India, Records – Page 18 – Karnataka First

** JNCASR may have a cure for dementia

Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR) signs IP transfer agreement on molecule that can be potential drug candidate for dementia

Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR) signed two agreements with business establishments for transfer of two technologies from its research initiatives, on the eve of ‘Technology Day 2022’, on May 10. JNCASR is an autonomous institute in Bengaluru under the Department of Science and Technology of the Central Government.

One IP transfer agreement pertains to a molecule that could be a potential drug candidate for dementia. The other is for a robust, mobile group oxygen concentrator that can be used in remote settings and deployed in emergencies.

T Govindaraju, a scientist at the JNCASR, and his team have developed the molecule that could be a potential drug candidate to halt or cure the leading cause of dementia in 70 to 80% cases worldwide. This research work was patented and published in the journal Advanced Therapeutics and patented by the JNCASR. The research aimed to design and synthesise molecules that can reduce the toxicity of amyloid peptide — that accumulates in the central nervous system, it said.

** Centre recognises Karnataka’s progress in malaria eradication

The state health department has progressed from Category 2 to Category 1 status between 2015 and 2021.

The Union Health Department has awarded the State Department of Health and Family Welfare with a certificate of appreciation, in recognition of its performance towards malaria eradication. The state health department has progressed from Category 2 to Category 1 status between 2015 and 2021.

According to Dr Ramesh K Kaulgud, Joint Director-NVBDCP, Directorate of Health and Family Welfare Services, there were 7,381 cases of malaria in 2017, 5,289 in 2018, 3,499 in 2019, 1,701 in 2020 and 913 in 2021. Speaking about the achievement, Dr Ramesh said malaria prevention and control activities are implemented across the state as per the directives of National Centre for Vector Borne Disease Control, Government of India. The surveillance parameters as defined by the programme guidelines have been achieved, facilitating the state to progress towards the set goal of complete eradication.

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** Toyota signs MoU with State to invest ₹ 4,800 crore in new technologies

The investments are aimed at promoting greener technologies

Toyota Group of Companies will invest ₹4,800 crore in Karnataka for the local production of powertrain parts, components of electric vehicles, and also to boost innovation around electrification and greener technologies.

The companies signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of Karnataka to invest ₹4,100 crore on Saturday. Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) along with Toyota Kirloskar Auto Parts (TKAP) will put in ₹4,100 crore, while a related company, Toyota Industries Engine India (TIEI), will pitch in with another ₹700 crore later.

** Govt. doctor offers lunch at ₹10 to those visiting his CHC

Venugopal, medical officer at Holalur CHC in Shivamogga taluk, started the service during the pandemic

A overnment medical officer’s offer of lunch to patients and their attendants at his Community Health Centre (CHC) for as low as ₹10 per plate has received much praise from the public.

Dr. K.L. Venugopal, administrative medical officer at Holalur CHC in Shivamogga taluk, with the support of his staff, has been offering lunch to visitors since November 2020. This gesture is unique because the doctor and his staff are managing this programme on their own sources without depending on the government. The CHC has total staff strength of 32, including five medical officers.

** Indian environmental scientist elected to U.S. National Academy of Sciences

Conservation biologist Kamal Bawa has been elected to the U.S. National Academy of Sciences. Kamal Bawa is president of the Bengaluru-based Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and Environment (ATREE) as well as an elected fellow of the Royal Society (London) and the American Philosophical Society.

“The election is a reaffirmation of our important work on the ecology, conservation, and management of tropical forests that are declining all over the world but are critical to humanity’s well-being,” said Dr. Bawa.

A few years ago, Dr. Bawa brought together scientists from India’s leading institutions to develop the National Mission on Biodiversity and Human Wellbeing under the banner of the Biodiversity Collaborative. The effort was supported by the office of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India, and is currently funded by the Rohini Nilekani Philanthropies.

