Category: Amazing Feats

INDIAN RECORDS: KARNATAKA: HEALTH & MEDICAL SCIENCES / SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY: Researchers at Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Develop Algorithm called (ReAl – LiFE) to Study Connectivity in Brain

Researchers at Indian Institute of Science (IISc.) have developed a new graphic processing unit (GPU) based machine learning algorithm called Regularised, Accelerated, Linear Fascicle Evaluation (ReAl – LiFE), which will help to obtain a better understanding and in the prediction of connectivity between different regions of human brain.

This algorithm can help analyse extensive data generated from diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging (dMRI) scans which helps scientists study the connectivity in the brain at a speed, which is 150 times higher than a regular desktop computer or existing state-of-the-art algorithms. The study has been published in the journal Nature Computational Science.

“Even though it is difficult to pinpoint the connectomes, we are trying to infer information highway network by looking at traffic flow patterns (if molecules are like cars). We look at the movement of water molecules in the brain and we try to infer where the wires are. The water molecules have to travel along the length of the cables (axons), which have connected various parts of the brain. By measuring these lengths of water molecules, we are able to infer which areas are connected,” explained Devarajan Sridharan, Associate Professor at the Centre for Neuroscience (CNS), IISc., and corresponding author of the study. 

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

INDIA RECORDS: KARNATAKA: PATENT – SCIENCE & BUILDING TECHNOLOGY: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY (NIT-K) Surathkal, Faculty Member T. Palaniswamy gets Patent for Producing Cement Mortar Brick having Self-Healing Property upon Cracking

A faculty member at the National Institute of Technology – Karnataka (NIT-K), Surathkal, has received an Indian patent for producing cement mortar brick with inclusion of bacteria in combination.

The brick thus made claims to be superior than the conventional ones in terms of strength and life of the structure and possess a self-healing property.

T. Palanisamy, an assistant professor in the Department of Civil Engineering at the institute, had applied for the patent in 2014 and it was granted in June 2022.

According to Mr. Palanisamy, microbialcreat composite is a new-age material with the property of self-healing upon cracking. This action is by the precipitation of lime (calcium carbonate) by the non-pathogenic bacteria used in the composite, upon coming into contact with air and water through the crack. The precipitated lime will cover the crack, thereby improving the stability of the surface.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

KARNATAKA FIRST: PARKS & GARDENS: State’s First Exclusive Park for Specially-Abled Children Inaugurated by Governor Gehlot at Bengaluru’s Jawaharlal Bal Bhavan (JBB), Cubbon Park

On Saturday, Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot inaugurated the State’s first disabled-friendly park in Jawaharlal Bal Bhavan (JBB), Cubbon Park, built for children with disabilities by Mindtree and Bal Bhavan Society.

Built at a cost of ₹3 crore under the guidance of health and child development experts, the park provides a safe, inclusive, and physiotherapeutic place where children with multiple forms of special abilities can play uninhibited by their mobility aids or the risk of accidents, officials said.

Designed in the shape of a turtle, the park consists of different zones for a wide range of physical, mental, therapeutic, and touch and feel activities. The park has a specially designed sand table for children on wheelchairs and a special swing. Tactile pathways make it easier for visually-challenged children to navigate their way around the park. To mitigate injuries from falls, all playing surfaces are made of a synthetic, non-toxic, and skid-proof rubber called EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomer).

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

GLOBAL BRAND: INDIA RECORDS: KARNATAKA : IKEA the Swedish Home Furnishing Brand Opens its 3rd Store in Bengaluru, India. Making it a Record as India’s Largest IKEA Store currently at Nagasandra. 22.06.2022

The 4,60,000 sqft store that will sell over 7,500 products is expected to attract close to 5 million visitors this year

IKEA, the Swedish home furnishing brand, will open its largest store in India at Nagasandra, next to the metro station, on June 22, said the company on Tuesday.

The store that would display over 7,500 items would employ over 1,000 people to start with and is expected to attract close to 5 million visitors this year.

The company also said it would invest ₹3,000 crore in Karnataka and a part of it has already been deployed in setting up a 4,60,000 sqft store, it said.

Speaking at a media conference, former IKEA India CEO Peter Betzel said that at the time of the groundbreaking ceremony four years ago, the then Chief Minister himself was keen to see the store up and running at the earliest if possible in a few months. Although the pandemic had delayed it a bit, the outlet was worth the wait as it was IKEA’s flagship store in the country, he added.

Addressing the media, current CEO Susanne Pulverer said India was an omni-channel country for Ikea like no other.

IKEA Nagasandra, set up on a patch of 12.2 acres of land, is the brand’s third large store in the country after Hyderabad and Mumbai. The fourth store, in Delhi-NCR, is currently under construction. The store also features a 1,000-seater restaurant that serves both Indian and Swedish cuisines.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

SOUTH ASIA RECORDS: KARNATAKA, AVIATION & AIRPORTS: Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport Bags’ 2022 Best Regional Airport in India & South Asia Award’ by Skytrax World Airport Awards, Paris, France

Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru (BLR Airport), on Friday said it has bagged the best regional airport in India and South Asia title in the 2022 Skytrax World Airport Awards.

The awards ceremony was held at Passenger Terminal EXPO in Paris, France, on June 16.

