Think India Foundation

Vijnan Parishat to broaden its horizon

BANGALORE: Karnataka Rajya Vijnana Parishat(KRVP) has been instrumental in spreading science in abolition of blind practices in Karnataka reached a mile stone on Thursday with the extension of its head office building. 

The Parishat played a major role in promotion of science in rural Karnataka, and guiding the students on various streams of science ranging from psychology to space technology. Read more

Source : timesofindia.indiatimes.com

Workshop on Computational Chemistry from month-end at Thiruvananthapuram

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM : Srinivasa Ramanujan Institute for Basic Sciences is organising a four-day national workshop on Computational Chemistry here from the month-end.

Computational Chemistry is a branch of Chemistry that uses the principles of Computer Science for solving chemical problems. Read more

Source : www.thehindubusinessline.com

Spend more on R&D to spur innovation: Pranab

NEW DELHI : ‘To compete in the global arena, India has to unleash its innovation potential’

President Pranab Mukherjee, along with Minister for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences S. Jaipal Reddy, presenting the National Award for Technology Business Incubator to P. Sathiya Moorthy and S. Kuppuswami of Tamil Nadu’s Kongu Engineering College, during National Technology Day celebrations in New Delhi on Saturday. Photo: V.Sudershan

India needs to step up expenditure on research to pursue innovation in a big way, said President Pranab Mukherjee on Saturday, while expressing concern that the country’s innovation bottom line was “not very encouraging.” He urged the private sector to increase their share of spending to the levels prevailing in countries such as South Korea, Japan and USA. Read more

Source : www.thehindu.com

Khasi woman selected for Isro award

SHILLONG: Jenita Mary Nongkynrih, a space scientist at the North Eastern Space Applications Centre (NESAC), Umiam (Barapani), has been selected for the prestigious Isro Young Scientists Merit Award. She was given prize money of Rs 50,000 for the year 2011.

A resident of Mawlai Mawroh locality of the city, Jenita did her primary schooling at St John Bosco Girl's High School, Cherrapunjee, and went on to study at St Mary's High School and College. She did her masters in geography from North Eastern Hill University. Read more

Source : articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com

A paint that can generate solar power

LONDON: The paint on your wall could soon power your home by generating electricity from sunlight. Interestingly, it could even change colour on request if you find it tiring to stare at the same shade. 

British scientists have found that combining the wonder material 'graphene' with other stunning one-atom thick materials could create the next generation of solar cells and optoelectronic devices. The breakthrough, published in the journal Science on Friday, could lead to electric energy that runs entire buildings by sunlight absorbed by its exposed walls. Read more

Source : timesofindia.indiatimes.com

Jamia Millia Islamia team selected in NASA's research programme

NEW DELHI: As part of the national aeronautic and space administration's (NASA) interdisciplinary research in earth science programme - impacts of urbanisation on the environment solicitation, nine projects have been approved for funding. One of the teams to receive funding has Atiqur Rehman, reader, department of geography, Jamia Millia Islamia, as its member. 

The project is led by Soe Myint from Arizona State University and the other members of the project are from Yale, North Carolina and Arizona universities. Rehman is the only Indian representative on board. Read more

Source : timesofindia.indiatimes.com

Roof over roads to tap solar power?

Gandhinagar: India's major roads may double up as solar highways, if an innovative proposal by some scientists gets the government's approval. The proposal is the brainchild of scientists at the Gujarat Energy Research and Management Institute (GERMI) in the state capital. 

In a paper just published in the International Journal of Energy, Environment and Engineering, the scientists say highways can be used to generate solar power, if a roof of solar panels was laid over them, across the length of the roads. Read more

Source : zeenews.india.com

Karnataka unveils Pharma Policy with incentives for infrastructure, education, research

Karnataka Pharmaceutical Policy announced by the state government is set to spur investments in this sector in the coming years. With some incentives and concessions, the state policy is seen as a catalyst for growth and development of the pharmaceutical sector. The state is also scheduled to announce the formation of the Karnataka Pharmaceutical Development Council (KPDC) with a budgetary provision of Rs.1 crore and the Vision Group on Pharmaceuticals with a Rs. 25 lakh allocation which are two monitoring agencies.

