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Can tomatoes help improve male fertility?

Representational image

New Delhi (NVI): A compound found in tomatoes could help tackle fertility problems in men, scientists claim. Sperm quality is becoming a major problem these days in men all over the world. Scientists are constantly studying this and most studies have shown that the sperm quality of men has dropped significantly in the last 20 years.

A new study by the team from the University of Sheffield of a small cohort of men has found that the pigment which gives the fruit its red colour, known as lycopene, could boost sperm quality, specifically around size and swimming capabilities.

Lycopene, like vitamin E and zinc which have been the focus of previous research, is an antioxidant which means it prevents oxidation in cells, and therefore damage.

It has been linked to other health benefits, including reducing the risk of heart disease and some cancers.

The researchers say their findings could help reduce the need for invasive fertility treatments in the future as more than 40 per cent of all infertility cases are due to abnormal sperm production or function.

For the study, 60 healthy volunteers were recruited aged between 19 and 30.

During the 12-week trial, half of the participants took 14mg of LactoLycopene – a pill created by supplement manufacturer Cambridge Nutraceuticals Ltd that contains the tomato pigment – while the other half took placebos.

The team analysed the sperm samples collected at the beginning and end of the trial.

The results, published in the European Journal of Nutrition, showed that participants taking LactoLycopene had almost 40 per cent more fast-swimming sperm than when they began the trial, along with improvements to size and shape.

Professor Allan Pacey, head of the University of Sheffield’s department of oncology and metabolism and lead author, said, “We didn’t really expect that at the end of the study there would be any difference in the sperm from men who took the tablet versus those who took the placebo.”

“When we decoded the results, I nearly fell off my chair. The improvement in morphology – the size and shape of the sperm – was dramatic,” Allan said.

Pacey added that he believes the anti-oxidant properties of lycopene could prevent sperm from becoming damaged.

The team says that the next stage is to repeat the exercise in men with fertility issues to see if the supplement can increase sperm quality and whether or not it can help couples conceive without invasive fertility treatments.

Delhi polls: Campaign to put focus on child-centric issues

New  Delhi (NVI): With Delhi set for Assembly elections, some children launched a campaign for making the political parties and their candidates commit to work for children demands in the national capital.
The ‘Child Friendly Delhi’ campaign, which concluded today, was supported by Kailash Satyarthi Children’s Foundation (KSCF).
During this period, the children of Bal Panchayats of four Bal Mitra Mandals (BMM) of Delhi, Sanjay Camp in Chanakyapuri, Inder Camp and Israil camp in Vasantkunj and Indra Kalyan Vihar in Okhla phase 1, came up with a long list of child centric demands from the contesting candidates.
BMM is an initiative of KSCF, is a preventative, sustainable, and holistic approach to child protection and development in urban slum communities so that every child is safe, free, healthy and educated.
These demands were then taken to all the 70 constituencies of Delhi by Mukti Caravan, a campaign on wheels led by youth leaders who are former child labourers and rescued by the organisation at some point in time.
The Mukti Caravan team visited all the constituencies, engaging and sensitising the electorate about children’s demands enacted through street plays, announcements, interaction with the people even as the highlight was the slogan ‘Jo Bachchon Ki Baat Karega, Woh Dilli Pe Raaj Karega’.
The Mukti Caravan members also met nominees across party lines, engaging them to sign pledges that if elected they will work towards fulfilling the children’s demands.
In the course of the campaign, more than 220 candidates were reached across all 70 constituencies and, till today more than 100 pledges were signed.
A few major demands, among many others, included making Delhi child labour-free, ensuring safety and security of children from sexual abuse and other forms of violence, ensuring free education till Class 12, and ensuring that no child is trafficked were put forth to the nominees of all the three major political parties.
While commenting KSCF spokesperson Rakesh Senger said that children contribute a large share of the population of Delhi in the national capital.
“KSCF wants child centric policies to be made having focus on education, security and health of children to ensure that every child is free, safe and educated and Delhi becomes child friendly,” he said.
Meanwhile, as a part of the campaign, slum children went door to door in their communities with the demands, sharing it with their parents, relatives and neighbours and insisting that they vote only for those candidates who accept these demands.

