No evidence for existence of alien life, says White House

In a galaxy, far, far away, there is a mathematical chance that alien life exists-but the Whit Ho ue says it has no evidence that extra-ter-restrials have ever tried to contact humans.
In a blow to conspiracy the orists, a senior Barack Obama administration official also says there is also no credible information to suggest evidence of alien life is being kept from the public.
The unusual comment was contained in a responce to several petitions lodged on a white h ouse website by a senior space policy and communications official Phil Larson.
"The US government has no evidence that any life exists outside our planet, or that an extraterrestrial presence has contacted or engaged any member of the human race," Larson wrote.
"In addition, there is no credible information to suggest that any evidence is being hidden from the public's eye."
Larson however said that the possibility of extra-terrestrial life is discussed and explored, including several Nasa projects.

'Waste of time? video games make kids creative'

Most parents may agree that playing video games is a waste of time and harmful for their kids. But, a new study has suggested that the games could actually be firing up children's imaginations.

The University of Michigan study, whved nearly 500 12-year-ild kids, found that the more ckids played viedo games, the more creative they were in tasks such as drawing pictures and writing stories.

The effect wasn't caused by engaging with technology itselfv- using mobile phlatedones, the internet or computers was unrelated to creativity, Daily Mail reported.
Lead researchar Linda Jackson, a professor of psychology, said the study is the first evidence of a relationship between technology use and creativity.
The findings, published in the journal Computers in Human Behaviour, should motivate game designers to identify the aspects of video game activity that are responsible for the creative effects, Jackson said.
"Once they do that, video games can be designed to optimize the development of creativity while retaining their entertainment values," she added.

3 New elements added to periodic Table

Three new elements, including one named after famous astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus,have been added to the Periodic Table. The general assembly of the international union of Pure anx applied Physics (IUPAP) has approved the names of the new elements numbered 110,111 and 112 and are called dramstadtium (DS), roentgenium (Rg) and copernicium (Cn). The general assembly, which consists of 60 members from different countries, approved the new names at its meeting at the institute of Physics(IOP) in London, the Daily Mail newspaper reported. Although they have only justbeen approved to the table table, the elements were discovered a long time ago. But names need to be officially given to them by scientific organizations. According to universe Today, Copernicium was created on February 9, 1996, but its original name- ununbium - didn't get changed until almost two years ago when German scientists proved its existence.

Top 10 Tourist Destinations in India

1.Agra

Agra’s Taj Mahal is one of the most famous buildings in the world, the mausoleum of Shah Jahan’s favorite wife, Mumtaz Mahal. It is one of the New Seven Wonders of the world, and one of three World Heritage Sites in Agra.

Completed in 1653, the T?j Mahal was built by the Mughal king Sh?h Jah?n as the final resting place for his beloved wife, Mumt?z Mahal. Finished in marble, it is perhaps India’s most fascinating and beautiful monument. This perfectly symmetrical monument took 22 years (1630-1652) of hard labour and 20,000 workers, masons and jewelers to build and is set amidst landscaped gardens.

2.Jaipur / Udaipur

Jaipur is also popularly known as the Pink City, is the capital of the Indian state of Rajasthan. Jaipur is a very famous tourist and education destination in India.

 

Lots of people flock to Jaipur to view the various forts and monuments in Jaipur which reflect its glorious past. Tourism is a significant part of Jaipur’s economy. Some of the world’s best hotels are located here.

Forts & Monuments

• Hawa Mahal
• Amber Fort
• Jaigarh Fort
• Nahargarh Fort
• City Palace
• Jantar Mantar
• Jal Mahal
• Rambagh Palace
• Chandra Mahal, The City Palace, Jaipur
• Diwan-e-Aam, City Palace
• Central Museum, (Albert Hall Museum)

3.Goa

Goa is Famous for its pristine beaches, infact 90% of all the tourism in Goa happens only for its beautiful beaches in Coastal Areas. Goa has two main tourist seasons: winter and summer. In the winter time, tourists from abroad (mainly Europe) come to Goa to enjoy the splendid climate. In the summertime (which, in Goa, is the rainy season), tourists from across India come to spend the holidays.

In 2008 there were more than three million tourists reported to have visited Goa, more than half million of whom were from Foreign visitors. Infact, many foreigners have made Goa as there home for its laid-back and relaxed lifestyle !

