Heena Sharma Blog

Consuming curcumin -- the active compound in turmeric -- may improve exercise capacity in patients with heart failure, a study claims. Curcumin has been used as a traditional Asian medicine for centuries, primarily to treat gastrointestinal ailments and skin wounds, said researchers from the University of Nebraska in the US. Studies increasingly suggest that the compound may prevent or limit muscle wasting associated with a number of health conditions, including heart failure, they said. People with heart failure have a reduced function of the left ventricle -- the chamber of the heart that pumps blood out to the rest of the body -- called reduced ejection fraction. A decreased ability to exercise or exercise intolerance is another significant characteristic of heart failure, according to the study published in the Journal of Applied Physiology. The researchers theorised that a reduction in the normal signalling of Nrf2, a protein that regulates the expression ...

Yo-yo dieting , or weight cycling, or the cyclical loss and gain of weight is associated with a higher death risk, researchers have warned. A study found that this form of dieting leads to adverse health outcomes and 80 per cent of people who lose weight gradually regain either the same weight or even more than they had before going on a diet. The Endocrine Society's Scientific statement on the causes of obesity found that this was because once an individual loses weight, the body typically reduces the amount of energy expended at rest, during exercises and daily activities. While it increases hunger, thereby creating conditions for weight gain. "This study shows that weight cycling can heighten a person's risk of death," said Hak C. Jang, Professor from the Seoul National University (SNU) in South Korea. Read More Business Standard

Want to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi ? There is a very simple way. A new feature that has been introduced in the Narendra Modi app ( NaMo ) can give you an opportunity to come face-to-face with the PM for as little as Rs 5. A new feature in the app enables users to donate in favour of the Bhartiya Janata Party - minimum Rs 5 to maximum Rs 1,000, according to a report by The Economic Times. After the donation is made, a referral code is generated by the app. The user can send then this referral code to his or her contacts. If a hundred people use the same referral code to donate funds via NaMo , the person who shared it initially could get a chance to meet the PM Modi, a senior party official told ET. The referral code winners will be invited in groups to talk about issues of their concerns. In case a user does not get the chance to meet the PM, he or she can receive Namo merchandise such as T-shirts, mugs, caps, notebooks, etc, provided the user can manage to make...

Winter isn't exactly the easiest season for dressing. The endless layering and styling possibilities that comes with the winter chill is as much fun and accessorizing your outfit with boots is the most classy one. So opt for the trendiest footwears. Orhan, the shoe stylist at Steve Madden and Ambud Sharma, founder, Escaro Royale Luxury, list some trends in boots. Over-the-knee-boot: Over-the-knee winter boots have been a popular choice for the last couple of years and rightly so. But, it's how you style them that changes your entire winter look. Instead of opting for the done and dusted 'short skirts and dresses that meet the boots' look, go for velvety mid-length skirts and ankle-sweeping coats to give a layered effect. Animal print: Whether in leopard, zebra or snake form, animal prints are set to be one of the top trends for fall. Keep in mind that animal prints basically qualify as neutrals, so the styling possibilities of these shoes are endless...

In the wake of the # MeToo movement , almost 80 per cent of men have become overly cautious in their interactions with women colleagues, according to a report. The study by market research and analysis company Velocity MR, which had over 2,500 respondents across Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Kolkata, Hyderabad, and Chennai, noted that eight out of 10 people said that formal workplace interactions have been highly impacted as a result of the movement . It found that close to 80 per cent of the respondents said fear of losing their career, family reputation, social stigma, and scepticism could be some of the reasons for the victims not reporting the cases earlier. Also, around 70 per cent of the respondents agreed that even after reporting the cases, victims still face threats. The study further observed that close to 50 per cent of the respondents disapproved of victims reporting the abuse later, while two in five males supported the victims saying they are right in repo...

