"An Aspirin aday can bleed stomach away !!"

Healthy people taking a daily does of aspirin to prevent heart attacks may be doing themselves more harm than good, according t new study by British scientists. Researchers found that the risks of bleeding from taking aspirin were such that its routine use in healthy people "cannot be supported" although they did not dispute its use in patients with a history of vascular problems. They found that taking aspirin had no benefits for people without any symptoms of heart disease and it can can bleeding in stomach.

The results of the Aspirin for Asymptomatic Atherosclerosis ( AAA) study add to a long-running debate about whether the potential dangers of taking aspirin could outweigh the benefits from reducing the risk of clots. "The finding agree with our current advice that people who do not have symptomatic or diagnosed artery of heart disease should not take aspirin, because the risk of bleeding may out weigh the benefits," said Professor Peter Weissberg, medical director of the British Heart Foundation.

The study involved 3,350 men and women aged 50 to 75 years who had no symptoms of heart disease or history of heart attack. They were given either a daily 100mg dose of aspirin or a placebo ( a dummy pill) and monitored over eight years. While there was no difference in the number of heart attacks or strokes, major bleeding occurred in two percent of the aspirin group compared to just 1.2 percent of the placebo group.

India's Chandrayaan-I Success!!!

Yes, India's historical chandrayaan-1 has been success, as per Mr. Nair ( Chief of ISRO) chadrayaan-I is not flap, because it had achieved almost all the scientific and technical objectivies, "From the launch (ON October 22,2008), to reaching the precise orbit (100 km around the moon about about 3,84,000 km from the earth), landing the MIP (Moon Impact Probe), to gathering data, we have crossed all the milestones".

It was 2 am on Satruday (29th August 2009), Isro chairman Gopalan Madavan Nair was woken up by his his colleagues with a devastating piece of news: India's first mooncraft, Chandrayaan-I. was
lost. The spacecraft's radio contact with the mission command at Deep Space Network at Byalalu, 40 km from the city, scannped at 1.30 am, and efforts to restore it remained futile. Mr. Nair's colleagures plan to make another attempt ot re-establish the communication link on Saturday night. A sense of despair, however, has already set in among space scientists because they are convinced that Chandrayaan-I has met with an early end.

Journey of Chandrayaan-1

• Launched on October 22, 2008
• Its reached precise orbit 100 km around moon.
• 3,84,000 km from the earth
• It was sent 70,000 images of the moon surface.
• Finally, it was abandoned after radio contact with the mooncraft was lost at 1.3, am on Saturday.
• The Deep Space Network at Byalalu received data Chandrayaan-I, which had 11 instruments on board, including six from overseas.
• Significantly, on Aug.21, ISRO and NASA performed a unique joint experiment that could throw light on possibility of ice on the moon.
• The End came just four months after the mooncraft's star sensor for determining orientation of the spacecraft started malfunctioning.
  

FIRST ROCKET LAUNCHED BY SOUTH KOREA

The Korea Space Launch Vehicle-1 (KSLV-1) or Naro-1, South Korea's first rocket,is launched from its launch pad at the Naro Space centre in Goheung,485 km (301 miles) south of Seoul, August 25,2009. South Korea on Tuesday launched its first space rocket a move that would be watched warily by reclusive North Korea,after halting last week's countdown minutes before lift-off. The rocket is carrying a satelite which is designed to monitor the earth's radiant energy. The satelite is designed to monitor the Earth's radiant energy.

REDUCING CARBONDIOXIDE BY FAKE TREES

Climate changes is a big issue for all the government the world over and now a British engineers lobby group has suggested that geo-engineering could be used to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. The most cost-effective way of reducing carbon dioxide is the use of machines, or filters. The machines, like trees, capture carbon dioxide from the air. The carbon dioxide is removed from the air and buried underground in the same way as conventional carbon capture and storage.

Artificial blood......Coming soon.......

A team of Australian scientists has genetically modified human embryonic stem cells to glow red when they develop into premature red blood cells.
The breakthrough is seen as the next step in producing artificial blood for human beings.
Dr Andrew Elefanty at Monash university in Melbourne and his colleagues inserted specific genes that code for colour into the DNA of a manufactured stem cell line.
He says the coloured genes, known as reporters, highlight the emergence of certain cell types.
"what we've said to the stem cells is when you're going to turn on the gene for globin we want you to also turn on a red light,"ABC Science quoted Elefanty as saying.

IS LAUGHING INJURIOUS TO HEALTH?

A good laugh is considered to be the best medicine,but a new research suggests that it may trigger serious asthma attacks.
this makes laughter a serious matter for 40percent of Australia's 2million asthma suffers, according to new study.
the online poll of 200 suffers, conducted by drug company Astrazeneca's,has backed university research that revealed laughter can spark the chronic respiratory illness in up to half of asthmatics.
A serious concern from this research is, three quarters of asthmatics believe their asthma is well managed but the majortiy put up with lifestyle restrictions because of their illness.
The surey reflected both a University of NSW 2004 study published in the journal of Asthma and a NewYork University 2005 study "Laughter may Trigger Asthma attacks"
Almost two-thirds found themselves breathless when doing housework or shopping, whie half struggled to do their favourite activites.
More than one-third felt tired because of distrubed sleep. And one in five cancelled social engagements because of their asthma.
Concord Hospital thoracic physician Professor Christine Jenkins said well-managed asthma should not hamper the enjoyment of any of life's pleasures.
"Worryingly, these findings show that while many believe they have their asthma under control, the asthma is actually controlling them and their lifestyles, the Daily Telegraph quoted her as saying.

Human Brain Shrink?

Researchers in the US carried out the study and found that bran regions important for congnition are smaller in obese people, making their brains look up 16 years older than they are. A s brain shrinkage is linked to dementia, the study adds weight to the suspicion that piling onthe pounds may up a person's risk of the brain condition, according to them Moreover, as increased body fat ups the chances of having clogged arteries, that can reduce blood and oxygen flow to brain cells, the resulting reduction in metabolism causes brain cell death and the shrinking seen, the researchers said.
"The brains of overweight people looked 8 years older than the brains of those who were lean, and 16 ears older in obese people, " lead researcher, Mr. Paul Thompson, the Calilfornia University was quoted as saying by the new Scientist. The team has shown that the exercise, which improves blood flow, protects the shrunk brain regions.

