Instant Knowledge

With Internet access easily available everywhere and in mobile phones too, students rely on the Web for doing research work for their school projects .In fact , most students seldom enter a library or refer to a reference book or an encyclopedia these days. It's an age where any information is just a click away.
While the utility of information technology is revolutionary, some conservative educators are concerned about this trend among students for several reason. Students are relying so heavily on online resources and that is taking them farther away from books. Secondly, in the name of research, all that the students do is copy the information and paste it elsewhere, without really understanding and assimilating the information that they are using . Learning and assimilation on of information is a laborious and slow process and the instant online method only facilitates a superficial understanding of the subject. In the age of fast facts , the zeal for a comprehensive research and learning of a subject in order to master it has been lost. While educators continue to debate on the pros and cons of online research, one must acknowledge that the use of the  Internet is here to stay and flourish.

Magic Carpet

Have you ever dreamt of owning a carpet that can fly, wave, flap and alter its shape - like Aladdin's carpet in the tales of One Thousand and One Nights or Disney's Aladdin? Well , that may become a reality in your lifetime. Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh, US, have designed a two dimensional, shape - changing sheet that can do just that. The sheet, roughly  the width of a human hair, can move by itself in a special fluid. Dreams do come true - let's pray this one materialises very soon!

Bobbies

Why are British police officers often called “bobbies"? The concept of modern policing was first introduced in pre -Victorian England. Prior to that, law and order was maintained by night watchmen,constables, and soldiers who were meant to quell political troubles. In 1829, Sir Robert Peel, a minister, came up with the idea of an organised police force that would be accountable not just to the rulers but also to the citizens .Thus was born the Metropolitan Police Force in London, now known as Scotland Yard. People named Robert are often called Bobby, so these men came to be referred to as “peelers" and , more popularly, “bobbies".

The Squeeze

A California sea lion peers out from a restraint nicknamed “The Squeeze" near Oregon City, Ore., as it is prepared for transport by truck to the Pacific Ocean about 130 miles away. 

     The male sea lion was released south of Newport, Ore.,in a program designed to reduce the threat to wild winter steelhead and spring chinook salmon in the Willamette River. Oregon wildlife officials have started killing sea lions that threaten a fragile run of winter steelhead in the Willamette River. The state Department of Fish and Wildlife obtained a federal permit in November to kill up to 93 California sea lions per year below Willamette Falls south of Portland, Oregon Public Broadcasting reported this news.