Microbial aid
A bacterial strain found in Assam could help reduce the cost of some antibiotics. Scientists at the Regional Research Laboratory, Jorhat, and the Indian Institure of Chemical Biology, Calcutta, have used the microorganism, named Streptomyces DRS 1, to convert ampicillin to cephalexin in a single step. Currently, the industry employs …
- New vaccine for cholera, diarrhoea
Scientists are buoyed by encouraging developments in vaccines against cholera and diarrohoea, the out-break of which is a major problem for the country. The cholera vaccine was developed jointly by the Institute of Microbial Technology (IMTECH) in Chandigarh, Indian Institute of Chemical Biology and National Institute for Cholera and Enteric …
- Thane dt. free from Guinea worm cases
It was ten years back Thane district was reeling under extreme fear and Health Department officials were running helter skelter following a large number of cases of Guinea worms in the district. Thanks to the intensive drive taken by the authorities and constant follow-up ,the district is now out of …
-Thrust on water conservation
Members of the Indian Water Works Association (IWWA). the Institution of the Public Health Engineers (India), and representatives from non-governmental organisations have come together to deliberate on the crucial issue of water conservation through public participation. At a meeting here on Saturday, most of the public health engineers and experts …
- Richard Gere to help fight AIDS in India
Though Gere had wanted to make a donation to the AIDS cause and the NGO, The Art of Giving, which Ramani and company plan to start, it has been politely turned down. The events to be held in Delhi and Mumbai on April 3 and 5 respectively, plan to attract …
Plan panel clears project for Rajasthan
The Planning Commission has approved important development projects for Rajasthan. The projects the Sukli medium irrigation project estimated to cost Rs 18,698 crore, Bandi sendra medium irrigation project Rs 13,041 crore, modernisation of Gambhiri canal system to cost Rs 1176.26 lakh and Bisalpur drinking water-cum-irrigation scheme to cost Rs 309.07 …
Enzyme with a soft corner for women
New discoveries about an enzyme that regulates cholesterol levels could help explain one of the enduring mysteries of the sexes why men die younger than women from heart disease.Dr.John E. Hokanson of the University of Washington innseattle presented the findings at an american Heart Association conference,which concluded on saturday.
Safe motherhood day will be organised every month
To educate and create awareness among pregnant women about the need for ante-natal check-ups and to achieve a perceptible reduction in the maternal mortality rate, the Delhi government has decided to organise matri suraksha divas (safe motherhood day) every month.
Plundering Chamba's herbs
Moorland areas in Chamba district are being plundered of valuable medicinal herbs causing immense harm to the ecology. The trade in medicinal herbs has been going on for a long time in several areas of Himachal Pradesh but Chamba district, being the riches source of such plants, has been the …
Hermaphrodite delivers child
A regular bonnie baby was delivered in Jaipur through the invitro fertilisation and embryo transfer (IVF-ET) or "test tube" technique, only-that the mother turned out to be a women with a genetically male constitution. The incident occured on 16 February this year at the Jaipur Fertility centre.
HIV cases declining in Manipur
Cases of fresh HIV infections have declined in Manipur following awareness campaign against intravenous drug users but deaths caused by AIDS are on the rise.
Shot of genes may cure haemophilia
A new way of curing inherited illnesses by rewriting genetic codes could go on trial before the end of the year. The technique involves the injection of a DNA cocktail that rewrites the code of faulty genes. It has already been successful in tests on animals.
Screening of blood must
The need to raise standards of technical services in the blood centres in Haryana was stressed by a number of experts at the two-day first Haryana state conference on blood safety and AIDS control which ended in Ambala.
- Brain strokes on the increase
The incidence of brain stroke, a major cause of mortality and morbidity, is on the rise in India. Currently, strokes constitute more than four-fifths of admissions in neurological sections of the hospitals.
- Ozoen depletion affecting oceans
Global changes in climate and ozone depletion was affecting chemical and biological conditions in the oceans, according to Prof A R Subramaniam, president of Visakhapatnam chapter of Indian meteorological society. Atmospheric nitrogen entering the oceans had increased biological productivity in coastal and mid-ocean regions, he added.
- Chew and die
Local authorities in six panchayats and the Cochin Corporation in Ernakulam district of Kerala recently banned the sale of pan masala within their jurisdiction. Studies have shown that submucous fibrosis (SMF) an incurable, irreversible disease, is caused by pan masala, a dried mixture of arecanut, lime betel nut and a …
Fall in birth rate
China, the world's most populous country, has made a significant contribution to the world by reducing its population by 400 million following successful implementation of its family planning programme during the last 20 years, official reports said.
Chinese hail Rajasthan FP drive
A high-level delegation from the world's most populous country, China, is currently touring the state to study the Vikalp framework, the family welfare programme in a target-free setting devised by the Indian Institute of Health Management and Research (IIHMR) Jaipur, and the state government.
Stroke prevention measures spelt out
Even while the incidence of stroke has declined the world over, there has been an alarming increase in the number of people suffering from the fatal consequences of the ailment. According to the most conservative estimates, stroke constitutes at least 30 percent of the total number of neurological cases requiring …
