Category Archives: Science & Technology

Free Wi-Fi at Taj Mahal

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Historical Links / Pre-Independence, Science & Technology, Travel

Tourists visiting Taj Mahal will be able to enjoy Internet through Wi-Fi for free for 30 minutes. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has collaborated with state-run telecom services provider BSNL for the service, which will be launched by Communications and IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad on Tuesday.

Post the 30-minute usage, any browsing will be chargeable.

The launch is a part of the Narendra Modi led government’s initiative to provide Wi-Fi hot spots in cities with population of over 10 lakh and in tourist centres, under the Digital India programme. In February, wi-fi facility was launched by BSNL at Dashashwamedh Ghat and Shitala Ghats of Varanasi.

ASI has identified 25 spots, including Fatehpur Sikri, Sarnath Temple, Konark Temple, Khajurao, which are also likely to become public WiFi hotspots.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> National / by Staff Reporter / New Delhi – June 15th, 2015

AU scientists develop herbal oil for fungal infections

Education, Green Initiatives / Environment, Nature, Records, All, Science & Technology, World Opinion

Allahabad :

High humidity has led to spurt in cases of fungal infection. The easy remedy to the problem comes in form of oil extracted from various herbs. A team of scientists of Allahabad University has extracted three types of oil. Their study has been published in various international journals and further research is being conducted in collaboration with an institute in Germany.

Detailing about various sorts of fungal infections and remedies to combat them, head of the department of botany, Allahabad University, Anupam Dikshit, said: “We have extracted oil from various plants which are effective against fungus and viruses. Both bacteria and fungus are capable of harming the fibre of your clothes but fungal infection is far more deadly.” He added that fungus needs certain medium for growth and cotton clothes and leather items provide best of conditions. Cotton and leather contain cellulose, which is made of polysaccharides and on the contrary, synthetic clothes are much safer from these infections.

This work of Dikshit has given two patents to his name, one a joint US-India-German patent and another one an Indian. Apart from this the work has been published in several international journals.

Dikshit said that the best climatic conditions for fungus are the temperature ranging between 30-35 degree Celsius and 55% or above humidity.

He suggested that one should be more careful in respect to white or light clothings as the fungal growth in the vegetative stage misses the naked eyes. And by the time you recognize the dark or black colour of the second stage of fungal growth, it had already done substantial damage to the fibre.

Similarly, about the leather items, he explained that the green spot on the leather, which again is an organic material, is fungus named penicillium. The best remedy is to polish them in every two days as the essential oil controls the fungal spores from germinating at the first stage, itself.

About the remedial measures, Dikshit informed that essential oil, present in ammi commonly known ajwaien, fennel or Sauf and cumin seeds or zeera, are the best remedy.

So, the next time you spot a white or coloured patch on your dress better get it treated as this could be fungal infection already in the process of harming the fibers of the clothes.

Tips to protect clothes from fungus

* Take your outside, sunshine and fresh air will kill the mildew

* Leave a light bulb turned on in areas where the fungus is most likely to breed

* Remove clothes from plastic dry cleaning bags immediately

* Check your clothes for spots/stains every time you hang them up

* Keep about an inch between your clothes and don’t cram them in

Keep closet door open to help with air flow

* Never hang clothes in your closet, unless they are completely dry

* Stuff your shoes and handbags that you don’t wear daily with a little tissue

* Opt for paint, not wall paper on your closet walls

Tips to protect leather from fungus

* Allow air circulation around stored items

* Apply a wax dressing to leather

* Take your leather items out occasionally and place them in the sunlight

* Store leather goods for extended periods

* Clean your leather regularly

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Allahabad / by Rajeev Mani, TNN / June 28th, 2015

Scoring century with a purpose

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Records, All, Science & Technology

Lucknow :

Senior IAS officer Rajan Shukla on Sunday reached a rare milestone donating blood a hundred times. Along with other blood donors, Shukla was determined to continue the practice.

He termed it unfair to quantify the blood donation process (i.e. number of times a person has donated blood), and said, “The importance of blood donation lies in the timeliness of the act, as it can not only save a life, but also inspire others to adopt the practice.”

Before addressing the group of blood donors, Shukla ensured he registered himself for the 100th donation. Shukla is project co-ordinator (DASP) & principal secretary co-ordination department, government of UP.

A number of blood donors were felicitated on the occasion, including Sant Kamal Kishore (of Saharanpur), Pradeep Ishrani (Varanasi), Swarn Singh Insha (Ghaziabad), Iqbal Singh (of Bareilly), Arlin Mylicent (Gorakhpur) and B L Sharda (of Kanpur).

Sant Kamal Kishore of Saharanpur, who has etched his name in the India Book of Records for donating blood 128 times, said, “If all matchsticks are used for lighting the lamp, it may be difficult to light the same lamp next time. But, if one candle is used to do the same job, it can be repeated a number of times. The same concept holds true for blood donation.”

