Sci_tech Feb 15 to Feb 28

KIIW sciNtech Feb 15 to Feb 28

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Notes by vineetpunnoose on www.kiwipaper.com

Content

Africa to see more GM crops 1

Biotech blues 1

India tops Canada as 4th largest country growing GM crops 2

Cabinet approves continuation of nano-science mission 3

Akash bang on target in flight test 3

Heavy Satellite Launch Vehicles: An Assessment 3

Revised cost estimates of Geo-synchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle project for 6

the scope of development programme and experimental flight 6

Curiosity rover drives in reverse on Mars 6

China's moon rover goes into third planned dormancy 7

Steps to check Soil Erosion 7

Anaerobic Biodigester Technology to Conserve Nature at "Anusandhan Vihar"- DRDO 7

New Ecofriendly Residential Complex Inaugurated 8

Bitcoin world in turmoil as exchange shuts down after theft 8

Bit of a problem 8

No need to make cellphone tower radiation norms more stringent, says government 8

Japan's Fukushima plant leaks radioactive water 9

Bio-Toilets in Gram Panchayats 9

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Content

Heavy metals in cosmetics: government silent on tightening rules 9

Clear the air on mobile tower radiation, WHO tells India 10

National Guidelines for Stem Cell Research 10

Third Line Treatment of HIV/AIDS 11

Iron deficiency may increase stroke risk 11

Determination of Brain Death 11

Presence of Heavy Metals in Cosmetic Products 12

Pepper spray: Why it is so dangerous 12

ICMR launches three new diagnostic kits 12

Cases of Bird Flu/Avian Influenza 13

Neo-addiction 14

Inhibit the Calpain to Climb the Mountain 14

Parliament passes bill that eases rules on narcotics used in palliative care 15

launches 3 different kits for Detection of Food Borne Pathogens, Diagnosing Iron 15

Anaemia, and Vitamin-A Deficiency 15

Asbestos Related Diseases 16

President of India inaugurates national conference on TB and allied diseases 16

Diseases Due to Air Pollution 17

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Content

Resistant to fluorosis 17

The internet through a light bulb 17

'Indian science should embrace an interdisciplinary approach' 18

Continuation of the Mission on Nano Science and Technology in the 12th Plan Peri 18

Through the looking glass 19

Management of bacterial blight of rice 19

Algae proposed as a viable source to produce cheaper biofuel 20

Japan readies hi-tech satellite to monitor global rainfall 20

China's moon rover goes into 3rd planned dormancy 20

New clean energy targets for Europe 20

Yellow Rust Attack is not likely to have significant impact on Wheat Production 21

DRDO brings high altitude waste disposal technology to homes 21

First beam of anti-hydrogen atoms at CERN 22

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Notes by vineetpunnoose on www.kiwipaper.com Page 1

Africa to see more GM crops Wed, Feb 26, 2014The Hindu, agriculture, science & tech, GM crops, africa,

Africa is expected to be the next target of GM food companies, as European scientistsand policymakers travel to Ethiopia to boost the prospect of growing more of the controversialcrops on the continent. Western push The talks take place as industry data shows theplanting of GM crops has practically halted in the U.S. and as G8 countries, led by theU.S. and Britain, press African states to liberalise their farming as part of the New Alliancefor Food Security and Nutrition initiative. The New Alliance is intended to accelerateAfrican agricultural production, but farmers have widely criticised it as a new form ofcolonialism. According to the International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotechApplications (ISAAA), South Africa grows GM food crops, and Burkina Faso and Sudancotton. Seven other African countries -- Cameroon, Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Nigeriaand Uganda -- have conducted GM field trials. The first drought-tolerant genetically modifiedmaize is expected to be grown on the continent in 2017, it says. Annual figures from ISAAAshow that U.S. farmers planted 70.1 million hectares (173 million acres) of GM cropsin 2013, less than one per cent more than in 2011 and 2012. Latin American and Asianfarmers grow more than half of the world's GM crops, mostly for animal feed or cottonproduction. The latest figures show that 77 per cent of the world's GM crops are grownin three countries -- 40 per cent in the U.S., 23 per cent in Brazil and 14 per cent in Argentina-- with plantings in Europe and Africa negligible, and concern growing worldwide aboutthe emergence of herbicide-resistant "superweeds." -- (c) Guardian Newspapers Limited,2014

Biotech blues Fri, Feb 28, 2014biotech, science & tech, GM crops, Businessline,

Environment Minister Veerappa Moily has done the right thing by allowing field trialsof genetically modified (GM) cotton, maize, rice and castor lines ahead of the new kharifplanting season. The Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) had given thego-ahead for these trials on March 22 last year. Moily has rightly pointed out that theCourt has not imposed an embargo and the mere existence of a PIL cannot be a groundfor not permitting field trials. Moreover, the GEAC is the official biotech regulator constitutedunder the Environment Protection Act. To overturn its recommendations is tantamountto going against your own ministry; which is what Jairam Ramesh did by unilaterally announcinga 'moratorium' on the commercialisation of Bt brinjal. The Centre should clearly tell theSupreme Court that it is not opposed to either field trials or commercialisation of GM crops,subject to their receiving the necessary bio-safety and other clearances from the competentbody: the GEAC. This clarification must be in the form of a joint affidavit from the agricultureand environment ministries. Resisting the formulation of a common position of all stakeholderdepartments amounts to undermining the country's official policy on GM crops, whichis not characterised by blind opposition but a qualified acceptance subject to scientific

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scrutiny. It is for the Centre to convey this stance unambiguously to the apex court if itwants the current uncertainty over the future of GM crop technology in India to end. Inthe long run, the country needs anindependent biotech regulator, preferably a statutoryauthority empowered through legislation. This is unlike the GEAC, which is now practicallya department of the environment ministry. The next government at the Centre should accordtop priority to the passage of the Biotechnology Regulatory Authority of India Bill, whichwill set the stage for field trials and commercial release of GM products to be decidedon transparent scientific principles rather than ideological considerations or ministerialwhimsy. A country whose food, feed and fibre requirements will only multiply in the comingyears can ill-afford the luxury of saying no to a technology that has benefited its own farmers-- the success story of cotton is proof of this. We need a regulatory regime that allows thisto be replicated in more crops with multiple technology providers.

India tops Canada as 4th largest country growing GM crops Mon, Feb 17, 2014agriculture, science & tech, GM crops, Businessline,

India has overtaken Canada to emerge as the fourth largest country to grow biotech orgenetically modified (GM) crops in 2013 as farmers here planted Bt cotton in about 11million hectares. In the previous year, farmers in India had planted Bt cotton -- the onlyapproved GM crop for commercial cultivation -- in about 10.8 m ha. The global acreagesunder GM crops continued to expand through 2013, albeit at a sluggish pace of around3 per cent. Acreage under GM crops increased to 175.2 million hectares in 2013, aboutfive million hectares more than last year, according to the International Service for Acquisitionof Agri-Biotech Applications (ISAAA) that tracks the GM acreages. The US continuedto be the largest country under GM crops, accounting for 40 per cent of the total plantedarea globally. The GM acreage in Brazil expanded at a faster pace last year comparedto other countries, followed by Argentina. While Egypt has stopped planting GM crops,reducing the total number of countries to 27, countries such as Canada saw a decline inarea. Of the 27 countries that planted GM crops last year, 19 were developing nations andeight were industrialised countries. Developing nations planted more GM crops than theirdeveloped counterparts the second consecutive year with farmers in Latin America, Asiaand Africa accounting for 54 per cent of the 175 million hectares. Bangladesh approvedthe commercial planting of Bt brinjal, while the situation in Egypt put planting on-hold,pending a Government review, ISAAA said. Panama and Indonesia were two other nationsthat approved cultivation of biotech crops. About 18 million farmers planted the biotechcrops in 2013 compared with 17.3 million in 2012. Besides economic gains, farmers benefitedenormously from at least a 50 per cent reduction in the number of insecticide applications.In the European Union, five nations -- Spain, Portugal, Romania, Czech Republic andSlovakia -- planted 15 per cent more area than last year at 1.48 lakh hectares under Bt maize.

