Tuesday, October 31, 2006
Largest Avian Skull Runs Rings Around Agility Theory
Los Angeles (USA), 30 October: A horse-sized fossil skull of an extinct giant terror bird with a vicious eagle-like bill, together with an associated limb bone, is challenging views about the running agility of these flightless birds. The skull of this gigantic phorusrhacid is from the middle Miocene (about 14 million years ago) and is described in a Brief Communication in this week's Nature.
Phorusrhacids, large carnivorous flightless birds, were dominant predators in South America during the Cenozoic. This example of a phorusrhacid skull from the mid-Miocene is almost complete and is 716 millimeters in length, making it the largest known avian skull; it is estimated to be around 10% larger than previously reported members of its family. Luis Chiappe and colleagues claim that the somewhat portly reconstructions of gigantic phorusrhacids based on their smaller relatives are unwarranted and that assumptions about body size and running ability need to be re-evaluated in light of their find.
(ResearchSEA)
Phorusrhacids, large carnivorous flightless birds, were dominant predators in South America during the Cenozoic. This example of a phorusrhacid skull from the mid-Miocene is almost complete and is 716 millimeters in length, making it the largest known avian skull; it is estimated to be around 10% larger than previously reported members of its family. Luis Chiappe and colleagues claim that the somewhat portly reconstructions of gigantic phorusrhacids based on their smaller relatives are unwarranted and that assumptions about body size and running ability need to be re-evaluated in light of their find.
(ResearchSEA)
Mammals Of Borneo Goes On-line
Kota Samarahan Sarawak (Malaysia), 30 October: Compilation of a list of mammals of Borneo has come a very long way. This on-line checklist owed to many pervious European travelers, traders, colonial officers, museum collectors, curators and biologists describing those species that are known to us today. It was only in 1960s that pioneering local biologists, namely Dr. Lim Boo Liat of the Institute Medical Research and Professor H.S. Yong of the University Malaya, entered the scene by publication of survey and genetic research on mammals respectively. The establishment of the University Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) has encouraged local scientists to explore the hinterland of Borneo and provided more research findings on new distribution records of mammals in Borneo.
Historical records of European association with Borneo and its fauna were compiled by Lord Medway that was published in 1977 by the Malaysian Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society.
Briefly, the earliest known European travel account was by A. Pigafetta where on 15th July 1521, he landed in Brunei and saw some domesticated elephants. Olivier van Noort was the first Dutch to arrive in Brunei on 20th December 1600. In 1603 the Dutch East India Company established a footing at Banjermasin, followed by the British and Portuguese at Martapura. Later for about 200 years, there was spice trading and massive European colonists’ massacres and repression on the local people. In 1714, Daniel Beeckman noted about the fauna of large mammals such as deer, goats, buffaloes and “monkies” in the area.
From 1817 and 1818, the Dutch colonists claimed sovereignty over Banjermasin and appointed commissioner to administer the region. In 1836, Commissioner S. Müller and other colleagues collected some specimens around Banjermasin and lower reaches of the Barito River. Müller’s nominal lists were published in 1838 and 1839-40 became the basis of scientific research on mammals in Borneo.
In northwestern part of Borneo, James Brooke who was an avid collector, seized power in Sarawak in 1842 and welcomed British collectors to be his official guests. H. Low collected specimens in Sarawak in 1845-48 and published 61 species of Bornean mammals.
William T. Hornaday, an American collector and hunter, wrote in 1885 on his many hunting expeditions in Sebuyau and Simujan, Sarawak where he killed a total of 43 orang-hutans. In 1888, Rajah Brooke established the Sarawak Museum in his effort for the preservation and conservation of the cultural heritage and natural history of Borneo. In 1893, Charles Hose who was a curator of Sarawak Museum published an account on the mammals of Borneo based on the museum collections and observations.
In the famous travelog by Alfred Russel Wallace published in 1896, called The Malay Archipelago, he wrote about his facination on hunting of Orang Hutan around the Kuching area. Earlier, Wallace wrote the precursor to the theory of evolution called the “Sarawak Law” based on his field work and observation at Mount Santubong.
From 1923 to 1932, F.N Chasen had published a monograph and contributed immensely on our knowledge of the taxonomy and distribution of mammals in the Malaysian region. In 1949, Edward Banks, published the first twentieth century species account called Bornean Mammals. Davis (1962) published on the mammals collected from the Murud-Kelabit highland in Sarawak. Between 1938 to1974, Tom Harrison and J.E Hill contributed considerable knowledge on the taxonomy, distribution and ecology of mammals of Borneo. John L. Harrison wrote a book titled An Introduction to the Mammals of Sabah in 1964 that was published by the Sabah Society. Later, Lord Medway 1977 presented the most complete list of mammals in Borneo and in 1985 Dr. John Payne, Dr. Charles M. Francis and Karen Phillipps made further revisions of Medway’s work in the publication A field guide to the mammals of Borneo.
Over the last 21 years since Dr. Payne’s publication, there were numerous articles being published on mammals of Borneo in local and international journals. Collation of information continued by Sarawak Museum and Sarawak Forestry Department. With the establishment of UNIMAS in 1993 many scientific expeditions into many interior parts of Sarawak has been carried out by members of the Animal Resource Science and Management (now known as Department of Zoology), IBEC and students. These expeditions were supported by various internal and external grants. Numerous new records and distributional list of mammals especially bats have been recorded for the state of Sarawak and Kalimantan.
These explorations resulted in providing information to managers and carry message of conservation throughout Borneo. Such information is essential as a first step to understanding the potential threats and conservation status of many mammalian species in this region. Wildlife protection is not similar within all the countries and states in Borneo.
The current provisional list of Mammals of Borneo is the collection of all those lists and recent publications, including conflicting or unconfirmed records, is now being uploaded on-line by using http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mammals_of_Borneo.
(ResearchSEA)
Historical records of European association with Borneo and its fauna were compiled by Lord Medway that was published in 1977 by the Malaysian Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society.
Briefly, the earliest known European travel account was by A. Pigafetta where on 15th July 1521, he landed in Brunei and saw some domesticated elephants. Olivier van Noort was the first Dutch to arrive in Brunei on 20th December 1600. In 1603 the Dutch East India Company established a footing at Banjermasin, followed by the British and Portuguese at Martapura. Later for about 200 years, there was spice trading and massive European colonists’ massacres and repression on the local people. In 1714, Daniel Beeckman noted about the fauna of large mammals such as deer, goats, buffaloes and “monkies” in the area.
From 1817 and 1818, the Dutch colonists claimed sovereignty over Banjermasin and appointed commissioner to administer the region. In 1836, Commissioner S. Müller and other colleagues collected some specimens around Banjermasin and lower reaches of the Barito River. Müller’s nominal lists were published in 1838 and 1839-40 became the basis of scientific research on mammals in Borneo.
In northwestern part of Borneo, James Brooke who was an avid collector, seized power in Sarawak in 1842 and welcomed British collectors to be his official guests. H. Low collected specimens in Sarawak in 1845-48 and published 61 species of Bornean mammals.
William T. Hornaday, an American collector and hunter, wrote in 1885 on his many hunting expeditions in Sebuyau and Simujan, Sarawak where he killed a total of 43 orang-hutans. In 1888, Rajah Brooke established the Sarawak Museum in his effort for the preservation and conservation of the cultural heritage and natural history of Borneo. In 1893, Charles Hose who was a curator of Sarawak Museum published an account on the mammals of Borneo based on the museum collections and observations.
In the famous travelog by Alfred Russel Wallace published in 1896, called The Malay Archipelago, he wrote about his facination on hunting of Orang Hutan around the Kuching area. Earlier, Wallace wrote the precursor to the theory of evolution called the “Sarawak Law” based on his field work and observation at Mount Santubong.
From 1923 to 1932, F.N Chasen had published a monograph and contributed immensely on our knowledge of the taxonomy and distribution of mammals in the Malaysian region. In 1949, Edward Banks, published the first twentieth century species account called Bornean Mammals. Davis (1962) published on the mammals collected from the Murud-Kelabit highland in Sarawak. Between 1938 to1974, Tom Harrison and J.E Hill contributed considerable knowledge on the taxonomy, distribution and ecology of mammals of Borneo. John L. Harrison wrote a book titled An Introduction to the Mammals of Sabah in 1964 that was published by the Sabah Society. Later, Lord Medway 1977 presented the most complete list of mammals in Borneo and in 1985 Dr. John Payne, Dr. Charles M. Francis and Karen Phillipps made further revisions of Medway’s work in the publication A field guide to the mammals of Borneo.