The attention to education and research further provides an impetus to the state’s pharmaceutical industry. The government has also planned to organize an event once in two years titled ‘Pharmacia’ to showcase the sector in Karnataka with grant of up to 50 per cent of the cost subject to a maximum of Rs. 600 lakh. Read more

Source : www.pharmabiz.com

Science finds more takers at college level

NEW DELHI: There is good news for future of science in India. A study by a premier Indian research organisation has found an increase of 44 per cent and 121 per cent in enrolment in science at undergraduate and postgraduate courses respectively in the last six years, dispelling apprehensions that students are not opting for it.

The study found that 2,148,956 students enrolled for undergraduate courses in science in colleges in 2009-10 compared to 1,490,785 in 2004-05, an increase of 44 per cent.

The study by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) reported an annual growth of eight percent and 19 per cent in science courses at college level between 2004-05 and 2009-10. Read more

Source : timesofindia.indiatimes.com

Let’s address Urban Heat Island effect on urban environment

In 1986, the Government of India in 1987 decided to designate February 28 as the National Science Day (NSD) to commemorate Prof Chandrasekhara Venkata Raman for his discovery of the Raman Effect on February 28, 1928, for which he was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1930.

Events on this day remind the importance of science inspiring people of all ages. This day attracts many young minds and motivates them to take up science as their career. The event is celebrated in schools, colleges, universities and other academic and scientific, technical, medical and institutions. Read more

Source : www.dailypioneer.com

IISc to open doors for students on Saturday

BANGALORE: Come Saturday, the 104-year-old Indian Institute of Science will open its doors to all for an event that will see research students and faculty of the institution demonstrate the principles of science.

The annual event will be held a day before the Founder's Day celebrations at the institution. Last year, over 2,000 people attended the event. Read more

Source : timesofindia.indiatimes.com

Expert urges Indian universities to invest more in research

COIMBATORE: India has asked the Russian Government to incorporate the BrahMos Missiles into their defence sector. The Russian navy is in the process of adapting the missiles, said A Sivathanu Pillai the chief executive officer of BrahMos Aerospace Private Limited. He was speaking to reporters after inaugurating the 'National Conference on Multifunctional Nano-materials and Nano-composites', at Bharathiar University on Monday.

"The missiles which were developed in a joint collaboration between India and Russia in 2004 are the only supersonic missiles. However, the Russians had not incorporated this as their defence requirements are different. But their navy will adopt it soon," he said. The Russians do not have an immediate threat unlike India, but they regard the missile with much appreciation. By the end of this year the Air Force version of BrahMos is expected to be released. In one or two years this would be adapted by the Indian Air Force, he added. Read more

Source : timesofindia.indiatimes.com

India to launch Mars mission this year: President

NEW DELHI : India will launch its first space mission to Mars this year, President Pranab Mukherjee said on Thursday.

 

India to launch Mars mission this year: President

"Several space missions are planned for 2013, including India's first mission to Mars and the launch of our first navigational satellite," Mukherjee said in his maiden address to the joint sitting of Parliament at the start of the Budget session. Read more

 

Source : timesofindia.indiatimes.com

Oldest 'Jantar Mantar' found at Mandla

BHOPAL: An 80-year-old historian in Madhya Pradesh has claimed to have discovered remains of an ancient, astronomy study centre at Taragarh village in Mandla district.

The site, he said is much older than the known astronomy centres at Jantar Mantar, in Delhi and Ujjain. Read more

Source : timesofindia.indiatimes.com

Quality of research and science in India very high: International Development Research Centre

COIMBATORE: Canada-based International Development Research Centre has chosen India for its research in agriculture and allied areas as the quality of research and science in the country is very high, a top official of the agency said today.  

"The quality of research and science in India is very high and that is why IDRC has chosen the country for its research in agriculture, water and climate change, besides waste management," IDRC President David M Malone told PTI.

"The quality of research and science in India is very high and that is why IDRC has chosen the country for its research in agriculture, water and climate change, besides waste management," IDRC President David M Malone told PTI. Read more 

Source : timesofindia.indiatimes.com

India, Spain to finance joint research on renewable energy

New Delhi (IANS) : India and Spain Wednesday agreed to finance joint research projects in the area of forecasting of wind power and fabrication of cost effective solar cells.

