AF Data Digital Pvt. Ltd.,: Jun 24, 2010

News: Blue green bacteria may help green electricity

Thursday, June 24, 2010

Blue green bacteria may help

generate 'green' electricity

Washington: Using blue green bacteria, researchers have for the first time developed a way to convert sun light directly into electricity in a CO2-free manner.

The study illustrates that electogenic workings of cyanobacteria is an important conduit of solar energy into the biosphere, says associate professor Ilia Baskakov,PhD. Center for Biomedical Engineering and Technology at the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) Baskakov, who led the study, says that such findings could lead to ways to generate energy in a self-sustainable manner using renewable resources. "Climate change related to global warming and the demand for energy are two of society's most pressing problems and both can be solved if new technologies are developed," says Baskakov.

The researchers discovered that cyanobacteria possess a natural light-dependent electrogenic activity. Cyanobacteria fix within themselves an estimated 25 Giga tons of carbon, in the form of CO2 per year and account for 20-30% of Earth's total photosynthetic productivity.

There exists a diversity of different species of cyanobacteria all over the world, from temperate ponds to some of the most inhospitable environments imaginable such as the Sahara desert or Antarctic glaciers. Colonies of cyanobacteria can form filaments, sheets or even hollow balls. On a global scale, the amount of solar energy that is harvested by cyanobacteria exceeds more than 25 times the energy consumed by humans.

Cyanobacteria utilise the energy of sunlight to drive photosynthesis, a process where the energy of light is used to split water molecules into oxygen, protons and electrons. While most of the high - energy electrons derived from water are utilised by the cyanobacterial cells for their own needs, scientists at the University of Maryland BioMET laboratories found that a fraction of these electrons are donated to the external environment.

Health Issue: Holding of babies key....

Hoilding of babies key

to male bonding

London: Males have a better chance of bonding with one another when carrying an infant, suggests a new study.

The research, carried out among Barbary macaque monkeys, revealed that a baby's presence immediately breaks down barriers. This study shows that babies serve as social tools and explains why human fathers brandish new babies to every one they meet. Male macaques who carry babies around with them tend to become more popular among their peers.

According to Dr Rachel Andrew, psychologist who specialises in families and children, men often use their children when they want to impress friends, reports The Scotsman.

"New dads are very proud of their offspring and you often hear men saying they took their baby round to show it of to people. You certainly see that sort of behavior amongst groups of men with babies,in a similar way to how dads with older children like to compare their child's football skills or how clever their child is." ?Andrew said.

Health Issue: SHORT CUTS

SHORT CUTS

New digital devices often
underestimate BP levels

Automated blood pressure measuring devices are replacing old-fashioned mercury manometers in doctor's offices and clinics around the world. But a new head-to-head comparison of the two techniques suggests the newer version isn't necessarily better - and could even be missing some people with high blood pressure who are in need of blood pressure-lowering treatment. Readings were about two points lower, on average, with the automated device compared to the mercury-based technique, Robert Kloner, Stanley Wishner, and Johanna Landgraf of Good Samaritan Hospital in Los Angeles found. What's more, discrepancies were larger in people 65 and older.

Fish are fond of gardening too:
Damselfish maintain algae gardens and they weed, harvest and defend them, a new study reveals. The research, to be published in BMC Evolutionary Biology, found this arrangement benefits both damselfish and the algae. According to lead author Hiroki Hata, of the Graduate School of Science and Engineering at Ehime University, damselfishes defended territories where certain algae grew by chasing off sea urchins. Fish also compete for land suitable for their algae plots with other fish.

Health Issue: Beer Healthiest - FUN & FROTM

Beer healthiest of alcoholic drinks?

London: Beer lovers, cheers! The drink is one of the healthiest alcoholic beverages available, when taken in moderation, a new study has claimed.

According to the study, commissioned by the Beer Academyt, the drink is a rich source of vitamins, fibre, minerals and antioicants and has relatively low calorific value as compared to other alcoholic beverages.