Drugs from Spider's Venom

The venom of a particular species of spider can act like natural viagra. According to a recent report published in Live Science, a person stung by this Brazilian wandering spider Phoneutria nigriventer not only experiences extreme pain but also an increase in blood pressure resulting in enhanced sexual stimulate in. Said the study research team member Romulo Leite of the Medical College of Georgia: "We are hoping that this will eventually end up the development of real drugs for the treatment of erectile dysfuction." A study by resarchers at Johns Hopkins University found that about 18 million men in the US suffer from erectile dysfunction. Worldwide, the number of such males may be quite large.
Kenia Pedrosa Nunes of the Medical College of Georgia, another member of the study team, separated different components of the spider venom and ran tests on rats to seek out the erectile enhancer. Finally he could identify the desired compound. Dubbed TX2.6, the compound turned out to be a relatively short string of amino acids called a peptide. When injected with the peptide, the rats showed enhanced sexual stimulation. It is interesting to note that the Brazilian wandering spiders instead of making nets hide themselves in clothes, shoes and crevices or cracks of furniture etc. kept in a household. When a person tries enhanced a person tries to kill or scare them or accidentally presses them with hands or legs they get infuriated and bite.
In South America too a giant spider, called wolf spider's venom is very deadly. Britten by this spider one might even die. Another spider, named black window, has a shiny black coat on its body and is found in most parts of North America. It is also highly venomous.
It maybe pointed out that in the past too some experiments with spider venom on rats proved to be successful. This has raised the hopes of using spiders' venom for the development of new drugs. It might sound surprising but he spider's venom is even costlier than the snake's venom. In Russia, 1 gram of spider's venom costs between 20 and 30 thousand Roubles; and the venom of some 8000 spiders is required to get 1 gram of the poison. According to scientists, it will be possible in future to develop many useful drugs, vaccines etc. from the spiders' venom

Aerogel

AEROGEL
In a path-breaking innovation that could have implications in the fields of defence, spae research and electronics, Dr. Sulabha Kulkarni, a professor along with her student, Ms. Supriya Pandhe from the University of Pune's (UoP) Department of Physics has developed an Ultra lightweight aerogel material that can support nearly five lakh time its own weight. The material uses carbon nano tubes(CNTs) and silica. The invention could set a world record, as it is stronger than the material prepared by a researcher at the University of Pennsylvania in February 2007, which could support only 8,000 times its body weight, The invention is a 'quantun leap' in the field of aerogels and has the potential to revolutionise waide-raging applications in space, defence autoobiles, electronics, pharmaceuticals and several other fields.
The Department of Science and Technology (DST) has funded Rs.3 crore for period of five years to facilitate research on aerogels at the UoP in collaboratin withthe Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Varanasi. Prof O.ON. Srivastava and his team at the BHU synthesized the CNT, while the aerogel using the CNT was developed by Pune University scientists. Dr. Kulkarni has been working on this project for over six years.
According to Dr. Kulkarni, applications of aerogelsare as wide as in light-weight jackets for armed forces personnel and bridges in defence use, soundproof rooms, heat retaining houses, foundries, packaging and electronic sensors. Called 'Aerogel UoP', the product will now be patented in India s well as internationally, Dr. Kularni has received Material Research Society of India (MRI) Medal for the year 2005, for her work on aerogels.
Dr. Steven Kistler first created aerogel in 1931. The created aerogel in 1931. The first results were silica gels. Aerogel an be made of many different materials; Kistlers' work involved aerogels based mainly on Silica. Carbon aerogels were first developed in the early 1990s.
Aerogel is low-density solid-state material derived from gel in which the liquid component of the gel has been replaced with gas. The result is an extremely low density solid with several remarkable properties, most notably its effectiveness as an insulator. It is nicknamed frozen smae, solid smoke due to its semi-transparent nature and the way light scatters in the material; however, it feels like polystyrene (styrofoam) to the touch
The first aerogel was 99.8 percent air and was stiff foam make from silicon dioxide and sand. Its density was just 32 mg per cubic centimeter; its melting point was 1,200 degrees Celsius. Today, they are much lighter as well as stronger.

CT SCAN AND PET SCAN

The positron Emission Tomography Scan(PET Scan) and Computerised Tomography Scan (CT Scan) is considered to be a revolutionary, advanced imaging modality that combines two imaging devices resulting in precisely locating cancer within the body.
But many fear the radiation hazards a patient may face, considering the fact that there is substantial radiation exposure to the patient undergoing PET CT (it detects the metabolic activity of the cancer cells in the body). However, if there is a definite indication for getting a PET CT, then its benefits outweigh the risks involved, PET CT is touted to be one of the 'magical' discoveries of the century. Its advantages are many, compared to conventional imaging modalities. However, this doesn't indicate the need for a PET scan.
It is important for doctors ' to keep the health of the patient as the highest priority' (hippocratic Oath). The doctor should remember ' to do no harm' to the patient and must always consider the following questions before investigating a patient.

• Will the investigation make a meaningful difference?
• Will the investigation have apotential to change the treatment plan?
• With specific reference to oncology, will the investigation help in term survival of the patient?

If the answer to these questions is 'yes', then the investigation is certainly justified.
Extending the boundaries of an investigative modality beyond the established indications is in my opinion, unscientific and unethical. For example, in the follow up of a patient who has completed treatment for early breast cancer, all that is required, is a regular follow up by the treating clinician and an annual mamogram + (plus) ultrasound scan of the breast. But subjecting the patient ot a chest X ray, abdominal scan, and bone scan on a regular basis does not help.
There is now ample evidence to suggest that actively looking for an asymptomatic metastasis (metastasis - cancer spreading elsewhere in the body from the primary organ) by ordering a battery of investigations on a regular basis does not improve the long term survival of the patient.
Subjecting the patient to too many tests of unproven indications is unjustified. The public and the profession must be constantly sensitised to the fact that technology has its limitations.
PET CT is a wonderful imaging modality. IT is extremely useful in some situations and helps in guiding treatment decisions. It is however, important to remember that' the patient is supreme' and doctors must be prudent and judicious when ordering diagnostic tests.