4.Kashmir

Kashmir was once called Heaven on Earth, and once of the most beautiful places in the world. However, in last couple of decades, terrorism has faded its charm – A place home to Himalayan Ranges.

The State of Jammu & Kashmir has main three geographical regions known as “The Lesser Himalayas” or the “Jhelum Valley” (Kashmir), “The Inner Himalayas” or “The Indus Valley” (Ladakh & Frontier areas) also called “Trans-Himalayas”, and “The Outer-Himalayas” or “The Southern mountain range” (Jammu). The area of Jammu & Kashmir is 2, 22,236 square kilometers.

5. Kanyakumari

Though there are several places of tourist-interest in the town and district, Kanyakumari is especially popular in India for its spectacular and unique sunrise and sunset. The confluence of three ocean bodies – the Bay of Bengal, the Indian Ocean, and the Arabian Sea – makes the sunrise and sunset even more special. On balmy, full-moon evenings, one can also see the moon-rise and sunset at the same time – on either side of the horizon.

6.Kerala (Backwaters)

Kerala, situated on the lush and tropical Malabar Coast, is one of the most popular tourist destinations in India. Named as one of the "ten paradises of the world" and "50 places of a lifetime" by the National Geographic Traveler magazine, Kerala is especially known for its ecotourism initiatives, Beautiful Backwaters and Alternative healing massages.

7. Old Delhi

Delhi, Capital of India has many attractions like mosques, forts and other monuments that represent India’s history. The important places in Old Delhi include the majestic Red Fort. New Delhi on the other hand houses many government buildings and embassies, apart from places of historical interest.

The Qutub Minar, Red Fort and Humayun’s Tomb have been declared World Heritage Sites

8. Ajanta Ellora

Ajantha & Ellora are 28 – 30 rock-cut cave monuments created during the first century BC and 5th century AD, containing paintings and sculptures considered to be masterpieces of both Buddhist religious art and universal pictorial art.

The caves are located just outside the village of Ajantha / Ellora in Aurangabad district in the Indian state of Maharashtra.

Since 1983, the Ajanta & Ellora Caves have been a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

9. Darjeeling

Darjeeling in India owes’ its grandeur to its natural beauty, its clean fresh mountain air and above all, the smiling resilient people for whom it is a home. Known for its natural splendor, Darjeeling’s best gift to its’ visitors is the dawn of a new day. The mountains awaken first with a tentative peeking of the sun.

A steep ride, five kilometers from Ghoom, or an invigorating walk up a steep incline, leads sun worshippers to Tiger Hill. The air is chilly with darkness and damp. To the east, a dull orange sun emerged painting the sky with brilliant strokes of magenta, gold, orange and fuchsia. The snow capped Everest, Kabru, Kanchenjunga, Jannu and other peaks slowly emerge from slumber to start a new day. The sun worshippers gasp at the magnificent sight.

10. Mysore

Mysore is a tourism hot spot within the state of Karnataka and also acts as a base for other tourist places in the vicinity of the city. The city receives the maximum number of tourists during the period of the Dasara festival when festivities take place for a period of 10 days. One of the most visited monuments in India, the Ambavilas Palace (also known as Mysore Palace) is the center of the Dasara festivities.

Biscuits, cakes up womb cancer risk

London: Women who snack on biscuits and cakes regularly are at an increased risk of developing womb cancer, a new study has claimed.
The 10-year study that looked at the eating habits of more than 60,000 women in Sweden found that those who treated themselves two to three times a week were 33% more likely to suffer the disease. It also found that the risk of developing a tumour jumped by 42% among those who eat them more than three times a week, the Daily Mail reported.
Also known as endometrial cancer, the tumours in the womb affects around 6,400 women a year and kills an estimated 1,000 annually in the UK alone. The risks are known to increase with weight gain, but a team at the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm wanted to see if there was a direct link between the amount of sweet foods eaten and the onset of cancer.
They studied data from thousands of women who completed questionnaires on diet, lifestyle, weight and general health in 1987. Ten years later, those still alive were given the same questions again. After comparing the data with those earlier findings, the researchers found a total of 729 women went on to develop the diseases in the 18 years from the start of the study.
They found little or no increase in risk from eating certain high-sugar items such as sweets, soft drinks, jam or marmalade. But women who frequently snacked on sweet cakes, buns or biscuits were up to 42% more likely to get cancer. PTI

Kids who use excess Facebook get low marks in school

Social networking websites like Facebook have negative effects on children, and those who frequently use such websites are more likely to get lower marks in school, says a new American study.