Union Minister of New and Renewable Energy Farooq Abdullah and visiting Spanish Minister of State for Research Development and Innovation, Carmen Vela Olmo, agreed to initiate a second call for research proposals to encourage joint research and development between research institutions as well as industry groups of both the countries, an official release said. Read more

Source : www.newstrackindia.com

Safer, more effective vaccine delivery designed

WASHINGTON: Researchers have designed a new type of vaccine delivery that holds promise for improving the effectiveness of DNA vaccines, besides being painless.

About 20 years ago, DNA coding for viral proteins was found to induce strong immune responses in rodents, but so far, tests in humans have failed to duplicate that success. Read more

Source : timesofindia.indiatimes.com

When students turned car makers using solar power

MADURAI: They were given wires, plastic parts, tiny wheels and solar panels. But in a matter of one hour, their nimble hands transformed these parts into small and beautiful cars that were powered by solar energy. Some of them even managed to make the cars in just 30 minutes.

For the 40-odd students from various city schools, who are familiar only with the theoretical aspects of science, the science activity programme organised by Sunday Science School organised at Urban Spice, offered an opportunity to have hands-on experience in scientific experiments. A group of 42-odd children aged between nine and 14 years from various schools in the city which took part in the one-day programme completely enjoyed learning and had fun. Read more

Source : timesofindia.indiatimes.com

Carry out problem-centric research: Expert

PATNA: Economists and statisticians of the country should carry out problem-centric and tool-centric research in the larger interest of the society, said SGS Vidyapeeth Mantralayam chancellor and former chairman of Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR) V R Panchamukhi on Wednesday.

Inaugurating the three-day 49th annual conference of the Indian Econometric Society organized by Patna University statistics department at Wheeler Senate House here, Panchamukhi said agricultural research must be given topmost priority for the country's prosperity. "Despite struggling hard for the last 65 years, we have not been able to establish a perfect social order. Meaningful research can help achieve this order," he said. Read more

Source : timesofindia.indiatimes.com

CERN model to promote 'practical' study in West Bengal colleges

KOLKATA: Three scientists who worked at CERN where the Higgs-boson particle - more famous as the God Particle - was detected last year, are using the model of the Geneva-based mega laboratory to develop an experimental skill development programme for undergraduate science students in the state.

Speaking to TOI on Wednesday, SINP professor and working chairman of West Bengal State Council for Science & Technology (WBSCST) Abhee K Dutt Mazumdar said the trio would try to replicate the CERN model and get colleges in the state to co-develop table-top experiments. Apart from Dutt Mazumdar, Sukalyan Chattopadhyay and Subhendu Bose are involved in the project. While Chattopadhyay is Dutt Mazumdar's colleague, Bose who is a leading expert in electronics and instrumentation, has recently retired from SINP. Read more

Source : timesofindia.indiatimes.com

Ahmedabad to host national symposium on innovations in pharma

AHMEDABAD: A national symposium on innovations in pharmaceutical sciences will be held in Ahmedabad on February 16, 2013.

To be themed on innovation in the pharma industry, the symposium will be called 'Innovative Insights on Pharmaceutical Industry'. Read more

Source : timesofindia.indiatimes.com

India must expand knowledge base and focus on R&D, says HRD Minister

HYDERABAD: There is a need to create intellectual property with proprietary rights by enhancing the knowledge base and help the country emerge as a major power, Union HRD Minister M M Pallam Raju said today. 

Speaking after inaugurating a building of the School of Life Sciences at the University of Hyderabad, he said this could be done by expanding the knowledge base. Read more

Source : economictimes.indiatimes.com

PM unveils new science, technology and innovation policy at 100th Indian Science Congress

Kolkata (ANI): The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, on Thursday, unveiled the Science, Technology and Innovation Policy (STI) 2013 by presenting its first copy to President Pranab Mukherjee at the inaugural session of the 100th Indian Science Congress here today.

