
Plan to set up science centre for school students on Calicut varsity campus
He was opening the International Moon Day celebrations held on the university campus at Tenhipalam in Malappuram district on Monday (July 21). It was organised by the Department of Physics, Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, M.S. Swaminathan Chair, Luca science portal and UL Space Club.
Mr. Raveendran said that the doors of the university should be opened for students, who are the society's future hope. They would be able to visit the observatory, botanical garden, labs, and various departments on the campus and engage in experiments with the help of research guides. There is a plan to build a new planetarium as well. Mr. Raveendran said that the corporate social responsibility funds of various institutions could be made available for the science centre, he added. Over 300 students attended the event.
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India.com
15 hours ago
- India.com
Holy Ghats, Clear Skies, And Stars: Why Varanasi Is India's Unexpected Stargazing Capital
Among the oldest inhabited cities worldwide Varanasi shines as a place celebrated primarily for its religious forces as well as its timeless shrines and exhilarating people. The holy city of Varanasi beyond its ceremonial value provides distinctive stargazing opportunities to its viewers. Stargazers should visit Varanasi City because its strategic location and historical astronomy background and peaceful environment surround this city. These seven points demonstrate why Varanasi becomes a perfect destination for astronomical observation. 1. Geographical Location Favorable for Stargazing The night sky lighting conditions at Varanasi are optimal because the city sits at 25.3176° N which grants viewers unobstructed access to both northern and southern celestial hemispheres. Through this advantageous location people studying the stars can view multiple constellations which include prominent patterns like Orion in addition to Cassiopeia and Scorpius. The Tropic of Cancer region near the city creates periods where clear skies provide great conditions to observe space phenomena. 2. Low Light Pollution in Surrounding Areas Despite having some light pollution from its busy urban core Varanasi presents darker sky conditions throughout its rural edges and provincial regions. The Sahajanath Ghat and Sarnath along with other Ganges River locations offer residents calm areas shielded from city illumination. Vacationers at these observation locations can watch the Milky Way along with meteor showers and other celestial events without any barriers in their sight. Nighttime observations of the sky at Varanasi ghats become especially extraordinary because of their bright lit space against the silhouetted dark riverbank. 3. Historical Connection to Astronomy For many generations Varanasi maintained its status as a hub of higher learning which encompassed studies of astronomy. The scholars Aryabhata and Brahmagupta among other ancient Indian astronomers gave substantial knowledge contributions to astronomy that the Varanasi institutions Banaras Hindu University (BHU) examined extensively. BHU serves as a scientific research center through its astrophysics programs which are provided by its Department of Physics. The long history of academic excellence at Varanasi creates a vibrant cultural environment for all those who wish to study stellar phenomena. 4. Festivals Aligned with Celestial Events Through their traditions and calendrical celebrations the people of Varanasi show extensive recognition for celestial patterns in the sky. The annual festival of Makar Sankranti receives enormous enthusiasm from locals when the sun enters the Capricorn zodiac sign. Kartik Purnima brings in numerous devotees to witness the lunar full moon in Kartik month just like the holy ghats. Local traditions value celestial elements profoundly through their festivals which provide stargazers with the chance to experience cultural observances during nights brightened by stars. 5. Observatories and Educational Initiatives Banaras Hindu University accommodates an observatory that combines telescopes with other astronomical instruments for space observation. Students along with researchers can access this research center while the overall public gets special entry permissions to view celestial events including planetary movements or eclipses. These programs serve to develop astronomers of all ages throughout the local community along with people who visit. Educational institutions in Varanasi organize workshops and lectures that provide important understanding of universe mysteries to their students and participants. 6. Unique Perspective from the Ghats Visitors can admire night sky views while sitting at Dashashwamedh Ghat and Manikarnika Ghat among the famous ghats of Varanasi. People watching the stars from holy Ganges River shores get a spiritual experience from the candlelight and prayer noises performed by temple priests. Astronomy enthusiasts never forget their visits because the stars that appear on the water create an enchanting atmosphere. 7. Ideal Timing for Astronomical Events Each season in Varanasi provides special conditions for space observation depending on time of year. A crisp clean sky prevails across the winter season from November through February thus producing unobstructed star visibility. This specific time of year brings perfect circumstances to view meteor showers which include the Geminids and Quadrantids. Weather during the monsoon season remains mainly cloudy but occasionally allows people to spot special astronomical events. The mild conditions during spring and autumn create ideal conditions for having pleasurable stargazing activities under the open sky. Wrapping Up People who study stars have discovered that Varanasi offers an enchanting experience apart from its religious and traditional attractions. The city benefits from its strategic position as well as minimal light pollution surrounding its terrain together with its astronomical tradition and numerous celestial holidays which form an ideal base to study space. Visitors with an interest in astronomy and amateur astronomers alike find Varanasi to be a stargazing haven supported by its attractive landscapes and scholarly resources and cultural heritage. During your visit to this historic city be sure to appreciate the spectacular wonders that exist overhead.


