₦airaland Forum

Scientists create fertile eggs using only male mice cells - in breakthrough which could pave way for human male couples to have children

The research, led by Professor Katsuhiko Hayashi from Osaka University, was presented at the human gene-editing summit at the Crick Institute in London on Wednesday.

James Robinson
Sky News reporter @thejournojames
Thursday 9 March 2023 06:45, UK

Scientists say they have bred mice using eggs originating from male cells, in a breakthrough which could one day pave the way for human male couples to have children.

Researchers claim they successfully created the eggs by turning male XY chromosome pairs from the skin cells of male mice into female XX chromosome pairs.

This was achieved by converting the skin cells into stem cells, deleting the Y chromosomes, copying the x chromosomes and then pairing the copies with the original X chromosomes.

This allows the stem cell to be programmed to become an egg. The egg was then fertilised with sperm from another mouse.

Researchers say the technique was used to create seven mice pups, which appeared healthy and had a normal lifespan.

And they believe the technique could one day be used to allow human male couples to have children together using an egg created from their own cells.

It could also be used to treat Turner syndrome - a genetic condition that affects only females and happens when one of the X chromosome is missing or partially missing.

But Professor Katsuhiko Hayashi from Osaka University, who carried out the research and presented it at the human gene-editing summit at the Crick Institute in London on Wednesday, said it could take years before his technique is used successfully in human cells.

He also warned that it could be difficult to replicate with human cells, which require a longer period of cultivation to produce a mature egg.

Professor Mitinori Saitou, also speaking at the event, said the longer cultivation period raises the chances of abnormalities accumulating in the cells.

But Professor Hayashi said he was optimistic that the current problems could be overcome within ten years and that his team would now attempt to replicate the study with human cells.

Professor George Daley, of Harvard Medical School, who is not involved in the research, described it as "fascinating".

But he said using the technique on human cells would be "harder than the mouse".

The results of the study have now been submitted for publication in the scientific journal Nature.

Three die in Ebonyi Police, gunmen shootout

Ogochukwu Anioke, Abakaliki
March 8, 2023

Police in Ebonyi State have killed three gunmen who attacked residents in Ivo local government area.

Police spokesperson Onome Onovwakpoyeya confirmed this in a statement on Wednesday.

She said the incident occurred on Tuesday in Ogwor community in Ivo Council area and Ọssọ in Afikpo South local government area.

According to her, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Ivo Divisional Headquarters received a distress call the gunmen were firing sporadically and razed two vehicles and a filling station.

She said on receipt of the information the Divisional Police Officer swung into action and left for the scene.

“While at the scene an information revealed that unknown gunmen were sighted sitting down in a Public Place at Ogwor community in Ishiagu.

“On their way, the men were ambushed and attacked, and an Assistant Superintendent of Police was shot, but the patrol team engaged the hoodlums with a superior fire power. During the Gun duel, one of the hoodlums was neutralized and others fled with bullet wounds,” Onome said.

The spokesperson said the DPO immediately called the Headquarters for reinforcement but the Commissioner of Police, CP Sunday Olaleye, intercepted the distress call.

She said the CP immediately directed tactical teams to storm the place with the description of the vehicle and the route through which the hoodlums were escaping.

However, on sighting the Police operatives, the hoodlums engaged them in a gun duel at Osso, junction, where two of the hoodlums were equally neutralized and two arrested.

The spokesperson said the following exhibits were recovered at the scene of crime: 2 AK-47 Rifles, 1 locally made pistol, some charms and a red Toyota Corolla car,1 Fireman Generator and One Haier Thermocool Fridge.

Others are: a Walkie talkie radio Set, 30 “AK-47′ Live ammunition, 20 expended AK-47 ammunition, 1 AK-47 Magazine, 1 Itel phone, 1Android phone, 1 Police Trousers, 1 Police Beret, 1 Police face cap and some other incriminating items.

Hoodlum killed, ASP shot in Ebonyi gun duel

9th March 2023

The Ebonyi State Police Command, on Wednesday, said one hoodlum was killed and another wounded in a gun battle that ensued between its officers and some assailants in the state.
In the gun duel that occurred in the Ivo Local Government Area of the state, an Assistant Superintendent of Police was equally injured.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Onome Onovwakpoyeya, said this in a statement on Wednesday.

She said “On the 7th day of March 2023 at about 2345hrs, the Divisional Police Officer of Ivo Divisional Headquarters received a distress call that unknown gunmen were firing sporadically and had also set ablaze two vehicles and a filling station.

“On receipt of the information the Divisional Police Officer swung into action and left for the scene. While at the scene information revealed that unknown gunmen were sighted sitting down in a public place at Ogwor community in Ishiagu.

“On their way, the men were ambushed and attacked, and an Assistant Superintendent of Police was shot, but the patrol team engaged the hoodlums with superior firepower. During the gun duel, one of the hoodlums was neutralised and others fled with bullet wounds.

“The DPO immediately called the headquarters for reinforcement. The Commissioner of Police, CP Faleye Sunday Olaleye psc, intercepted the distress call and immediately directed tactical teams to storm the place with the description of the vehicle and the route through which the Hoodlums were escaping.

“On sighting the police operatives, the hoodlums engaged them in a gun duel at Osso, junction, where two of the hoodlums were equally neutralised and two arrested.

“The following exhibit was recovered at the scene of the crime: Two AK-47 Rifles, one locally made pistol, some charms and a red Toyota Corolla car, one Fireman generator, one Haier Thermocool Fridge, a walkie talkie radio set, 30 “AK-47′ Live ammunition, 20 expended AK-47 ammunition, one AK-47 magazine, one Itel phone, one Android phone, one police trouser, one police beret, one police face cap and some other incriminating items.”