Such students are also likely to have behavioural problems and “narcissistic tendencies” from spending too much time logged on to such sites, according to the research by the California State University.

Psychology professor Larry Rosen said researchers watched as students spent 15 minutes studying something that was important to them.

The research team was left dumbfounded as the students’ concentration lapsed because of the need to check their Facebook page.

“What we found was mind-boggling. About every three minutes they are off-task. You’d think under these constraints, knowing that someone is observing you, that someone would be more on task,” Rosen was quoted as saying by the Daily Mail.

“The more media they consumed per day, the worse students they were. If they checked Facebook just once during 15 minutes, they were worse students.”

Rosen released the findings at the American Psychological Association in a speech titled “Poke Me: How Social Networks Can Both Help and Harm Our Kids”.

The negative effects of over-using social media include making students more prone to vain, aggressive and anti social behaviour, the report said.

Children under 13 who overuse social sites on a daily basis are also more likely to be prone to bouts of anxiety, depression, sleeping problems and stomach aches.

The study also found that social networking had some positive effects also. They helped shy children interact more.

7 Guidelines to a Healthy Heart

 Author: PonchoBoojo | Posted in Business

My purpose is to inspire and educate generations. In the process of educating others I normally research and find things that can help people live longer and better lives. I am certain that with enough inspiration people will move out of stress anxiety and depression which contributes to long lives. When they are educated about an area in a motivational context, the uptake of that subject will be a lot higher than with rules and regulations. In this article I explorer matters of the heart in its physical context not emotional arena. The longer your keep your heart, the longer you live to be inspired and motivated. When you become careless about your heart, you develop heart diseases and soon enough you take part in exiting this world. Heart disease accounts for a number of premature deaths the world over. Some die young because of ignorance while others are merely stubborn enough to think that not all advice should be taken up. I have taken an active interest in health matters because they are actually more important than wealth creation.

1. Watch your salt intake – One of the great fights that happen in my home is concerning salt. It has taken us a while to come to terms with this food component’s side effects. We had focussed so much on eliminating excessive sugar as we considered that more hazardous that salt. Salt actually causes high blood pressure. Recommendations are that one should not take more than 2 grams of sodium a day. By the way salt contains sodium or soda.

2. Watch that weight – You have to shed extra kilos by cutting down on calories. Many people have the thinking that weight gain is a sign of prosperity. To a certain extent yes, but how important is that compared to increasing your risk of heart failure. One question that comes would then be; what is the recommended weight. Body mass index is measure by dividing your weight (kg) by your height squared. Your body mass index should be between 18.5 and 25. Below 18.5 someone would be underweight. Over 25 you are considered overweight. The BMI however does not measure how much fat is in the body.

3. Watch you diet – One of the most daunting tasks is to find out the exact nature and types of foods that one must eat. In this century one has to watch and avoid genetically modified foods (GMO) and focus on natural food stuffs. I used to wonder how generations before me lived to hundreds until I realized that modernisation has created fast foods and tinned foods which have a lesser dietary benefit to the body yet tasty for tongue. Eat extra fruit, vegetables and low fat dairy. Eat food high in calcium, magnesium and potassium. Foods such as bananas, raisins, potatoes and so on.

4. Exercise – Workouts are not for body builders only. One has to workout for at least 30 minutes daily to keep the body revived and keep the heart pumping well. Join a local gym. I have resolved to exercise daily. Sometimes I deliberately take walks even when the car is working well. Modern world has added convenience where one can reach places while sitting down, go up building with many storeys while standing in one place (escalator or elevator). Such comfort has consequences where the body merely accumulates food and that food is converted to fat. Fat is what gives you heart disease.

5. Quit Smoking – smoking has negative effects on blood pressure. It is so addictive that when one starts it is hard to get out of it no matter how much teaching one gets to receive. My advice is that don’t even think of starting if you haven’t started. Work towards quitting if you are caught up in it. I am glad I have never had to think of quitting smoking because I never attempted it in the first place.

6. Quit Alcohol – Alcohol is harmful to the heart. What is even worse is that while under the control of intoxicating substances, your judgment is impaired hence you dietary needs and all the things you are supposed to watch for are ignored. I drank alcohol before. I know how this affected my health adversely. I am thankful that I have managed to overcome this addiction.

