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Exploding star not as normal as initially thought

Fri, 25 Jul 2008 11:51:00 -0400

Astronomers have indicated that a recent supernova may not be normal as initially thought, with the star that exploded now understood to have collapsed into a black hole, producing a weak jet, typical of much more violent events, the so-called gamma-ray bursts.

The object, SN 2008D, is thus probably among the weakest explosions that produce very fast moving jets.

This discovery represents a crucial milestone in the understanding of the most violent phenomena observed in the Universe.

Stars that were at birth more massive than about 8 times the mass of our Sun end their relatively short life in a cosmic, cataclysmic firework lighting up the Universe.

The outcome is the formation of the densest objects that exist, neutron stars and black holes.

When exploding, some of the most massive stars emit a short cry of agony, in the form of a burst of very energetic light, X- or gamma-rays.

On 9th January 2008, the NASA/STFC/ASI Swift telescope discovered serendipitously a 5-minute long burst of X-rays coming from within the spiral galaxy NGC 2770, located 90 million light-years away towards the Lynx constellation.

“What made this event very interesting is that the X-ray signal was very weak and ‘soft’, very different from a gamma-ray burst and more in line with what is expected from a normal supernova,” said Paolo Mazzali of INAF’s Padova Observatory and MPA.

But, Mazzali and his team think otherwise.

“Our observations and modeling show this to be a rather unusual event, to be better understood in terms of an object lying at the boundary between normal supernovae and gamma-ray bursts,” he said.

“These are supernovae produced by stars that have lost their hydrogen and helium-rich outermost layers before exploding, and are the only type of supernovae which are associated with (long) gamma-ray bursts,” explained Mazzali.

Over the years, Mazzali and his group have developed theoretical models to analyse the properties of supernovae.

When applied to SN2008D, their models indicated that the progenitor star was at birth as massive as 30 times the Sun, but had lost so much mass that at the time of the explosion the star had a mass of only 8-10 solar masses.

The likely result of the collapse of such a massive star is a black hole.

According to Massimo Della Valle, co-author, “Since the masses and energies involved are smaller than in every known gamma-ray burst related supernova, we think that the collapse of the star gave rise to a weak jet, and that the presence of the Helium layer made it even more difficult for the jet to remain collimated, so that when it emerged from the stellar surface the signal was weak.” (ANI)

Soon, water with life-sustaining coenzyme CoQ10

Fri, 25 Jul 2008 11:50:00 -0400

A team of experts at the University of California, Santa Barbara — including Indian-origin post-doctoral researcher Subir Ghorai — says that recent advances in chemistry may make it possible to solubalize the life-sustaining coenzyme CoQ10 into water.

"If you don''t know anything about it, that''s not surprising to me. Much of the public hasn''t heard of it," said Bruce Lipshutz, a professor of Chemistry at UC Santa Barbara.

"In a sense, I''m just a messenger. People need to not only know about CoQ10, they need to take it," he added.

Lipshutz revealed that just like vitamin C, CoQ10 is vital to survival.

He described it as a coenzyme that synthesized by and is present in cells, something that contrasts with a vitamin — like vitamin C — which is not made by the body.

Lipshutz said that both CoQ10 and vitamin C are "compounds of evolution".

"Everybody accepts the importance of vitamin C. The reason the public does not fully appreciate it is that there''s no Linus Pauling for CoQ10. There is no champion. CoQ is not really in that category of public awareness yet," he said.

It may be recalled that Nobel Prize-winning scientist Pauling was also an advocate for greater consumption of vitamin C.

Lipshutz pointed out that the production of CoQ10 inside the body decreases with age.

"Nature gave us, through 2.5 billion years of evolution, a number of fundamental anti-aging, free-radical scavengers that helped us to survive, on average, only to about 40 years of age, until modern medicine came along," he said.

He added that a large percentage of the body is made up of water, "but there are also the lipophilic portions of our cells that make up the non-aqueous part."

According to him, at some point in our evolution, the water-soluble antioxidant vitamin C was produced in vivo, or what would technically be "coenzyme C".

"(Eventually) a mutation took place that now prevents humans from making it. However, evolution chose not to mutate out CoQ10," he said.

Highlighting the importance of vitamin C, he said: "It''s essential for several cellular processes. For example, everyone knows about scurvy. You can last 30 days, maybe 60 days, as your cells deteriorate."

On the other hand, CoQ10 - much of which is in the mitochondria of our cells - is essential for cellular respiration and ATP (adenosine triphosphate) production.

