Empirical

Why is the sky blue ? Why is the ocean blue? Why does it seem like blue is the nature's favourite colour?

2020-06-18T20:49:00.001+05:30

Some people think the sky in blue because of sunlight reflected off the ocean and back into the sky. But the sky is blue even in the middle of the country side nowhere near the sea!
Other's think it's because of the water in our atmosphere. But the sky is blue in the places that are extremely dry like desert.
Some say it's because of oxygen is blue coloured gas. Or because sunlight has a blue tint.

So there are so many incorrect answers or you can say misconceptions are there--

What's the actual reason?

The sky is blue because of the way sunlight interact with our atmosphere.

There are 3 simple factors put together :-

1. Sunlight is made out of light of different colours/ wavelengths.

2. The Earth's atmosphere is made out of molecules that scatter different wavelengths light.

3. The sensitivity of our eyes.

How these 3 factors all works together?

If sunlight passes through a transparent material such as water ,glass then the light rays refract , because we know that light changes its speed when it's travel from one medium (air) to another (water) medium.
Similarly prism break up White light into different colours, because these colours have different wavelengths as well as their speed , as they pass through the prism.
The fact that light of different wavelengths respond differently.
There is a scattering phenomenon, which is called Rayleigh scattering, which refers to the selective scattering of light.

Rayleigh scattering is heavily depends on the wavelength of light, so if the wavelength of light is shorter than it will more scatter.
Do you remember the rainbow?, which appear in rainy season, and it's the result of scattering of light and when sunlight enters into the moisture i.e. water molecule, that is already present in atmosphere and these water molecules or droplets behave like a prism and scatter the sunlight into 7 colours, which are said to be VIBGYOR.

At one end of the spectrum is red light , which has the longest wavelength and at the other end is blue and violet light which have a much shorter wavelength.
When sunlight reaches the Earth's atmosphere it is scattered , or deflected by tiny molecules of gases (mostly N2 and O2) in the air.
Because these gases molecules are much smaller than the visible light.
As we have discussed before, shorter wavelength (blue and violet) scattered more strongly than the longer wavelength (red).
But the wavelength of violet is much shorter than blue , then the sky should have appeared violet but it's blue.
Because our eyes are much more sensitive towards blue colour and because some of the violet light is absorbed in the upper atmosphere.
When the Sun is high in the sky, it appears white.

At Sunrise and Sunset, we see a much redder Sun.

This scatter the blue and green light along the way, allowing the redder light to pass through.
This is because the light from the horizon has had further to transfer through the air and so has been scattered and re- scattered.

Why the ocean looks blue?

Because red , orange, yellow (longer wavelength) light are absorbed more strongly by water than the blue (shorter wavelength), it is mostly the blue that gets return.
"Same reason the sky is blue " , but it works only when the water is clear/ very pure.
If any impurity is present like if water is full of mud, algae, the light scattered off these impurities will overwhelmed the water's natural blueness.

Why milk appear white in colour?

If you like my article please do follow and write your review and give the correct answer of following question in comment box.

Reference :

https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/learn-about/weather/optical-effects/why-is-the-sky-blue
https://www.forbes.com/sites/startswithabang/2017/09/08/why-the-sky-is-blue-according-to-science/
https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/learn-about/weather/optical-effects/why-is-the-sky-blue

https://www.livescience.com/32511-why-is-the-sky-blue.html
https://theconversation.com/curious-kids-why-is-the-sky-blue-and-where-does-it-start-81165

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/why-does-the-ocean-appear/

Do you know about the "Most Alien- like creatures of the sea ever discovered on Earth"??

2020-05-27T02:45:00.002+05:30

Our Earth is the home for billions of species of plants and animals, out of them some species are familiar and some are rare to find out..but some plants and animal species are so strange that we can't believe that these are from same planet. These species look like an "Alien".

So in this article you are going to know about "The most Alien-like creatures of the sea ever discovered on Earth".

"The sea was the cradle of primordial life, from which, the roots of our own existence sprouted. Billions of years of evolutionary development brought forth an enchanting variety of forms, colors, lifestyles, and patterns of behavior. "

— Werner Gruter, Writer

Let's see some strange species which will leave you awestruck!!!

1. Sea Sapphire :-

photo credit : sciencesource.com

Sea Sapphire are copepods- little crustaceous with long antennae that live nearly everywhere water is found.
In blue Sea Sapphire, the distance between the crystal is about the same as the wavelength of blue light, so the animal appear blue.

2. Sea Spiders :-

Although"Sea Spiders" are not true Spiders.
They live in all ocean, from tropical seas to the Antarctic ocean.
Sea Spiders can be identified by their long legs and highly reduced body , which twhy they were originally called "Sea Spiders".

3. Horror Frogs :-

The hairy frog (Trichobatrachus robustus) is also known as the "Horror Frogs"/ "Wolverine Frogs".
It's common name refers to the somewhat hair like structures on the body and things of the breeding male.

4. Aye-ayes :-

Aye-ayes can be found only on the island of Madagascar.
These rare animals may not look like primates but they are related to Chimpanzees, Apes and Humans.

5. Peacock Spiders :-

The biggest maratus species can reach 0.3 inches.
They are classified as jumping spiders, meaning they do not spin webs.

6. Jerboas :-

Jerboas are hopping desert rodents and are found in Northern Africa and some parts of Asia.
A Jerboa can easily pass off as a mini Kangaroo.

7. Feather Star :-

Feather Star wave their features to get around underwater.
They are found in shallow, warm water.
A Feather Star is not same as Star Fish, also known as "Sea Star".

8. Glaucus Atlanticus :-

Glaucus Atlanticus can be dangerous on the beach.
Glaucus Atlanticus/ Blue Dragon is one of the most fascinating looking creatures in the ocean and also this creature of sea is one of the most deadly.

9. Mantis Shrimp :-

These "Thumb- Splitters" can cut through a person's finger in milliseconds.
The Mantis Shrimp packs the most powerful punch in animal kingdom.

10. Scotoplanes :-

These creatures of sea are also known a "Sea- Pigs", in fact a type of sea cucumber.
Sea Pigs are found in all the world's oceans, they live in coolest and deepest parts of the ocean.

11. Dumbo Octopus :-

It's nick name "Dumbo" after a Disney characters.
This nick name stems from the appearance of 2-ears like fins on either side of the octopus head.

12. Leafy Sea Dragon :-

photo credit: pinterest.com

This creature of sea is found along the southern and western coast of Australia.
The name is derived from the appearance, with long leaf like protrusions coming from all over the body.

13. Hairy Frogfish :-

photo credit: science photo library

The hairy frogfish is a type of fish that's covered in spines.
These spines, which resemble strands of hair, allow the marine animals to camouflage.

14. Granrojo Jellyfish :-

photo credit : Pinterest.com

Granrojo meaning "Big Red" in Spanish.
Tiburonia granrojo is one of the largest sea jallies.

15. Sarcastic Fringehead :-

photo credit : science alert

This creatures of sea is very small but very hardy saltwater fish that has a large mouth and aggressive territorial behaviour.
The Sarcastic Fringehead is a tube blenny, so called because they live in burrows or tube like structure created by other animals.

Question : Which one creature of sea did you find the weird and strange???

If you like my article please do follow and write your review and answer of the above question in comment box.

Resources:

https://www.earthrangers.com/top-10/9-sea-creatures-who-are-out-of-this-world/

https://interestingengineering.com/looking-into-the-abyss-7-of-the-most-alien-looking-animals-in-the-mariana-trench

What are the most "Mysterious Places" on the Earth??

2020-05-21T16:33:00.000+05:30

Who doesn't love a good mystery? We all are like mysterious stories and excited to know the fact behind that.