7. Use relaxation methods – Anxiety and stress have a negative effect on the heart. As far as possible you need to work towards ensuring that you are not stressed and depressed. Use relaxation methods such as prayer and meditation. Join support groups or special interest groups and counseling session.

7 Google tricks you didn’t know about

We all know how to search on Google. But not many of us know the tips and tricks that can make Google searches better and in easier on Google. Having an alternative to something as useful and vast as Google can help us anytime, anywhere. We bring you eight alternative ways to search the most searched engine:

Google WDYL

         

           Google’s ‘What Do You Love’ service is a one-stop-shop destination for all its other services. It collates data from all its services such as YouTube, Translate, Images and News and to you at a single place and in a single click.

Go mobile

            Having a hard time reading searching on your mobile? Screen is not large enough to accommodate Google’s advertisements, sidebars, images, et al.? Type Google.com/m in your browser to access a cleaner version of the site, minus all its ‘unnecessary’ frills.

Google vs Bing 

        Wish you could look at the two most prominent search engines side-by-side saving you considerable amount of time and energy? Yes you can do it.You can check your search results on both Bing and Google at the same time on www.bing-vs-google.com. On the same page you will get the information displayed on both the sites

Google shell

         This alternative way to search Google will, for once, remind you of your HTML lessons. Goosh.org is a Google-interface that behaves similarly to a unix shell. Written by Stefan Grothkopp, Goosh calls itself ‘the unofficial Google shell.’ Users can type commands such as ‘video’ or ‘news’ to obtain results from a particular Google service. Results can be accessed by clicking on their respective links or their numbers can be typed in Goosh. To see more results type ‘more’.

Google Squared

      If you are tired of seeing search results in the same old ‘listed’ way and also to get a detailed perspective, try Google Squared. This feature of Google Labs creates tables of data taken from various websites. Once results are displayed individual entries can be clicked to check their source.

Users can even save their own customized tables for future reference. Users can modify their square by removing rows and columns they don't like or by adding new rows and columns and having Google Squared attempt to fetch the relevant facts.

Verify and correct the facts in your square by exploring the original sources and investigating other possible values. Google Squared does the grunt work for you, making research fast and easy.

Google Desktop

        
             Another neat way to search is Google Desktop. It comes in handy when you need to search local files on your computer or jump to a Web search. Just press ‘Ctrl’ twice and a search box will appear. This will direct you into your Web browser.

Voice search

                Google chrome has the option of a voice search. When you will open the Google search page you will see a microphone in the search bar. Click this  microphone and just say what you are looking for.

Essential add-ons for Twitter and Facebook

Facebook is the world’s number one social networking website with over 400 million active users worldwide. Similarly, Twitter is a leading micro-blogging social website, where users can send and read messages called as tweets, consists of upto 140 characters. Recently, Twitter has achieved yet another milestone by reaching 10 billion "tweets."

Today, people are actively using these mediums to connect socially with their friends, reaching new markets and also for promoting their business profiles. Users love to play games on the Facebook like FarmVille, Mafia Wars, and also create their company’s social profile to promote or make the followers on its home page.

However, the two websites cannot be accepted as perfect product. Users seek that Facebook should bring some updates so that people can hide FarmVille or certain status updates. Similarly, there would be demand for new features in the Twitter.

Here are some add-ons for Facebook and Twitter, which can solve common user problems. But, it should be noted that these add-ons require you to download Greasemonkey and many are not compatible with every web browser.

Add-ons for Facebook:

1.    Facebook Fixer: It is one of the extensions for the Google Chrome web browser that improves the user experience on Facebook extensively. The add-on provides various features that include larger profile & album pictures, homepage customization, suggestions & "connect with friends," and calendar integration. Further, you can also sync birthdays with Google Calendar.

2.    Facebook Purity: It removes various annoying quiz and app messages like "became friend with", "became a fan", "joined a group" from users’ Facebook homepage. Further, it clears all newsfeeds from the third-party games such as Mafia Wars and FarmVille. You will also have the option for blocking pictures, albums or comments on a status.

3.    Unfriend Finder: It is a realtime script that allows you to know that which of your friend removes you on Facebook. It also tells that the persons who deactivate their account.

4.    No Facebook Ads: It removes Facebook Flyer, Network, Bumper and other adverts from your Facebook account. The app lets users to clean their homepage.

