Walking to work cuts diabetes risk

London: People who walk to work are around 40 per cent less likely to have diabetes compared to those who drive, according to a new UK study. Researchers at Imperial College London and University College London examined how various health indicators related to how people get to work, using data from a survey of 20,000 people across the UK. 

They found that cycling, walking, and using public transport were all associated with lower risk of being overweight than driving or taking a taxi. People who walk to work were also 17 per cent less likely than people who drive to have high blood pressure. Cyclists were around half as likely to have diabetes as drivers. 

The researchers said people could reduce their risks of serious health problems such as heart attacks by avoiding using a car. "This study highlights that building physical activity into the daily routine by walking, cycling or using public transport to get to work is good for personal health ," said Anthony Laverty, from the School of Public Health at Imperial College London. 

Nineteen per cent of working age adults who use private transport such as cars, motorbikes or taxis to get to work were obese, compared to 15 per cent of those who walked and 13 per cent of those who cycled to work, the study found. 

The findings are published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.

Baby owls sleep like human babies

Berlin: Scientists have discovered that the sleeping patterns of baby owls are similar to that of human babies. 

The sleep of baby birds appears to change in the same way as it does in humans, researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Ornithology and the University of Lausanne have found. 

Studying barn owls in the wild, the researchers discovered that this change in sleep is strongly correlated with the expression of a gene involved in producing dark, melanic feather spots, a trait known to covary with behavioural and physiological traits in adult owls. 

These findings raise the intriguing possibility that sleep-related developmental processes in the brain contribute to the link between melanism and other traits observed in adult barn owls and other animals. 

Sleep in mammals and birds consists of two phases, REM sleep (Rapid Eye Movement Sleep) and non-REM sleep. We experience our most vivid dreams during REM sleep, a paradoxical state characterised by awake-like brain activity. 

One of the most salient features of REM sleep is its preponderance early in life. Many mammals spend far more time in REM sleep during early life than when they are adults. 

Although birds are the only non-mammalian group known to clearly engage in REM sleep, it has been unclear whether sleep develops in the same manner in baby birds. 

Researchers in the new study used an electroencephalogram (EEG) and movement data logger in conjunction with minimally invasive EEG sensors designed for use in humans, to record sleep in 66 owlets of varying age. 

Despite lacking significant eye movements (a trait common to owls), the owlets spent large amounts of time in REM sleep. 

"During this sleep phase, the owlets' EEG showed awake-like activity, their eyes remained closed, and their heads nodded slowly," said Madeleine Scriba from the University of Lausanne. 

The researchers discovered that just as in baby humans, the time spent in REM sleep declined as the owlets aged. 

In addition, the team examined the relationship between sleep and the expression of a gene in the feather follicles involved in producing dark, melanic feather spots. 

"As in several other avian and mammalian species, we have found that melanic spotting in owls covaries with a variety of behavioural and physiological traits, many of which also have links to sleep, such as immune system function and energy regulation," said Alexander Roulin from the University of Lausanne. 

The team found that owlets expressing higher levels of the gene involved in melanism had less REM sleep than expected for their age, suggesting that their brains were developing faster than in owlets expressing lower levels of this gene. 

In line with this interpretation, the enzyme encoded by this gene also plays a role in producing hormones (thyroid and insulin) involved in brain development

Baby owls sleep like human babies

Berlin: Scientists have discovered that the sleeping patterns of baby owls are similar to that of human babies. 

The sleep of baby birds appears to change in the same way as it does in humans, researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Ornithology and the University of Lausanne have found. 

Studying barn owls in the wild, the researchers discovered that this change in sleep is strongly correlated with the expression of a gene involved in producing dark, melanic feather spots, a trait known to covary with behavioural and physiological traits in adult owls. 

These findings raise the intriguing possibility that sleep-related developmental processes in the brain contribute to the link between melanism and other traits observed in adult barn owls and other animals. 

Sleep in mammals and birds consists of two phases, REM sleep (Rapid Eye Movement Sleep) and non-REM sleep. We experience our most vivid dreams during REM sleep, a paradoxical state characterised by awake-like brain activity. 

One of the most salient features of REM sleep is its preponderance early in life. Many mammals spend far more time in REM sleep during early life than when they are adults. 

Although birds are the only non-mammalian group known to clearly engage in REM sleep, it has been unclear whether sleep develops in the same manner in baby birds. 

Researchers in the new study used an electroencephalogram (EEG) and movement data logger in conjunction with minimally invasive EEG sensors designed for use in humans, to record sleep in 66 owlets of varying age. 

Despite lacking significant eye movements (a trait common to owls), the owlets spent large amounts of time in REM sleep. 

