Volume 17, Issue 1, 2017 January-March
| Volume 17, No 1 | Pages: |
| 2017 January-March | Articles: 6 |
Immortality: The probable future of human evolution
Life and death is a natural phenomenon. Human have longed to be immortals and this is reflected in the beliefs of most, if not all, religions. In this article, brief overview of some of the immortal biological systems, both at the cellular and organismal levels are highlighted. Assumptions of the author on immortality and the probable future of human evolution are also discussed.
Heavy mineral studies of Gondwana sandstones of Eastern Arunachal Himalaya and implications for provenance
Bashab N. Mahanta , Ranjan K. Sarmah, Tapos Kumar Goswami, Banteilang R. Syngai
A thin linear belt of Permian Lower Gondwana rocks occur in the Eastern Himalayas from Arunachal Pradesh to Sikkim. The Lower Gondwana Group of rocks consists of shale, siltstone, sandstone, carbonaceous shale and coaly matter and is sandwiched between Miri Group and Siwalik Group of rocks. Heavy mineral composition of sandstones is extensively used in the provenance studies as they are the surviving remnants of the rather abundant but unstable mafic components of the source rock. The sandstones of Lower Gondwana Group bear the heavy mineral assemblage of chlorite, biotite, zircon, ilmenite, epidote, garnet, amphibole, chloritoid, brown tourmaline, magnetite, staurolite, rutile, and opaques which is indicative of a provenance of metamorphic rocks with input of igneous rocks. Provenance sensitive mineral index ratios were also calculated to see the variation in the ratio of two or more stable minerals with the same characteristics.
Effect of planting time on the performance of broccoli under Mizoram conditions
Donnie Lalfakzuala Kawlni, Chhungpuii Khawlhring
Broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica), a popular vegetable crop, has one of the most exacting climatic and cultural requirements, which limit its commercial production to a few favored locations. A field experiment was conducted at Mizoram University, Tanhril, Mizoram during winter of 2013/2014 to find out the effect of time of sowing on plant performance and yield of broccoli. Six sowing time was done viz. 17 October (T1), 24 October (T2), 31 October (T3), 7 November (T4), 14 November (T5) and 21 November (T6) with plant spacing of 45cm x 45cm. Yield and yield contributing characters were significantly influenced by the planting time. Highest average weight of marketable curd per plant (199.20 g) was obtained from T2, whereas lowest average weight obtained from T6 (75 g). The influence of planting time also showed significant difference on the calculated yield (tonnes per hectare) of broccoli, in which T2 showed highest marketable yield of 9.83 t/ha.
In vitro effect of tuibur (tobacco brew) on the viability of human blood lymphocytes
B. Lalruatfela , Jennifer Zoremsiami, Ganesh Chandra Jagetia
The use of tobacco and its products are known to cause many illnesses including cancer. A smokeless tobacco locally manufactured called tuibur (tobacco brew) has been consumed by the Mizos from a very long time. In this experiment we aim to determine the cytotoxicity of tuibur by an in vitro study on tuibur-treated human peripheral blood lymphocytes. We have found that 24 h treatment of human lymphocytes with two grades of commercial tuibur and nicotine showed a concentration dependent decrease in cell viability. We, therefore, concluded that as the in vitro use of tuibur has an adverse effect on cell survival, its consumption might have potential side effects on the health of the users.
Observation on the breeding biology of Polypedates teraiensis (Dubois, 1987) (Amphibia: Rhacophoridae)
Jacinta Lalchhanhimi, H.T. Lalremsanga
The breeding biology of tree frog, Polypedates teraiensis was studied during the breeding season at Mizoram University Campus. It was found that sound production by male during the breeding season was primarily a reproductive function and advertisement calls attract females to the breeding areas and announce other males that a given territory is occupied. The aim of this study was to provide the detailed information on the breeding behaviour and the advertisement calls of Polypedates teraiensis. The morphometric measurements of the amplecting pairs (males and females) for sexual dimorphism along with clutch sizes were also studied.
The making of oncology: The tales of false carcinogenic worms
Cancer is a disease of antiquity. The Ancient Greeks were familiar with onkos (from which we have the term oncology)—tumour of all sorts. Hippocrates coined karkinos and karkinoma, our source of the words cancer and carcinoma. Of a plethora of carcinogens, parasitic worms (helminths) constitute a considerable health concern. Three trematodes, Clonorchis sinensis, Opisthorchis viverrini, and Schistosoma haematobium are now officially classified carcinogens. But the discovery of helminths as cancer-causing agents took wrong turns and marks an inglorious chapter in the history of science. The carcinogenicity of worms, vindicating Rudolf Virchow’s reiztheorie (irritation theory) of cancer origin, was glorified in the scientific forefront by Johannes Fibiger in the 1910s. Discovery of a new nematode, which he proudly named Spiroptera carcinoma, and his subsequent demonstration that the parasite could induce stomach cancer in rats, earned Fibiger a retrospective Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1926, and a lasting fame. But not in an appealing way. His achievement did not withstand the test of time. S. carcinoma was annulled as an invalid taxon in zoology—supplanted by Gongylonema neoplasticum—and eventually was branded as a non-carcinogenic agent.
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