Category Archives: Science & Technologies

TNAU scientist discovers genetic key to ‘domestication’ of barley

Records, All, Science & Technologies, World Opinion

Coimbatore :

A scientist at Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU) along with a Japanese professor has identified the genes responsible for barley’s ‘domestication’ that transformed this once-wild food grain into an item of mass consumption. Today, barley is the fourth most important crop in the world – both in the size of cultivation and grain production, and its high production is due to its domestication that happened 10,000 years ago.

Their two-decade-long research work was published by the journal ‘Cell’ on July 30.

“About 10,000 years ago, people identified barley as a food grain. And, then farmers started cultivating barley,” said Senthil Natesan, professor and head of biotechnology department, Agricultural College and Research Institute, Madurai.

There was a problem with the wild variety. The spikes that contain the grain were brittle in the wild variety. “This brittle nature breaks the spike, and the grain falls on the ground. While this is essential for the proliferation of the crop, this made harvesting difficult,” said Takao Komatsuda, senior researcher in the National Institute of Agro-biological Sciences (NIAS), Tsukuba, Japan. Komatsuda is the principle researcher in this project.

The wild variety underwent domestication, which helped farmers in cultivating barley. “Barley domestication occurred twice. The first was a natural mutation in one gene (Btr1), while an independent mutation in the other gene (Btr2),” said Senthil. This domestication resulted in the cell wall thickening, that induced flexibility in the spikes. “And, the spikes developed a non-brittle nature, and this prevented the grains from dispersing on the ground,a major relief for farmers,” said Senthil.

Takao Komatsuda, during his initial years at NIAS, thought that mapping of brittleness in barley would resolve the key phenomenon behind the barley domestication. “In Okayama University, 60 years ago, two of the genes (Btr1 and Btr2) essential for grain fall in wild barley were discovered. Many scientists working on wheat and barley research were interested in the subject, but it was hard to initiate the project to identify these complex traits responsible for barely domestication,” said Komatsuda.

The research work began in late 1990s and was completed a few months ago, said Komatsuda. Senthil started his career as assistant professor at TNAU in 1995 after competing his PhD. “I wanted to pursue my postdoctoral research, and came across the NIAS. I applied for the fellowship, and was fortunate to have been selected for the Japanese government-sponsored research programme,” he said. I visited Japan in 2002 for six months and in 2006 for one year to participate in this research work.Komatsuda and Senthil, along with the fellow researchers, mapped the genes responsible and identified the genes that were responsible for the domestication of the crop. “We also studied the cell wall morphology under scanning electron microscope and transmission electron microscope,” said Senthil. The major part of the research work was carried out at NIAS. And, the Japan Science and Technology Corporation (CREST), Japanese Society for Promotion of Science (JSPS), the German Science Foundation Priority Programme SPP1530 and the Australian Research Council along with NIAS have funded the project.

Komatsuda, who has pursued extensive research on barley, plans to take this research forward. “Identifying new traits such as disease resistance, quality in the production of beer depending on breeding lineages will be the areas of future research. Also, the origin of cultivated wheat will be studied using the similar genes isolated in this study,” he said.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Coimbatore / by Adarsh Jain, TNN / August 03rd, 2015

Math Meter in Poetry and Music

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Education, Records, All, Science & Technologies, World Opinion

Chennai :

At the core of ancient Indian poetry and music, there is lot of mathematics. Mystical as they are, many theorised and recurring number patterns are found in places we wouldn’t expect – in stems shooting out from a sapling, in logs of wood found in a beam, in the number of petals found in a flower and also, in our very own relics – Sanskrit poetry. This was revealed by celebrated Mathematician and Field’s medalist winner, Manjul Bhargava, who spoke on the subject ‘Poetry, Drumming and Mathematics’, drawing interesting correlations between them.

Recently the math behind Michelangelo’s iconic ‘Creation of Adam’ was decoded. The Sistine Chapel painting follows the ‘golden rule’, a famous mathematical rule. Maths textbooks in India pack in many mathematical theories like this, for instance, the ‘Fibonacci numbers’. Any student is at least vaguely aware of its existence. But what comes as a shocker is that a century before the Italian mathematician Fibonacci, an Indian linguist by the name Hemachandra discovered this.

He strung a series of numbers together, wherein each number in a series is the sum of two preceding numbers*, forming the basis of this ‘Hemachandra theory’ as our textbooks should be rightfully calling it. (Hemachandrandra no.s – 1,2,3,5,8,13, 21,34 and so on)

Although all this could sound like Greek to layman, it’s practical and simple for Manjul Bhargava.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express/ Home> States> Tamil Nadu / by  Express News Service / July 24th, 2015

Cultivation project by Dindigul’s Horticulture department yields results, farmers show interest

Business & Economy, Green Initiatives/ Environment, Nature, Science & Technologies, World Opinion

Madurai :

With the success of brinjal cultivation under the Indo-Israel project by the Horticulture Department in Dindigul, the farmers in the region are showing interest in the scheme.