COACAINE CONTAMINATION IN BANK NOTES

In what researchers describe as the largest, most comprehensive analysis of cocaine contaminatin in bank notes reporting that cocaine is present in up to 90 per cent of US bank notes
The scientists found traces of cocaine in 95% of the bank notes analysed from Washington D.C. alone. Scientists tested bank notes from more than 30 cities in five countries, including the US, Canada, Brazil, China, and Japan, and found "alarming" evidence of cocaine use in many areas.
The US and Canada had the highest levels, with an average contamination rate of between 85 and 90 percent, while China and Japan had the lowest between 12 and 20 percent contamination. The study is the first report about cocaine contamination in Chinese and Japanese currencies.
Scientists have known for years that paper money can become contaminated with cocaine duing drug deals and directly through drug use such as snorting cocaine through rolled bills. Contamination can spread to bank notes not involved in the illicit drug culture because bills are processed in banks' currency-counting machines.
"To my surprise, we're finding more and more cocaine in bank notes," said study leader Yuegang Zuo, of the University of Massachusetts in Dartmouth.

VIDEO GAMES

In the world, mobile gaming and console gaming are the most popular forms of games followed by PC gaming and MMORPG. The Indian gaming market is very small when compared to other developed countries such as the US. This is because of the awareness for gaming has been primarily limited to urban areas.
In 2006, Indian gaming companies and Indian subsidiaries of foreign gaming companies established the Indian Games Industry and Trade Association.
Indian gaming companies ae in the process of developing prodcuts that are targeted at both domestic and internaltional markets. Despite the growth and opportunities for development, the Indian gaming industry has to deal with challenges such as scarcity of skilled professional and high provalence of piracy.
The creator of video games did not create after a Eureka moment. Nor did they do it for entertainment. Their aim in 1962 was to show off a new computer the size of a wardrobe On a flickkering cirular screen.

STONE HENGE

Stonehenge is a prehistoric monument located in the English country of Wiltshire abut 3.2 kilometers (2.0 mi) west of Amesbury and 13 Kilometers (8.1 mi) North of Salibury. One of the most famous sites in the world, Stonehenge is composed of earth works surrounding a circular setting of large standing stone and sits at the center of the densest complex of Neolithic and Bronze age monuments en England, including several hundreds burial mounds. Archelogists believed that the iconic stone monument was erected around 2500 BC. However one recent theory has suggested that the first stones were not erected until 2400-2200 BC. The surrounding circular earth bank and ditch, which constitute the earliest phase of the monument, have been dated to abut 3100 BC. The site and its surrounding were added to the UNESCO's list of World Heritage Sites in 1986 in a co-listing with Avebury Henge Monument, and it is also a legally protected scheduled ancient monument. The surrounding land is owned by New archaeological evidence found by the stone henge river side project indicates that Stonehenge served as a burial ground from its earliest beginnings. The dating of cremated remains found on the site shows that burials took place there as early as 3000 BC, when the first ditches were being constructed around the monument. Burials continued at Stonehenge for at least another 500 years.
Stonehenge was a place of burial from its beginning to its zenith in the mid third millennium B.C. The cremation burial dating to Stonehenge's sarsen stones phase is likely just one of many from this late period of the monument's use and demonstrates that it was still very much a domain of the dead.
Stone hinge arouse from a rich tradition of equally enignmatic mysteriousstructures. A henge is a cirlcle of stone or wooden uprights. Generally these hinges contain circular banks of the earth paralleled by an internal ditch. Strictly speaking, stone hange is not, its name implies ha henge because the position of its bank and ditch are reveresed. An earth wall about 320 feet in diameter surrounds the monument. Thirty blocks of grey sand stone stood in a circle above the ground about 97 feet in diameter. A contuinuous circle of smaller blocks stood on top of them. Inside the circle was another circle that consisted of about 60 blue stones each weighing about 4 tons. The circle contained about two horse she shaped sets of stones one inside the other opening toward the north east. These blocks called trilithons stand up to 22 feet tall and weigh 30-40 tons. A stone 60 feet high stood 86 yards to the east of stone henge's centre. This stone many have been used in a religious ceremoney to the rising sun or mind summer day.
In 1950, British archeologists began excavations and proved that monumnent was built in 3 main phased from 2800 - 1500 B.C. and famous large ring of stones was built between 1800-1700 B.C. The first certain structural stones of Stonehenge, at the blue stones which were floated, dragged and hauled from Wales, almost likely arrived sometime before 2500 B.C. The giant sarsons followed filling out the monumnent, which was at some point linked by an avenue to river Avon. Stone henge then is the culminatin of dynamic evolution. In and around the hiant henge were two circular timber structures whose footprints survive in traces of their postholes. Two- the northern and southern cirlcles- lay with in the henge itself, while a later monumnent known as wood henge stood jut outside. There is evidence to suggest that timber circles were
secretive places, their interiors hidden by screens as well as by multiplication of posts.
In 2002 archeologists working on the east side of Avon, two and half miles south east of stone henge, unearthed two burials dated at between 2500 and 2300 B.C. They contained the remains of the men.

INDOOR PLANTS FOR AIR PURIFICATION

The air inside your homes is much more polluted than you can imagine. But there is help at hand from several indoor ornamental plants that can suck away the harmful elements that contaminate the indoor air.

Signs of Indoor Air Quality Problems

• Unusual and noticeable odours.
• Stale or stuffy air.
• Noticeable lack of air movement
• Dirty or faulty central heating or air conditioning equipment
• Unvented combustion air source for fossil fuel appliances
• Excessive humidity
• Presence of molds and mildew
  
• Health reaction after remodeling, weatherizing, using new furniture, using household and hobby products, or moving into a new home.
• Feeling noticeably healthier outside.

