Scientists discover new state of matter that could rewrite the textbooks
12th April, 2019Researchers in Scotland have discovered a bizarre new form of matter which is not a solid, liquid or gas. The new type of matter is both solid and liquid at the same time. The research has been published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Science.
The scientists used machine learning to confirm that when potassium is put under between 20,000 and 40,000 times atmospheric pressure and 260 to 980 degrees Fahrenheit, the element entered a chain-melted state. In this state, the atom chains that make up the potassium dissolve into liquid but the remaining potassium crystals stay solid.
Under the right conditions, over half a dozen elements, including sodium and bismuth, are thought to be capable of existing in the newly discovered state, researchers say.
The matter is made from an unusual state of potassium and could exist deep under the Earth’s crust where extremely hot conditions would enable it to remain in its unusual form. This discovery could teach us more about the substances and matter that make up other planets in the universe.
This is the first time in history that scientists have been able to prove such a state is thermodynamically stable for any element.
Namami Gange gets global recognition at world summit in London
12th April, 2019The National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) or Namami Gange was facilitated with coveted “Public Water Agency of the Year†award by Global Water Intelligence at the Global Water Summit in London on April 9. The awards recognise excellence across the international water industry and reward those initiatives in the water, waste water, and desalination sectors, which bring remarkable improvements in the lives of people.
‘Namami Gange Programme’, is an Integrated Conservation Mission, approved as ‘Flagship Programme’ by the Union Government in June 2014 with budget outlay of Rs.20,000 Crore to accomplish the twin objectives of effective abatement of pollution, conservation and rejuvenation of National River Ganga. Its implementation has been divided into Entry-Level Activities (for immediate visible impact), Medium-Term Activities (to be implemented within 5 years of time frame) and Long-Term Activities (to be implemented within 10 years).
The Namami Gange is an integrated mission for Ganga rejuvenation covering comprehensive multi-sector intervention with multi-stakeholder involvement and adopts a basin-based approach. The program aims at providing comprehensive and sustainable solutions for major pollution hot spots along the stretch of 97 towns and 4465 vilages on the Ganga stem. Total 10 cities, including Haridwar, Kanpur, Varanasi, Prayagraj and Kolkata that contribute more than 64% of the pollution in Ganga have been covered in all aspects under the mission. Under the program, a total of 289 projects have been sanctioned at a cost of Rs. 28,377 crore out ot which 87 projects have been completed.
Hong Kong’s stock market becomes world’s third largest, behind only the US and China
11th April, 2019Hong Kong's market cap was $5.78 trillion as of Tuesday, compared with $5.76 trillion for Japan for the first time since 2015. Hong Kong's equity market thus sits in third position, overtaking Japan, to be the world’s third largest in value, behind only the United States of America and Mainland China, due to a significant rebound in Hong Kong stocks since their lows in 2011.
Internet giant Tencent Holdings Ltd. has been the main driver with a 22 per cent gain. Japan’s Topix Index advanced 8.3 percent in that period.
Indo-Singapore Joint Training Exercise: Bold Kurukshetra-2019
11th April, 2019The 12th edition of joint military exercise between India and Singapore, BOLD KURUKSHETRA 2019, culminated on 11 April 2019 after an impressive closing ceremony held at Babina Military Station. Indian Army contingent was presented by Guards Unit and Singapore was presented by its 42 Armoured Regiment. The four day long joint training focused on developing interoperability and conduct of joint tactical operations in mechanised warfare. The troops learnt about each other’s organisations and best practices being followed in combat. The three-day exercise was conducted to develop military technology, boost maritime security and bolster fight against terrorism. The exercise is told to be a grand success and taught valuable lessons to troops of both the participating nations.
India and Singapore had entered into an official agreement in November 2017 to strengthen defence ties between their respective armed forces. As per the understanding, personnel from the Singapore Armed Forces will receive training and undertake firing exercises along with the Indian Armed Forces.
Center clears purchase of extra batch of 464 new T-90 tanks from Russia
10th April, 2019Center has cleared the procurement of 464 T-90 (T-90MS) tanks from Russia in a deal worth over Rs. 13,500 crore ($1.93 billion). These tanks will be deployed along the borders with Pakistan. A formal contract between the Ministry of Defence and Russia's Rosoboronexport arms export agency would follow in comming months. The contract will also include a Make-in-India element for integration at the Heavy Vehicles Factory in Avadi near Chennai.
This is the fourth major oder for the type by Indian Army since 2001. India has already inducted 18 regiments of T-90 tanks which are deployed in Rajasthan and Punjab on the Pakistan front. The T-90 has emerged as the main battle tank of the Indian Army. The T-90MS variant has improved electronics and defensive systems compared with the earlier T-90 variants.
In November 2016, the Defence Acquisitions Council, under then defence minister Manohar Parrikar, had give initial clearance the proposed purchase of the 464 T-90 tanks. The new deal would increase the number of T-90s in the Army to close to 2,000 along with the remaining T-72 and T-55s. The Indian Army is projected to have a force of over 1,600 T-90 tanks by 2020. The T-90 will replace the T-72 tank, first ordered in the Soviet era, as the mainstay of the Indian Army's armoured forces.
T-90 variant that will be imported will be the new T-90MS, which has improved electronics and defensive systems compared with the earlier T-90 variants. The T-90MS features a new turret weapon station with an upgraded 125mm gun.
Display information on 7 common antibiotics: CDSCO
9th April, 2019In a move after the National Co-ordination Centre of the Pharmacovigilance Programme of India (PvPI) had alerted the Union Health Ministry about adverse side-effects of these antibiotics, the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) has asked manufacturers to ensure that this information be made available to the general public. CDSCO has written to drug manufacturers on April 9, to mention in leaflets inserted into drug packets or on promotional literature, information about the adverse reactions of these medicines so that it may be available to the general public.
All of the seven formulations — antibiotics Cefotaxime, Ofloxacin and Cefixime; Tranexamic Acid, used to control bleeding; antipsychotic drug Quetiapine; anti-rheumatoid drug Sulfasalazine and the anti-epileptic medicine Sodium Valproate — have been instructed to warn patients of the “new†side effects.
An antibiotic is a type of antimicrobial substance active against bacteria and is the most important type of antibacterial agent for fighting bacterial infections. Antibiotic medications are widely used in the treatment and prevention of such infections. Antibiotic Cefixime is used to treat a wide variety of bacterial infections and is known to have adverse reactions, including pain, diarrhoea, nausea and headaches.
The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation(CDSCO) under Directorate General of Health Services, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India is the National Regulatory Authority (NRA) of India, having its headquarter at New Delhi. The Drugs & Cosmetics Act,1940 and rules 1945 have entrusted various responsibilities to central & state regulators for regulation of drugs & cosmetics. Under the Act, CDSCO is responsible for approval of Drugs, Conduct of Clinical Trials, laying down the standards for Drugs, control over the quality of imported Drugs in the country and coordination of the activities of State Drug Control Organizations by providing expert advice with a view of bring about the uniformity in the enforcement of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act.