The Hindu
3 days ago
- The Hindu
Tezpur University team develops low-cost device to detect tuberculosis
GUWAHATI A team of researchers from central Assam's Tezpur University has developed an affordable and portable device to detect tuberculosis (TB). The researchers said the device, using the autofluorescence or natural glow of the TB bacteria for detection instead of any chemical or dye, has been specially designed for use in rural and remote areas where advanced medical facilities are not easily available. Pabitra Nath of the university's Department of Physics and the team leader, said the device has a built-in heating system to improve test accuracy and can be operated using a smartphone. 'It costs under ₹25,000 and weighs less than 300 grams, making it a perfect fit for places with limited healthcare infrastructure,' he said. The other members of the team are Biprav Chetry and Chunuranjan Dutta, research scholars from Tezpur University's Department of Physics; J.P. Saikia and Santanu Goswami from the Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology; and Abhijit Gogoi from Labdig Innovations and Systems Private Limited. Early and accurate diagnosis is crucial in stopping the spread of TB, a major public health issue in India. The World Health Organization (WHO) and India's National TB Elimination Programme currently recommend LED fluorescence microscopy as the gold standard for TB screening. However, the standard testing method recommended by the WHO needs expensive machines and trained technicians, which are not available in many rural areas. The new device can solve this problem by making TB testing simpler and more accessible, the researchers said. 'While LED-FM offers higher sensitivity than conventional optical microscopy, it has several drawbacks. It depends on costly equipment, chemical staining agents like auramine-O, and trained personnel for sample preparation and interpretation. Furthermore, its reliance on laboratory infrastructure makes it impractical in many rural settings,' Professor Nath said. The device developed by the Tezpur University researchers leverages the principle of autofluorescence, a natural property of certain microbial cells, including Mycobacterium tuberculosis (mTB) cells, that emit a fluorescence signal when excited by a specific wavelength of light. 'The team's key innovation lies in the integration of a heating element within the sensor system. By raising the temperature of the bacterial sample, the system enhances the natural fluorescence signal from mTB cells, enabling trace-level detection without the use of stains or dyes,' Prof. Nath explained. The team has filed a patent for the device, and their study was published in Biosensors and Bioelectronics, an international journal.


