Dust Storms Raised by Strong Winds on Titan

Dust Storms Raised by Strong Winds on Titan





Earth and Mars are well-known for their dust storms, but a new source of extraterrestrial dust storms is joining them: Saturn’s moon Titan.

Titan already shares unusual similarities to Earth: it is the only other place known to currently have stable liquid bodies at its surface. On Earth, water makes up our lakes and oceans; on Titan, it’s methane.

The evidence that Titan may also have dust storms dates from several Cassini flybys in 2009 and 2010. Cassini observed short-lived infrared bright spots in a dune-covered equatorial region.

After considering several other possible sources for these temporary bright spots, researchers concluded that the most likely explanation was dust clouds suspended by high winds.

This suggests that the dune fields on Titan are still actively changing, just like those on Earth and Mars!

vampire

What is a vampire burial?

Normally, this is a reference you would find in Gothic novels or discussions on medieval mythology.
Archaeologists have found ancient skulls with a rock clamped between the jaws, and this was
supposedly done to prevent the dead from returning as vampires.

 However, the recent discovery of a body of a 10­ year old at an ancient Roman site in Italy suggests measures were taken to prevent
the child, possibly infected with malaria, from rising from the dead and spreading disease to the
living.

 The skeletal remains, which were uncovered by archaeologists from the University of Arizona and Stanford University, along with archaeologists from Italy, included a skull with a rock
intentionally inserted into the mouth. It is also called the
‘Vampire of Lugnano’.

Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis, or TB, is an infectious bacterial disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which most commonly affects the lungs.

 It is transmitted from person to person via droplets from the throat and lungs of people with the active respiratory disease.

 India has the highest burden of TB with two deaths occuring every three minutes from tuberculosis (TB). But these deaths can be prevented. 

With proper care and treatment, TB patients can be cured and the battle against TB can be won.

The health services in India are based on the primary health care concept, and primary responsibility of the same lies with the States and Provinces. 

The RNTCP is a centrally sponsored scheme implemented through the general health system. RNTCP is an intervention to strengthen the general health system to implement optimal TB control activities.

 Various provisions including human resource and finances are made under the programme to strengthen the general health system to ensure effective implementation of TB control activities.

Dementia

Dementia is a syndrome, usually of a chronic or progressive nature, caused by a variety of brain illnesses that affect memory, thinking, behaviour and ability to perform everyday activities.

The number of people living with dementia worldwide is currently estimated at 47 million and is projected to increase to 75 million by 2030. The number of cases of dementia are estimated to almost triple by 2050.

Dementia is overwhelming not only for the people who have it, but also for their caregivers and families.

 There is a lack of awareness and understanding of dementia in most countries, resulting in stigmatization, barriers to diagnosis and care, and impacting carers, families and societies physically, psychologically and economically.

Eating walnuts may not cause weight gain

Eating walnuts may not cause weight gain, says study

A diet rich in walnuts may not lead to weight gain or increase the risk of obesity, a study conducted in healthy elders claims. The study, published in the journal Nutrients, found that healthy elders consuming nearly 300 calories of walnuts daily did not show any negative effects on body weight and composition.

The findings by researchers at Loma Linda University (LLU) in the US also expand the knowledge of how nuts can affect the independently living, predominantly healthy, elderly people. “There is a widespread fallacy that the fats in nut cause weight gain, and therefore could lead to issues such as obesity, or other weight-related health issues such as heart disease or diabetes,” said Edward Bitok, an assistant professor at Loma Linda University.

“The research, however, shows that nuts are a healthful snack,” Bitok said. During the study, healthy elders — with mean age of 69 years and 67 per cent women — were randomly assigned to walnut or control diets.

Subjects in the walnut group received packaged walnuts, about 28–56 grammes per day, to incorporate into their habitual diet, while those in the control group abstained from walnuts. After two years, no significant differences were noticed between the control and walnut groups regarding body weight or body fat, researchers said.

“Because of their high energy content, many people have believed the misconception that nuts cause unwanted weight gain, and avoid them altogether,” said Bitok. “This study helps us understand more about good fats versus bad fats and disproves the idea that the fats in nuts are unhealthy and cause weight-gain,” he said.

The study was a sub-study of the Walnuts and Healthy Aging Study (WAHA), the first large study to test if walnuts play a part in healthy ageing.

The WAHA study tested how daily consumption of walnuts was associated with age-related cognitive decline and macular degeneration in seniors.

Prior studies examining walnut consumption and body weight have focused on younger individuals and for shorter durations, researchers said.

Conference on Air Pollution

The first Global Conference on Air Pollution and Health


The conference is being held in collaboration with UN Environment, World Meteorological Organization (WMO), the Secretariat of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the Climate and Clean Air Coalition to Reduce Short-Lived Climate Pollutants (CCAC) and the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE).

Participants will include Ministers of Health and Environment and other national government representatives; representatives of intergovernmental agencies, health professionals, other sectors (e.g. transport, energy, etc.), as well as from research, academia and civil society.

The conference responds to a World Health Assembly mandate to combat one of the world’s most significant causes of premature death, causing some 7 million deaths annually. Air pollution in most cities exceeds recommended WHO Air Quality levels and household air pollution is a leading killer in poor rural and urban homes. Up to 1/3 of deaths from stroke, lung cancer and heart disease are due to air pollution.

Affordable strategies exist to reduce key pollution emissions from the transport, energy, agriculture, waste and housing sectors. Health-conscious strategies can reduce climate change and support Sustainable Development Goals for health, energy and cities.

The conference agenda is available on the website link below. Remote participation will be facilitated by webcasting and live-streaming of the sessions.

SUN

SUN: THE PLANET OF SELF

As the sun puts forth light, so it brings forth life. This planet (also known as a luminary and a star) represents the self, one’s personality and ego, the spirit and what it is that makes the individual unique. It is our identity and our face to the world. The sun also speaks to creative ability and the power of the individual to meet the challenges of everyday life.

One’s natural father, husbands and other male influences are ruled by the sun, as are children. The sun’s energy is a forceful one, and in its wake comes authority, the ability to lead and an individual’s essence, their core being. Through the will of this planet, we learn to manifest ourselves in the world.

The sun is majestic, and in keeping with its regal air, it rules royalty and higher office. This orb also lords over our health and well-being. The sun’s golden glow is a vital life force which imbues us with strength, energy and a will to succeed. It is the sun that gives strength to the other planets, which is why this planet occupies a key role in astrology.

The sun spends about a month visiting each sign and takes a year to journey through the 12 signs of the zodiac. It is masculine energy and rules Leo and the Fifth House