S Thangavel, a farmer from the region said he was impressed with the cultivation method used in the farm when he visited it recently. “I will take it once the trial is completed,” he said.

K Srinivasan, the project officer said Reddiarchathiram in Dindigul is the only place in Tamil Nadu that has been selected as the centre of excellence for vegetables under the project. Also, nine places in nine states have been selected for the same purpose.

Speaking about the project, he said by open cultivation method, the seeds of the Indo-American brinjal in 45 cents of land were cultivated in Reddiarchathiram.

He also said techniques like mulching and minimize evaporation, powered by Israel were implemented in the project for a cost of Rs 10.8 crore.

Ten grams of seeds is priced at Rs 300. According to him, 100 gms would suffice an acre and its yield is expected to be not less than 25 tonnes.

The presence of pesticide residue is less in vegetables as they are sprayed once in 15 days. However, in farmers’ conventional method, they are sprayed once a week.

To prevent wastage and monitor seedlings, a few special techniques like pro tray seedling production will be used.

The brinjals cultivated in this method would weigh between 100gms and 150gms. Srinivasan said in the next phase, they have planned to implement cultivation of organic crops in a section of the test area under the protected net house cultivation method. Polyhouse cultivation will also be started soon, he added.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India /Home> City> Madurai / by Padmini Sivarajah, TNN / July 16th, 2015

1st woman to undergo bypass in India enters 40th yr after surgery

Amazing Feats, Inspiration/ Positive News and Features, Records, All, Science & Technologies

Chennai :

On April 23, 1976, when Daisy D’Costa was wheeled into the operation theatre she didn’t know she would be the first woman in the country to undergo a bypass surgery. “No one told me. I just vaguely recall someone in surgical scrubs telling my husband, ‘She will live’,” said the octogenarian, 39 years later.

While Daisy was being prepared for the surgery, the mood in the operation theatre was equally tense as the team was about to wield the scalpel for a procedure they had done just once before. “The facilities back then were nothing like what we have now. We had no cath lab (examination room with diagnostic imaging equipment), no cardiologist or cardio-anesthetist. No one in the team had done a bypass surgery before,” said Dr K M Cherian, the doctor in the surgical scrubs who assured Daisy’s husband.

Daisy had been brought to the Railway Hospital in Perambur the previous evening with total blockage in an artery. “I had skipped going to the cinema with my husband as I was really tired. All of a sudden, I couldn’t breathe normally and I felt a tightness in my chest. My son, who was at home, rushed me to the nearest hospital,” recalled Daisy. “The doctors managed to resuscitate me. In my haze, I heard someone say, ‘We need to cut her open’, and I blacked out again.”

Daisy needed a coronary artery bypass surgery. The procedure entailed restoring the blood flow to the heart muscle by diverting the blood around the blocked section by using a harvested vein from the leg. Although the first such surgery was performed in the US in the 60’s, the concept was new in India. In June 1975, Kajah Mohideen, a 42-year-old engineer from Integral Coach Factory, became the first in the country to undergo the surgery.

“The procedure on Daisy was no different from Kajah’s, but Daisy’s veins in her legs were thinner and harder to reach because of the fat. Besides that, we followed the same process. I still remember every conversation and the mood in the theatre,” says Dr Cherian, who had also operated on Kajah. “We didn’t even have a process of magnifying the blood vessels, which is mandatory now. I used my eyes to find the vessels that are 1.5 to 2mm. I was young back then,” said Dr Cherian, chuckling. The procedure took a little more than three hours.

Daisy woke up to find shutterbugs queuing to interview her. “That’s when I realised I was the first woman,” she said, smiling and showing a sepia-tinted newspaper showing a younger version of her. Although through the years she has had minor chest problems, she didn’t have to go under the scalpel again.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Chennai / by Ekatha Ann John, TNN / July 09th, 2015

Unique pest-trapping device draws keen attention at agriculture exhibition

Green Initiatives/ Environment, Records, All, Science & Technologies

Madurai :

A unique pest-trapping equipment was the main attraction at the ongoing United Agri Tech, 2015 held at Tamukkam grounds in Madurai. The stall displaying the equipment stands out among hundreds of stalls that showcased various types of fertilisers, pesticides, seeds and technology for the benefit of the farming community.

At the stall of Barrix Agro Sciences, a specially designed pest trap that uses pheromones, a chemical substance produced by insects, became the focal point at the agriculture exhibition. It can be used to kill fruit flies (Tephrididae) in orchards and gardens. In this method, the smell of female flies is kept inside the trap to attract male flies. Once the flies are inside, they are killed with pheromones. The trap boxes are sold with various pheromones meant for different fly species. The pheromones should be changed every 15 days. These traps will not kill agriculture friendly insects, like honey bees or spiders, since the pheromones used in the traps will not attract them.