There are a lot of mysterious places on the Earth, while many of these mysterious places have logical explanations, others remain stubbornly unsolved.

We look at the science, stories, theories and tales surrounding some of the world's strangest sites.

1. The Bermuda Triangle (Devil's Triangle):-

(Atlantic,Ocean)

Tales of lost ships, crushed aircrafts and even vanishing humans have been emerged from the waters of the Bermuda Triangle for centuries.
Some say there are magnetic anomalies, that throw campass off course, others blame to the tropical cyclones, some say that there is no mystery at all !!!

2. Eternal Flame Falls :-

(Chestnut Ridge Park, Newyork)

This Eternal Flame burning behind the water is fueled by methane gas, escaping through cracks in the rocks.
A strange orange red light glowing behind a waterfall that looks something out of a fairly tale.

3. Blood Falls :-

(Antarctica)

The coolest and driest place on the Earth has a blood red waterfall.
Scientists finally determined in 2014, that the color comes from iron oxidizing within a briny salt water pool buried deep beneath a glacier.

4. Magnetic Hills :-

( Ladakh, India)

Cars, buses and other vehicles appear to roll uphill in defiance of gravity.
Believed that hill had a magnetic force that would also interfere with passing aircrafts.

5. Stone Sphere :-

(Palmer Sur, Costa Rica)

The Stone Spheres of Costa Rica remain one of the biggest mysteries in archaeology.
More than 300 spheres , which are perfectly round.

6. Easter Island Heads :-

(Chile)

It was the Rapa Nui people, who crafted and eracted the 1000 odd stone giant, known as Moai, around 900 years ago.
The statu's bodies are buried to leave only the curious heads exposed.

7. Crooked Forest :-

(Poland)

Crooked Forest is filled with 400 pine trees , each with a near identical bend in the base of its trunk.
Now have been proven, however, which makes wandering under the strangely uniform canopies all the more intriguing.

8. Lake Hillier :-

(Australia)

Lake Hillier is utterly surreal.
It's colour is still something of a mystery, through the most commonly accepted theories related to the lake's high salinity.

9. Great Blue Hole :-

(Belize)

The world's biggest sinkhole, which measures around 1000 feet (304 m) across and plunges to 400feet (122m) deep.
It's deepest, darkest secrets remained a mystery.

10. Door to Hell :-

(Turkmenistan)

It's the stuff that nightmares are made of -a gaping , fiery chasm tearing a hole in the Earth.
Engineers were drilling a natural gas field in the northern Turkmenistan desert.
It was set alight to prevent gases from spreading and it's still burning decades later.

Question: What are the other mysterious places on the earth ? if you have any idea or if you know anything about that place, then please do share with us in comment box.

If you like my article please do follow and write your feedback in the comments section.

Resources : https://www.msn.com/en-us/travel/tripideas/the-most-mysterious-places-on-earth/ss-AAIsXWW?fullscreen=true#image=14

https://www.thecrazytourist.com/15-mysterious-places-world/

https://www.theactivetimes.com/travel/40-most-mysterious-places-whole-entire-world

"Why are Greenhouse gases called so?" Do you have any idea?

2020-05-18T16:11:00.001+05:30

The Greenhouse Effect is a process that occurs when gases in Earth's atmosphere trap the Sun's heat.
This process increase the Earth's temperature.
The Greenhouse Effect is one of the things that makes Earth a comfortable place to live.

Why it is called Greenhouse Effect?

Because the Greenhouse Effect works like a Greenhouse.
A Greenhouse is a building with glass walls and a glass roof.
Greenhouses are used to grow plants , such as tomatoes and tropical flowers.
A Greenhouse capture heat from the Sun during the day.
It's glass walls trap the Sun's heat, which keeps plants inside the Greenhouse warm - even in cold nights.
If it weren't greenhouses gases , Earth would be an extremely cold , deserted planet.
Plants couldn't grow and and animals like us wouldn't be able to survive.

What are Greenhouse gases?

Greenhouses gases are found in Earth's atmosphere.

They can trap the solar radiation/ heat.

The main greenhouses gases are--

Water vapour
Carbon dioxide
Methane
Ozone
Nitrous oxide
Chlorofluorocarbon

How greenhouses gases acts?

They let Sunlight pass through the atmosphere, but they prevent the heat that the sunlight brings from leaving the atmosphere.
Overall greenhouses gases are good things.
Without them our planet would be too cold.

How greenhouses gases increase Earth's temperature?

Water vapour:-

Most powerful greenhouses gas.
The amount of water vapour in the atmosphere exists in direct relation to the temperature.
It forms clouds and rains back on the Earth.
This can cause a Cooling Effect.

Carbon dioxide:-

The IPCC calculated the "Radiative Forcing" (RF) of each climate driver.
Positive value of RF - average surface warming
Negative value of RF- average surface cooling
CO2 has the highest positive RF value of all the human- influenced climate drivers compared by the IPCC.

Methane:-

Made of carbon and hydrogen, is a normal gas release from wetlands, growing rice, raising cattle, using natural gas and mining coal.

Ozone:-

Ozone layer block the Sun's radiation, which helps protect us from the powerful rays.

Nitrous oxide:-

Bacteria in soil and ocean make it .
N2O absorb radiation and trap heat in the atmosphere.
Emitted during agricultural activities, industrial activities, combination of fossil fuels, and during waste water treatment.

Chlorofluorocarbon:-

They damage the protective Ozone layer and are powerful greenhouse gases.

Balance the Greenhouse Effect:-

Earth's greenhouse is full of plants.
Plants can help to balance the Greenhouse Effect on Earth .
All types of plants from Giant trees to tiny phytoplankton in the ocean-- take in CO2 and give off O2 .
Which maintain the balance in between CO2 and O2 in nature.
If excess CO2 is not there in the atmosphere then the Earth's temperature will not be maintained.

Ocean Acidification:-

The ocean also absorb a lot of excess CO2 in the air.
Unfortunately, the increased CO2 in the ocean changes the water, and water become more acidic due to the formation of carbonic acid.

Coral Bleaching:-

More acidic water can be harmful to many ocean creatures, such as certain shellfish and coral.
More CO2 or Greenhouse gases in atmosphere increase the temperature of ocean which is also be harmful to marine creatures.
Warmer waters are a main cause of coral Bleaching.

Question: Up to what extent we can control the Greenhouse effect,so that we can save our nature to become more warmer.???

If you like my article please do follow and reply the answer of above question in comment box.

resources:

https://climatekids.nasa.gov/greenhouse-effect/

https://askdruniverse.wsu.edu/2015/09/21/what-are-greenhouse-gases/

https://www.ucsusa.org/resources/why-does-co2-get-more-attention-other-gases

Do you know " How does Sanitizer kill a Virus? "

2020-05-14T03:53:00.001+05:30

In the present time the condition of our country, even the whole world is very critical.
We are fighting against the pandemic disease, this is so contagious.
And still the vaccination is not available.
So many scientists ,researchers and medical experts team are racing against time to find cure for pandemic COVID-19.
But before any vaccination first of all we need to maintain our personal hygiene like:-
Since it's a contagious disease, so it's spread from person to person, so maintain social distancing, avoid to go in crowded areas.
Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 sec. after you have been in a public place.
Cover your face after coughing or sneezing or use mask and wash your hands after done, with soap and water.
If water and soap is unavailable than use Sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol.

What is Sanitizer?

Hand sanitizer, also called hand antiseptic, hand rub or handrub agents applied to the hand for the purpose of removing common pathogens.
Thus soap and water is the best way to keep your hands virus free , but when you are not near to sink the sanitizer are next best thing.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that people use a sanitizer containing 60% alcohol.

Why alcohol is main ingredient in sanitizer?