"During this sleep phase, the owlets' EEG showed awake-like activity, their eyes remained closed, and their heads nodded slowly," said Madeleine Scriba from the University of Lausanne. 

The researchers discovered that just as in baby humans, the time spent in REM sleep declined as the owlets aged. 

In addition, the team examined the relationship between sleep and the expression of a gene in the feather follicles involved in producing dark, melanic feather spots. 

"As in several other avian and mammalian species, we have found that melanic spotting in owls covaries with a variety of behavioural and physiological traits, many of which also have links to sleep, such as immune system function and energy regulation," said Alexander Roulin from the University of Lausanne. 

The team found that owlets expressing higher levels of the gene involved in melanism had less REM sleep than expected for their age, suggesting that their brains were developing faster than in owlets expressing lower levels of this gene. 

In line with this interpretation, the enzyme encoded by this gene also plays a role in producing hormones (thyroid and insulin) involved in brain development

Walking to work cuts diabetes risk

London: People who walk to work are around 40 per cent less likely to have diabetes compared to those who drive, according to a new UK study. Researchers at Imperial College London and University College London examined how various health indicators related to how people get to work, using data from a survey of 20,000 people across the UK. 

They found that cycling, walking, and using public transport were all associated with lower risk of being overweight than driving or taking a taxi. People who walk to work were also 17 per cent less likely than people who drive to have high blood pressure. Cyclists were around half as likely to have diabetes as drivers. 

The researchers said people could reduce their risks of serious health problems such as heart attacks by avoiding using a car. "This study highlights that building physical activity into the daily routine by walking, cycling or using public transport to get to work is good for personal health ," said Anthony Laverty, from the School of Public Health at Imperial College London. 

Nineteen per cent of working age adults who use private transport such as cars, motorbikes or taxis to get to work were obese, compared to 15 per cent of those who walked and 13 per cent of those who cycled to work, the study found. 

The findings are published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.

BJP to announce CM candidate for Delhi polls

New Delhi: Eyeing a return to power in Delhi after a gap of 15 years, BJP today said it will announce its chief ministerial candidate "soon" for the assembly polls slated for November. 

Party's Delhi election in-charge Nitin Gadkari said BJP Parliamentary Board will take a decision on the chief ministerial candidate. 
"We want to finalise the chief ministerial candidate as soon as possible. The BJP Parliamentary Board will make a final decision on the issue," Gadkari told PTI. 

Asked whether former Health Minister Harsh Vardhan could be BJP's candidate for the top post, the former BJP president said no name has been finalised yet. 

"No decision has been made so far. The consultation process is on. I am also holding consultation with senior Delhi BJP leaders," Gadkari said. Party sources said Vardhan, who is considered close to the RSS, is a front runner as party's chief ministerial candidate as he has a clean image and could be acceptable to all warring factions. 

Asked for his comment, Vardhan said he was not aware of the issue and has not been informed about such a move.

BJP to announce CM candidate for Delhi polls

New Delhi: Eyeing a return to power in Delhi after a gap of 15 years, BJP today said it will announce its chief ministerial candidate "soon" for the assembly polls slated for November. 

Party's Delhi election in-charge Nitin Gadkari said BJP Parliamentary Board will take a decision on the chief ministerial candidate. 
"We want to finalise the chief ministerial candidate as soon as possible. The BJP Parliamentary Board will make a final decision on the issue," Gadkari told PTI. 

Asked whether former Health Minister Harsh Vardhan could be BJP's candidate for the top post, the former BJP president said no name has been finalised yet. 

"No decision has been made so far. The consultation process is on. I am also holding consultation with senior Delhi BJP leaders," Gadkari said. Party sources said Vardhan, who is considered close to the RSS, is a front runner as party's chief ministerial candidate as he has a clean image and could be acceptable to all warring factions. 

Asked for his comment, Vardhan said he was not aware of the issue and has not been informed about such a move.

Govt introduces food bill in LS; discussion to start next week.

New Delhi: The government on Wednesday introduced the landmark Food Security Bill in Lok Sabha which, when passed, will replace an Ordinance and will give the country's two-third population right to highly subsidised foodgrains. 

Food Minister K V Thomas said the bill is likely to be passed in the current session and once it becomes an Act, states will get 6-12 months to implement it. 

The discussion on the bill will start next week and after Lok Sabha approves it, the legislation will be introduced in Rajya Sabha. On approval of the Upper House, the government will commit to give 67 per cent of the nation's population 5 kg foodgrain per month at Rs 1-3 per kg. 

The households covered under Antyodaya Anna Yojna (AAY) would be entitled to get 35 kg of foodgrains per month. 

