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  • Do You Know?

    Do You Know?

    Know the Science behind day to day incidences…

    Why is Water clear?

    Water is entirely composed of hydrogen and oxygen. Both elements are gases in nature and are

    invisible. Being composed of such elusive and invisible elements is certainly a large reason why water has that crystal-clear appearance. However, any discoloration that may appear in water from a natural source such as a river, lake or underground streams such as a well is largely due to natural substances such as algae, leaves, dirt and numerous other particles typically brought in by rainwater.

    Why is Air invisible?

    Air is a mixture of gases, mainly nitrogen and oxygen with small molecules (particles) that are far apart.Wavelengths of light may pass by these molecules without hitting them. When they do bump a

    molecule, it absorbs some colour and scatters some, spreading it out in all directions. But this is too

    little to reach our eyes for us to notice, thus making air appear invisible.

    Why do distant Objects look smaller?

    The easiest way to understand this is by thinking about something called your field of view. This is how much you can see, without turning your head. When things are closer to you, they take up more of your field of view, so they seem bigger. When they’re further away, they take up less of your field of view, and so seem smaller.

    Why are vehicle Taillights usually coloured red?

    Functionally red light has less effect on human low light vision than any other visible colour. Red tail

    and brake lights are highly recognisable to the Rod cells in our eyes, while higher wavelength colours like green or blue are harder to distinguish.

    -Team ScienceNow

  • Believe it or not

    Believe it or Not…

    Let’s know some incredible facts… unbelievably true…

    • You are taller in the morning than you are at night! The reason being when you sleep, your spine is no longer subjected to the pressures of gravity.
    • Scientists can locate colonies of penguins from space just by looking for dark ice patches of penguin poop!
    • After a year in space, astronaut Scott Kellys genetic makeup changed so drastically that his

    DNA no longer matches his twin brother!

    • Albert Einstein’s eyes are in a safe deposit box in New York city!
    • Firefighters in Dubai tackle blazes in high-rise buildings and bridges wearing jetpacks!
    • The US Military is developing Robotic Horses to carry heavy equipment into battle!
    • Solar flare explosions of energy on the surface of the sun can be 100,000 times more powerful than all the nuclear weapons on Earth!

    -Team ScienceNow

  • FILM REVIEW – Avatar

    FILM REVIEW – Avatar

    James Cameroon’s Avatar is not simply a sensational entertainment; it is a technical breakthrough.
    The story unfolds sometime around 2154 when the earth is on the threshold of ecological doom. The
    only solution is a mineral called Unobtainium, found in abundance in Pandora. To get this mineral, the US Armed Forces’ scientific team works towards creating humanoids (human beings whose DNAs are manipulated to make them hybrids) that resemble the Na’vis—pale blue creatures with thin, elongated bodies, wide-set eyes and a flat nose and let them loose in Na’vi land, to persuade the natives to leave their land.

    The film takes us deep into Pandora with Jake Sully (Sam Worthington), a former marine who is
    crippled by war. As Cameron surges through the creeks, plateaus, fuming water streams and twinkling bushes with Jake, the film gathers momentum and ends in a catastrophic, morally loaded end.

    -Team ScienceNow

  • Future is AI

    Future is AI

    Artificial Intelligence is revolutionizing everything from manufacturing to transportation to healthcare, and as these technologies develop further, they will have wide–ranging effect on our work, our lives, society and policymaking….

    AI

    To mark its 24th anniversary, Denver International Airport in Colorado installed a new talking gargoyle that uses Artificial Intelligence (AI) to interact with passengers.

    Close to us we have Amazon’s Alexa, Apple’s Siri and other such devices that uses AI to keep us updated on latest news, sports, weather or any other information.

    UAE becomes the first country to have an AI minister.

    These are just few examples of how AI will change the way we see things in the future. Many people believe that AI is yet to come, but they’re not aware it is already present in today’s world. The new iPhones use AI for its feature ‘facial recognition’; many video games available in the market today use AI extensively; both Netflix and YouTube use AI to recommend movies and videos. In plain words, AI is already a common component in a number of technologies we use today.

    So what is AI?