Union Science and Technology Minister Jaipal Reddy, Union Communication and Information Technology Minister Kapil Sibal, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and other dignitaries from the field of Science and Technology were present during the event held at the Salt Lake Stadium here. Read more

Source : www.newstrackindia.com

Kalam asks Nitish to establish mobile science Labs in Bihar villages

Darbhanga (Bihar): Dwelling on importance of developing scientific outlook among youngsters, former President APJ Abdul Kalam on Monday suggested to the Bihar government to set up mobile science laboratories in villages and science laboratory in every district. 

"The value of science has to be propagated to people at large and they should be made to realize the role played by science in their day to day life. Youngsters should be motivated to enquire into science," he said in his inaugural speech at Mega Science Fair here. Read more

Source : zeenews.india.com

India, US fund $50-mn project for solar research

Bengaluru: Energy cooperation, which has become a vital part of Indo-US relations, has taken another leap with a $50 million collaboration to promote solar energy research.

The Solar Energy Research Institute for India and the United States (SERIIUS) has been set up by the Indian Institute of Science and the National Renewable Energy Laboratories (NREL), part of the US Department of Energy. Read more

Source : www.deccanchronicle.com

Andhra Pradesh Forensic dept faces staff crunch

HYDERABAD: Staff shortage and poor budgeting are proving to be stumbling blocks for the Andhra Pradesh Forensic Science Laboratory (APFSL) in dealing with numerous cases eventually leading to backlogs and delay in solving crime, officials said. 

The APFSL was established in 1974 by merging the scientific units of the CID of the police department and chemical examiner section of the medical and health department. It is the first and only laboratory in India to establish advanced technology-centric sections like DNA, computer forensics, biomedical and forensic engineering. But years of neglect and lack of new equipment has posed a huge hindrance for the APFSL, officials said. "We are one of the premier institutions in the country which helps the police, judiciary, CBI and many other government bodies in solving cases for more than three decades. But shortage of staff has become a major problem and the meagre budget allocated to us is another big hindrance," said Sharada Avadhanam, deputy director of the forensic science laboratory of the AP Police Academy. Read more

Source : timesofindia.indiatimes.com

Space-based solar energy may solve energy crisis: Kalam

COIMBATORE: The two-day Southern Regional Science Congress marking the centenary year of Indian Science Congress Association began at Kongunadu Arts and Science College here on Saturday with the theme of `Science for shaping future of India.' Over 300 scientists from leading institutions in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Puducherry will present papers at the congress, which is a prelude to the Centenary year National Science Congress slated to be held in New Delhi next year. 

Inaugurating the seminar, former President Dr A P J Abdul Kalam said science can soon resolve the worsening energy situation in the country. "There is a growing possibility to harness energy from the space through space-based power systems. Space-based solar power has several advantages over the traditional terrestrial-based solar plants and India can play a pivotal role in this field,'' he said. Read more

Source : timesofindia.indiatimes.com

Science conclave: 'Minds can make mistakes, machines fail'

ALLAHABAD: On the fourth day of the ongoing Science conclave at the Indian Institute of Information Technology, Allahabad (IIIT-A) Joseph Sifakis, Greek-French computer scientist, and winner of the 2007 Turing Award said computing had been evolving for the last 79 years, adding that computing and mathematics go hand in hand.

Speaking on 'Computing Foundations, Goals And Challenges' at the conclave on Tuesday, Sifakis talked about evolution of computer science and technology from 1936 to 2015. He initiated his speech by detailing the evolution of computing through the decades. Read more

Source : timesofindia.indiatimes.com

Allahabad set to welcome galaxy of scientists

ALLAHABAD: The Fifth Science Conclave will be held at the Indian Institute of Information Technology, Allahabad, from December 8-14, 2012.

Speaking to reporters on Thursday, IIIT-A director MD Tiwari said more than 40 scientists, including Nobel Laureates, will take part in the conclave along with 1,500 participants across the country. The previous four editions of the Science Conclave were also held at IIIT-A. Read more

Source : timesofindia.indiatimes.com

Nearly 700 scientists quit DRDO in six years, says Govt

NEW DELHI : Nearly 700 scientists have resigned from India’s premier military research body DRDO in little less than six years from 2007, Defence Minister A K Antony said on Wednesday.

