Category Archives: Science & Technology

Computer Society to Hold Golden Jubilee Convention in Hyderabad

Business & Economy, Science & Technology

Hyderabad :

The Computer Society of India (CSI) will hold its golden jubilee conference with the theme “ICT – Opportunities in digital India” here in December.

The three-day conference will be inaugurated on Dec 12 by Communications and IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad. Defence Research and Development Organisation chief Avinash Chander will deliver key note address on “Digital India – challenges and opportunities ahead”.

The main event will be preceded by a conference of students and another event on “e-governance knowledge sharing”.

Former President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam will deliver the inaugural address at the students’ conference “Campus to corporate & beyond”.

The CSI will be organizing these events in association with Telangana government, the Hyderabad Software Exporters Association, the DRDO, JNTU and GNIT.

K. Mohan Raidu, convenor, CSI Golden Jubilee Event 2014 said over 2,500 students from across the country and more than 1,000 delegates from the industry, academia, and research institutions will be participating in the convention which will underline research, development and implementation of emerging ICT applications.

Telangana Chief Secretary Rajiv Sharma, Wednesday launched CSI@50 global convention website.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Hyderabad / PTI / October 15th, 2014

Pratt & Whitney to set up centre in city

Business & Economy, Records, All, Science & Technology, World Opinion

‘Brand Hyderabad’ received a shot in the arm with aerospace engine manufacturers Pratt and Whitney (P&W) all set to throw open the country’s first customer training centre here. The facility, spread over two acres, and located close to the international airport in Shamshabad, will be operational by mid-2015.

After training centres in USA and China, Hyderabad is the company’s third facility that will exclusively train aircraft engineers and technicians of their customers on their current and new engines. “About 40 per cent of the world’s training of our engines will happen here,” informed Bruce Hall, general manager (customer training), Pratt & Whitney, UTC India at the ground-breaking ceremony of the facility on Thursday. “Setting up of this facility was a logical decision for us since we have a huge customer base here,” Mr. Hall said.

He said the engineers of their customers from other countries in the region would also train at the centre and the training volume would double by 2018. In the initial phase, the facility will be used to train only the technicians of airlines using Pratt and Whitney engines but in future, academic education would also be imparted. The training would be provided on V2500 and PW1100G-JM Engines with scope for adding newer models. Telangana IT Minister K.T. Rama Rao, who was the chief guest, invited the company to set up their manufacturing unit in the city.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Cities> Hyderabad / by Staff Reporter / Hyderabad – October 17th, 2014

‘Cancer can be treated without chemotherapy’

Science & Technology, World Opinion

Oncologists from Fuda Cancer Hospital, Guangzhou, China on Monday said that a cancer treatment technique ‘Cryosurgical Ablation (CSA)’ has been effective in treatment of the disease without the need for painful chemotherapy. The surgeons said that between 2008 and 2014, they have treated close to 8,000 patients with a success rate of more than 70 per cent in China.

On Monday, while interacting with presspersons, oncologist and vice-president, Fuda Cancer Hospital, Dr. Mu Feng said that there was no need for chemotherapy and radiation under CSA. “Cancer side effects have the potential to complicate patients’ recovery process. In CSA, there is no need for chemotherapy, a huge advantage for patients,” he said.

CSA is a procedure where cryo-probes are inserted around tumours to lower temperature of the targeted area to minus 160 degree Celsius or even lower. Later, temperature is raised and brought up to 20 to 40 degree Celsius. This is repeated two to three times, resulting in the destruction of tumour cells.

“Once the tumour cells are destroyed, they start releasing antigens, stimulating immune system to react. This eventually eradicates the remaining cancer cells and reduces chances of recurrence. This is applicable for small and large tumours, single tumour or several tumours and there is less pain for patients,” the doctor said.

However, this technique is only to manage localised tumours and not for ailments like blood cancer or brain cancer, the doctors clarified.

