Straight to the head

Puff that saves

Drugs kill, that’s for sure. At times, though, they also end up playing saviour. New research suggests that cannabis — our very own ganja, that is — could provide mankind with a new way to treat brain cancer. At a time when cutting off blood supply to the tumour is being explored as the latest anti-cancer strategy, Spanish scientists have shown that cannabinoids have the potential to check the growth of blood vessels that feed the tumour. A report in New Scientist says cannabinoids significantly reduced tumour growth in mice. So human beings could well be next in line for a dose of pot right in the premises of a hospital. For a different kind of high, of course. And celebs are warned not to overdose.

 

Poor man’s machine

Everyone requires a comp these days. But what about those who can’t afford one? That’s exactly the question Prof. Raj Reddy asked himself, sitting in his artificial intelligence lab at the Carnegie Mellon University. The answer he came up with was PCtvt, a new computer designed by him to fit any wallet. Priced at just $250, it will be for those who can’t even read since it will be controlled by a remote. The set will also have some added advantages — it will multifunction also as a TV, a telephone and a videophone. The project has as partners, among others, the Indian Institute of Science and the Indian Institute of Information Technology. All we can do now is wait for it to hit Indian markets.

As the don would say, it’s an offer you simply can’t refuse. Katrina Kaif has been offered a role in Sarkar, a clone of Coppola’s Godfather. And that too by the don of Indian filmmaking, Ramgopal Verma. Cool Kat!

Cook your own junk

And you thought obesity was a growing concern only in the US. Schools in Mumbai are now checking kids’ tiffin boxes in a bid to stop children from gorging on junk food. It’s a citywide drive against obesity that sees biscuits, wafers, chocolates and fried goodies blacklisted in school. But as long as the food is home-made — even if it’s the infamous vada-pao — the authorities think it’s fine. But will they check the kitchen at home?

Mobile wallet

Pick and pay

Here’s a new add- on for your mobile phone. The next time you’re at a cafe, you can pay for your cappuccino through it. Okay, maybe not here, but that’s what people are doing in Japan. The wireless mobile network DoCoMo has launched this service that allows users with compatible handsets to carry out transactions by sending out data at high speeds over the network. There’s also built-in security in the handsets to stop others from using the system. Next time you need cash, just dial M for money.

 

AWARD OF THE WEEK

Goes to the students of Sardar Patel School in New Delhi for retaining the Kalpana Chawla trophy. The award is given for awareness of astronomy and space sciences.