Category Archives: Science & Technology

Oncology nursing is need of the hour: Experts

Business & Economy, Science & Technology

Bangalore :

With increasing prevalence of cancer, the need for oncology nursing is on rise. To address the various issues related to oncology nursing,  HealthCare Global Enterprises Ltd , The Specialist in  Cancer  Care, organized National Conference on Oncology Nursing, in Bangalore.

The objective of this conference is to promote exchange of knowledge in nursing care management of the disease, highest standards of treatment, education at the multi disciplinary level among nurses, clinicians in oncology care. 300 nurses across India, participated in the conference.

Dr G Kasthuri, Dean of Nursing, RGUHS, said, “In developed countries, oncology nursing is seen as area of specialization. The need of the hour in India, for nurses in oncology care is specialized training which will benefit immensely, as nurse’s play a great role in the health care delivery system.”

Dr B S Ajaikumar, Chairman, HCG Group, said, “Nurses play a vital role in the multi disciplinary approach to cancer care patients. Effective specialized training will help them in acquiring necessary skills in oncology care. Improving, standardization and education is important for nurses who are looking who are looking at onco nursing. This will help in optimal safe cancer care treatment to patients.”

“This conference will enable the participants to acquire knowledge on the scope of oncology nursing, get acquainted with emerging trends, improve patient communication skills and the quality of cancer care,” Sino Thomas, Head of Nursing, HCG, said.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / Home> City> Bangalore / by Hetal Vyas, TNN / December 01st, 2012

Natl. meet on Ayurveda & Herbal drug technology at Teresian

Historical Links, Pre-Independence, Nature, Science & Technology

Mysore, Nov. 19-

Teresian College, Siddarthanagar, in commemoration of its Golden Jubilee celebrations this year, has organised a two-day National Conference on “Emerging Trends in Ayurveda and Herbal Drug Technology” under the aegis of its UG Department of Chemistry and UG & PG Departments of Biotechnology in collaboration with the Government Ayurveda Medical College on Nov. 22 and 23 at its Golden Jubilee auditorium.

Around 400 delegates from all over India are expected to attend the conference being jointly sponsored by the Department of Biotechnology, New Delhi and NHRM, Department of AYUSH.

The conference will be inaugurated by Dr. G.N. Sreekantaiah, Director, Department of AYUSH. Dr. Bhushan Patwardhan, former Vice-Chancellor, Symbiosis International University, Pune, will deliver the key note address and Prof. K.S. Rangappa, Vice-Chancellor of KSOU, will preside.

Researchers may share their research findings in the form of oral and poster presentations during the conference. Students will get an exposure to the ongoing research work.

For details, contact the Organising Secretary on email: etahdt2012@gmail.com or Mob: 99169-01194, 94480-66382.

Ayurveda and Herbal Drug Technology

The sciences of life — ancient and contemporary — are not at crossroads. Instead they are the sparkling spokes of a golden wheel — a wheel of revolution that has the potential to enable inexpensive, accessible, safe preventive and curative health care for all globally.

The Human Genome Project, longevity genes, personalised medicine, life style disorders, nanotechnology in medical care, new animal models or its alternatives in research, stem cell research, environmental hazards caused due to man-made or natural calamities, tissue culture, genetically modified food, nutraceuticals, fetus scans, etc., are just some of the innumerable buzz words from modern biology rich with technical and technological innovations on one hand. On the other hand, we have forgotten what ancient knowledge has in store.

Ayurveda and Vedic sciences have been and continue to be overshadowed by such contemporary fashions. Ayurveda’s ‘spaimage’ of oil massages or that of herbs and concoctions arrived at by trial and error and advised differently to each person continues this day to be thought of as quackery. But today, from many parts of the world revolutionary thinkers and visionary leaders are starting to recognise the wisdom within as the basis of functional medicine and medicine for the future.

It seems like this ancient Indian system of medicine which has stood the test of time is gradually being given due attention that it deserves. Can Ayurveda regain its rightful place as the parent of personalised medicine, as a system of medicine which has stood the test of time and one that can guide the future of modern functional medicine?

