Coffee can reduce car crash risk – research

Coffee News, Science & Technology

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Researchers linked drinking coffee to stay awake with a 63 per cent lower crash risk. Photo / Thinkstock\

Drinking caffeinated drinks like coffee significantly protects against crash risk for long-distance commercial drivers, new research suggests.

But University of Otago professor Jennie Connor warned that caffeine, while effective for short amounts of time, was not a solution to fatigue.

The research, published in the British Medical Journal, was undertaken in Australia between 2008 and 2011.

It compared 530 long-distance heavy vehicle drivers who crashed their vehicle on a long distance trip in the preceding 12 months, with 517 such drivers who had not crashed.

Researchers linked drinking coffee to stay awake with a 63 per cent lower crash risk.

“Long-distance commercial drivers who consume caffeinated substances such as coffee or energy drinks, to stay awake while driving, are significantly less likely to crash than those who do not, even though they drive longer distances and sleep less,” researchers said.

More than 40 per cent of drivers reported consuming substances containing caffeine for the sole purpose of staying awake.

Lead researcher Lisa Sharwood, from Sydney University, said the study suggested drivers were adapting their behaviour to manage fatigue.

“This may seem effective in enhancing their alertness, but it should be considered carefully in the context of a safe and healthy fatigue management strategy. Energy drinks and coffee certainly don’t replace the need for sleep,” she said.

That notion was shared by Professor Connor, head of preventive and social medicine at the Dunedin School of Medicine.

She had previously researched driver sleepiness and crashes in New Zealand, and said although caffeine was one of the most widely used substances by drivers to stay alert, its effect was short-lived.

“It has to be a substantial amount of caffeine to make a difference to alertness – about two cups of good coffee – and it wears off fairly quickly, after about 45 minutes. To make a significant difference to your ability to drive when sleepy, you need more than a cup of coffee.”

Drowsy drivers were impaired, like drunk drivers, even if they did not fall asleep at the wheel.

“That is to some extent reversible by caffeine for a short period of time. It will provide you with a little bit of extra alertness but it’s not the answer because an hour later you’re back in the same situation,” Professor Connor said.

source: http://www.nzherald.co.nz / The New Zealand Herald / Home> Life & Style> by Rosie Manins of the Otago Daily Times / Thursday, March 21st, 2013

Greek coffee may be the potion of long life

Coffee News

London , MAR 19:

A daily cup of boiled Greek coffee may hold the secret to long life and good health, scientists say.

In a new study published in journal Vascular Medicine, researchers looked at the elderly inhabitants of Ikaria, the Greek island, which boasts the highest rates of longevity in the world.

Researchers who investigated cardiovascular health believe that a cup of boiled Greek coffee holds the clue to the elderly islanders’ good health.

Only 0.1 per cent of Europeans live to be over 90, yet on the Greek island of Ikaria, the figure is 1 per cent. This is recognised as one of the highest longevity rates anywhere — and the islanders tend to live out their longer lives in good health.

Gerasimos Siasos, a medical doctor and professor at the University of Athens Medical School, Greece set out with his team to find out whether the elderly population’s coffee drinking had an effect on their health.

In particular, the researchers investigated links between coffee-drinking habits and the subjects’ endothelial function.

The endothelium is a layer of cells that lines blood vessels, which is affected both by ageing and by lifestyle habits (such as smoking).

The team homed in on coffee because recent studies suggest that moderate coffee consumption may slightly reduce the risks of coronary heart disease, and that it may also have a positive impact on several aspects of endothelial health.

From a sample of 673 Ikarians aged over 65 who lived on the island permanently, the researchers randomly selected 71 men and 71 women to take part in the study.

Medical staff used health checks (for high blood pressure, diabetes, etc) and questionnaires to get more detail on the participants’ medical health, lifestyles and coffee drinking, in addition to testing their endothelial function.

The researchers investigated all types of coffee taken by participants — but interestingly more than 87 per cent of those in the study consumed boiled, Greek coffee daily.

More importantly, subjects consuming mainly boiled Greek coffee had better endothelial function than those who consumed other types of coffee.

Even in those with high blood pressure, boiled Greek coffee consumption was associated with improved endothelial function, without worrying impacts on blood pressure.

