Category Archives: Science & Technology

IISc hosts Microsoft’s first student data science hackathon

Records, All, Science & Technology

Microsoft, in collaboration with Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bengaluru, concluded the first-ever Data Science Student Challenge (DSSC), a 24-hour global hackathon series, on Saturday.

The hackathon was inaugurated on January 29 as a part of Pravega 2016, the annual tech festival by the IISc. The hackathon, which witnessed participation by close to 200 students, showcases Microsoft’s commitment to boost the ecosystem for data scientists in India by giving students the opportunity to learn and test their data analytical skills.

As part of the hackathon, students accessed open government data and derived insights from that dataset, using the power of data analytics. Along with the students, a team of senior Microsoft mentors were present onsite to support and guide participants to create solutions based on predictions from the identified issues.

The hackathon generated over 50 ideas that could help build digital solutions to address the socio-economic issues in the country and accelerate the pace of the government’s Digital India programme.

Amog Mannekote, Tanmay Chinchore and Abhilash K from M S Ramaiah Institute of Technology (MSRIT), Bengaluru, were recognised as the winners of the challenge for prediction analysis on diabetes in Indian women. G Arun Kumar and Aravind Sundaresan from People’s Education Society Institute of Technology (PESIT) Bengaluru, South Campus, won the second prize for prediction analysis on heart diseases, and Amleshwar Kumar, Indranil Bhattacharya, Raghuram D Bharadwaj, Shreyas S and Swapnil Dhama from IISc won the third prize for predicting mortality rates of patients in ICU. The winning teams were rewarded with a cash prize of Rs 50,000, Rs 25,000 and Rs15,000, respectively. Professor Yogesh Simmhan, Assistant Professor, Department of Computational and Data Sciences (CDS), IISc, says the demand for data scientists is high. “There is a critical need to address the talent gap, both in data science research and its practice. The recent creation of the Department of Computational and Data Sciences, the Big Data public lecture series, and new data science and analytics courses are some of these efforts. I am pleased that IISc’s Pravega technical fest has partnered with Microsoft to host its first global Data Science Students Challenge in India at our campus.”

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> State / Bengaluru – DHNS, January 31st, 2016

Fellow of ACCT(I) Award for Dr.P.V. Salimath

Science & Technology

DrSalimathBF31jan2016

Mysuru :

Dr. P.V. Salimath, presently working as Research Director at JSS Medical College, Mysuru and a renowned biochemist, has been conferred with the “Fellow of Association of Carbohydrate Chemists & Technologists (I)” at the recently held conference in Pondicherry University, Puducherry, by The Association of Carbohydrate Chemists & Technologists (India).

The award has been bestowed in recognition of Dr. Salimath’s work carried out at CFTRI, Mysuru, on Science and Technology of Food Carbohydrates.

Dr. Salimath, a Ph.D holder in Food Carbohydrates, has more than three decades of research experience on carbohydrates of importance in foods. Beginning on the functional aspects of food carbohydrates and glycoproteins in buffalo colostrum, his research work has added to the understanding of the role of constituents of basement membrane during diabetic nephropathy and beneficial effect of foods and plants of medicinal value.

He has guided 12 students for Ph.D and has published more than 100 research papers in reputed journals. Dr. Salimath also had a stint of working in prestigious Max Planck Institute for Immunobiology, Freiburg, Germany (1981-1983), Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA (1992), as well as at La Jolla Cancer Research Foundation, USA (1993). He retired on Nov.30, 2014 after an illustrious career spanning more than three decades in research from CSIR-CFTRI.

Dr. Salimath has served on committees of national importance such as the Department of Science & Technology, Department of Biotechnology as well as Indian Council of Medical Research.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com /Star of Mysore / Home> General News / January 31st, 2016

Kasturba Hospital Doctor gets research grant on Inflammatory Bowel Diseases

Education, Science & Technology, World Opinion

Manipal :

Dr C. Ganesh Pai, Professor and Head of the Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kasturba Medical College and Hospital, Manipal has been awarded a research grant of Rs 49.92 lakh for the project titled: “Thiopurine Therapy in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases: Optimizing Existing Strategies”.

The research is funded by the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India. Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) are a group of incurable chronic intestinal diseases that contribute to a lot of suffering.

Currently available treatment options work well at best in half the patients suffering from these conditions leaving thereby a large unmet need.