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Cabinet approves continuation of nano-science mission Thu, Feb 20, 2014The Hindu, science & tech, nano science mission, nano science,

The Union Cabinet on Thursday gave its clearance for the continuation of the NationalMission on nano-science and technology in its second phase in the 12th plan period ata cost of Rs. 650 crores. Launched in May 2007, the mission has been working to helpscientists, institutions and the industry in terms of promoting basic research, developmentof adequate manpower resources, augmentation the infrastructure for research and generationof socially useful products. It also noted that Indian scientists now have access to globalstate-of-the-art facilities like the photon factory at Tsukuba, Japan and Petra III in Hamburg,Germany and that the mission has created a platform for a national dialogue towards developmentof standards for nanotechnology and for laying down a regulatory framework roadmapfor the cutting edge technology.

Akash bang on target in flight test Fri, Feb 21, 2014air missile, defense, akash, The Hindu, science & tech,

The Army on Friday successfully flight-tested Akash, the surface-to-air missile developedby the Defence Research and Development Organisation, from the Integrated Test Rangeat Chandipur, Odisha. The missile was bang on target -- a pilotless aircraft. The Akashweapon system is an all-weather, air defence system for defending valuable assets fromaerial attacks. The missile can engage adversarial aircraft flying at a distance of 25 km.It can target fighter-aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles, helicopters and cruise missiles.The advantages of Akash are that it thrusts all the way to intercept the enemy aircraft;it can engage multiple targets; it can be transported by rail, road and air; and it boasts ofC4I, that is, command, control, communication and computers, and intelligence.

Heavy Satellite Launch Vehicles: An Assessment Wed, Feb 19, 2014IDSA, Heavy Satellite Launch Vehicles, science & tech, ISRO, Space,

A satellite launch vehicle (rocket) is designed to lift a satellite from the earth and to deliverit to the desired orbit. The strength of such a vehicle depends on the weight of the satelliteand the nature of the orbit in which it is to be placed. Technically, launch vehicles couldbe categorised based on various features. It could be based on the number of stages thevehicle use for launching a satellite like single stage, twin stage, etc. It could also be basedon method of assembly like vertically or horizontally assembled. However, the most commonapproach of classification could be based on the payload carrying capacity. There couldbe further sub-classifications in this category based on the orbits in which the payloadis to be delivered. On January 5, 2014, India conducted a successful launch of GSLV-D5under its Geosynchronous Launch Vehicle programme. With this launch India, has forthe first time, succeed in demonstrating its indigenous cryogenic technology. For India

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mastering this technology is extremely important because without cryogenic/semi-cryogenictechnology it is not in a position to further develop its rocket programme for launchingheavy satellites. What India has achieved with the successful launch of GSLV-D5 on January5, 2014 (approximately two tones payload) could be viewed as a first step in the directionof developing a reliable launch system for the delivery of heavy satellites into differentorbits India's cryogenic engine development programme was in making for many years.In fact during early 1990s India was denied this technology. Russia was then supposedto transfer this technology to India but was pressurised by the US not to do so owing tothe nuclear and missile related policies prevalent then. Since 2001, the Indian Space ResearchOrganisation (ISRO) has been involved in the development of cryogenic engine. It witnessedone failure on April 15, 2010 when the launch using indigenously developed cryogenicengine failed. The failure to develop cryogenic technology appears to be almost universal.Mostly cryogenic engine technology has been at heart of development of various launchvehicles designed for launch of more than 2 tonnes weight into GTO and other orbits. Vehiclesof Russian, Chinese and Indian origin are three/four stage vehicles while that of Westernand Japanese origin are two stage vehicles. Except India in all other cases the combinationconstitutes of stages with liquid and semi cryogenic or cryogenic propellants. For Indianvehicle the first stage is with solid propellant. The specific details about the propellantare discussed in next section. Participation of private sector towards the overall developmentof the launch vehicle family is evident barring India and China where no major involvementof the private sector is evident. The payload capacity of GSLV-MK II is comparativelyvery low in comparison with other vehicles. However, GSLV-Mk II is the first variantof GSLV family and further modifications of this system are in the pipeline. Currently,GSLV-Mk III launch vehicle is under development and is expected to launch payloadweighing 4500 to 5000 kg. The vehicle envisages multi-mission launch capability for GTO,LEO, Polar and intermediate circular orbits. GSLV-Mk III is designed to be a three stagevehicle. First stage comprises two identical S200 Large Solid Booster (LSB) with 200tonne solid propellant, which are strapped on to the second stage, the L110 re-startableliquid stage. The third stage is the C25 LOX/LH2 cryo-stage. 2 The time taken for thedevelopment of cryogenic engine technology appears to be quite significant in each casemostly more than ten years. ISRO took about fourteen years for this development andit appears that they had no late starter advantage. One of the reasons for this could be thecryogenic haves club been tight-lipped about the technological knowhow. One anotherimportant aspect could have been that during 1994 two important ISRO scientists workingon cryogenic project were falsely named in some scam and by the time their innocencewas proved their careers and India's cryogenic programme suffered significantly. 3 Thesuccess rate for India and China is lowest, hovering around 50%. In case of India it maybe noted that number of launches are two, one failure and success. Therefore critical assessmentis foreseeable only by their future launch record. In the Indian case, the thrust producedby CE7.5 GSLV MKII cryogenic engine is comparatively less. However, it also needsto be considered that the GSLV-D5 launch was with small payload. Propellant Propellantis the chemical mixture burned to produce thrust in rockets. Presently, most rockets operate