"Beer contains vitamins which can help you to maintain a well-balanced healthy diet,, fibre to keep you regular, readily absorbed antioxidants and minerals such as silicon which may help to lower your risk of osteoporosis, " a spokeswoman was quoted by the Daily Mail as saying. A survey found that while 68% of people consider beer to be Britain's national drink, some 10% wrongly believe that it contains fat, and 13% believe the beverage is made from chemicals and not barley and hops.

The research shows over two thirds of Brits consider beer to be the UK's national drink. a third think beer has more calories than other alcoholic drinks, 13 per cent think it contains chemicals and 10 per cent don't drink beer contains any vitamins or minerals.

the study argues that local pub is at the heart of every community and place where people go to enjoy company and find out local news.

Health Issue: Condom with teeth

Condom with teeth to prevent rape

Critics, however, say that the condom is not a long-term solution and makes women vulnerable to more violence from men trapped by the device. It's also a form of enslavement

New York: A doctor in South Africa has designed what she claims is a new female "condom with teeth" aimed at preventing rape.
Sonnet Ehlers has created the female condom, called Rape-aXe, some 40 years after she met a devastated rape victim who was like "a breathing corpse". "She looked at me and said, "If only I had teeth down there'", Ehlers, who was 20-year-old medical researcher at the time, recalled in an interview. "I promised her I'd do something to help people like her one day".
The condom has jagged teeth-like hooks that latch onto a man's penis during penetration. Once it lodges, only a doctor can remove it - a procedure Ehlers hopes will be done with authorities on standby to make arrest."It hurts, he cannot pee and walk when it's on. If he tries to remove it. it will clasp even tighter.. however, it doesn't break the skin. and thee's no danger of fluid exposure," the doctor said.
After the trial period, they'll be available for about $2 a piece. Critics, however, say that the condom is not a long term solution and makes women vulnerable to more violence from men trapped by the device.
It's also a form of "enslavement," said Victoria Kajja, a fellow for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the east African country of Uganda.
"the fears surrounding the victim, the act of wearing the condom in anticipation of being assaulted all represent enslavement that no woman should be subjected to."

News: Melting Ice in Sea Level

Single Antarctica glacier

causing sea to rise by 10%

It has been found that the Pine island glacier is no longer resting on a subsea ridge that slowed it's slide until 1970s. It means the glacier's rapid melting in recent years could be due to the flow of warmer sea water beneath it rather than climate change

London: In a new research into impact of melting ice on sea level, scientists have found that thinning ice in Antarctica is contributing nearly 10% sea level rise and Pine Island Glacier is the major source.

Using Autosub, an autonomous underwater vehicle, researchers led by the British Antarctic Survey have captured ocean and sea-floor measurements. which revealed a 300 metre high ridge on the sea floor.

Pine Island Glacier was once sitting atop this underwater ridge, which slowed its flow into the sea. However in recent decades it has thinned and disconnected from the ridge, allowing the glacier to move ice more rapidly from land into sea.

This also permitted deep warm ocean water to flow over the ridge and into a widening cavity that now extends to an area of 1000sqkm under the ice shelf. The warm water, trapped under the ice, is causing the bottom of the ice shelf to thaw, resulting in continuous thinning and acceleration of glacial melt.

Lead author Adrian Jenkins said, "the discovery of the ridge has raised new questions about whether the current loss of ice from Pine island glacier is caused by recent climate change or is a continuation of a longer term process that began when the glacier disconnected from the ridge."

Health Issue: Spice extract could be used as a treatment

Spice extract can prolong

transplanted organs' life

Melbourne: Australian researchers have claimed that a spice extract could be used as a treatment to improve the life of transplanted ortgans.

According to ABC report scientists of Adelaide's Centre for Stem Cell Research in asutralia have found that curcumin extracted from turmeric, stop cells from dying in the donated organ and helps immune cells in the recepient fight organ rejection.

the extract is injected into the donor's blood stream, flows to the organ and reaches the recipient after the transplant. The reserch has been done on mice and the findings will be tested on monkeys before human trials begin.

Natasha Rogers said by reducing rejection and damage during transplantation, an organ should last longer. "the way we also envisage this treatment is people need anti-rejection medication for a very long time, this has lots and lots of side-effects and they have to take multiple tablets and we would hope that an injectable treatment that's used infrequently would be a much better option for some people rather than taking a lot of tablets," she said.