The project is expected to identify ways of improving the proportions of patients who benefit from currently available, affordable drugs belonging to the class of thiopurines and also decrease the adverse events from these drugs. The research will also lay the groundwork for designing newer drugs related to thiopurine compounds which are more effective in IBD.

Medical Superintendent and COO of Kasturba Hospital Manipal Dr M Dayananda said: This type of funding is available only for established research leaders to pursue ground-breaking, high-in-tensity projects that open new directions and advancements in their respective research fields. Selection of Gastroenterology and Hepatology Department at Kasturba Hospital depicts the advanced treatment modalities and quality of care for patients provided here.

Dr. Krishnamurthy Bhat, Head of Pharmaceutical Quality Assurance, Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Manipal University is a co-investigator on the project, which runs for three years.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News Home> City> Mangalore / by Stanley Pinto, TNN / January 22nd, 2016

Braille-embedded train to chug out of Mysuru today

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Inspiration/ Positive News and Features, Records, All, Science & Technology, Travel

BrailleMaleBF26jan2016

All reserved coaches of Mysuru-Varanasi Express to bear Braille signage

The Mysuru-Varanasi Express will become the country’s first Braille-embedded train. The bi-weekly express (Train No. 16229/16230), which chugs out on Tuesday, will leave Mysuru for Varanasi on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

It has been provided with metallic Braille signage indicating berth numbers, location of alarm chains, toilets, and emergency windows. There are also instructions on how to operate the emergency exit windows. The initiative has been financed by Mysuru MP Pratap Simha from the MPLAD fund.

Though the Puri-Delhi Purushottam Express was the first train in the country to have a Braille-embedded coach, the Mysuru-Varanasi Express will be the first in the country where all reserved coaches have been embedded with Braille signage, said Rajkumar Lal, Divisional Railway Manager, Mysuru Division, South Western Railway.

Braille signage has been introduced on one rake of the express and it will soon be introduced in the second rake as well. The Chamundi Express and the Mysuru-Talguppa Express are the other two trains that will be provided with Braille displays after this, Mr. Lal said. “The plan is to extend the facility to all reserved coaches of long-distance trains in a phased manner,” he added. Braille signage indicating the coach number is next on the agenda.

The Braille signage indicating berth numbers and location of toilets will be of great help to the visually-challenged travelling on the Mysuru-Varanasi Express.— PHOTOS: M.A. SRIRAM
The Braille signage indicating berth numbers and location of toilets will be of great help to the visually-challenged travelling on the Mysuru-Varanasi Express.— PHOTOS: M.A. SRIRAM

Netravati, a visually-impaired person, welcomed the initiative and said that it will help them identify the seats or berths without seeking help from others. “We will be more independent as sometimes, people do not respond to us as they tend to be in a hurry to locate their berths,” she said.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> National> Karnataka / by R. Krishna Kumar / Mysuru – January 26th, 2016

Diploma dropout develops modified version of ‘Multi-Tree Climber’

Business & Economy, Inspiration/ Positive News and Features, Nature, Science & Technology

Shivamogga youth claims to have received 350 orders in two days at ISC

Nithin Herale displaying his invention
Nithin Herale displaying his invention

Mysuru :

True to the saying ‘Necessity is the Mother of all Inventions,’ a young farmer who was unable to get skilled climbers to pluck arecanut in his farm, turned himself as an inventor, came up with a Multi-Tree Climber equipment and is all set to help other farmers including coconut and arecanut growers with his invention.

The young farmer is 23-year-old Nithin Herale, a resident of Gajanur village which is about 10 kms from Shivamogga. Nithin, a diploma dropout, has displayed his invention at the Pride of India Science Expo being held as part of the 103rd Indian Science Congress (ISC) in city.

Nithin, speaking to SOM, said that the Multi-Tree Climber is his sixth modified version of the equipment and has used Stainless Steel 304 grade to reduce the weight of the equipment. He said that when he first invented the equipment, it weighed about 16 kgs and was finding it difficult to carry it to the farm. He then thought of reducing the weight of the equipment so that it would be easy for even women farmers to carry it.

He further said that keeping in mind to reduce the weight, he modified the equipment using SS 304 grade Stainless Steel and added that his equipment now weighs just 7.2 kgs.

Nithin, who has gone commercial by launching his equipment in the market, claims that he has received 350 orders in two days from customers especially in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Odisha.