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with either solid or liquid propellants or combination of both. The propellant does notmean simply fuel; it means both fuel and oxidizer. The fuel constitutes of the chemicalthe rocket burns but, for burning to take place; an oxidizer (oxygen) is required to be present.Jet engines draw oxygen into their engines from the surrounding air. However, the rocketsdo not have the luxury that jet planes have; they need to carry oxygen with them into space,where there is no air. 4 It may be noted that cryogenic is low temperature physics andpropellants used for cryogenic stage in the overall rocket assembly usually involves a combinationof liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen or methane and liquid oxygen. The Specific impulse(Isp) is an important factor to measure efficiency of rocket. Specific impulse is definedas the thrust divided by the mass of propellant consumed per second. The result is expressedin seconds. The higher the specific impulse, the less propellant is needed to gain a givenamount of momentum. Isp depends on combination of propellant and medium in whichthey are employed. In general trend propellant gives less Isp at sea level than vacuum.The following table indicates Isp of various combination commonly used in HLV: Theabove table indicates that cryogenic engines are much more efficient in delivering highIsp. Liquid Oxygen and liquid Hydrogen combination is one of most energetic chemicalreaction to produce high Isp used by rocket industry so far. However, due to its complexstorage systems (it may be noted that Hydrogen remains liquid at temperatures of -253oCand Oxygen remains in a liquid state at temperatures of -183oC) high overall cost of propellantsand highly corrosive nature makes it less attractive option to be used in all stages of rocket.Majority of the heavy lift vehicles use cryogenic in its upper stage, while for other stagesthere is a shift for semi-cryogenic propellants. This includes combination of liquid oxygenas oxidizer and kerosene (RP-1) as a fuel. Kerosene offers less Isp than cryogens, but dueto its other properties like earth storable, no requirement of handling of any extremelylow temperatures and ease in fabrication of the propellant chamber, they are preferredover other propellant combinations. Mixture ratio is another important factor which explainsthe importance of the type of propellant put in use. Mixture Ratio is the ratio of oxidizermass to fuel mass. We define the optimum mixture ratio as that which will produce thehighest specific impulse for the given reactants. An engine with a high combustion chamberpressure and a low nozzle exit pressure, i.e. a large section ratio, will have the highestoptimum mixture ratio. A propellant's optimum mixture ratio is a function of the pressuresat which the rocket engine will operate. Higher mixture ratio means the propellant havefuel rich mixture and burn much more efficiently by producing higher thrust. This mixtureratio is also extended to oxidizer to fuel ratio (O/F). It is similar to air to fuel ratio in combustionengine 10 . This means that the amount of oxidant present in the reaction is just enoughto completely burn the fuel. Therefore higher ratio indicates complete combustion hencebetter efficiency. Following table indicates the mixture ratio and O/F ratio to various compositions.It is obvious that cryogens is undoubtedly has edge over other propellants. Semi-cryogenshave higher O/F and mixture ratio, hence performs better than hypergols and solids. Densityof the propellant affects the design, manufacture and the efficiency of rocket engines. Propellant'sdensity depends on the nature for fuel (like solid, liquid etc.) being used. It is importantto note that both high and low density of any propellant has both advantages and limitations.

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For a given weight, dense propellant can be carried in smaller and lighter tanks, resultingin low overall weight of rocket 11 . Beside, higher density also implies higher mass flow,resulting in high exhaust velocity. Lower density propellant can results in complicationrelated to their storage. Liquid hydrogen for example has a very low density (0.071 g/cc)and, therefore, requires a storage volume many times greater. Nevertheless the overalldensity could be enhanced and compensated with high mixture ratio, resulting in reductionof storage volume. Hypergolic has better overall density, thus can be stored in smallertanks. Hence, normally for a heavy lift vehicle the last stage is a cryogenic stage and earlierstages are hypergolic stages.

Revised cost estimates of Geo-synchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle project for completingthe scope of development programme and experimental flight Fri, Feb 28, 2014gslv, PIB, science & tech, isro, space, GSLV Mk lll,

The additional fund requirement is Rs. 464.78 crore to complete the scope of the projectincluding one experimental flight called LVM3-X and two developmental flights calledGSLV Mk-lll D1 and GSLV Mk-lll D2. Development of the GSLV Mk-lll launch vehicleis expected to augment the capacity of the Indian space programme to launch 4T classsatellites to Geo!synchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO)and thereby significantly reduce thedemand-supply gap of transponders in the country. The indigenous development of theGSLV Mk-lll will facilitate launching of four ton class of communication satellites to Geo-synchronousTransfer Orbit, benefiting all sections of the society, including remote and far-flung areasof the country. The Geo-synchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mark III (GSLV Mk-lll)project was approved in 2002 with an outlay of Rs. 2498 crore. The GSLV Mk-lll LaunchVehicle Programme involves a major leap in technological complexity as compared tothe ongoing Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) and GSLV programmes. The originalfinancial sanction needs to be revised, considering the cost escalation in the project elements,modifications in design, new elements etc. required to complete the scope of the projectincluding two development flights. The scope of the project is also required to be augmentedto include an experimental flight (Launch Vehicle Mark-Ill - Experimental: LVM3-X)to validate the critical atmospheric regime of the flight. The Experimental flight of GSLVMk-lll (LVM3-X) with flight versions of Solid Stages (S200), Liquid Stage (L110) anda passive cryogenic stage (C25) is planned in 2013-14, to validate some of the new systemsand flight sequences, hitherto not demonstrated in PSLV/GSLV flights.

Curiosity rover drives in reverse on Mars Sun, Feb 23, 2014Curiosity Mars rover, NASA, science & tech, space, Businessline,

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China's moon rover goes into third planned dormancy Sun, Feb 23, 2014The Hindu, science & tech, moon rover, space, China,

China's first lunar rover Jade Rabbit, which woke up ten days ago after being declareddead, has entered its third "planned dormancy" even as mechanical issues that might cripplethe vehicle still unresolved. The rover named Yutu (Jade Rabbit) in Chinese entered its14-day dormancy on Saturday, with the mechanical control issues unresolved, state-runXinhua news agency reported. Yutu's radar, panorama camera and infrared imagingequipment are functioning normally, but the control issues that have troubled the roversince January persist. During the lunar night, when there is no sunlight to power rover'ssolar panels, it is expected to stay in a power-off mode and communication with Earthis cut. Yutu touched down on the moon's surface on December 15, some hours afterlunar probe Chang'e-3 landed. The Chang'e-3 lunar probe, which carried Yutu to themoon's surface, also entered dormancy in the wee hours on Sunday, after carrying outobservations of celestial bodies and the Earth's plasmasphere using its optical telescopeand extreme ultraviolet camera. China is the third country to soft-land on the moon afterthe United States and the Soviet Union. Chang'e-3 is part of the second phase of China'slunar program, which includes orbiting, landing and returning to Earth.

Steps to check Soil Erosion Tue, Feb 18, 2014PIB, science & tech, sub surface drainage technology, gypsum technology, soil erosion,

The extent of Land degradation reported was 187.7 and 146.8 million ha during 1994and 2004, respectively and more recently (2010) over 120 million ha based on the harmonizeddatabase comprising of 82.6 million ha under water erosion, 12.0 million ha under winderosion, 24.7 million ha under chemical degradation and 1.0 million ha under physicaldegradation. In order to prevent soil erosion and land degradation, Ministry of Agricultureis implementing various watershed programmes, namely; National Watershed DevelopmentProject for Rainfed Areas (NWDPRA), Soil Conservation in the Catchments of River ValleyProject and Flood Prone River (RVP&FPR) and Reclamation and Development of Alkali& Acid Soils (RADAS) across the country. Besides, 1.5 million ha sodic land has beenreclaimed using gypsum technology and 0.5 million ha saline land have been reclaimedusing sub-surface drainage technology across the country.

Anaerobic Biodigester Technology to Conserve Nature at "Anusandhan Vihar"- DRDO'S

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New Ecofriendly Residential Complex Inaugurated Wed, Feb 26, 2014Ecofriendly Residential Complex Inaugurated Anaerobic Biodigester Technology, PIB,science & tech, Anusandhan Vihar,

A Bio-Digester park equipped with DRDO developed Bio-Digester was also inauguratedby Shri Amitabh Kant, IAS, CEO and MD Delhi Mumbai Industrial Corridor DevelopmentCorporation (DMICDC), who appreciated the layout, its novel concept and the qualityof works executed by the DRDO.