"Discussion on the bill will begin on Monday. Once it is passed in the Lower House, it will go the Rajya Sabha. Once it is cleared, the states will get six months to one year to implement the Act," Thomas told PTI. 

Asked if the UPA government is confident of getting the support of its allies and the Opposition, he said, "All democratic forces want the right to food to be given to poor. I don't think they will oppose. They will support and the bill will be passed in this session." 

The minister said the Centre is in touch with all states. States like Delhi, Haryana, Uttarkhand and Kerala are ready to roll out this new programme. 

He said even non-congress ruled states could implement. "They have apprehensions. We will sort it out." 

Stressing that the success of this new programme would depend on leakage-proof PDS and setting of godowns by states, the minister said, "Some states have taken measures to strengthen PDS. We want all of them take urgent steps." 

The subsidy burden would be Rs 1.30 lakh crore and foodgrains requirement would be 62 million tonnes annually. 

As per the provisions of the bill, beneficiaries would get rice at Rs 3/kg, wheat at Rs 2/kg, and coarse grains at Re 1/kg. This rates would be valid for three years. 

Every pregnant woman and lactating mother would get free meal during pregnancy and six months after child birth. They will also get a maternity benefit of Rs 6,000 in instalments. Children upto 14 years would get free meals. 

In case of non-supply of foodgrains, states will have to pay food security allowance to beneficiaries. 

Govt introduces food bill in LS; discussion to start next week.

New Delhi: The government on Wednesday introduced the landmark Food Security Bill in Lok Sabha which, when passed, will replace an Ordinance and will give the country's two-third population right to highly subsidised foodgrains. 

Food Minister K V Thomas said the bill is likely to be passed in the current session and once it becomes an Act, states will get 6-12 months to implement it. 

The discussion on the bill will start next week and after Lok Sabha approves it, the legislation will be introduced in Rajya Sabha. On approval of the Upper House, the government will commit to give 67 per cent of the nation's population 5 kg foodgrain per month at Rs 1-3 per kg. 

The households covered under Antyodaya Anna Yojna (AAY) would be entitled to get 35 kg of foodgrains per month. 

"Discussion on the bill will begin on Monday. Once it is passed in the Lower House, it will go the Rajya Sabha. Once it is cleared, the states will get six months to one year to implement the Act," Thomas told PTI. 

Asked if the UPA government is confident of getting the support of its allies and the Opposition, he said, "All democratic forces want the right to food to be given to poor. I don't think they will oppose. They will support and the bill will be passed in this session." 

The minister said the Centre is in touch with all states. States like Delhi, Haryana, Uttarkhand and Kerala are ready to roll out this new programme. 

He said even non-congress ruled states could implement. "They have apprehensions. We will sort it out." 

Stressing that the success of this new programme would depend on leakage-proof PDS and setting of godowns by states, the minister said, "Some states have taken measures to strengthen PDS. We want all of them take urgent steps." 

The subsidy burden would be Rs 1.30 lakh crore and foodgrains requirement would be 62 million tonnes annually. 

As per the provisions of the bill, beneficiaries would get rice at Rs 3/kg, wheat at Rs 2/kg, and coarse grains at Re 1/kg. This rates would be valid for three years. 

Every pregnant woman and lactating mother would get free meal during pregnancy and six months after child birth. They will also get a maternity benefit of Rs 6,000 in instalments. Children upto 14 years would get free meals. 

In case of non-supply of foodgrains, states will have to pay food security allowance to beneficiaries. 

Eid in Kerala Thursday

Thiruvananthapuram: Various Muslim clerics and community leaders announced that Eid-ul-Fitr would be celebrated in Kerala Thursday after the moon was sighted in Kozhikode.

Supreme leader of the Indian Union Muslim League Pannakad Hyder Ali Shihab Thangal and other religious leaders made this announcement.

The state government has announced a public holiday for all educational institutions for Thursday and Friday, while for the government offices, Thursday has been declared as a restricted holiday, while it is a public holiday on Friday.

Muslims in Kerala constitute roughly 24 percent of the 3.20 crore population.

Eid in Kerala Thursday

Thiruvananthapuram: Various Muslim clerics and community leaders announced that Eid-ul-Fitr would be celebrated in Kerala Thursday after the moon was sighted in Kozhikode.

Supreme leader of the Indian Union Muslim League Pannakad Hyder Ali Shihab Thangal and other religious leaders made this announcement.

The state government has announced a public holiday for all educational institutions for Thursday and Friday, while for the government offices, Thursday has been declared as a restricted holiday, while it is a public holiday on Friday.

Muslims in Kerala constitute roughly 24 percent of the 3.20 crore population.