1965 born Pradeep Ishrani, donated blood for the first time, when was 18 year-old (1984), and on Sunday, he completed 81st blood donation in Lucknow. Recalling one of his earliest blood donation experiences, Ishrani said, “I was moved by an advertisement in a local newspaper requesting for some units of blood. After contacting the party, I went to a pathology to donate blood.” He said he was shocked when relatives of the patients asked him how much they should pay him for the timely blood donation. “This incident changed my life, and I decided to donate blood voluntarily,” said Ishrani.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Lucknow / by Arunav Sinha, TNN / June 15th, 2015

Neglected 300-yr-old Ayurvedic manuscripts to be preserved

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Historical Links / Pre-Independence, Records, All, Science & Technology

Allahabad :

Regional Manuscript Library, the lone government manuscript library in the state, has added to its treasure around 300-year-old manuscripts of medical papers and volumes penned by Ayurvedacharyas, who have elaborated symptoms and cure of common and chronic diseases by Himalayan herbs. The medicinal plants described in the manuscripts are now on the verge of extinction.

The original manuscript kept in a dark and damp room lies neglected away from public eyes. Experts have failed to find the authors of couple of letters and date was yet to be ascertained. The first one, which could be for scholars and medicos, is a medical volume ‘Vaidak Granth’ by Ayurvaidacharya Ramvinod Ramchandra Shastri. It describes symptoms and cure of 201 diseases.

The volume comprising 209 papers also has an index of diseases. The medical volume was said to be over 250 years old but experts have failed to use modern technology to find out the actual period to which the papers belongs. In the modern era of pathological tests, the manuscripts also throw light on ways to identify diseases by the colour of urine. Apart from common cold, fever, stomach related ailments, migraine and epilepsy, the letters also suggest treatment of gynecological diseases by certain herbs.

Researchers could benefit from medical letters. The manuscripts originally had 209 letters but two are missing. “‘Yog Chintamani’ is another Ayurvedic manuscript that the library has. It was authored in 1722 and sought by researchers as it is said to be a complete medical guide,” Amit Agnihotri, regional archive officer and in-charge of library said.

The papers are in poor condition. The actual date of the diary and name of scholars were yet to be researched. But by gauging the condition, the date is around 300 years old. Another one is ‘Ayurvedic Nighantu’, which describes medicinal qualities of various herbs and shrubs founds in northern India.

The papers are in Sanskrit and majority of plants mentioned are now endangered and rare. “The manuscripts are being preserved by cleaning with chemicals like chlorobenzene and keeping them away from humid and moist weather,” Agnihotri added.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Allahabad / by Vinod Khanal / June 01st, 2015

UP ‘miracle baby’ born at 750gm, fits into palm

Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Nature, Records, All, Science & Technology

Aligarh :

Doctors at a local medical facility in Aligarh are in disbelief as they attend to a baby who just 750 gm, and almost fits in the palm. Born pre-mature at seven months to Pinki, 20, from Chandaus village, the baby is said to be stable, but still under high-risk.

According to doctors, the normal birth weight of the baby should be around 2.6 kg and the condition is ‘extreme high-risk’ when the weight at birth is less than 1000 gm.

Gynecologist Anjula Bhargava, who delivered the baby said, “The mother had various complications when she came to us. So, we had to go ahead and deliver baby. At seven months, the baby should be at least 1.5 kg. This is a tiny baby with partly developed respiratory system, among other difficulties. He needs to be immediately shifted to a bigger facility to survive,” she says.

But the father of the baby, who’s a BSF jawan, is unable to afford the cost of the treatment outside Aligarh. Immediately after the birth, on May 21, when the family went looking a facility in town, they were simply turned down by because of the risk involved.

They finally managed to admit the baby at Aligarh’s Makhan Lal Hospital & Child Care Centre, where he’s presently undergoing treatment.

Child specialist at the Centre, Dr Sunil Gupta, said, “We took him only after making it clear that there is no guarantee of his survival, though we will give our best. In this case, the mortality rate is high. They told us how they spent hours looking for the right medical facility. All I can say is the child is lucky to survive with no medical care for hours after the birth. A normal child should weigh 2.5 kgs at the birth and lesser than 1.6 kg is low birth weight, and lesser than 1,000 gm is extreme low birth weight.”

At the centre, he is being continuously being supplied with oxygen to strengthen respiratory system. The treatment is also on to keep away Septicemia (blood infection), and to make sure that he tolerates feed, said Dr Gupta.

