New Delhi: A significant rural-urban divide in the fertility rate could be seen in the country in a latest data that says the fertility rate varies from 53.7 in urban areas to 73.7 in rural areas while at the national level, 67 children were born to every thousand women aged 15-49 years. As per the data of the Sample Registration System (SRS) Statistical Report 2020, general fertility rate (GFR) varies from 45.3 in Kerala to 93.9 in Bihar among the bigger states/UTs. The data reveals that fertility in all the age groups is higher in rural areas than in urban areas. The fertility reaches the peak in the age group 25-29 and declines thereafter, irrespective of the place of residence. Estimates of General Fertility Rate (GFR), a refined measure of fertility, has been defined as the number of live births per thousand women in the reproductive age group 15-49 years, is a useful tool for measuring fertility At the all India level, a decline of 20.2 percent in GFR has been registered during the decade and it varies from 20.2 percent in rural to 15.6 percent in urban areas. Among the bigger States/UTs, the percentage decline in GFR varies from 29.2 in Jammu &amp; Kashmir to 12.3 in Kerala. At the national level, there is a shift in trend of fertility with an increase in fertility in the later ages 30-44, while a decrease in fertility in the lower age-groups 15-29. Except for Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal where fertility reached its peak in the age group 20-24 and Jammu &amp; Kashmir where fertility reached its peak in the age group 30-34, the highest fertility in all the other bigger States/UTs has been attained in the age group 25-29. Fertility, however, declined from age 30 in all the bigger states/UTs, except Jammu &amp; Kashmir where it declined from age 35. The ASFR (Age Specific Fertility Rates) in the younger age group 15-19 varies from 2.6 in Delhi to 22.3 in West Bengal. In the age group 30-34, the variation in the level of ASFR is from 41.9 in West Bengal to 147.0 in Bihar.&nbsp;
—IANS

A significant rural-urban divide in the fertility rate could be seen in the country in a latest data that says the fertility rate varies from 53.7 in urban areas to 73.7 in rural areas while at the national level, 67 children were born to every thousand women aged 15-49 years.

 'Significant rural-urban divide in fertility rate in India'

Washington: A new study has found that wildfires, and extreme heat events increase in frequency and severity which results in skin diseases.
The study was published in the journal, 'The Journal of Climate Change and Health.'
The skin is a large, complex organ, and it serves as the body's primary interface with the environment, playing key roles in sensory, thermoregulatory, barrier, and immunological functioning. As floods, wildfires, and extreme heat events increase in frequency and severity, they pose a significant threat to global dermatological health, as many skin diseases are climate sensitive.
Investigators draw on an extensive review of published research to highlight the key dermatological manifestations initiated or exacerbated by these climatic events and also highlight the disproportionate impacts on marginalized and vulnerable populations.
"We wanted to provide dermatologists and other practitioners with a comprehensive overview of extreme weather-related skin disease as a foundation for patient education, implementation of early treatment interventions, and improved disease outcomes," explained lead author Eva Rawlings Parker, MD, Department of Dermatology and the Center for Biomedical Ethics and Society, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA. "We were astounded by the shear breadth of impacts that extreme weather events have on skin disease and how profoundly climate change exacerbates inequality."
In their review, Dr. Parker and her colleagues cite nearly 200 articles documenting the myriad impacts of extreme weather events on skin. Marcalee Alexander, MD, Editor-in-Chief of The Journal of Climate Change and Health, noted, "This information is especially timely in light of traumatic events such as Hurricane Ian, which has led to increased infections due to flood and standing water exposures."
Flooding, one of the most common natural disasters, is linked to traumatic wounds and bacterial and fungal infections of the skin. Contact dermatitis is another common consequence of flooding since flood water is often contaminated with pesticides, sewage, fertilizers, and chemicals. Exposure to wildfire smoke can trigger atopic dermatitis (eczema) in adults with no prior diagnosis, and it can trigger or exacerbate acne.
Because the skin plays a critical role in the regulation of body temperature, the effects of extended heat waves can be severe. The inability to properly cool during high heat events can lead to heat stroke and death, for example. Many chronic inflammatory dermatoses are exacerbated by heat as well. Infectious diseases can be seasonal, with heat and humidity increasing the risk of common cutaneous infections caused by bacterial, fungal, and viral pathogens. Less obvious, extreme heat events influence behavior. When temperatures are high, people may spend more time outdoors, increasing exposure to air pollution, UV radiation, and insects.
Dr. Parker and her colleagues observed that extreme weather events disproportionately affect marginalized and vulnerable populations and widen existing health disparities. Children, pregnant women, the elderly, people with mental health illness, racial/ethnic minorities, low-income individuals, and migrants are especially vulnerable to climate-related effects.
Black and Hispanic populations and lower income populations are more likely to live in areas at higher risk for flooding. These populations also have a greater incidence of skin disease and less access to care. Extreme heat is a frontline occupational hazard for manual laborers and migrant workers. Extreme weather events contribute to large-scale migration. Skin diseases are among the most commonly reported health concerns observed in migrants. Of particular concern is the spread of communicable and infectious diseases and vector-borne viruses. People experiencing homelessness are plagued by higher rates of highly morbid, climate-sensitive skin diseases.
"This year has been marked by historic and deadly heat waves in North America, Europe, and Asia; devastating flooding in the United States, Pakistan, and Australia; drought and famine in Somalia and Madagascar; and wildfires in the Western US, Russia, Argentina, and throughout Europe. Extreme weather events are ravaging the planet, disrupting critical infrastructure, severely impacting health and accentuating health disparities," said Dr. Parker. "Clinicians, policymakers, environmental advocates and researchers across the globe should be acutely aware of the current and future disruptions that climate change and extreme weather events pose to human health." Dr Parker and co-authors suggest that further population-based, clinical and occupational health research is needed to better define the risk for adverse health outcomes, identify sensitive populations, focus on just and equitable strategies for resiliency and adaptation, and assess the influence of social factors on the relationship between exposure and health outcomes. —ANI

