14 Interesting General knowledge bits: 1. The last time Green cards were green was in 1964. 2. More than 40,000 parasites and 250 types of bactria are exchanged during a typical french kiss. 3. Every US president with a beard has been republican. 4. Most people who read the word 'yawning' will yawn. 5. Manhattan Island of New York city was purchased for $24 from the algonquian Indians in 1624. 6. The 'G' in 'g-string' stands for groin. 7. Jumbo was the favorite name of a “circus elephant”. The wait of that animal was 6.5 tons. This was an African elephant, which was purchased by the zoo managers in London. Then in 1882, it was sold to an American circus company. This elephant was so attractive and liked by everybody. Bad luck: In the month of September, 1885, while this elephant was crossing the railway track, a train dashed this elephant. Both this elephant and the driver of the engine, died on this spot itself. But the word “JUMBO” remained in English language, as a living thing, forever. 8. Mummys (Tombs of kings) of Egypt: The tombs were plundered by thieves many times, but the tomb of King Tutankhamen, in the valley of kings was untouched for 3300years. The tomb was discovered in 1922. Archeologists were amazed to find gold jewels and the king’s clothing was intact. 9. People of Finland takes more amount of coffee than all the people, all over the world. 10. The sweat of the dog goes out of the body, through its mouth (but not through the skin as in other animals). 11. Polygraph (Lie Detector) was invented by: John A Larson. 12. Muslim king in India, namely, … [Read more...]
2009 Nobel prize winners in Medicine
2009 Noble prize in medicine has been awarded to three American Scientists. 1. Carol W. Greider of Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine 2. Jack W. Szostak of Massachusetts General Hospital 3. Elizabeth H. Blackburn of the University of California, San Francisco. This is for the first time when more than one woman has been awarded with Noble prize in medicine. They contributed to solve a problem of cell biology. Their contribution may give solutions to many unanswered questions regarding cancer and aging. The value of the prize is $1.4 million which the contributors will share equally. Their work basically deals with the ends of chromosomes that preserve genetic information. These ends are called “telomeres”. With the passage of time telomeres becomes shorter as and when a cell divides until it reaches the stage of senescence. Telomeres control the number of times a cell can get divided and this very feature may play an important role in cancer and aging treatment. Trials are going on to see whether cancer can be treated by inhibiting telomeres. Author: Susovan Saha (Kolkata) … [Read more...]




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