For other fly species that could not be trapped with the boxes, sticky sheets are used. When suspended in gardens, flies get attracted and stuck on the paste. The adhesive sheets last for 15 days.

Field officer of the company, D Jayakumar, said they have received an overwhelming response from the visitors. “We have sold out lot of trap boxes and adhesive sheets on the first day. We have been receiving many enquiries from farmers”, he said.

Tirunelveli deputy director of horticulture, B David Raja Beulah, who designed solar traps for pests, said the pheromones traps are effective. “These traps will come in handy for certain pests that can not be handled with pesticides. Specific pheromones should be used to trap male flies. If the male flies are killed, female flies can not reproduce, and pest attack on crops is prevented,” said he David. The exhibition that commenced on June 25 will be held till 28.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Madurai / TNN / June 28th, 2015

Doctors receive awards

Records, All, Science & Technologies

Actor Sarathkumar inaugurates National Doctors Day celebrations

Women and Children Foundation Ltd., a corporate health care company, gave away awards to doctors on National Doctors Day on Wednesday.

Actor Sarathkumar, who conferred the awards on the doctors in recognition of their achievements, said he had recovered from a major accident only because of the doctors who treated him.

“It is like a rebirth for me. I owe my doctors so much. So, in a way, it feels special to be part of the National Doctors Day celebrations,” the actor said.

Dr. Rajasekar, founder and chairman of Women and Children Foundation Ltd., said the government should recognise doctors who did yeomen service to society.

Muthulatha, Kurian Joseph, Palaniswamy, Chandramohan, Mayil Vahanan Natarajan, S.S. Manikandan, and Shivaraj received the awards. V. Shanta, Kamala Selvaraj, and V. Seshiah were conferred the awards in absentia.

source : http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Chennai / by Staff Reporter / Chennai – July 02nd, 2015

Woman power to the fore at inaugural

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy, Records, All, Science & Technologies
A.Preethi created a record of sorts when the drove the first Metro service. Photo: K.V.Srinivasan
A.Preethi created a record of sorts when the drove the first Metro service. Photo: K.V.Srinivasan

For Preethi, from the time she aspired to serve as a loco pilot in the Railways to driving the first train in Chennai Metro, it has been one exciting ride.

As A. Preethi was about to ease the train out of the station during the maiden run of Chennai Metro Rail from Alandur to Koyambedu, she saw her mother and niece standing on the platform, eagerly watching the proceedings.

A surprised Preethi immediately beckoned the two to get inside the train. But, her mother asked her to stay put and gestured that she would take the next train.

“I am so proud of her,” Preethi’s mother said, even as her voice choked and her eyes welled up. “Initially, I did not want her to take this job. But now, I m so happy that she’s driving this train,” she said.

For Preethi, from the time she aspired to serve as a loco pilot in the Railways to driving the first train in Chennai Metro, it has been one exciting ride. “I was absolutely thrilled. Beginning now, my concern is to drive carefully and keep passengers safe,” she added.

While she is more than happy driving along this elevated stretch, Preethi is eager to drive through the tunnels of the Metro when the underground stretches become operational.

After Preethi, it was Jayashree’s turn on the second train. Both of them bagged diplomas in electronics and communication before taking up jobs as train operators. Soon, five more women operators will join the team.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Chennai / by Sunitha Sekar  & T.K. Rohit / June 30th, 2015

Chennai lab develops diabetic footwear

Records, All, Science & Technologies

Chennai :

More than 50% of lower leg amputations are estimated to be linked to diabetes. A therapeutic open footwear developed by scientists at Central Leather Research Institute now promises to reduce foot complications in diabetic patients by reducing abnormal distribution of foot pressure.

The footwear, which scientists say is a vast improvement on the existing MCR and MCP footwear prescribed for diabetics, is made after estimating the risk category of a patient through a specially designed computer software. CLRI developed the footwear in collaboration with MV Hospital for Diabetes and Diabetes Research Centre and Novo Nordisk Education Foundation.

The footwear, which scientists say is a vast improvement on the existing MCR and MCP footwear prescribed for diabetics, is made after estimating the risk category of a patient through a specially designed computer software. (Representative Image)
The footwear, which scientists say is a vast improvement on the existing MCR and MCP footwear prescribed for diabetics, is made after estimating the risk category of a patient through a specially designed computer software. (Representative Image)

MV Hospital for Diabetes head Dr Vijay Viswanathan said the footwear is for diabetics with either mild or moderate neuropathy, a dysfunction in peripheral nerves that can cause numbness or weakness. The CLRI labs have worked on features like rigid counter stiffener that can support the back of the feet and limit joint mobility and prevent shear stresses as well as fasteners that can be adjustable according to the foot volume. Such comfort factor was not there in the MCR and MCP footwear that have been available in the market for many years.