"You wouldn''t last 30 minutes without CoQ10. Thus, evolution teaches us that CoQ10 is as important as vitamin C. But who''s teaching this to our aging population? Nobody," Lipshutz said

He revealed that nano-micelle-forming technology may make it possible to get CoQ10 into water.

He starts by putting a known, inexpensive molecule called PTS into water, which spontaneously forms a nanosphere about 25 nanometers (one nanometer is equal to one billionth of a meter) in diameter.

This sphere has a lipophilic portion tied to a hydrophilic portion through a linker. The lipophilic portion, which is actually vitamin E, goes to the center.

"The vitamin E portion associates in the middle with itself because it doesn''t have any solubility, any energy-lowering interactions, with the water around it. But the external or hydrophilic portion associates with water," Lipshutz said.

"So, on the outside is the water-loving portion, while the lipophilic, or grease-loving portion, is on the inside. When you add the CoQ, it says, ''Where would I rather be?'' Since like dissolves like, the CoQ10 goes inside the micelle. It''s 25 nanometers and it''s crystal clear. And, it''s stable at room temperature," the researcher added.

He said that this approach delivers twice the amount of the compound into the bloodstream, and the concentration in water can be adjusted.

According to him, this approach can be applied to a broad range of nutraceuticals, including omega-3s, carotenoids like lutein and beta-carotene, and resveratrol.

"We can also take pharmaceuticals, like Taxol, an anti-tumor agent, and put them into just water or saline using this PTS," he said.

Lipshutz hopes that when his processes are looked at on a much larger scale, a savings of metric tons of solvent, currently released into the environment, will be realized.

"We aim to get organic solvents out of organic reactions. And we''re already looking into next-generation possibilities. All of our green chemistry has come out of being able to put CoQ10 and other dietary supplements into water," he said.

The upcoming review ‘Transition Metal Catalyzed Cross-Couplings Going Green: in Water at Room Temperature’ will be published in Aldrichimica Acta in September. (ANI)

Elderly may need less sleep

Fri, 25 Jul 2008 11:48:00 -0400

Besides less intake of fatty and sugary foods, older adults need less sleep, says a new study, which found that healthy older people lose some capacity for sleep as they age.

The researchers reported that when asked to stay in bed for 16 hours in the dark each day for several days, younger people get an average of 9 hours of shuteye compared to 7.5 hours for older people.

"The most parsimonious explanation for our results is that older people need less sleep," said Elizabeth Klerman of Brigham and Women''s Hospital & Harvard Medical School.

"It''s also possible that they sleep less even when given the opportunity for more sleep because of age-related changes in the ability to fall asleep and remain asleep," she added.

The results of the study apply only to healthy individuals taking no medication and having no medical conditions or sleep disorders.

The study also found that most healthy people, and young people in particular, don''t get as much sleep as they need.

The idea that sleep changes markedly across the life span isn''t new. In fact, insomnia is a common complaint among older people. But whether age-related changes in sleep were due to changes in social factors, circadian rhythms, or shifts in an internal "set point" for sleep need or the ability to sleep had remained unresolved.

In the study, the researchers set out to compare the capacity for sleep in young people (between the ages of 18 and 32) compared to older people (age 60 to 72) under conditions that controlled for circadian rhythms by allowing the chance to sleep during both the night and the day and by controlling individual choices in sleep opportunities.

"While humans can sometimes override the homeostatic set point and not sleep when tired, there is no evidence that they can sleep when they are not tired," Klerman said.

Given the same amount of time in bed, older people take longer to fall asleep and sleep for less time than younger people do, they found. When required to remain in bed for 16 hours a day, older people slept 1.5 hours less on average than younger people, they showed.

That age-related decline in sleep included an even split between rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, which is associated with dreaming, and non-REM sleep, they found.

Most of the younger subjects slept for many more hours during the study than their usual self-selected sleep times. Given the evidence that insufficient sleep is associated with increased risk of accidents, errors, and metabolic changes similar to diabetes, Klerman emphasized that younger people should sleep more.

The findings may also influence treatment for insomnia in older people, Klerman said.

The study is published online on July 24th in Current Biology, a Cell Press publication. (ANI)

Body clock-metabolism link may offer diabetes, obesity treatments

Fri, 25 Jul 2008 11:47:00 -0400

Researchers at the University of California, Irvine found a molecular link between circadian rhythms, our own body clock, and metabolism – a discovery that will lead to treatments for diabetes, obesity and other related diseases.

Paolo Sassone-Corsi, Distinguished Professor and Chair of Pharmacology, and his colleagues have identified that an essential protein called CLOCK that regulates the body''s circadian rhythms, works in balance with another protein called SIRT1 that modulates how much energy a cell uses.