According to the hospital officials, this year, close to 63 Indian patients underwent CSA at its facility in China. “While there is not much difference in cost of treatment, the big advantage is no side effects. The recovery process is quick. This procedure has already been adopted in US,” the doctors said. For details contact on 094221-09789.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / by Special Corrrespondent / Hyderabad – October 14th, 2014

Thankful for His Teachers

Amazing Feats, Leaders, Records, All, Science & Technology, World Opinion

A volley ball enthusiast, ever-learning photographer, avid reader of science-related articles, ardent blogger and a passionate father would be too few words to describe Syed Maqbool Ahmed, who is presently heading the Central Instrumentation Laboratory of the University of Hyderabad, where he oversees the day-to-day functionings.

Perhaps the description that instantly draws eyeballs to him would be of his association with India’s successful Mars Orbiter Mission, Mangalyaan. Ahmed is the person who developed a quadrupole-based mass spectrometer, CHACE (Chandra’s Altitudinal Composition Explorer), which was used in India’s mission to the moon, Chandrayaan-1, which discovered water there. An upgraded variant of CHACE, named MENCA (Mars Enospheric Neutral Composition Analyser), is aboard Mangalyaan.

The 53-year old Principal Scientific Officer is known for his passion for science. Having worked at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in the US earlier (1994-96) and with ISRO’s Chandrayaan-1 project, Ahmed is a content and accomplished scientist who acknowledges the role of destiny and his teachers in his success.

Ahmed was the project manager of the team of scientists who, as part of the Moon Impact Probe (MIP) mission, developed an indigenous science payload called CHACE, which detected the presence of water on the Moon in November 2008.

Hailing from a middle class family in the remote village Alampur in Mahabubnagar district of Telangana, Ahmed went to Hyderabad for higher studies after completing his schooling in the Telugu medium. “My family, comprising five brothers and three sisters, wanted me to become an Engineer due to obvious reasons of poverty. I gave the EAMCET entrance test thrice and failed each time. That was a big jolt in life, but my aspirations were alive,” says Ahmed.

Back then, he had no passion for Science. After BSc Honours from New Science College in the city, the biggest turnaround happened in his life when he gave the interview for MSc Physics at University of Hyderabad in 1982. “Out of the 30 faculty members in the Physics department, 28 were US returned. In the interview, I could barely understand the questions due to the complex language,” recalls Ahmed.

“AK Kapur sir in the panel understood my difficulty and started asking me questions in Hindi and translated others’ questions too. The panel was happy and I got through. Had he not done that, I would neither have got through nor have realised my passion for Science. Such teachers of exceptionally high standards are hard to find,” says Ahmed.

Soon after his postgraduation, while his parents wanted him to go to the Gulf to earn a living, he decided to join Physical Research Laboratory (PRL), Ahmedabad for a PhD in 1985. “I had to literally fight with my siblings to pursue my PhD and I had to choose PRL over two IITs because of a few hundred rupees extra I would receive towards fellowship,” quips the scientist.

He went on to complete his PhD in Simulation of Planetary Atmosphere or Laboratory Astrophysics in 1990 and joined the Institute for Plasma Research (IPR), Gandhinagar, in 1992 and continued to work as Associate Professor, till 2004. During a sabbatical in 2001-02, he was engaged with the Swiss Federal Institute in Switzerland.

Ahmed joined ISRO’s Chandrayaan project in 2005 and developed a quadrupole-based mass spectrometer, CHACE, which worked successfully in India’s Moon mission. He left ISRO at the age of 46 when he found about a mysterious disease that had infected his daughter. The same year, he joined Central Instruments Laboratory of University of Hyderabad as Principal Scientific Officer.

For him, life has been driven by serendipity. “ISRO happened to me by chance. It was a coincidence when I met Prof R Sridharan, Director of Space Physics Lab (SPL). He took me to the Chief, Madhavan Nair, who handpicked me from Department of Atomic Energy (IPR comes under this department) to Department of Space. This was incredible,” recollects Ahmed.

Acknowledging the contributions of his teachers in his life, Ahmed, presently, apart from heading CIL, holds regular talks on Indian space programmes and also conducts training sessions for Science teachers.

