Teacher arrested for sexually assaulting 6-year-old girl in Bangalore

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Bangalore: A teacher was on Friday arrested for the alleged sexual assault of a six-year-old girl at a school in Bangalore, as protests erupted with parents demanding answers from the institution which was found to have flouted safety norms.

The teacher, detained for questioning after the complaint was lodged on Thursday by the victim’s mother, was arrested after he admitted to his guilt during “thorough” questioning, police officials said.

“He has been arrested,” Joint Commissioner of Police Hemant Nimbalkar told PTI. Additional Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) Alok Kumar, “We have thoroughly questioned him.” Police are “fairly sure” about the detained person’s involvement, Kumar said, adding “the person is a teacher in the school; he has been with the school for a long time.

We have questioned him and he has admitted to his guilt.” The girl, studying in the first standard, was allegedly sexually assaulted twice by the accused on 28 and 29 October within the school premises.

Police had booked a case under Sections 376 of IPC and 5 and 6 of Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act 2012. Sec 376 of IPC relates to rape and Sections 4 and 6 of POCSO Act to punishment for penetrative sexual assault and punishment for aggravated penetrative sexual assault, respectively.

Meanwhile, protest broke out in front of the school, where parents and other social organisations demanded answers from its authorities and that police handover the accused to them. Kumar said the school had not implemented safety measures prescribed by the authorities.

Why scratching makes an itch worse

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Washington: Scratching an itch only makes it worse but you cannot resist that urge to scratch more? Blame it on the brain.

According to a research, scratching causes the brain to release a hormone called serotonin which intensifies the itch sensation.

"The problem is that when the brain gets those pain signals, it responds by producing the neurotransmitter serotonin to help control that pain," said senior investigator Zhou-Feng Chen, director of the centre for the study of itch at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.

As serotonin spreads from the brain into the spinal cord, we found the chemical can "jump the tracks, moving from pain-sensing neurons to nerve cells that influence itch intensity", Chen added.

As part of the study, the researchers bred a strain of mice that lacked the genes to make serotonin.

When those genetically-engineered mice were injected with a substance that normally makes the skin itch, the mice did not scratch as much as normal mice.

But when the genetically-altered mice were injected with serotonin, they scratched as mice would be expected to in response to compounds designed to induce itching.

"Itch and pain signals are transmitted through different but related pathways," Chen maintained.

Scratching can relieve itch by creating minor pain. But when the body responds to pain signals, that response actually can make itching worse, the team wrote.

But it is not practical to try to treat itching by trying to block the release of serotonin as it is involved in growth, ageing, bone metabolism and in regulating mood.

"Instead, it might be possible to interfere with the communication between serotonin and nerve cells in the spinal cord that specifically transmit itch," Chen suggested.

The findings were reported in the journal Neuron.

Petrol price cut by Rs 2.41 per litre, diesel by Rs 2.25 eet

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New Delhi: Petrol price was today cut by Rs. 2.41 per litre, while that of diesel was reduced by Rs. 2.25 per litre.

The revised prices with take effect from midnight.

Why scratching makes an itch worse

________ A to Z kerala .......... [kvk] [www.atozkerala.in , www.atozkerala.blogspot.com]

Washington: Scratching an itch only makes it worse but you cannot resist that urge to scratch more? Blame it on the brain.

According to a research, scratching causes the brain to release a hormone called serotonin which intensifies the itch sensation.

'The problem is that when the brain gets those pain signals, it responds by producing the neurotransmitter serotonin to help control that pain,' said senior investigator Zhou-Feng Chen, director of the centre for the study of itch at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.

As serotonin spreads from the brain into the spinal cord, we found the chemical can 'jump the tracks, moving from pain-sensing neurons to nerve cells that influence itch intensity', Chen added.

As part of the study, the researchers bred a strain of mice that lacked the genes to make serotonin.

When those genetically-engineered mice were injected with a substance that normally makes the skin itch, the mice did not scratch as much as normal mice.

But when the genetically-altered mice were injected with serotonin, they scratched as mice would be expected to in response to compounds designed to induce itching.

'Itch and pain signals are transmitted through different but related pathways,' Chen maintained.

Scratching can relieve itch by creating minor pain. But when the body responds to pain signals, that response actually can make itching worse, the team wrote.

But it is not practical to try to treat itching by trying to block the release of serotonin as it is involved in growth, ageing, bone metabolism and in regulating mood.