"This interplay has far-reaching implications for human illness and aging, and it is likely vital for proper metabolism," said Sassone-Corsi, one of the world''s leading researchers on circadian rhythms.

The study appears in the July 25 issue of Cell.

Circadian rhythms of 24 hours govern fundamental physiological functions in almost all organisms. The circadian clocks are intrinsic time-tracking systems in our bodies that anticipate environmental changes and adapt themselves to the appropriate time of day.

Disruption of these rhythms can profoundly influence human health and has been linked to metabolic disorders, insomnia, depression, coronary heart diseases and cancer.

In 2006, Sassone-Corsi identified that the protein CLOCK is an essential molecular gear of the circadian machinery.

Now, he and his colleagues have shown that the protein SIRT1 counterbalances the function of CLOCK. Even though SIRT1''s function differs from CLOCK''s, the two proteins interact, creating a bond that is finely regulated in the cell.

SIRT1 senses energy levels in the cell; its activity is modulated by how many nutrients a cell is consuming. It also helps cells resist oxidative and radiation-induced stress, and for this reason SIRT1 is known to help control the process of aging.

CLOCK and SIRT1 are both part of the epigenome, which consists of proteins existing in connection with a cell''s DNA that take external environmental factors and make the cell''s genes behave differently, even though those genes do not structurally change.

"When this balance between these two vital proteins is upset, normal cellular function can be disrupted. Because of the role these two enzymes play, changes in our sleep patterns or our diets can directly be translated into how our cells act,” said Sassone-Corsi. (ANI)

CID raids Asaram Bapu’s ashram in Ahmedabad

Fri, 25 Jul 2008 11:39:00 -0400

Four teams of CID Crime Branch on Friday raided the Ashram of Asharam Bapu in Ahmedabad.

The ashram in the Gujarat town has been in the headlines ever since the death of two children at its Gurukul.

Earlier on July 18, people of the city had observed a shutdown against the alleged shoddy probe into the death of the children.

The bodies of Dipesh Praful Vaghela, 10, and his cousin Abhishek Shantilal Vaghela, 11, were found in the riverbed near the Asharam Bapu’s Ashram on the outskirts of the city on July 6. The bodies were recovered two days after the boys were reported to be missing.

It was alleged that the two boys were killed and thrown into the river after some esoteric ritual at the ashram. Police are yet to search a cellar in the ashram, which is studiously guarded by white robed men. (ANI)

Kalmadi hopeful of India wining medals in tennis, boxing and shooting

Fri, 25 Jul 2008 11:39:00 -0400

Indian Olympic Association President Suresh Kalmadi wants athletes to win medals in boxing, tennis and shooting in Beijing Olympics.

Addressing a send-off ceremony for the first batch of the 57-member contingent, Kalmadi said here that he hoped the ''Indian Express'' pair of Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi would put behind their conflicts and strike it big in Beijing.

He said: “I''m happy that Bhupathi is teaming up with Leander. They have done their national duty. I wish them all the best.”

"I''ve my hopes on Sania Mirza also. She and Sunitha Rao can pull off a surprise in Beijing," he said.

He said India had fair chances of winning medals in shooting with a nine-member contingent spearheading the Indian challenge.

"Hopefully we''ll win medals in Beijing. The shooters are right on top of the list and I''m expecting the boxers as well to win there. We have strong chance in archery and then of course you have tennis doubles," the IOA chief said.

Kalmadi said the Indian contingent, accompanied by 42 support staff, would depart in batches.

Gunning for an Olympic medal, ace marksman Manavjit Singh said he would not shy from spilling blood on the shooting range if that ensures a podium finish in Beijing.

Manavjit said: "We will not return from Beijing with a drop of blood in our body for we would have spilled it in the shooting range there."

He also said for long, athletes have been subjected to unfair treatment from all quarters with all the adulation reserved for an ‘obvious sport’.

"Just when Olympic approached, we were plucked out of practice grounds, dusted and instructed to win medal for the country. When we failed, we are asked to explain reasons and all sort of things were written about us. Fortunately, things have finally changed," he said. (ANI)

One militant killed in encounter with police in Tripura

Fri, 25 Jul 2008 11:38:00 -0400

One All Tripura Tiger Force (ATTF) militant was killed at Khowai in an encounter between the police and the militant group today.

The encounter occurred around 4 a.m. The police party laid an ambush at Ganda Basti after receiving a tip off that a group of armed ATTF extremists were in the area.

