Top Stories

Haryana bans new pyrolysis plants (16 minutes ago)
Chandigarh, July 19 (IANS) The Haryana State Pollution Control Board has imposed prohibition on establishing new pyrolysis plants (for extraction of fuel oil from waste rubber tyres) in the state till the study in the local effects caused on health and environment by them is completed, a spokesperson said on Thursday.

Delhi government mulls buses run on hydrogen cells (26 minutes ago)
New Delhi, July 19 (IANS) Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot held a meeting on Thursday with senior officials of the Indian Oil Corporation, bus manufacturers and Transport Department to explore the option of using hydrogen fuel cells to run public transport buses.

A little sugar in elderly can improve memory: Study (21:16)
London, July 19 (IANS) For older adults (over 60), increase in sugar levels can improve memory and make them more motivated to perform difficult tasks at full capacity, according to new research.

Mamata announces compensation for three injured in Modi's Bengal rally (20:26)
Kolkata, July 19 (IANS) West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday announced a compensation of Rs 1 lakh for three of the patients injured in a canopy collapse incident during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's rally in the state's West Midnapore district, after meeting them at the hospital.

Delhi Health Minister prescribes strict measures against vector-borne diseases (20:24)
New Delhi, July 19 (IANS) With monsoon knocking on the door, Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain on Thursday directed all stakeholders to take strict action for the prevention and control of vector-borne diseases in the national capital.

WCD against NITI Aayog's cash transfer proposal in nutrition mission (19:52)
New Delhi, July 19 (IANS) The Women and Child Development Ministry is not in favour of NITI Aayog's proposal of Direct Cash Transfer (DCT) for the nutrition mission 'Poshan Abhiyaan', parliament was told on Thursday.

Novel AI technology could help protect water supplies (19:44)
Toronto, July 19 (IANS) Researchers have developed a novel artificial intelligence (AI)-based software that could make monitoring at water treatment plants cheaper and easier and help safeguard public health.

Central team to visit Kerala for assessing rain damage (19:02)
Thiruvananthapuram, July 19 (IANS) Even as the death toll in Kerala due to rains climbed to 17 with the recovery of one more body, the Centre on Thursday assured that a central team will soon visit the state to assess the damage caused in at least eight districts.

Indians increased salary directly related with ease of falling asleep (18:20)
New Delhi, July 19 (IANS) Indians have a direct correlation between increasing salary and ease of falling asleep, says an India Sleep and Wellness survey commissioned by Sunday Mattresses and conducted among working professionals above the age of 25.

Beef jerky, processed meats linked to maniac episodes: Study (18:02)
New Delhi, July 19 (IANS) Love to gorge on beef jerky, salami, hot dogs and other processed meat as part of your evening snacks daily? Beware, these processed meats laced with chemicals such as nitrates, to preserve them from spoilage, may contribute to mania -- an abnormal mood state characterized by hyperactivity, euphoria and insomnia, a study has found.

Alert sounded for heavy rains in Uttarakhand (17:58)
Dehradun, July 19 (IANS) An alert for heavy rains has been sounded in Uttarakhand for the next 36 hours, an official said on Thursday.

Odisha to witness heavy rainfall: MeT (17:10)
Bhubaneswar, July 19 (IANS) Heavy rainfall in several coastal districts of Odisha in the next 24 hours is likely due to a low-pressure area formed over the north Bay of Bengal, an official said on Thursday.

Can changing expectant mothers' diet help prevent autism? (16:38)
New York, July 19 (IANS) The mother's microbiome -- the collection of microscopic organisms that live inside us -- can determine the risk of autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders in her children, suggests a study.

Six pieces of ivory seized in West Bengal, two held (16:16)
Kolkata, July 19 (IANS) The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) arrested two persons and seized six pieces of ivory weighing over 9 kg near a bus stand in Siliguri, officials said on Thursday.

Your canine friend can help reduce ADHD symptoms in kids (16:14)
New York, July 19 (IANS) Besides remaining loyal and man's best friend, dogs can also provide therapy that can effectively treat children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), say researchers.

Frog sacrifice in rain-starved Bihar (16:06)
Patna, July 19 (IANS) Blind faith and superstition have taken over parts of Bihar as people sacrifice thousands of frogs to appease rain Gods in the state that has seen a 42 per cent deficit in rainfall this monsoon.

The future of plastic? Scientists explore bioplastics from sorghum (15:40)
By Sahana Ghosh
Kolkata, July 19 (IANS/Mongabay) In the early 1940s, Henry Ford experimented with making plastic parts for automobiles. He came up with what was called the "plastic car made from soybeans."

Formalin controversy: No officer to examine quality of fish, says Goa Minister (15:24)
Panaji, July 19 (IANS) The Goa Fisheries Department does not have a single technical officer to examine the quality of fish sold in the state, Fisheries Minister Vinoda Paliencar told the Goa Legislative Assembly on Thursday.

HIV infection doubles heart disease risk: Study (14:38)
London, July 19 (IANS) People infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are twice as likely to suffer from heart disease, a new study has found.

Sunscreen can reduce skin cancer risk by 40% in youth: Study (14:38)
Sydney, July 19 (IANS) Young adults who regularly use sunscreen reduce their risk of skin cancer by 40 per cent, a study has found.

Goa assembly disrupted over formalin-laced fish (13:26)
Panaji, July 19 (IANS) Goa Assembly Speaker Pramod Sawant on Thursday adjourned the House till noon after the Congress insisted on discussing the issue of formalin-use in fish sold in the state.

Omega 3 supplements may not protect your heart: Study (13:12)
London, July 19 (IANS) Taking omega 3 through food or supplements is likely to have little or no effect on our risk of experiencing heart diseases, stroke or death, a new study challenging previously held theories says.

World's beaches eroding in protected marine areas: Study (12:24)
Washington, July 19 (IANS) The world's sandy shorelines are declining in protected marine areas which could threaten plant and animal species and cultural heritage sites, a global survey of beaches with satellites data from NASA and the US Geological Survey shows.

In a first, scientists satellite collar a dhole - a species on verge of extinction (12:24)
By Kushagra Dixit
Kanha National Park, July 19 (IANS) In a first, wildlife scientists have collared a dhole, the Indian wild dog, with a satellite transmitter to understand the ecology of this endangered species that is considered as important as tigers in keeping the balance in forests but is heading for extinction at a "dramatic pace".

5 natural methods to beat stress (Health Tips) (11:16)
New Delhi, July 19 (IANS) A study of 200,000 respondents by Optum has found that 46 per cent of the Indian workforce reports suffering from some form of stress.