Over the last 21 years since Dr. Payne’s publication, there were numerous articles being published on mammals of Borneo in local and international journals. Collation of information continued by Sarawak Museum and Sarawak Forestry Department. With the establishment of UNIMAS in 1993 many scientific expeditions into many interior parts of Sarawak has been carried out by members of the Animal Resource Science and Management (now known as Department of Zoology), IBEC and students. These expeditions were supported by various internal and external grants. Numerous new records and distributional list of mammals especially bats have been recorded for the state of Sarawak and Kalimantan.
These explorations resulted in providing information to managers and carry message of conservation throughout Borneo. Such information is essential as a first step to understanding the potential threats and conservation status of many mammalian species in this region. Wildlife protection is not similar within all the countries and states in Borneo.
The current provisional list of Mammals of Borneo is the collection of all those lists and recent publications, including conflicting or unconfirmed records, is now being uploaded on-line by using http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mammals_of_Borneo.
(ResearchSEA)
Laser Traps Shed Light On Infection Defenses
Sendai (Japan), 30 October: A new technology that mimics the suspension of white blood cells in blood in the body is reported online this week in Cell Research. The novel joystick-controlled laser traps that the authors use provide valuable new information on how white blood cells engulf bacteria– a crucial part of the body’s defense against infection.
Hiroshi Kubo and colleagues use an innovative new system to investigate how neutrophils- which account for 70% of all white blood cells- ingest microorganisms. New system mimics the situation in body better than previous studies, which used white blood cells that are stuck to a surface (adherent cells).
Two laser traps were used: one to hold the neutrophil and another to hold a protein-coated bead that mimics a bacterium marked for ingestion. Using a joystick to control laser trap, the bead was presented to neutrophil. Authors found that the laser-suspended neutrophils extended parts of cell membrane (pseudopodia) towards the bead before being ingested, unlike the adherent cells in previous studies where they ingested the similarly coated particle without pseudopodia forming.
In his accompanying Research Highlight, Maurice Hallett comments that the new system promises “a new wave of advances” as other labs take up this technology.
(ResearchSEA)
Hiroshi Kubo and colleagues use an innovative new system to investigate how neutrophils- which account for 70% of all white blood cells- ingest microorganisms. New system mimics the situation in body better than previous studies, which used white blood cells that are stuck to a surface (adherent cells).
Two laser traps were used: one to hold the neutrophil and another to hold a protein-coated bead that mimics a bacterium marked for ingestion. Using a joystick to control laser trap, the bead was presented to neutrophil. Authors found that the laser-suspended neutrophils extended parts of cell membrane (pseudopodia) towards the bead before being ingested, unlike the adherent cells in previous studies where they ingested the similarly coated particle without pseudopodia forming.
In his accompanying Research Highlight, Maurice Hallett comments that the new system promises “a new wave of advances” as other labs take up this technology.
(ResearchSEA)
Monday, October 30, 2006
Mineral Physics: Conductivity Of Mantle Minerals
Okayama University (Japan), 29 October: The uppermost region of the Earth's mantle has an unusually high electrical conductivity, which some believe is due to a chemical reaction between water and the olivine minerals found in the rock. But the effect of water on such minerals, thorough the incorporation of hydrogen has yet to be determined in the laboratory. In Nature this week, two groups present such laboratory data, constraining the effect of hydrogen on the electrical conductivity of olivine.
Takashi Yoshino and colleagues present measurements of the electrical conductivity of single crystals of olivine, while Shun-ichiro Karato and colleagues make measurements on olivine aggregates. Although both groups find that small amounts of hydrogen increase the electrical conductivity of olivine by two to three orders of magnitude, their conclusions regarding whether such hydration can explain the observed conductivity of the mantle are at odds. More work is needed to resolve the discrepancy.
(ResearchSEA)
Takashi Yoshino and colleagues present measurements of the electrical conductivity of single crystals of olivine, while Shun-ichiro Karato and colleagues make measurements on olivine aggregates. Although both groups find that small amounts of hydrogen increase the electrical conductivity of olivine by two to three orders of magnitude, their conclusions regarding whether such hydration can explain the observed conductivity of the mantle are at odds. More work is needed to resolve the discrepancy.
(ResearchSEA)
Paleontology: Lampreys, The Supreme Survival Specialists
University of Chicago (USA), 29 October: A newly uncovered fossil fish has added a new chapter to the already impressive legend of lampreys. The discovery shows that the ancestors of these 'living fossils' developed their characteristic specialized body structures even longer ago than paleontologists had thought. The body forms have persisted for a staggering 360 million years, all the way up to the present.
The new fossil is the oldest lamprey-like fossil ever found, and is the earliest example of a lamprey having teeth, say Michael Coates and his colleagues, who announce the find in Nature.
The creature, found in an ancient estuary in Grahamstown, South Africa, boasted an impressive mouth- far bigger relative to its body size than those of modern lampreys. But in absolute terms, the new species was of just 4.2 centimeters long. Nonetheless, it is impressive, the authors note, that specialized structures such as teeth evolved so long ago and persisted almost unchanged in an evolutionary lineage
(ResearchSEA)
The new fossil is the oldest lamprey-like fossil ever found, and is the earliest example of a lamprey having teeth, say Michael Coates and his colleagues, who announce the find in Nature.
The creature, found in an ancient estuary in Grahamstown, South Africa, boasted an impressive mouth- far bigger relative to its body size than those of modern lampreys. But in absolute terms, the new species was of just 4.2 centimeters long. Nonetheless, it is impressive, the authors note, that specialized structures such as teeth evolved so long ago and persisted almost unchanged in an evolutionary lineage
(ResearchSEA)
Immunology: DNA Degradation Link To Rheumatoid Arthritis
Osaka University Medical School (Japan), 29 October: A failure to degrade DNA properly may contribute to the development of rheumatoid arthritis, a mouse study suggests.
Every day in human body, hundreds of millions of cells commit suicide, expelling their DNA along the way. This, and other excess DNA, is engulfed by scavenger cells called macrophages, which break it down using an enzyme called DNase II. But mice lacking the enzyme develop rheumatoid-arthritis-like symptoms, Shigekazu Nagata and colleagues report in a paper published in this week's Nature.
Macrophages without DNase II, carrying the undigested DNA, produce the inflammatory tumor necrosis factor (TNF-alpha) protein, and treatment with an anti-TNF-alpha antibody prevents the mice from developing symptoms.
(ResearchSEA)
Every day in human body, hundreds of millions of cells commit suicide, expelling their DNA along the way. This, and other excess DNA, is engulfed by scavenger cells called macrophages, which break it down using an enzyme called DNase II. But mice lacking the enzyme develop rheumatoid-arthritis-like symptoms, Shigekazu Nagata and colleagues report in a paper published in this week's Nature.
Macrophages without DNase II, carrying the undigested DNA, produce the inflammatory tumor necrosis factor (TNF-alpha) protein, and treatment with an anti-TNF-alpha antibody prevents the mice from developing symptoms.
(ResearchSEA)
Saturday, October 28, 2006
Protecting Mothers From Fetal Immune Recognition
Nashville (USA), 26 October: A protein expressed in developing embryos may protect mothers against immune-mediated attack by fetal cells, according to a study to be published in December issue of Nature Immunology. This protein, called Zfp608, appears to function by switching off the ex-pression of Rag genes, which are involved in the development and function of fetal immune cells.
Thomas Aune and colleagues identified Zfp608 by honing in on a genetic defect exhibited by a strain of mice called ZORI, which have a compromised immune system. These mice have reduced numbers of T lymphocytes, immune cells that develop in the thymus. Normally mice express Zfp608 during embryonic development but stop its ex-pression soon after birth. In contrast, ZORI mice continue to express Zfp608 in their thymus well beyond birth; continued Zfp608 ex-pression is therefore linked to lack of thymic immune cell development.
