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...]
Human body: 18 facts
18 facts about human body:Author: Pitchaiah Naidu 1. The gland which is in the shape of a pistol is: Pancreas 2. Calcium requirement for the adult humans: 1200 mg daily 3. The test used to know the color blindness is: Ishihara 4. Man can see with his two eyes: Maximum angle of 108 degrees. But, the rat can see with its two eyes, the width of 162 degrees. 5. Vitamin “P” is: Niacin (one of the vitamin B-complex group) 6. Vitamin “M”: Folic acid 7. Vitamin “K”: The letter “K” is taken from the word-Kgulation or Coagulation. 8. Vitamin B12: One of the B-complex group and our body can synthesize it in the intestine itself and it is the only vitamin containing a metal –Cynocobalamine. 9. Bile juice: Around one liter of bile is produced in the liver. 10. Heart beats: Human heart beats more than one lakh (0.1million) times in a day. 11. Muscles activity and strength: Magnesium and potassium are necessary for the muscles, to discharge their functions properly and effectively. 12. Food pipe: Esophagus, the first part of the intestine is called food pipe. 13. Water requirement: Man should take at least 3-4 liters of water in a day. 14. Human brain: Answer: It contains 100 billion neurons (nerve cells) in it and if you want to count all these neurons, it takes 3000 years.The weight of the human’s brain is 1350 to 1400 grams, on an average.The neurons are meant for passing the information and messages. The messages are passed between the neurons with a speed of 241 kilometers per hour in … [Read more...]
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