THE PEAK REPORTER

Researchers from Sao Paulo Federal University studied the effect of smoking on fertility by comparing the sperm of 20 smokers and 20 non-smokers. They found that smokers' sperm was more likely to have DNA damage, as well as some partially and fully inactive mitochondria . Mitochondria are the parts of the sperm cells that generate the energy needed to complete tasks, such as traveling to the egg for fertilization. Men who smoke also have more flawed acrosomes in their sperm. Acrosomes are located near the heads of sperm cells, and they contain the digestive enzymes needed for the sperm to break down the membrane of the egg cell at fertilization. The scientists also examined 422 proteins in the patients' sperm. Proteins are essential to every cell, playing a role in its structure, function and regulation of cell processes.When comparing the two groups of men, researchers found that one protein was absent from the smoking group, while 27 were underrepresented and 6 were overr...

THE developer of popular mobile browser, Opera, has made public its plan to invest $100 million, the equivalent of N30 billion, over the next two years to facilitate the growth of Africa’s digital economy. The company, which aims to speed up internet adoption in Africa and strengthen the internet ecosystem with local partners, made this known at a press briefing in Lagos, yesterday, where it also declared readiness to set up shop in Lagos in the next three weeks, increase awareness of an affordable internet experience and spend between 30 to 40 billion on infrastructure in Nigeria. Speaking on the company’s goal, Richard Monday, Vice President Africa, Opera Software said; “Africa is a very important market for Opera. Nine of the top 20 Opera Mini user countries are from Africa, as such we aim to invest heavily in Africa, build a local platform and grow with the local business partners. This platform will expand the user base for content providers, e-commerce business...

THE Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has said that the Federal Government has commenced the process of institutionalizing the patronage of locally-made products among its Ministries, Departments and Agencies. The Minister disclosed this in Abuja, yesterday, at the National Media Launch of the “Buy Made-in-Nigeria” Campaign. “The Federal Government is not just paying lip service to this buy Made-in-Nigeria. We have taken concrete steps to actualize it. It is true that the Federal Executive Council at one of its meetings resolved that the Bureau of Public Procurement Act must be amended in a manner that will give more emphasis and advantage to made in Nigeria products. ‘’However, we have also realized that less than 30 percent of government spending ever gets to the level of Bureau for Public Procurement, which means that we must start a ‘root and branch’ reform. This campaign must go down to the level of Permanent Secr...

The 23-year-old, whose goals along with a double from Korean star Son Heung-min saw this season’s runners-up hammer last year’s champions Leicester 6-1, added he hoped Hugo Lloris could also win the Golden Glove for the least goals conceded when they round off their league season at relegated Hull. Kane tops the Golden Boot charts with 26 goals, two ahead of Everton’s Romelu Lukaku with Arsenal’s Chilean marksman Alexis Sanchez third, a further goal adrift. “I wanted to get one or two goals at least and take it to the final game,” Kane told Sky Sports. “I am in the driving seat but there’s still one more game. I am not resting on my laurels but I hope to get four more. “Hopefully I can get the Golden Boot and hopefully Hugo Lloris can get the Golden Glove. “It is disappointing to concede but hopefully we can keep a clean sheet against Hull,” added Kane, who has scored five hat-tricks for his club in just over two years. Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino said he was proud how Kan...

Her older brother, Otunba Olaiya, who spoke to NET said Moji’s death was most unexpected. ‘When I spoke to her a few days ago, she did not give signs of death. She never complained about anything. This is really heartbreaking,’ he said. Olaiya’s housekeeper, Mrs Keji , who described herself as a very close friend of the deceased, revealed details of the actress’ sudden death to us. According to her, in the last three days before she passed away; the actress had placed several calls from her base in Canada to complain of ‘being uncomfortable’. ‘Her baby was born premature. Her EDD was for May 2017 but complications arose that necessitated that she be induced to save the baby’s life as well as hers. But since the delivery in March, her health had not been exactly perfect.’ Mrs Keji further exclusively informed us that around 10pm local time (3am Nigerian time) she went into a crisis. ‘Her blood pressure shot up and she got unconscious. An ambulance was called to transport her to the...

Mr Alfred Aderibigbe, the nurse who treated Sen. Isiaka Adeleke before he died, on Thursday in Osogbo  told a  coroner inquest that he never administered  a  drug  overdose on the  late politician as was reported. Aderibigbe, while giving  evidence before the coroner, Chief Magistrate Olusegun Ayilara, said all the drugs he administered on the late first civilian governor of Osun  were in  normal dosage. He also told the coroner that he had been treating the late senator in the last  15 years, adding that the drugs  he administered on Adeleke  the day he died were those the late politician gave to him. Aderibigbe said:  “The senator gave me his drugs  which he brought from Lagos  to keep  on the evening of Monday, April 17,  with the understanding that when he wants to take them,  he will call me to bring  them. “On Sunday, April 23, at about 4 am, I was, however, woken up by t...

CANON in partnership with its Nigerian distributor, Jamaica Trading Company, has introduced two hero products in Nigeria – the EOS 5D Mark IVcamera and E-series of PIXMA printers – E474 and E414, to enable its customers champion the significance of everyday moments and live their stories. Strengthening its in-country presence and focus, Canon invited its end-users to get a hands-on experience of the newly launched products and experience Canon’s portfolio that enable a seamless input to output journey for the user, right from photo capture to printing. The company also used the occasion to announce the results of the photo competition #CelebrateAfrica campaign that traced the full life cycle of an image from the photographer and their camera. The campaign encouraged African residents from all walks of life to share their best images that challenged stereotypes, documenting modern stories that went beyond the hoary cliches. An overwhelming 2,790 photo entries from 2...