* 27 films win awards at BIFFes

The awards were presented for films released in 2020 and 2021

The 13th edition of the Bengaluru International Film Festival (BiFFes) drew to a close on Thursday with 27 films winning awards in three categories – Asian, Kannada and Indian. The awards were presented for films released for two years, 2020 and 2021, as the festival was not held last year due to the pandemic. Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot presided over the event and presented the awards. 

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* IISc-Bangalore develops paper sensor to detect hydrogen peroxide

Researchers from the Department of Organic Chemistry at the IISc have developed a paper-based sensor for detecting tiny volumes of hydrogen peroxide, a chemical used widely in household and healthcare products like hand sanitiser as a disinfectant, in rocket fuel as a propellant, in biological cells, and also as a starting material in peroxide-based explosives. 

* Hilton Garden Inn launched in Bengaluru

As the markets are coming out of the clutches of the Covid-19 pandemic, the hospitality industry is looking forward to a bright future, said Navjit Ahluwalia, Senior Vice President and Country Head of Hilton in India.

“As we come out of the pandemic and look forward to a brighter future for the hospitality industry, our commitment to grow our estate in India remains on track,” Ahluwalia said on March 1 in connection with the opening of the first hotel property under the Hilton Garden Inn brand, a budget property, in Bengaluru at Embassy Manyata Business Park.

SCIENCE : Scientists of IISc, India and QBI, Australia have devised new Math Model to predict Coronavirus Vaccine Efficacy

A mathematical model that predicts how antibodies made by COVID-19 vaccines protect against symptomatic infections has been developed by scientists at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru and the Queensland Brain Institute (QBI) in Australia.

A paper about the study was published in Nature Computational Science.

** ISRO inspires Channapatna rockets as engineers collaborate with artisans

The Indian Space Research Organisation offers its achievements in a language that connects, just in time for National Science Day, with DIY rocket models, Mangalyaan jigsaw puzzles, T shirts and more

“What we do is rocket science,” proclaims a tee-shirt. Created by Indic Inspirations for the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), the tee -shirt is a part of its Vyom collection. Most of the products, which include jigsaw puzzles based on Mangalyaan, rocket collectible matchboxes, mySpace PSLV notebooks and fridge magnets, come with a storyline.

“This collection is about ISRO’s achievements in space science and technology. We had to create a line that would interest a child and adults alike,” says Yogesh Dandekar, architect and chief product designer of Indic Inspirations. “India is doing a lot of work in space technology and people should know about this.” He adds that minute details on the models build up curiosity.

** New tech comes to Bengaluru cancer hospital

The Sri Shankara Cancer Hospital & Research Centre (SSCHRC) has added True Beam STX and Da Vinci technologies to the Radiotherapy and Robotic Surgery sections. Vice-Chancellor of Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences Dr MK Ramesh, who was present at the inauguration, said SSHRC provides a high level care at lower rates.

“Hospitals like SSCHRC must train nurses as they will be exposed to quality training. They must increase the intake of nurses. Installation of state-of-the-art surgical system and Trubeam STX is a crucial step towards bringing sophisticated medical technology to patients from all over South India.” Dr BS Srinath, head of the institution, said, “The two machines make cancer care targeted and precise. The patients get to access the latest surgical solution that is globally available.” Robotic-assisted surgery is a minimally invasive procedure that helps patients return to their daily routine faster. True beam STX emits photons for treating cancers and is accurate, giving physician confidence to treat small tumours. 

** BIC Hub’ba to celebrate city NGOs

It will be a two-day event to start from today in Domlur

Walk into Bangalore International Centre (BIC) over the weekend to familiarise yourself with a wide range of city-based Non Government Organisations (NGOs) working in sectors such as childcare, education, health, disability, climate change, waste, water, environment, and animal welfare. 

The annual BIC Hub’ba, which championed handicrafts in 2021, is back this time highlighting the work of city-based NGOs. The event, ‘B.Cause’, will see 72 NGOs put up their stalls. “We want people to appreciate the work of these NGOs. We want Bengalureans to get to know these organisations, engage with their work and explore how they can get involved through donating time, money and skills. Anyone wanting to contribute back to the city, will likely find a cause they are passionate about at the festival,” said V. Ravichandar of BIC.

There will also be workshops for both children and adults, a vegan market, Carnatic music and dance performances as well as the play, Desdemona Roopakam

** Christ University VC conferred Honorary Colonel Commandant rank

Dr. Fr Abraham Vettiyankal Mani, vice-chancellor of Christ (Deemed to be University) has been conferred the honorary rank of Colonel Commandant in the National Cadet Corps (NCC) by the Ministry of Defence. The pipping was done by Lt. Gen Gurbirpal Singh, AVSM, VSM, the Director General of NCC, at the Parachute Regiment Training Centre on Thursday.

“This privilege has been accorded to only three vice-chancellors from Karnataka and 11 in India in 2022 by the Ministry of Defence,” said a press release. This recognition is based on the contributions of the University to NCC with its cadets joining armed and paramilitary forces in significant numbers, the release added. 

* Student develops mini-oxygen plant in just eight months, all by himself

A 19-year-old engineering student has single-handedly invented a prototype of a mini-oxygen plant that produces up to 94.5 per cent pure oxygen and can be used in homes, hospitals as well as industries.

Called OxiPlant, the device works on the pressure swing adsorption (PSA) process.

It took Tejas P Karanji, a first-year student of electronics and communication engineering at PES University, all of eight months to conceptualise, design, fabricate and develop the product.