Bitcoin world in turmoil as exchange shuts down after theft Wed, Feb 26, 2014Bitcoin, science & tech, Bitcoin theft, Businessline,

The stolen Bitcoins amount to about 6 per cent of all the Bitcoins in circulation. At peakvalue of $1,200 per Bitcoin, the lost currency represents over $893 million. But the valueof Bitcoin has fallen sharply in recent months, including a more than 10 per cent dropon the news of Mt Gox's trouble, and was trading at less than $500 on Tuesday. OtherBitcoin exchanges sought to distance themselves from the website troubles issuing a jointstatement that called Mt Gox's action "a tragic violation of the trust of users," and assuringthat other companies "would continue to build the future of money by making Bitcoinmore secure and easy to use for consumers and merchants."

Bit of a problem Thu, Feb 27, 2014crypto currency, science & tech, bitcoin, Businessline,

Those transacting in bitcoins were aware, or should have been aware, of the underlyingrisks. Given the large community of professional and amateur hackers trolling the internet,the software controlling trading in bitcoins was always vulnerable to malware injectionsby such cyber-miscreants If only the bitcoin ecosystem had the sanction of a governmentor monetary authority, even stolen digital money could be reported and recovered. In thecase of bitcoins, the fact of being a computer-generated currency not subject to regulationby a central bank, was touted as a unique selling point; it not only enabled speedier transactionsat lower cost, but also guaranteed anonymity that many (including online drug traffickers)sought. But now, the very absence of that regulation has turned out to be its biggest liability.Those who traded in MtGox are today left with no recourse but to quietly bear the loss.

No need to make cellphone tower radiation norms more stringent, says government panelFri, Feb 28, 2014radiation, Down to Earth, cellphone, telecom, science & tech,

The committee was set up last year on August 20. Its report was submitted to the courtas a counter affadavit in February this year. The next hearing is scheduled later in March.Among other things, the report says the petition is based on data prepared by Girish Kumar,a faculty of IIT-Mumbai. Kumar has been actively campaigning for more atringent norms

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for mobile phone towers. The report says the human body has the capacity to counter thermaleffects through its thermo-regulatory mechanism and that the duration of EMF exposureis not significant as long as the prescribed limits for specific absorption rate (SAR) frommobile phones are met. The report, however, calls for more funding to further understandthe biological effects of EMF radiations. It also recommends that DoT should undertakemore initiatives to educate the public on mobile phone use and EMF radiations. Whilethe debate continues about the possible health impacts of EMF radiations, it is the publichealth that needs to be safe guarded without delay. In this context, it would be importantto find out why countries such as Russia and China have more stringent EMF standardsthan India and how they are able to manage the increasing data traffic at such levels. Thereport does not satisfactorily address this aspect. Vulnerability of sensitive populationssuch as children, the pregnant and the elderly to increasing EMF radiations owing to presenceof mobile tower clusters in thickly populated urban settings also needs to be assessed andmitigated through appropriate cell tower location policy across the country, says experts.

Japan's Fukushima plant leaks radioactive water Thu, Feb 20, 2014Fukushima, japan, The Hindu, radioactive water, science & tech, health,

About 100 tons of water containing high levels of radioactive material leaked at the damagedJapanese nuclear power plant in Fukushima, the operator of the plant said on Thursday.The leaked water contained 230 million becquerels per litre of beta-ray emitting substances,consisting mainly of strontium 90, broadcaster NHK reported, citing Tokyo Electric officials.The level is about 7.6 million times the government's limit for water allowed to be releasedinto the ocean, NHK said. The cause of the leak is still under investigation, said TokyoElectric spokesman Masaaki Fukai. But he said it was likely to have been caused by afaulty valve in the pipes that transfers water from a decontamination facility to storagetanks.

Bio-Toilets in Gram Panchayats Tue, Feb 18, 2014Bio Toilets, PIB, bio digesters, science & tech, health,

Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation (MDWS) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding(MoU) with Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) for implementationof bio-digester/bio-tank based eco-friendly toilets developed by DRDO, in Gram Panchayats.It has been decided that willing States may implement the projects with technical assistancefrom DRDO.

Heavy metals in cosmetics: government silent on tightening rules Fri, Feb 21, 2014Down to Earth, cosmetics, science & tech, health, heavy metals,

Concerns over presence of heavy metals in cosmetic products in India persist even afterthe matter was raised in Rajya Sabha. The government has not given any commitment

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on saving consumers from these toxic cosmetic products. The question then arises howmercury found its way into these products when it is banned. When CSE had sought clarificationfrom the companies selling these fairness creams, most of them claimed that it was "trace"presence and unintended [5] . The industry responses said that heavy metals found werelow in concentration and their presence was unavoidable because it is found in the ingredientsused. "But the Indian regulations on cosmetics do not recognise such trace presence ofmercury, thereby, making these products unlawful," said Amit Khurana, project managerof food safety and toxins in CSE. But the existing regulations do not seem to be effective.CSE's research suggests that there is a great degree of laxity in monitoring as 56 per centof fairness creams tested were not found to contain mercury. It also suggested that thefocus of certain state regulators has been on spurious products and not on quality testing.After the study, CSE has written letters to policymakers and regulators on the need forregulatory reforms. Specifically, it has sought setting standards for finished products,independent assessment system to approve products, strengthening of existing implementationframework to check compliance with law and a public disclosure and warning system.

Clear the air on mobile tower radiation, WHO tells India Wed, Feb 19, 2014radiation, The Hindu, mobile tower radiation, science & tech, health,

WHO has been investigating the health effects of electromagnetic fields for 18 years. TheEMF project noted in September: "Despite extensive research, to date there is no evidenceto conclude that exposure to low-level electromagnetic fields is harmful to human health."The limits in international standards have not changed for over 15 years because no researchhas found any health effects below these levels. Prof. Repacholi has said there needs tobe research on the effect of mobile phones on children. Studies conducted so far have notshown that they are more sensitive to EMF than adults. However, more research was neededto confirm this observation. Prof. Repacholi has asked India to open a website that explainsEMF and its health effects, describes the standards and how they are derived. Accordingto him, there must be a government spokesperson on EMF who can respond to media questionsand issue fact sheets and press statements. "The government should speak with one voiceon this sensitive issue and provide all the information on EMF people need," he said.

National Guidelines for Stem Cell Research Fri, Feb 21, 2014stem cells, PIB, science & tech, health,

* National Guidelines for Stem Cell Therapy - 2013 reiterate that the general principlesof biomedical research involving human participants shall also be applicable to all humanstem cell research. * The guidelines have been laid down to ensure that research withhuman stem cells is conducted in a responsible and ethical manner and complies with allregulatory requirements pertaining to biomedical research in general and of stem cell researchin particular. * Updated guidelines have incorporated advances in the field with regardsto induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), xeno-free cultures, characterising cell product

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for therapy and to harmonize them with the internationally revised guidelines. * Onemajor recommendation of the Committee has been to omit the word Therapy from thetitle of the Guidelines. This has been done to emphasize the fact that stem cells are stillnot a part of standard of care; hence there can be no guidelines for therapy until efficacyis proven.