Because alcohol is a very effective disinfectant that is also safe to put on your skin.
Alcohol's jobs to break up the outer coating of bacteria and viruses.

How Sanitizer is effective to kill the Bacteria and Viruses?

Viruses protect themselves with only a cover or you can say cage of protein.
Alcohol have long been known to kill germs by denaturating the protective outer proteins of microbs and dissolving their membrane.

Why at least 60% alcohol containing sanitizer?

CDC recommends using a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol, because lower concentration of alcohol aren't as effective at killing viruses.
Even up 90% alcohol is preferable to ensure that hand sanitizer completely kills germs, rather than reducing their growth on hand.

Why Soap and Water are more effective than Hand Sanitizer?

Because soap and water removing certain kind of germs like norovirus, cryptosporidium, clostridium defficile.
Although alcohol based hand sanitizer can inactivate many types of microbs.
When hands are heavily soiled or greasy, hand sanitizer may not work well.
Hand sanitizer can't remove harmful chemicals.

Types of Sanitizer

Alcohol based :-

Typically contain 60-95% alcohol.
Usually in the form of Ethanol, isopropanol or n- propanol.
At that concentration alcohol immediately denatures proteins and neutralising certain types of bacterias.

Alcohol free:-

Generally based on disinfectants, such as benzalkonium chloride (BAC), or on antimicrobial agents, such as triclosan.
The activity of disinfectants and antimicrobial agents is both immediate and persistent.
Many hand sanitizer also contain glycerine ineffective against bacterial spores, non enveloped viruses (e.g. norovirus) and encrysted parasites (e.g. Giardia).

Drawback of Sanitizer

Alcohol based sanitizer, the risk of fire.
Poisoning from accidental.
Intentional ingestion of alcohol based sanitizer.

If you like my article please do follow and write your comment.

Resources:- https://www.britannica.com/topic/hand-sanitizer

https://cen.acs.org/business/consumer-products/hand-sanitizer-does-keep-hands/98/i12

https://www.cdc.gov/handwashing/show-me-the-science-hand-sanitizer.html

Do you want to know some mind-blowing facts about the planet Earth?

2020-05-02T16:22:00.001+05:30

Earth, our home, is the 3rd planet from the Sun.

It's the only planet known to have an atmosphere containing free O2, that is life air, ocean of water on its surface and of course, life.
Earth is the 5th largest planet in solar system.
About 74% of the Earth's surface is covered by liquid or frozen water , because of this, people call it "Blue Planet" .
Because of it's water, Earth is the home to millions of plants and animals species.
Early cyanobacteria changed the air and gave it oxygen.
The living part of Earth is called "Biosphere".

So let's have a look some interesting and mind-blowing facts about the planet Earth which will stunned you!!!

1. Earth is not flat, but it's not perfectly round either.

The Earth's rotation creates an outward force that is highest at the equator and zero at the poles.
This force results in the Earth being "Squashed" into a slightly flattened sphere.
This effect is quite small the amount of flattening is only 0.3%.

2. Gravity doesn't act the same every where on Earth.

Because Earth is always moving, gravity is not same all over and you would weigh slightly more at Earth's poles than at the equator .
There are also places where gravity is extremely different, such as " Hudson Bay in Canada ".

3. The driest place on Earth is in Antarctica and hasn't experienced rain in 2 million years.

Antarctica appropriately named "Dry Valleys".
There are bodies of water but there is relatively no ice or snow.
Lack of rain for 2 million years means there is a zero net gain of water in the area.

4. One million billion cubic feet of snow falls from the sky each year.

Scientists estimate one million billion cubic feet of snow falls from the sky every year.

5. The planet is recycled

The ground you are walking on is recycled.

Earth's rock cycle transform igneous rocks to sedimentary rocks to metamorphic rocks and back again.

6. Our Moon quakes.

Earth's Moon looks rather dead and inactive.
But in fact , Moon quakes or Earth quakes on Moon, keep things just a bit shook up.
Moon quakes seems to be related to tidal stress associated with the varying distance between Earth and Moon.

7. Anciant Microbs , The Earth may have once been Purple.

When viewed from the space, Earth appears blue (water) and bot green (land with plants).
The ancient Microbs , that obtained energy from Sun using ratinal rather than chlorophyll (green pigment).
Since ratinal absorbs the green light and reflect the back violet and red light, the combination would have given the planet a Purple tint.

8. The World's Largest Mountain Chain is 40,389 miles long and is located under water.

90% of it is covered by ocean water called the Mid Ocean Ridge.
It's mountain average a depth of 8200 feet below the water's surface.
In comparison, the longest chain of mountain on land is South America's Andes, which is a paltry 4350 miles long.

9. More than half the free wateron Earth is contained in the Pacific Ocean.

The Pacific Ocean is the largest and deepest body of water on the Earth and contains half of the non frozen water in the world.

10. A single Glacier is responsible for contributing 10% of all Earth's melt water.

Icecaps and glaciers contain most of the world's fresh water.
And they melt due to climate change, the sea level is rising.
The Canadian Arctic Glacier is the size of Newyork.

11. Antarctica contains 90% of the world's ice 70% of it's fresh water.

This ice measures almost 15,748 feet thick in some places .
So, if Antarctica were over to melt, the world's oceans would rise about 187 feet.

12. The Great Barrier Reef is Earth's Largest Living structure.

Located off the coast of Queensland, Australia.
Great Barrier Reef measures about 1430 miles long and is big enough to be visible from the space.

If you like my article please do share and give your feedback in comment box.

Resources: https://m.ranker.com/list/interesting-planet-earth-facts/erin-mccann

https://www.livescience.com/19102-amazing-facts-earth.html

https://climate.nasa.gov/news/2469/10-interesting-things-about-earth/

"Our mother nature is full of miracles" Do you know these natural but awesome rare phenomenon on Earth?

2020-04-22T03:29:00.001+05:30

"Mother Nature is full of Miracles"

Who doesn't like the serenity of the Earth?

We know that our Mother Nature is most beautiful and weird at the same time.
Some wonderful natural phenomenon we have often seen on the Earth like Rainbow, Snowfall, Thunder etc.
But some most rare phenomenon also there in nature that you wouldn't believe that they are really exist.

So here we take a look some rare natural phenomenon, which will leave you awestruck and stunned.

1. Blue Volcano:-

(Kawah, Ijen, Indonesia)

The reason behind the Blue Flame is the presence of extremely high sulphuric gases that combust with the O2 in air at temperature above 360 degree Celsius.
These Sulphuric gases emerge from cracks in the volcano at high temperature and pressure.

2. Turquoise Ice :-

(Lake, Baikal, Russia)

It is oldest and deepest lake in the world.
It is also the world's largest fresh water lake, accounting for about 20% of total freshwater on Earth.
In winter, the lake freeze and shifts in temperature, wind, frost and sunlight cause the frozen lake to crack.
The slow , uneven pressure within the transparent ice-bodies result in large , uneven broken glass type turquoise Ice form.

3. Everlasting Storm :-

(Lake Maracaibo,Venezuela)

The abundance of Methane gas boosts the air conductivity above the lake and contribute to the high frequency lightening.

4. Polar Lights :-

(Arctic and Antarctic regions)

The lights are caused by Solar Charged Particles released from the Sun's atmosphere and blown down towards Earth.
When they enter in Earth's atmosphere and collide with gas particles such as oxygen, nitrogen and hydrogen thereby exciting them.
This excitation is the result in emission of light of different colours.

E.g. Green -----> oxygen

Blue/Red -----> nitrogen

5. Sailing Stones :-

(Death Valley, USA)

The phenomenon occurs largely in winters, is caused by ice sheets that cover the dry lake bed.
In summers, the ice begins to melt and starts to break up under light winds.
Floating ice pannel may then leave tracks in the desert floor.