Biotechnology stands for life techniques so also Ayurveda — it encompasses all life sciences albeit in codified Sanskrit language which needs to be decoded with the aid of present life sciences so it becomes imperative to merge them into a beautiful blend to maintain their identity, integrity yet endorse mutually.

Scientists of allied life sciences think they aid ancient medical sciences by creating the much needed evidence while Ayurveda proponents claim that other life sciences benefit by the rich source of knowledge which is being exploited and unacknowledged often. Here is an effort to crumple egoistic walls and bridge gaps to build bridges for mutual benefit.

Here are a few examples of how all promote each other and ultimately each living being reaps rich dividend. The new and vivid concept of ‘Reverse pharmacology’ integrates documented clinical and experimental hits into leads that are further developed into drug formulations. The approach boasts the brilliant combination of traditional medicine and the latest technology to provide better and safer leads. Globally, this approach has now evoked an immense pursuit in Ayurveda and Indian pharmacology.

— Dr. Vinay B. Raghavendra (Asst. Professor, Teresian College), Dr. R.A. Vasantha (Associate Prof-essor) and Dr. Shanthala Priyadarshini (Professor, Govt. Ayurveda Medical College).

source: http://www.Starof Mysore.com / General News /  November 19th, 2012

Vaidya Sahitya Award to Mysore Doctor

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Education, Records, All, Science & Technology

Gulbarga, Nov. 16

The book ‘Madhumeha: Dashavyadhigala Mula’ written by well-known Diabetician of Mysore Dr. V. Lakshminarayana and published by Kuvempu Bhasha Bharathi Authority has been selected for the Dr. P.S. Shankara Shreshta Vaidya Sahitya award for the year 2012.

The award carries a cash prize of Rs. 5,000, certificate and a plaque. The award will be presented to Dr. Lakshminarayana at the Dr. P.S. Shankara Pratisthan’s 13th anniversary function to be held at Gulbarga on Jan. 1, 2013.

Dr. Lakshminarayana has the credit of having served Rashtrakavi Kuvempu as his personal doctor for a decade. In his book, Dr. Lakshminarayana has explained in simple language his research experience and about the practical treatment.

source: http://www.StarofMysore.com / General News / November 16th, 2012

Start up boom: Now, Vinod Khosla sets up incubator in Bangalore

Business & Economy, Science & Technology

In another fillip to the start up ecosystem in India, veteran Silicon Valley venture capitalist and Sun Microsystems co-founder Vinod Khosla has set up an incubation centre in Bangalore, according to a Business Standard report.

Srikanth Nadhamuni, the head of technology at the Indian government’s Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) will head the incubator as its CEO.

The Business Standard report added that the incubator will help in creating ventures that can solve issues like social inequality, governance issues and public grievances in India.

Picture: Reuters

Firstpost had earlier elaborated  on the problems incubators in India face starting from making technology innovations commercially viable to the lack of acquisitions of these start ups by bigger companies.

The article also questioned the success of some Indian incubators which are run by academicians and not entrepreneurs themselves.

Most entrepreneurs are of the view that incubators set up by entrepreneurs themselves tend to have better success rates because the portfolio companies benefit from the mentors’ business connections, experiences and mistakes. They also tend to have a sound understanding of the market they cater to.

The rising number of incubators including the Start up village in Kochi spearheaded by Infosys’ Kris Gopalakrishnan and Angel Prime, set up by serial Silicon Valley entrepreneur Bala Parthasarathy are seeing a tremendous opportunity in India which has made the Indian entrepreneurs and investors through out the world sit up and take notice of the booming entrepreneurship scene here.

What remains to be seen is if the government will welcome them with investor-friendly regulations and policies.

source: http://www.FirstPost.com / Firstpost> Business / by FPStaff / November 12th, 2012

Country’s first intelligent transport system launched in city

Amazing Feats, Business & Economy, Records, All, Science & Technology

Caption: The Transport Minister R. Ashok is seen switching on the Intelligent Transport System (ITS) in a KSRTC bus in front of Senate Bhavan, Manasagangotri in city this morning.

Mysore, Nov. 17

The Intelligent Transport System (ITS), a first of its kind in the country, was launched by Deputy Chief Minister and Transport Minister R. Ashok here this noon.