A new study has found that wildfires, and extreme heat events increase in frequency and severity which results in skin diseases.

Weather Events Have Significant Negative Impact On Skins: Study

Lucknow (The Hawk): The party is in turmoil, and the family is beginning to feel increasingly uneasy.
Akhilesh Yadav, the leader of the Samajwadi Party, faces a significant obstacle in the form of by-elections for the Mainpuri Lok Sabha seat, which his late father held. This challenge comes less than a month after the death of Samajwadi patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav.
Given that Mainpuri has been one of the main Samajwadi strongholds since 1989, the seat is vital for both the Samajwadi Party and the family.
Akhilesh Yadav faces a significant difficulty choosing a candidate for the December 5 by-election for the Mainpuri seat, made more difficult by Shivpal Singh Yadav's recent announcement that he would run for the seat in 2024 if Mulayam Singh did not.
"Shivpal Yadav might not accept an outsider for this seat, therefore it's critical for Akhilesh to maintain the party's unity at this time—especially in light of the party's recent loss in Lakhimpur Kheri. Our support base would be split if Shivpal stood for the seat, and the Samajwadi Party would lose face as a result "said a seasoned party chief.
Akhilesh is also under pressure to assure the Samajwadi Party's victory in Mainpuri because the party has suffered a string of setbacks since he took over the reins.
Under his direction, Akhilesh lost the 2017 Assembly elections, the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, and the 2022 Assembly elections.
After the 2022 Assembly elections, the SP suffered humiliating losses in the by-elections for the Lok Sabha in Azamgarh and Rampur, and now in the Lakhimpur by-election.
Akhilesh's party and family may turn on him if he suffers yet another setback in Mainpuri (and Rampur).
If family sources are to be believed, Tej Pratap Yadav, who had won the Mainpuri seat in the 2014 by-elections, is the likely winner.
Mulayam's grand-nephew, Tej Pratap Yadav, is close to him. Tej Pratap was mentored by Mulayam in politics, and he frequently sought his counsel on important issues.
After Mulayam won the 2019 elections, Tej Pratap, the son-in-law of RJD leader Lalu Prasad Yadav, has been vying for the Mainpuri seat.
Since the SP patriarch had been ill for the previous two years, Netaji's constituency was represented by Tej Pratap, the grandson of Mulayam's oldest sibling.
A senior party leader stated, "He is the natural pick for the SP and happens to know the constituents like the back of his hand."
Shivpal and Tej Pratap are also close, and according to family sources, Shivpal won't run against Tej Pratap in the by-elections if Tej Pratap is designated the candidate.
"Abhay Ram, Mulayam Singh's younger brother, is now attempting to keep the family together in Mulayam Singh's absence, and he has proposed that Tej Pratap run from Mainpuri. This would stop Akhilesh and Shivpal from arguing further "a family insider stated.
(Inputs from Agencies)&nbsp;