Add-ons for Twitter:

1.     TinyURL Decoder: Today, various URL shorteners save space on Twitter, but users can reach to risky/spam laden messages by clicking those URLs. However, the add-on decodes the shortened URLs on Twitter's website and shows the real URL, so that you have the choice to click or not to click.

2.    Nested Twitter Replies: If you want to follow a conversation on Twitter, it will be confusing as the website offers you to view @replies in a list. However, the script systematically shows messages in a nested conversation format.

3.     @Troynt's Twitter Script: This script helps users to do various tasks like Nested Replies, Custom Search Tabs, Autocomplete, Pagination, RT button, Media Embed, URL Expansion, Hash Tag Search Links, and Social Links.

4.    Twitter Old Style RT Emulator: This add-on works only in Safari and Firefox and convert all retweet symbols and user pictures into RT @username.

How Cloud Computing can benefit business?

The IT world is abuzz with regular updates about cloud computing. Apart from benefiting the enterprise IT departments, it's an absolute blessing to the small and mid-size companies.

Indeed, it is being stated that Cloud Computing is a boon to SMBs and SMEs instead large enterprises since the later ones are capable enough to invest largely in IT infrastructure. While small businesses are treading on the path to growth and profitability. Significance of Cloud computing can never be overlooked.

Adoption Rate for Cloud Computing:

Cloud computing has been largely leveraged towards managing applications and realigning workforce to some more profitable and productive activities. It helps the enterprises to assess their goals and objectives while allowing them to escape from mundane operational tasks.

It is estimated that in some cases between 80 to 90 per cent of a firm's infrastructure and applications are hosted off-site, including email, phone, CRM and other functions. The technology allows the companies to enjoy an edge over their rivals; while lowering down the operational costs.

Four key areas where cloud computing spell boost for the business are:

1. Many businesses have started franchising and they want their franchisees up and profitable as immediate as possible. So spending time or money on building up the infrastructure, would take most of the revenue in the beginning itself. Here cloud computing plays a crucial role. It just takes an hour with a hosted provider managed centrally at a company’s headquarters. That means days of work could be done in minutes thereby leaving lot of time and money to invest on innovation.


2. For the success of a business, mobility plays a key role. And with cloud computing, owners and staff can access key applications from anywhere and most importantly from any device like smartphones or tablets. It gives the liberty to small business owners to move out and pitch some new clients.  One can still manage the office despite being physically present.


3. Cloud applications also keep tab on the fuel costs. As many employees drive between several customer sites, heaving gas prices could affect the company's bottom line. A mixture of appointment scheduling, geocoding, driver routing and other strategies has led to a company-wide 50% reduction in miles driven. All of that data is managed centrally in the cloud.
4. The fourth key area allows businesses to operate with a lean-and-mean IT team. Cloud computing minimizes the internal IT needs thereby reducing the headcounts. In fact, they can realign their workforce towards new strategies and technologies, instead investing largely on maintenance and support.

With globalization and mobility being the two integral aspects of any business scenario, the advent and adoption of such technologies help owners run their businesses more efficiently and profitably.

Managing Internet, the secure way

With an increase on the internet traffic, there is an increase towards compromising of security as well. Today, there is a growing concern about the way internet security is being treated. The nature of the web, global access, ease of connectivity and interaction, and lack of true client control