Common Air Quality Problems
In the Kitchen:

• Moisture in the kitchen can be a source of mold and odours.
• Gas stoves or ovens release carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulates.
• Pressed wood cupboards contain formaldehyde and can cause illness or irritation
• Cleaning products often contain harish chemicals that can be inhaled

In the living room:

• New carpets can be a source of formaldehyde
• Old carpets are a major source of dust,mold and allergens, such as pet dander
• Candles and incense can release lead and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), including particulate matter.

In the bathroom:

• Moisture and humidity from the shower can lead to mold
• Chemical aerosols from personal care products and air fresheners
• Many potentially harmful cleaning products are kept under the sink

In the garage:

• Car exhaust contains a host of chemicals and gases thatcan get into the house; don't run your car in the garage.
• Leaky gasoline containers can produce intaxicating or nauseating fumes.
• Improper storage of oldpaint cans or pesticides can release toxics and VOCs

Plants efffective in removing formaldehyde, benzene,and carbon monoxide from the air

1. Chinese Evergreen
2. Bamboo Palm
3. Spider plant
4. Chrysanthemum
5. Pat Mum
6. good-luck Plant
7. Janet Craig
8. Marginata
9. Mass cane/Corn Plant
10. Warkneckii
11. Golden Pathos
12. Gaebera Daisy
13. English Ivy
14. BOston fern
15. Elephant ear philodendron
16. Heart leaf philodendron
17. Heat leaf philodendron
18. Mother-in-Law's Tongue
19. Peace Lily

Newton and the Apple

Every school child has heard the story of Newton and the apple. It sounds apocryphal. But it was as a real incident, as William Stukeley in his "Memories of Sir Issac Newton", of 1752 records; ON 15 April 1726 I paid a visit to Sir Issac at his lodgings in Orbels building in Kensington, denied with him and spent the whole day with him, alone.

After dinner, the weather being warm, we went into the garden and drank tea, under the shade of the apple trees, only he and myself. Amidst other discourse, he told me, he was just in the same situation, as when formerly, the notion of gravitation came into his mind. It was occasion by the fal of an apple, always descend perpendicularly to the ground, thought he to him self. Why should ti not go sideways or upwards, but constantly to the earth's centre? Assuredly, the reason is, that the earth draws it. There must be a drawing power in the matter of the earth; and must be in the earth's center not only in any side of the earth. Therefore does this apple fall perpendicularly or towards the centre. If the matter thus draws matter, it must be in proportion of its quantity. Therefore the apple draws the earth as well as the earth draws the apple. That there is a power; like that we here call gravity which extends itself through the universe.

And thus by degrees he began to apply this property of gravitation to the motion of the earth and of the heavenly bodies, to consider their distances, their magnitudes and their periodical revolutions; to find out, that this property conjointly with progressive motion impressed on them at the beginning, perfectly solved their circular courses; kept the planets from falling upon the another or dropping all together into one center; and thus he unfolded and universe. This was the birth of those amazing discoveries, where by he built philosophy on a solid foundation to the astonishment of all Europe.

BATTERIES THAT CHARGE ON AIR

Lithium-air batteries use oxygen of the air to charge themselves and are environment-friendly. These also promise tenfold increase in power capacity over Lithium-ion batteries.

Lithium-ion batteries power most of the mobile devices like laptops, cellphones and portable Play Stations. Longevity of the battery is important to keep these devices active while on the move. But, unfortunately lithium-ion batteries are approaching their energy capacity limits.

This has prompted researchers to start finding alternatives. For instance, researchers at the University of St. Andrews are developing an air-fuelled battery. In this project, University of Strathclyde and University of Newcastle are partners with University of St. Andrews. The research work is funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council. This four-year research project, which began in 2007, is scheduled to end in 2011.

What exists and what's next?

Battery is a deiversified field and there exist many types of batteries, each having its own advantages and disadvantages. In the recent ast, Li-ion and Zinc-air batteries have made a mark in the market. Zinc-aire batteries are electrochemical batteries that charge by drawing oxygen from the air. These have high energy density and are inexpensive to manufacture. They are used in experimental electric vehicles and hearing aids. Lithium-ion batteires are very successful, but these find applications in limited areas of consumer electronics. Producing about two billion units per annum, the industry is still growing.

The applications of lithium batteries, however, can be expanded with development of new techniques. To this end, the researches are trying their hands on lithium-air batteries. Lithium-air batteries are showing great results compared to the earlier lithium-ion batteries. As PetterJ.Hall, professor of chemical engineering, University of Strathclyde, explains, "The capacity of Li-air batteries is 10-2- times greater than traditional Li-ion batteries. These will also be considerably cheaper as they contain very little heavy-metal content.
"Since the new batteires use no toxic trasitional metal, these are environment-friendly, although there is a definite economic advantage to recycling the lithium content in them." The lithium-air batteries are also going to become lighter, as cathode has been removed from the battery and oxygen from the air is used as tshe cathode.

What drives Li-air batteries?

Arthur Dobley, metal air-battery scientist, SBIR proposal manager, Yardney Technical Products, explains, "Lithium-air, and allow it to ract with the lithium metal anode. These are constructed in layers, like sandwich, of the lithium metal anode, separator with electrolyte and then the air cathode. The air cathode is the critical part, and that is where oxygen enters to cells and reacts."

Given below is an explanation of Li-air batteries construction from Arthur Dobley papers and how Li-air pouch cells are used to test the air cathode. Lithium-air batteries are constructed in layers like a sandwich. For experimental purpose, a pouch cell is used, which contains an air cathode inside the Li-air cells. The cell construction further involves layering of the components and sealing of them in plastic packets. The anode, separator, electrolyte and carbon air cathodes are sealed inside the metallised plastic packets.

The future

So far so good, but what is the future of the Li-air battery which is still under development and where can it find applications? Can this battery suffice all the devices? Lot many questions like these need to answered. Yardney Technical Products inc., a subsidiary of ENTER_TEK International focuses on speciality battery technology for research and product development in high-performance niche markets. Kris Johanessen, directior-business development, Yardney Technical Products, says,"The future of lithium-air is continued development of components such as the anode, electrolyte, separator and especially air cathode. Cell packaging and batteiry design will also be developed. That will depend upon applications which include powering; cellphones, laptops, other electronic devices and even some vehicles. The recharge ability of the cell is the biggest unknown at this time. Further evaluation is necessary to optimise the performance of this promising technology. Efforts to increase the number of cycles available as well as reduce packaging size are on the road map to a viable Li-air system."