“Schools have to ensure Science is taught with passion. The introduction of the subject is very important. It is very difficult to capture students’ attention for more than half an hour. I try to link the subject to day-to-day activities,” he points out.

He believes a bit of Psychology and sequencing of dosage where teachers ensure students understand the basics first before moving on to bigger things too is important in teaching.

“Students today are much aware of things around them. When they ask me well-prepared questions, I am forced to say I don’t know,” says Ahmed, who believes teachers need to be honest and prepared to bring their experiences and observations from life into the classroom.

According to him, India has failed to attract the best minds into research. “The reason US prospers in Science and research is because they have attracted the best minds and are providing incentives. Our people are doing programming at the same time,” he laughs.

On the CHACE-turned-MENCA, he offers, “It is a very sensitive instrument and I am confident that we will be the first to locate water on Mars,” says the proud scientist, who has been blogging about Mangalyaan for the past 18 months.

Rahul.v@newindianexpress.com

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Education> Edex / by Rahul V. Pisharody / Hyderabad – October 13th, 2014

Workshop on Geomagnestism Commences at NGRI

Business & Economy, Science & Technology, World Opinion
International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics president Harsh K Gupta having a word with NGRI director YJ Bhaskar Rao at the inauguration of XVI IAGA observatory workshop at NGRI in Hyderabad on Monday. | A RADHAKRISHNA
International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics president Harsh K Gupta having a word with NGRI director YJ Bhaskar Rao at the inauguration of XVI IAGA observatory workshop at NGRI in Hyderabad on Monday. | A RADHAKRISHNA

Hyderabad :

A four-day workshop on geomagnetism and aeronomy kickstarted at the National Institute of Geophysical Research (NGRI) on Monday. The workshop, which would continue till October 16, is being hosted by NGRI in association with International Association of Geomagnetism and Aeronomy, Mumbai. Several scientists from across the globe are participating in the workshop.

The event is held once in every two years in different magnetic observatories across the globe. This year, the event was organised on a large scale at NGRI, commemorating the golden jubilee of their geomagnetic observatory that was launched in 1965.

“This is the last time we are operating the geomagnetic observatory here. We have shifted the base to Choutuppal where we have established a new set-up,” said Kusumita Arora, senior scientist, adding that geomagnetic observatory should ideally be located in a place which is away from disturbances like traffic. “Sometimes, even the use of a mobile phone can alter the signals. With the ongoing Metro construction, it has become increasingly difficult for us to record the waves accurately. Hence, we have shifted the base to Choutuppal,” she added.

Pavel Hedja, director of the Academy of Sciences, Czech Republic, who is here to participate in the workshop, said: “We have gone to the Choutuppal observatory and took the measurements of the geomagnetic signals there. In the coming days of the workshop, we will be comparing and studying the behaviour of these signals. “We have to constantly record the geomagnetic waves to constantly keep a check on the geomagnetic storms, which are not so common in India,” he added.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Hyderabad / by Express News Service / October 14th, 2014

Medicinal Plants Expo Goes Viral

Agriculture, Green Initiatives / Environment, Nature, Science & Technology, World Opinion

Karimnagar :

The students of Government Upper Primary School, Ramakrishna Colony, Timmapur have attracted national and international attention with a social media post about their exhibition on medicinal plants, ‘Mana Mokkalu – Mana Avushadalu’ (Our plants – our medicines).

Their post evoked good response with a number of likes and comments, said Kola Ramachandra Reddy, school headmaster.Non-resident Indians also responded, appreciating their team work as a inspiration for many. They complimented the students for their efforts.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Telangana / by Express News Service / October 13th, 2014

Free Wi-Fi now in Hitec City

Business & Economy, Records, All, Science & Technology
Information technology minister KT Rama Rao and Bharti Airtel (AP & TS) CEO Venkatesh Vijayraghavan at the announcement in Hyderabad on Friday on state’s first public Wi-Fi powered by Airtel | EXPRESS PHOTO
Information technology minister KT Rama Rao and Bharti Airtel (AP & TS) CEO Venkatesh Vijayraghavan at the announcement in Hyderabad on Friday on state’s first public Wi-Fi powered by Airtel | EXPRESS PHOTO

Hyderabad :

Have a valid mobile number and a Wi-Fi-enabled device? If yes, your commute in and around Hitec city has just become interesting, thanks to the free ‘Public Wi-Fi’ pilot initiative rolled out jointly by the Telangana government and telecom service provider Bharti Airtel.