The amazing health benefits of curcumin extracted from turmeric have been shown in many recent studies. One study which was coducted at the University of California, Los Angeles, found that curcumin may treat also Alzheimer's by slowing the build-up of amyloid plaques in the brain.

Asia Cup Cricket - @ Sri Lanka

Afridi blast helps Pak crush

Bangladesh by 139 runs

Dambulla: Riding on his good form, Shahid Afridi scored the sixth fstest ODI century (124) against a hapless Bangladesh and guided Pakistan to a mammoth 385 for 7 here at the Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium on Monday. In reply. Bangladesh made 246 for 5 and ,ost the match by 139 runs. Junaid Siddique, who made 97 off 114 balls, was the only one to offer resistance to Pakistan.

For Pakistan skipper Afridi made batting look quite easy-Incidentally, this was Afridi's second century in the ongoing Asia Cup and the fastest (53 balls) in the tournament. He eclipsed

Kicha: ALL SET

GAME FOR

COP STORIES!

Director kicha is one happy man. and he has every reason to be in that state for his Bhavani, with Sneha in the lead, is all set to hit screens in July.

Talking to media persons, the director said, "I've directed several cop stories including Thee and Maasi. But Bhavani will be different. It has Sneha playing a tough police officer. It was quite a challenge to make Sneha look that way."

Bhavani is a remake of the Telugu hit Vyjayanthi IPS that had Vijayashanthi in the lead.

Disclosing an interesting pieceof information about Bhavani, Kicha said, "I approached Sneha to do a devotional film. But she refused saying that she would like to do something much more interesting. That's when I offered her Bhavani.In fact, well known producer Ratnam, who owned the remake rights of Vyjatanthi IPs, wanted to remake the film with Nayanthara in the lead. But I asked him to sell me the remake a better option, "Kitcha also made it clear movies. "The challenge is to bring out something different in each movie, "he said.

Bhavani, which has music by Dhina, will also feature Vivekh, Sampath, Kotta Srinivasa Rao and Ravi in important roles.

DANCE WITH ME: Haniska and Prabhu Deva

Haniska dances to

Prabhu's tunes

Haniska Motwani, who is shooting in Paris for Prabhu Deva's Ich, is leaving no stone unturned to impress her director. so, when shooting had to be stalled for two days due to heavy rains in Paris, Haniska made the most of her time polishing up her dancing skills with Prabhu Deva. An insider reveals.

"Haniska is a huge fan of Prabhu'swork, and had been asming him to teach her a few killer moves. But the busy schedules hardly left them with any time. So, when she got a chance to work with India's answer to Michael Jackson, she managed to learn several salsa and Tango steps from him." And of what could be gauged from PD's smile, he was quite proud of his new student too. "I enjoyed teaching her to dance to salsa tunes! Though, she did fall down twice during the twirls, she kept trying," he said.

MOMMY TALK: Mahima Chaudhary

Mahima's a

busy mamma!

Mahima Chaudhary is one busy woman, she has put on a lot of weight, but she is still her feisty self. The actress hardly seems to be bothered about her BO standing anymore anyway. "I'm more happy being a mom. It's more than a full time job, too," says the yummy mummy, who's daughter recently turned three. "Oh, she's adorable, totally enjoys the outdoors like me and is quite an angelic child," she adds. In between reading several books on parenting and hunting for the right school, Mahima's also been maintaining a figure. As for films, "I enjoy acting, so I'm game if anything interests me," she says. Are filmmakers listening?

Sneha: SHOOT 'EM UP'

Hit list!

Actress Sneha fielded some difficult questions at a recent press conference

Guess what pretty actress Sneha would like to do if she turns a cop? Put gossip mongers behind bars! Yes, that's what Sneha, who is playing an IPS officer in Bhavani, said at a press conference held recently.Scribes present at the conference, called to announce the status of the film Bhavani, posed difficult questions, hoping the actress would make a faux pas.