He further said that initially he invented equipment for his purpose but due to demand from other fellow farmers he opened a small workshop in his village to manufacture the equipment and even obtained licence to sell it.

He said that the Multi-Tree Climber works on a two assembly locking system, safety belt gripper and rubber plates to help climb tress with ease and added that even those with no expertise or special skills can also easily climb a branch-less tree.

He further said that equipment which is also very useful to climb coconut tress is priced at Rs. 8,000 and comes with an instruction CD.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News / Thursday – January 07th, 2015

IISc gets Interdisciplinary Centre for Energy Research

Science & Technology

Bengaluru :

Dr VK Saraswat, member, NITI Aayog, inaugurated the Interdisciplinary Centre for Energy Research (ICER) and the National Centre for Combustion Research and Development (NCCRD) at the Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru on Wednesday. Saraswat, an alumni of the Institute, recalled his student days during which it was a challenge to conduct experiments in combustion. “It was my dream to have a state of the art Combustion Centre, and I am glad we have one today,” he added.

The Centre is part of the new Interdisciplinary Centre for Energy Research at IISc.

R V Ravikrishna, Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, and a Coordinator of the National Centre for Combustion Research and Development, said that the Centre would focus on industrially relevant problems and translational research. He also said that the Centre has planned memorandums of agreement with laboratories belonging to Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, in order to utilise the complementary strengths. The Combustion research centre also aims to leverage new national initiatives such as IMPRINT in the domains of energy and security & defence.

Prof Anurag Kumar, director, IISc, expressed hope that the Interdisciplinary Centre for Energy Research would work towards developing indigenous technology.

source:  http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News Home> City> Bangalore / by Rohith B R, TNN / January 06th, 2015

180 agencies to showcase India’s S&T achievements

Business & Economy, Science & Technology

To inspire young minds to cul tivate a scientific attitude, the Pride of India, a five-day expo will be held as part of the In dian Science Congress that gets under way on Sunday . Around 180 organizations, including DRDO and Isro, are expected to participate in the exhibition that will showcase the country’s achievements in science and technology .

Three dozen laboratories attached to the Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) will put up models and technologies at the DRDO pavilion.This includes models of missiles, aircraft, BrahMos missile, and the LCA fighter jet. Night vision goggles and binoculars, fire suppressing gel, portable water mist gun, aluminized fire retardant clothes, mobile autonomous robotic system, rotary engines, multi-purpose decontamination system and a mannequin with combat free-fall parachute will also be on display .

This year’s Hall of Pride -a section dedicated to eminent personalities in science and technology-looks at the life and achievements of the late President APJ Abdul Kalam.

The expo, spread over an area of 1500 sqm, will be open between 10 am and 7 pm. The National Council of Science Museum will showcase a zoom table, a gravity well and portability curve. Sajju Bhaskaran, curator of Visvesvaraya Industrial and Technological Museum, says visitors can zoom into and zoom out of the images to get clear view of the subject. The gravity well explains about movement of planets around the Sun.

A separate enclosure has also been set up to showcase the achievements of the Karnataka education department.

Professor G Hemantha Kumar of the department of computer science, University of Mysore, said the Pride of India expo was first organized during the 87th Indian Science Congress by MM Activ Sci-Tech Communications and since then it has been a regular feature.

Genesis for exchange of ideas

A one-day symposium “Genesis” is being organized at the University of Mysuru during the Indian Science Congress to bring scientists, industrialists, academicians and policymakers to a common platform to exchange ideas and explore collaborative opportunities. The theme of the XIV Genesis is Realising the Make in India mission through indigenous development – role of MSME.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News Home> City> Bangalore / by Lawrence Milton / TNN / January 03rd, 2016

180 agencies to showcase India’s S&T achievements

Business & Economy, Science & Technology

To inspire young minds to cul tivate a scientific attitude, the Pride of India, a five-day expo will be held as part of the In dian Science Congress that gets under way on Sunday . Around 180 organizations, including DRDO and Isro, are expected to participate in the exhibition that will showcase the country’s achievements in science and technology .

Three dozen laboratories attached to the Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) will put up models and technologies at the DRDO pavilion.This includes models of missiles, aircraft, BrahMos missile, and the LCA fighter jet. Night vision goggles and binoculars, fire suppressing gel, portable water mist gun, aluminized fire retardant clothes, mobile autonomous robotic system, rotary engines, multi-purpose decontamination system and a mannequin with combat free-fall parachute will also be on display .