Third Line Treatment of HIV/AIDS Tue, Feb 18, 2014AIDS, PIB, science & tech, HIV, health,

The first line and second line antiretroviral therapy (ART) is given to HIV/AIDS patientsfree of cost in all ART Centres across the country presently. The Technical Resource Groupon ART on 27th December, 2013 recommended providing third line antiretroviral therapyfor HIV/AIDS patients through 10 centres of excellence across the country. The processfor the same has been initiated at Department of AIDS Control.

Iron deficiency may increase stroke risk Sun, Feb 23, 2014stroke, Iron deficiency, science & tech, health, Businessline,

Iron deficiency may increase stroke risk by making the blood more sticky, scientists havefound. Several studies in the last few years have shown that iron deficiency, which affectsaround two billion people worldwide, may be a risk factor for ischaemic stroke in adultsand in children. Ischaemic stroke occurs because the blood supply to the brain is interruptedby small clots. "Since platelets in the blood stick together more if you are short of iron,we think this may explain why being short of iron can lead to strokes, though much moreresearch will be needed to prove this link," said Dr Claire Shovlin, from the National Heartand Lung Institute at Imperial College London. The study found that even moderatelylow iron levels, around 6 micromoles per litre, approximately doubled the risk of strokecompared with levels in the middle of the normal range of 7--27 micromoles per litre.

Determination of Brain Death Fri, Feb 21, 2014PIB, science & tech, health, brain death,

As per sub-section (d) of section 2 of the Transplantation of Human Organs Act 1994,the "Brain Stem death" means the stage at which all functions of the brain stem have permanentlyand irreversibly ceased and is so certified under sub-section (6) of section 3, which is reproducedbelow: Where any human organ is to be removed from the body of a person in the eventof his brain-stem death, no such removal shall be undertaken unless such death is certified,in such form and in such manner and on satisfaction of such conditions and requirementsas may be prescribed, by a Board of medical experts consisting of the following namely:(i) the registered medical practitioner in charge of the hospital in which brain-stem deathhas occurred; (ii) an independent registered medical practitioner, being a specialist, tobe nominated by the registered medical practitioner specified in clause (i), from the panel

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of names approved by the Appropriate authority; (iii) a neurologist or a neurosurgeonto be nominated by the registered medical practitioner specified in clause (i), from thepanel of names approved by the Appropriate Authority;

Presence of Heavy Metals in Cosmetic Products Tue, Feb 18, 2014Cosmetic Products, PIB, science & tech, health, Heavy Metals,

The Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945 prohibit cosmetics containing Mercury compoundsand also the use of lead and arsenic compounds for the purpose of colouring cosmetics.The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) provides for 30 Indian Standards on finished cosmetics.Out of these 24 standards have specified the limits for heavy metals, namely, lead (Pb)and arsenic (as As2O3). The prescribed maximum limits are 20 ppm for lead and 2 ppmfor Arsenic.

Pepper spray: Why it is so dangerous Sat, Feb 15, 2014pepper spray, Down to Earth, science & tech, health,

The study notes that when a person's skin is exposed to OC spray, people can experience"tingling, intense burning pain, swelling, redness, and, occasionally, blistering." If it getsin the eyes, it can cause pain and stinging -- and temporary blindness that lasts 30 minutesor so. Inhalation of high doses of some of these chemicals can produce adverse cardiac,respiratory, and neurological effects, including arrhythmias and sudden death. Studiesalso reveal that a commercial-grade pepper spray is listed between 2 million and 5.3 millionScoville units -- a measure of "hotness" that hinges on capsaicin content. Compare thatto between 200,000 and 350,000 Scoville units for habanero peppers, a variety of widely-usedand one of the most painful peppers. When pepper is sprayed, the eyes clamp shut; if peoplemanage to open them they most likely will not see anything because the capillaries in theireyes will be dilated, causing temporary blindness. There may also be an incontrollablefit of coughing which doubles the person over, bringing them down to their knees. Thismay be why most MPs, on Wednesday, were seen coughing, with their nose covered, whenthey came out of the Parliament after the incident. What the law says In the United Kingdomand many other European countries, pepper spray is classified as a weapon and nobodyis allowed to use it without permission from the Home Secretary.

ICMR launches three new diagnostic kits Thu, Feb 20, 2014Food Safety, ICMR, Down to Earth, science & tech, health,

They will help reduce costs of detecting pathogens in food, estimating iron levels in bloodand determining vitamin A levels in blood under public health programmes These includea polymerase chain reaction or PCR-based kit to detect pathogens in food and water, anELISA-based kit to estimate iron in the blood and a sample collection kit for blood thatcan be used to test the levels of vitamin A in a person. All three have been developed by

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the National Institute of Nutrition (NIN), Hyderabad. The new kits are the latest in theseries of diagnostic kits launched by ICMR in recent months. These include an affordableglucose monitoring kit [2] for diabetics, and a diagnostic kit to detect genetic disordersthalessemia and sickle cell disease in unborn children [3] . PCR-based food/ waterbornepathogen detection kits This can detect the five most common food borne pathogens inIndia--Salmonella, Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria, Vibrio parahaemolyticus. This willhelp determine the causes of outbreaks of food poisoning and food-borne common infectionscaused by eating of contaminated eggs, poultry, meat, dairy products as well as vegetables.The kit will be of help not only to the Food Safety Authority of India but also the IntegratedDisease Surveillance Programme. About 13 per cent of deaths among children aged lessthan five years are because of diarrhoea, which is mainly caused because of consumptionof contaminated food/water. ELISA for ferritin estimation This test will help to diagnoseiron deficiency with certainty in the body. This would help treating physicians, policymakers and programme managers to formulate appropriate intervention strategies andmonitor the impact of the strategies. Useful to decide supplementation of iron accordingto the need and also to avoid iron dosing in conditions where iron accumulates in the bodylike in case of repeated blood transfusions in patients of Thalassemia and Haemophilia.The present estimates of anaemia due to iron deficiency in different groups vary widelyfrom five per cent to 50 per cent. Dried blood spot collection kit This is a field-friendlymethod for blood sample collection for vitamin A analysis. The simple system makes itpossible to collect blood on a special type of filter paper which can be stored for sevendays at room temperature and for several days at refrigerated temperature. This will allowtransport of blood samples from community to lab for mass screening. With this, therewould now be no need for the patient to travel to get the test done. Blood samples too wouldnot need to be collected, stored and transported. It will be valuable for mass screeningfor deciding on Vitamin-A supplementation.