6. Mummyfying Lake :-

(Lake Natron Tanzania)

The excess amount of soda and salt in the alkaline lake are responsible for the mummification of these creatures.
The red colour of lake is due to crystallized soda and salt loving algae.

7. Light Pillars :-

(Arctic Region)

This effect is caused by reflection of sunlight or moonlight from numerous, tiny ice crystals that are suspended in the atmosphere or cloud.
The ice crystals are flat plates whose collective surface act as large mirror.

8. Ice Bubbles :-

(Abraham lake,Canada)

The frozen bubbles are actually bubbles of Methane gas.
That are formed as a result of microbes decomposing organic material on the lake bed.
As the bubbles rise up they get frozen because of the colder temperature at the lake's surface.

9. Fairy Circles :-

(Namib Desert,Namibia)

Sand termites creats the Fairy Circles by consuming vegetation and burrowing in the soil to creat the ring.
The barran circle allows water to percolate down through sandy soil.

10. Glowing Waves :-

(Maldives)

The biological light, known as bioluminescence,is generated by marine microbs called Phytoplankton.
Bioluminescence is often used as defence mechanism by these microbs against predators by startling them.

If you like my article please do share and give your feedback in comment box.

Reference :

https://www.punditcafe.com/science/10-most-amazing-unique-rare-natural-phenomenon-explained-using-science/

http://inyminy.com/23-miraculously-awesome-rare-natural-phenomena-occur-earth/

"Amazon fire is such a terrific scene that we couldn't ever imagine", Do you know why Amazon rainforests are burning??

2020-04-19T02:57:00.001+05:30

"Amazon Rainforest fire is such a terrific scene", as we have never seen before, which start in 2019.

As we know that Amazon Rainforest is the largest rainforest in the world and also it's a huge biologically diverse place on the Earth.

About Amazon Rainforest

The Amazon Rainforest is the home to 40% of the world's tropical forest and holds 20% of world's fresh water supply.

It is also home to 10% of the world's species and 40,000 plant species and around 3000 varities of edible fruits, 430 species of mammals and millions of insects.

What is the reason of burning of the Amazon Rainforest?

Though forest fires are common in the Amazon Rainforest during this period as it is a dry season in the Southern Amazon , the year 2019.
According to the environmentalists, 99% of the forest fires are result of human activities either on purpose or by accident.
Farmers and ranchers use fire generally to clean the land for further utilisation.
This time is most suitable to burn because the vegitation is dry.

"Forests are the world's air- conditioning system, the lungs of the planet,

and we are on verge of switching it off"

- Prince Charls

Effects on animals :-

Some animals may be able to escape , large mammals such as jaguars, stand the best chance to getting away because they are able to run fast enough to get away from the fire in time.
But Amazon's many small and slow mammals such as sloths, not able to run faster, more likely to suffer direct mortalities.
Birds, reptiles,and many other animals also face the similar risks.

(Slower- mammals in the Amazon, like Sloth, are far less likely to escape the fires)

After fire effects :-

When fire rip through a rainforest like Amazon, they burn down so many trees that there are holes in forest's canopy.
This means the environment beneath, which is usually dark and humid , is exposed to the direct sunlight and can dry out quickly.
Then this place is repopulated by new species, which is habitual to live on dry place.
This is the bad news for animals that rely on the forest's humid , moist environment.
Due to this devastation the animals such as birds, reptiles, insects and land mammals are displacing,even aquatic animals such as the Amazon river dolphin or the rainforest's many different fishes changed their habitat.

(Aquatic animals, such as the Amazon river dolphin will find their habitat changing too)

Effects on Climate :-

The fire will not only result in a major loss of trees and biodiversity but also release excess amount of CO2 into the atmosphere.
The forest fire also release pollutants and toxic gases such as carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide and non- methane organic compounds into the atmosphere.
Amazon Rainforest, considered to be as the " World's Lungs" as it contribute 20% of the Earth's oxygen.
It's also been estimated that Amazon generates about half of its own rainfall.
Less rain means dryer plants, which are more susceptible to causing even more fire.
It's a dangerous cycle.

So it's not only loss of Fauna and Flora it's the loss of relationships, loss of identities and loss of attachments, the land which was home of millions of species , eroded and become unrecognisable as fire pass through.

If you like my article please do share and give your feedback in comment box.

Reference:

https://www.theverge.com/2019/8/28/20836891/amazon-fires-brazil-bolsonaro-rainforest-deforestation-analysis-effects

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-49497857

https://www.jagranjosh.com/current-affairs/amazon-rainforest-fire-cause-and-global-impact-1566462374-null

Wonderful and Weirdest plants in Amazon rainforest

2020-04-14T02:38:00.001+05:30

The Amazon rainforest is largest tropical forest in the world, containing some of the most biodiverse plant species.

The Amazon rainforest is home to as many as 80,000 plants species from which more than 40,000 species play a critical role in regulating global climate and water cycle.

Here is the list of some of the most wonderful and amazing plants of Amazon rainforest.

1. Giant Water Lilies (Victoria amazonica):-

These impressive Water Lilies have been seen in an Amazon River.

It's very large leaf surface,can grow up to 46cm. In diameter.

The leaves of this plant are so strong, they can support upto 136 kg.

2. Passion Fruit Flower (Passiflora) :-

It's a beautiful passion flower which is often seen in the Amazon rainforest.

The leaves of the flowers are used as pain reliever and sedatives, and fruit is used to treat cough.

3. Monkey Brush Vine :-

The interior part of Amazon rainforest contains the most exotic plants-- The Monkey Brush is one of them, it's bright red and yellow interior flowers are beautiful and amazing.

4. Banana Trees :-

Bananas are common in the Amazon rainforest.

It is 4th largest crop because an average Banana plant can grow up to 150 pieces of Banana fruits all at the same time.

5. Coffee Plants (Coffea) :-

Coffee Plant is one of the widespread plant in Amazon rainforest.

Typically Coffee Plants grow under the shade, hence the Amazonian forest environment is perfect for it.

6. Rubber Tree (Hevea brasiliensis) :-

The rubber tree considered as one of the most valuable plant for Amazonian indigenous people.

Plant is source of latex.

7. Heliconia :-

This plant is known as "Hanging Lobster Claw" due to its shape, the Heliconia flower is most common flora in the Amazon.

Hummingbird rely on this plant for it's food and nesting and in return they acts as pollinators for this plant.

8. Cacao (Theobroma cacao) :-

The Amazon Rainforest is also the home to the plant where chocolate grows-- Cacao.

Theobroma means "Food for the God's".

9.Walking Plam :-

The walking Plam / Cashapora is an interesting plant , found in Amazon Rainforest.

The trees slowly walks from shade to sunlight using its trunk.

10. Acai Plam :-

Plans are thought to be the most abundant plant in the Amazon Rainforest.

The palms are often harvested for their inner core, known as "Heart of Palm", which is used in different dishes.

This palm tree is often regarded as the "Super Fruit" , because it's very high nutrient contents.

11. Nepenthes (Pitcher plant) :-

It's a carnivorous plant , that attract it's insect prey into its pitcher like foliage.

This plant is also called "Monkey cup" .

12. Genlisea :-

Members of the genlisea family of carnivorous plants can also be found along the Amazon.

They grow in very wet environment.

These plants are also called "Corkscrew plant."

If you like my article then please do share and give your feedback in comment box.

Reference: https://www.bioexplorer.net/amazon-rainforest-plants.html/

https://www.rainforestcruises.com/jungle-blog/coolest-plants-in-the-amazon

https://tourthetropics.com/guides/most-fascinating-plants-in-the-amazon-rainforest/

Strange and Amazing Animals of the Amazon Rainforest

2020-04-09T23:36:00.001+05:30

Amazon Rainforest is one of the largest rainforest and river system in the world.