The authors show that Zfp608 inhibits Rag gene ex-pression in thymic cells, which explains the defect in T lymphocyte development observed in ZORI mice. They speculate that the timing of Zfp608 ex-pression in embryos might play a protective role by preventing the development of fetal immune cells that could potentially recognize and attack maternal tissues, thereby harming both mother and her unborn offspring.
The authors show that Zfp608 inhibits Rag gene ex-pression in thymic cells, which explains the defect in T lymphocyte development observed in ZORI mice. They speculate that the timing of Zfp608 ex-pression in embryos might play a protective role by preventing the development of fetal immune cells that could potentially recognize and attack maternal tissues, thereby harming both mother and her unborn offspring.
(ResearchSEA)
Thomas Aune and colleagues identified Zfp608 by honing in on a genetic defect exhibited by a strain of mice called ZORI, which have a compromised immune system. These mice have reduced numbers of T lymphocytes, immune cells that develop in the thymus. Normally mice express Zfp608 during embryonic development but stop its ex-pression soon after birth. In contrast, ZORI mice continue to express Zfp608 in their thymus well beyond birth; continued Zfp608 ex-pression is therefore linked to lack of thymic immune cell development.
The authors show that Zfp608 inhibits Rag gene ex-pression in thymic cells, which explains the defect in T lymphocyte development observed in ZORI mice. They speculate that the timing of Zfp608 ex-pression in embryos might play a protective role by preventing the development of fetal immune cells that could potentially recognize and attack maternal tissues, thereby harming both mother and her unborn offspring.
The authors show that Zfp608 inhibits Rag gene ex-pression in thymic cells, which explains the defect in T lymphocyte development observed in ZORI mice. They speculate that the timing of Zfp608 ex-pression in embryos might play a protective role by preventing the development of fetal immune cells that could potentially recognize and attack maternal tissues, thereby harming both mother and her unborn offspring.
(ResearchSEA)
TAP-ing Into Mammalian Interaction Proteomics
Vienna (Austria), 26 October: A new method enabling the efficient isolation of protein complexes from mammalian cells is described in an article published online by Nature Methods this week. The technique can identify the partners in protein interaction networks, known as the ‘interactome’, which will help researchers to understand how specific proteins interact and function together in the cell.
A widely used affinity purification technique, tandem affinity purification, or TAP, uses specially designed purification tags as hooks to fish out a protein of interest and its interaction partners under gentle, close-to-physiological conditions that preserve binding interactions. The protein's interactome can then be identified with the aid of mass spectrometry. However, the method was originally developed in yeast, and the tag constructs were never optimized for their direct application in mammalian cells.
Giulio Superti-Furga and colleagues now describe a TAP-tag variant optimized for use in mammalian cells. Though they constructed and tested several variants, the purification tag with the most efficient properties consisted of two protein G immunoglobulin-binding units and a streptavidin-binding protein separated by a tobacco etch virus (TEV) protease cleavage site. This tag can be appended recombinant to a protein of interest and used to isolate the protein and its interaction partners from cells in a two-step procedure.
Although the overall procedure is very similar to the yeast TAP method, the new tags enable the purification of mammalian protein complexes from a relatively small amount of cells and in quantities an order of magnitude higher than by using the original TAP tag. With this method, the authors conclude that "Large-scale approaches to explore the human proteome and cellular machinery should become more feasible."
(ResearchSEA)
A widely used affinity purification technique, tandem affinity purification, or TAP, uses specially designed purification tags as hooks to fish out a protein of interest and its interaction partners under gentle, close-to-physiological conditions that preserve binding interactions. The protein's interactome can then be identified with the aid of mass spectrometry. However, the method was originally developed in yeast, and the tag constructs were never optimized for their direct application in mammalian cells.
Giulio Superti-Furga and colleagues now describe a TAP-tag variant optimized for use in mammalian cells. Though they constructed and tested several variants, the purification tag with the most efficient properties consisted of two protein G immunoglobulin-binding units and a streptavidin-binding protein separated by a tobacco etch virus (TEV) protease cleavage site. This tag can be appended recombinant to a protein of interest and used to isolate the protein and its interaction partners from cells in a two-step procedure.
Although the overall procedure is very similar to the yeast TAP method, the new tags enable the purification of mammalian protein complexes from a relatively small amount of cells and in quantities an order of magnitude higher than by using the original TAP tag. With this method, the authors conclude that "Large-scale approaches to explore the human proteome and cellular machinery should become more feasible."
(ResearchSEA)
Genetics: Honeybee Genome Sequenced
Houston (USA), 26 October: Western honeybee (apis mellifera) has become the 3rd insect to have its genome sequenced. The data, published in Nature this week, lend insight to the insect's complex social behavior and its geographical origins.
Honeybee is a striking creature, one of relatively few species for which evolution culminated in advanced society. Queens produce offspring and non-reproductive workers gather food, care for young, build nests and defend colonies. But these 2 castes develop from the same genome. George M. Weinstock and colleagues discovered novel microRNAs (strands of RNA that are thought to regulate ex-pression of other genes) that have caste- and stage-specific ex-pression, suggesting a role in social diversification.
Apis mellifera follows in the footsteps of the fruit-fly and the mosquito, the first 2 insects to have their genome deciphered. Compared with the genomes of these insects, the honeybee genome has evolved more slowly. Furthermore, certain genes, such as those involved in biological rhythms, are more similar to vertebrate genomes. The honeybee also has more genes related to smell, and novel genes for nectar and pollen utilization, compared with the fruit-fly and mosquito.
Apis mellifera originated in Africa, the data suggest, then spread to Europe and Asia in 2 separate migrations. The infamous African 'killer' bees, Apis mellifera scutellata, were introduced to Brazil in 1956, and have almost replaced the 'European' honeybees that were present in the region.
(ResearchSEA)
Honeybee is a striking creature, one of relatively few species for which evolution culminated in advanced society. Queens produce offspring and non-reproductive workers gather food, care for young, build nests and defend colonies. But these 2 castes develop from the same genome. George M. Weinstock and colleagues discovered novel microRNAs (strands of RNA that are thought to regulate ex-pression of other genes) that have caste- and stage-specific ex-pression, suggesting a role in social diversification.
Apis mellifera follows in the footsteps of the fruit-fly and the mosquito, the first 2 insects to have their genome deciphered. Compared with the genomes of these insects, the honeybee genome has evolved more slowly. Furthermore, certain genes, such as those involved in biological rhythms, are more similar to vertebrate genomes. The honeybee also has more genes related to smell, and novel genes for nectar and pollen utilization, compared with the fruit-fly and mosquito.
Apis mellifera originated in Africa, the data suggest, then spread to Europe and Asia in 2 separate migrations. The infamous African 'killer' bees, Apis mellifera scutellata, were introduced to Brazil in 1956, and have almost replaced the 'European' honeybees that were present in the region.
(ResearchSEA)
Thursday, October 26, 2006
Agra Hospitals Modernize To Receive Medical Tourists
By Brij Khandelwal
Agra (India), 24 October: In what should be welcome news for tens of thousands of visitors to this city, private hospitals and nursing homes are modernizing and entering into tie-ups with well-known groups, hoping to benefit from the growing trend in medical tourism.
Half a dozen super specialty hospitals have come up in a year, in addition to scores of smaller general hospitals catering to locals and those from Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and other parts of Uttar Pradesh.
Said Ravi Pachauri, who is director of the joint venture between Noida-based Fortis hospital and Ravi Hospital, here: "Agra is definitely moving in the direction of a well developed medical tourism centre. With the new international airport coming up soon, and competent city doctors working abroad, this process will start soon enough.
"Medical facilities in Agra have expanded immensely. Earlier we referred our patients to hospitals in Delhi, now with the latest gadgetry and facilities available locally, patients take advantage and save both money and time."
Apollo Hospitals has also entered into partnership with Pankaj Mahendru's medical outfit. The new venture is called Apollo Pankaj.
Said Apollo Pankaj director Pankaj Mahendru to Www.mediabharti.com: "Earlier during the British and Mughal empires also, Agra was the main centre of health services. Now embassies and corporate houses are referring patients to hospitals here which have a fairly competent base of manpower and facilities."