Cases of Bird Flu/Avian Influenza Fri, Feb 21, 2014PIB, science & tech, health, avian influenza, Bird Flu,

No human case or death attributable to avian influenza (bird flu) has been reported fromIndia during last three years and the current year till date. Action plan, guidelines and standardoperating procedures for containment of avian influenza outbreak in birds and for managinghuman cases were prepared and made available to the States. Government of India procuredthe drug Oseltamivir and personnel protection equipment and provided them to the Statesaffected by avian influenza. This drug was used for preventing infection among the poultryworkers, cullers and those exposed to infected birds. For managing potential human cases,ventilators were procured and provided to affected states during 2007-2009. No vaccinehas been developed against avian influenza / bird flu for human use. Cell Culture AntiRabies Vaccine are produced and used in the country. Vaccine against Japanese Encephalitis(JE) has been procured. Indian Council of Medical Research has also developed an indigenousJE vaccine. MV/GM (Release ID :104101)

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Neo-addiction Sat, Feb 15, 2014Down to Earth, science & tech, health, e-cigarettes,

ELECTRONIC or e-cigarettes are smartly marketed as a healthier alternative to smokingbecause they are smokeless--a liquid solution containing nicotine and flavourings is vaporisedto simulate tobacco smoking in them. Recent researches, however, show that these battery-poweredcigarettes are doing more harm than good by getting youngsters addicted to nicotine. Thestudies have also not found any proof to substantiate e-cigarette manufac - turers' claimthat their product helps quit smoking. "Alternative tobacco products are attractive to smokerswho want to quit smoking, but these data did not indicate that alternative tobacco productspromote cessation. Unsubstantiated overt and implied claims that alternative tobacco productsaid smoking cessation should be prohibited," stated the study published in the AmericanJournal of Public Health in May 2013. Even the claim of e-cigarette manufacturers thatthe product curbs passive smoking is not completely correct. A research, published in theInternational Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health in December 2013, foundthat ecigarettes impaired indoor air quality. Use of the product released substantial amountsof 1,2-propanediol, glycerine and nicotine in the air, along with particulate matter PM2.5.The research concluded that e-cigarettes are not emission-free and their pollutants couldbe a health concern for users and second hand smokers. The researchers suggested e-cigarettesshould be officially labeled with appropriate warnings of potential health effects. Healthexperts suggest that the product should be regulated either by recognising it as a drug orby putting checks similar to that on cigarettes. Pankaj Chaturvedi, associate professor ofTata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai, says e-cigarettes need to be registered with the DrugController General of India (DCGI) because they are being sold as a cure for smokingand contain nicotine. The government body, he says, has only approved nicotine lozengesand gums of 2 mg and 4 mg, and nicotine transdermal therapeutic patches. "Its supportersargue that this is the same as nicotine gum, but they need to understand that it needs registration.And once it goes to DCGI for registration, evidences in its favour or against would bediscussed," he says. New York banned the use of e-cigarettes at public places in December,2013. As per media reports, New Jersey, Utah and North Dakota have already bannedthe product, while Los Angeles and Chicago are considering bans. Even Canada has notapproved e-cigarettes.

Inhibit the Calpain to Climb the Mountain Fri, Feb 28, 2014PIB, science & tech, high altitude, health, thrombosis,

The thrombosis developed at regions like Siachin Glaciers may lead to life threateningevents such as pulmonary embolism, stroke, and limb amputation.

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Parliament passes bill that eases rules on narcotics used in palliative care Fri, Feb 21, 2014Down to Earth, science & tech, palliative care, health, narcotics,

The Rajya Sabha on Friday passed a legislation that will bring much-needed relief to terminallyill patients who need palliative care. It passed the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances(Amendment) Bill which was passed by Lok Sabha a day ago. ad Rajya Sabha not passedit, the bill would have lapsed along with the expiry of the present of Lok Sabha. Cancerexperts have been urging the Indian government to ease regulations on narcotic drugs [2] that are recommended for alleviating excruciating pain in cancer patients, especially thosewho are terminally ill. The Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Amendment)Bill, 2011 was introduced in the Lok Sabha on September 8, 2011 by Pranab Mukherjee,the then Union finance minister. Subsequently, it was referred to the parliamentary standingcommittee on Finance on September 13. The bill amends the Narcotic Drugs and PsychotropicSubstances Act of 1985, which provides for confiscation of illegally traded narcotic drugsand psychotropic substances. The National Policy on Narcotic Drugs and PsychotropicSubstances, a document approved by the Union Cabinet on January 12, 2012, states thattens of thousands of patients in India suffer from avoidable pain because of the strict regulations.The document says that India is home to one-sixth of world's population, but it consumesonly one-thousandth of the total morphine used in the world. Experts have been highlightingthat excessive regulations and cumbersome procedures in many states discourage doctorsfrom prescribing and chemists from stocking narcotic drugs like morphine.

launches 3 different kits for Detection of Food Borne Pathogens, Diagnosing Iron DeficiencyAnaemia, and Vitamin-A Deficiency Thu, Feb 20, 2014PIB, science & tech, vitamin a, health, Food Borne Pathogens,

Shri Azad said that the kit for detection of food borne pathogens will be very useful todetermine the causes of outbreaks of food poisoning and food borne common infectionscaused by eating of contaminated eggs, poultry, meat, dairy products as well as vegetables,contaminated with water borne infections. The Minister highlighted that this easy, userfriendly and rapid detection system will be of immense use not only to the Food SafetyAuthority of India but also to the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme, which reportson food poisoning outbreaks and to diagnostic laboratories in Government as well privatesector. Studies show that about 13% of deaths among children of less than five years ofage are due to diarrhoea, which is caused essentially due to consumption of contaminatedfood/water. The kits developed by NIN in collaboration with Bioserve Biotechnologiesare indigenous, less time consuming and cost 1/3rd of the imported kits costs. The rapidtesting of food samples for microbiological contamination will reduce the morbidity andmortality in the society. Use of the kits by the food industry will not only help domesticconsumers in having safe food but also helps reducing export rejections on account ofmicrobiological contamination. The second kit launched by the Health Minister estimates

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the quantity of ferritin and helps in diagnosing iron deficiency anaemia individually aswell as for mass level screening. Shri Azad said that this test will be useful to decide supplementationof iron according to the need and also to avoid iron dosing in conditions where iron accumulatesin the body; for instance due to repeated blood transfusions in cases of Thalassemia, Haemophiliaand others. In India anaemia control strategies are based on haemoglobin levels. However,estimation of serum ferritin has been found to be the specific diagnostic tool for early detectionof iron deficiency leading to anaemia. Therefore a ferritin test helps to diagnose with certaintyand the extent of iron deficiency in the body thus avoiding unnecessary iron supplementation.It is based on ELISA principle and is specific, very accurate, cost effective and convenientmethod comparable to other commercially available kits. Shri Ghulam Nabi Azad launchedthe third kit for diagnosing Vitamin-A deficiency. The dried blood spot collection systemfor Plasma Vitamin-A estimation is a simple system that allows the blood to be collectedon a special type of filter paper which can be stored for 7 days at room temperature andfor several days at refrigerated temperature. It will be valuable for mass screening for decidingon Vitamin-A supplementation as and when required. It is a field friendly method for bloodsample collection and transportation from remote areas to screen population for sub-clinicalvitamin A deficiency.

Asbestos Related Diseases Fri, Feb 21, 2014asbestos, PIB, science & tech, health,

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has informed that major health hazardsof asbestos include cancer of lung, mesothelioma of pleura and peritoneum and specificfibrous disease of lung known as asbestosis. All types of asbestos fibers are responsiblefor human mortality and morbidity.