SPREADING OF SWINE FLU

The spread of swine influenza in the United States create worldwide scare recently. Transmitted by airborne droplets from an infected person's sneeze or cough, or from germs on hands, or germ-laden surfaces, the swine flu virus mutates so that it can infect humans and be spread by humans. Even though most cases of swine flu reported from around the world were mild infections, nearly 100 patients dies in Mexico because of the flue outbreak.

Swine flu is a type A influenza virus that causes respiratory illness in pigs. People do not normally get swine flu, but human infections can and do happen. What is particularly worrying about the current swine flue injecting pigs and humans is that the H1N1 virus is a genetic mix of swine, human and avian flue strains, a dangerous combination that could elude traditional drug treatments.

The threat of zoonosis, where a disease jumps from animals to humans like HIV, Anthrax, Bird flu, and in thee most instance Swine flu, is growing rapidly. Zoonosis is a category of infectious diseases where the pathogen is able to cross the species barrier from wild or domestic animals to humans. A major factor contributing to the appearance of new zoonotic pathogens in human populations is increased contact between humans and wildlife. This can be cause either by human encroachment in wild areas or by movement of wild animals into areas of human habitations causes due to environmental disturbances.

If environmental disturbances are the reasons for new zoonotic diseases, then it may be possible to predict to some extent the geographical areas of the world where new zoonotic pathogens might jump over the infect humans. This kind of study will allow medical experts toi study the new disease before it spreads to new and more populated areas.

Preventing Zoonotic Diseases:

1. Strictly avoid undercooked/raw meat, unpasteurized dairy products and unwashed vegetables.
2. Limit travel to areas where a new pathogen has been found.
3. Increase farm hygiene.
4. Clean and disinfect transport cages, feed trays and any equipment after each use.
5. Observe domestic animals daily for clinical signs of disease(s) and report abnormalities to help in early veterinary investigation.
6. Immediately move highly endangered or susceptible species to the most secure facilities available within the zoo and keep in isolation.
7. Dispose carcasses to minimize transmission of pathogens to humans or other animals within the vicinity.
8. Decontaminate/disinfect highly susceptible areas.
9. Vaccinate poultry and farm workers compulsorily.
10. Reduce contact between livestock and wild birds.
11. Make available vaterinary vaccines.
12. Ban bush meat and exotic pet trade.
13. Conduct public awareness programmes.

TECHNOLOGY UPDATES

Solar-powered, waterproof mobile phone:

NTT DoCoMo has developed a solar-powered, water-proof mobile phone called Solar Hybrid (DoCoMo STYLE series SH-08A). The Solar Hybrid can be recharged with sunlight as well as electricity. Even if the battery has completely lost ist charge, just 10 minutes of solar recharging via a panel on the phone' s body provides approximately one minute of talk time
The handset comes with an 8 megapixel CCD camera, and fits waterproof body is resistant to water sprays from all directions and submersible to depths up to one met

Bacterial computers:

Researchers in the US have developed bacterial computers that can revolutionise genetic research. The research team, including scientists from Missouri Western State University and Davidson College in North Carolina, USA, engineered the DNA of Escherichia coli bacteria and created bacterial computers capable of solving a classic mathematical problem known as the Hamiltonian Path problem.
The Hamiltonian Path problem asks whether there is a route in network from a beginning node to an ending node, visiting each node exactly once. The researchers modified the genetic circuitry of the bacteria to enable them to find a Haliltonian path in a three node graph. Bacteria that successfully solved the problem reported their success by fluorescing both red and green, resulting in yellow colonies.

Mini projector for phones:

Researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Optics have developed a mini projector that promises to cut down on the flab and the large power requirements of existing phone projection technologies. The new system uses a lens system to project light and images generated by a low-power organic light-emitting diode (OLED). Use of the OLED means there is no need for a separate light source and the lens system ensures decent image reproduction.

TECHNOLOGY UPDATES

World's fastest supercomputer:

A supercomputer name Novo-G, described by its lead designer as the most powerful computer of its kind in the world, has become operational at the University of Florida (UF).
Novo-G gets the first part of its name from the Latin term for "make anew, change, alter," and fthe second from 'G' for 'genesis.' A reconfigurable computer, it can rearrange its internal circuitry to suit the task at hand. Applications range from space satellites to research supercomputers-any-where size, energy and high speed are imp0rtant.

According to the university's website, traditional computers use so-called fixed-logic devices to perform a large variety of tasks. This jack-of-all trades approach requires a substantial amount of overhead in space and energy, no matter what work needs to be done. On the other hand, special purpose computers can be built to perform certain tasks very well but are not flexible.
Reconfigurable computers make the best of both worlds. That is because they can rearrange their internal circuitry like Lego blocks, creating the most appropriate architecture for each assignment. As a result, a reconfigurable computer can be ften to 100 times faster than other computers of its size while using five to ten times less energy.

Although the concept has been proven, reconfigurable computers remain at the research stage and are not easy to use. One of the main goals of the NSF Center is toi pioneer techniques to make reconfigurable computers more accessible.

Discover the moon in Google Earth:

Forty years ago, the crew of Apollo 11 walked on the moon. With Moon in Google Earth, it's now possible for you to follow in their footsteps.

Moon in Google Earth is an interactive 3D atlas of the Moon, viewable with Google Earth 5.0. It lets users explore a virtual Moonscape, follow guided tours from astronauts Buzz Aldrin (Apollo 11) and Jack Schmitt ( Apollo 17), see the latest rover concepts by teams competing in the Google Lunar X-PRIZE, view high resolution 'street view' style panoramic photos, watch previously unreleased video footage captured from the lunar surface and much more.
Moon in Google Earth will also incorporate a complete lunar terrain date-set, which will serve s the atlas' base-map. Whether you are rediscovering the iconic moments in the history of moon exploration or learning about them for the first time, Moon in Google Earth will enable you to better understand the moon, and our relationship to it, with an immersive, 3D experience.