'Instead, it might be possible to interfere with the communication between serotonin and nerve cells in the spinal cord that specifically transmit itch,' Chen suggested.

The findings were reported in the journal Neuron.

IANS

Govt considers ban on e-cigarettes, sale of single smokes

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New Delhi: The government is considering a ban on electronic cigarettes over the risks to public health that they may cause, a senior Health Ministry official told Reuters.

The World Health Organization (WHO) in August called for stiff regulation of e-cigarettes as well as bans on indoor use, in the latest bid to control the booming $3 billion global market.

Such devices use battery-powered cartridges to produce a nicotine-laced vapour but there is a lack of long-term scientific research that confirms they are safe. Some critics fear they could lead to nicotine addiction and tobacco smoking.

'We see it as a backdoor entry, it doesn't have tobacco but it has nicotine,' said the official, who declined to be identified because of the sensitivity of the matter.

'Expert panels have recommended regulation or a ban. India cannot regulate easily,' the official added, saying that the government would consider the ban in the next month or two.

The European Union has agreed to requirements around advertising and packaging to ensure the safety and quality of e-cigarettes. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has proposed banning sales to anyone under 18.

Up to 900,000 Indians die every year of tobacco-related diseases, and that number could reach 1.5 million by 2020 if users do not kick the habit, the International Tobacco Control Project estimates.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government is taking several steps to curb India's tobacco consumption. It has increased taxes on tobacco products and ordered companies to print more health warnings on packages.

SINGLE BAN?

While most e-cigarettes are imported and sold by small firms, India's largest cigarette maker ITC started selling the devices in August.

ITC did not comment directly on the likely ban, but said India should not be left behind in technology development of such products.

India has also proposed a ban on the sale of single conventional cigarettes. The official said the ministry had proposed amendments to tobacco control laws and a cabinet note had been circulated for comments.

Indians smoked more than 100 billion cigarettes in 2012, according to Euromonitor International, and it is common for vendors to sell them individually.

The WHO's Framework Convention on Tobacco Control states that countries 'shall endeavour' to prohibit such sales as it makes them more affordable for minors. India is a party to the convention.

A single cigarette costs about 10 rupees (16 cents) in the capital, New Delhi, compared with a pack of 20 that costs 190 rupees ($3).

ITC declined to comment on the proposed ban. The Tobacco Institute of India (TII), an industry body, said the proposed law would not be easily enforceable and would lead to retailers being harassed.

REUTERS

Are you sleeping with your smartphone?

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New York: A considerable number of people take their smartphones with them to bed - some even holding them in their hands as they dream, said a survey.

According to a latest survey by California-based QR Code Press magazine, 53 percent of respondents said they regularly took their smartphones with them when they went to bed.

QR Code Press released the results of a new mobile technology survey it had conducted to examine certain behaviours with regards to smartphone use, such as taking their devices to bed with them.

While five percent of them noted that they have fallen asleep with their device in their hand, two percent claimed to have texted someone while they were asleep.

According to a Nielsen study, the average American was already spending 34 hours and 21 minutes per month on mobile technology devices.

Some have even interrupted their sleep to make use of their mobile device, most often for social media purposes.

IANS

HC partially upholds liquor policy, allows four-star bars to operate

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Kochi: The Kerala High Court, on Thursday, partially upheld the liquor policy announced by the UDF government.

While ruling in favour of the government decision to wind up the operations of the two and three star bars, the court wanted the government to allow functioning of four-star bars along with five-star hotels.

With this verdict delivered by Justice K Surendra Mohan, as many as 261 bars currently functioning in the state have to down their shutters. However, the order fails to mention the date of closure.The court issued the order after considering a total of 83 petitions filed by various parties.

The HC noted the government failed to consider the recommendations of the Justice M Ramachandran committee while framing the new liquor policy.

The government had earlier decided to permit operations of five-star bars and heritage bars. Citing the Supreme Court order isiued in 2012, the court wanted the four-star and heritage hotels be treated on par with five-star hotels.

Now, a total of 62 bars, comprising 33 four-star, 21 five-star and eight heritage bars, can function in the state.

Aiming to implement a total prohibition, the government had cancelled the licences given to 418 bars and decided to shut down the operations of the remaining bars on September 12.

The Kerala Bar Hotel Owners Association moved the Kerala High Court, which Sep 3 upheld the government's decision. The association sought relief from the Supreme Court, which sent it back to the high court.