Amazon Rainforest cover about 6% of the Earth's surface, but they are home to more than half the world's total plants and animals.

So, mainly Amazon rainforest are famous for it's biodiversity. It is the most biologically diverse place on the Earth.

The Amazon Rainforest is home to -

427 species of mammals

1,300 species of birds

378 species of reptiles, and more than 400 species of amphibians.

Here are some interesting and amazing list of animals, that are found in the Amazon Rainforest:-

1.Potoo:- potoos are a group of birds related to nightjars and frogmouth, and are found throughout the Amazon Rainforest.

. (Potoo)

Masters of disguise, they are nocturnal creature that spend the days motionless, with eyes half open, perched upon the stumps of broken branches.

Their camouflage is extremely effective, especially when combined with their lifeless pose.

2. Glass Frog :- Generally green in colour, what makes them so intriguing is that their internal organs are visible throughout the translucent skin on the underside of their body.

. (Glass Frog)

Which takes on the hue of the frog's surrounding, thus it's difficult to see them by the predators.

They have been known to eat their Young.

3. Jesus Lizard:- Or common basilisk , has the incredible ability to being able to run on water, hence it's name.

They are found throughout the Amazon Rainforest.

. (Jesus Lizard)

4. Bull Shark:- They are able to adopt either fresh or salt water environment, and could spend a lifetime in a river system.any experts have labelled, bull shark the most dangerous shark in the world.

(Bull Shark)

5. Decoy building Spider:- This spider is incredibly small, around 5 mm in length, but assembles a much larger decoy spider in its web, complete with multiple legs, from dead leaves and debris.

. (Decoy building Spider)

6. Capybara:- are the largest rodents in the world, they are very social animals and can be found in groups of 100.

As herbivores, they pose no danger to human.

. (Capybara)

7.Arapaima:- Largest fresh water fish.

As well as having gills, it need to surface every 5-15 Min to breathe air and modified swim bladder.

It's bony scales as nail files, and the tongue is thought to have medicinal qualities.

. (Arapaima)

8. Electric Eel:- They are actually more closely related to catfish, than they are Eel.

They are able to produce powerful electric shocks of uptown 600 volts, as a defence mechanism , and for hunting.

Known for their unusual breeding behaviour.

Male construct a nest from its saliva into which the female lays eggs

. (Electric Eel)

9.Pink Dolphin:- The Amazon River dolphin or Boto can grow larger than a human .

This dolphin's pink colour due to blood capillaries near the surface of the skin.

. (Pink Dolphin)

10. Giant Snake:- The biggest snake in the world is Green Anaconda, which lives in the Amazon's swamps and streams.

They catch wild pigs, birds and jaguars squeeze them untill they suffocate and swallow their prey whole.

. (Giant Snake: Green Anaconda)

11. Silkhenge:- Weird wildlife in the Amazon isn't always huge.

The tiny spider occupants of a curious silk structure resembling a miniature Stonehenge.

. (Tiny spider: Silkhenge)

12. Piranhas:- Found in lakes and rivers throughout the Amazon , are not man-eaters.

It's extremely rare for these sharp teeth creature to go after humans.

. (Piranhas)

13. Tarantulas:- These scary looking spider may seem like their poison can take down a human, but the reality is a bite from one is not all that different than a bee sting.

Tarantulas use their legs to hold down their target then they inject it with paralyzing venom.

. (Tarantula)

14. Boa Constrictors:- They wrap their body around their target so the victim's lungs can't expand and the prey suffocate.

They usually hide in the trees of the Amazon , where they hunt rodents, birds, lizards, frogs and monkeys.

. (Boa Constrictors)

15. Poison dart Frog:- Most of the animals Camouflage themselves to blend into their surroundings, but poison dart frog is brightly coloured to warn off would be predators.

But don't be fooled by its beauty their skin secrets a poison that can paralyze and kill its prey.

. (Poison dart frog)

If you like my article please do share and give your feedback in comment box.

Reference: https://www.rainforestcruises.com/jungle-blog/10-bizarre-creatures-of-the-amazon

https://www.rd.com/culture/mysteries-of-the-amazon/page/2/

Do you want to know some interesting facts about Amazon?

2020-04-09T01:12:00.000+05:30

The Amazon Rainforest covering much of North Western Brazil and extending into Columbia, Peru and other South American countries, is the world's largest tropical rainforest, famed for it's biodiversity.

Supporting a huge number of plants and animals and hugely important to our own survival.

What's interesting about Amazon Rainforest:-

AmazonTropical Rainforest only cover about 6% of the Earth's surface , but they are home to more than half the world's total plants and animals.
Around 80% of the food we eat originally came from rainforests like coffee, chocolate, rice, tomatoes, potatoes, bananas, black pepper, pine apples and corn etc.
The Amazon forest floor is almost completely dark with the less than 1% of the available sunlight making it through the tree canopy above.
There are around 3000 fruits found in rainforest and in the west we make use of around 200 of them. However indigenous tribes make use of over 2000.
We often think that the soil in the rainforest is really fertile to support such a huge range of plant and animal life , but rainforest land is not really any good for farming.
Some people call the Amazon Rainforest " The World's Lungs" , but decomposition of plant matter absorbs as much as oxygen as the trees produce.
The Amazon Rainforest absorb a huge amount of heat from the Sun, about 30% of our carbon emission come from one thing-- burning the rainforest.
If deforestation continues, we'll completely lose the rainforest within the next 40 years.
The 1/4th part of medicines , we use today ,have their origin in the rainforest and that's after only about 1% of rainforest plants have been examined for their medicinal properties.

Fact: The Amazon Rainforest is at least 55 million years old.

The name Amazon is said to " arise from a war".

Why these forests are called "Rain" forests??

Plants release water through a process called transpiration.

The moisture helps to create the thick cloud cover that hangs over most rainforest.

Even when it's not raining , these clouds keep the Amazon rainforest humid and warm.

Amazon Rainforest and CO2

Trees play a key role in reducing the pollution level.

They absorb CO2 and release O2 gas . They maintain the balance of CO2 and O2 in environment and keep our nature fresh.

Over the last 150 years, human have been pumping huge amount of CO2 into the nature by burning fossil fuels, coal, natural gas and oil.

But trees or forest absorb the excessive CO2 and release O2 gas, but now a days due to deforestation this balance has been disturbed, which is the major reason of global climate change.

Why Amazon Rainforest not found in India?

Amazon rainforest are not found in India because India is not situated at equitorial region (equator does not pass through India).

Mainly Amazon Rainforest comprises of hot and humid climate.

The forest is densely covered with that of diversified Fauna and Flora , animals and creature.

Rainforests are a powerful natural climate solution:-

Not only do the rainforest regulate global temperature, they also cool and regulate local micro climate, wind and rainfall pattern.

Forests are also natural water filter, keeping pollution control.

Scientists estimate that about 15% of the world's fresh water flows from the Amazon basin alone.

Why Amazon Rainforest are in danger?

Scientists warn that decades of human activity and a changing climate has brought the forest near a tipping point.

They are so-called "rainforest" because it's such a wet place , when the trees pull up water from the Earth, then the water come back in the atmosphere in the form of rain.

The balance is upended by the deforestation, forest fire and global temperature rises.

About 17% of the Amazon Rainforest has been destroyed over the past 50 years.

If as predicted , global temperature rises by 4°C , much of e Central, Eastern and southern Amazon will certainly become barren scrubland.

If you like my article please do share and give your feedback in comment box.