An American company Mefcom Agro Ind. has acquired stakes in Kamayani Patients Care India, a multi-specialty hospital, providing specialty cancer treatment.
Metro, Heritage, Pushpanjali, Shanti Ved, Pareek's, Nawal Kishore's, GG Nursing Home and Sarkar's, the oldest nursing home in Agra, are some of the other hospitals that have broken new ground in Agra by modernizing their infrastructure and facilities.
To support the fast growing medical tourism industry, at least a dozen training institutes for paramedic staff as well as research centers have come up. Agra Mental Hospital is conducting several programs to train personnel for this specialized sector. Even the 150-year-old SN Medical College now presents a new profile in a bid to attract patients from the rest of India and even abroad.
Medical tourism has been catching on in India, thanks mainly to the booming health care industry that provides quality treatment at a fraction of what one has to spend in Western countries. Around 150,000 foreigners visited India last year for health care.
Agra (India), 24 October: In what should be welcome news for tens of thousands of visitors to this city, private hospitals and nursing homes are modernizing and entering into tie-ups with well-known groups, hoping to benefit from the growing trend in medical tourism.
Half a dozen super specialty hospitals have come up in a year, in addition to scores of smaller general hospitals catering to locals and those from Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and other parts of Uttar Pradesh.
Said Ravi Pachauri, who is director of the joint venture between Noida-based Fortis hospital and Ravi Hospital, here: "Agra is definitely moving in the direction of a well developed medical tourism centre. With the new international airport coming up soon, and competent city doctors working abroad, this process will start soon enough.
"Medical facilities in Agra have expanded immensely. Earlier we referred our patients to hospitals in Delhi, now with the latest gadgetry and facilities available locally, patients take advantage and save both money and time."
Apollo Hospitals has also entered into partnership with Pankaj Mahendru's medical outfit. The new venture is called Apollo Pankaj.
Said Apollo Pankaj director Pankaj Mahendru to Www.mediabharti.com: "Earlier during the British and Mughal empires also, Agra was the main centre of health services. Now embassies and corporate houses are referring patients to hospitals here which have a fairly competent base of manpower and facilities."
An American company Mefcom Agro Ind. has acquired stakes in Kamayani Patients Care India, a multi-specialty hospital, providing specialty cancer treatment.
Metro, Heritage, Pushpanjali, Shanti Ved, Pareek's, Nawal Kishore's, GG Nursing Home and Sarkar's, the oldest nursing home in Agra, are some of the other hospitals that have broken new ground in Agra by modernizing their infrastructure and facilities.
To support the fast growing medical tourism industry, at least a dozen training institutes for paramedic staff as well as research centers have come up. Agra Mental Hospital is conducting several programs to train personnel for this specialized sector. Even the 150-year-old SN Medical College now presents a new profile in a bid to attract patients from the rest of India and even abroad.
Medical tourism has been catching on in India, thanks mainly to the booming health care industry that provides quality treatment at a fraction of what one has to spend in Western countries. Around 150,000 foreigners visited India last year for health care.
Bittersweet News For Neural Stem Cell Grafts
New York (USA), 24 October: Using Human Embryonic Stem (HES) cells directed to a neural fate to treat Parkinson’s disease might be more complicated than previously thought, according to an article to be published in November issue of Nature Medicine. Study reports that when transplanted into rats, these cells demonstrate the potential to give rise to tumors.
Parkinson’s disease involves the degeneration of dopamine-releasing cells in a region of the brain known as the substantia nigra, leading to motor problems. Previous studies have attempted to coax stem cells into becoming dopamine-releasing, in the hope that they could be transplanted into the brain of people with the disease to replace the degenerated cells. One problem that researchers have encountered is the difficulty of obtaining enough cells to perform transplantation experiments in animal models.
In the current study, Steven Goldman and colleagues cultured HES cells while exposed to particular proteins and in the presence of human fetal glial, or brain ‘support’, cells. This allowed them to obtain enough cells to transplant into and alleviate the motor deficits of rats. However, after some time, the grafts started to show areas that no longer consisted of dopamine-releasing neurons, but of dividing cells that had the potential to give rise to tumors. The authors believe that their findings mandate caution before moving the application of such stem cell-derived grafts to the clinic as a possible treatment for Parkinson’s disease.
Parkinson’s disease involves the degeneration of dopamine-releasing cells in a region of the brain known as the substantia nigra, leading to motor problems. Previous studies have attempted to coax stem cells into becoming dopamine-releasing, in the hope that they could be transplanted into the brain of people with the disease to replace the degenerated cells. One problem that researchers have encountered is the difficulty of obtaining enough cells to perform transplantation experiments in animal models.
In the current study, Steven Goldman and colleagues cultured HES cells while exposed to particular proteins and in the presence of human fetal glial, or brain ‘support’, cells. This allowed them to obtain enough cells to transplant into and alleviate the motor deficits of rats. However, after some time, the grafts started to show areas that no longer consisted of dopamine-releasing neurons, but of dividing cells that had the potential to give rise to tumors. The authors believe that their findings mandate caution before moving the application of such stem cell-derived grafts to the clinic as a possible treatment for Parkinson’s disease.
Wednesday, October 25, 2006
Bottom Line For Silk
University of Oxford (UK), 24 October: Remarkable similarities between the flow behavior of silkworm and spider silks are revealed in a study to be published in November issue of Nature Materials. This is surprising because these silks evolved to have different functions and their protein compositions and mechanical properties are quite distinct.
Fritz Vollrath and colleagues’ characterization study is the first to compare directly the native silk feedstock of 2 different animal species. The authors note that both feed stocks have the typical flow behavior of a standard polymer melt, which is important because it means that the melt-flow theory developed for polymers also applies to silk.
Spider silk, in particular, has mechanical properties that outperform most industrial fibers but it defies all attempts at reproduction. Now this improved understanding of the flow characteristics of native silk feedstock may take us a step closer to translating natural spinning to artificial silk production.
Fritz Vollrath and colleagues’ characterization study is the first to compare directly the native silk feedstock of 2 different animal species. The authors note that both feed stocks have the typical flow behavior of a standard polymer melt, which is important because it means that the melt-flow theory developed for polymers also applies to silk.
Spider silk, in particular, has mechanical properties that outperform most industrial fibers but it defies all attempts at reproduction. Now this improved understanding of the flow characteristics of native silk feedstock may take us a step closer to translating natural spinning to artificial silk production.
Neuroscience: Inducing Connections Between Brain Sites Alters Motor Function
Seattle (USA), 24 October: Artificially connecting the activity of 2 brain sites can alter the motor function of freely behaving monkeys, according to a study published online in Nature this week. Associative plasticity- the classic theory that the paired activity of neurons underlies learning and memory in the brain- has, until now, been difficult to demonstrate in behaving animals.
Eberhard Fetz and colleagues implanted a 'Neurochip' into the brains of 2 adult monkeys (Macaca nemestrina), in an area of the primary motor cortex that controls wrist movement. They mapped the motor output of 2 sites within this area by observing the different wrist movements elicited when each of the sites was stimulated. A conditioning stage was then undertaken during which nerve impulses recorded at one site- referred to as Nrec- were used to trigger the delivery of an electrical stimulus to the other site- referred to as Nstim. Authors report that this changed the motor output of the first brain site, such that stimulating Nrec resulted in wrist movements similar to those observed following stimulation of Nstim.
The authors propose that their findings show that functional reorganization can be induced using neural activity at one site to trigger stimulation at another, thus creating an artificial connection. This represents a novel development for the field of brain-computer interface technology, and may have practical implications for rehabilitation after brain injury.
Eberhard Fetz and colleagues implanted a 'Neurochip' into the brains of 2 adult monkeys (Macaca nemestrina), in an area of the primary motor cortex that controls wrist movement. They mapped the motor output of 2 sites within this area by observing the different wrist movements elicited when each of the sites was stimulated. A conditioning stage was then undertaken during which nerve impulses recorded at one site- referred to as Nrec- were used to trigger the delivery of an electrical stimulus to the other site- referred to as Nstim. Authors report that this changed the motor output of the first brain site, such that stimulating Nrec resulted in wrist movements similar to those observed following stimulation of Nstim.