Uncle of the baby, Om Prakash, who is a farmer, said they were heartbroken when they first saw the baby. “We did not know where to go for help. We just wrapped him in a cloth and rushed from one medical centre to another in the scorching heat. When three centres turned us down, we lost hope. Now the doctors tells me his condition is improving,” he says.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Agra / by Eram Agha, TNN / May 25th, 2015

Lucknow scientists find molecule that fights lifestyle diseases

Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Leaders, Science & Technology, World Opinion

A wonder molecule, isolated from a Himalayan tree, may hold the key to a new and efficient drug against diabetes and obesity.

The adiponectin hormone was discovered more than 15 years ago. But despite a large number of laboratory studies demonstrating its potential as a drug candidate, the molecule could not be exploited because of the logistical problems in creating the drug in laboratories.

Indian researchers have now come up with a solution to the problem. They have isolated a molecule from the Himalayan Elm tree that mimics adiponectin. The molecule is orally active, which means it can be developed as an orally consumable medicine.

The drug candidate was isolated from the stem-bark of Kashmir Elm, a tree found in mountains from Afghanistan to Nepal, including Kumaon and Garhwal in India. The tree grows at elevations of 800-3,000 m.

“Initial studies suggest that our molecule (called GTDF based on its long and complicated chemical name) is non-toxic. But we would prefer to do preclinical trial jointly with a company in large animals,” team leader Sabyasachi Sanyal from the Central Drug Research Institute (CDRI), Lucknow, told Deccan Herald.

Laboratory studies so far have demonstrated the molecule’s ability to tackle lifestyle diseases like diabetes, insulin resistance and obesity. However, it is early days as the drug development process can take anything between 15 and 20 years from the initial leads.

“It is an interesting piece of work that shows GTDF is an orally active adiponectin-receptor activator. The studies will prove a panacea in treating obesity as well as diabetes,” said Avadesha Surolia, an Indian Institute of Science professor not associated with the study.

The CDRI findings have been accepted for publication in American Diabetes Association journal Diabetes.

The Lucknow team stumbled upon the new properties of GTDF while researching on it as a bone-fracture-healing agent.

The same CDRI team in 2012 had reported on the new-bone-forming properties of GTDF, because of which it is being developed as an oral medicine for bone fracture. The technology was transferred to a US company, Kemextree, for drug development.

“While trying to decipher how it conducts its bone-forming activity, we identified it as an orally active small molecule that mimics the action of the hormone adiponectin,” said Sanyal.

The CDRI scientists further studied the compound’s medicinal properties in collaboration with the Zydus Research Centre, Ahmedabad, and the Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> National / by Kalyan Ray, New Delhi / DHNS – June 11th, 2014

This two-wheeler won’t budge without helmet

Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Records, All, Science & Technology

Lucknow :

His innovation has power to save lives. On Monday, Himanshu Garg, a student from Agra, received cash prize of Rs 5 lakh from Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav for developing a technology that ensures a motorcycle cannot start until the rider straps on a helmet.

For Himanshu, it is not his first experiment with practical science. His most recent innovation involves a bike that not does start unless the rider wears a helmet. More over, the engine’s power will be cut off if the helmet is removed during the ride.

The electronic fuse can be charged with a solar panel or mobile phone chargers. The price of the helmet, once the prototype is finalised and ready for commercial use, will be higher than of regular ones. Garg also said on Monday he had earlier developed a technology that could prevent train collisions by bringing a train to a halt at a 300 meter distance of each other if they were on the same track. He also said he was felicitated by former Railway minister Mamata Banerjee for his feat.

On Monday, the wiz kid demonstrated the technique in the presence of Akhilesh at the latter’s official residence. Lauding his efforts, the CM recommended that industry bodies like ASSOCHAM help commercialise the product. Announcing the award to facilitate more innovations by Garg, Akhilesh also said his government will set up an Innovation Fund to encourage scientific temper among students.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Lucknow / TNN / April 07th, 2015

IIT-K to demonstrate portable UAV today

Education, Science & Technology, World Opinion

Kanpur :

IIT-Kanpur would demonstrate its unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). It has been developed indigenously.

This portable UAV is light and does not require a runway. It can prove to be of immense help to police, army and other security agencies for patrolling in border areas. Traffic can also be monitored with its help. It can fly at a low height and help in tracking wildlife in jungles.

It can be carried in a bag. In its edition of June 8, 2014, TOI had published that IIT-K has been working on developing a UAV. It now stands developed. IIT-Kanpur director will remain present during the demonstration of UAV at the flight lab situated on the campus.

The UAV can take off by running for just 30 to 50 metres. It is capable to fly at a height of 2,000 metres and keep an eye in a radius of 150 kms.

The wings attached on both sides of UAV can be detached and kept in a bag to be transported anywhere. The UAV uses gasoline and solid fuel. It can stay in the air for 10 hours continuously. Two cameras for functioning during day and night are installed. It can carry a payload of around 12 kgs.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Kanpur / by Abhinav Malhotra, TNN / March 27th, 2015

BHU research associate recognized as Super Woman for contributions

Agriculture, Nature, Science & Technology, World Opinion

Varanasi :

To mark the International Women’s Day, the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre (CIMMYT) recognised Chhavi Tiwari, senior research associate at Banaras Hindu University, as Super Woman for her dedication to empowering women farmers by making them aware of the value of micronutrient-rich wheat.