2023 ELECTIONS: IGP DIRECTS CPs, STRATEGIC COMMANDERS TO PROTECT ELECTORAL PROCESS

As IGP Assures Electorates of Adequate Security, Level-Playing Ground

In furtherance of the meeting held with Strategic Police Managers to discuss and review topical issues and strategies for a more secured electoral process, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, psc(+), NPM, NEAPS, fdc, CFR has directed all Commissioners of Police and Strategic Commanders posted for the Gubernatorial and State Houses of Assembly election duties to mobilize all resources at their disposal to defend electorates, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officials and sensitive materials, as well as the electoral process during the conduct of elections on 11th March 2023.

Similarly, the IGP has ordered strategic deployments in accordance with the developed standard operating procedure for polling units to ensure maximum protection against intimidation, harassment, and assault on law-abiding citizens during the electoral process.

He equally charged all election commanders in various states to take up complaints of intimidation, harassment, and assault reported by individuals/groups for proper investigation.

The Inspector-General of Police, therefore, assures all Nigerians, particularly electorates and INEC officials that the Nigeria Police Force is in synergy with other security agencies to ensure adequate security and protection of fundamental rights nationwide.

CSP OLUMUYIWA ADEJOBI, mnipr, mipra,
FORCE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER,
FORCE HEADQUARTERS,
ABUJA.
March 8, 2023

PRESS RELEASE

IGP MEETS STRATEGIC POLICE MANAGERS, APPRAISES PRESIDENTIAL/NASS ELECTION SECURITY MANAGEMENT


203 Arrested for Electoral Offences in 185 Major Incidents

The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, psc(+), NPM, NEAPS, fdc, CFR, on Monday 6th March, 2023, met with Strategic Police Managers comprising Deputy Inspectors-General of Police and members of the Force Management Team, Assistant Inspectors-General of Police Commissioners of Police, and heads of tactical investigative and operational units of the Force at the Goodluck Jonathan Peacekeeping Hall, Force Headquarters, Abuja, to debrief officers posted for election security management duties and appraise the performance of the Nigeria Police Force at the February 25th Presidential and National Assembly Elections, identify gaps, and perfect the action plan for the forthcoming March 11th Elections.

Similarly, the IGP applauded the high level of resilience, and utmost professionalism displayed by Officers and men of the Nigeria Police as well as other security agencies in the course of the election security operations in line with the Reviewed Standard Operational Guidelines and Rules for Police Officers and Other Security Agents on Electoral Duties which was issued to all officers in the countdown to the election operations.

He equally attributed the professionalism of the officers to the various pre-election pieces of training, meticulous planning, massive operational assets procurement and deployment, as well as prioritized welfare.

Furthermore, the IGP noted that about one hundred and eighty-five (185) major incidents were responded to by the Police across the country during the elections, while a total of two hundred and three (203) offenders linked to various electoral offences and sundry crimes have so far been arrested, and eighteen (18) firearms of various calibres were recovered from political thugs during the exercise. He emphasized that the cases are at various stages of investigation at the Nigeria Police Electoral Offences Desks and assures that they will be concluded and processed to the Legal Department of the Independent National Electoral Commission for prosecution.

The Inspector-General of Police reiterates that the Nigeria Police is committed to evolving pathways to incrementally strengthen the Force's operational capacity and professional knowledge in navigating through the complex electoral process dynamics to police our democratic heritage and meet the expectations of the electorates.

CSP OLUMUYIWA ADEJOBI, mnipr, mipra,
FORCE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER,
FORCE HEADQUARTERS,
ABUJA.
March 6, 2023.

Racing updates roster ahead of Portland preseason tournament

Racing Louisville Communications
March 7, 2023 2:00 pm

Racing Louisville on Tuesday reported no changes to its current preseason roster at the March 6 deadline for National Women’s Soccer League teams to post their 32-player rosters.

Twenty-six players are currently in market, including four of Racing’s players who were on loan in Australia over the offseason. Midfielder Alex Chidiac reported to preseason camp last week, and goalkeeper Jordyn Bloomer is expected to return Tuesday after a loan spell with Western Sydney Wanderers FC.

Forward Uchenna Kanu, who signed with Racing in January, should be in Louisville soon. The Nigerian international is hoping to join Racing for its upcoming trip to Portland.

The team leaves for Oregon on Friday ahead of the Portland Thorns FC preseason tournament at Providence Park, which is set to run March 12-18 and include four squads playing a round-robin format. In addition to Portland and Racing, the event will feature fellow NWSL club OL Reign and the United States U-23 squad.

Racing is building toward a 22-game regular season that will play out over seven months, starting on Sunday, March 26, and concluding in mid-October. Louisville’s home opener is set for Saturday, April 1, against the Washington Spirit.

Racing Louisville FC’s current 2023 preseason roster

Goalkeepers: Hillary Beall (LOAN), Jordyn Bloomer, Kelsey Daugherty, Katie Lund, Olivia Sekany (NRI)

Defenders: Abby Erceg, Rebecca Holloway (INTL), Julia Lester, Paige Monaghan, Satara Murray, Carson Pickett, Elli Pikkujämsä (INTL), Zaneta Wyne

Midfielders: Ary Borges (INTL), Alex Chidiac (INTL), Savannah DeMelo, Kayla Fischer (DRAFT), Jaelin Howell, Lauren Milliet, Ella Sanchez (U18), Wang Shuang (INTL)

Forwards: Kirsten Davis, Emina Ekic, Parker Goins, Uchenna Kanu (NYR/INTL), Thembi Kgatlana (INTL), Jessica McDonald, Nadia Nadim (INTL), Riley Parker (LOAN)

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DRAFT: NWSL Draft Pick

INTL: International slot player

NYR: Not yet reported

NRI: Non-roster invitee

U18: Under-18 trialist