An Indian-origin scientist and colleagues have developed a new technology to measure single biological molecules with unprecedented accuracy and precision which can provide high-resolution data from microscopes.

Researchers from Iowa State University and Ames Laboratory in the US have blended optical and atomic force microscope technologies to develop complete 3-Dimensional measurements of single biological molecules.
The new microscope technology is called standing wave axial nanometry (SWAN).

An Iowa State assistant professor of physics and astronomy and an associate of the US Department of Energy's Ames Laboratory Sanjeevi Sivasankar told reporters that this is a completely new type of measurement which enable scientists to detect the height of the molecule with nanometer accuracy and precision.

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has said that Bangladesh now is a land where terrorists and militants9युद्धकारी0 have no room to run their activities. The Bangladesh Prime Minister made this remarks during her meeting with the visiting Director General of Islamic Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO) Dr. Abdulaziz Othman Altwaijri in Dhaka today in her office. 

Bangladesh Prime Minister's Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad said that during the discussions the Prime Minister outlined her government's steps to ensure food security of the people, education, social safety and to confront the adverse impacts of climate change. She also added that her government is making efforts to promote democratic values and tolerance. She thanked

the Director General for declaring Dhaka as the Capital of Islamic Culture of the Asian Region for 2012. Dr Abdulaziz Othman Altwaijri who heads ISESCO was the special guest at the inaugural programme of the two day celebrations organized in Dhaka on Saturday to mark the launch of the year long celebrations of Dhaka as the Capital of Islamic Culture of the Asian Region for 2012.

Dr Abdulaziz appreciated the leadership of the Prime Minister to bring progress and prosperity for the people of Bangladesh and said the ISESCO would always remain beside the friendly country to fulfill its cherished goal. He also hoped that the ISESCO's cooperation with Bangladesh particularly the ministries of education and culture would be strengthened in future.

ISESCO was set up in 1979 with its headquarters in Rabat, Morocco by the 58 member Organisation of Islamic Conference to coordinate and implement programmes in the fields of education, science and culture.

India has inked pacts with six countries, including the US and Australia, for collaborative research in science and technology. There will be a joint investment of 180 million dollars over the next five years. 

A senior official of Department of Science and Technology T Ramasami said in Chennai on Saturday that they have about 83 agreements on research collaboration with various countries.

Government is planning to set up several supercomputing facilities to enhance capabilities in the areas of weather modeling, Strategic science and technology and space discoveries. It will also help for disaster management and ocean modeling. This was stated by Minister of State for Planning, Science and Technology and Earth Sciences Mr. Ashwani Kumar while talking to media after visiting Center for Development of Advance Computing, C-DAC and National PARAM Supercomputing facility in Pune on Wednesday. He said that the Prime Minister has approved an initial outlay of 5000 crores rupees for this purpose.


Mr. Ashwani Kumar also inaugurated the center of Excellence on Solor Energy at National Chemical laboratory and interacted with scientist and students. He visited Film and Television Institute of India in Pune.

Seven young scientists from India have been selected for the Intel world high school science research competition, which began in the US' Pittsburgh this week.

Sources in Intel said, 1,549 young scientists from around the world were vying for the top award, that carries a 75,000 US Dollars grand prize from the Intel Foundation. The award ceremony will take place on Friday.

The scientists have been selected through 446 affiliate fairs in 68 countries, regions and territories.
The Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF), a programme of Society for Science & the Public (SSP), is sponsored by software company Intel.

The Indian contingent is a mix of students from Delhi, Chennai, Ujjain, Puttur and Kolkata with innovations in the field of chemistry, maths, bio-physics, bio-chemistry among others.

In Nepal, Minister for Science and Technology , Kalpana Dhamala , has said she will work towards making her ministry a priority one for the government. Addressing the inauguration of a three day Natural Products Conference in Kathmandu today , she said that instead of a remittance based economy , Nepal should look toward a long-term self sufficient economy and since the country is endowed with natural herbs and plants this could go in building a stronger economy. With the geographical location and wealth of natural resources and the knowledge she said the conference could be a platform for exchanging and information and knowledge. She stressed the importance or research and long term plans and building with the given nature’s resources . India’s Ambassador to Nepal, Jayant Prasad , said India has made strides in biotechnology and India is willing to have bilateral partnership and work for mutual benefit for both the countries. He added that Indian investors are willing to invest in Nepal , in the field of natural products provided that there is a conducive atmospheres .

India has done a soft launch of its third research station in Antarctica's Larsemann Hills region, considered as one of the few geological windows into the history of the continent. Shailesh Nayak, Secretary, Ministry of Earth Sciences, told PTI that the construction is over and it is being run on trial basis.

The winter team is there carrying out tests on various equipment and systems. The formal launch of the research station, Bharti is expected in November when it is summer time in the icy continent.

The leader of the 15-member team Mr. Rajesh Asthana said, the research station would address the growing urge in the Indian scientific community for exploring deeper and wider areas of Antarctica for better understanding of the vast continent.

he Information and Broadcasting Ministry has extended the last date for signing of Migration Grant of Permission of Agreement -GOPA for private FM -Radio operators till 30th of June this year.

According to an official release, Policy guidelines on expansion of FM radio broadcasting services through private agencies -Phase-III provides an option to the existing permission holders to migrate to FM Phase-III by the said date.

European Union leadersvoiced grave concern at North Korea's missile and nuclear weapons programmes and called on it to scrap a long-range rocket launch scheduled for next month. European Council Presidenthe was deeply worried by the North's plan to launch a satellite. Van Rompuy urged the impoverished but nuclear-armed state to divert more resources to feed its people instead of developing costly weapons programmes.

  Numerous leaders including US President Barack Obama called on the North to scrap the launch, intended to mark the 100th anniversary of the birth of founding president Kim Il-Sung.
Pyongyang on Tuesday said it would go ahead with the test, reiterating its position that the launch is a peaceful scientific project.

The government ruled out any demoralization of the ISRO scientific community following the recent action against four of its former scientists. The action has in no way affected the space programme. Giving this information in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday, Minister of State in PMO, V. Narayanasamy said there is no proposal at present to revoke the action taken by the government on the four former ISRO scientists