“Boiled Greek type of coffee, which is rich in polyphenols and antioxidants and contains only a moderate amount of caffeine, seems to gather benefits compared to other coffee beverages,” Siasos concluded.

source: http://www.TheHinduBusinessLine.com / Home> News> Science / by PTI / London, March 19th, 2013

Applications invited for scholarships

Education

Mysore:
KKGS Sandhya Somasekhar Seva Trust in Hosaholalu, K R Pet taluk, Mandya district, has invited applications from Kuruhina Shetty students from Mandya, Mysore, Hassan, Kodagu and Chikmagalur districts for scholarships.

A press note from president of the trust G Somasekhar states that 100 students, pursuing higher education (above PUC), will get scholarships. Students from economically backward families belonging to all weaver communities like Devanga, Padmashali, Pattasali, Sakulasali and Togataveera can apply.

The applications should reach the trust before April 5. Contact 9448048028.

College management fest

Basudev Somani College, Mysore, is organising a one-day management festival ‘Connaissance’ for commerce and management students on March 19 and cultural festival on March 20. According to a press release from principal S R Ramesh, the festivals would serve as a platform for students to exhibit their talent, creativity and skills.

Basket ball summer camp

Pro-Tec Association is holding its annual basket ball summer camps at J K Grounds, Opposite City Railway Station, in Mysore. The six-week camp comprises two batches — evening batch from March 25 and morning batch from April 1. Contact 9845951971, 9886037771.

source: http://www.DeccanHerald.com / Home> Districet / Mysore, Tuesday, March 19th, 2013

‘Hard work bring moments of success’

Business & Economy, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg

Newly-appointed Additional Advocate General of Karnataka Meriyanda Sajan Poovayya said that hours of hard work bring moments of success.

Poovaiah was reacting to a query from Express on his journey from Virajpet, a small town in Kodagu, to Bangalore, New Delhi, London and the pinnacle of his profession.

He assured of never leaving or forgeting Kodagu which gave him such an opportunity at a young age of 38. “Due to the support and encouragement of my parents and family members, I achieved this unique milestone,” he said.

Starting his career in 1996 in Bangalore, it was determination, dedication and continuous efforts that propelled him.

On the clash between scribes and advocates, he said that it should be termed a misunderstanding where both parties come to a stage and agree to settle the issue in an amicable manner.

He said that if both join together, it will be a formidable force.

Poovayya said that advocates cannot take any stand as they should uphold the Constitutional rights and ethics of advocacy. Advocates should provide all possible legal assistance to their clients. Who is right and who is wrong will be decided by the Court, he added.

He considers Madhava Menon, one of the founders of the National School of Law, as his guru.

He also recalled the impression made upon him by former chief justices of the Supreme Court E S Venkataramaiah and M N Venkatachalaiah, former advocate general of Karnataka B V Acharya and present Advocate General Vijayashanker with whom he started his career as a lawyer.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / Home> States> Karnataka / by B.C. Dinesh – Madikeri / March 18th, 2013

Karaumbiah’s Academy For Learning And Sports, Coorg

Education

Karaumbiah Academy for Learning and Sports , Coorg is a school with difference. Where other schools speak about high academics, here is one school that believes that without sports, a student’s all round development is not possible.

Karaunbiah’s Academy for learning and Sports (KALS) puts great emphasis on developing the mental abilities of child through academics as well as sports. Physical Education (PE) being their main subject, this school which is founded by ace athlete Ashwini Nacahappa, endorse the thought that mental and physical activities must go hand in hand to create a balance in any child’s life.

Karaumbiah’s Academy of Learning and Sports (KALS) is a co-educational school affiliated to the Council for Indian School Certificate Examination (ICSE, New Delhi).

It was established in the year 2004 by Mr Datha Karaumbiah and Mrs Ashwini Nachappa, entrepreneur and eminent sportsperson with a vision to provide quality education as well as create a culture of learning through sports that will enhance the all-round development and will help create future champions.

KALS is a fully co-educational which has boarding as well as a day school facilities. KALS is thus a school that promises all best practices of the both physical and mental health of the child.