On being challenged by the Police party, ATTF extremists opened fire.

Extremists fled away leaving the dead body of one extremist with bullet injuries. Police also recovered AK-81 rifle -1, Magazine-03, AK-series live Rds -71, Camera – 1 and other incriminating papers of ATTF extremists from the spot.

The body of extremist was identified as Kashiram Reang (41).

This is the second successful police operations in Khowai sector during this week. On July 20, the police recovered one AK-66 rifle with ammunition near Tuihaching

An Improvised Explosive Device (IED) explosive was recovered in Jamirlong forest area, and Assam Rifles personnel recovered a. 38 revolver and another .22 revolver.

Earlier a National Liberation Front of Tripura (NLFT) extremist namely Manindra Debbarma (35) along with two collaborators Maba Kishore Jamatia (38) and Mukta Ch. Jamatia (35) surrendered before officer in-charge Killa SB camp at Killa.

During surrender they deposited two CMG. (ANI)

Police seize Bangladesh bound contraband in Tripura

Fri, 25 Jul 2008 11:38:00 -0400

The Tripura Police in an anti-narcotic drive seized thousands of bottles of contraband cough syrup near Amtali being smuggled to Bangladesh.

Sub-Inspector of Police Mihir Roy said, “Based on secret information, we intercepted two lorries from Patna loaded with banned cough syrup bottles which were entering Bangladesh through Bishalghar. We laid a trap and were successful in seizing the consignment worth more than Rs 30 lakh.”

Both the trucks coming from Bihar entered Tripura through Assam. The trucks seemed to be loaded with onion but under the sacks of onion were hundreds of cartons of Phensedyl, a cough syrup which is used as a substitute for liquor.

Arrested truck driver Hardev Rai informed that he was bringing the consignment from Patna and was unaware of any contraband.

Dhaka has been charging New Delhi that it is intentionally overlooking the smuggling of Phensedyl to Bangladesh.

India has been making efforts to prevent the smuggling of contraband and the present catch is one of the biggest in the recent times. Phensedyl is a very lucrative item as the price rises from 50 rupees in Tripura to around 200 rupees in Bangladesh. (ANI)

Patil inaugurates project to make President Estate environmental friendly

Fri, 25 Jul 2008 11:37:00 -0400

President Pratibha Devisingh Patil today inaugurated the “Roshini Project”, to make Rashtrapati Bhavan green and environment friendly, on the occasion of completing one year in office.

President Patil said that this Project will add another dimension to the President’s Estate and urged the residents to take part in the Project to make it a success.

She said the environment is a subject of great discussion around the world and this is a timely project contributing to the improvement of environment.

The President stressed that every individual has the responsibility to pass on a better world to the next generation.

The “Roshini Project”, is an initiative that aims at making the President’s Estate a green and an environmental friendly place in which good practices of conservation and efficient use of resources are encouraged and which can be an ideal for other townships in the country.

The programmes of water conservation, waste-water recycling, promotion of eco-friendly products, protection of environment, judicious use of non-renewable sources of water/energy and promotion of renewable sources, protection of our flora and fauna are all aimed at not only making the quality of life for the resident’s of the President''s Estate, more meaningful and better but also to showcase these to the visitors. A Nature Trail is also planned under this project.

This endeavour is a part of a bigger initiative to create awareness amongst citizens on the larger issues of climate change and its impact on plants. (ANI)

‘Centre had warned Karnataka in advance about terrorist attacks’

Fri, 25 Jul 2008 11:35:00 -0400

Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Sriprakash Jaiswal today said that the Centre had forewarned the Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh governments about Bangalore and Hyderabad being possible terrorist targets.

“The Intelligence Bureau had received inputs that terrorists could target the cybercities of Hyderabad and Bangalore. Both the state governments were told to be on high alert,” he said.

Jaiswal said the main aim of the serial blasts in Bangalore was to “spread terror.”

The Centre is in touch with the state government and ready to offer all possible help, he added.

At least three people were killed and 20 injured in seven serial blasts that hit Bangalore city this afternoon.

The blasts took place between 2.30 p.m. and 4.00 p.m. at the Madivala bus stop, Hossur road, Adugudi, Koramangla, Mysore Road and Nayadahalli.

Bangalore Police commissioner, Shanker Bidri confirmed seven blasts that rocked the Bangalore city and said that a timer triggered the low intensity crude bombs.

Schools, colleges, cinema halls and commercial complexes have been shut down.

High alert has been sounded in other metros and State capitals.

The injured have been admitted to the St Johns Hospital in Bangalore. (ANI)