However, Sneha, known for her intelligence as much as her looks, responded with smart answers and her trademark smile. It aall started with a question on whom she'd arrest first had she been c cop in real life. The actress jovially replied, "I would imprison those who spread malicious rumours and write kisu kisu (gossip pieces)!!"

But it's not just putting trouble makers behind bars that's on her priority list. The actress said, "I would also really like to take up some causes that are close to my heart, like making Chennai a cleaner city. I find that roads in Hyderabad and Bangalore are cleaner and it makes me sad that Chennai is a bit messy. Then, I would clean the dirty minds of certain people."

On being asked if she would be joining politics next, Sneha proclaimed, "Just because I thanked the press for supporting me in my 10-year-long career as an actress with a warm welcome doesn't mean I will jump onto the political band wagon. It's a far-fetched though. I shall never join politics." She further added. "If the thank you note made you think I'd join politics, then, it's better that you return it."

When asked if she nursed fears of being stereotyped as an action heroine from now on, she said, "I started my career by doing girl-next-door roles. I then turned glamorous for some films and now, I've done an action film. I've to survive in the industry. So, I'm listening to all kinds of scripts and am picking the best of them all. There's no question or fear of being typecast."

To a question on whyshe didn't dub for herself, given that her Tamil is good, she said, "My Tamil has improved only in the last few years. And by now, the audience has become familar with my on screen voice. I don't want to disturb the pattern. But if you guys (media persons) wish. I will gladly dub for my next"

Now, that was a reply aimed at pleasing the scribes and we are sure it did!

HealthIssue: How bacteria Give a Boost

How bacteria give a boost

to immune system

Washington: Loyola University Health System researchers have discovered how certain types of bacteria boost the immune system.

Senior author Katherine l Knight, and colleagues report their discovery in a featured article in the June 15, 2010, issue of the Journal of immunology. The human body is teeming with bacteria. In each person, there are about 10 times as many bacterial cells as human cells. Bacteria live on skin, in the respiratory tract and throughout the digestive tract. The digestive tract alone is home to between 500 and 1,000 bacterial species.

While some bacteria cause infections, most species are harmless or perform beneficial functions, such as aiding digestion. These beneficial bugs are called commensal bacteria. One of the most important functions of commensal bacteria is boosting the immune system. Studies by other researchers have found ronments have poorly developed immune systems. But until now, scientists have not known the mechanism by which bacteria help the immune system.

knight's lab studied the spores from rod shaped bacteria called Bacillus, found in the digestive tract. (A spore consists of the DNA of a bacterium, encased in a shell. Bacteria form spores during times of stress, and researchers found that when they exposed immune system cells called B Lymphocytes to bacterial spores, the B cells began dividing and reproducing. Researchers further found that molecules on the surfaces of the spores bound to molecules on the surfaces of B cells. This binding is what activated the B cells to divide and multiply.

Health Issue: Humans to be extinct within 100 years?

Humans to be extinct within 100 years?

We Won't Be Able To Survive Population Explosion & Unbridled Consumption, Says Aussie Scientist

London: An Australian scientist, who helped eradicate small pox form the world, has created a new sensation by predicting that the human race will be extinct within the next 100 years.

Frank Fenner, emeritus professor of microbiology at the Australian National University, has claimed that the human race will be unable to survive a population explosion and :unbridled consumption". "Homo sapiens will become extinct,perhaps within 100 years,"Fenner said. "A lot of other animals will, too."

"It's an irreversible situation. I think it's too late. I try not to express that because people are trying to do something, but they keep putting it off." He said that since humans have entered an unofficial scientific period known as the Anthropocene - the time since industrialisation - we have had an effect on the planet that rivals any ice age or comet impact, the Daily Mail reported. Fenner also blamed the onset of climate change for the human race's imminent demise. He said, "Climate change is just at the very beginning. But we're seeing remarkable changes in the weather already.

"We'll undergo the same fate as the people on Easter Island... The Aborigines showed that without science and the production of carbon dioxide and global warming, they could survive for 40,000 pr 50,000 years.