Nearly 40,000 persons commuting between Cyber towers-Madhapur police station, Cyber Towers-Kothaguda junction and Cyber Towers-Raheja Mindspace circle are now entitled for free internet services of up to 750 mbps per day per user. As a part of its 3-month pilot, Airtel has set hotspots at 17 locations covering a total of 8 km around Hitec city for users to access free internet.

AccessTELANGANA11oct2014

Typically, 750 mbps data usage will allow users with Wi-Fi-enabled devices like smartphones, tablets, laptops, netbooks, phablets, to send nearly 200 mails without attachments and even watch a 2-2.5 hour movie i.e., if the service provider permits. ‘’This is just a beginning. We will come to a position where the entire city will be Wi-Fi enabled in about four months. Tendering process is going on. The entire 700 sq km of Hyderabad city will be covered under Wi-Fi soon,” said IT minister KT Rama Rao.
He added that enabling public access to superior Wi-Fi technology was a part of the government’s broader agenda to promote greater digital inclusion for citizens, therefore making Hyderabad, a ‘Global Smart City.’

According to Venkatesh Vijayraghavan, CEO, Bharti Airtel, AP and Telangana, optic fiber technology has been used to provide the service. ‘’Though the speed of internet will be 40 mbps, the same will depend on number of users at that point of time,” he said adding that the company was in the process of working out tariff.

For Airtel, this is the first such free Wi-Fi rollout across the country. After the pilot, Airtel will take a call on how to extend its services. When asked, if Airtel will consider expanding this service to other states, Vijayraghavan said the company was in silent period to discuss expansion plans.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Telangana / by ENS Economic Bureau / October 11th, 2014

CCMB director selected for Ramineni Foundation, USA award

Leaders, Records, All, Science & Technology, World Opinion

Hyderabad :

Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) director Dr ChMohanRao, has been selected for the award of VisishtaPuraskarm by Ramineni Foundation, USA on the occasion of its 15th Anniversary Puraskaarams-2014.

He was chosen for his outstanding contributions in science and technology, particularly in the areas of protein folding in health and disease and molecular basis for lens transparency and cataract.

He played a key role in developing a diagnostic tool to identify a number of eye infections under the CSIR’s programme on New Millennium Indian Technology Leadership Initiative (NMITLI) and looking into a cost-effective treatment for cancer using photodynamic therapy.

He has combined biophysical, molecular biological and cell biological approaches to address problems of biomedical importance. He has published more than 100 research papers and several science articles in many national and international journals and is a Fellow of several national and international academies.

Dr Mohan Rao’s multidisciplinary expertise including electronics, fabrication and digital interfacing along with cellular, molecular and biophysical approaches enabled him to provide vision and leadership in several contexts. In addition to his outstanding research activity, he has been playing a significant role in popularizing science among the school children, science teachers and uninitiated public in general.

Ramineni Foundation was founded in Cincinnati, Ohio, USA with a noble mission of recognising and felicitating the spirited, relentless efforts and immeasurable services of all those veterans drawn from a broad spectrum of fields in Arts, Science and Humanities. The award of Vishishta Puraskaaram carries rs one lakh cash, a plaque and a memento by Ramineni Foundation. He will receive the award on October 12 at a function to be organised by the Foundation in Vijayawada.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Hyderabad / by Ch. Sushil Rao, TNN / October 10th, 2014

Bathukamma flora wards off ills

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Science & Technology
Botany professor G. Narender Babu has pointed out that flowers and leaves used for preparing idols of Bathukamma could prevent water-borne diseases as they possess various medicinal properties.
Botany professor G. Narender Babu has pointed out that flowers and leaves used for preparing idols of Bathukamma could prevent water-borne diseases as they possess various medicinal properties.

