Hyderabad|India|April'2009: Modern humans arose about 1,50,000 years ago, possibly in East Africa and colonized Kalahari Desert and the Central Africa rain forest within Africa. Early humans even ventured out of Africa briefly, as indicated by the 90,000 year old skull and Oazeh fossils found in Israel. By analyzing and DNA of living humans from different locations, it has been possible to assemble to detailed reconstruction of prehistoric human colonization of the world. Examination of the variation in DNA, known as DNA polymorphism, provides new insights into the history of the human populations. Immigration of people can be tracked down based on the errors(known as mutations) occurred during copying of DNA, informed Dr. Lalji Singh, Director of Centre for Cellular & Molecular Biology, Hyderabad while delivering Dr. K.V. Rao Scientific Society Memorial Oration in city on Thursday night in a function held in B.M. Birla Science Centre.

He was the Chief Guest at the awards distribution function of Dr. K. V. Rao Scientific Society and gave away awards for Research in Basic Sciences. Dr. K. V. Rao Scientific Society which has been established to preserve basic research and scientific talent presented 9th Annual Dr. K.V. Rao Research Awards for the year 2009 in the fields of 1. Chemistry and allied sciences, 2. Physics, 3. Biological Sciences and 4. Mathematics to school children and young scientists.

Among the young scientists category Ms.Barilang Mawlong of University of Hyderabad emerged as winner in Physics. The winners in other streams include Mr. K. Vishnu Namboothiri of University of Hyderabad was in Mathematics; Mr. M. Srujan Kumar of Indian Institute of Chemical Technology in Chemistry; Ms. Gita Kumari of Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnosis in Biological Sciences. The awards consisted of a cash prize of Rs 20,000/- and silver trophy to the winner and a cash prize of Rs 10,000/- and a Silver Trophy to runners up in each category.

The Society has received more than fifty applications from various Universities and Research organizations in A.P including IICT, CCMB, Osmania University, University of Hyderabad, NIN, CDFC, Andhra University, Sri Krishnadevaraya University, Sri Padmavathi Mahila Vishwavidyalayam, Kakatiya University and NIT Warangal.

The Society conducted a Science Quiz program for school children of 8,9,10 and 11th classes of twin cities. About forty teams from various schools participated in the competition. First three teams were given cash prizes. 10th Class students G. Abhinav, and D.Chetan from Johnson Grammer School emerged as winners. The two Runners up teams include: D. Achyuthmadhav and C. Anirudh of St. Joseph's Public School and C. Ramakrishna and P. Dheeraj Sai Ram of St. Joseph's Public School.

The Society also gave away scholarships to six children of Rs 5000/- each for the outstanding projects in basic science. This scholarship is given every year till they complete their school education. These six children include P. Pavani of 9th class student from Little Flower High School, Santhi Nagar, Nalgonda District for her work on "Energy Audit"; G. Manideep, Zilla Parishad High School, Tanuku, for the projects "Electricity and Constructive Conservation"; G. Prithvi Raj Reddy, 7th class of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan for his work "Trap the Sun and Free the Earth"; Keiza, 8th class of Arnold's High School for her project "Nature's Gift--Medicinal Plants"; K. Ramanjaneyulu, 7th lcass of MPUP School, Bommaluru Village for his paper titled "A Study on Parthinium on its Utilization" and A. Chandra Babu, 8th class of Zilla Parishad High School, Peddur Veeraballi Mandal for his research "Traditional Methods in Agriculture".

The Society is planning to address the needs of more school children by conducting science exhibitions, setting up science laboratories for students to get a first hand and practical experience of science and a help them to experiment with their ideas. The Society is also planning to institute awards in more fields of education, informed Dr. K.Ratna, Joint Secretary of the Society.

"The Awards are meant to encourage Young Scientists to inculcate deep interest in research and improve their abilities in the field of their choice. A panel of judges comprising of eminent scientists evaluated the research papers and selected the candidates, informed Dr. K. Ratna, Jt. Secretary of Society.

Reachout's News Bureau
 April' 2009