President of India inaugurates national conference on TB and allied diseases Mon, Feb 24, 2014PIB, science & tech, Tuberculosis, health,

Speaking on the occasion, the President said that global TB control is unattainable withoutcontrolling the incidence of TB in India. Nearly 20 years after WHO's declaration of Tuberculosisas a global public health emergency, major progress has been made towards attainmentof the global targets defined in the context of the Millennium Development Goals. Indiahas been an able partner in this progress. The President stated that the Revised NationalTuberculosis Control Programme (RNTCP) has become one of India's largest public healthachievements. The endeavor should now be to aim for universal access focusing on improveddiagnosis of TB patients through improving outreach, vigorously expanding case-findingefforts among vulnerable sections of the society, deploying better diagnostics, and extendingservices to patients diagnosed and treated in both the public and private sectors.

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Diseases Due to Air Pollution Tue, Feb 18, 2014Air Pollution, PIB, science & tech, Health, NRHM,

Air Quality is monitored under integrated Ambient Air Quality Management System calledNational Air Monitoring Programme (NAMP). The Government of India notified the NationalAmbient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) in 2009, which are applicable uniformly in thecountry. The National NAAQS cover twelve parameters. As reported by the Central PollutionControl Board (CPCB), no conclusive information is available regarding high prevalenceof respiratory and other diseases due to air pollution. As reported by Central Bureau ofHealth Intelligence (CBHI), there is no specific information available on the number ofcases and deaths due to air pollution in the country.

Resistant to fluorosis Sat, Feb 15, 2014Down to Earth, fluorosis, science & tech, health,

Fluorosis is a medical condition caused by excessive intake of fluoride. It is characterisedby discolouration of the teeth, and in severe cases by dark brown stains. Understandingwhat protects camels from the disease could help find ways to protect other animals. Youngadults of most species are susceptible to fluorosis. It occurs mainly due to continuous intakeof fluoride through water and diet. "In India, fluoride content in groundwater is relativelyhigh in Rajasthan,"

The internet through a light bulb Fri, Feb 21, 2014The Hindu, science & tech, internet,

Imagine an office where every computer, mobile phone and tablet is connected to the Internet,not through an ethernet connection or via Wi-Fi, but just through the overhead lights. Thatis the vision that Harald Haas lays out for me when he visits my office to demonstratehis LiFi technology. They set up two laptops on a table, one with a conventional connectionto the Internet, linked to a piece of kit which is in turn connected to a conventional lightfitting. The other computer has a bulky unit attached to it, effectively a light receiver. It'sby making the light flicker very rapidly that data is conveyed from one computer to theother. It's a bit like Morse code, explains the professor, but in a very sophisticated way,achieving very high data rates. Even then, there is a more important question. Why dowe need an alternative means of connecting to the Internet when Wi-Fi works so well?Wi-Fi is indeed a great success, says Mr. Haas, so much so that the radio spectrum is gettingovercrowded. We have deployed so many wireless access points that they interfere witheach other and slow down the actual data rates. We need other pipes, fatter pipes, and lightis a big pipe for wireless connectivity. He also maintains that there are security benefits.Light-generated Internet connections do not travel through walls, so cannot be interceptedlike a Wi-Fi signal. The professor looks forward to a future where the much-hyped Internet

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of things becomes a reality; where there is wireless connectivity everywhere; where yourfridge talks to your toaster. This provides the means to achieve that.

'Indian science should embrace an interdisciplinary approach' Thu, Feb 20, 2014The Hindu, science & tech, research,

Science funding is nowhere near being two per cent of the GDP as you have recommended.Is the space programme getting greater prominence in terms of scientific activity in India,and a larger share of funding? But that [space programme] has nothing to do with science.Often when we talk about the science budget, we are told about space and atomic energy.But that has nothing to with science. Most of it is about technology. There is very littlenew science in space technology. It is all known science. So they should not be includedin science funding. Science funding is about funding required by little people like me.Right now, our total science funding, including space and atomic energy, is still less thanone per cent of the GDP. We have been promised by the Prime Minister that it will betwo per cent. But for that, the industry has to contribute and directly support research.If I were in America, half of my research money would have been granted by industrialsupport. In the U.S. and in South Korea, for instance, nearly 45-50 per cent of researchis industry funded. In India, their contribution towards scientific activity is less than 10per cent. So we really need industry support. They should support both long-term andshort-term research. They will after all benefit from it in the future. Why do you believethe space programme and atomic energy have very little "new science" to offer? Boththese mission-oriented agencies are involved in developing technology such as reactors,rockets and so on. These are important things. However, progress in real science occursthrough small science done in little laboratories by individual scientists. For example,progress in biology, chemistry or physics, is not because of the work of big agencies ormission-oriented programmes. They may support basic science in some of their institutions,but their own mission, where much expenditure is incurred, is not related to fundamentalscience. If we want to be world leaders in science, it will have to be by supporting thelittle science of people in educational and research institutions.

Continuation of the Mission on Nano Science and Technology in the 12th Plan Period Thu, Feb 20, 2014PIB, science & tech, nano, nano science,

The Union Cabinet today gave its approval for continuation of the Mission on Nano Scienceand Technology (Nano Mission) in its Phase-II in the 12th Plan Period at a total cost ofRs. 650 crores. The Mission's programmes will target all scientists, institutions and industryin the country. It will also strengthen activities in nano science and technology by promotingbasic research, human resource development, research infrastructure development, internationalcollaborations, orchestration of national dialogues and nano applications and technologydevelopment. The Nano Mission, in this new phase, will also make greater effort to promoteapplication-oriented R&D so that some useful products, processes and technologies also

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emerge. It will be anchored in the Department of Science and Technology and steeredby a Nano Mission Council chaired by an eminent scientist. The Government of Indialaunched the Nano Mission in May 2007 as an "umbrella capacity-building programme".As a result of the efforts led by the Nano Mission, today, India is amongst the top fivenations in the world in terms of scientific publications in nano science and technology(moving from 4th to the 3rd position). The Nano Mission itself has resulted in about 5000research papers and about 900 Ph.Ds and also some useful products like nano hydrogelbased eye drops, pesticide removal technology for drinking water, water filters for arsenicand fluoride removal, nanosilver based antimicrobial textile coating, etc. Two institutionsand large number of sophisticated characterization and fabrication facilities have beenset up in the country. Indian scientists have been given access to global state-of-the-artfacilities like the Photon Factory at Tsukuba, Japan and PETRA III in Hamburg, Germany.The Nano Mission has orchestrated national dialogues to promote R&D in developmentof standards for nanotechnology and for laying down a National Regulatory FrameworkRoad-Map for Nanotechnology (NRFR-Nanotech). The Nano Mission has thus helpedestablish a good eco-system in the country to pursue front-ranking basic research and alsoto seed and nurture application-oriented R&D, focused on useful technologies and products.

Through the looking glass Mon, Feb 24, 2014science & tech, Google Glass, Businessline,

The suggestions notwithstanding, this wearable tech-product does raise concerns on intrusionof privacy. Big Brother's everywhere - from the state to the bespectacled guy next door- ask Edward Snowden. Besides, does Google really think its suggestions can be voluntarilyenforced? Incredible though the Glass technology is, there is no ignoring the disconcertingpossibility of someone taking your picture in a coffee-shop or bookstore or anywhere else,and your having to get into an unnecessary confrontation with the Glass-owner. Whetheror not the Glass becomes a mass product, the fact is consumers are still grappling withthe implications of mobile phone misuse and the law still has to keep pace with the speedof changing technology.