To experience Moon in Google Earth, open Google Earth 5.0 and switch mode from 'Earth' to 'Moon' on the top toolbar.

CAPTIVATIING CLOUDS

CLOUDS:

Scientists say clouds form when relatively warm air containing water vapour cools as it rises. They define a cloud as, "a visible mass of condensed droplets or frozen crystals suspended in the atmosphere above the Earth's surface." Each droplet has a diameter of about a hundredth of a millimeter and one cubic meter of air may contain as many as 100 million droplets. Because the droplets are so small, they can remain liquid even at minus 30 degree centigrade and are then called super cooled droplets.

CRUISE CONTROL:

Clouds can be classified depending on the altitude at which they cruise along.

High clouds (Family A):These generally form above 5000m and at around 3000m in Polar Regions. Water freezes at this altitude, so these clouds are composed of ice crystals. These clouds are typically wispy, transparent and white. But they display Nature's amazing palette of colours when the Sun is low on the horizon.
Middle clouds (Family B):These develop at altitudes between 2000 m and 5000 m and are made up of water droplets, often super cooled.
Low clouds (Family C):These are found at altitudes up to 2000 m and are mostly composed of water droplets. However, when temperatures are cold enough, they may also contain ice particles and snow.
Vertical clouds (Family D):These clouds form at variable heights and can grow to heights in excess of 12000 meters.

CLOUD CLASSIFICATION:

In 1803, Like Howard recognized four types of clouds:
* Cumulus (meaning in a pile)
* Stratus (meaning in a layer)
* Cirrus(thread-like)
* Nimbus (rain bearer)
A new catagory called Alto was later added as a prefix given to mid-level clouds.

CLOUD CATEGORIES:

Today there are ten main cloud types, which are further divided in to 27 sub-types.
1. Cirrus: Also called mare's Tail. White, resembling delicate hair-like filaments. They may also appear in dense patches; or occasionally in parallel bands that appear to converge towards the horizon. Associated with ice crystals, these clouds are signs of unsettled weather.
2. Cirrocumulus: High altitude clouds; associated with ice crystals but no rain.
3. Cirrostratus: High altitude clouds appearing like a transparent sheet; associated with ice crystals but no precipitation.
4. Altocumulus: Middle altitude, layered cloud, generally white with some shading; sometimes associate with light showers.
5. Altostratus: Middle altitude, grey cloud; associated with rain or snow.
6. Nimbostratus: Thick, dark cloud; associated with heavy rain or snow.
7. Stratocumulus: Low altitude, layered cloud, generally white; associated with light drizzle.
8. Stratus: Low altitude, grey coloured cloud; associated with drizzle. If ragged in apppearence it is called Fractostratus.
9. Cumulus: Low altitude cloud associated with rain or snow. They appear white when sunlit but have darker undersides anda distinctive ' cauliflower'
10. Cumulonimbus: Low altitude clouds that can reach 16km in height; associated with thunderstorm, lightning, squalls, and showers of rain or snow.

MEDICAL INNOVATIONS

BLOOD PRESSURE MACHINE:
(BP machine)

The first recorded instance of the measurement of blood pressure was in 1733 by the Reverend Stephen Hales. Hales took a horse and inserted a brass pipe into an artery. This brass pipe was connected to a glass tube. Hales observed the blood in the pipe rising and concluded that this must be due to a pressure in the blood.

Carl Ludwing recorded human blood pressure for the first time in 1847. Ludwing's kymograph chad catheters that were inserted directly into the artery. His kymograph consisted of a U-shaped manometer tube connected to a brass pipe cannula into the artery. The manometer tube had an ivory float onto which a rod with a quill was attached. This quill would sketch onto a rotating drum hence the name 'Kymograph' or 'wave writer' in Greek. However, this method was also invasive. By the nineteenth century, scientists began to experiment with various devices to measure the amplitude of the pulse wave. Vierordt was the first to use an inflatable cuff around the arm to constrict the artery.

in 1881, samuel Siegrfried Karl Ritter von Basch invented the sphygmomanometer. His device consisted of a water-filld bag connected to a manometer. The manometer was used to determine the pressure required to obliterate the arterial pulse. However, the modern era of blood pressure measurement started with the introduction of the sphygmomanometer by Scipione Riva-Rocci in 1896. He created an inflatable rubber cuff designed to obstruct the blood flow of the brachial artery. A column of mercury was used to quantify the pressure requi9red to inflate a rubber cuff at the moment the pulse became unpalpable distal to the cuff. Although revolutionary, Riva-Rocci's invention was limited by inherent problems; specifically, his cuff was too narrow, resulting in inaccurate measurements. Von Recklinghausd later recognized this error and widened the cuff 5 to 13 cm.

Riva-Rocci's sphygmonanometer was spotted by the American neurosurgeon Harvery Cushing while he was traveling through Italy. Seeing the Potential benefit he returned to the US with the design in 1901. After the design was modified for more clinical use, the sphygmomanometer became commonplace.

Nikolai Koratfoff was the first to observe the sounds made by the constriction of the artery in 1905. Korotkoff found that there were characteristic sounds of certain points in the inflation and deflation of the cuff. These Korotdoff sounds were caused by the abnormal passage of blood through the artery, corresponding to the systolic and diastolic blood pressures. A crucial difference in Korotdaff's technique was the use of the stethoscope to listen for sounds of blood flowing through the artery. This method proved to be more reliable than the previous palpitation techniques and thus became the standard practice. Over the years the sphygmomanometer has evolved considerably.

Mercury manometer is considered to be the "Gold Standard" of measurement because it does not go out of calibration. However, mercury sphygmomanometer is likely to be banned from clinical use because of the danger of toxicity. Accurate, automated devices are available to replace the mercury sphygmomanometer. Aneroid and electronic instruments have some advantages of portability and ease of use. Most manufactures of aneroid and electronic instruments recommend calibration against a mercury manometer every six months.

Blood pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury (mm of Hg) and recorded as two numbers - systolic pressure "over" diastolic pressure.