Speaking after launching the ITS system at a function held at Sri Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar auditorium, Senate Bhavan in Manasagangotri, Ashok said that the system is provided at a cost of Rs. 30 crore.

“It will facilitate passengers to get information such as arrival of buses to the stops and details of bus movement from select bus stops by sending SMSes,” he said and added that the ITS system would be extended to other cities in future.

“The State Government is working towards extending transport facilities to every village,” Ashok said and added that plans are on the anvil to introduce intra-city buses in Tumkur, Gulbarga and Mangalore also, in order to prevent people from spending more on private or personal transport.

“The ITS is a game-changer,” said the Minister and added that it will make public transport more efficient and transparent.

Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL) information has been provided to track all city buses in real-time, Passenger Information System (PIS) have been installed at 193 locations, in-bus Display and Automated Voice Announcement System have been provided in all city buses, Central Control Station with Video Wall, Servers, Workstations and Software and MIS reports on fleet management providing performance of the bus system and drivers.

Informaiton can be obtained from the 167 LED display boards and 26 LFD boards at terminals, stops and others strategic locations.

For Interactive Voice Response System (IVRS) — dial 1800 4255220.

SMS 98700-11012 to get bus arrivals and departures in real-time at all bus stops in the city.

Log in to http://mitra.ksrtc.in for real-time bus location map.

Chamaraja MLA H.S. Shankaralingegowda presided over the function.

MLC Siddaraju, Karnataka Zoo Authority Chairman M. Nanjundaswamy, MUDA Chairman L. Nagendra, Karnataka Exhibition Authority Chairman B.P. Manjunath, KSRTC MD Manjunath and others were present on the occasion.

source: http://www.StarofMysore.com / Home> General News / November 17th, 2012

Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw: From motor garage to a $800 mn business

Business & Economy, Leaders, Science & Technology

If you don’t know her, you’re oblivious of one of India’s richest women and that too a self-made millionairre.

Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, who owns the $800million biotech giant, Biocon (one of India’s leading drug companies) didn’t make it to the Forbes Magazine’s 100 ‘Most Powerful Women’ in the world list just like that. But, it took her a lot of her sweat and blood to attain the unprecedented success that she has.

Interestingly, many won’t know that the businesswoman started her humble journey out of a garage in 1978 and that too in less than $200. Well, that’s what a report on CNN has divulged about the entreprenuer.

“I had a lot of foolish courage because when I started up the company I found I had huge credibility challenges to overcome. I was a 25-year-old woman with no business experience, I was trying to pioneer a sector called biotechnology which nobody had heard of. I therefore had huge challenges from getting financial backing to even getting people to work in the organization,” CNN quoted Kiran as saying.

“I was finding it very difficult to get a job as a brew master,” she said.

“It was a chance encounter with a biotech entrepreneur from Ireland that got me started as an entrepreneur in India, because I partnered this Irish company in setting up India’s first biotech company. It has taken me over 30 years to get from a garage to the huge campus that we have today. And it’s been a long journey — it’s been a very exciting journey,” she added.

Interestingly, Kiran was India’s first qualified master brewer, but she turned to setting up her own business after failing to find a job in the brewing sector.

Being a woman, the lady has ensured that she helps fellow women, in fact, she employs around 5,000 scientists, 40 percent are women.

“One of my objectives when I started Biocon was to make sure that I create a company for women scientists to pursue a vocation,” said Mazumdar-Shaw.

Photo courtesy: blog.shankbone.org

source: http://www.DailyBhaskar.com / Home> New Woman / November 16th, 2012

Strides Arcolab Limited : Strides Arcolab Receives US FDA Nod To Commercialize First Liquid Injectable Product From Its New Facility

Business & Economy, Science & Technology, World Opinion

• First shipments to commence in April 2011

Bangalore:

Strides Arcolab Limited (Strides) today announced that it has received approval from the US FDA to commercialize the first liquid injection sterile product from the Company’s new Sterile Injectable complex in Bangalore. The approved product has been facing prolonged shortage in the USA and approval from the new facility will offer Strides unconstrained capacities to meet the market demand.

With this approval, significant capacity will be released from the existing site enabling

Strides to commercialize additional liquid injectable products.

Strides had earlier announced approval for Vancomycin Injection from its new facility in Bangalore in a lyophilized format and the Company has already started supplies to the US market in March 2011.

