METUH MACDONALD BLOG (MMB)

Scientists have identified a new human organ hiding in plain sight; in a discovery they hope could help them understand the spread of cancer within the body. Layers long thought to be dense, connective tissue are actually a series of fluid-filled compartments researchers have termed the “interstitium”. These compartments are found beneath the skin, as well as lining the gut, lungs, blood vessels and muscles, and join together to form a network supported by a mesh of strong, flexible proteins. New analysis published in the journal Scientific Reports is the first to identify these spaces collectively as a new organ and try to understand their function. Remarkably, the interstitium had previously gone unnoticed despite being one of the largest organs in the human body. The team behind the discovery suggest the compartments may act as “shock absorbers” that protect body tissues from damage. Mount Sinai Beth Israel Medical Center medics Dr David Carr-Locke and Dr Petros Benia

The International Society for Civil Liberties & the Rule of Law (Intersociety) on Wednesday raised alarm over alleged plot to carry out ethnic and religious cleansing in the Nigeria Police Force (NPF). This is contained in a statement signed by its Chairman, Emeka Umeagbalasi; Head, Civil Liberties & Rule of Law Programme, Barr Obianuju Joy Igboeli; Head, Democracy & Good Governance Programme, Barr Chinwe Umeche; and Head, Public Security & Safety Programme, Barr Jacinta Ezinwanne. The body said it doubted the claim by the federal government on discovery of 80,115 ghost police officers and men. It read: “According to media reports quoting a data obtained from the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation and Minister of Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun; there are 80,115 ghost police officers in the staff strength and payroll of the Nigeria Police Force, from its previously quoted staff strength of 371, 800. “In the same ministerial report, the total staff

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has arrested and grilled a JAMB official based in Makurdi, Philomina Chieshe, who claimed that a snake swallowed N36m. The money was part of the proceeds of the sale of scratch cards. Detectives at the commission told newsmen that Chieshe revealed that the money was collected in instalments from her by her Coordinator, Mr. Samuel Umoru. In one of the statements she volunteered to the EFCC, Chieshe who is a clerk in the Makurdi office of JAMB, was said to have revealed that the coordinator usually asked her to withdraw proceeds of the sale of the cards from her account in two banks. In the statement she made to the EFCC under oath, Chieshe said, “This money that I withdraw, the coordinator used it for the office and some time for himself.” She claimed that she had been warning Umaru that it was wrong to use the money for miscellaneous expenses in the office or for private purposes but he would not listen. Some of the withdrawal