Scientists install a DRDO-developed bio-toilet in the icy vastness of Siachen. File photo: DRDO

In a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha on resignation of scientists from Defence Research and Development Organisation(DRDO), Mr. Antony said a total of 637 scientists resigned during 2007-2011 and 50 scientists up to October 31 this year. Read more

Source : www.thehindu.com

BMC to chalk out a five-year plan for cloud seeding

Mumbai : Learning a lesson from two failed cloud seeding attempts in the recent past, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has put in place a five-year plan to conduct its cloud seeding project. The BMC had decided to make cloud seeding a long-term policy earlier this year. From next year,studies will be conducted above lakes that supply potable water to the city. The studies would include analysing cloud formation, wind direction and impact of wind velocity on the clouds during the monsoon. 

Municipal commissioner Sitaram Kunte in September decided on conducting cloud seeding experiments every year and consolidating the data. Read more

Source : www.hindustantimes.com

Science Express to arrive at Charbagh on November 7

The Science Express will arrive at Charbagh station on November 7 and be stationed at platform number 8 till November 10. As a result trains which operate from platform number 8 will be shifted to other platforms. The train number 14210 will operate from platform number 3 instead of 8. Other trains which will have their platforms changed are train number 54231, 54256, 54281, 54293, 54294, 14216, 14209, 54283, 54253 and 54232.

National meet: In the process of empowering rural masses and the country as a whole under the NAIP-ICAR project, Central Soil Salinity Research Institute has developed low cost technologies with wide range applicability and easy adoption. The national director, NAIP will chair the meet and will be hosted by director, IVRI and director, CSSRI at CSSRI-RRS campus on Wednesday at 10.00 a.m. The salient highlights of the technology developed are massinfertility control in bovines, mastitis prevention and control technology, highly efficient strains of soil rhizospheric microbes and low cost multiplication media for plant bio-enhancers. Read more

Source : timesofindia.indiatimes.com

'Science and law gap needs to be bridged'

VARANASI: A two-day seminar on 'Science, technology and law reform' organised at the Law School, Banaras Hindu University (BHU) concluded on Sunday. Addressing the valedictory function, Justice AP Shahi of Allahabad High Court said that success of law is not ensured by just making the laws. A law becomes successful only when it is implemented in an efficient manner and if it is useful for mankind. He said that law is a medium to regulate human life to ensure social justice. 

Dhananjay Pandey, director, IIT-BHU, said that development of modern technology is definitely benefiting human beings. As a result, the quality of life and sources of income have increased manifold. "At the same time, we cannot overlook the ill-effects and problems caused by recent developments in science and technology. These ill-effects can be cured only by effective laws. The inter-relationship between science and technology and law reform in the modern technological era has become more relevant.AP Singh, former secretary, government of Assam, said that because of development and the upper hand of multinational companies, international non-governmental organisations and various international organizations, there is a need for law reform at international level so that these organisations can be used for human benefits. Read more

Source : timesofindia.indiatimes.com

Oracle India, telecom incubator partner to train Kerala students

Will integrate Oracle's computer science curriculum into Startup Village's engineering program to train students, teachers

Mumbai : Oracle India and Startup Village, the first telecom business incubator in the country, have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to integrate the Oracle Academy’s Advanced Computer Science curriculum into Startup Village’s engineering program in Kerala.

The Startup Village, located at Kinfra Hi-Tech Park, Kochi has been set up jointly by the National Science and Technology Entrepreneurship Development Board (NSTEDB), under the DST Government of India, and the Kerala Government-run Technopark in collaboration with MobME wireless. It is being projected as the largest national attempt to scale up innovation in the country through incubators in collaboration with the private sector. Read more

Source : www.business-standard.com

Punjab to get food processing parks

New Delhi (IBNS) : The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) would soon identify two districts for setting up “food processing parks” in consultation with the Punjab Government.

