You learn science by keeping your eyes and ears open and looking around at this world. The real inspiration of science, at least to me, has been essentially the love of nature,” said Dr R R Navalgund, Director of Space Application Centre-Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).

While speaking on ‘Eye in the Sky’ at Gujarat Science City here on Tuesday, Navalgund said, “Circling just a few hundred kilometres above the earth, remote sensing satellites can monitor all that is happening in skies and on the ground. From this vantage point in space, spacecraft’s cameras can cover vast areas.” The cameras can also capture startling close-up pictures.

Adding that the remote sensing and communication satellites are powerful tools in coping natural disasters, he said despite disasters striking country every year, focus among official agencies is lacking. He said, “The ISRO had established Disaster Management Support Programme for effective utilisation of satellites in dealing with natural disasters.


Courtesy : Expressindia.com

Scientists in Britain have developed potatoes with less carbohydrate and fewer calories but with all the other nutritional values of the regular spud.British company Naturally Best that developed Vivaldi after nine years of research say their potato could a fulfil a dieters’ dream, reports the online edition of BBC News.

According to tests by the Grimsby-based Allied Laboratory Services, the new potato has 26 per cent less carbohydrate and 33 per cent fewer calories. The potato, which has normal levels of vitamin C and other nutrients, was originally developed from seed for a creamy taste.The popularity of the low GI (glycaemic index) diet has recently prompted a shift in the way spuds are perceived. Low GI diets involve replacing high GI foods, such as potatoes and white bread, with low GI options such as apples, pasta and beans. The potato will be available in Sainsbury’s stores.

"This great-tasting, versatile potato is the perfect solution for those of us who like to watch what we eat — and they taste just as good for those who don’t," reported the online edition of the London Daily Mail quoting John Maylam of Sainsbury’s grocery store chain.

The Medicine Shoppe, which started operations in India in February 1999 and is now the largest organised pharmacy retail chain, will launch the country’s first Super Speciality Pharmacy outlet in Mumbai on Monday, that would stock drugs for treating cancer, AIDS and organ transplant medicines, among other critical care drugs. These are not available in local chemist shops due to inadequate storage conditions, which often make such drugs lose their potency. The drugs would also be home delivered, on request, at a price below maximum retail price.

For the millions suffering from critical diseases in India, this new concept is expected to revolutionise drug delivery in the field of retailed pharmacy, by giving patients more control in the purchase and delivery of critical drugs, say medical experts. "We will also have a home delivery facility for patients with prescriptions and an option of having a trained nurse administer the same in the convenience of their homes," said Ms Arti Joshi, marketing manager, Medicine Shoppe India, while refusing to divulge any other details.

"The nurse would be provided at no extra cost while the drugs would be available at prices below MRP. The current system makes patients place orders with local hospitals which in turn contact the pharma companies for critical care drugs. These are then sold to the patients at MRP after much delay. The new concept would cut out the waiting period for patients who require critical care drugs," said sources.

Medicine Shoppe, with 88 outlets in India, would be opening such super speciality pharmacy outlets across the country in a phased manner that would distribute drugs that cater to 11 critical diseases and has targeted operating 500 pharmacies in India by 2006 through franchisees.