, 140 respondents were interviewed. Their intriguing findings were recently published in a research report in the African Journal of Environment and Natural Science Research. 

Major highlights from the report

The largest portion of the locals interviewed -57%, were concerned that the visibly of wild animals reduced drastically during and after oil exploration. However, the other 35% of the respondents were rather happy that after the oil exploration and onset of drilling, some more animals have been attracted to the area thus raising the numbers of different animal species higher above the previous.

In their conclusion, “Maintaining the Conservation & Tourism Value of Protected Areas in Petroleum Development Zones of the Albertine Rift should be treated with great importance,” the scientists emphasized.

The oil and gas exploration in Uganda has reached the production phase. Yet it should be appreciated that the event is operational in an ecologically sensitive and biodiversity hotspot area -the Albertine Rift which houses the precious Murchison Falls National Park (MFNP).

A previous survey by the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) showed that MFNP is one of the richest in species diversity of great economic importance. Of the valuable animal, bird, and species in MFNP, there are a number of them about to go extinct.

The last year 2018, the Uganda Bureau of Statistics revealed that Uganda received 1.8 million tourists in 2018, up from 1.4 million in 2017. In 2017, the 1.4 million arrivals injected about $1.4billion into the economy. Additionally, the sector contributes at least 592,500 jobs to the country’s nationals. Conservation and preservation of nature are the primary tools to guarantee the future of the tourism industry.

Naturalists, however, argue that the importance of nature should be viewed beyond the limited angle of economic return or tourism; but that the preservation of nature is a moral obligation that one generation secures the species diversity for the forthcoming one. But whether some activities of the ongoing lucrative oil and gas business should be limited for the sake of wild animals and plants is the never-ending debate issue.