"But the world can't.The human species is likely to go the same way as many of the species that we've seen disappear." Fenner, 95, has won awards for his work in helping eradicate the variols virus that causes smalpox and has written or co written 22 books. In 1980, he announced the eradication of the disease to the World Health Assembly and it is still regarded as one of the World Health Organisation's greatest achievemnets.

However, Stephen Boyden, a colleague of Fenner, said that while there was deep pessimism among some ecologists, others had a more optimistic view.

Fenner's chilling prediction echoes recent comments by Prince Charles who last week warned of "monumental problems" if the world's population continues to grow at such a rapid pace. According to 2009 UN estimates, the current global population is 6.8 billion which can exceed to seven billion by the end of 2011.

Earlier, Nicholas Boyle of Cambridge University had said that a "Doomsday" moment will take place in 2014 - and will determine whether the 21st century is full of violence and poverty or will be peaceful and prosperous. In 2006, another esteemed academic, James Love lock, warned that the world's population may sink as low as 500 million over the next century due to global warming. He claimed that any attempts to tackle climate change will not be able to solve the problem, merely buy us time.

Keira Knightley: STEAMY

Keira-Carey lock lips

Looks like the Oscar Keira Knightley and Carey mulingan have shot a sensational scene together, in which the two ladies will be seen locking lips, Keira and Carey will be seen sharing a smooch in new movie Never Let Me Go. The film is an adaptation of Kazuo Ishiguro's haunting novel that tells the story of three pals at an English boarding school who share a tragic secret. However, this won't be the first time Keira would be seen locked in passion with a female on screen. Apparently, Keira shot a saucy scene with Sienna Miller in The Edge of Love in 2008 as well.

Shika: OVER THE MOON

Talent noted!

Actress Shika is one happy lass. Galippatta, her first film, released two years ago and now sh has taken the Kollywood industry by storm with her debut flick Kola kolaya Mundhirika, directed by Madhumita. "I had nothing to lose. With a hit film in hand and the will to prove myself, I plunged headlong into the film. I took weekend classes to learn Tamil, The Tamil industry was so encouraging. In Kannada, heroines from other regional film industries are preferred to local ones. But in Tamil, I got a warm welcome," she beams.

Shika is glad that her efforts paid off, "Kamal Haasan sir attended our premiere and appreciated our film. And Suhasini Mani Ratnam, who has a weekly review show on a Tamil channel, loved my performance. That's when I felt my talent finally got its due," she smiles.

Eva longoria Parker: NEXT PHASE

Eva to start

a family

Sexy actress Eva Longoria Parker and jher basketball player husband Tony Parker are planning to start a family once her TV show Desperate Housewives ends. Tony says, "we're thinking about it. Pretty soon. She's got one more year with Desperate Housewives. So, we'll see what happens." Asked if they plan to have a large family, Tony replies, "We'll see. It depends on her. I don't care if it's a boy or a girl. I would love to have both."

TRICKED: Bipasha Basu

Bips made

a bakra

Bipasha Basu's name gets added to the long list of bakras who have fallen to 'khiladi' Kumar's pranks.

Akshay was shooting for an ad at a film studio when Bipasha, who was there for Rohan Sippy's film, learned of his presence.

She went across to meet Akki, but couldn't locate him. Akshay, who was dressed as an old man stood right in front of Bips but didn't reveal his identity.

This went on for a good half-an-hour and it was only when Akshay saw the frustrationon her face that he revealed himself!

Aiswarya Rai - All SET

Waiting for

Ash!

The Endhiran unit in Chennai is eagerly waiting for the actress to wrap up shoot of the film...

Aiswarya Rai Bachchan has been critically apprciated for her roles in Mani Ratnak's Raavan and Raavanan. The aucience feedback in Chennai on her performance is that she is mesmerising and has come out with an award-winning performance. According to many, her on-screen chemistry with Vikram in the Tamil version crackled. Now that the hype and hoopla surrounding the release of Raavan is over, everybody is eagerly looking forward to her next release in Tamil, Endhiran (Robot), with Superstar Rajinikanth.

Director Shankar wrote inhis blog, "Well... except one song, the shooting of the whole film (Endhiran) is complete. The full dited film has been given to A R Rahman for background score and Resul Pookutty for the sound effects. Just waiting to shoot the last song, the computer graphics work of the climax and some important scenes to be completed."

