UN Climate Conference Extends Kyoto Protocol
Nearly 200 countries that took part in United Nations climate talks in Doha had agreed to extend the Kyoto Protocol through 2020. The 1997 agreement, which requires industrialized nations to cut greenhouse gas emissions, had been set to expire on 31 December 2012.
New gel may prevent and protect against HIV transmission
Researchers led by Dereuddre-Bosquet from the European Combined Highly Active Anti-Retroviral Microbicides (CHAARM) Consortium describe the gel’s key ingredient, which are small peptides engineered to present a decoy to bind up the virus and prevent it from entering and infecting the body cells.Because this is a gel it can be topically applied and could represent a powerful preventative agent against sexual transmission of HIV.Bosquet and colleagues engineered peptides named ‘miniCD4s’ because they mimic the CD4 receptor used by HIV to gain entry into immune cells of the body.
Palestinian Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal visits Gaza
Palestinian militant organization Hamas Politburo chief Khaled Meshaal visited the Gaza after 37 years. Meshaal in-exile came from Egypt to Gaza on 7 December 2012 to participate in the Hamas company’s 25 th anniversary.This is the first time he is coming to Gaza as well as the forefront of the territory of Palestine since 1975.
Apollo Hospitals launched tele-medical service in Myanmar
To effectively use information technology for healthcare, India’s Apollo Group of Hospitals had launched its tele-medicine service in Myanmar’s former capital Yangon.With this facility, people of Myanmar can consult Indian doctors and access quality treatment and medical technology without coming to India.
Amitabh Bachchan attends Italy’s River to River Film Festival
Amitabh Bachchan had attended Italy’s River to River Film Festival in Florence.The event honoured Bachchan by screening cinema projects including Sholay, Deewar and Black.The festival runs in Florence from December 7 to 13, before transferring to Rome between December 14 and 16.