Karimnagar:

Botany professor G. Narender Babu has pointed out that flowers and leaves used for preparing idols of Bathukamma could prevent water-borne diseases as they possess various medicinal properties.

Speaking to DC, Mr Narender Babu explained how the flowers and leaves could be beneficial once the idols are immersed in a tank or pond.

Flowers and leaves of forest plants such as thangedu (Cassia/ Senna Auriculata), gunugu (Celosia Argentia), katla (Iponota) and garden plants namely banthi (Tagetes Errecta), aster (Calendula Vera), pumpkin (Cucurbita Maximma), ribbed gourd (Luffa acutangula) are mostly used in preparing the idol of Bathukamma.

FlowersTELANGANA03OCT2014

“The thangedu, gunugu and katla flowers produce many alkaloids with antibiotic properties. Similarly, a dense layer of white and fine glandular hairs growing on the leaves of pumpkin and ribbed gourd synthesise antibiotic chemicals. Many studies have found that these chemicals are capable of killing pathogenic bacteria, fungi and viruses that cause various diseases in human beings,” he said.

When several hundreds of idols are immersed in a tank or pond during the festival, these chemicals dissolve in the water, leading to death of the bacteria, fungi and viruses.

Thus, water-borne diseases such as typhoid, cholera, diarrhoea, pneumonia and tuberculosis (TB) can be prevented. Some respiratory and skin diseases can also be checked when water does not contain fungi. Generally, these diseases increase due to presence of various types of micro-organisms such as the bacteria, fungi and viruses in the water bodies.

In order to prevent diseases, our forefathers introduced a custom among people of Telangana in the form of Bathukamma festival, he stated.

An american corporation (www.WebMD.com) which provides basic health infomation, mentions about the medicinal values of flowers used.

source: http://www.deccanchronicle.com / Deccan Chronicle / Home> Nation> Current Affairs / DC Correspondent / September 30th, 2014

Activate your ‘bars’

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Nature, Science & Technology
Ruby Mehmood
Ruby Mehmood

Never judge yourself or others, because that hinders your well-being and even weakens your immune system. It’s a fact and science acknowledges it. This was what Ruby Mehmood’s recent talk at Lamakaan was all about. She was explaining a healing process called “Access Consciousness” and its basic component – “Bars”.

What are Bars?
There are 32 bars of energy that run through and around our heads, storing the electromagnetic component of all thoughts, ideas, attitudes, decisions and beliefs that we have ever had. There are thus bars for healing, body, control, awareness, creativity, power, aging, sex, money, etc.

Activate the Bars
This is what Ruby does as a bars practitioner and facilitator: “I activate the bars by touching points on the head lightly. Because judgments solidify the energy in these bars and limits your capacity to use them.”

A single session with Ruby at her residence in Chirag Ali Lane can clear 5,000 to 10,000 fixed points. This then creates a new space in the body, a space to receive and learn new things. But what judgments is she talking about? Ruby, who had stumbled upon this technique on a visit to Dubai, says, “As simple as ‘I don’t like this food, this job, this world’. ‘He is good or bad’. These judgements limit the ways you deal with a situation.”

Ask questions
Once the bars are activated, it’s time to ask questions and find answers. “Whenever you get stuck in a situation, ask these questions: Who does this (problem) belong to? How does it get better? What does it possibly mean?” says Ruby, who follows it up with body process classes. She can heal 60 body issues with hands-on healing like psoriasis, acidity, eye problems, arthritis and even skin issues like pigmentation and ageing. Ruby also knows 19 other healing modalities including past-life regression and Reiki.

Skeptics vs science
Her doctor-husband, Tehar Mahmood is not her client. Ruby says, “But there have been doctors who’ve come to me. This has helped them find alternate solutions to medical problems.” “I am not saying stop medicines. Never,” she adds.

source: http://www.deccanchronicle.com / Deccan Chronicle / Home> LifeStyle> Health & Wellbeing / DC / Barkha Kumari /March 22nd, 2014