Tuesday 28 June 2011

Two Suns in the Sky, 2012 Prediction.


Imagine, if one day you were looking at the sky and suddenly see two suns. It kind of sounds like the film Star Wars, directed by George Lucas. However, a group of Australian astronomers predicted the strange thing is probably not a myth anymore, because the natural phenomenon is believed to occur in 2012.


The expectation was made by a Physics Lecturer from the University of Southern Queensland in Australia, Dr. Brad Carter. But, how can there be two suns, as the sun is the only entity that exists in the solar system?
According to Dr. Carter, the sun’s ‘twin’ is super giant red star in the Orion constellation. It is the ninth most bright star in the sky when seen at night. This star was named Betelgeuse. The Arabs first called Betelgeuse as Yad al-Jauza’ which means  ‘Jauza’s hands’. It was later changed to the Onion.
However, in medieval times, one of the letters was misread, causing it to be called as Bedalgeuse. Then, in the Renaissance, the name changed again to be the name that is used today.
Although the star is aged still young, but it experiencs a quick evolution process. This has caused it to be categorized as an old star even though it’s still a few million years old. It’s fast ‘death’ process will also cause it to explode into a supernova.
 
If the explosion happens, it will burn and produce a very bright light. Estimated, the resulting light is probably 10 million times brighter than the Sun.
Extraordinary rays are then approaching Earth, and that is when we will see there are two suns. With the light, the earth will still be bright even at night and this unique phenomenon can be seen for several months before it disappears from view.
If true it is as predicted, this certainly is a strange experience a little scary. But, is it true Betelgeuse will explode as expected? Coincidentally, next year is the last year in the Maya calendar.
 (Kiky Pramanasari, various sources)

Monday 27 June 2011

The Youngest Docter In The World


Over ten years ago, the medical world was shocked with the intelligence of a seven year old boy from theIndian community, Akrit Jaswal, due to his success of dissecting human organs. He succeeded to perform asurgical operation to separate the fingers of a girl aged nine years which were stuck together as a result of burning.

The family of the girl who came from a poor family came to the Akrit’s family home to ask the boy to do the surgery. They pleaded that Akrit would separate the girl’s fingers. Hearing the request, initially Akrit’s mother, Raksha Kumari Jaswal, was worried and full of doubt. However, the boy was determined to try and it appears his effort paid off.
It is amazing how a 7 year old who generally is still new to numbers and letters can be capable of successing such a surgery, when in fact he never studied formally in any medical class. Akrit says, everything done is based on his observation on the work of a surgeon in a hospital in India the past few years.
But, is it possible by just watching it is enough to make a child capable of adapting and using it convincingly? This news is very difficult to believe. In fact, the remarkable thing is also perplexing a surgeon in India who monitored during the operation.
When investigated of his background, apparently Akrit is an indigo child with a genius-IQ level of 145 - the highest compared to other Indian children of his age. However, this child's intelligence wasn’t just recognized now. Akrit began to show unusual ability to speak fluently when he was just 10 months old.
In fact, when he was five years old, when most children that age was learning the ABC, this little guy was able to read and was very familiar with the row of scholarly books such as William Shakespeare's writings. He also learned about the anatomy of the human body through the book Gray's Anatomy. At the same time, he also reviewed the books revolving around surgery, anesthesia, physiology, cancer and many more. According to Akrit, he ensured that he made for time reading the books minimal an hour every day since the age of five years old.

When interviewed in the program sponsored by Oprah Winfrey a few years ago, Oprah asked, whether he understood the medical books in a small age. Akrit answered, “Why not?”. Even though he was merely five years old, but he actually could understand the books. That’s the main reason why he continued to read them.
The amazing accomplishments weren’t just finished there. Akrit,  born on April 23, 1993 successfully completed his schooling at the age of six years. Ending school, Akrit was called to teach English and Mathematics at his former school. Once he was 11 years old, this junior surgeon was accepted to study in the Bachelor of Botany, Chemistry and Zoology Department at the University of Punjab, Pakistan. He was the youngest university student in India at that time.
His success and intelligence has made him famous. Since then, many Indian citizens rushed to get his medical services. Remarkably, patients who have treated mostly reflect satisfaction with the handling of this young doctor. According to them, Akrit’s curing methods are better than other doctors in the region.
Akrit did not only become a high concentration of people in the country, but also captured the attention of London's Imperial College. He was then invited by the college to deliver lectures and exchange ideas with scientists on the dangers of cancer. He said that he had millions of medical ideas about particular matters related to the development of cancer treatment.
What's more, he has developed the concept called 'gene therapy' to treat cancer. This technique is based on research on theories of cancer. He believed that the formula can actually cure cancer faster.
A world-renowned biologist, Professor Mustafa Djmagoz and his colleague, a consultant urology surgeon, Anup Patel, praised that Akrit has produced such a realistic idea on what he knows. However it is very difficult for the ideas to become a reality and practical.
Akrit however, never considered the idea as absurd. Even after returning from London, he continued with the mission to complete the formula and promised to show his conclusions at the age of 17 years old. Now, Akrit is almost 18 years old. Unfortunately, until today, Akrit remains silent, without revealing his discoveries of cancer treatment as promised before.