Party season brings lot of jazz and fun and with that comes the struggle to look different than the crowd. How about adding some style statement with right jewelleries . Varda Goenka, Founder and Creative Director at Varda Goenka- Fine Jewels by Diagold and Sonal Sahrawat, Creative Director, Sonal's Bijoux & Adawna, list down some options in trendiest jewelleries. A cocktail ring is always a good idea: Cocktail rings have been in trend since quite a long time, it's one of those most dainty and fabulous ornaments that a woman can wear. A bling statement ring will be a perfect accessory for the party season. You can always add colors by experimenting with colorful cocktail rings. They can be teamed up with both western and ethnic looks. Studded earrings: Earrings are a must-have for women. The most and all time favorite is stud earrings. A trendy pair of oversized ear studs can turn your otherwise boring outfit into an ultra-chic look. Ear studs fused with...

Amid much anticipation, Rajinikanth and Akshay Kumar starrer ' 2.0 ' hit the big screens on Thursday. Fan of Thalaiva have a reason to rejoice as they can now watch the magnum opus at a theatre near them. Fans, this time around too, have gone an extra mile to express their love for their icon. It almost seemed like a mini Diwali celebration outside the movie theaters in Chennai, with people busting crackers, dancing to the dhol beats and feeding sweets to each other. "Look at the atmosphere, I mean do I have to say more? That's a great fever, there is a great excitement and entertainment," said a fan. Holding their tickets as a prized possession, fans eagerly waited outside the movie theaters for first-day first show. "His character is a secondary thing. First, he is Thalaiva. And it's mandatory to go for Thalaiva's first day first show be it any movie," said a female fan. Expressing their utmost respect for their Idol, som...

Winter is the time to take extra care of your lips and hands as they are more prone to dryness and rough surface so make sure you are neglecting these parts. Reena Chhabra, CEO, Nykaa(FSN) Brands Marketing Pvt Ltd doles out tips on how to take cae of your lips and hands. Tips for lips- Never brush or rub your lips with your teeth or fingers , create a natural exfoliator by mixing a few drops of Argan Pure cold pressed oil is mixed with one tablespoon of brown sugar for smoother lips. Honey is a great moisturiser for chapped lip. Simply apply honey on your lips, or make a paste of honey and glycerin and apply it before going to bed. Apply fresh milk cream on your lips and leave it on for 10 minutes. Then, gently wash your lips with a cotton ball dipped in lukewarm water. Do this daily to enjoy soft and pink lips. During this cold season, a lip care routine is crucial before going to bed. Wash your lips thoroughly with lukewarm water. Pat dry with soft clot...

This winter try out some food recipes that are not only delicious but healthy too. Vijay Thapliyal, Executive Chef at The Lodhi, New Delhi, recommends recipes that are sure to brighten up the season. Green Quinoa Salad: Make the most of winter greens with this wholesome dinner salad. Preparation: Quinoa, vegetable stock or water, broccoli, cashew nuts, yellow zucchini, edamame or peas, spring onion, basil, olive oil, ground cumin, garlic clove, lemon, avocado (optional), chilli flakes (optional). Method: Place 1 cup quinoa and 2 cups of vegetable stock or just water (as preferred) into a saucepan and bring to a boil. Place a lid on top, slightly ajar, and reduce to a simmer for approximately 15 minutes until cooked. Set aside with the lid on to cool for five minutes. Steam 1 and 1/2 cups of broccoli florets. Slice 1 yellow zucchini lengthwise and chop finely. Also finely chop 1 spring onion, 1 large handful of basil and 1 large garlic clove. Combine all th...

The Delhi High Court on Wednesday upheld the conviction of around 80 people and awarded five-year jail term in a 1984 anti-Sikh riots case . The high court dismissed their appeals against the conviction by a trial court for burning houses and curfew violations during the riots. Justice R K Gauba directed all the convicts to surrender within four weeks. The convicts had challenged the August 27, 1996 judgement of a Sessions Court which had convicted 88 out of the 107 people arrested on November 2, 1984, for rioting, burning houses and curfew violation in Trilokpuri area of East Delhi. Business Standard