Mehbooba Mufti, Omar Abdullah booked under PSA

Mubashir Bukhari

Srinagar (NVI): Jammu and Kashmir government on late booked two former chief ministers– Mehbooba Mufti and Omar Abdullah– under stringent Public Safety Act (PSA) late today.

The development comes when the six-month preventive custody of the two leaders was ending on today.

Omar Abdullah has been detained at Hari Niwas since August 5 and PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti, who was initially lodged at Chesmashahi huts is detained at government building in the heart of Srinagar.

Lok Sabha MP for Srinagar seat Farooq Abdullah has already been booked under PSA and is detained at his Gupkar residence.

Confirming about the development, Iltija Mufti- Mehbooba’s daughter who runs her Twitter handle said, “Ms Mufti received a PSA order sometime back. Slapping the draconian PSA on 2 ex J&K CMs is expected from an autocratic regime that books 9 year olds for ‘seditious remarks. Question is how much longer will we act as bystanders as they desecrate what this nation stands for?”

The move comes soon after Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that Mehbooba Mufti had said on August 5 that India had betrayed Kashmir.

PM Modi ha said, “She said we made the wrong decision in 1947… do the people here support these statements? Omar Abdullah said abrogation of Article 370 will bring such an earthquake that Kashmir will separate from the country. Farooq Abdullah said the abrogation will open the way for Kashmir’s independence… Can anyone agree with such language?”

Modi had asserted that the government won’t allow peace to be disturbed anywhere in the country, be it Kashmir or the northeast.

Earlier today,Jammu and Kashmir administration on Thursday slapped Public Safety Act (PSA) against National Conference (NC) General Secretary Ali Muhammad Sagar and senior PDP leader Sartaj Madani- who is uncle of Mehbooba Mufti.

Both the leaders are under detention from August 5, 2019 and were lodged at MLA hostel in Srinagar. Soon after slapping them with PSA, these leaders were shifted to a government building at Gupkar road in Srinagar.

According to a dossier, Sartaj Madani, who is uncle of PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti has been slapped with PSA for his role during the double-rape and murder of Asiya and Nelofar in 2009 and pioneering the self-rule doctrine of PDP.

His PSA has been approved by District Magistrate Kulgam.

Similarly, NC’s Ali Muhammad Sagar has been slapped PSA for raising voice against the vision of India besides opposing Article 370 and Article 35 A.

HAL gets modification document of Dornier-228 civil aircraft from DGCA

Lucknow (NVI): State-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited today received the modification document from Director General of Civil Aviation for upgrading Dornier-228 civil aircraft by reducing its gross weight below 5,700 kg.

The development took place on the second day of DefExpo-2020 in Lucknow today as the Joint DG of DGCA, G Rajshekhar, handed over the document to HAL.

Under the regional connectivity scheme UDAN, two civil Do-228 were produced by HAL, having state-of-the-art configuration certifications from DGCA for maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) at 6200 kgs. But, in order to meet the prospective operator’s requirement of a transport aircraft flyable under Commercial Pilot License (CPL) category, HAL undertook efforts to reduce the aircraft weight below 5700 Kgs.

Apart from weight criterion, HAL Do-228-201(Upgraded) civil aircraft will also be equipped with digital cockpit which will ensure more accurate readings, precise information and ergonomic data displays with feedback loops and capability for self-check to alert pilot in emergencies. The Glass Cockpit architecture enabled aircraft will be most sought after new age aviation technology.

Also, the incorporation of civil certified turbo-prop minus 10 Engine ensures more reliable torque sensing system, higher component life, lighter in weight and higher time between overhaul (TBO) as compared to previous minus 5 engine.

It is also assured that the integration of the five-blade propeller to HAL Do-228-201(Upgraded) aircraft will augment in a significant reduction in noise levels, faster engine start, less lubrication and better damping characteristics.