ADDRESS
Mrs Gouramma Nanjappa
Principal, KALS
P.B No.23, Gonikoppal
South Kodagu-571 213
Karnataka

CONTACT INFORMATION
Phone: 08274 – 279-456/457/458
Fax: 08274 -247- 233
Email: gouramma.n@kalschool.com , kals_school@yahoo.co.in
Website: www.kalschool.com

source: http://www.karnataka.com / Home> Education / by Jolad Rotti / March 12th, 2013

Karnataka coffee belt gets good blossom showers

Agriculture, Coffee, Kodagu (Coorg), Nature

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Bright outlook: Ripened coffee berries at a plantation in Karnataka. (a file picture.)

March rains have been well distributed

Bangalore , MARCH 15:
Coffee-growing regions of Kodagu, Chikmagalur and Hassan in Karnataka have received good blossom showers.

“Blossom shower in the coffee belt in Karnataka is very good this year. Very good for Arabica as compared to poor to patchy rains last year,” Bose Mandana, a senior coffee planter from Suntikoppa in Kodagu told Business Line.

MARCH SHOWERS

“Rain in February, especially during mid-harvest, was worrisome, but March shower has been heavy and this has made us comfortable for the next three to four weeks,” he added.

In Kodagu rains have been good in Napoklu zone comprising Murnad, Madikeri and Napoklu whereas Gonikoppal zone, which comprises Virajpet, Gonikoppal, Kutta and Balale, needs additional showers.

For robusta, south Kodagu got early showers in February and now has received moderate March showers.

In Chikmagalur and Hassan districts, March rains have been well distributed. “Due to timely showers and moisture status being good, many planters have begun applying manure in their estates. This year, they have been able to save on irrigation,” said Mandana.

According to Nishant Gurjer, Chairman, Karnataka Planters’ Association and a grower from Chikmagalur said “Early rains in February and subsequent rains in March have been good for overall crop production.”

“Rains in the last two months have been good for robusta. Stressed period for Arabica was cut short and there was initial apprehension among the growers over early rains. But March rains, however, have been beneficial,” he added.

Last crop year (2012-13), the Coffee Board had estimated the post-blossom estimate at 3,25,300 tonnes (arabica 1.04 tonnes and robusta at 2.21 tonnes).

As for the final crop forecast, the Board has estimated 3,15,500 tonnes, of which Arabica is 1,00,225 tonnes and robusta at 2,15,275 tonnes.

anil.u@thehindu.co.in

source: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com / Home> Industry> Agri-Biz / by Anil Urs / Bangalore, March 15th, 2013

Suede and style

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg

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Suede’s spring-summer line launched. / By Special Arrangement / The Hindu
Suede, the newly-launched fashion store offered a sneak peek into its Spring/ Summer 2013 Collection put together by Mohammed Anaikar recently at Taj Coromandel.

From timeless ethnic influences to elegant Western styles, the range presented at the ramp show choreographed by style guru Prasad Bidappa, smacked of variety and versatility. The Classic Collection featured showstopping gowns in lush fabrics embellished with delicate craftsmanship. Dresses and ensembles came in a wide range of fabrics, colours and silhouettes.

The styling was global in its appeal. The Contemporary Ethnic Wear line had experimental garments that worked well when teamed imaginatively — think chic tunics and metallic trousers! The colour palette ranged from pristine whites and pretty pastels to rich turquoise and pleasing pinks.

For men too Suede had some stylish options.

The ramp show featured a slew of ace models including Indrani Das Gupta. Miss India Kanishtha Dhankar grabbed eyeballs in an exquisite lace dress.

Besides its off-the-rack garments, Suede, the highend designer label also offers customised clothing for individuals who wish to restyle or revamp their wardrobe.

The store is located at 3A Rutland Gate, Second Street, Khader Nawaz Khan Road, Nungambakkam.

source: http://www.TheHindu.com / Home> Features> Metro Plus> Fashion / Chennai, March 14th, 2013

New in the city

Arts, Culture & Entertainment

City revellers are in for a good time, what with so many new places coming up here. Everybody was excited to head to the new microbrewery in town, Prost Brewpub, which had its launch recently.

The event hosted by Adam Bidapa and Carun Carumbiah had the entire city in attendance, with the fashion fraternity taking the lead.
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Guests were seen checking out the place and admiring its interesting interiors. We also spotted Manoviraj Khosla and Sharmila Mandre at the do.

source: http://www.articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / Home> Life & Style> Parties / TNN / March 10th, 2013

5,784 students to appear for PUC examinations

Education

As many as 5,784 students will appear for the second PUC examinations scheduled to be held from March 13 to March 28.