** Bengalureans training for ‘highest marathon in the world’

Ladakh marathon is back after two years, the event will be held from September 7 to 11

There are marathons, and then there is the Ladakh Marathon. Touted by the organisers to be the highest and amongst the toughest marathons comprising two ultra races – the 72-km Khardung La Challenge (5370 m) — the world’s highest ultra marathon — and the 122-km Silk Route Ultra — the ‘epitome of high-altitude running testing the limits of human endurance’.

Back after two years, the marathon will be held from September 7 to 11. Marathon runners in Bengaluru are training hard for the event.

Asif Ahmed, 37, an IT professional, said acclimatising to the climate and altitude is a necessity. He is focusing on training in the hills and is travelling to Ooty and Kodaikanal in Tamil Nadu, and increasing the mileage gradually. “If someone is a seasoned runner or ultra distance runner, six months training is enough,” he said, but added that ‘Ladakh is more difficult because of the altitude, temperature, and harsh weather’.

** IISc-Bangalore develops 3D print glove to aid physiotherapy for stroke victims

Physiotherapy is the often-used method to treat victims of stroke.

In a world where digitisation is becoming prevalent, the IISc has developed 3D printed gloves to help aid in long-distance physiotherapy for stroke patients. One of the leading causes of death in India, strokes are also known to be a major cause of disabilities.

Physiotherapy is the often-used method to treat victims of stroke. However, with the recent pandemic, in-person physiotherapy sessions for patients have been a challenge. “Physiotherapy often requires daily hospital visits. Home visits by professionals or sophisticated devices to monitor patients remotely, although ideal, are not readily available and are expensive,” the researchers said.

From the institute’s department of physics, the researchers developed a 3d printed glove that uses light to sense a patient’s movements. “We wanted to develop something affordable, and available to a person at all times at their convenience.

The product should be easy to use and must provide feedback,” says Aveek Bid, an associate professor of physics and one of the researchers.

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** Zero-waste hero

Meet the only urban farmer from Bengaluru who made it to the list of environmental changemakers by National Geographic India.

In 2007, Vani Murthy started composting at her Malleswaram home on a whim and posted details of her zero-waste lifestyle on Facebook. Today, the ‘worm rani’ as she is known, has a following of 23,80,000 on Instagram and has made it to the list of the ‘One for Change’ campaign by National Geographic India.

Bengaluru to make it to this list, Murthy says that there’s never been a day when she feels like she’s actually working. “I love all things trash — from composting to making things sustainable. That’s the only thing I never complain about, so I absolutely love what I do and I’m thrilled to be recognised for my passion.”

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** Just like old times

Musical duo Lucky Ali and Mikey McCleary, who first worked together on O Sanam, is collaborating again after almost 11 years for an album, Intezaar, the first song of which is out and trending.

Lucky Ali turns to music to express himself. He might never be in a hurry to create tunes, but Ali makes sure the wait is worth it. The singer is now out with his latest album Intezaar, which has touched over 2 million views.

Ali’s loungey music has always been popular among music lovers and Intezaar has something to it that makes it a crowd-puller too. The music of the album is by composer and long-time associate Mikey McCleary. The first time McCleary and Ali worked together was for the singer’s first album Sunoh in 1996, which created magic with the song O Sanam. The duo subsequently went on to work on many projects but is back together after a long break.

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** Victoria Hospital donates skin for acid attack victim

Plastic surgeons at St John’s Hospital in Bengaluru have sought skin for grafting for the 24-year-old acid attack victim, from the skin bank at Victoria Hospital. It is the first such bank in Karnataka and the second largest in the country.

While skin donation is not too well known, families of as many as 139 deceased people have donated skin of their kin to the skin bank, ever since it began six years ago. Yet, while the tertiary care burns unit at Victoria Hospital alone gets an average of five to six patients with second and third-degree burns per day, the gap between demand and donation is huge, as they use skin from their bank for their own patients, and there are also many requests from other hospitals.

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