“MCR and MCP footwear were not designed the perfect way,” said Dr Viswanathan. “They are more like rubber chappals with a toe grip. A person with neuropathy will not have any sensation or muscle power to hold to that grip. So, when more pressure is applied, the toes may bend,” he explained.

The sole is made of polyurethane, with extra depth to provide a larger area for more effective pressure distribution, an outsole with special tread for better grip and traction, and an insole bed with layers of foam to provide added comfort and shock absorption for the wearer.

Scientists at the shoe design and development centre (SDDC) in CLRI said in addition they have provided a specially derived angle of slant in the sole to give the ‘rocker’ effect which is essential to offload pressure from the sole of the feet. Based on clinical examination and replies to a questionnaire, the software computes the ‘diabetic risk threshold score’ which would indicate to the diabetologist the exact risk category to which the patient belonged. “There are 10 clinical parameters including sensitivity, vibration threshold and sugar levels that measure the diabetes risk threshold score,” the scientist said.

CLRI director SR Wate said that anyone with foot problems could use the footwear. Head of business process division at CLRI K Srinivasan said that the research institute is now looking for more manufacturers to take up license and develop the footwear.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> Science / by U. Tejonmayam, TNN / June 28th, 2015

Fort City to Host Specialised Siddha Medicine Conference

Nature, Science & Technologies, World Opinion
Vellore : 
A two-day conference titled ‘Higher Level of Siddha Medicines’ is being organised in Vellore on July 11 and 12 by the Tamil Nadu Parambarya Siddha Vaidya Maha Sangam for the benefit of traditional healers and siddha practitioners.

Vaidyar K P Arjunan, president of the Sangam and a member of the National Institute of Siddha, speaking to Express, said this was the first time an effort was being made in the country to impart siddha-medicine knowledge and practical experience at the higher level, to young siddha-vaidyars.

Out of 4,448 diseases classified and documented in the siddha literature, the world has witnessed only around 2,601 so far, said Arjunan. “This is where the use of higher level medicines come in,” he said.

The meet will have around 30 experts and senior siddha-vaidyars from various parts of the country to talk and demonstrate the preparation of higher-level medicines, the purpose of which is to ensure that vaidyars can preserve them for posterity, Arjunan said.

The technique of preparing higher-level medicines has never been discussed in public and “we want to dedicate this treasure of knowledge and the ancient wisdom for the betterment of the community,” Arjunan further said.

Arjunan explained that young siddha-vaidyars dispense lower level of medicines on a routine basis with each containing up to 20 herbs in the form of ‘kashayam’ (shelf life-24 hours), ‘chornam’(shelf life-three months) and ‘lehyam’(shelf life-six months).

While most siddha-vaidyars in the country dispense lower level siddha-medicines, they are not exposed to higher-level medicines, which are prepared and preserved in the form of ‘kattu’, ‘kalangal’, ‘muppu’ and ‘guru’.

Each of these categories  comprise over 2,000 herbs in various forms.

While ‘kattu’ is a collection of herbs in solid form, ‘kalangu’ is in liquid form (like wax), ‘muppu’ and ‘guru’ are in powdered form.

Around 500 practitioners from the southern States of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Karnataka and Puducherry are expected to take part in the meet.

Traditional vaidyars belonging to adivasi communities from the hill-regions of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh have also been invited to share their experiences in the meet.

The proceedings will be video documented and handed over to the Ministry of Ayush, Government of India for their records and for further promotional activities, Arjunan said.

Dr R S Ramaswamy, director of Central Council for Research in Siddha, under the Department of Ayush in Chennai and his colleague Dr R Kumaravel, president of Scientific Advisory Board will chair the sessions.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Tamil Nadu / by V. NarayanaMurthi / June 26th, 2015

Surgery done on man with 100% blockage of blood vessel in Chennai

Science & Technologies

Chennai :

A chronic diabetic, smoker and an alcoholic, 47-year-old Gowthi was recently admitted to Stanley Hospital with difficulty in moving his limbs.

“For the past three months, his movement was slow and his speech was slurred. We assumed it was a stroke but a quick scan revealed that the blood vessels to his head and neck had a 100% blockage,” said Dr N Sridharan, head of vascular surgery.

The patient was referred to the department as doctors suspected that the blood supply to his brain was low.

Dr Sridharan explained that Gowthi had managed with supply from vessels responsible for blood flow to upper limbs.

Doctors had to perform an open surgery to re-vascularise vessels that supplied blood to head and neck.

“We wanted to ensure that we did not upset the blood flow to the brain. Further, we also placed a graft to ensure smooth blood flow to the head and neck,” said the surgeon. He added that the patient recovered well without any episode of cerebral stroke.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Chennai / TNN / June 23rd, 2015