    Today’s machines like supercomputers can see things into the future like dark matter, universe, ailments and diseases, etc. which are far beyond the imagination of human beings. Supercomputers are already powering blackhole research and working on a number of unproven theories which humans were unable to answer for so many years.

    A case in study is the IBM’s Supercomputer ‘Watson’ which is able to detect cancer much better than the veteran doctors, and algorithms are helping companies to know about their products and how it is faring online. In fact these are just some of the examples how technology or AI have come into our life which we hardly paid attention to.

    In short, AI refers to machines that can learn, think, and act accordingly. When faced with new situations these machines can make their own decisions, similarly to that of humans. AI revolutionizing industries

    Let’s look at the advances of Artificial Intelligence in major industries:

    Agriculture –

    According to the latest UN report, by 2050, there will be 2 billion more people on our planet and feeding these additional mouths will definitely pose a challenge for the governments. This is where the farmers are turning to Artificial Intelligence to produce more food using less resources. This includes using the right kind of crops that will yield returns, detecting pests, applying autonomous machinery for faster sowing and harvesting, monitoring soil and crop health, forecasting weather changes and environmental impacts.

    Healthcare –

    Of late we have seen many digital technology companies like Apple, IBM, Google and Microsoft who have entered into the healthcare industry. Their aim is to provide better and faster health services through mining medical records, thereby transforming the industry. A simple example is the IBM ‘Watson’ which has revolutionized the way doctors can diagnose and give treatment to a patient; working just like a human doctor.

    Automobile –

    With the evolution of latest technological advancements like GPS, radar, hi-tech camera, AI etc. the concept of driverless cars is slowly turning into reality! Auto giant BMW is optimistic that their driverless car called ‘i-Next’ will hit the roads in the next 2 years. Toyota’s autonomous car named ‘Yui’ will have a number of features like driving habits, roads travelled and even gauge emotional experience of the driver during the ride. Interestingly, other companies like Tesla, Google, Mercedes-Benz, Ford… are also investing huge amount of money in developing autonomous cars.

    Manufacturing –

    AI will have the biggest impact on the manufacturing industry. Robots have already made their presence felt in manufacturing automation. A simple case is the China-based mobile phone company that earlier had over 600 human workers. But after the recent AI automation, the company now employs only 50 workers who work in tandem with 50 robot arms and this has led to cent percent increase in productivity and over 80% drop in defects – thanks to AI automation.

    Limitless future

    Modern society is all set for transformation – thanks to the emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, advanced robotics, supercomputers that are revolutionizing everything from manufacturing to transportation to health care. And as these technologies develop, they will have wide– ranging effect on our work, our lives, society and policymaking. And if we are ready to fully accept these technologies in our lives, then we need to be think about how to use these technologies best to our benefits, while limiting the risks to humanity as we go along.

    –Noel Fernandez

  • SMART DUST – The Future of Surveillance

    SMART DUST  – The Future of Surveillance

    With technology ruling our lives, we have become dependable on a variety of systems to function through the day. More so, virtual assistants like Google Home or Alexa help us wake up, keep us updated, remind us of our schedules and even entertain us.

    So the minute we step out, motion sensors detect our every move with apps suggesting either a faster route to our commute or a nearby restaurant for a quick bite. In a way, sensors, sense our every move!

    All thanks to Smart dust – the technology that connects us with everything….

    What is Smart dust?

    Smart dust are tiny computers that are designed to function together as a wireless sensor network. These tiny computers are smaller than grains of sands and are spread across a selected area to perform tasks. The sensors use radio-frequency for identification purposes and draws energy from air.

    Technically, Smartdust is a system of tiny microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) that can detect light, temperature, vibration, magnetism or chemicals. Smart dust uses GPS receivers to track movements as they float in air.

    Does Smart dust indicate Artificial Intelligence?

    We are surrounded by sensor mechanisms all through the day. These sensors are connected via radio-frequency to everything around us. With these sensors floating in the air, it could easily get access and monitor anything and everything, from movements, temperature, velocity, position, sound and even brainwaves. These Smart Dust sensors thus monitor real world happenings, without disturbing the natural order. This makes Smart Dust a very powerful tool of artificial intelligence.

    How can Smart dust be a technology revolution?

