Special Protein: A group of scientists, at the Indian Institute of Technology, Guwahati, has come up with a solution where healthy skin cells from an adult can be converted into heart cells using special proteins.
According to scientists, converting cells from one form to another – a.k.a. cellular reprogramming – involves specific proteins, called transcription factors, that alter the “expression of genes within a cell and direct it to take on a new cellular identity”.
They developed a toolbox, which consists of six recombinant proteins: GATA4, MEF2C, TBX5, ETS2, MESP1, and HAND2.Each of these proteins plays a significant role in reprogramming fibroblasts – a type of cells that provides structure to tissue – into cardiomyocytes. The advantage of recombinant proteins-based cell conversion is they work their miracle inside the nucleus and eventually disappear over time without leaving behind their toxic waste, unlike their genetic counterparts. Thus, they are very safe for reprogramming compared to other approaches.
Mundaka Upanishad: Recently, Vice President released a book on Mundaka Upanishad written by Dr. Karan Singh. The Mundaka Upanishad is an ancient Sanskrit Vedic text, embedded inside Atharva Veda.It is a Mukhya (primary) Upanishad, and is listed as number 5 in the Muktika canon of 108 Upanishads of Hinduism. It is among the most widely translated Upanishads.
It is presented as a dialogue between great sacrificer Saunaka and sage Angiras. It is a poetic verse style Upanishad, with 64 verses, written in the form of mantras. However, these mantras are not used in rituals, rather they are used for teaching and meditation on spiritual knowledge. Upanishads take us to the wholesome path of order, truth and moral values. It is of particular significance to us – Our national motto सत्यमेव जयते is part of a mantra from मुण्डक-उपनिषद्.
French Ships Visit: French Navy Ships FS Dixmude,an amphibious helicopter carrier and La Fayette, frigate are on a visit to Kochi, as part of circumnavigation mission. The French Army embarked onboard ships will also conduct joint military exercise with the Indian Army. Indo French Naval cooperation is a key element of strengthening regional maritime security and stability in the Indo Pacific region. The visit of the French ships significantly contribute towards strong bilateral defence ties and strategic partnerships between the two nations.
International Women’s Day: International Women’s Day 2023 was observed on March 8 under the theme “DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality”.
The idea for an International Women’s day arose around the end of the 20th century out of a long-standing movement for women to participate equally in society.The first International Women’s Day was observed on March 19, 1911, in Austria, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland. Over time, International Women’s Day has grown to become a global day of recognition and celebration.
It was expanded by the United Nations in 1975 with the International Women’s Year.In 1977, the United Nations adopted a resolution designating March 8 as International Women’s Day.
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