creates an environment where application misuse or abuse can create serious issues for an organisation. As such, almost any discussion of web applications and data integration quickly becomes a discussion of security. Web application developers must fully understand the security risks in order to address the legitimate concerns, while ignoring the hype.
If we look at the overall security scenario, web application security risks fall into three major categories of Snooping and Eavesdropping, User impersonation and  Unauthorized access.
Eavesdropping
It is roughly defined as the risk of having someone “overhear” data being sent over the Web is a primary concern when sending confidential data, such as credit-card information, over public connections.
On routed IP networks like the Internet data moves in the form of packets and it is relatively difficult to eavesdrop on specific connections without having privileged access to the local ISP routers. Communications packets of any given message could be sent over completely different routes to get from the sender to the receiver, rendering the coherent snooping of the ransmission nearly impossible.
The risk of “packet sniffing” is still there, however, especially in Local Area Network (LAN) settings.
What is User Impersonation?
There is a big risk of non-trusted users gaining access to secure information by impersonating trusted users. User authentication is the foundation of Internet based application security, and inadequate authentication leaves applications vulnerable to attack.
Unauthorized Access
This is defined as the risk of exposing sensitive information to unauthorized users is the biggest and most complex security risk, because the Internet effectively links every computer to one large network. While completely allowing or disallowing access to a given system or data source remains relatively straightforward, partial access remains risky. At the same time, access to distributed systems is what makes the Internet a valuable business tool.
Trends in the Market
Every Internet based application needs to address these basic security concerns. Over the past few years, several technologies and techniques have evolved as standard mechanisms with which to secure web applications.
HTTP data is often transmitted over open lines, shared data channels, and public access providers. If electronic snoops were to “eavesdrop” on this connection they would be able to copy every byte of data transmitted. While not a common occurrence, this kind of theft is technically possible, making this a legitimate concern, particularly for sensitive data such as credit-card information.
Data encryption is a mechanism used to prevent data from being stolen in-transit between the client and server machines. Electronic thieves can still grab the data being transmitted, but they will find it useless in its encrypted state.
The most common form of data encryption used by web-based applications is Secure Sockets Layer (SSL). SSL is a security protocol that provides Internet application protocols (like HTTP) with data encryption using public key cryptography.
Most web servers support SSL, allowing administrators to install a private key that is used to decrypt inbound data and encrypt outbound data. Once installed, the web server automatically encrypts or decrypts data as it is received or transmitted.

For your eyes only

 

 

Looking good may be high on your priority list but make sure your eyes don't give you away.

Looking fashionable is not just about a healthy skin and body, your eyes also play an important role in helping you look good. We believe in caring for our bodies but very often neglect the eyes. These windows to your soul also need your attention to stay beautiful. Tired or unwell eyes can completely ruin your looks. Harsh sunlight and dust and grime are the reasons for swollen eyes. Monsoon increases the chances of infections, polluted rainwater can discolour eyes, and even not eating right can cause problems.

 

Suggestions

Protect your eyes while working: It's important to protect your eyes from injury, foreign particles and strain. Wear protective eyewear when playing games or while engaging in outdoor activities. Many eye care providers and sports goods stores sell protective eyewear. Employers are required to provide a safe work environment. When protective eyewear is required as a part of your job, make a habit of wearing the appropriate type at all times.

Wear Sunglasses: Sunglasses can not only give you that awesome style statement, but also protect your eyes from the sun's ultraviolet rays. When purchasing sunglasses, look for ones that block out 99 to 100 per cent of both UV-A and UV-B radiation and wear them even on cloudy days

Don't smoke: Research has linked smoking to an increased risk of developing age-related macular degeneration, cataract, and optic nerve damage, all of which can lead to blindness, so kick that butt for good. 

Clean your hands: To avoid the risk of infection, always wash your hands thoroughly after working or engaging in outdoor activities. Direct eye contact of infected hands is a leading cause for many eye infections. Clean your hands before putting in or taking out your contact lenses. Clean your hands after any outdoor or messy activity.

Watch your weight: Being obese increases your risk of developing diabetes and other systemic conditions, this can lead to vision loss, such as diabetic eye disease or glaucoma. If you are having trouble maintaining a healthy weight, take the help of professionals and consult your physician.

Know your family's medical history: Certain illnesses are hereditary and signs for them have to be watched for at an early stage. Talk to your family members about their eye health history. It's important to know if anyone has been diagnosed with a disease or condition that can be hereditary. This will help to determine if you are at higher risk for developing an eye disease or condition in the future.

Visit your doctor frequently: Regular checks can go a long way in maintaining a healthy eye. Visit your doctor regularly and get a comprehensive dilated eye examination. When it comes to common vision problems, many people don't realise they could see better with glasses or contact lenses. Besides, eye conditions like glaucoma and age related degeneration can be caught early with a dilated eye exam and treatments can be started to cure or control the condition.

 

Balanced diet

You've heard carrots are good for your eyes. But eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, particularly dark leafy greens such as spinach is important for keeping your eyes healthy too. Research has also shown there are eye health benefits from eating fish high in omega-3 fatty acids, such as salmon and tuna.

 

Regular rest

Your eyes get strained when working or reading for long hours. If you spend a lot of time at the computer or on focusing on a particular object for long hours, you sometimes forget to blink and your eyes can get fatigued. The 20-20-20 rule is very beneficial in these situations: Every 20 minutes, look away about 20 feet in front of you for 20 seconds. This can help reduce eyestrain to a great extent.