NC leader Sagar, Mehbooba’s uncle Madani slapped with PSA

Ali Muhammad Sagar and Sartaj Madani

Mubashir Bukhari

Srinagar (NVI): Jammu and Kashmir administration on Thursday slapped Public Safety Act (PSA) against National Conference (NC) General Secretary Ali Muhammad Sagar and senior PDP leader Sartaj Madani- who is uncle of Mehbooba Mufti.

Both the leaders are under detention since August 5, 2019 and were lodged at MLA hostel in Srinagar. Soon after slapping them with PSA, these leaders were shifted to a government building at Gupkar road in Srinagar.

According to a dossier, Sartaj Madani, who is uncle of PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti has been slapped with PSA for his role during the double-rape and murder of Asiya and Nelofar in 2009 and pioneering the self-rule doctrine of PDP.

His PSA has been approved by District Magistrate Kulgam.

Similarly, NC’s Ali Muhammad Sagar has been slapped PSA for raising voice against the vision of India besides opposing Article 370 and Article 35 A.

These leaders were part of preventive detention of mainstream politicians, activists and trade leaders carried out after August 5 last year when the Centre withdrew the special status of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir and bifurcated it into Union Territories — Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh.

Among the prominent leaders who are still under detention are NC leaders Farooq Abdullah and Omar Abdullah and PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti.

While Farooq Abdullah has been kept at his Gupkar house, his son and NC vice president Omar Abdullah has been detained at Hari Niwas.

PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti, who was initially lodged at Chesmashahi huts, has been shifted to a government building in the heart of Srinagar.

J&K going through transformation: PM

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said Jammu and Kashmir, since abolition of special status, is going through a lot of transformation and the trend of welcoming separatists has ended there.

Replying to Motion of Thanks to the President’s Address in the Rajya Sabha, Modi said that August 5, 2019, when Article 370 was abolished in Jammu and Kashmir, has proven to be a “black day” for those who supported terrorism and separatism in the Valley.

“For the first time in decades, people of Jammu and Kashmir got benefits of reservation. There were BDC (Block Development Committee) polls, RERA came into being there. For the first time, Jammu and Kashmir got a comprehensive start-up, trade and logistics policy. Anti-corruption bureau was set up there,” the Prime Minister said.

Apart from this, the PM also said that for the first time, Army and Police in J&K are working together while taking decisive action against terrorism.

“Eighteen months after Governor’s Rule in Jammu and Kashmir, more than 4,400 sarpanches and more than 35,000 panches were elected in peaceful elections,” he said.

The Prime Minister’s remarks on developments in J&K came days after a delegation of 36 Union Ministers visited the newly-formed Union Territory last month.

Yesterday, a group of panches and sarpanches from J&K also met central ministers to discuss the condition of J&K after the withdrawal of Article 370 last year. The delegation had met ministers Nitin Gadkari and Jitendra Singh among others.

India will look into request, if any, for evacuation of Pak students from Wuhan: MEA

External Affairs spokesperson Raveesh Kumar (File)

New Delhi (NVI): After airlifting its 640 nationals from coronavirus-hit China, India today said it will consider a request, if made, to evacuate Pakistani students from Wuhan.

“No such request has been received by us from the Government of Pakistan. But if such a situation arises and keeping in mind the resources available, we can look into it,” External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said during a media briefing here.

He was responding when asked whether India will consider Pakistani students’ appeal for evacuation from Wuhan.

Kumar said the government of India had evacuated 640 Indian nationals and 7 Maldives nationals on two special flights.

“These Indian nationals belong to Wuhan and nearby areas and who did not show any symptoms of illness. It was a complex operation and we thank the Government of China for their support and facilitation during this exercise,” the MEA spokesperson said.

He added that the matter regarding the safety of Indians in China amid the coronavirus outbreak is reviewed on a regular basis at a high level.

“Ministry of External Affairs in coordination with other Ministries and institutions of Government of India undertook comprehensive and precipitous steps following nCoronavirus outbreak in China,” he said.