The authors propose that their findings show that functional reorganization can be induced using neural activity at one site to trigger stimulation at another, thus creating an artificial connection. This represents a novel development for the field of brain-computer interface technology, and may have practical implications for rehabilitation after brain injury.
Monday, October 23, 2006
Website launched To Protect World From Harmful Species
Gland (Switzerland), 22 October: People around the world can access information about harmful introduced species easier than ever thanks to the September 2006 launch of a new website for Global Invasive Species Database (GISD). The world's premier source of free, authoritative information about introduced species that threaten native biodiversity and livelihoods now has improved content and functions.
While only a small proportion of the living organisms that are moved around the world with human activity and global trade actually cause harm, those that do can be devastating. Such “biological invasions” are now considered one of the biggest factors in biodiversity loss and extinctions. However, fighting back is possible provided communities and decision makers are aware of the threats and have access to information on what they can do about it.
"Global Invasive Species Database alerts people to the causes and consequences of invasive species and provides practical information about effective prevention and management options. It helps protect natural resources and livelihoods," says Michael Browne from the Invasive Species Specialist Group of Species Survival Commission of IUCN-The World Conservation Union.
GISD, which has been on-line at www.issg.org/database since 2000 and mirrored by the National Biological Information Infrastructure (NBII) of US Geological Survey at www.invasivespecies.net/database, currently receives more than 900 unique visitors per day (50,000 hits per day). Access to the GISD is free.
While only a small proportion of the living organisms that are moved around the world with human activity and global trade actually cause harm, those that do can be devastating. Such “biological invasions” are now considered one of the biggest factors in biodiversity loss and extinctions. However, fighting back is possible provided communities and decision makers are aware of the threats and have access to information on what they can do about it.
"Global Invasive Species Database alerts people to the causes and consequences of invasive species and provides practical information about effective prevention and management options. It helps protect natural resources and livelihoods," says Michael Browne from the Invasive Species Specialist Group of Species Survival Commission of IUCN-The World Conservation Union.
GISD, which has been on-line at www.issg.org/database since 2000 and mirrored by the National Biological Information Infrastructure (NBII) of US Geological Survey at www.invasivespecies.net/database, currently receives more than 900 unique visitors per day (50,000 hits per day). Access to the GISD is free.
Insulin-Producing Cells From Human Embryonic Stem Cells
San Diego (USA), 22 October: The culture conditions under which human embryonic stem cells can be converted into cells that produce all 5 hormones made by pancreas, including insulin, are reported online in Nature Biotechnology this week. E. Edward Baetge and colleagues’ study suggests that the possibility of turning human embryonic stem cells into pancreatic cells that can be used for diabetes therapy has moved one step closer to reality.
Human embryonic stem cells have the potential to become virtually any cell type in the body. Thus, they are a promising source of cells to repair damaged organs like the pancreas, heart and liver. The challenge facing scientists is to unlock the secrets of how to produce particular cell types, such as pancreatic beta-cells- the insulin-secreting cells in pancreas- with high efficiency.
Baetge and colleagues show that the efficient generation of insulin-producing cells from human embryonic stem cells depends on guiding the cells through stages similar to those of pancreatic development, including the critical early developmental stage known as ‘definitive endoderm.’ The insulin-producing cells the authors created contained high levels of insulin. They were also capable of secreting insulin, but only minimally in response to sugar- a crucial function of adult beta-cells. Thus, the cells seem closer to immature, fetal beta-cells. The authors speculate that, with additional research, these cells have the potential to be matured into insulin-producing cells that could be suitable for transplantation into patients.
Human embryonic stem cells have the potential to become virtually any cell type in the body. Thus, they are a promising source of cells to repair damaged organs like the pancreas, heart and liver. The challenge facing scientists is to unlock the secrets of how to produce particular cell types, such as pancreatic beta-cells- the insulin-secreting cells in pancreas- with high efficiency.
Baetge and colleagues show that the efficient generation of insulin-producing cells from human embryonic stem cells depends on guiding the cells through stages similar to those of pancreatic development, including the critical early developmental stage known as ‘definitive endoderm.’ The insulin-producing cells the authors created contained high levels of insulin. They were also capable of secreting insulin, but only minimally in response to sugar- a crucial function of adult beta-cells. Thus, the cells seem closer to immature, fetal beta-cells. The authors speculate that, with additional research, these cells have the potential to be matured into insulin-producing cells that could be suitable for transplantation into patients.
Tuesday, October 17, 2006
New Sex Determination Gene Identified
University of Pavia (Italy), 16 October: Giovanna Camerino and colleagues studied an Italian family in which 4 brothers were identified as having 2 X chromosomes- the female complement of sex chromosomes. Such female to male sex reversal is extremely rare, and is usually accompanied by translocation of male sex-determining gene SRY from the Y chromosome to one of the other chromosomes. In this family, however, the SRY gene is not present, suggesting another genetic cause of sex reversal.
The authors identified mutations in RSPO1- which encodes R-spondin1, a member of a small family of proteins that are secreted by cells- in all of the brothers. This study represents the first time that the mutation of a single gene has been shown to cause complete female to male sex reversal in the absence of SRY, and shows that RSPO1 is also an essential ovary-determining gene.
The authors identified mutations in RSPO1- which encodes R-spondin1, a member of a small family of proteins that are secreted by cells- in all of the brothers. This study represents the first time that the mutation of a single gene has been shown to cause complete female to male sex reversal in the absence of SRY, and shows that RSPO1 is also an essential ovary-determining gene.
International Journal of Surgery Launches its Website
London (Britain), 16 October: International Journal of Surgery has launched its new website www.theijs.com. The site aims to build stronger links with all authors, reviewers, the media and indeed all stakeholders in the journal by fostering enhanced interaction, content and search facilities.
Website includes a wide range of functionality like research abstracts from the latest issue of IJS, pod casts, video and image library, career centre, RSS feeds etc.
Professor Michael Baum, Editor-in-Chief of International Journal of Surgery said,
"This is the first time surgeons in training have direct links to the teaching of techniques by interactive videos and the learning of principles direct from the mouth of world leaders on pod casts.
Dr. Michael Retsky, Lecturer in Surgery at Harvard Medical School said, “It has been a pleasure to get our research story told to a wide audience in a very short time- and with high professional quality”.
(ResearchSEA)
Website includes a wide range of functionality like research abstracts from the latest issue of IJS, pod casts, video and image library, career centre, RSS feeds etc.
Professor Michael Baum, Editor-in-Chief of International Journal of Surgery said,
"This is the first time surgeons in training have direct links to the teaching of techniques by interactive videos and the learning of principles direct from the mouth of world leaders on pod casts.
Dr. Michael Retsky, Lecturer in Surgery at Harvard Medical School said, “It has been a pleasure to get our research story told to a wide audience in a very short time- and with high professional quality”.
(ResearchSEA)
Monday, October 16, 2006
Asia Pacific Conference on Plant Tissue Culture and Agri-biotechnology
Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), 15 October: The Asia Pacific Conference on Plant Tissue Culture and Agri-biotechnology will be held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from 10 to 14 June 2007 next year, under the auspices of the Asia Pacific Association of Plant Tissue Culture and Agri-biotechnology and the Academy of Sciences Malaysia.
Theme is "Biotechnology for Better Food, Health and Quality Living". Considering the growing importance of biotechnology in modern world and also the region's strong posture in biotechnology, this Conference will provide an excellent avenue to address the multifarious challenges and opportunities in the field.
Conference will bring to the people of the region an opportunity to hear and discourse on the numerous achievements in the field of modern biotechnology, especially in plant tissue culture and agri-biotechnology. The Conference will feature plenary and invited lectures by eminent speakers on the current state of knowledge in key areas of interest, while also allowing for scientific reporting of achievements via oral and poster presentations.
It will also incorporate a Trade Exhibition and Business Forum. Research organizations and biotechnology companies will therefore have a unique opportunity to showcase their products, technologies and state-of-the-art equipment, as well as to brainstorm and network with other local and world leaders so as to enhance research collaborations and business cooperation among the various biotechnology stakeholders.
(ResearchSEA)
Theme is "Biotechnology for Better Food, Health and Quality Living". Considering the growing importance of biotechnology in modern world and also the region's strong posture in biotechnology, this Conference will provide an excellent avenue to address the multifarious challenges and opportunities in the field.