    Smart Dust transforms the way the environment is monitored. When used in tandem with related technologies, it could bring a change in the way things, places, people, etc. are monitored. To collect continuous, accurate and real-time data, it can be positioned anywhere and everywhere by enabling the monitoring and controlling environment. Also, these self-powered sensors transmit information to a central computer or cloud where the collected data is studied through systems.

    What makes Smart dust an effective technology?

    Smart dust is majorly used in industries to improve safety and efficiency. It helps reduce the costs of systems and set-up as it is based on wireless network, thereby increasing its efficiency. Smart dust is primarily used for military purpose to monitor activities in unreachable areas, helping soldiers track enemy movements or even alert them about dangerous biological matter, poisonous gas or radioactivity in the environment.

    Smart dust plays a crucial role in monitoring purposes for factories and offices, where data could be collected through a computerized network. This would eliminate wired routers, thereby replacing them with smart dust chips which could manage hardware and software functions more efficiently. Smart dust can also be used to monitor crops and help increase its productivity.

    How does Smart dust make surveillance a threat?

    From human spies to digital bugs, surveillance through smart technology is just a beginning. Smart dust was originally developed for military applications. But today most upcoming devices are created with sensors.

    A prime example of this evolution would be Amazon Echo – a brand of smart speakers launched by the world’s largest retailer. The device could actually act like a spy sitting right in your living room, sensing your every move and communication without any clue

    -Noel Fernandez

     

  • Bharat – Ek Khoj Varahamihira

    Bharat – Ek Khoj – Varahamihira

    India has been the cradle of many scientific discoveries. Here we profile an Indian

    scientist and one ancient Indian technology…

    Varahamihira, also called Varaha or Mihira, was an Indian philosopher, astronomer, and mathematician. He is the author of the Pancha-siddhantika (“Five Treatises”) – a collection of Greek, Egyptian, Roman, and Indian astronomy. He made great contributions in the fields of hydrology, geology and ecology. He was one of the first scientists to claim that termites and plants could be the indicators of the presence of underground water. He gave a list of six animals and 30 plants, which could indicate the presence of water.

    In the history of Science, he was the first to claim that some “force” might be keeping bodies stuck to the earth. This force is now called gravity.

    Varahamihira was the first to mention and explain how each planet in the solar system has been created by and centered on the sun. The earthquake cloud theory given by Varahmihira devoted to signs of earthquakes is another important contribution to the world of science. He tried to relate earthquakes to the influence of planets, undersea activities, underground water, unusual cloud formation and abnormal behaviour of animals.

    Do you know?

    Varahamihira predicted the presence of water on Mars nearly 1500 years ago!

    -Team ScienceNow

  • Ancient Vigyan – Natural Cooling Effect

    Ancient Vigyan – Natural Cooling Effect

    The architects of ancient India designed monuments with natural cooling systems. Rajasthan’s Hawa

    Mahal is a perfect example of how the interiors served as natural coolers without the use of electricity….

    Hawa Mahal also known as Palace of Winds is one of finest tourist attractions of Jaipur city. This beautiful pink sandstone palace was built by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh around 300 years ago. Its unique five-storey exterior resembles the honeycomb of a beehive. It has 953 small windows called jharokhas decorated with intricate latticework. The purpose of the lattice design was to allow royal ladies observe everyday life, festivals celebrated in the street below.

    The latticework lets in cool breeze into the area due to the Venturi effect in Physics, creating almost an air-conditioning like effect during peak summers. The jharokhas serve as a device that generates wind for those who stand inside. The air blown through is compressed and is reflected through the windows – very similar to the ordinary laws which govern a modern-day air-conditioner.

    Do you know?

    The “Venturi effect” is a physical principle according to which a fluid that moves inside a pipe or channel increases or decreases its pressure according to its speed.

    -Team ScienceNow

  • The Fishery Science

    The Fishery Science

    If you have love for marine life and the sea, then Fishery Science is one of the most rewarding

    careers for you…

    Fishery Sciences is quite an exciting career choice in India. Our country is blessed with more

    than 8000 km of coastline, and is among the seventh largest exporter of fishes. Moreover, the cuisines and cultures in this country are heavily based on fish and seafood. Though fishery science is not so popular in India, it is quite exciting and rewarding, especially for those who have interest in marine life.