Time of India
6 days ago
- Time of India
‘Loom Alert' to fix night accidents caused due to highway hypnosis
1 2 3 4 Nagpur: Despite improved infrastructure and awareness campaigns, fatal accidents on the Samruddhi Expressway continue, especially after dark. Now, a city-based physicist and his student research team have developed an innovative solution they believe could save lives. Named 'Loom Alert', it is a light-based alert system aimed at snapping drivers out of night-time drowsiness and highway hypnosis. The idea struck after a recent crash near Umred, in which four members of the same family were killed as the driver reportedly fell asleep around 7pm. "The pattern was clear, long stretches of unlit road, driver fatigue, and hypnotic monotony," said Sanjay Dhoble, senior faculty at Nagpur University's Department of Physics. "That's when I began working with my students to devise a visual intervention that could re-engage the brain mid-journey. The new system would be installed 50km each on both sides of petrol pumps where there are no lights," he told TOI. Working with MSc Physics student Khushboo Singh and MBA student Namika Shaikh, Dhoble designed a model that introduces a 'light tunnel'. The model includes an illuminated gateway made of LED-lit plastic panels, with peacock motifs and colourful light clusters on either side. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Web Search For YouTube search Search Now Undo by Taboola by Taboola As vehicles approach, drivers encounter a corridor of light and colour — LED trees in red, blue, and green — placed every 10m for 2–5km. "Loom Alert is not just about aesthetics. The sudden change in environment, brightness, and colour pattern triggers the brain out of trance-like states that long, dark highways tend to induce," said Singh. The model has now secured an international patent, and the team is advocating its implementation every 100km along the Samruddhi corridor. Dhoble insists the light-based setup could dramatically reduce hypnosis-induced accidents. "We're not redesigning infrastructure, we're adding a layer of consciousness to existing journeys," he said. He also emphasised the broader responsibility of academic institutions. "A university must serve society through meaningful, applied research. Our students must learn to innovate for real-world problems," Dhoble said, adding that its cost would be around Rs10,000 to Rs15,000. He added that he would be ready to extend all cooperation to the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) officials to install the system, who manage the Samruddhi Highway. University officials, including acting vice-chancellor Madhavi Khode-Chaware, Pro VC Subhash Kondawar, registrar Raju Hiwase, finance officer Harish Paliwal, and Physics Department Head Omprakash Chimankar, congratulated the team. Nagpur: Despite improved infrastructure and awareness campaigns, fatal accidents on the Samruddhi Expressway continue, especially after dark. Now, a city-based physicist and his student research team have developed an innovative solution they believe could save lives. Named 'Loom Alert', it is a light-based alert system aimed at snapping drivers out of night-time drowsiness and highway hypnosis. The idea struck after a recent crash near Umred, in which four members of the same family were killed as the driver reportedly fell asleep around 7pm. "The pattern was clear, long stretches of unlit road, driver fatigue, and hypnotic monotony," said Sanjay Dhoble, senior faculty at Nagpur University's Department of Physics. "That's when I began working with my students to devise a visual intervention that could re-engage the brain mid-journey. The new system would be installed 50km each on both sides of petrol pumps where there are no lights," he told TOI. Working with MSc Physics student Khushboo Singh and MBA student Namika Shaikh, Dhoble designed a model that introduces a 'light tunnel'. The model includes an illuminated gateway made of LED-lit plastic panels, with peacock motifs and colourful light clusters on either side. As vehicles approach, drivers encounter a corridor of light and colour — LED trees in red, blue, and green — placed every 10m for 2–5km. "Loom Alert is not just about aesthetics. The sudden change in environment, brightness, and colour pattern triggers the brain out of trance-like states that long, dark highways tend to induce," said Singh. The model has now secured an international patent, and the team is advocating its implementation every 100km along the Samruddhi corridor. Dhoble insists the light-based setup could dramatically reduce hypnosis-induced accidents. "We're not redesigning infrastructure, we're adding a layer of consciousness to existing journeys," he said. He also emphasised the broader responsibility of academic institutions. "A university must serve society through meaningful, applied research. Our students must learn to innovate for real-world problems," Dhoble said, adding that its cost would be around Rs10,000 to Rs15,000. He added that he would be ready to extend all cooperation to the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) officials to install the system, who manage the Samruddhi Highway. University officials, including acting vice-chancellor Madhavi Khode-Chaware, Pro VC Subhash Kondawar, registrar Raju Hiwase, finance officer Harish Paliwal, and Physics Department Head Omprakash Chimankar, congratulated the team.