Apple has devised a new way of having people move to adopting the newer iPhone XS and iPhone XR . For a limited time, Apple is offering upto an additional $100 if you trade in your old iPhone for the newer models. It is available through Apple's trade-in program, Cnet reported. However, the catch here is that the extra money will be provided in the form of an Apple Store Gift Card , which basically means more mindless shopping at the store. Additionally, the scheme is valid only on exchange of a few old iPhone models include the iPhone 6/6 Plus, iPhone 6S/6S Plus, iPhone 7/7 Plus, and the iPhone 8. Business Standard

Actor Rahul Bose , who was last seen in "Vishwaroopam II", has said that he will start shooting for " Baahubali: Before the Beginning " in December. He was interacting with media at the inauguration of an art show called 'Breaking Barriers' on Tuesday here. Sporting a bearded look when Rahul was proded about it, he said: "I am doing a prequel to 'Baahubali' for Netflix. It is called as ' Baahubali: Before the Beginning '. "I have a big role in it. We will start shooting December beginning. My character has a bearded look, and I don't want to sport a fake beard for the next six months. I will have the same look." " Baahubali: Before the Beginning " is a web series based on Anand Neelakantan's 2017 novel "The Rise of Sivagami", and is a Netflix Original from India. A part of the Baahubali franchise, the series is directed by Deva Katta and co-directed by Praveen Sataru. It is ...

Stigma related to human immunodeficiency virus ( HIV ) impairs cognition in men living with the condition, finds a study. The findings of the McGill University study have been published in the Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes. The participants filled out a questionnaire asking how much stigma they experience. Their answers were related to their results in cognitive testing and mental health questionnaires. Researchers found that HIV-related stigma had direct effects on cognitive test performance and anxiety. There was also a direct but weaker link between stigma and depression. Through its effects on cognition, stigma was found to reduce participation in social activities and impair function in everyday life. This study is the first to draw a direct connection between stigma and cognitive performance in people with HIV. The mechanisms through which stigma affects cognition are unclear, but might range from the impact of chronic stress on the brain, t...

A scientist in China claims to have produced the world’s first genome-edited babies by altering their DNA to increase their resistance to HIV . Aside from the lack of verifiable evidence for this non peer-reviewed claim, this research is premature, dangerous and irresponsible. He Jiankui from the Southern University of Science and Technology in Shenzhen (which has reportedly since suspended him) said he edited the DNA of seven embryos being used for fertility treatment, so far resulting in the birth of one set of twin girls. He says he used the tool known as CRISPR to delete the embryos’ CCR5 gene (C-C motif chemokine receptor 5), mutations in which are linked to resistance to HIV infection . If true, this is a significant advance in genetic science, but there are some very serious problems with this news. First, the research has not yet been published in a peer-reviewed journal so we cannot be sure of the exact details of what has been done. Instead, the scientist made ...

Heterosexual sexist men who think their female partners or wives want to control them are more likely to underestimate their power in romantic relationships and act aggressively , researchers say. The study examined what is known as hostile sexism, or the belief that women want to control men, in romantic relationships because the power dynamic is different from the workplace or other areas of life. "Power dynamics are not as simple in intimate relationships because even in well-functioning relationships, both partners are inescapably dependent on each other," said Emily J. Cross, post-doctoral student from the University of Auckland, New Zealand. "This mutual dependence constrains an individual's power. This can be very difficult for men who have sexist views because they are already concerned about losing power to women and they may lash out at their significant other in harmful ways," he added. For the study published in the Journal of P...

The Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) is planning to launch India's earth observation satellite Hyper Spectral Imaging Satellite (HysIS) and 30 small satellites from eight countries on November 29. ISRO said that the Indian rocket Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle Core Alone variant (PSLV-CA) will fly with the 380 kg HysIS satellite and 30 overseas satellites together weighing 261.5 kg. The PSLV rocket is a four-stage launch vehicle with alternating solid and liquid stages/engines. The entire mission will be completed in just over 112 minutes after the rocket’s liftoff, said Isro sources. Just over 17 minutes into the flight, the PSLV rocket will place the HysIS satellite with a mission lifespan of five years in 636 km polar sun synchronous orbit. After that, the rocket will be brought to lower altitude to about 503 km from 642 km, said the space agency. The Indian space agency has earlier done a satellite mission for over two hours in January 2018. Read ...