Conference will bring to the people of the region an opportunity to hear and discourse on the numerous achievements in the field of modern biotechnology, especially in plant tissue culture and agri-biotechnology. The Conference will feature plenary and invited lectures by eminent speakers on the current state of knowledge in key areas of interest, while also allowing for scientific reporting of achievements via oral and poster presentations.
It will also incorporate a Trade Exhibition and Business Forum. Research organizations and biotechnology companies will therefore have a unique opportunity to showcase their products, technologies and state-of-the-art equipment, as well as to brainstorm and network with other local and world leaders so as to enhance research collaborations and business cooperation among the various biotechnology stakeholders.
(ResearchSEA)
Findings Suggest How to Improve Vasectomy Success Rates
Research Triangle Park (NC), October 15: Research published by Family Health International, Laval University in Quebec City, Canada, and EngenderHealth in New York, in open-access journal BMC Urology shows that early recanalization- the most frequent cause of vasectomy failure- is more common than previously recognized. It also confirms that certain vasectomy techniques are associated with lower risk of recanalization and that wider use of these techniques could reduce vasectomy failure rates.
“Vasectomy is a highly effective contraceptive method,” says Dr. David Sokal, an investigator for the study and a medical scientist at FHI, “but these findings tell us that there is room for improvement. The study gives us a better understanding of how frequently recanalization occurs, and clearly identifies a key focus for future vasectomy research: how to reduce the rate of early recanalization.”.
The researchers described patterns of early recanalization (a spontaneous reconnection of the two ends of the severed vas deferens) by charting data from semen analyses beginning two weeks post-vasectomy from two of the most rigorous studies of vasectomy techniques to date. One of these studies tested the effectiveness of a technique known as fascial interposition among 826 men in 7 countries, while the other examined the effectiveness of cautery among 389 men in 4 countries.
Researchers estimated that early recanalization occurred in 13% of study participants overall- a surprisingly high percent for a method commonly considered to be at least 99% effective- and caused more than four-fifths of vasectomy failures overall. The findings also suggest, however, that in many cases of recanalization the vas eventually closes off, resulting in a successful vasectomy.
Large differences in recanalization risk were observed for the different vasectomy techniques, as follows:
• One-fourth for men with ligation and excision alone
• One-eighth for men with ligation and excision plus fascial interposition
• Zero for men with thermal cautery and fascial interposition
These findings reinforce recent recommendations from several medical groups to avoid ligation and excision as the sole method for occluding the vas. They also support the use of cautery with fascial interposition as probably the most effective way of occluding the vas.
FHI’s Dr. Sokal cautions that further research is needed to clarify the full implications of these results for clinical practice, because what seem like small differences in surgical technique may lead to significant differences in effectiveness.
(ResearchSEA)
“Vasectomy is a highly effective contraceptive method,” says Dr. David Sokal, an investigator for the study and a medical scientist at FHI, “but these findings tell us that there is room for improvement. The study gives us a better understanding of how frequently recanalization occurs, and clearly identifies a key focus for future vasectomy research: how to reduce the rate of early recanalization.”.
The researchers described patterns of early recanalization (a spontaneous reconnection of the two ends of the severed vas deferens) by charting data from semen analyses beginning two weeks post-vasectomy from two of the most rigorous studies of vasectomy techniques to date. One of these studies tested the effectiveness of a technique known as fascial interposition among 826 men in 7 countries, while the other examined the effectiveness of cautery among 389 men in 4 countries.
Researchers estimated that early recanalization occurred in 13% of study participants overall- a surprisingly high percent for a method commonly considered to be at least 99% effective- and caused more than four-fifths of vasectomy failures overall. The findings also suggest, however, that in many cases of recanalization the vas eventually closes off, resulting in a successful vasectomy.
Large differences in recanalization risk were observed for the different vasectomy techniques, as follows:
• One-fourth for men with ligation and excision alone
• One-eighth for men with ligation and excision plus fascial interposition
• Zero for men with thermal cautery and fascial interposition
These findings reinforce recent recommendations from several medical groups to avoid ligation and excision as the sole method for occluding the vas. They also support the use of cautery with fascial interposition as probably the most effective way of occluding the vas.
FHI’s Dr. Sokal cautions that further research is needed to clarify the full implications of these results for clinical practice, because what seem like small differences in surgical technique may lead to significant differences in effectiveness.
(ResearchSEA)
Saturday, October 14, 2006
7th EU-India Summit in Helsinki
Helsinki (Finland), 12 October: The EU and India hold their 7th Summit meeting in Helsinki. The Summit agenda will cover EU-India relations including implementation of the Joint Action Plan adopted at the last Summit (Delhi, September 2005) and it will endorse the recommendations of the EU-India High Level Trade Group on ways to further enhance bilateral trade and investment. Issues of global concern scheduled for discussion include effective multilateralism, climate change and energy, counter terrorism, and non-proliferation. Regional issues will also be discussed, including Iran, Myanmar and Sri Lanka.
Summit, hosted by the Finnish Prime Minister, Mr. Matti Vanhanen, on behalf of the Finnish Presidency, will be attended by European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso, External Relations Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner and Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson. Mr. Javier Solana, High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy, will also be present.
Summit, hosted by the Finnish Prime Minister, Mr. Matti Vanhanen, on behalf of the Finnish Presidency, will be attended by European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso, External Relations Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner and Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson. Mr. Javier Solana, High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy, will also be present.
Wednesday, October 11, 2006
IRRI Continues to Repair Extensive Damage Caused by Typhoon
Los Banos (Philippines), 10 October: International Rice Research Institute continues to repair extensive damage caused last Thursday (September 28) by the worst typhoon in more than a decade to hit the world-famous agricultural research center.
IRRI’s home province of Laguna was devastated by Typhoon Xangsane (known locally as Milenyo), with the eye of category-4 storm passing directly over IRRI and its host town of Los Banos. “Our thoughts are with our neighbors and all those in the local community who suffered so much because of the storm, and who continue to suffer,” IRRI’s Director General Robert S. Zeigler said. “We are doing everything we can to help them.”
In Los Banos, the typhoon left 18 people dead, 20 people injured, 5 people missing, and more than 3,000 homes either partially or totally destroyed. In the neighboring town of Bay, 3 people were killed and 20 injured, and more than 16,000 homes affected (as of October 2). Particularly devastating was a landslide on the slopes of Mount Makiling– where some IRRI facilities also stand- which swept away several families and their homes.
With wind gusts of up to 160 km per hour and an estimated 112 millimeters of rain, the typhoon hit IRRI just as work was starting on Thursday morning. With the Institute already closed, most staff stayed home to protect their families and property, but some IRRI staff volunteered for emergency relief and rescue work.
Despite the widespread destruction around the Institute, Dr. Zeigler said the research campus escaped relatively lightly. “Some of the glasshouses were severely damaged, but the main research buildings, the gene bank, and the library did not suffer any significant damage, while our support services such as our Internet and telephone connections narrowly escaped major damage.”
IRRI’s home province of Laguna was devastated by Typhoon Xangsane (known locally as Milenyo), with the eye of category-4 storm passing directly over IRRI and its host town of Los Banos. “Our thoughts are with our neighbors and all those in the local community who suffered so much because of the storm, and who continue to suffer,” IRRI’s Director General Robert S. Zeigler said. “We are doing everything we can to help them.”
In Los Banos, the typhoon left 18 people dead, 20 people injured, 5 people missing, and more than 3,000 homes either partially or totally destroyed. In the neighboring town of Bay, 3 people were killed and 20 injured, and more than 16,000 homes affected (as of October 2). Particularly devastating was a landslide on the slopes of Mount Makiling– where some IRRI facilities also stand- which swept away several families and their homes.
With wind gusts of up to 160 km per hour and an estimated 112 millimeters of rain, the typhoon hit IRRI just as work was starting on Thursday morning. With the Institute already closed, most staff stayed home to protect their families and property, but some IRRI staff volunteered for emergency relief and rescue work.
Despite the widespread destruction around the Institute, Dr. Zeigler said the research campus escaped relatively lightly. “Some of the glasshouses were severely damaged, but the main research buildings, the gene bank, and the library did not suffer any significant damage, while our support services such as our Internet and telephone connections narrowly escaped major damage.”