Citing regular advisories issued by the Government on the issue, Kumar said Indian nationals have been advised to refrain from travelling to China.

“People travelling to China henceforth will be quarantined on return. Separately, travel to India from China on e-Visa have been temporarily suspended. This applies to the holders of Chinese passports and applicants of other nationalities residing in the mainland of the People’s Republic of China,” he said.

“We have also clarified that holders of already issued e-Visa are no longer valid. It is further clarified that existing normal visas are no longer valid. Those who have a compelling reason to visit India may contact our Embassy or our Consulates. The Visa section of our Embassy/Consulates may be contacted for any clarification,” Kumar said while reiterating the travel measures taken by the Government amid the deadly epidemic that has claimed more than 500 lives so far.

In response to query on India’s reaction on reference to Jammu and Kashmir in the Pakistan-Malaysia Joint Statement, Kumar said, “India completely rejects the references made in respect of Jammu and Kashmir, which is an integral and inalienable part of India. We once again call upon the Malaysian leadership to develop better understanding of the facts, including that Pakistan remains an epicentre of global terrorism, which continues to recruit, train, arm and finance cross-border terrorism against India.”

Auto Expo 2020: Hyundai unveils second-gen Creta

New Delhi (NVI): Hyundai today revealed the second-generation Creta to be launched in India on the second day of Auto Expo-2020 at Greater Noida.

The 15th edition of the biennial motoring show has witnessed the new Creta with Hyundai’s latest design philosophy dubbed ‘Sensuous Sportiness’

The new Creta exterior features have 3D cascading front grille, split LED headlamp cluster as in the venue, sculpted bumpers up front and rear, flared wheel arches and DRLs.

It also has features panoramic sunroof.

Hyundai will launch the new Creta in March 2020 with prices expected to range from Rs 10 lakh to Rs 17 lakh.

Rapido offers free rides to Delhi voters on Feb 8

New Delhi (NVI): The Bike Taxi Rapido today announced it will offer free rides to the election polling booth for voters in Delhi on February 8.

The Rapido will waive off 100% ride fee for all rides up to 3 kms to the election booth, anywhere in Delhi. The offer will be valid from 7 AM to 6 PM on the polling day on Saturday.

In order to avail of this offer, users will get push notification about #RideToVote, after which the users will get IVOTE code on Rapido App.

While commenting about the initiative Rapido co-founder Aravind Sanka said, “our vision is to make intra-city transportation convenient, affordable and accessible for millions in the country. We see elections as a key part of our democracy and constitution and would like to do our bit for the society.”

Rapido launched its services in Delhi in November 2019 and since then, it has seen 1 Lac rides on its platform.

Stigma, prejudice against leprosy has reduced: President

New Delhi (NVI): President Ram Nath Kovind today presented the International Gandhi Awards for Leprosy while saying that the stigma and prejudice against the disease have reduced considerably due to constant work of scientists, researchers, organizations & community workers.

The award was presented to Dr NS Dharmashaktu under the Indian nomination (individual) category and the Leprosy Mission Trust under the institutional category.

On the occasion, President Kovind said, “In the fight against leprosy, we have achieved a lot over the years. We have successfully accomplished levels of leprosy elimination defined as less than one case per ten thousand population. Further, the stigma and prejudice against leprosy have reduced considerably, thanks to the constant work of scientists, researchers, organisations and community workers. However, we cannot let our guard down. New cases continue to occur and high-burden pockets of the disease do exist.”

The President also said that the major challenge in leprosy control activities lies in sustaining the same level of focus and commitment especially in low-resource settings where equity of access is an issue.

“We need to intensify our efforts towards early detection of leprosy cases, provide equitable access to appropriate treatment and provide integrated leprosy services in the geographically focused areas,” he added.

The President also said that more than the medical condition, the social stigma attached to the disease persists and this is a cause for concern. We have to become aware and educated on this disease and its different dimensions and spread that awareness among our communities. We need to empower those who have been discriminated on account of leprosy through advocacy and information dissemination.

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