Management of bacterial blight of rice Thu, Feb 20, 2014rice, The Hindu, agriculture, science & tech,

Bacterial blight is a major disease of rice. The disease is observed in both seedlings andolder plants. On seedlings, infected leaves turn greyish green in colour and roll up. Appearanceof a milky or opaque dewdrop on young lesions early in the morning is one sign of infestation.The entire plant wilts. The infected field should be kept well drained soon after infectionis detected (in conventionally flooded crops). Apply potassic fertilizer in two split dosesat tillering and pre-flowering stages.

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Algae proposed as a viable source to produce cheaper biofuel Thu, Feb 27, 2014The Hindu, science & tech, biofuel, algae,

At a time when scientists around the world are experimenting with making cheaper alternativeenergies for our future, a team of scientists has invented a new technology that increasesthe odds of helping algae-based biofuels cross the gap and come closer to reality. The team'sinvention -- the environmental photobioreactor (ePBR system) -- is the world's first standardalgae growing platform, one that simulates dynamic natural environments. The ePBR systemis like a pond in a jar that helps identify, cultivate, and test algal strains that have the potentialto make the leap from lab to pond -- proliferate in real-world, real-pond settings and producethe most oil.

Japan readies hi-tech satellite to monitor global rainfall Thu, Feb 27, 2014science & tech, global rainfall, Businessline, Japan,

The H-IIA rocket will blast off from a southern Japanese island at 3:37 am tomorrow,(1837 GMT today) with the Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) core observatoryaboard, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) said. The satellite, jointly developedby Japan and the United States, is designed to collect data from several other satellitesin orbit and add that to its own measurements to build up a detailed picture of precipitationaround the planet.

China's moon rover goes into 3rd planned dormancy Sun, Feb 23, 2014science & tech, moon rover, Businessline, China,

China's first lunar rover Jade Rabbit, which woke up ten days ago after being declareddead, has entered its third "planned dormancy" even as mechanical issues that might cripplethe vehicle remain unresolved. The rover named Yutu (Jade Rabbit) in Chinese enteredits 14-day dormancy yesterday, with the mechanical control issues unresolved, state-runXinhua news agency reported. Yutu touched down on the moon's surface on December15, some hours after lunar probe Chang'e-3 landed.

New clean energy targets for Europe Fri, Feb 21, 2014clean energy, europe, Frontline, science & tech,

THE European Commission's (E.C.) policy framework for energy and climate in 2030covers the decade after the current 2020 policy set, which stipulated a 20 per cent reductionof emissions, 20 per cent renewables in the energy mix and a 20 per cent increase in energyefficiency by that date. All of these targets remain binding on all member states in whatE.C. President Jose Manuel Barroso called a "top-down" approach. By contrast, the frameworkannounced for the period from 2020 to 2030 takes a "bottom-up" approach where each

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member state will construct a "holistic" plan for a "competitive, secure and sustainableenergy" mix. Across the European Union as a whole, these national plans must add upto show greenhouse gas emissions reaching 40 per cent below 1990 levels, and a marketshare for renewables of at least 27 per cent of energy. Each country's contribution to thetargets remains to be negotiated among the group of 28 states. National plans coveringthe details would then be developed in an "iterative process" that the E.C. said would "ensurethe national plans are sufficiently ambitious, as well as their consistency and complianceover time". According to senior E.C. officials, emissions cuts pledged by each countrywould be enacted in legislation and would become binding. It is anticipated that renewableswill provide about 45 per cent of electricity in 2030, including about 12 per cent fromhydro. Nuclear power is expected to stay at around 27 per cent, leaving 26 per cent forfossil fuels. Balancing the needs of the 28 member states has been difficult, with a rangeof policies and desires represented in various countries for renewables, shale gas, nuclearpower and coal. In this context Poland's recent new policy for the construction of thecountry's first nuclear power plants, while continuing to rely on its supplies of cheap domesticcoal, is to be noted.

Yellow Rust Attack is not likely to have significant impact on Wheat Production Tue, Feb 18, 2014wheat, PIB, agriculture, science & tech, yellow rust,

Wheat yellow rust has been observed in Haryana (05 districts), Punjab (04 districts), HimachalPradesh (01 district) and Jammu & Kashmir (01 district). Wheat yellow rust is appearingsince 2006-07 in parts of Punjab, Haryana, Jammu & Kashmir, Uttrakhand and HimachalPradesh due to occurrence of Puccinia striiformis pathotypes. The situation in the currentyear is under control and wheat production is not likely to be affected. Wheat yellowrust is being managed by taking various preventive measures like promotion of yellowrust resistant varieties, timely arrangement of fungicide, regular survey and surveillance,detection of disease through establishment of trap nurseries at various hotspot locations,organization of awareness campaigns and trainings.

DRDO brings high altitude waste disposal technology to homes Wed, Feb 26, 2014science & tech, Businessline, waste disposal technology, DRDO,

The biodigestor technology turns human waste into biogas and odourless compost. It wasdeveloped by the research team of the Defence Research and Development Organisation(DRDO) several decades ago. The technology was used by defence personnel in high altitudes.The technology, to accelerate microbial degradation of organic waste, has now been usedin a residential complex for the first time. The entire water would be recycled for variouspurposes. A bio digester park equipped with the DRDO developed biodigester was alsoinaugurated by Amitabh Kant, CEO, Delhi Mumbai Industrial Corridor Development Corporation.The complete complex has been designed and developed under the aegis of Directorateof Civil Works and Estates in collaboration with the Directorate of Life Sciences, DRDO.

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The 5.4 acres eco friendly complex consists of residentail accommodations, along witha sports complex and children's park facility.

First beam of anti-hydrogen atoms at CERN Fri, Feb 21, 2014anti hydrogen atoms, Frontline, science & tech, CERN,

THE ASACUSA (Atomic Spectroscopy And Collisions Using Slow Antiprotons) experimentat the European Organisation for Nuclear Research's (CERN) Antiproton Facility hasfor the first time succeeded in producing a beam of anti-hydrogen atoms. These are theantimatter equivalent of hydrogen atoms. They are identical to hydrogen atoms exceptthat the electron and the proton of normal atoms are replaced by an anti-electron, calleda positron, and an antiproton. The objective of the experiment is the study of anti-hydrogenand exotic atoms known as antiprotonic helium (which consists of an antiproton and anelectron orbiting around the helium nucleus). The anti-hydrogen experiment aims at high-precisionmicrowave spectroscopy of hyperfine transitions in a weak magnetic field region. Primordialantimatter has so far never been observed in the universe, and its absence remains a majorscientific enigma. Nevertheless, it is possible to produce significant amounts of anti-hydrogenin experiments at CERN by mixing positrons and low-energy antiprotons produced bythe Antiproton Decelerator. The spectra of hydrogen and anti-hydrogen are predicted tobe identical, so any tiny difference between them would immediately open a window tonew physics and could help in solving the antimatter mystery. With its single proton accompaniedby just one electron, hydrogen is the simplest existing atom, and one of the most preciselyinvestigated and best understood systems in modern physics. Thus, comparisons of hydrogenand anti-hydrogen atoms constitute one of the best ways to perform highly precise testsof matter/antimatter symmetry.

Sci_tech Feb 15 to Feb 28

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