The party is in turmoil, and the family is beginning to feel increasingly uneasy. Akhilesh Yadav, the leader of the Samajwadi Party, faces a significant obstacle in the form of by-elections for the Mainpuri Lok Sabha seat, which his late father held. This challenge comes less than a month after the death of Samajwadi patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav.

Akhilesh has a significant challenge in Mainpuri

Panaji (The Hawk): Anurag Thakur, the Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting, declared on Sunday that the government wants to promote India as a location for the production and shooting of movies.
"After experiencing the epidemic, many people are now witnessing the IFFI in significant numbers. Regional cinemas are expanding internationally thanks to this "He told reporters prior to the International Film Festival of India's opening ceremony (IFFI).
Thakur added that India has the chance to bring international films here and provide fresh hope to regional films while extending a warm welcome to all the attendees and filmmakers.
"We had the chance to screen international films at IFFI. The IFFI's Film Bazaar is excellent. It is of an international calibre, and foreign films are shown here. Through IFFI, even Indian regional films are elevated to a global level. In this way, Indian art and culture would spread over the world "added he.
"In terms of production, collaboration, post-production, and filming, we aim to make India a significant market. I'm pleased that so many individuals are showing interest from around the world "said he.
Dieter Berner's Austrian film "Alma and Oskar" opens the nine-day extravaganza, which includes 280 films from 79 nations and a variety of other events. Krzyszt of Zanussi's "Perfect Number" serves as the closing feature.
Eight films will be shown as part of the "Country Focus" package, with France serving as the "Spotlight" nation. The IFFI has more than 6,000 delegates attending.
(Inputs from Agencies)

Anurag Thakur, the Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting, declared on Sunday that the government wants to promote India as a location for the production and shooting of movies.

India should be a significant market for film productions, created by Anurag Thakur

Washington: NASA engineers have taken its Mars Ingenuity helicopter on a short but important 18-second successful flight to test new capabilities.
The operations team has been working on the new capabilities over the past few weeks. The software upgrade includes hazard avoidance on landing and the use of digital elevation maps.
"Despite the flight's simple nature, the team is very excited because of what it means for the future of Ingenuity," the US space agency said in a statement. NASA tested the new software for the first time on Flight 34.
"Jezero Crater is a rocky place, so safe airfields have been tough to find! Using Ingenuity's downward-facing navigation camera, this software update adds hazard avoidance on landing," said Joshua Anderson, Ingenuity Mars Helicopter Operations Lead at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. "While in flight, Ingenuity will identify the safest visible landing site. When preparing to land, Ingenuity will then divert over to this selected site. This capability allows Ingenuity to safely land in rockier terrain than before, providing our pilots with many more potential landing sites," Anderson added.
The navigation system for the helicopter was created on the assumption that the vehicle would be travelling over flat ground.
"Over long flights, navigation errors caused by rough terrain must be accounted for, requiring the team to select large airfields," Anderson mentioned. The team will use results from the flight to start testing the new capabilities, making sure that everything works as expected on the surface of Mars. —IANS

NASA engineers have taken its Mars Ingenuity helicopter on a short but important 18-second successful flight to test new capabilities.

The Hawk

Tag : Significant

'Significant rural-urban divide in fertility rate in India'

Pankaj Sharma

The Hawk

Tag : Significant

'Significant rural-urban divide in fertility rate in India'

Pankaj Sharma

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