Commenting on this development Venkat Iyer, CEO, Agila Specialties, said, “The US FDA approval for the product from the new site will go a long way in ameliorating product shortages in critical therapeutic areas. Two significant product approvals from the new facility augur well for the launch of a series of products in the USA during 2011”

For reasons of confidentiality, the Company is not in a position to disclose the name of the product.

Additional information is available at the company’s website at www.stridesarco.com  www.stridesarco.com.

source: http://www.4-traders.com / Home Page> Shares> National Stock Exchange of India> News / Press Release – Strides – PR Consultancy / November 10th, 2012

College to open innovation lab

Education, Science & Technology

Mangalore:

To provide a platform for engineering students and researchers to innovate, the Sahyadri College of Engineering and Management  (SCEM) has set up four centres – government research and development, incubation, placement and training.

Manjunath Bhandary, chairman of SCEM told reporters here on Thursday that the centres were started with the support of Visvesvaraya Technological University (VTU) and the state government.

Minister for higher education CT Ravi will inaugurate the centres in SCEM premises on Saturday. “The minister will also inaugurate a centre of excellence and an innovation lab set up with the assistance of IIIT- Allahabad on the campus,” he added.

“Students of all colleges in the region can make use of these centres. The objective of opening such centres is to promote innovative ideas. In the innovation laboratory experts will guide students about designing various products. The centre of excellence aims at bridging the gap between the industry and academia and will train students according to the needs of the industry,” he added.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / Home> City> Mangalore / TNN / November 10th, 2012

Natl. seminar on Info Tech begins

Business & Economy, Science & Technology

Mysore, Nov.9

“A strong foundation is important to enter into animation world. One has to cultivate research-based attitude to become a good animator and it is important to be a good story-teller,” said Ashish Kulkarni, CEO, Big Animation, Pune, here today.

He was speaking during the inauguration of 2-day National seminar on “Recent Trends in Information Technology and Animation, Visual Effects and Gaming” organi-sed by Centre for Information Science and Technology (CIST), University of Mysore, at Senate Bhavan in Manasagangotri here.

“Animation has been gaining a lot of importance in the present era. India is emerging as one of the best outsourcing centres for animation. Now that we have also started our own production there are plenty of opportunity to flourish. Though, our country missed the bus in 1980s by not realising the importance of animation, we have been able to make a name for ourselves in the world,” Ashish Kulkarni said. “Most of the youngsters today have taken up animation seriously and are striving hard to make a name for themselves,” he said.

“Not many Universities have realised the importance of animation in the country, but the students at the University of Mysore are lucky enough as they have a specialised course for animation which was started around 3 years ago,” he said. Ashish also emphasised the need for encouragement from parents to their wards who wish to take up animation as their career. He said that earlier both parents and teachers did not give importance to fine arts, drawing or any such activities as they did not have any importance academically. As the time has passed people have realised its importance, he said.

source: http://www.StarofMysore.com / Home> General News / November 09th, 2012

From here & there

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Green Initiatives / Environment, Historical Links, Pre-Independence, Nature, Science & Technology

Mandya & the Canadian link

Canadian-born Lesli C Coleman, regarded as one of the ‘makers of modern Mandya’, worked in Mandya district of princely Mysore province from 1908 for more than 40 years. Coleman is said to have worked tirelessly, helping farmers get better yields from their crops through pest control and better farming techniques.

Coleman is known to have designed several innovative agricultural implements many of which are found to have been used by farmers even today.

But that’s not all. Lesli Coleman has mainly been remembered by the people of Mandya for his initiative and efforts in setting up the sugar factory (with a 600-tonne cane crushing capacity) which was started in Mandya in 1933. A major milestone for the region.

In Chikmagalur district

He also worked in Chikmagalur district, where a research centre named Coffee Experimental Station (present-day Central Coffee Research Institute) was founded under his guidance, in 1925.

Coleman, who was basically an agricultural scientist, carried out extensive research in the field of agricultural science.

His major contributions have been research and teaching of entomology of agricultural pests and plant pathology.

source: http://www.DeccanHerald.com / Home> Supplements> Spectrum / by S V Upendra Charya / October 30th, 2012