The chamber has already adopted two districts each in Bihar, West Bengal and Orissa along with government of India – UNIDO and respective state governments. The field work is expected to start from January next year. Read more

Source : www.indiablooms.com

Bihar to develop astro-tourist circuit to popularise historical locations associated with Aryabhata

PATNA: Bihar's science and technology department has formulated an 'Astro- Tourism Project' to preserve and develop the historical locations associated with renowned astronomer and mathematician Aryabhata namely Khagaul, Taregna and Taregna Top barely 35 km from Patna.

The three locations which were the centres for all astronomical studies conducted by Aryabhata are mutually 30 kms from each other (approximate aerial distance from each other forms nearly an equilateral triangle). Read more

Source : timesofindia.indiatimes.com

First mouse model of typhoid fever created

Washington: Researchers at the Columbia University Medical Center (CUMC) including Indian origin scientists have developed the first true mouse model of typhoid infection.

The development promises to advance the study of typhoid and the creation of new vaccines against the infection, which remains a major health threat in developing countries. Read more

Source : zeenews.india.com

At 17, passionate about renewing and reusing

BANGALORE: "I've seen the city change greatly in the past few years," says Pranav Raghav Sood. "It used to be lot greener, with better weather and lots of rain," he adds, with the conviction that something needs to be done immediately.

No, it isn't an old Bangalorean, with roots dating back to the days of the Raj, lashing out against the modernization of the once-sleepy cantonment town. Read more

Source : articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com

Swiss official woos Indian students

Bangalore : The Swiss state secretary for education and research Mauro Dell’Ambrogio, who came to the city for a short visit on Friday, has a clear goal in mind - encouraging Indian students to go and study in Switzerland and vice versa.

“Students are a large part of our priority and we want PhD and postdoctoral students to come to Switzerland. Students usually prefer US, UK and Australia these days. So, we want to throw Switzerland in as an option. We also want to open India as an option. India is the best laboratory for students to learn about management of water and urban planning solutions. These are issues they can learn about only in books back in Swiss but they can come down here for a semester and get first-hand knowledge on these issues,” said Dell’Ambrogio who visited the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) and the Indian Institute of Human Settlement. Read more

Source : www.dnaindia.com

Grim global warming outlook for India post 2030: IISc's research

BANGALORE: J Srinivasan, professor at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) in Bangalore, goes through his work days secretly hoping for a global major climate crisis. As a leading climate change scientist in India, he knows that the country and the world are inching towards disaster. A serious crisis now would shake up people and make them act, he thinks. "I remember the ozone hole crisis while I was a student," says Srinivasan. "Scientists were talking about it for a long time, but they took action only when the hole appeared over the pole."

Srinivasan has reasons to worry, particularly for India. Some of his colleagues at the IISc have done the first multi-model study of climate change for India for the rest of the century. It makes grim reading, particularly after the year 2030. If the world does not cut down its carbon dioxide quickly, temperatures will rise - compared to pre-industrial times - over the Indian subcontinent by 1.7 to 2 degree centigrade by 2030, and 3.3 to 4.8 degree centigrade by 2080. Read more

Source : economictimes.indiatimes.com

Scientific landfills cause no harm

BANGALORE: Subash Menon, who founded telecom software company Subex and who is now focusing on waste management, said landfills needed to be scientifically built to avoid resistance from people living around it.

"If you simply dump garbage on tracts of land, you get the problem of germs and birds, which impact the surroundings," Menon said. He said it was necessary to segregate garbage, process all that can be processed, and put only the residue or inerts in the landfill. "An essential part of a scientific landfill is a bottom layer of clay and sand and a piping system that can filter and drain out the toxic fluids from inerts, process it, and recharge it into the ground," he said. Read more

Source : articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com

India`s race for a Physics Nobel Prize within the next decade

Country's scientific community may be at the cusp of securing a Nobel in the physical sciences

 New Delhi : After decades of losing out some of its finest minds to the West, India’s scientific community may finally be at the cusp of securing a Nobel Prize in the physical sciences, widely considered as the highest recognition in the field.

David Pendlebury, a bibliometric analysis consultant with Thomson Reuters and a leading predictor of the Nobel awards, believes that the country’s track record in scientific research, particularly in the physical sciences, could mean that an Indian scientist may win the prize within the next decade. Read more

Source : www.business-standard.com

Concern over new diseases

“Today, we have made rapid strides in modern science and diagnosis. The advancements in medical science have been an added advantage,” said Governor K Rosaiah.