SCIENTISTS SPLITED ELECTRONS

Electrons of an atom revolve round the nuclues with a high speed in order counter balance the electrostatic force of attraction between protons and electrons.
Rutherford's atomic model can be compared with solar system. In this atom model electrons revolve round the nucleus in certain orbits like the planets revolve round the Sun. The particles which are present in the nucleus are called as nucleons. Protons, neutrons and several other subatomic particles excluding electrons are known as nucleons.

ELECTRON:

The Electron, which is fundamental building block of nature, is indivisible in isolation. They carry negative charge 1, relative mass is 1/1837 of hydrogen mass, mass is .00055 amu and symbol is 'e'. Electrons had no proven substructure till now.

Electrons in narrow wires can be divided into two new particles called spinons and holons, an experiment by a team of physicists from the Universities of Cambridge and Birmingham has revealed. The experiment proved that electrons did not exhibit the same properties in groups that they showed when they were studied in proper isolation. They have to avoid getting too close to each other in narrow wires, as they all carry negative charge, the physicists said. When crammed together in very narrow wires, they need to modify trajectories to accomplish objective.

Physicist Duncan Haldane had in 1981 conjectured theoretically that the electrons would always modify the way they behaved so that their magnetism and their charge would separate into two new types of particle called spinons and holons. However, this is the first scientific proof of the phenomenon.

"We had to develop the technology to pass a current between a wire and a sheet only 30 atomic widths apart. The measurements have to be made at extremely low temperatures, about a tenth of a degree above absolute zero," said Cambridge university's Dr Chris Ford, who carried out the experiment with fellow physicist Yodchay Jompol. The experiment, which involved confining electrons tightly in a "quantum wire," could also be the basis for new theories of superconductivity.

SCIENCE WONDERS

INVISIBLE INK:

A simple chemical reaction makes invisible ink visible. Squeeze some juice from a fresh lemon, then write, then paint it on to a piece of while paper. When the juice dries, the marks are virtually invisible. To make them visible put the paper in an over 175 degrees centigrade for 10 minutes. How it works? The heat burns the chemical so its becomes visible.

TURN MILK INTO PLASTIC:

Many plastics are made from petroleum oil. Oil formed in the rocks over millions of years, from the bodies of billions of small creatures. You can make a similar plastic in a few minutes using milk, another organic(carbon containing) substances.
Warm some creamy milk in a saucepan. When it is just simmering, slowly stir in few teaspoons of vinegar. The acidic chemicals in the vinegar react with organic milk chemicals. Keep stirring cool and wash it under running water. You now have your own plastic, which you can bounce around or mould into shapes. (Wash 'plastic' in ta water leave plastic to dry-figure).

UN FREEZABLE WATER:

Pure water changes from a liquid to solid as its temperature falls below 0 degree centigrade. We call this freezing. But water that contains a dissolved chemical, such as salt, freezes at a lower temperature. You can make up-freezable water by dissolving as much salt as you can in cold tap water. Put this salt solution in one plastic container, and clean water in a similar container. Place them in the icebox or freezer. The pure water soon turns to solid ice. The salty water stays liquid for much longer. In very cold weather, salt is spread on roads. It dissolves in anywater there, to stop dangerous ice forming on the road surface. The water in an iceberg freezes at 0 degree d since it is made from rain water. Seawater freezes well below 0 degree centigrade, because of the salt dissolved in it.

GLACIERS

GLACIERS:

A river of ice inches down a valley in the Himalaya Mountains. This moving ice is called a glacier. If formed over many years, as snow collected near the peaks and the crystals turned to ice. As more snow fell, the ice grew so thick that began to move under its own weight. A glacier wears away mountainsides as it moves.

BIRTH OF AN ICEBERG:

In a cloud of spray, a chunk from a glacier crashes into the sea. The "birth" process is called calving. The "Calf" - a giant chunk of ice-is an iceberg. A giant ribbon of ice winds among the rocky peaks. The ice looks firm and till-but its's on the move. How do you know? Once in a while the ground shakes slightly, and a rumble like distant thunder breaks the quiet. The ribbon of ice is actural river of ice. It's a glacier. Glaciers form in parts of the world where snow piles up faster than it melts-in mountaines or in other areas that stay could most of the year. Over time, the snow crystals change to ice. When the ice is thick enough, its won weight causes it to move. The buildup may take a few years or hundreds of years. Once in motion, the ice creeps down a slope, perhaps traveling only an an inch a day.

In Greenland and in Antarctica Glaciers called ice sheets cover thousands of square miles. Most glaciers are smaller and form on high mountains such as Alaska's Mount McKinely.

Scientists have found that different parts of the same glacier move at different speeds. The sides and bottom of the moving ice grind against mountain walls. So these parts move more slowly than does the ice in the center. Gradually the sections pull apart and the ice cracks, forming deep canyons, or crevasses. Ice scapes White areas on the map show glaciers acound the world. Such ice spreads across one-tenth of the earth's land. It occurs on mainland and on islands. The largest glaciers, called ice sheets, lie in polar regins-in Greenland and in Antarctical. They are about two miles thick in places.

ICESCAPES:

Ice spreads across one-tenth of the earth's land. It occurs on mainlands and on islands. The largest glaciers, called ice sheets, lie in polar regions-in Greenland and in Antarctica. They are about two miles thick in places.

MASTER MOUNTAIN CARVERS:

Glacier changes the world. The painting shows how. Glaciers often form at the heads of valleys high in mountains. There snow piles up year after year, changing into ice. When the mass of ice is thick enough, it begins to move as glacier. It pries out rock and boulders, gradually carving a huge, bowl shaped hollow called a cirque(sirk). As it creeps down hill, the glacier scrapes the valley floor and mountain walls. During the glaciers's slow slide, other glaciers may join it. All have picked up tons of rock and dirt. Such debris shows as dark streaks on surface of water. In this art, part of a glacier has been cut away to show the debris inside. Continuing its slide, the glacier and the rocky material along its edge grind against the mountains sides. This forms deep, U-shaped valley that will remain long after the glacier has melted.

