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Healthwatch
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You've probably heard the news: Cicadas are coming. Or — wait — they're already here.
And are they ever! Due to an unusual overlap of the lifecycles of two types (or broods) of cicadas, trillions of cicadas are expected to emerge in the US by the end of June, especially in the Midwest.
If you'd like to see where they've already arrived, track them here. And if you're wondering if this cicada-palooza could help with grocery bills, read on to decide for yourself how appealing and how safe snacking on cicadas is for you. The pros and cons could change your outlook on the impending swarm.
What to know about cicadas
Don't worry, cicadas are largely harmless to humans. In fact, their appearance is welcome in places where people routinely snack on them as a low-cost source of calories and protein.
Estimates suggest up to two billion people regularly eat insects, especially in South and Central America, Asia, Africa, Australia, and New Zealand. Cicadas, when available, are among the most popular. And if you thought no one in the US eats cicadas, check out this video from a May 2024 baseball game.
Are you tempted to eat cicadas?
For plenty of people, cicadas aren't the food of choice. Some people can't get past the idea of eating insects as food. That's understandable: after all, the culture in which we are raised has a powerful influence on what we consider acceptable in our diets. Something some Americans might find off-putting (such as eating snakes) is common in China and Southeast Asia. Meanwhile, people outside the US find aspects of the typical Western diet unappealing (such as root beer, peanut butter and jelly, and processed cheese).
But some people shouldn't eat cicadas because it could be dangerous for them.
Why you should — or shouldn't — eat cicadas
Eating cicadas is common in many parts of the world because they are
In years when cicadas emerge, recipes for dishes containing cicadas emerge as well.
Then again, there are several good reasons to avoid making cicadas a part of your diet, including these:
But there is one more very important entry on this list: people with a shellfish allergy should not eat cicadas. Odd, right?
The shellfish-cicada connection
Cicadas are biologically related to lobsters, shrimp, crabs, and other shellfish. So if you're allergic to shellfish, you might also be allergic to cicadas. A particular protein called tropomyosin is responsible for the allergy. It's found in shellfish as well as in many insects, including cicadas.
The allergic reaction occurs after eating the cicada. Just being around them or handling them won't trigger a reaction.
Among people with a shellfish allergy, developing a reaction after eating cicadas could be a bigger problem than it seems: up to 10% of people have shellfish allergies and, as noted, insect consumption is common worldwide.
Is it okay for your dog or cat to eat cicadas?
Walking your dog after the emergence of cicadas can be a new and exciting experience for you and your pet! Dogs may chase after cicadas and eat them. Cats might, too, if given the chance. That can be a problem if your pet eats too many, as some will experience stomach upset or other digestive problems.
While the insects are considered harmless to dogs, the American Kennel Club says it's best to steer them away from cicadas once they've eaten a few.
Which other insects trigger allergies?
While insect-related allergic reactions (think bee stings) and infections (like Lyme disease) are well known, the insect-food-allergy connection is a more recent discovery.
One recently recognized condition is the alpha-gal syndrome, in which a person bitten by certain ticks develops an allergy to meat. The name comes from a sugar called galactose-α-1,3-galactose (or alpha-gal) found in many types of meat including beef, lamb, pork, and rabbit. According to the CDC, up to 450,000 people in the US may have developed this condition since 2010.
There aren't many rigorous studies of the overlap of insects and food allergies, so there are probably others awaiting discovery.
The bottom line
When it comes to eating cicadas, I'll pass. It's not because of the risks. I've never had a problem with shellfish, and for most people the health risks of eating cicadas seem quite small. It's just unappealing to me, and I'm not a particularly adventurous eater.
But let's go easy on those who do enjoy snacking on cicadas. Insects offer a good source of calories and protein. Just because eating them seems unusual in the US doesn't make it wrong.
So, if you like to eat cicadas and have no shellfish allergy or other reason to avoid them, go for it! This may be a very good summer for you.
Source: Harvard Health Publishing
Instablog9ja
2 hrs
13
Activist Gwamnishu kn+cks NPF PRO, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, for claiming that 33-year-old suspect, Erasmus, di3d of asphyxiation and wasn’t t3rtured in police custody.
He said Why do Police Image Makers always report what you were told without investigation? How can a suspect d#e of asphyxiation? That’s s¥ffocation. Did you visit the scene so they show you where he di£d of asphyxiation? Autopsy result is what you are coming to quote and also boldly tagging the young man a c¥Itist who has not been convicted and can’t even defend himself now.
Did you make findings about his accusers? Did you visit the community where he was said to have k#lled and r+pe people? What kind of cell was the young man locked up? Do you know what sack k+lling is?
