Today Venus, the second planet in our Solar system, passed across the face of the sun in one of the rarest events. I was really interested to enjoy this celestial drama, but watching such events without special equipment can damage your eyes. Enjoy the video by NASA, made by using different types of cameras.

Mr. Shayan Anique Akhtar, a Pakistani student in Microsoft Professional Certificate programme , has set a world record by scoring 998 marks out of 1000. His achievement has made way into Guinness Book of World Records.

It is also said that he is set up to meet the Microsoft Founder, Bill Gates this July.

Shayan, you have really made us proud and we wish you a wonderful future.


Source: The News, Times of India

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World Thalassemia Day was observed on 8th May, 2012 to spread awareness about this inheritable blood disease.

Thalassemia is a blood disorder characterized by abnormal form of hemoglobin, a blood protein whose function is to carry oxygen to the tissues.

It is a inheritable disease, means it is transfered from the parents to the children if either of the parents is affected.

In Pakistan, according to unofficial stats about 1 million people suffer from this disease.

Types

Hemoglobin protein has got two types of chains,

Alpha chain : whose deficiency results in Alpha Thalassemia.

Beta chain : whose deficiency results in Beta Thalassemia.

Thalassemia major results from complete absence of either of two chains, and in Thalassemia minor there is decreased production of one of them.

Coca Cola & Pepsi both contain a compound known as 4-methylimidazol which has been recently put by the Govt. of California in the list of carcinogens. The govt. of california has put its safe limit to be 29 micrograms while the survey of Washington revealed its amount to be 103 micrograms in soft drinks.

Now both Coca Cola & Pepsi are reducing its amount to be avoid being legally bound to put a label of being cancerous on their drinks.

Source: BBC Health News here & here.

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Every year World Kidney Day is observed on 8th March to raise public awareness about the importance of kidneys. This years slogan is Donate - Kidneys for Life - Receive.

Here is a small pleasant clip detailing kidney basics in just 2mins,

To know more about Kidneys, have a look at our previous World Kidney Day posts of 2011 & 2010 or visit World Kidney Day website.

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Normal Taste Receptor Location On Tongue

Last week, one of my cousin called and said I have been having very bad taste in mouth for the last few days & it has made my life miserable. I have been eating chocolates, sweets etc but of no use. They all give the same bad taste ( known as dysgeusia ). 

Upon inquiring, he told me that he has quit smoking, which he was doing for last 15 years, & after that he was facing this problem. Actually he has damaged taste receptors on his tongue due to smoking, so all things felt the same. I reassured & told him that Thanks to Almighty Taste Receptors have got ability of regeneration & you will soon get your taste back in 2-3 weeks time, meanwhile you have to

- Avoid artificial flavors, spices and all the synthetic chemicals.

- Take fresh fruits, vegetables & yogurt.

Now, he has responded that 80% of my taste is back in a week's time.

Read more about Bad Taste at MSN health.

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In a recent study published in The Lancet journal, it is now advised to check blood pressure in both the arms of the patient. A disparity of 10 mm Hg or more denotes an increased chance of peripheral vascular disease, which can make the patient prone to cerebrovascular & cardiovascular accidents. A quick blood pressure check up on both the arms can early identify &  help in the correction of the problem.

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Scientists at Cornell university made a red laser light disappear for 40 picoseconds last week. They achieved it by passing a beam of green light down an optic fibre cable, and had it move through a lens that split the light into two frequencies, one moving slowly and the other faster. As that was happening, they shot a red laser through the beams. Since the laser “shooting” occurred during a teeny, tiny time gap, it was imperceptible.