    Role of a Fishery Scientist

    As a fishery scientist, your job is not limited to just experimenting in a research laboratory, but also

    having to work in fish farms and seas. Assessing the impact of change in habitat on fishes and

    developing new modules for their sustainability is also your job as a fishery scientist. You will have to

    study fish and fauna and work on various projects mainly focusing on the effects of human activities on aquatic life. In addition, you will have to create hatcheries and breed fishes in ponds and make sure it reaches marketable size. But the biggest challenge as a fishery scientist is to develop innovative ideas and technologies for use in aquaculture like aerators, pumps, feeding equipment etc.

    Job Opportunities

    As a fishery scientist, you can find openings in government organisations, State Departments of

    Agriculture and agencies such as the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI). A number

    of commercial entities have also entered the area of fish food processing and marketing, for which

    individuals specialised in Fish Processing Technology or Fisheries Resources and Management are

    desired.

    Apart from this, as a fishery scientist, you can work in various institutions across the country that

    conducts courses in Fisheries and Aquatic Resource research. And if you have good research skills,

    you can find employment in institutes like the Central Institute of Fisheries Technology (CIFT), the

    National Fisheries Development Board etc. Your expertise will also be sought in creating Oceanarium

    or a public aquarium. Self-employment is another option as you can set up your own private hatchery, given that the population of fish and water animals is fast depleting with industrial and urban wastes polluting seawater. You can also find opportunities in various associated fields such as aquaculture, fish nutrition, fish pathology, fish genetics and biotechnology.

    Qualifications Required

    There are various undergraduate and postgraduate courses available in the field of Fisheries. After

    completing 10+2 with Biological Science as one of the subjects, Fishery Science can be studied at the

    BSc level. You can also do your MSc in Fishery Science after completing your BSc in Zoology. Your

    knowledge of Biology, Chemistry and Physics will regularly be drawn upon in your study of Fishery

    Science. Selection process for admission in various universities/colleges is either through university

    level exam (CUSAT) or state level entrance examination.

    Skills Needed

    The first thing you will need before you jump into this exciting career is a love for marine life and the

    sea. Preferably sea sickness should not be your weakness as it can be a gamechanger. Importantly

    you should have a scientific temperament for research as most of the work will be research-based.

    Managerial skills can be of great benefit as the industry is directly related to money.

    In broad terms Fisheries is a vibrant sector that has many facets including aquaculture, gears,

    navigation, oceanography, aquarium management, fish breeding, processing, export and import of

    seafood, special products and by-products, research and related activities. Also, with India being the

    fourth largest producer of fish in the world, a career in Fishery Science offers great opportunities.

    Colleges/ Institutes offering courses in Fishery Science

    • Central Institute of Fisheries Education, Mumbai
    • Central Inland Capture Fisheries Research Institute, Barrackpore
    • Post Graduate College of Fisheries, Hyderabad
    • National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources, Lucknow
    • College of Fishery Science, Nagpur
    • College of Fishery Science, Tuticorin, TN
    • Gujarat Agriculture University, College of Fisheries, Krushinagar

    -Team ScienceNow

  • The Science of Foot Care – PODIATRY

    The Science of Foot Care

    PODIATRY

    Though the carvings on entrance of Ankmahor’s tomb dated about 2400 BC happen to be the first known depiction of hands and feet care, more recently we have records of the King of France appointing a personal podiatrist. So also, we know of a dedicated podiatrist being appointed by the President of United States, Abraham Lincoln, to care for his feet. By the 20th Century, Podiatry gained significant popularity as an independent stream of healthcare in the West….

    The first society of Podiatrists were established in New York in 1895, and the same continues to operate even today as NYSPMA. In an era of health specialty and super-specialty, Podiatry as a profession has been gaining wider attention and acceptance by healthcare givers and seekers, alike. Here let’s try and understand as to what makes this trade so popular?

    Who is a Podiatrist ?

    A Podiatrist is a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM), a physician/surgeon who treats the foot, ankle, and related structures of the leg. A Podiatrist doesn’t go to the conventional medical school, instead they have an independent professional association and schools that provide foot related medical training.

