- Hawking reveals new theory on universe
The universe may have started as no bigger than a pea before the Big bang which created the universe 12 billion years ago, according to a new theory by British scientists Stephen Hawking.
- Multi-pronged effort to eliminate leprosy mooted
The Vice-President, Mr. Krishan Kant, has called for a well-coordinated and sustained multipronged effort to achieve the goal of eliminating leprosy by the year 2000. For this, a thorough change in the perception and attitude of the community towards the disease was imperative, he said.
- Wonder drug being marketed
A wonder drug named "Baraka Oil" made from Black Cumin seed oil extracted from a plant called Nigella sativa is now being marketed in India. This preparation is being used in ancient times from the era of the Rishi up to the present day because of its wonderful remedial value …
- A peep into genetic disorders
Genetic disorders are one of the major reasons in the less developed countries for children being admitted into hospitals. In these countries, one out of 50 newborn babies has a major congenital abnormality, one out of 100 a unifactorial disorder, and one out of 200 a major chromosomal anomaly.
- $106-m IBRD loan for health programmes
The World Bank has sanctioned a loan of $106.1 millions to the Punjab Government for purchase of imaging equipments,ambulances and other vehicles to provide an effective health services.The loan, extended by the International Development Association (IDA), is for implementing the second State health system development projects, the on-line news service …
- India's herb export triples, but medicinal plants face extinction
The recent rediscovery of natural medicine, often referred to as complementary or alternative medicine, by the Western World, has fuelled the sharply escalating commercial demand for herbal products in global markets. Sales in China doubled over the past five years, while there was a nearly three-fold increase in exports from …
- Flu epidemic kills 30 in Japan
At least 30 persons have died and more than 10 lakh have fallen sick in a flu epidemic sweeping Japan, reports said on Saturday. In all, 14 lakh people have developed symptoms of influenza this winter, the worst figures for a decade, the Yomiuri Shimbun newspaper and other reports quoted …
- Jaundice outbreak worries citizens
Residents of the local Inderpura, Gurunankpura, Shakti Nagar and Baghichi colonies are in a state of panic following a steep rise in the cases of infective hepatitis(jaundice ) in these areas. Though, the health authorities have been receiving reports of the outbreak of jaundice for the past one month, not …
- Counting the troops in the HIV fight
Dr. Marc K. Hellerstein, associate professor at the University of California, Berkeley, has a method for precisely measuring cell creation. He replaces a hydrogen atom on glucose molecules with the heavier isotope, deuterium and then gives them to patients. Since glucose is a DNA building block, new immune cells will …
- A worm for all seasons
Scientists from the University of Delaware and Rutgers State University in New Jersey and Diversa Corp. report in the journal Nature that Pompeii hydrothermal vent worm survives greater extremes of heat and cold than any other creature. Its head typically sits in water averaging 22C while its tail rests in …
- Europe is source of cheap human kidneys
The commercial trade in human body parts is no longer confined to the poorer developing countries, it seems - eastern and central Europe is now becoming a source of cheap human kidneys and other organs for the booming transplant industry.
- No cure for ravages on medicinal plants
Extensively debated by representatives (roughly 300 delegates) of NGOs and grassroots workers, policy-makers from UNESCO, FAO, and the UN, and participants from the International Convention of Biodiversity, the survival, protection, and acknowledgement of the tremendous uses of medicinal plants has been the prime focus of this conference.
- WHO ignores desi research
World Health Organisation, in its World Health Report 1997- Conquering suffering, entiching humanity has surprisingly made no mention of the pace-setting research results in chemo-preventives in blocking chances of malignancy done in India, despite worldwide recognition of this research-studies.
- Rats chew into blood testing equipment worth lakhs
Human blood is similar to a pharmaceutical drug which should be manufactured with the utmost care, agree most of the doctors. But the scene at the major government hospitals tell a different story altogether. The blood bank at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, considered to be the leading …
- WRO devises new 'rehabilitation' approach
The Water resources Organisation(WRO) of the PWD has devised an approach where those displaced by land acquisition schemes under the water Resources Consolidation Project (WRCP) will participate in the programmes for their own rehabilitation. A consultant has been appointed for helping the Special Land Acquisition and Economic Rehabilitation Officer (SLAERO) …
- Renewed hope for heart patients
The human heart muscle, the myocardium, is nourished by blood supply from the coronary arteries. Narrowing or blocks of these coronary artieries causes myocardium which weakens its ability to pump blood. Commonly used procedures to correct this are PTCA (angioplasty) or Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting(CABG).But now with the installation of …
- Cancer drugs to become more effective, less toxic
Drugs for treating cancer will be more effective and less toxic in future and molecular technology is propelling the development of a cancer vaccine,researchers said on Thursday. Scientists also told an American Medical Association conference that new treatments for certain lymphomas were "extremely effective," that gene therapy offered "promising" results …
- Ban encourages illegal trade in blood
The Supreme Court ban on blood from professional donors has created a shortage of blood following the failure of the concerned agencies to arrange voluntary donations. As a result the shortfall is being met through an under-ground trade with professional donors now posing as relatives of patients in an attempt …
- Vaccine-failure polio
'million kids hit': An estimated one million children have developed "vaccine failure" polio in India during the eighties as a result of the Union Government adhering to the WHO norm that three doses of oral polio vaccine will be adequate for immunisation. According to Dr. Jacob John, Professor and Head …
