Structure of Influenza A virus H1N1

Structure of H1N1 virus (Credit: wikipedia)

Influenza A virus H1N1 is a RNA virus named according to two proteins found on its surface: Hemagglutinin (H) and Neuraminidase (N). All influenza A viruses contain both these proteins but with varying structure due to rapid genetic mutation in the viral genome. Influenza A virus strains are assigned an H number and N number based on which forms of these two proteins the strains contains. There are 16 H and 9 N subtypes known in birds, but only H 1, 2 and 3, and N 1 and 2 are commonly found in humans. Click here to view WHO provided interative timeline of all cases of Pandemic (H1N1) 2009.

India sets eyes on Mars

With USA, Russia and European Space agency eyeing the Mars, India is not going to stay behind them. There is a complete focus on exploring Mars after a successful unmanned mission to moon. Director of the Ahmedabad-based Physical Research Laboratory (PRL), J N Goswami, said: "Our plan envisages imaging Mars only through an orbiter. We have no immediate plans for a landing mission." He said the Indian Mars mission will focus on basic science
like studying the Martian atmosphere, the ionosphere, the magnetic field, the dust storms and the weather. The project also includes searching for water, he said. If center permits the project, it could lift up in 2015 through Geo-synchronous satellite Launch Vehicle which is already operational. The cost of this project is estimated to be 3 bilion rupees as compared to Moon mission which costed 386 crore rupees.