    What does a Podiatrist do ?

    As medical specialists, Podiatrists work on problems that affect our feet or lower legs. They can do surgery, reset broken bones, prescribe drugs, and order lab tests or X-rays…They can treat injuries as well as complications affecting the health of one’s feet or lower legs.

    Why is Podiatry growing in popularity ?

    Feet are complex anatomical structures, all-in-one stabilizers, shock absorbers, and propulsion engines that are instrumental to overall health and well-being. Undoubtedly, they require expert care, and this awareness is gaining greater acceptance with the GenNext. Moreover, as some podiatrist also specialise in different areas of foot medicine – wound care, sports medicine, diabetes, paediatric, sprains, arthritis, ulcers, foot prosthetics… the profession is gaining in popularity.

    When should one visit a Podiatrist ?

    -Dr Shobha Tawde

  • Kalpavruksha Pots

    Kalpavruksha Pots

    Heavily dependent on the use of thin plastic bags for planting sapling, the Forest Department of Chhota Udepur (Gujarat) were struggling for options to make its district Plastic-Free. An off-the-cuff suggestion of its District Collector has not only helped rid the forest of plastic, but has set a new precedent for many to follow, and in the process saving the country crores in unwarranted expenses….

    The Department elaborates, “During our routine cleanliness drive we collect many empty Coconut shells and are required to dispose them in an eco-friendly manner. It was proposed to use the empty shells to rear the plants as it will help manage waste and also reduce the dependence on plastic bags.”

    The Social Forestry division decided on testing the idea, planting 1500 saplings of Basil, Sevan and Nilgiri, and the rest is history.

    How Coconut shells were used for Plantation?

    As the re-use of empty Coconut shells as a ‘planting’ material at the Department’s nursery became a

    norm, the team went about fine-tuning the entire plantation process of the sapling. The shells were

    carefully chopped at the bottom prior to planting them into the soil pit so as to allow the root to grow beyond the shell into the soil.

    What are the advantages of using this method?

    Coconut shells being bio-degradable, it did not adversely affect the plant. On the contrary, as the

    Coconut shells slowly degenerated into the soil, the coco coir and peat derived from it could be a critical source of nutrients for the plant’s healthy growth. The husk of the shell acts as a sponge holding water ten times of its weight in the root zone. So, the plant is able to use it when it needs it the most. At the same time, as the husk has the ability to soak in so much water, it also helps get rid of excess water so that the plant doesn’t become waterlogged.

    Why Coconut husk and peat are better mediums for plantation?

    Recent studies have found the Coconut husk and peat to be a better medium for plantation than soil, on several accounts.

    • The husk contains high lignin content that makes it naturally resistant to bacterial and fungal

    growth.

    • The husk being highly porous in nature, the plants happen to be free from soil borne pest and the roots are comparatively healthy on account of higher supply of oxygen.
    • Farming on Coconut husk does not require tilling, fumigation and pulling of weeds as required in the case of soil based farming.
    • Coconut husk based plantation may be best bet for rooftop gardening as its weight is less and owing to high water retention properties of the fibre the excess water does not flow out of the pots.
    • Coconut husk can be continuously used for more than 10 years and low on maintenance cost, making it economically feasible.
    • The fact that a single Coconut tree produces an upward of 150 coconuts per year, Coconut

    shells/husk and peat would always be readily available for plantation.

    At a time, when the entire world is moving towards eco-friendly and sustainable means of plantation to limit the damage to the environment, Coconut shells could be one renewable source of growing

    material.

    Moreover, it may probably be the only tree which is virtually free from the use of pesticides and

    insecticides for maintaining good health; thus making these input materials organic in nature.

    Importantly, the by-products of the Coconut plant are rich in natural hormones that act as bio-stimulants and have several vital nutrients like Iotassium, iron, Manganese, Copper and Zinc, which are very beneficial for plant growth. Also, the fact that Coconut husk and peat releases these nutrients very slowly, the plants grown in this medium can feed on these nutrients on an ongoing basis over a longer duration…

    Undoubtedly, Coconut is truly a Kalpavruksha as each part of the tree is of some use.

    -Manoj Mahanta