GENERAL NEWS – SEPTEMBER 2009

Saturday, September 05th 2009
Potent antibodies to combat HIV discovered
Researchers have discovered two highly powerful antibodies that neutralize all major forms of the HIV virus in the human body. These antibodies were found in an African man who belongs to a select community who when infected by the virus do not show any symptoms or deterioration of health. The reason for this being the powerful antibodies that have been found. Scientists associated with the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative(IAVI) at the Scripps Research Institute, US said that these antibodies have revealed an Achilles heel on the virus which will help them develop an effective vaccine against HIV. 

Thursday, September 10th 2009
H-1B visas not so much in demand
As the end of the US fiscal year (2011) approaches (September 30) around 20,000 H-1B visas are still on offer. This is a far cry from the situation in 2006 and 07 when the quota of 65,000 would be snapped up within a few weeks of being put on offer. This slump in demand for H-1B visas has been attributed to recession in the US markets where unemployment has risen to 9.7%. 

Friday, September 11th 2009
ISRO and Russia to launch 'Youthsat'
With the data sent in by Chandrayaan-1 turning out to be extremely useful the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) is now set to launch 'Youthsat' with Russia. This is a micro satellite space programme which involves Indian and Russian students. The students will help in making instruments to be carried on the micro satellite to be launched by India. The micro satellite project is slated for a launch in a few months. 

Monday, September 14th 2009
Norman Borlaug "The father of the green revolution" passes away
Nobel Laureate and "The father of the green revolution" Prof. Norman Borlaug passed away in Dallas on Saturday. He was battling cancer. Prof Borlaug helped herald a green revolution in Mexico, India, Pakistan and China .i.e farmers were able to quadruple food grain production especially in wheat and rice crops using his new strain of "semi dwarf" plants. His innovative plant variety-a shorter, stubbier, compact stalk was able to support a enormous head of grain without falling over from the weight. This increased the output to large extent at a time when countries like India was facing famines and large shortage for food grains. For his contribution in agricultural innovation and the development of high-yield crops Prof. Borlaug was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1970.

Wednesday, September 16th 2009
'Dirty dancing' star gives in to cancer
Hollywood actor Patrick Swayze who rose to stardom with films like "Dirty Dancing" and "Ghost" lost a 20 month battle with pancreatic cancer on Monday the 14th of September. He was 57 years old. The coming of age movie"Dirty Dancing" established him as a romantic leading man. He later went on to portray the leading role in the intensely emotional and supernatural romance "Ghost" in 1990 which was a major box office hit. Swayze is also famous for the sensational tracks 'Time of my life' and 'Hungry eyes' sung by him in the 1987 film "Dirty Dancing".

Tuesday, September 22nd 2009
ISRO to put 7 satellites in 20 mins
The Indian Space Research Organization(ISRO) is all set to put seven satellites in 1200 seconds in a launch similar to the April 2008 event when 10 satellites were launched. Of the seven satellites six are nano satellites and one major ocean satellite. They will be launched into orbit on Wednesday. Out of the six nano satellites, four are from Germany, one from Switzerland and one from Turkey. The seventh satellite is India's Oceansat-2 which weighs around 960 Kg.