IRRI’s New Strategic Plan Unveiled
New Delhi (India), October 10: More income for the world’s millions of poor rice farmers and consumers is the first goal of a major new revamp to the agenda of the International Rice Research Institute– the largest and most successful international agricultural research institute in Asia.
IRRI’s new Strategic Plan (2007-2015) maintains the Institute’s traditional emphasis on food security– a vital strategy as almost half the world eats rice each day– but has for the first time put as its first goal reducing poverty among rice farmers and consumers. 4 other goals focus on environmental sustainability, health and nutrition, access to information and knowledge, and supporting efforts everywhere to develop new and improved rice varieties.
Announcing the new Strategic Plan at the opening of the International Rice Congress (IRC) on October 9 in New Delhi, IRRI’s Director General Dr. Robert S. Zeigler said: “If the world is serious about achieving the first and most important of the UN’s Millennium Development Goals on poverty, then we must focus on the livelihoods of poor rice farmers and consumers because together they make up almost half the world’s population.
“For many of the rice-producing countries of Asia, it’s not just a question of poverty, but more importantly a question of maintaining their national economic development,” Dr. Zeigler warned. “Unless many Asian nations can get their rural or rice-based regions growing economically, their national development efforts could stall completely. Asia needs to invest more in agriculture and especially agricultural research– without new ideas and technologies, their rice industries will stagnate and hold back the rest of the country.”
As well as mentioning 5 new strategic goals, Dr. Zeigler announced that IRRI was embarking on several ground-breaking scientific frontier projects that included efforts to develop rice varieties that would help poor farmers better cope with climate change and drought and to completely reconfigure what’s known as the engine of rice production, the plant’s photosynthetic system.
Dr. Zeigler went on to congratulate the Indian Ministry of Agriculture and Indian Council for Agricultural Research (ICAR) for hosting and organizing the IRC2006. He said the event– attracting more than 1,000 delegates from around the world and including research and trade conferences as well as an international technology exhibition– came at a crucial time for the international rice industry.
IRRI’s new Strategic Plan (2007-2015) maintains the Institute’s traditional emphasis on food security– a vital strategy as almost half the world eats rice each day– but has for the first time put as its first goal reducing poverty among rice farmers and consumers. 4 other goals focus on environmental sustainability, health and nutrition, access to information and knowledge, and supporting efforts everywhere to develop new and improved rice varieties.
Announcing the new Strategic Plan at the opening of the International Rice Congress (IRC) on October 9 in New Delhi, IRRI’s Director General Dr. Robert S. Zeigler said: “If the world is serious about achieving the first and most important of the UN’s Millennium Development Goals on poverty, then we must focus on the livelihoods of poor rice farmers and consumers because together they make up almost half the world’s population.
“For many of the rice-producing countries of Asia, it’s not just a question of poverty, but more importantly a question of maintaining their national economic development,” Dr. Zeigler warned. “Unless many Asian nations can get their rural or rice-based regions growing economically, their national development efforts could stall completely. Asia needs to invest more in agriculture and especially agricultural research– without new ideas and technologies, their rice industries will stagnate and hold back the rest of the country.”
As well as mentioning 5 new strategic goals, Dr. Zeigler announced that IRRI was embarking on several ground-breaking scientific frontier projects that included efforts to develop rice varieties that would help poor farmers better cope with climate change and drought and to completely reconfigure what’s known as the engine of rice production, the plant’s photosynthetic system.
Dr. Zeigler went on to congratulate the Indian Ministry of Agriculture and Indian Council for Agricultural Research (ICAR) for hosting and organizing the IRC2006. He said the event– attracting more than 1,000 delegates from around the world and including research and trade conferences as well as an international technology exhibition– came at a crucial time for the international rice industry.
Sunday, October 08, 2006
Missing Child Recovery System Successfully Operated
Columbus, Ohio: Last week, the city used a system to rapidly call over 3,000 residents and businesses to alert citizens to a kidnapping in an area in which a child and his abductor were last seen.
Police had begun looking for a man and child after contact from Virginia State Police Department indicated a father was wanted for parental kidnapping of his 2-year old son was in the area.
From the field, Frankfort's Emergency Management Director Deron Rambo contacted TFCCs 24/7 Help Desk to launch a call-out program, to contact area residents within a specific geographic radius to ask for their help in locating the missing boy. Rambo provided a description of the man and the child to UCS Client Manager Elizabeth Drake, along with the location where the duo had last been spotted.
Focusing in on a 2-mile radius using the UCS GIS-Mapping function, the program automatically generated a list of all the phone numbers. A custom message was created directing callers to 9-1-1; the UCS converted the message to computerized speech using the Text-to-Speech function and within minutes, Drake activated the program which called 3,488 phone numbers and local schools, which closed their doors.
Within 20 minutes, before an Amber Alert could be activated or other action taken, simultaneous calls were made to 9-1-1 which led police to apprehend the kidnapper and recover the child. The pair, on foot, had moved into an area the police had not yet searched.
"Quick action from the field on the part of the Frankfort EMA, and Elizabeth Drake's calm and efficient performance in executing the call-out program, are to be commended. We are proud our system was an instrumental factor in safely recovering the missing child," said James Lehr Kennedy, president and CEO of Twenty First Century Communications.
Frankfort Emergency Management Agency purchased the Universal Communications System earlier this year through a grant from the Kentucky Department of Homeland Security.
(EWORLDWIRE)
Police had begun looking for a man and child after contact from Virginia State Police Department indicated a father was wanted for parental kidnapping of his 2-year old son was in the area.
From the field, Frankfort's Emergency Management Director Deron Rambo contacted TFCCs 24/7 Help Desk to launch a call-out program, to contact area residents within a specific geographic radius to ask for their help in locating the missing boy. Rambo provided a description of the man and the child to UCS Client Manager Elizabeth Drake, along with the location where the duo had last been spotted.
Focusing in on a 2-mile radius using the UCS GIS-Mapping function, the program automatically generated a list of all the phone numbers. A custom message was created directing callers to 9-1-1; the UCS converted the message to computerized speech using the Text-to-Speech function and within minutes, Drake activated the program which called 3,488 phone numbers and local schools, which closed their doors.
Within 20 minutes, before an Amber Alert could be activated or other action taken, simultaneous calls were made to 9-1-1 which led police to apprehend the kidnapper and recover the child. The pair, on foot, had moved into an area the police had not yet searched.
"Quick action from the field on the part of the Frankfort EMA, and Elizabeth Drake's calm and efficient performance in executing the call-out program, are to be commended. We are proud our system was an instrumental factor in safely recovering the missing child," said James Lehr Kennedy, president and CEO of Twenty First Century Communications.
Frankfort Emergency Management Agency purchased the Universal Communications System earlier this year through a grant from the Kentucky Department of Homeland Security.
(EWORLDWIRE)
Now Agra News on Global Internet Map
Agra: A news website www.agralive.in was today formally launched by Surendra Sharma, president of Braj Mandal Heritage Conservation Society, at a function in Goverdhan Hotel.
Website promoter Brij Khandelwal told Www.mediabharti.com that an internet platform like agralive.in had become a necessity as more and more people of Agra origin are settling all over India and in foreign countries, and they all want to keep themselves updated about what’s happening back at home. “An effort has been made through this site to give a complete package of information and comments in a compact user-friendly format. Though the site became functional on Independence day, but due to technical shortcomings its formal launching had to be delayed.”
On this occasion, Webmaster Vikas Dinkar Pandit said the site had been deliberately kept simple and easy to access and more features would be subsequently added.
Earlier, in 1999, the same group had launched www.tajtoday.com which not only proved quite popular but helped launch the career of half a dozen web journalists who are now established names.
Website promoter Brij Khandelwal told Www.mediabharti.com that an internet platform like agralive.in had become a necessity as more and more people of Agra origin are settling all over India and in foreign countries, and they all want to keep themselves updated about what’s happening back at home. “An effort has been made through this site to give a complete package of information and comments in a compact user-friendly format. Though the site became functional on Independence day, but due to technical shortcomings its formal launching had to be delayed.”