Keep away Swine Flue

>>To protect yourself from swine influenza practice general preventive measures:

* Avoid close contact with people who appear unwell and who have fever and cough.
* your hands with soap and water frequently thoroughly.
* Practice good health habits including adequate sleep, eating nutritious food, and keeping physically active

>>If there is an ill person at home:

* Try to provide the ill person a separate section in the house. If this is not possible, keep the patient at least 1 meter away from others.
* Cover mouth and nose when caring for the ill person. Masks can bought commercially or made using readily available materials as long as they are disposed of or cleaned properly.
* Wash your hands with soap and water thoroughly after each contact with the ill person.
* Try to improve the air flow in the area where the ill person stays. Use doors and windows to take advantage of breezes.
* T environment clean with readily available household cleaning agents. If you are living in a country where swine influenza has caused disease in humans, follow additional advice from national and local health authorities.

>>If you feel unwell, have high fever, cough and/or sore throat:

* Stay at home and keep away from work, school or crowds and much as possible.
* Rest and take plenty of fluids.
* Cover your mouth and nose with disposable tissues when coughing and sneezing and dispose of the used tissues properly.
* Inform family and friends abut your illness and seek help for household chores that required contact with other people such as shopping.

>> If you need medical attention:

* Contact your doctor or health care provider before travelling to see them and report your symptoms.
* Explain why you think you have swine influenza ( for example, if you have recently travelled to a country where there is a swine influenza outbreak in humans).

NEW INNOVATIONS

STAR LASER

The Star Laser is an electronic device that projects green laser stars along with blue cloud formations to give the feeling that you're floating in space. This can be adjusted to fill up your ceiling, walls floor, or even the side of the house with a smoothing star field created by green lasers and holographic optics. A motor inside the projects is constantly moving and changing the star field. It can be set to display the blue gaseous cloud formations. The projector also contains two built-in glass lenses that, along with the thousands of green lasers and diffractive holographic optics, bring the universe right to your home.

CHOCOLATE FOUNTAIN

This is not an ordinatry fountain. Instead of clear water this fountain works on cholocate. Put in some of that fine Begium chocolate in the bottom basin and wait for the fountain to work. This fountain is very relaxing to look at, plus if you get hungry for sweets this fountain will satisfy your needs. Have a strawberry with some hot cholocate sauce. The fountain is made of stainless steel and will sure surprise guests at your home or party.

VACUUMING ROBOTS

Vaccuming Robots are simpy amazing when it comes to keeping floors and carpet clean in your house or apartment. They clean all types of different floors including, tile, carpet, wood, laminate and vinyl. These low profile robots go where upright vacuums can't and they do it all without any help. Simply turn the Roomba on and let it work while you watch TV or leave the house. When it gets done it will even return to its charging base automically.

NEW DISCOVERIES

New Species Discovered - Named it OBAMA:

A researcher has discovered a new species of lichen - a plant-like growth that looks like moss or a dry leaf - and named it after President Barack Obama. Caloplaca obamae, the first species of any organism to be named in honour of President Obama, grows on soil and almost became extinct during the days of cattle ranching that spanned nearly a hundred years on Santa Rosa Island, Lichens, which grow slowly and liver for many years, result from fungi and algae living together.

Ischemic Stroke:

People who suffer an ischemic stroke and also have an obnormality in the heart's electrical cycle area at a higher risk of death within 90 days than people who do not have abnormal electrical activity at the time of emergency treatment, according to new research. The study also provides a threshold at which the threat of death is highest: QTc intervals greater than 440 milliseconds in women and 438 milliseconds in men have the worst prognosis.

Over dose of Warfarin may cause of death:

A new study shows that people who take the commonly used blood thinning drug warfarin may have larger amounts of bleeding in the brain and increased risk of death if they suffer a hemorrhagic stroke. Warfarin is commonly prescribed to prevent blood clotting. Studies have shown it prevent ischemic stroke for patients with an abnormal heart rhythm called atrial fibrillation. However, if the drug makes the blood too thin, it can increase the risk of brain haemorrhage, a type of stroke caused by bleeding in the brain.

R A D A R

A motorist in a hurry steps on the gas and exceeds the speed limit. As the car goes over a hill, a police officer steps from the shoulder of the road and flags down in the car. The officer tells the driver; you were going 45 miles an hour in a 25 miles an hour zone. The motorist groans, oh no, it had to be radar. Police officers do catch speeding motorists with the help of radar.

WORKING:

RADAR uses short waves called i to see thing not visible to the human eye. When microwaves strike an object, they bounce off. Some of them return to their source, just as a sound echo does. By studying the returning microwaves, people can find out the size and the location of objects hundreds or even thousands miles away.

UNITS:

Microwaves vibrate just as sound and radio waves do. When microwave bounce off a moving object, they vibrate differently when they return. If the object is moving away, the returning waves vibrate differently when they return. If the object is moving away, the returning waves vibrate more slowly. If the object is approaching, the returning waves vibrate more quickly. Radar guns measure the difference between the outgoing and the incoming vibrations. Then they translate the information into a number that tells how fast the object is moving.

Radar units come in many sizes and shapes. The radar gun used to detect speeding motorists fit in the hand. Other units are as large as buildings.

USES:

At the base ball game or in cricket, a New York Mets hurls a ball towards a catcher ( in cricket bowler bowl to batsmen). A radar gun records the speed of the ball in miles an hour. Many professional baseball teams now use radar to measure how fast their pitchers ( in cricket bowlers) throw (bowls) the ball. This information helps a coach determine when a pitcher is tiring. Team scouts looking for new talent use radar to rest the pitching strength of young players. Radar also helps in measuring speeds in car, boat, sky racing.

Microwave from radar gun bounces back from moving car. The returning waves differ from the outgoing ones. That is because the waves vibrate faster after they bounce off the car. If the car were heading away, from the gun, the returning waves would vibrate more slowly Sound,radio and light waves also change when they bounce off moving objects. You can hear sound waves change. Ask an adult to drive a car past you while blowing the horn. The horn will have high pitch as the car nears you. After it passes, the horn will sound lower.