Reference Auto

After reversing ageing… what next, postponing death? Scientists are on the verge of achieving a breakthrough to reverse signs of ageing after a study found a simple solution: by only reactivating an enzyme, which protects the tips of chromosomes in cells, this feat can be achieved.

If tests are successful on human beings (though this may be far away), can we aim to postpone death, in probably, a few decades?

Studies at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School revealed mice that did not have the enzyme became old early, according to a report published in the journal Nature. However, if the enzyme was put on them, the mice regained their vigour, indicating reversal in ageing, the researchers added.

An attempt to wake up the enzyme again in cells where it has stopped working is likely to thwart signs of ageing, said a scientist at the Dana-Farber Institute.

Mice, that were administered the drug, saw cells rejuvenate in two months and turned fertile, even giving birth.

“This can make us think about telomerase as a serious anti-aging intervention,” a scientist said. Scientists, however, note that mice without adequate telomerase are poorly placed in the normal ageing process, and raising the substance in humans could pave the way for promoting tumor growth.

“Telomere rejuvenation could be potentially fatal and you should make sure that it does not stimulate cancer,” said a US scientist who has spent years researching anti-ageing techniques. He trashed the experiment saying, “They are not studying normal ageing but ageing in mice made in an abnormal situation.”

Researches involved in the experiment admit there is more to ageing than shortened telomeres, which the end of chromosomes are called - during later stage of life. One of them, however, said that the telomerase therapy could one fine day combine with other therapies to produce a breakthrough.

This test could be just a start in achieving age reversal and to come up with a ready therapy it could actually take a few decades. But there is one thing to watch for: will anti-ageing also pave the way for reining in death?

HRD minister Kapil Sibal’s move to allow India Inc to roll out engineering and management institutes could revolutionise higher education in the country and make it much like the system in the US.

Under existing laws, only trusts could establish institutions (for instance Birla Trust had set up the much-sought-after engineering college BITS Pilani), but the new system will permit the private sector to directly open engineering and management colleges and also have them approved by the All-India Council of Technical Education or AICTE.

There is one rider though. Private companies will have to set up separate companies as non-profit entities under Section 25 of the Companies Act before they begin to roll out these courses.

The new institutes will have to reserve 5 per cent of seats for the poor. As per the norms, institutes that are set up in rural areas will have to come up in a campus size of 10 acres, while in urban areas it could be 2.5 acres, owing to land crunch. Moreover, an institute can simultaneously offer engineering along with management courses.

So, what would be the impact of this decision? Just like any product, the string of engineering colleges would set the stage for a competitive environment and could help whittle down fees. In fact, it could put an end to the system of capitation fees.

Also, the quality of education is likely to go up substantially and the IITs and IIMs could face some hardcore competition although it would be impossible to upstage these two brands. But India Inc could hire the best brains to teach by offering them astronomical pay packets.

This move by the Central government will also see a spurt in jobs as, for instance, if the Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group or ADAG sets up an institute, it will ensure that those passing out get jobs in group companies.

But  it could take may be a decade or so for the new institutes to build up a brand name. Only then can we see students benefitting from this government decision to allow India Inc to set up engineering and management colleges.

By closing the Aarushi Talwar murder case, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has dealt another blow to its image.

The agency said it has not been able to amass adequate evidence to nail the ‘inmates’ of the Jalvayu Vihar house that include Aarushi’s parents Rajesh and Nupur Talwar along with Aarushi and Hemraj, the domestic help, who was also killed on May 16, 2008.

With its cavalier approach, will we see more cases being closed by the CBI, a name synonymous with the likes of Scotland Yard and the Federal Bureau of Investigation?

Today, the country’s premier investigating agency has closed one case. There could be many more in the offing, some of which may be of national importance. In case there is a terror attack like that in Mumbai, will the CBI get anywhere near its logical conclusion?

The Mumbai attacks of 26/11 could make headway as one of the 10 terrorists responsible for the carnage was nabbed. But in case the CBI was investigating the case and none of the militants were caught alive, could the investigating agency afford to have said (similar to the Aarushi probe): Case closed owing to lack of evidence.