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- A large-scale population study suggests that insulin resistance could be a significant risk factor for developing heart valve disease, specifically aortic stenosis.
- About Aortic Stenosis:
- The aortic valve regulates the flow of blood from the heart's left ventricle to the aorta, the primary artery that carries blood to the body. Aortic stenosis occurs when this valve narrows, obstructing normal blood flow. The severity of the condition can range from mild to severe.
- As the condition progresses, the left ventricle of the heart has to work harder to push blood through the narrowed valve. This extra strain can lead to thickening, enlargement, and weakening of the left ventricle. If untreated, aortic stenosis can eventually result in heart failure.
- Main Cause: Aortic stenosis is most commonly caused by atherosclerosis, a process in which calcium accumulates on the aortic valve over time. These calcium deposits cause the valve tissue to become stiff, narrow, and less flexible.
- Symptoms: Many individuals with aortic stenosis may not experience noticeable symptoms until the blood flow is severely restricted. Symptoms can include:
- Chest pain
- Rapid or irregular heartbeat
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Dizziness or light-headedness, sometimes leading to fainting
- Difficulty walking even short distances
- Decreased physical activity or a reduced ability to perform everyday tasks
- Treatment: The treatment for aortic stenosis depends on the severity of the condition and may involve surgery to repair or replace the aortic valve.
- The Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu recently sent a letter to the Prime Minister requesting the cancellation of the rights granted to a private company by the Centre to mine tungsten in the Nayakkarpatti Tungsten Block in Madurai district.
- About Tungsten:
- Tungsten is a chemical element with the symbol W and atomic number 74. It is classified as a transition metal and remains solid at room temperature. Tungsten is naturally occurring and is usually found in minerals combined with other elements, such as wolframite and scheelite, but never as a pure metal.
- Elemental tungsten is a white to steel-gray metal (depending on its purity), and it can be used in its pure form or combined with other metals to form alloys.
- Features:
- Tungsten is one of the densest metals, with a density of 19.3 g/cc.
- It has the highest melting point of any metal, reaching 3410°C.
- Tungsten has the lowest vapor pressure of all metals, at 4.27 Pa at 3410°C.
- It also boasts the highest tensile strength of any metal at temperatures above 1650°C.
- Uses: Tungsten alloys are known for their strength, flexibility, resistance to wear, and good electrical conductivity. Tungsten is used in a wide range of products, including x-ray tubes, light bulbs, high-speed tools, welding electrodes, turbine blades, golf clubs, darts, fishing weights, gyroscope wheels, phonograph needles, bullets, and armor-piercing projectiles. It is also employed as a catalyst in chemical reactions.
- Chemical compounds of tungsten serve various purposes. Cemented tungsten carbide is a hard material used for grinding wheels and cutting tools. Other tungsten compounds are used in ceramic pigments, fire retardant coatings for fabrics, and color-resistant dyes for textiles.
- Major Producers: China dominates global tungsten production, followed by countries like Vietnam, Russia, and North Korea. Tungsten has been classified as a Critical Mineral by the Government of India.
- Lothal is an archaeological site located in the Bhal region of Dholka, Ahmedabad, Gujarat. It is one of the key cities of the ancient Indus Valley Civilization (IVC), with its origins tracing back to around 2400 BC. Notably, Lothal is the only known port town of the IVC.
- The site was discovered by Indian archaeologist SR Rao in 1954. Like other cities of the Indus Valley Civilization, Lothal is known for its impressive architecture and advanced town planning.
- The most remarkable feature of Lothal is its dockyard, which served as a harbor for ships. It is recognized as the world’s oldest known artificial dock, linked to an ancient branch of the Sabarmati River. Lothal was a prominent hub for trade and commerce in ancient times, further cementing its importance in the region's history.