 

Dr.B.S.R.MURTHY is a Chief Medical Officer & Consultant Ophthalmologist, Vasan Eye Care Hospital.

Ginger can help reduce side-effects of chemotherapy: doctors

Doctors at AIIMS are now working upon an herbal way to help cancer patients cope with the side-effects of chemotherapy.

Oncologists at the hospital here have been experimenting with ginger root powder in order to reduce the severity of the chemotherapy induced nausea vomiting (CINV).

Nausea and vomiting are the major side effects that a cancer patient encounters after chemotherapy treatment.

“The severity of chemotherapy induced nausea vomiting was reduced by ginger, our experiments showed. After the success of the study, we can say that there is a need to have ginger root powder available as capsules in varied dosages in order to use it as an add-on therapy in patients receiving chemotherapy with high vomiting potential,” said Dr Sameer Bakhshi, additional professor, department of medical oncology, AIIMS.

A total of 60 patients, between the age categories of eight to 21 years were randomly selected for the study.

“It was a double-blind randomised single institutional study carried out at our centre in 2009. Neither the patient nor the interviewer with the patients knew about the patient being administered with the dosage of ginger root powder,” Dr. Bakhshi, who led the study, said.

He said that dosages were administered according to the weight of the person. While those who weighed between 20kg to 40 kg were given 167 mg of ginger root powder capsules, those in the weight category of 40kg to 60kg were given 400 mg. Six capsules were given at different time intervals after start of chemotherpy infusion.

“Even though ginger root powder was effective in reducing the severity of acute and delayed CINV, it did not eliminate them completely. The capsules were well tolerated by the children and young adults in our study and there was no side effect,” he said.

The work has been published in the international journal of Pediatric Blood and Cancer.

8 easy tips to avoid cellphone radiation

        

   
         If you are worried about recent revelations about cell phone radiation by the WHO, do not despair. There are a number of ways in which you can safeguard yourself to to a large extent. According to well-known American non-government organization Environmental Working Group, or EWS, cellphone users can follow these tips to reduce the risk of exposure to cancerous electro-magnetic rays that cellphones may be emitting.

1.Buy a low-radiation phone

  

Always try to look up buyers' guide or Internet, or seek experts' advise to know about the radiation levels of your phone, or the model you intend to buy. Most phones' model numbers are printed under the battery. Consider replacing your phone with one that emits the lowest radiation possible and still meets your communication needs.

2.Use a headset or speaker

 

 

Headsets - whether Bluetooth or wired - emit much less radiation than phones. Choose either wired or wireless according to convenience and your needs.However, it is not advisable to continuously wear the headsets above the ears as most Bluetooth headsets emit continuous, low-level radiation. So take it off your ear when you're not on a call. Using your phone in speaker mode also minimises radiation to the head. 

3.Poor signal? Stay away from phone

 

Fewer signal bars on your phone means that it emits much higher radiation to get the signal to the tower. Make and take calls when your phone has a strong signal, instead of incessantly using it and cursing your mobile operator. Remember, it is your brain that will be getting fried due to poor signal!

 4.Skip the radiation shield 

 

Radiation shields such as antenna caps or keypad covers reduce the connection quality and force the phone to transmit at a much higher power with higher radiation. So while they may be protecting your phone, it is at the cost of your own health. 

5.Limit children's phone use

 

Young children's brains absorb twice as much cell phone radiation as those of adults. Along with health agencies in at least 6 countries, EWG has recommended parents to set up limits for children's cell phone use, such as for emergency situations only. They may be encouraged to either make short, sweet conversations, or use the good, old landline phones.

6.Listen more, talk less

 

Cellphones emit maximum radiation when you talk or text, but not when you're receiving messages or listening. Hence, the age-old saying of listening more and talking less can come in handy here in reducing your exposure level.  

7.Hold phone away from body

 

 

Hold the phone away from your torso when you're talking (with headset or speaker), not against your ear, in a pocket, or on your belt where soft body tissues continuously absorb radiation. Even while sleeping, avoid keeping it under the pillow or next to you. It should ideally be kept a few feet away even if you want to keep it handy just in case the President or the Prime Minister decide to call upon you in the dead of night.

8.Choose texting over talking

 

   

Phones use less power (and hence less radiation) to send out text than voice communication. And unlike when you speak with the phone placed next to your ear, texting keeps radiation away from your head.