Washington:  Defying gravitational forces, an Indian-origin scientist-led team has developed a new way of making surfaces that can actively control how fluids or particles move across them. The discovery may enable new kinds of biomedical or microfluidic devices or solar panels that could automatically clean themselves of dust and grit. “Most surfaces are passive. They rely on gravity or other forces to move fluids or particles,” said Kripa Varanasi, an […]

Last year, FirstBiz did a series on how Indian banks goof-up and customers have to run around to rectify the wrongs that the banks have done. Based on its popularity and reader requests, Firstbiz has decided to continue the series and focus upon areas where banks make the most blunders, which in short is everywhere—from deposit accounts to cards to loans. Linked Finance Ireland is the best option to go for […]

Kolkata: The status of stock, information on the availability of blood of specific groups in state-run blood banks will now be a click away as the West Bengal government is now all ready to roll out a web portal linking them together.  “The state government is determined to help people with information on blood banks in the state. That’s why we’ve thought of linking them together through online and work […]

  B.C. and China have signed a memorandum of understanding that will bring foreign workers, if needed, to help build the province’s growing LNG industry. The agreement reads: “The Participants will, in accordance with their respective applicable laws and regulations, and respecting the priority of hiring domestic labour whenever possible, work together with the appropriate authorities to secure and facilitate the entry of foreign workers.” The 16 proposed LNG projects […]

The death toll is rising in Taiwan in a series of explosions triggered by underground gas leaks in the southern city of Kaohsiung, according to state-run news agency CNA. At least 22 people were killed and another 270 injured when the powerful blasts ripped through the city’s sewage system early Friday. Firefighters from neighboring cities rushed to Kaohsiung to help battle the flames, CNA reported The government also called up […]

They say that you swallow spiders in your sleep, but that theory has been debunked. Here are 9 REAL living organisms that could be in your body right now.  To be honest, I would prefer the spiders. Tapeworm – This vile scum lives in your digestive tract and there are no signs or symptoms. The only way to know for sure if you have a Tapeworm is to inspect your […]

English all-rounder Moeen Ali has been banned from wearing “Save Gaza” and “Free Palestine” wristbands till the remainder of the third Test match against India in Southampton. ICC match referee David Boon inflicted the decision upon Ali. Earlier, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) had cleared Ali to wear the bands. They stated that he was making a humanitarian statement and not a political one. But the ICC issued […]

Study at Iowa University found running at slow speeds is good for you Analysed 55,137 adults aged between 18 and 100 and determined healthy exercise ‘does not have to be exhausting or time-consuming’ Runners had a 30% lower risk of death from all causes and a 45% lower risk of death from heart disease and stroke They also lived, on average, three years longer than non-runners. Running for just seven […]

Scientists at the University of East Anglia say our cells have ancient ability Cells perform reactions from the origin of life 4 billion years ago Primordial soup theory suggests life began in a pond or ocean Energy such as lightning made the buildings blocks evolve into species Research shows mitochondria continue to perform similar actions today Parts of the primordial soup in which life arose have been maintained in our […]

Today marks World Hepatitis Day. Established by the World Health Assembly in 2010, this is the fourth celebration of the annual day. This day makes a clarion call for the change in attitude to viral hepatitis and bring about awareness about this global disease. This year’s theme, ‘Think Again’ acknowledges that ‘we do not know nearly enough about viral hepatitis as a health threat in much of the world.’ Viral […]