This year’s Hall of Pride -a section dedicated to eminent personalities in science and technology-looks at the life and achievements of the late President APJ Abdul Kalam.

The expo, spread over an area of 1500 sqm, will be open between 10 am and 7 pm. The National Council of Science Museum will showcase a zoom table, a gravity well and portability curve. Sajju Bhaskaran, curator of Visvesvaraya Industrial and Technological Museum, says visitors can zoom into and zoom out of the images to get clear view of the subject. The gravity well explains about movement of planets around the Sun.

A separate enclosure has also been set up to showcase the achievements of the Karnataka education department.

Professor G Hemantha Kumar of the department of computer science, University of Mysore, said the Pride of India expo was first organized during the 87th Indian Science Congress by MM Activ Sci-Tech Communications and since then it has been a regular feature.

Genesis for exchange of ideas

A one-day symposium “Genesis” is being organized at the University of Mysuru during the Indian Science Congress to bring scientists, industrialists, academicians and policymakers to a common platform to exchange ideas and explore collaborative opportunities. The theme of the XIV Genesis is Realising the Make in India mission through indigenous development – role of MSME.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News Home> City> Bangalore / Lawrence Milton, TNN / January 03rd, 2015

A medical practitioner pursues artistic dream

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Science & Technology
A painting of Dr.Prabha on display in an exhibtion at Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath
A painting of Dr.Prabha on display in an exhibtion at Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath

Bengaluru :

As one steps into Dr Prabha Shankar’s ongoing art exhibition at Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath, the bold display of colours draping the mythological and historical images catches the eye. It takes a while to stomach the fact that this oeuvre comes from a homeopathic doctor who kept her passion for art alive even while providing that healing touch to many.

“I am always asked how I balance my profession and my passion for art, to which I have only one answer: If you have the will you can balance even being a scientist and an artist,” says the 77-year-old medical practitioner-cum-artist, whose paintings reflect a surreal mix of fact and fantasy. Dr Prabha has been painting for over 50 years and draws inspiration from mythology.

“I am inspired by fantasy and real world. In most of my paintings you’ll see that am trying to time travel to this mystical and mythological era. Femininity is another crucial element in my work,” she says.

“There are times when juggling work and passion becomes difficult and one has to prioritize. I too face similar situations but I never surrender. Even today, the first thing I do when I get some free time is to pick up my paint brush and start adding colour on a pure blank canvas in front of me,” she said.

Dr Prabha specializes in treating infertility in couples and has helped realize the dreams of many.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News Home> City> Bangalore / TNN / December 30th, 2015

National Institute of Technology students develop shopping app

Business & Economy, Education, Science & Technology

Mangaluru :

A team of students from National Institute of Technology Karnataka (NITK) have developed an Android App that will come in handy for shoppers, who visit malls.

Winkl, a first of its kind app available on Play Store, provides relevant, contextual and personalized information as shoppers walk around the mall. Third year mechanical engineering students Pratham Pramod, Supreet Deshpande, final year metallurgy engineering student Rahul Singh Thakur and final year mining engineering student Nikhil Kumar took nearly three months to develop the app.

Pratham Pramod told TOI that they have made tie-up with Forum Fiza Mall in Mangaluru and very soon more malls across the state will brought under the Winkl’s service network.

“Once the app users enter a Winkl Zone, real time shopping feed including all the latest arrivals, trending, offers and recommendations will be displayed on your smartphone. As customer walk around the mall, content keeps loading on the phone based on indoor mall location and personal interests. This way, shopper knows exactly which store he or she would like to walk into as they enter the mall or a particular floor in the mall. This will save lots of time and help one experience the products they are interested in,” Pratham Pramod said.

“Today, in the present world, offline shopping has hit a new low mainly because of the lack of easy access to useful and engaging content to users like offers, recommendations, product reviews, latest arrivals and trending. Winkl, a young start-up by NITK students addresses this problem and is bringing offline shopping back to life. Offline shopping has obvious advantages like touch and feel and instant delivery. Winkl has partnered with Forum Fiza Mall and it is active there from today (Friday). Users also will get a chance to win a lot of exciting rewards. Winkl automatically provides users with Winks (points) for walking into their favourite stores which can be redeemed for rewards,” he added.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News Home> City> Mangalore / by Vinobha K T, TNN / December 26th, 2015