Speaking at the inauguration of the Central Reference Laboratory of the Hitech Diagnostics Centre at Purasawalkam recently, the Governor added, “Rapid urbanisation and advancements on the socio-economic front have changed our lifestyle patterns, leading to many new diseases.” Read more

Source : ibnlive.in.com

India to hunt for patented technology to bridge innovation gap

New Delhi : Seeking to accelerate innovation, India will launch a global hunt for patented technology to fill in the gaps in its initiatives and hand them over to small industries to speed product development.

The Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR) has identified six areas -- affordable healthcare, low cost diagnostics, solar energy, water, smart materials and creating wealth from waste -- where there were gaps in technology creating impediment in product development. Read more

Source : www.business-standard.com

Startup Village selects six innovative projects for incubation

Kochi: Imagine a wheelchair that moves on your instruction or through your movement of eyes! Think of a situation when you are desperately looking for an autorickshaw which is not to be found! But you send an SMS and your problem is resolved.

And wouldn’t you like your home garden or lawn to look lush green and its plants and grass healthy and brimming with life, with an easy technology? Read more

Source : indiaeducationdiary.in

Indian scientist first winner of new Borlaug award

A young Indian social scientist whose research on groundwater resources in agriculture led to major policy changes benefiting thousands of farmers in West Bengal was named the first recipient of the “Norman Borlaug Award for Field Research and Application, Endowed by the Rockefeller Foundation.”

At the request of the World Food Prize Foundation, the announcement was made during the prestigious Stockholm World Water Week in Sweden that Dr. Aditi Mukherji, a senior researcher at the International Water Management Institute’s New Delhi office, has been named the winner of the new award. Read more

Source : westernfarmpress.com

Kashmir University signs MoU with CSIR-NGRI

Srinagar : University of Kashmir and Hyderabad-based CSIR-National Geophysical Research Institute (NGRI) today inked an agreement for establishing a centre for earthquake and hydrological studies.

The MoU on Centre for Geophysical Education and Research, to be set up at the varsity here, was signed by Kashmir University VC, Talat Ahmad, and Director of CSIR-NGRI, a premier earth science research institute, Mrinal K Sen in the presence of Jammu and Kashmir Governor N N Vohra. Read more

Source : www.business-standard.com

Up R&D in medical sector

New Delhi : In a bid to boost technology in healthcare, Director-General, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, (CSIR) invited players in the medical technology sector to utilise the Research and Development (R&D) platform for innovation and research.

“The government has proposed to develop 37 R&D labs across India. It is likely to improve health technology and infrastructure,” said Dr Samir K Brahmachari addressing the fifth Medical Technology Conference organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII). Read more

Source : www.hindustantimes.com

India shakes up rules on clinical trials

But compensation scheme draws fire for raising costs for academic researchers.

India’s clinical-trials system has come under intense scrutiny after a series of scandals involving alleged malpractice and patient deaths, which has sparked widespread public protests. This month, regulators released detailed proposals on how they plan to reform medical research, but some scientists fear that the rules could significantly increase costs, leaving academic researchers unable to conduct trials.

The All India Institute of Medical Sciences in New Delhi (above) came under fire in 2008 after it emerged that 49 children had died during a clinical trial there. PSG/EYEVINE

There’s no doubt that reform is needed. According to figures presented last year by health minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, some 668 people died during clinical trials in India in 2010 (see ‘India mulling stricter laws to curb unethical trials’). But for those injured or killed in trials, there is no guarrantee of compensation. Read more

Source : www.nature.com

Haryana to use satellite data to monitor infrastructure projects

GURGAON: Haryana Space Application Centre(HARSAC), Hisar, is developing the spatial data infrastructure to provide satellite data and thematic maps for planning and monitoring of various programmes and schemes in the state.

"Departments would be able to access all the available information from HARSAC resources. The project is being supported by the department of science and technology, government of India, with a grant of Rs 2.03 crore," said a HARSAC spokesperson. Read more

Source : timesofindia.indiatimes.com