Adults in India consume on an average about half the amount of calcium than required for healthy bones.
Low calcium intake has been linked to lower bone-mineral density, which increases the risk of osteoporosis and broken bones.
In India, the average calcium intake is only 429 mg per day against the requirement of 800-1000 mg per day.
Countries in Asia, Africa and South America mostly have low calcium intakes, ranging between about 400 and 700 mg/day.
Calcium is a major component of bone, accounting for between 30-35 per cent of its mass and much of its strength.
Calcium regulates muscle contraction, plays a key role in normal blood coagulation, and also a co-factor for many enzymes.
Calcium is not easily absorbed without the presence of vitamin D.
BIS grants first license for Liquid Chlorine
Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) granted first license for Liquid Chlorine on all India basis.
The product is in liquid form and stored in metal containers.
It is usually used as a gas obtained by evaporating the liquid from the metal container.
It is used mainly in paper, pulp, textile bleaching, water sterilization and manufacture of chemicals.
BIS is the National Standard Body of India established under the BIS Act 1986
The Bureau is a Body Corporate consisting of 25 members with Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution as its President and with Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution as its Vice-President.
Monthly Payroll Data
India has, for the first time, introduced monthly payroll reporting for the formal sector to facilitate analysis of new and continuing employment.
The Employees’ Provident Fund Organization (EPFO), Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) and the Pension fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) have released payroll data.
Data released by EPFO shows that during September, 2017 to February, 2018, 31.10 lakh new additions across all age groups were made in the payroll.
This data would provide a more firm basis for various analysis and studies of the economy, job creation, as also aid in policy making.
Fejervarya goemchi
Scientists have identified a new species of frog called Fejervarya goemchi in the highland plateaus of the Western Ghats parts of Goa.
The new species is named after the historical name of the state of Goa where the species is discovered.
Most of these frogs are terrestrial, but they need water bodies to survive.
The new species is found in the high elevation areas of laterite plateaus, temporary water bodies and paddy fields of Goa.
Planet darker than charcoal
Scientists have discovered a ‘pitch black’ planet 470 light-years away that absorbs 99% of light.
This is one of the darkest planets ever discovered — reflecting very little light from its host star.
The planet, named WASP-104b, was discovered by using NASA’s Kepler telescope to show that it is ‘darker than charcoal.’
The planet was discovered orbiting a yellow dwarf star some 470 light-years away from earth in the constellation Leo.
It is categorized as a ‘hot Jupiter’ planet, denoting gas giant planets of a similar mass to Jupiter, but is located much closer to their host stars - making them very hot.
Digital terrestrial television
Doordarshan had introduced India’s first DTT services through an android application designed for android mobiles and television with no internet needed.
Doordarshan is giving terrestrial transmission of Analog Channels since 15th September 1959.
DD is migrating to digital terrestrial broadcasting.
The advantages of going digital are that it can provide multiple program channels from one transmitter with better video and audio quality and better availability of signals on mobile and portable devices like handsets/tablets/PCs etc
Digital terrestrial television is a technology for broadcast television in which land-based (terrestrial) television stations broadcast television content by radio waves to televisions in consumers' residences in a digital format.