According to BHU spokesperson, she has been working with the Harvest Plus programme with active collaboration and support from the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) to empower women farmers by making them aware of the value of micronutrient-rich wheat. Her on-farm training programmes increase their understanding of crop and soil management techniques, aiding in the improved production of wheat varieties high in zinc content.

CIMMYT grew out of a pilot programme sponsored by the Mexican government and the Rockefeller Foundation in the 1940s-50s to raise Mexico’s farm productivity. The wheat specialist in this program, Norman Borlaug, worked with Mexican researchers and farmers to develop strong, short-stemmed varieties that resisted the rust diseases and gave much more grain than traditional varieties.

The relationship between India and CIMMYT is one of the longest and most productive in the world of international agricultural research and development. For more than 40 years, scientists from India and CIMMYT have been working together to improve food security and agricultural production systems.

According to World Health Organization (WHO) report, Zinc deficiency is attributed to 800,000 deaths each year and affects about one-third of the world’s population. It can lead to short stature, hypogonadism, impaired immune function, skin disorders, cognitive dysfunction and anorexia. Additionally, it causes approximately 16 per cent of lower respiratory tract infections, 18 per cent cases of malaria and 10 per cent cases of diaorrhea worldwide.

According to CIMMYT, enhancing the micronutrient content in wheat through bio-fortification is increasingly seen as an important tool to help improve the livelihoods of the most vulnerable, poorest and least educated sectors of society. Working closely with women’s self-help groups, Chhavi demonstrated the importance of wheat varieties high in zinc content through a participatory variety-selection approach, increasing the potential agronomic and nutritional benefit of these varieties for fast-track adoption.

Through her inclusive approach, a great deal of interest in high zinc wheat varieties has been generated among women farmers. Her efforts have contributed to the adoption of nutritious wheat varieties the eastern part of Uttar Pradesh, leading to the potential for technology dissemination in neighboring states. Engaging with rural women farmers is a core interest of Chhavi’s. She consults women farmers on their views and gives them the opportunity to participate in a decision-making process that increases their investment in agriculture and nutrition. Her activities play a crucial role in uplifting women by alleviating malnutrition and hunger through nutritious wheat.

Chhavi is the recipient of the 2010 CIMMYT- Cereal System Initiative of South Asia (CSISA) research fellowship and the Jeanie Borlaug Laube Women in Triticum Award from the Borlaug Global Rust Initiative in 2014.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Varanasi / by Binay Singh, TNN / March 08th, 2015

Now, parval leaves to control diabetes

Green Initiatives / Environment, Nature, Science & Technology

Allahabad :

If you are a diabetic and costly medicines are burning a hole in your pocket, don’t worry as leaves of “Trichosanthes dioica” or parwal can rescue you. Researches at the department of chemistry, Allahabad University, have shown that the extract prepared by the leaves of parwal brings down the blood glucose level (BGL) by over 32%.

The findings, titled ‘Glycemic properties of trichosanthes dioica leaves’ have been published in an international journal named as Pharmaceutical Biology, published in England. The study has been done by a team of chemists led by Geeta Watal and her team comprising Prashant Kumar Rai, Dolly Jaiswal, Rakesh Kumar Singh and Rajesh Kumar Gupta.

Rai said that variable doses of 250, 500 and 750 mg kg, per body weight of the extract, were administered on normal and sub and mild-diabetic rats, which brought down the blood glucose level (BGL) by 32.9%. “The aim of the study was to screen the glycemic attributes of an aqueous extract of leaves of parwal. This evidence indicates that extract of “Trichosanthes dioica” leaves has good hypoglycemic potential along with a high anti-diabetic profile,” he added.

Even as India has the dubious distinction of being termed the ‘diabetes capital of the world’, a number of Indian medicinal plants have been used for thousands of years in the traditional system of medicine for treating various diseases, Rai added.

Detailing on research, Rai said that 7 kgs of fresh leaves of trichosanthes dioica were collected and shade-dried. The dried leaves were crushed and extracted. The extract was administered in rats which showed a regular fall of 32.9%.

With its origin in the Indian subcontinent, parwal is a nutritive cucurbit vegetable. It is rich in protein and vitamin A. Direct intake of seeds of the plant was also found to be effective in the serum lipid profile of normal and mild-diabetic human subjects and rabbits. Seeds of the plant also possess anti-fungal and anti-bacterial qualities. The leaves and shoots are being used in Ayurvedic system of medicine since ancient times.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Allahabad / by Rajeev Mani, TNN / March 07th, 2015