Reference: http://panda.org/knowledge_hub/where_we_work/amazon/about_the_amazon/why_amazon_important/

https://time.com/amazon-rainforest-disappearing/

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/habitats/rain-forests/

"The Earth is glowing and healing". Do you think that the Corona virus tragedy is boon to our mother nature?

2020-04-04T01:09:00.001+05:30

Wow....the Earth is healing & glowing due to the lockdown, it's a good news to us and our nature too.

One side the world is fighting with the Corona virus tragedy, janta curfew or lockdown while other hand our mother nature is healing herself, less amount of pollution recorded in many top polluted cities due to less human activities.

" When we heal Earth , we heal ourselves".

Wuhan in China:-

In China , where the first cases of Corona virus were detected ,a large decline in pollution and green house gases have now recorded.

The level of atmospheric nitrogen dioxide (NO2) first in Wuhan reduced then across the country.

This is proof that if we want, the human race can work together towards a sustainable future.

Satalite image have shown a dramatic decline in pollution level over China , which is due to an economic slow down prompted by the Corona virus, US space agency NASA says.

"You carry mother Earth within you.

She is not outside of you. Mother Earth is

Not just your environment". _Nhat Hanh

In Italy:-

Italy on lockdown, Venice's canals showing sign of improvement, usually very musky waters the canals have become much cleaner because of less traffic on the canals, to the extent that the fish living inside are now visible.

Not only fishes are visible, white swans have now floating across the cleaner waters.

(floating swans in Venice's canals, Italy)

The CPCB has released a report on the impact of the "Janta curfew" and lockdown, on the air quality.

Out of 91 cities that showed minimal pollution, as many as 30 cities recorded "good" air quality while 61 cities recorded. "satisfactory" air quality, the report showed.

An AQI between-

0-50------ Good

51-100----Satisfactory

101- 200----- Moderate

201- 300------ Poor

301- 400------- Very poor

401- 500------ Severe

The Air Quality Index is an assessment of the air quality by taking into account differt factors.

Delhi which battle high level of pollution almost through the year also showed significant improvement.

Due to lockdown, reduced traffic on the road, decreasing level of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) in the environment.

The AQI value in different cities in India

On March 21, the AQI was "moderate" in Delhi, which gradually improved from higher to lower end of the catagory.

17 cities moving in the " satisfactory" catagory and 7 cities in " good" catagory.

On the other hand, Chennai & Mumbai remainded in the " satisfactory" catagory.

High AQI value was seen in Kanpur also high AQI value was noted in Vapi, Ratlam (sulphur dioxide as a prominent pollutant), Satna, Singrauli and Chandrapur seemingly due to emission from industrial areas.

Schools of Dolphins return near Marine drive

Due to reduction in industrial, transportation and business activity, is allowing mother nature to recharge and replenish.

With reduced water traffic in the Arabian Sea , dolphins are now being spotted jumping playfully in the water.

Due to less pollution in water and less traffic is what is making them to spot easier.

On the brighter side of the things

This is true that world is going through a very tough time but still there is a some relaxation to our mother nature, this reduced human intervention is allowing mother nature to recharge and replenish herself.

Mother nature is healing slowly and steadily, and what better news than that!

We all should promise to protect and to support our mother nature.

If you like my article please do share and give your feedback in comment box.

Resource: https://grist.org/climate/were-the-virus-the-pandemic-is-bringing-out-environmentalisms-dark-side/

https://www.gqmiddleeast.com/culture/is-the-coronavirus-lockdown-actually-healing-the-planet

https://curlytales.com/schools-of-dolphins-return-near-marine-drive-thanks-to-drop-in-water-traffic/

Photos: https://mobile.twitter.com/ikaveri/status/1239660248207589383/photo/4

https://unsplash.com/images/nature/earth

https://www.bbc.com/news/amp/world-asia-51691967

Is Corona virus a Biological Weapon? What is biological weapon? Do you want to know about biological weapon?

2020-03-31T19:28:00.002+05:30

Corona virus Disease, that manifests in flu like symptoms, was first reported in Wuhan last December.

It has since reportedly spread to over 1000 countries and infected over 1 lakh people, including the British and Iranian health ministers.

Corona virus now officially labelled as a pandemic.

What is Biological Weapon?

Biological Weapon, which are banned world wide by a multilateral framework signed under the auspices of the United Nations, are biological agents like bacteria that have been weaponised for use against and adversary.

The Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV), is located in the same city as the wet market (where animals are sold for meat, as apposed to a dry market that sells durable goods like electronics or clothes )that is considered to be the origin of the virus.

How biological weapons work?

A biological agents also called bio- agents, biological threat agents, biological warfare agents, biological weapon or bio- weapon, is a bacterium, virus, protozoan, parasite or fungus, that can be used purposely as a weapon in bioterrorism.

Biological Weapons have the ability to adversely affect human health in a variety of ways, ranging from relatively mild allergic reactions to serious medical conditions, including serious injury , as well as serious or permanent disability or even death.

Bio - agents may be amenable to "weaponization" to render them easier to deploy or disseminate.

Since many bio- agents reproduce rapidly and required minimal resource for propagation.

Categories of bioterrorism

There are 3 categories

These categories are depending on how easily they can spread and the severity of illness or death they cause.

Catagory A agents are considered the highest risk.

E.g. Anthrax, botulism, plague, smallpox, viral hemorrhageic fever (Ebola).

Catagory B these agents are the second highest priority

E.g. brucellosis, epsilon toxin of clostridium, ricin toxin (caster beans), typhus fever, water safety threats (e.g. vibrio cholerae)

Catagory C this includes emerging pathogens that could be engineered for Mass spread in future emerging infectious disease.

E.g. Nipah virus, Hanta virus, corona virus.

History of Bioterrorism

Biological Weapon include any microorganism (such as bacteria , virus or fungi)or toxin ( poisonous compounds produced by micro- organisms) found in nature that can be used to kill or injured people.

If the environment is contaminated, a long term threat to the population could be created.

(Variola virus caused Smallpox)

* During World War-1 the German Army developed "Anthrax" , Glanders, Cholera and wheat fungus specifically for use as biological Weapons.

* During World War-2 , Japanese Force operated a secret biological warfare research facility in Manchuria.

They exposed more than 3000 victims to Plague, Anthrax, Syphilis and other agents in an attempt to develop and observe the disease.

* In 1942, the United States formed the War Research Service, Anthrax and Botulinum toxin initially were investigated for use as weapons.

Which is the most dangerous Bio-agent?

(Bacillus anthracis bacteria)

Bacillus anthracis bacteria, which causes "Anthrax" , is one of the most deadly agent to be used as a bio-weapon.

It is classified by the United States centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as a Catagory A agent.

Anthrax has been bused as a bio- weapon for about a century mixed with powders, sprays, food and water.

Bio-weapon is a subset of a larger class of weapons referred to as weapons of mass destruction , which also includes chemical, nuclear and radiological weapons.

The use of bio-weapon is a serious problem, and a risk of using these agents in a Bioterrorism attack is increasing.

If you find my article informative then please do share. And please comment if you know anything about Bioterrorism or bio weapons.

Resource: https://www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/bioterrorism/btdiseases.html

https://www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/bioterrorism/btdiseases.html

https://www.emedicinehealth.com/biological_warfare/article_em.htm#what_is_the_history_of_biological_warfare

https://www.army-technology.com/features/featurethe-worlds-most-dangerous-bioweapons-4546207/

Photo: https://www.megainteresting.com/science/gallery/the-deadliest-biological-weapons-in-history-221579175277/

https://unsplash.com/photos/LiNIONbajm4/download?force=true

One man died in China due to Hanta virus .What is Hanta virus ? Do you want to know about Hanta virus disease?