The Austrian bike-maker KTM has finally unveiled the 125cc Duke in India at a price of Rs 118,000 (ex-showroom, Delhi), making it the most expensive offering in the the 125cc segment. Already popluar in the international market, the KTM 125 will be available at all the 450 KTM showrooms across India. However, unlike the international edition which takes design cues from Duke 390, the Indian version of KTM Duke 125 shares its styling with the KTM Duke 200. The only visual difference between the 125cc and 200c Duke is the redesigned graphics while majority of the design stays the same. The street-naked bike is powered by a 124.7cc single-cylinder, liquid-cooled, DOHC engine that produces a max power of 14.5hp at 9,250rpm and 12Nm of torque at 8,000rpm. The powertrain is mated to a 6-speed manual gearbox but misses out on a slipper clutch. The new motorcycle also comes equipped with a single-channel ABS unit similar to the 200 Duke, making it the first 125cc motorcycle in Ind...

Students who are lesbian, gay or bisexual (LGB) are at a higher risk of self-harm when compared to heterosexual individuals, a recent study suggests. The research also shows that low self-esteem may explain the increased risk of self-harm in LGB students . Self-harm typically includes behaviour such as cutting, hair pulling, scratching, burning or non-lethal overdoses. "Young people's mental health is a national concern and this study confirms that lesbian , gay or bisexual young people have elevated rates of suicidality and self-harm compared with heterosexual youth. We know much less about how LGB young people seek help for their mental health problems, or what type of support would be effective," said Dr. Elizabeth McDermott, lead author of the study, which appeared in the journal of Archives of Suicide Research. Of the LGB students who completed an online questionnaire, 65 per cent had carried out non-suicidal self-harm over their lifetime compared ...

Nasa InSight will study the interior of Mars and will teach us valuable science as we prepare to send astronauts to the Moon and later to Mars. This accomplishment represents the ingenuity of America and our international partners, and it serves as a testament to the dedication and perseverance of our team. The best of NASA is yet to come, and it is coming soon," CNN quoted Bridenstine as saying. InSight, short for Interior Exploration using Seismic Investigations, Geodesy and Heat Transport, is the first outer space robotic explorer and will study the crust, mantle, and core of the fourth planet in our solar system. The lander, launched on May 5, 2018, from the Vandenberg Air Force Base in California and took a six-month cruise from Earth to Mars ever since, is NASA 's first spacecraft to land on Mars since Curiosity. "We've studied Mars from orbit and from the surface since 1965, learning about its weather, atmosphere, geology and surface chemistr...

A recent study has found out that Gangs of predominantly Pakistani men are sexually abusing British Sikh girls. As reported by Daily Mail, Sikh Mediation and Rehabilitation Team charity in a report titled, " The Religiously Aggravated Sexual Exploitation of Young Sikh Women across the UK" has made the said revelation. According to daily mail: 'The research has found verification demonstration a history of predominantly Pakistani grooming gangs targeting young Sikh females for over 50 years.' Described as an exploratory study, it looks at reported cases of abuse against Sikh girls - of Indian background - dating back to the 1970s. In many cases, according to the report, the men would groom a girl before passing her round to other members of their family. The girls would be snared by 'fashionably dressed adult Pakistani men traveling in flamboyant vehicles in predominantly Sikh dominated areas and schools, report quoted by Daily Mail said. ...

Non-graduate chartered accountants (CAs) with three years of experience can now become registered valuers, with the Ministry of Corporate Affairs amending the rules in this regard. Previously a CA having three years of post-qualification experience and qualified as a graduate was allowed to become a registered valuer. “Now, a chartered accountant is not required to be a graduate to become a registered valuer,” the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) said in a release. “It was informed to the Ministry of Corporate Affairs that the chartered accountancy course that has been approved by the government, allows a 10+2 student to enroll for chartered accountancy course. It does not mandate a student to be a graduate for enrolling in the course. Hence, a CA may or may not be a graduate,” the ICAI added. A registered valuer is required to carry out valuation of assets, net worth of a firm or its liabilities as required under the Companies Act, 2013. Read Mo...