There are 54 pre-university colleges in the district. Out of these, 2,768 are male students and 3,016 female students. As many as 2,317 will write from arts stream, 2,437 from commerce and 1,030 students from science stream. As many as 4,966 students will be trying their luck in the first attempt. There are 486 repeaters appearing for the examinations.

The 15 examinations centres are: Government PU College Madikeri, Government PU College Napoklu, Government PU College Murnadu, Aruna PU College Cherambane, St Michael’s PU College Madikeri, Government PU College Virajpet, Government PU College Ponnampet, Kaveri PU College Gonikoppa, Srimangala PU College, Government PU College Somwarpet, Government PU College Nelyahudikeri, Government PU College Kushalnagar, Government PU College Koodige, Government PU College Koodlipet, Government PU College Shanivarsanthe.

Prohibitory order

In the backdrop of II PUC examinations, Deputy Commissioner and District Magistrate Dr N V Prasad has clamped prohibitory orders within 200 metre radius of the examination centres. All the photo copying shops within the radius of 200 metres will be closed down.

source: http://www.DeccanHerald.com / Home> District / Madikeri, DHNS / March 12th, 2013

‘Acting is liberating’

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg

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Nishan Nanaiah in a scene from Radio / The Hindu
Actor Nishan Nanaiah says he is at home in Mollywood and is game for challenging roles

“I never thought that I’d last so long in the Malayalam film industry,” says Nishan Nanaiah with a chuckle. “Though a non-Malayali (he belongs to Coorg in Karnataka), I am surprised and happy that people here appreciate my work,” says the actor who made his debut as the endearing Sarat in Syamaprasad’s Ritu (2009). He followed it up with an impressive performance in Sibi Malayil’s Apoorvaragam and topped it with a brilliant act playing the charming seducer Rustam in Ee Adutha Kalathu (EAK). Last seen in the bi-lingual movie David and 10.30 a.m. Local Call in Malayalam, his latest release is Umer Mohammed’s Radio.

Radio is about Swetha (Iniya) and Priya (Sarayu). The movie stresses on how a woman has to find her inner strength and rise to the occasion. “It is a women-centric story. These girls come from different strata of the society and I happen to be a part of their lives,” says Nishan.

An alumnus of the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), Nishan believes Malayalam films are closer to real life, with enough scope for subtle acting. Also, he isn’t much worried that many of his movies didn’t do well in the box office. “At FTII we are taught to be true to the character you play and I feel it is in Malayalam cinema that I could stick to that. I do just one movie at a time, sometimes my choices go wrong. After all what you read in the script needn’t come out the same way on screen. I’ve no regrets about any movies I did in any language. It has been a great journey, during which I could share screen space with good artistes. Like Vikram in David,” says the actor over the phone from Jaipur where he is currently shooting for a movie.

All said and done, he is still waiting for a challenging role like that of Rustam. “When Arun (Arun Kumar Aravind, director of EAK) came up with the role, I had no second thoughts about accepting it because I was waiting to break free from the lover boy image I had till then,” he says.

He still gushes about the reception he got for the role. “A lot of housewives became my fans!” Nishan says, breaking into a hearty laugh.

“I think many women could relate with the housewife (played by Tanushree Ghosh). They are perhaps unhappy in their lives and crave for attention and care. It was after doing Rustam that I realised so many women go through this rejection in their lives,” he says. He also dubbed for the movie “since that was the accent expected of Rustam. My Malayalam hasn’t improved beyond that, though!”

As he looks forward to work with big names in Mollywood, Nishan is taking each role as it comes. “Acting is what I’ve always loved to do. I was crazy about movies from childhood to such an extent that I could remember the release date of important movies by relating it to something in my personal life. It was a shock for my parents when I decided to become an actor, because I was good in studies and sports (he was a state-level tennis player). They are worried about the unpredictability of the profession. But I tell them that I’m doing something I enjoy. I might earn less, but I find this profession liberating!” Nishan signs off.

source: http://www.TheHindu.com / Home> Featurs> Cinema Plus / by Athira. M / Thiruvananthapuram, March 08th, 2013