Answers 23rd Nov 2010

Q1. What is Jaipur Foot, in the field of surgery?

A: Prosthetic Leg. It is a prosthetic leg created by Masterji Ram Chander under the guidance of Dr. P. K . Sethi in 1961 for landmine victims. It is inexpensive, can be made using local materials, easy to use and water resistant. Here's an article from Time: http://www.time.com/time/reports/heroes/foot.html

Correct answers: @KiranKS, @kishor_narayan, @sashikanthd, @kirankarlmarx, @Karmasura, @Prashanth_Krish, @kashyapa, @dremtee

Q2. What is the active ingredient in chillies, or what substance in chillies is responsible for their "hotness"?

A: Capsaicin. The degree of hotness of a chilly is directly related to the concentration of capsaicin. Capsaicin has medicinal applications. It is used in ointments for pain relief, for instance: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capsaicin#Uses

Correct answers: @KiranKS, @kishor_narayan, @kirankarlmarx, @Karmasura, @Prashanth_Krish, @venkataa, @raghuduttc,

Q3. Who was the first notable woman in mathematics? She is also credited with the invention of the Hydrometer.

A: Hypatia. She was a mathematician, astronomer and philosopher who lived and taught at Alexandria, Egypt, in the 4th-5th century AD. She lived at a time of social turmoil and was brutally murdered by a mob of Christian fanatics which accused her of witchcraft. She is the main character in the 2009 film "Agora." http://womenshistory.about.com/od/hypati1/a/hypatia.htm

Correct answers: @KiranKS, @Prashanth_Krish

Q4. In which psychological phenomenon does a kidnapped individual begin to sympathize and even bond with the captor?

A: Stockholm Syndrome. It occurs when there is no hope of escape. The hostage begins to mistake his captor's not taking his life as an act of kindness. Time magazine on Stockholm Syndrome: http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1919757,00.html

Correct answers: @KiranKS, @kishor_narayan, @sashikanthd, @kirankarlmarx, @Karmasura, @Prashanth_Krish

Q5. The Pacific Ring of Fire pertains to which geological phenomena?

A: Volcanism and earthquakes. It is a long and narrow belt of tectonic activity along the shores of the Pacific Ocean, resulting from collision of tectonic plates. The zone accounts for 3/4ths of all volcanoes and more than half of all earthquakes. http://geography.about.com/cs/earthquakes/a/ringoffire.htm

Correct answers: @KiranKS, @kishor_narayan, @sashikanthd, @kirankarlmarx, @Karmasura, @Prashanth_Krish

Scores

@KiranKS 50

@Prashanth_Krish 50

@kishor_narayan 40

@kirankarlmarx 40

@Karmasura 40

@sashikanthd 30

@kashyapa 10

@dremtee 10

@venkataa 10

@raghuduttc 10

Excellent performances. Keep it up fellas!