Daily News Compilation )HINDU) for 15th May

A new test promises better diagnosis of TB in children

Till now TB diagnostic tests were based on sputum produced by an individual. This new test makes use of blood and makes use of RNA transcripts for diagnosis of TB and also for distinguishing between TB disease from latent TB.

Unlike the dismal sensitivity of smear microscopy, the RNA-transcript signatures had higher sensitivity in those aged below five years.

Implanted devices that can wrap around tissues

Researchers have created electronic devices that become soft when implanted inside the body and can grip 3-D objects, such as large tissues, nerves and blood vessels.

These biologically adaptive, flexible transistors might one day help doctors learn more about what is happening inside the body, and stimulate the body for treatments.

They make use of Shape memory polymers.

Gyaan

Shape memory polymers (SMPs) are smart materials that have the ability to remain in a secondary geometry and then actuate to a primary geometry when introduced to a stimulus such as heat.

No chameleons in dark energy?

Ultracold neutrons can be used in “gravity resonance spectroscopy” to yield constraints on the properties of dark energy and dark matter.

These measurements, in fact, disprove the existence of the hypothetical “quintessence” particles which form one explanation for dark energy, at this level of accuracy. But the search for these particles will continue as it is possible that a greater level of accuracy is needed.

Researchers confined ultracold neutrons between two neutron-mirrors. Varying the separation between the walls periodically caused the energy levels of the system to oscillate and the confined neutrons to make transitions, whose values can be measured as well as calculated.

This experiment measures the neutrons’ coupling to gravity very accurately, so that it can actually probe interactions with the very weakly interacting hypothetical particle of dark matter, the axion, and the chameleon field, which is a name for the proposed source of dark energy.

Dark energy is a proposed explanation for the accelerated expansion of the universe 

Dark matter is needed to describe the rotation curves of galaxies and the large scale structure of the universe.

Axion is expected to couple to the spin of the neutron and thereby, it would affect the neutrons’ behaviour slightly.

Gyaan

Chameleon model

According to the chameleon model, dark energy stems from particles that change their mass depending upon the local environment.

In the presence of ordinary matter, chameleons are massive particles that mediate a short-range force – too short to have appeared in searches for new forces. But in the vacuum of space, chameleons would have small masses. In principle, chameleons would interact with electromagnetic fields and, under certain conditions, could create photons, and photons could create chameleons.

Wiki:

"chameleon" is a postulated scalar particle with a non-linear self-interaction that gives the particle an effective mass that depends on its environment: the presence of other fields.

The chameleon is a possible candidate for dark energy and dark matter, and may contribute to cosmic inflation.

In physical cosmology, cosmic inflation, cosmological inflation, or just inflation is the expansion of space in the early universe at a rate much faster than the speed of light.

For more on dark matter and dark energy click here

SC: non-disclosure of spouse’s assets ground for disqualification

Non-disclosure by a candidate of the assets and property owned by the spouse and children while filing nomination for an election is ground for disqualification, the Supreme Court has held.

A Bench of Justices S.S. Nijjar and A.K. Sikri said it was not possible to reject a nomination at the time of filing on the ground that the candidate had suppressed information or given false information. However, if it was found after a proper enquiry that the candidate had failed to disclose information, the non-disclosure would be a ground for disqualification.

“Otherwise, it would be an anomalous situation that even when criminal proceedings under Section 125A of the Representation of the People Act can be initiated and the selected candidate is criminally prosecuted and convicted, the result of his election cannot be questioned,” the Bench said. “This cannot be countenanced.”

Quoting an earlier verdict, the Bench said, “It was incumbent upon every candidate, who is contesting election, to give information about his assets and other affairs, requirement of which is an essential part of fair and free elections. Every voter has a right to know about these details, such a requirement is also covered by freedom of speech granted under Article 19(1) (a) of the Constitution.”

Gyaan

Section 125A of RPA

Penalty for filing false affidavit, etc.—A candidate who himself or through his proposer, with intent to be elected in an election,—

(i) fails to furnish information relating to sub-section (1) of section 33A; or

(ii) give false information which he knows or has reason to believe to be false; or

(iii) conceals any information,

in his nomination paper delivered under sub-section (1) of section 33 or in his affidavit which is required to be delivered under sub-section (2) of section 33A, as the case may be, shall, notwithstanding anything contained in any other law for the time being in force, be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months, or with fine, or with both.

Hate speeches triggered Assam violence: report

A fact-finding report on the recent violence in Baksa in Assam, released by the Centre for Policy Analysis on Wednesday, has blamed “hate speeches” by leaders for igniting up ethnic tensions in the State.

Based on the report, the CPA has recommended a series of measures, including the appointment of a judicial commission for a time-bound probe, to ensure security and rehabilitation of the victims.

Claiming the four-step formula

Article talks about Manmohan's performance in case of ties with Pakistan and how the Musharraf's four step plan is now been ascribed more to Dr. Singh than Musharraf. 

Gyaan

General Musharraf’s four point formula provides a road map to peace in Kashmir in accordance with the following steps: 

1) Self governance; 

2) Demilitarization; 

3) The removal of irrelevant borders implying free movement of people and trade between India, Pakistan and the two Kashmirs; 

4) Joint management of Kashmir, which will mean that India, Pakistan, and the two Kashmirs will form a group to manage common interests and common issues like trade, tourism, and river waters etc.