Endhiran's last song is going to be a shot in a set and will feature the lead pair Rajinikanth and Aishwarya Rai. Now, Shankar and the entire unit of the film are waiting for Aishwarya's dates to complete the shoot. Ash was busy for the last two months, completing raavan and its promotional events. As per sources, she has given dates towards the end of the month to shoot the song at a studio set in Chennai.

A source close to the Endhiran unit reveals that the song will be shot on a beautiful set erected at the production house's state-of-the-art studio onOMR. It will be the first song to be shot in this studio. Art director Sabu Cyril has created a gigantic futuristic city set for the song and the buzz is that it will be the most expensive set created for a Tamil song. Also this particular song, tuned by A R Rahman, is touted to be the chartbuster in the film.

Meanwhile, plans are afoot for a big audio launch of Endhiran in July in Malaysia, the biggest overseas market for Tamil films. If Ash confirms her dates and shoots in Chennai by this month, the film will be complete and the producers can firm up a release date sometime in August end or early September. As of now, the ball is clearly in Ash's court.

Asia Cup Cricket - @ Sri Lanka

SINGH MASTER

Harbhajan Blitz Helps India Down Pakistan In

Cliffhanger And Move Into Asia Cup Final

Dambulla: It doesn't get better than this! As expected, the India-Pakistan encounter here on Saturday turned out to be a cracker of a match. Pakistan were dismissed for 267 in the last over of their innings but the target was not easy, given that India were chasing under the floodlights. India held their nerve to score a dramatic three wicket win, Harbhajan Singh tonking Mohammad Aamer for a six off the pernultimate ball of their innings to settle the issue.

India now have nine points from two matches and will play Sri lanka in the final on June 24 while Pakistan have been knocked ut after two consecutive losses.

For India, opener Gautam Gambhir top-scored with a gritty 83 while his skipper MS Dhoni hit a patient 56 (off 71 balls) to keep the team on target. The finishing touches were given by Suresh Raina and Harbhajan. Raina came in to bat at a time when India still needed 60 runs from 52 balls. He made 34 (27 balls, 2x4, 2x6), before getting run out but Harbhajan stayed till the end to take the team home.

India needed 7 runs from the last over and 3 runs off last two balls, Harbhajan smashed the fifth ball over midwicket and celebrated like he often does, like a gladiator. Shoiab Akhtar was not amused but Harbhajan must be thrilled as he not only shared a match-winning 43-run partnership with Raina for the seventh wicket but also bagged two crucial wickets.

The foundation of the Indian innings was laid by the 98 run third wicket stand between Gambhir and Dhoni. In between, the momentum shifted towards Pakistan when Dhoni was bowled by Shoaib Malik. But Raina displayed great courage to stand up and be counted and when Harbhajan struck Akhtar for a six in the 47th over, India were right back in the game. Then, another six off Raina's blade in the 49th over almost sealed the issue.

Earlier, Gambhir was pumped up for the big match but lost his concertration after a heated exchange of words with Pakistani wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal. India's win showed how effective Dhoni is when he bats higher up the order. He reached his fifty with a six from a free-hit off Akhtar and was in complete control of the situation from the word go. Virender Sehwag was not in his elements-he struggled with his hamstring and also against the raw pace of Akhtar.

Earlier, Pakistan elected to bat on a pitch that was just about perfect for batting. zopener Salman Butt, who was castled by an incoming delivery from Lasith Malinga in the previous match, played a crucial knock on Saturday, He was ably supported by Imran Farhat (25), as the two got involved in a 71 run stand.

Re: Such a Dream world

ANY BODY WANTS TO BOOK THE TICKET..................

No, this is not Alice in the wonderland! It's the
Grand opening of Atlantis hotel in Dubai last month

Where the cheapest room goes for $35,000 a night!

www.hamtaraneh.com

www.hamtaraneh..com

www..hamtaraneh.com

According to Guinness book of world records, the opening night was marked with the biggest fireworks of the century!

According to Guinness book of world records, the opening night was marked with the biggest fireworks of the century!

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