On this occasion, Webmaster Vikas Dinkar Pandit said the site had been deliberately kept simple and easy to access and more features would be subsequently added.
Earlier, in 1999, the same group had launched www.tajtoday.com which not only proved quite popular but helped launch the career of half a dozen web journalists who are now established names.
Friday, October 06, 2006
Unplanned Growth Will Kill Indian Cities: Experts
By Brij Khandelwal
Agra: Indian cities, facing the onslaught of unprecedented urbanization, will collapse unless town planners review their policies and evolve a model compatible with Indian ethos, say experts.
“The haphazard growth of cities, bypassing of environmental laws and existing master plans by the private sector-driven land development industry has precipitated a crisis in the overall habitat scenario in the country," Agra Rural Development Association president Vinay Paliwal told a seminar.
The seminar to mark World Habitat Day was organized jointly by the Braj Mandal Heritage Conservation Society, Citizens' Council, Agra Forum of Concerned Citizens and several NGOs.
Indian cities were bursting at the seams as large-scale migration from the rural hinterland had caused the virtual collapse of existing infrastructure, said P.K. Jain, convener of Joint Action Committee here.
Heritage Conservation Society president Surenda Sharma said: "As 70% of India's population lives in rural areas, villages need to be urbanized by expanding civic amenities and improving living conditions. Otherwise, the mass exodus from rural hinterland to urban centers will continue unabated."
Quoting ancient Indian texts including Kautilya's treatises, former Agra University registrar M.G. Gupta lamented that today's town planners had messed up the urban scene with their lopsided approach to urbanization, which was variously being redefined and reinvented by all kinds of interest groups.
Krishna Kumar said there was no coordination between private players and state agencies, adding that land use patterns were being changed to suit vested interests. The 'green lungs' of many cities had disappeared due to land grabbers.
R.C. Sharma, a noted historian, said: "Urban planning should integrate programmes for improving life in the slums and providing them basic amenities. Modern town-planning strategies have nothing to offer to the slums except demolitions and shifting."
(brij.khandelwal@mediabharti.com)
Agra: Indian cities, facing the onslaught of unprecedented urbanization, will collapse unless town planners review their policies and evolve a model compatible with Indian ethos, say experts.
“The haphazard growth of cities, bypassing of environmental laws and existing master plans by the private sector-driven land development industry has precipitated a crisis in the overall habitat scenario in the country," Agra Rural Development Association president Vinay Paliwal told a seminar.
The seminar to mark World Habitat Day was organized jointly by the Braj Mandal Heritage Conservation Society, Citizens' Council, Agra Forum of Concerned Citizens and several NGOs.
Indian cities were bursting at the seams as large-scale migration from the rural hinterland had caused the virtual collapse of existing infrastructure, said P.K. Jain, convener of Joint Action Committee here.
Heritage Conservation Society president Surenda Sharma said: "As 70% of India's population lives in rural areas, villages need to be urbanized by expanding civic amenities and improving living conditions. Otherwise, the mass exodus from rural hinterland to urban centers will continue unabated."
Quoting ancient Indian texts including Kautilya's treatises, former Agra University registrar M.G. Gupta lamented that today's town planners had messed up the urban scene with their lopsided approach to urbanization, which was variously being redefined and reinvented by all kinds of interest groups.
Krishna Kumar said there was no coordination between private players and state agencies, adding that land use patterns were being changed to suit vested interests. The 'green lungs' of many cities had disappeared due to land grabbers.
R.C. Sharma, a noted historian, said: "Urban planning should integrate programmes for improving life in the slums and providing them basic amenities. Modern town-planning strategies have nothing to offer to the slums except demolitions and shifting."
(brij.khandelwal@mediabharti.com)
Thursday, October 05, 2006
Gandhi's Birthday Celebrated as Goat Development Day
By Brij Khandelwal
Agra: An animal husbandry institute in an Uttar Pradesh village marked Mahatma Gandhi's birth anniversary as goat development day, recalling the leader's love for goat milk.
Central Institute of Research on Goats at Makhdoom village in Farah, 25 km. from here, held a function extolling the virtues of goats called the "poor man's cow" by Mahatma Gandhi.
Institute Director Narendra Pal Singh explained how goat milk could not only be used as a health tonic and a cure for various diseases like tuberculosis, high blood pressure, stomach ailments, insomnia and asthma, but also as a profitable economic activity in rural areas.
Member of Parliament Manvendra Singh, who is also an executive committee member of the Indian Council for Agricultural Research was the chief guest Monday.
He said the results of the researches conducted by the CIRG should be passed on to farmers and goat owners at the village level. He also asked, "if former prime minister V.P. Singh could take to goat farming, why the villagers in the state could not take it up on a big scale".
CIRG was in news last month for genetically producing an in-vitro goat, an experiment that has opened up immense possibilities of rearing better goat breeds in India.
Indian subcontinent has 20 well-characterized goat breeds, which vary in their genetic potential for the production of milk, meat and fiber; disease resistance; heat tolerance; and fecundity. Indian goats make up 20% of the world's goat population.
CIRG was initially a small centre started by Indian Veterinary Research Institute in 1976. The centre was renamed CIRG after it was awarded national status by the ICAR in1981.
Agra: An animal husbandry institute in an Uttar Pradesh village marked Mahatma Gandhi's birth anniversary as goat development day, recalling the leader's love for goat milk.
Central Institute of Research on Goats at Makhdoom village in Farah, 25 km. from here, held a function extolling the virtues of goats called the "poor man's cow" by Mahatma Gandhi.
Institute Director Narendra Pal Singh explained how goat milk could not only be used as a health tonic and a cure for various diseases like tuberculosis, high blood pressure, stomach ailments, insomnia and asthma, but also as a profitable economic activity in rural areas.
Member of Parliament Manvendra Singh, who is also an executive committee member of the Indian Council for Agricultural Research was the chief guest Monday.
He said the results of the researches conducted by the CIRG should be passed on to farmers and goat owners at the village level. He also asked, "if former prime minister V.P. Singh could take to goat farming, why the villagers in the state could not take it up on a big scale".
CIRG was in news last month for genetically producing an in-vitro goat, an experiment that has opened up immense possibilities of rearing better goat breeds in India.
Indian subcontinent has 20 well-characterized goat breeds, which vary in their genetic potential for the production of milk, meat and fiber; disease resistance; heat tolerance; and fecundity. Indian goats make up 20% of the world's goat population.
CIRG was initially a small centre started by Indian Veterinary Research Institute in 1976. The centre was renamed CIRG after it was awarded national status by the ICAR in1981.
Tuesday, October 03, 2006
'Namaste London' Unit Shelves Shoot at Taj Mahal
By Brij Khandelwal
Agra: Director Vipul Shah and his "Namaste London" film unit headed for Jaipur after they were forced to shelve plans to shoot at Taj Mahal, but not after enjoying the beauty of the 17th century marbled wonder.
Unit left for Jaipur Sunday evening. They were told of the restrictions imposed by Supreme Court on the movement of equipment and generators at monument.
Both Katrina Kaif and Rishi Kapoor, actors in film, looked relaxed and were enchanted by the beauty of Taj. Rishi Kapoor plays the role of Katrina's father in the film that centers around an NRI family in London. Daughter (Katrina) is escorted by her doting father on a discovery of India trip. Vipul Shah, talking to media persons, said if there had been international flights to Agra, a lot of film units would have benefited from shooting locales available in the city.
(brij.khandelwal@mediabharti.com)
Agra: Director Vipul Shah and his "Namaste London" film unit headed for Jaipur after they were forced to shelve plans to shoot at Taj Mahal, but not after enjoying the beauty of the 17th century marbled wonder.
Unit left for Jaipur Sunday evening. They were told of the restrictions imposed by Supreme Court on the movement of equipment and generators at monument.
Both Katrina Kaif and Rishi Kapoor, actors in film, looked relaxed and were enchanted by the beauty of Taj. Rishi Kapoor plays the role of Katrina's father in the film that centers around an NRI family in London. Daughter (Katrina) is escorted by her doting father on a discovery of India trip. Vipul Shah, talking to media persons, said if there had been international flights to Agra, a lot of film units would have benefited from shooting locales available in the city.
(brij.khandelwal@mediabharti.com)
Subscribe to Posts [Atom]