The government wanted to close down 712 bars in the state, except those having five-star status. Among them, 33 four-star bars can now continue to function.

Thursday's verdict has come as a partial relief to the government.

Talking to media, Chief minister Oommen Chandy said the verdict is an approval of the liquor policy brought forth by the state government.

The association has announced that it would go in appeal against the verdict while state Excise Minister K. Babu said this verdict is no setback to the State government's liquor policy.

'Now we will study the verdict and decide the next course of action,' said Babu.

State Congress president V.M. Sudheeran welcomed the verdict and said it has upheld the liquor policy of the state government.

'Now we will see what we can do to bring the four-star hotel bars also out of the present list and for that we will seek legal recourse,' said Sudheeran.

Employees working in a three-star hotel in the state capital said this is a sad day for them.

'If the media reports on the verdict are to be believed, we are so sad and we are left with no job. I have been in this industry for the past quarter of a century as a waiter in a bar restaurant,' said a waiter.

Meanwhile, the state government has already begun talks with trade union leaders for devising a rehabilitation package for the registered employees working in the bars that will now be closed.

'One round of talks is over and very soon we will have a second round. We have asked the stake holders to come out with their suggestions,' said Babu.

(with inputs from agencies)

Any physical activity is good for brain health

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Toronto: Exercise boosts brain health and researchers have now found that the elderly and sedentary who cannot think of hitting the gym for physical activity may improve their brain health by doing any activity they like.

'I would like seniors to remember that they have the power to improve their physical and cognitive health at any age and that they have many avenues to reach this goal,' said Nicolas Berryman from Institut universitaire de geriatrie de Montreal (IUGM) in Canada.

The study compared the effects of different training methods on the cognitive functions of people aged 62 to 84 years.

Two groups were assigned a high-intensity aerobic and strength-training programme, whereas the third group performed tasks that targeted gross motor activities (coordination, balance, ball games, locomotive tasks and flexibility). They performed activities that can easily be done at home.

While the aerobics and strength-training were the only exercises that led to physical fitness improvements after 10 weeks, all three groups showed equivalent improvement in cognitive performance.

'Our new findings suggest that structured activities that aim to improve gross motor skills can also improve executive functions, which decline as we age,' Berryman said.

People use executive functions to plan, organise, develop strategies, pay attention to and remember details, and manage time and space.

The study was published in the journal AGE (American Aging Association).

IANS

LDC probability list published

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 Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala Public Service Commission has published the LD clerk probability list for appointments to various departments in 14 districts. The candidates can access the list by logging on to www.keralapsc.gov.in 

Nearly 26,000 candidates are included in the main list while the supplementary list accommodates double the number of candidates. The one-time registration for the candidates will start on November 17.

The cut-off marks for various districts are as follows:

Thiruvananthapuram: 66.33
Kollam: 64.33
Pathanamthitta: 48.00
Alappuzha: 61.33
Idukki: 58.00
Kottayam: 61.00
Ernakulam: 60.00
Thrissur: 63.00
Palakkad: 58.67
Malappuram: 62.00
Kozhikode: 47.00
Wayanad: 49.67
Kannur: 52.67
Kasargod: 48.00

Sleep disturbances linked to higher Alzheimer's risk in men

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 London: Elderly men with self-reported sleep disturbances run a higher risk of developing Alzheimer's disease than men without self-reported sleep disturbances, says a study.

'We demonstrate that men with self-reported sleep disturbances run a 1.5-fold higher risk to develop Alzheimer's disease than those without reports of sleep disturbances during a 40-year follow-up period,' said lead researcher Christian Benedict from Uppsala University in Sweden.

'The later the self-reported sleep disturbance was found the higher the risk was for developing Alzheimer's disease,' Benedict added.

The researchers followed more than 1,000 men, who were initially 50 year old, between the years 1970 and 2010.

The data suggest that a regular good night's sleep could support brain health in men.

'These findings suggest that strategies aimed at improving sleep quality in late life may help reduce the risk to develop Alzheimer's disease,' Benedict pointed out.

The researchers also pointed out that several lifestyle factors, such as exercise, can influence the brain's health.

'Thus, it must be borne in mind that a multifaceted lifestyle approach comprising good sleep habits is essential for maintaining brain health as you age', Benedict stressed.

The results appeared in the journal Alzheimer's & Dementia.

IANS