2020-03-25T10:02:00.001+05:30

The news about Hanta virus comes at a time when scientist and medical experts are already racing against time to find a cure for pandemic COVID-19.

Infection with Hanta virus disease such as :-

Hanta virus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS) & Hemorrhagic Fever with renal Syndrome (HFRS).

Hanta virus divided into 2 groups:-

New world- Hanta virus in Americas

Old world- Hanta virus in Europe and Asia.

Hanta virus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS) is caused by a virus found in some rodents , primarily deer mice.

A person may become infected with the virus through direct or indirect contact with the saliva, urine or droppings of an infected rodents.

Infection may result in severe respiratory distress and hypotension.

The causes of disease was quickly identified as a novel member of the family of Hanta viruses originally named for the river (Hantaan) in South Korea where the prototype was discovered.

The Hantaan serotype viruses cause severe Hemorrhagic Fever with kidney involvement and are found in Korea, China and Estern Russia.

The new disease (discovered in the South West U.S.), is called the "Hanta Virus Pulmonary Syndrome"

The first case of HPS in Texas was also reported in 1983.

Causes Hanta Virus:-

When heathy person inhale urine, saliva, poop of infected rodents such as deer mice, cotton rats, rice rats etc.

If you have broken skin and dropplets of a deer mice touch it, you are likely to have Hanta virus.

How Hanta virus infect human?

1. Virus found in rodent's feces urine saliva.

2. Infected droppings becomes airborne

3. Inhaled by human

4. Acute respiratory distress (serious infection)

Symptoms of Hanta virus

Early symptoms of HPS are much like symptoms of flu.

(First 3-7 days)

Fever
Chills
Body ache
Headache
Vomiting
Stomach pain
Dry cough
Rapid onset of sever respiratory failure
Nausea
Fatigue
Dizziness
Diarrhoea

Characteristics of Hanta virus:-

1. Mostly prevelent in rural areas.

2. Cannot be spread between humans.

In it's early stage , Hanta virus is difficult to distinguish from influenza, pneumonia and other viral condition.

How Hanta virus is different from the Corona virus?

Corona virus spread from person to person, but Hanta virus spread from rodents to human,If someone touches their eyes , nose or mouth after touching rodents droppings, urine or nesting materials.

If you like this article please do share .

Resources: https://www.healthcentral.com/encyclopedia/hantavirus-infection

https://www.soundhealthandlastingwealth.com/diseases/what-is-hantavirus-causes-symptoms-treatment/

Photo: https://www.masseyservices.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Hantavirus-pulmonary-syndrome.jpg

Photo: https://picsymptoms.blogspot.com/2019/12/symptoms-of-hantavirus-in-mice.html?m=1

How to protect yourself and prepare for corona virus?

2020-03-24T01:22:00.000+05:30

"How to protect yourself and prepare for the Corona virus" it's very important to come to know as Corona virus labelled a pandemic by WHO , is considered one of the deadliest and scariest things to have happened to the world after World War-2.

Thousands have died till date and Even the biggest of the medical experts have found themselves helpless in finding a vaccine for this disease.

No one could have stopped this and today people are going for self quarantine, professing social distancing and much more to ensure they are safe.

How Corona virus infect the human being?

Common signs of infection include:-

Respiratory symptoms
Fever
Cough
Shortness of breath

Breathing difficulty

In more severe case :-

Infection can cause pneumonia
Severe acute respiratory syndrome
Kidney failure and even death

Standard recommendations to prevent infection spread:-

Include regular hand washing
Covering mouth and nose while coughing and sneezing.
Avoid close contact with anyone showing symptoms of respiratory illness such as coughing and sneezing.

Protect yourself

Basic protection against the Corona virus stay aware

* Currently there is no vaccine to prevent Corona virus disease (COVID-19), the team of scientist are still trying to understand the structure of Corona virus , so that they could find out how this corona virus infect human being.

* Since it's a contagious disease, it spread person to person close contact.

So stay away from affected people, avoid to go in crowded areas and maintain atleast 6 feet distance.

* Corona virus attack human respiratory system and end up with difficulty in breathing.

* When any infected person cough and sneeze , the droplets can land in the mouth and nose of people who are nearby be inhaled into the lungs.

Clean your hands often

* Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 sec. we after you have been in a public place, or after coughing or sneezing.

* If soap and water is not available then use sanitizer with 60% alcohol.

* Avoid touching your eyes, nose , mouth with unwashed hand.

*Stay at home if you're I'll.

*Cover your cough & sneeze with tissue and throw the tissue in the trash and use mask.

How mask protect you from germs?

Anti pollution masks are Known as respirators . It is a device which helps you to breathe cleaner air by preventing you from inhaling chemicals , particulate matters and infected particles such as bacteria and viruses.

* Clean and disinfect toughed surface and objects e.g. table , light switches, door handles, door knobs.

Prepare for the Corona virus

The guidelines given by the WHO , should follow to prepare for the Corona virus.

* Should follow all the instructions given by the government.

* You should be update yourself with the latest news regarding the ongoing issue.

So if you like my article "How to protect yourself and prepare for the Corona virus". Please do share and like .

Resource https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/faq.html

Photo https://www.who.int/images/default-source/health-topics/coronavirus/social-media-squares/be-ready-social-3.jpg

How serious is the 2019- 20 Corona virus?

2020-03-19T21:41:00.001+05:30

How Corona virus spreading all over the world so fast?

COVID-19, the disease caused by the new Corona virus (SARS-CoV-2), continues to spread around the world.

According to the WHO , globally there have been almost 1,80,000 confirmed cases of people sickened by COVID-19 and close to 7,500 people have died from the disease- a death severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) epidemic that occurred in 2002 and 2003.

Officials everywhere have implemented measures to contain the virus, including cancellation, closers, travel restrictions and quarantines.

Is COVID-19 a pandemic?

The WHO World health organization has officially called the disease a pandemic- a disease outbreak occurring over a wide geographic area and affecting and exceptionally high proportion of the population.

The United States has declared the pandemic a national emergency, and States throughout the country are taking major measures to slow the spread of the disease.

There is also more than to learn about how COVID-19 spread - and how contagious it is?

Some facts about the ongoing issue

Resource https://www.cdc.gov/

What is the big deal about the new corona virus?,What is COVID-2019-20?

2020-03-16T19:14:00.000+05:30

What is Corona virus?

Corona viruses are a family of viruses known for containing strains that cause potentially deadly diseases in mammals and birds. In humans they're typically spread via airborne droplets of fluid produced by infected individuals.

Some rare but notable strains, including SARS-CoV-2 (responsible for COVID-19), and those responsible for severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS), can cause death in humans.

This new corona virus has caused a global health emergency, sickening almost 100,000 people worldwide, and so far killing more than 3,000.

There are four known genuses in the family, named Alpha corona virus, Beta corona virus, Gamma corona virus, and Delta corona virus. The first two only infect mammals, including bats, pigs, cats, and humans. Gamma corona virus mostly infects birds such as poultry, while Delta corona virus can infect both birds and mammals.

How does it spread in humans?

The virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person.

Between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet).
Through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes.

These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs. The host cell then bursts and other nearby cell in the body infected with this virus.

What are the common symptoms?

The Corona virus attacks cell in the respiratory system.

Runny nose
Sore throat
Cough and cold
High temperature

Prevention:-

There is currently no vaccine to prevent corona virus disease (COVID-19).

Self-care is must to prevent from this infection.

If you have mild symptoms, stay at home until you’ve recovered.

You can relieve your symptoms if you:

rest and sleep
keep warm
drink plenty of liquids
use a room humidifier or take a hot shower to help ease a sore throat and cough

You can reduce your risk of infection if you:

Clean hands frequently with alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water

Cover nose and mouth when coughing and sneezing with tissue or flexed elbow

Avoid close contact (1 metre or 3 feet) with anyone with cold or flu-like symptoms.