He concluded by telling the force PRO that is so educated and decent to be rushing to the media without getting all the fact.
Click to watch
Instablog9ja
3 hrs
10
Music producer, SamKlef, has continued to fir3 back at Seun Kuti for supporting VeryDarKMan and criti3izing Iyabo Ojo.
He said he should post the award for the world to see and is it not the white that he critic#zes that has the ward. Without forgetting that nomination isn’t an award .
Instablog9ja
4 hrs
13
Sophia Momodu has filed her defence in a lawsuit insisted by a Nigerian musician, Davido, whose real name is David Adeleke over custody of their daughter, Aurora Imade Adeleke.
It would be recalled that the case was initiated by Davido who wanted the joint custody of Imade. The legal action, filed on April 17, 2024, and bearing the suit number LD/1587PMC/2024, names Davido as the applicant and Sophia Momodu as the respondent, marking the beginning of a legal battle over the child’s custody.
Davido, through his legal action, is seeking a court order granting him joint custody of his daughter, Imade, and unrestricted access to her. While acknowledging that his relationship with Sophia Momodu, Imade’s mother, ended several years ago, Davido emphasised that he had consistently fulfilled his financial responsibilities towards their child’s well-being, demonstrating his commitment to Imade’s care and support.
By seeking joint custody and unfettered access, Davido aimed to ensure a continued active role in his daughter’s life. Davido also alleged that Momodu demanded he pay the nanny she hired a monthly salary of $800, equivalent to $19,600 annually, which he deemed excessive.
Despite his efforts to provide for their daughter’s well-being, Davido claimed that Momodu has consistently treated him with cruelty and caused him significant emotional pain. In light of these circumstances, Davido is seeking a court order granting him joint custody of their daughter, Imade Adeleke, to ensure a more collaborative and harmonious approach to her care and upbringing.
SaharaReporters learnt further that Sophia Momodu, in her response to the singer’s case, filed a 102 paragraphs of counter affidavit via her legal team Dr Anthony Idigbe SAN of Punuka Attorneys and Dr Bimpe Ajegbomogun. The next hearing is slated for Friday, 5th of July, 2024.
Investopedia
8 hrs
12
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Stellantis (STLA) is partnering with French government-backed research organization CEA to develop next-generation battery cells for electric vehicles, the company announced Wednesday.
The five-year joint research program will work to develop battery cells with longer lifespans, better performance, and a lower carbon footprint.
“We know that battery technology is poised for change. While we don’t know exactly how it will change, we are committed to be at the forefront of this transformation,” Stellantis Chief Engineering and Technology Officer Ned Curic said in a statement.
The Amsterdam-based owner of auto brands including Chrysler, Jeep, Fiat, and Maserati will receive support from CEA’s energy division, which works to design innovations in decarbonization technology.
“This exciting project makes the best use of more than 25 years of expertise in the field of Li-ion batteries at CEA to the benefit of one of the major automotive actors in the competitive race for electrical mobility,” Philippe Stohr, head of CEA's Energy division, said.
Stellantis is no stranger to EV joint ventures (JV). In October, the automaker established a JV with global nuclear fuel cycle company Orano for a battery recycling plant set to begin production in 2026.
Shares of Stellantis closed up almost 1% higher on a holiday-shortened trading day Wednesday.
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Instablog9ja
13 hrs
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instablog9ja
4m Just In: Labour predicted to win UK election in landslide with 410 seats, according to exit poll
Keir Starmer will be Britain’s next prime minister with his Labour Party set to win a massive majority in a parliamentary election, an exit poll on Thursday indicated, while Rishi Sunak’s Conservatives are forecast to suffer historic losses, ending 14 years of Conservative rule.
Sir Keir Starmer’s party looks set to secure the win with an estimated 410 seats – equating to an overall majority of 170 – according to the poll by Ipsos UK for Sky News/BBC/ITV News.
This is compared to the Conservatives, who are projected to win just 131 seats, compared to 365 in the 2019 vote.
The poll suggests that while Labour have likely secured their anticipated landslide victory, more than doubling their result of 203 from five years ago, they may have fallen just short of the 179-seat majority Tony Blair won in 1997.
However, they may achieve the landslide on a smaller share of the vote than what Jeremy Corbyn secured in 2017. Meanwhile, both the Conservative share of the vote and their seat tally could be the lowest in the party’s history, falling below the 156 won in 1906. The Liberal Democrats are also projected to win more than five times the number of seats that they secured at the last election, going from 11 to 61 in the exit poll.