“The event is one of the most prestigious quality awards for the airport sector, with CEOs, Presidents, and senior management from airports across the world in attendance,” according to the statement.

source/content: deccanherald.com (headline edited)

KARNATAKA RECORDS: Karnataka’s First Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) Cell Inaugurated at JSS Academy of Higher Education and Research (JSS AHER), Mysuru

Focus would be on innovations, research

The JSS Academy of Higher Education and Research in the city in association with the Karnataka State Council for Science and Technology (KSCST) has established an Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) Cell.

It was inaugurated on Thursday and the objectives of the IPR Cell are to strengthen and expand human resources and institutions for training, research, and skill building in Intellectual Property (IP), to raise awareness about IP, catalyse commercialisation of IP, and to promote respect for IP rights.

The authorities said this would be a unique cell as the focus of this IPR cell at JSS AHER would be on innovations, IPR and commercialisation in the health sciences sector, medical devices, and patient care.

K.S.Rangappa, former Vice-Chancellor, University of Mysore, highlighted the importance of scientific research and outcomes in terms of IPR wherein he cited his own example of how out of the 7,000 molecules that he worked on, he could patent 12 products and 2 of these have been commercialised which are generating revenue for the IPR cell of the University of Mysore.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

INTERNATIONAL RECORDS: KARNATAKA, WOMEN’S RIGHTS: German City Bremen Honours Bengaluru’s Women’s Rights Activist Rukmini V P with the 17th Bremen Solidariy Award

The senate of Bremen, a city in Germany, has awarded the 17th Bremen Solidarity Award to Garment Labourer Union president Rukmini V P in recognition of her activism and contribution to the women’s rights movement.

The award, which carried a purse of 10,000 euros and a sculpture by Bremen artist Bernd Altenstein, was presented by Andreas Bovenschulte, Mayor of the Free Hanseatic City of Bremen.

The winner of the 17th prize was chosen for the “commitment to combat violence against women and girls” and Rukmini Vaderapura Puttaswamy, co-founder of Munnade and GLU was chosen for her work in the sector.

Previous winners of the award include Nelson and Winnie Mandela (1988), Aung San Suu Kyi (1994), Sumaya Farhat-Naser (Palestine) and Gila Svirsky (Isreal) in 2003.

source/content: deccanherald.com (headline edited)

INDIA RECORDS: KARNATAKA: Led by Prime Minister Modi, Mysuru Hosts the ‘8th International Day of Yoga , 21st June – India’s First Public Yoga Day Event Post-Pandemic Participated by 15,000-plus Participants

The iconic Mysuru palace served as the perfect backdrop to 15,000-plus enthusiasts led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to celebrate the 8th edition of International Day of Yoga after a two-year break.

Mysuru hosted the main event of the 8th edition of International Day of Yoga (IDY) with a mass yoga demonstration after a gap of two years.

It was the first International Day of Yoga (IDY) public event after the outbreak of COVID-19.

There have been no yoga demonstrations in public in India since 2020 due to curbs on mass gatherings owing to the Covid-19 pandemic.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

KARNATAKA RECORDS: HEALTH & MEDICAL SCIENCES: Free Life-Saving Heart Surgeries for 125 children with Heart Issues at Narayana Health City

In India, over 2.4 lakh children are born with a hole in the heart and Congenital Heart Disease is one of the most common causes of morbidity and mortality among children, said Devi Shetty.

Dr Devi Prasad Shetty, Founder and Chairman, Narayana Health City, said, “In India, over 2.4 lakh children are born with a hole in the heart and Congenital Heart Disease is one of the most common causes of morbidity and mortality among children. Though these ailments are treatable, 20% of the children die before celebrating their first birthday owing to economic constraints.”

He thanked Centum Electronic Limited whose donation of Rs 50 lakh made the surgeries possible. “We are confident initiatives like this will encourage greater participation and will help in addressing the situation better,” Dr Shetty said.

source/content: newindianexpress.com (headline edited)

KARNATAKA RECORDS: NATURE & CONSERVATION: Karnataka’s First Wild Orchidarium to come up at Forest Department’s Kali Tiger Reserve in Uttara Kannada

In an effort to conserve the wild orchid varieties of Karnataka, the forest department is all set to establish an orchidarium in Kali Tiger Reserve (KTR) of Uttara Kannada district.

The orchidarium is being constructed at Nujji vilage of Joida (Supa) taluk of the district and soon, it will be open for nature enthusiasts and visitors.

The building work has been completed and about 40 varieties of wild orchids that are found in KTR are being grown in the orchidarium.

In the coming days, most of the orchid varieties found in the Western Ghats will be added, said Sachin Anil Punekar, Conservation Biologist and Founder of Biospheres-Ecosphere who has been helping the KRT set up the orchidarium project.

The Western Ghats is home for a rich orchid population and a majority of them are found in the Kali Tiger Reserve, especially in the Anshi region of Uttara Kannada district. “Out of 170 orchid species that are found in Karnataka, 80 species are from the Anashi region alone. Nearly 20 wild orchids are endemic to this region only. The orchidarium will act as a rescue and rehab site for wild orchids,” Punekar said.

source/contents: newindianexpress.com (headline edited)