Is Corona virus more fatal than common flu?

The biggest difference between the two types of infection is that the health system is better prepared to fight the flu. It comes every year and, while some strains are more severe than others, doctors know how to treat and prevent it.

The Covid-19 numbers are harder to calculate because it’s not yet clear how many people are infected. According to the CDC, calculate the death rate at about 2 percent, which is higher than the flu.

How Corona virus affect our body?

Corona viruses are made up of one strip of RNA, and that genetic material is surrounded by a membrane studded with little spike proteins. (Under a microscope, those proteins stick up in a ring around the top of the virus, giving it its name—“corona” is Latin for “crown.”) When the virus gets into the body, those spike proteins attach to host cells, and the virus injects that RNA into the cell’s nucleus, hijacking the replication machinery there to make more virus. Infection ensues.

The other thing that contributes to the severity of the infection is the proteins the virus produces. Different genes mean different proteins; more virulent corona viruses may have spike proteins that are better at latching onto human cells.

Where did Corona virus come from and how did it get its official name COVID-19?

It is clear that the virus may have an animal reservoir. In other words, it may be permanently found in a host species of animal, where it does not normally cause disease.

Viruses can spill over from the host to other animals and humans. Evidence points to a possible initial spillover of the virus into humans and other animals in an animal market in Wuhan in China.

Bats are prone to act as a reservoir for viruses. Chinese populations of the horseshoe bat genus (Rhinolophus) have already been found to host viruses similar to the new corona virus.

The horseshoe bat genus is found around the world and there are 40 species in Africa. But so far no viruses related to the cause of Covid-19 disease have been reported from African bat species.

Corona viruses are known to have a high mutation rate and can recombine with other corona viruses, creating new virus variants with the potential to emerge as outbreak viruses in humans.
The emergence of novel corona viruses is also strongly linked to a high diversity present in host populations and to contact between bats, humans and other animals, creating opportunities for spillover.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) said Tuesday that the new c that was first identified in Wuhan, China, has officially been named “COVID-19.” “Co” is for coronavirus, “Vi” is for virus, “D” is for disease and “19” since it was detected in late 2019, officials said.

Reference

https://www.wired.com/story/what-is-a-co ronavirus/

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Why Doctors prescribe "Antibiotics"for general bacterial infections?

2020-03-15T14:07:00.000+05:30

Doctors generally suggest a combination of antibiotics, antacid and multivitamins for common bacterial infections.
antibiotics can only treat bacterial infection.
This include strep throat and urinary infections ,ear infection, sinus,cough,cold etc.
we rely on antibiotics to treat serious life threatening conditions,the body's extreme response to an infection.
Effective antibiotics are also needed for people who are at high risk for developing infections.

How do you know when you need antibiotics:-

When you caught by certain infections some times they are bacterial or sometimes by weather change.

colds and flu : viral infection
cough or bronchitis: viral infection
sore throat : mostly viral infection
ear infection
sinus infection

Antibodies can only treat bacterial infections:-

Do you know that its a very interesting fact that antibiotics can only treat bacterial infections like strep throat, urinary infection.
Antibiotics will not treat viruses . This includes cold, flu or mononucleosis.
Here a question will pop up in your mind that-

Can one antibiotic treat multiple bacterial infections?

You have most likely taken an antibiotic or anti-infection at least once in your lifetime.
Antibiotics are specific for the type of bacteria, in general, can not be interchanged from one infection to another.
When antibiotics are used correctly, they are safe with few side-effects.
So dear friends understanding the huge world of antibiotics is not an easy task.

Why don't antibiotics kill viruses?

You may be told you cannot use an antibiotic for a viral infection because antibiotics are ineffective and may lead to "antibiotic resistance".
So here is a question why don't antibiotics kill viral infections and how can over use of an antibiotic lead to "antibiotic resistance"?

Antibiotics cannot kill virus because viruses have different structures and replicate in a different way than bacteria.
Antibiotics work by targeting the growth machinery in bacteria (not viruses)to kill or inhibit those particular bacteria .
When you think about it structurally, it makes sense that an antibiotic could not work to kill virus with a completely different set of replicating "machinery".

Infection caused by viruses:-

sore throats
Most coughs, colds ,runny noses
acute sinusitis
acute bronchitis
some eye or ear infections
Respiratory syncytial virus(RSV)
Flu (influenza)

So most viral illnesses do not need special medication and are "safe limiting",meaning your own immune system will kick in and fight off the illness.
However, this can take time, a cough and cold can take from 7-10 days and the flu might keep you down for 2 weeks and more.

In some viral infection , such as the flu, chicken pox (varicella), your doctor prescribe an antiviral drug to shorten your infection and to help prevent complications.
In complicated or prolonged viral infections, bacteria may invade as well and cause what is known as a "secondary bacteria infection", in these case your doctor may prescribe an antibiotic.

Viruses are structurally different from bacteria:-

Viruses live and replicate inside of a human cell, they cannot live outside of this environment.

Viruses insert their genetic material into a human cell's DNA in order to reproduce.

Antibiotics cannot kill viruses because bacteria and virus es have different mechanism and machinery to survive and replicate . The antibiotics has no "target" to attack in a virus.
But antiviral medicine and vaccines are specific for viruses. Vaccine stimulate your own immune system to produce antibiotics, which then can "recognise" the virus to inactivate it before it can cause disease.
The best way to prevent the flu, shingles and chicken pox is with a "Vaccine".

Common illness caused by bacteria:-

Some ear or eye infections
Many skin infections
Bacterial pneumonia
Some sinus infections, but usually these are viral
Urinary tract infections (UTI)
Tuberculosis
Bacterial meningitis

Why Doctors prescribe antacid and multi-vitamin with antibiotics:-

The main reason behind this is that oral administration of antibiotics affects not only the disease causing micro-organisms, but also increases the acidity of the stomach.
Causes disruption of intestine flora and suppresses the B- complex vitamin synthesising bacteria present in the mucosa of stomach and intestine.
The decreases in pH of stomach leads ti indigestion which is the primary cause of ulcers. To stabilise the pH of stomach, an antacid is given along with the antibiotics.

Targets of Antibiotics:-

Antibiotics targets the bacterial cell wall, cell membrane or interfere with essential bacterial enzymes and lead to adverse effects that range from mild to very serious depending on the antibiotics used.

Antibiotics directly affect the digestive tract by decreasing the pH of stomach that leads upset digestion.
Antacids are used to neutralise the extra produced in the stomach . Antacids and acid reducers can relieve pain or uncomfortable feeling in the stomach.
For treatment of peptic ulcers, antacids may be used together with antibiotics.
Antacids do a neutralisation reaction by increasing the pH to reduce the acidity of the stomach and digestive upset.
Multivitamin tablets are intended to supplement a diet with nutritional elements. Multivitamins are valuable tool to correct dietary imbalance and reduce vitamin deficiency.
Antibiotics are drugs that kill bacteria germs and can only treat sickness that is caused by bacteria. If you take an antibiotic when you don't need it...for example when you have cold or the flu , it can make you feel worse and make your illness last longer.
So when you prescribed an antibiotic, ask "Do I really need this?" Most Doctors Will be Happy to explain why an antibiotic is necessary for your illness.

Antibiotics are not evil,we should not fear them .But we should not take them without any reason , we do need to use them responsibly.

What do you think after reading this article according to your body? Write in the comment section.

Q: Can your body fight infection without antibiotics?

Q: Can an infection come back after antibiotics?

Source:
http://nopr.niscair.res.in/bitstream/123456789/13530/1/SR%2049%282%29%2016-18.pdf