SCIENCE REPORTER

COVER STORY
Planet Search	9
R. N. Singh
ARTICLES
History of Stethoscopes	22
Shivprasad M. Khened
Optical Technology in Telecommunications	26
Neha Krishna
Ornamental Orchids	52
A. K. A. Mandal and S. K. Datta
Stellar Saga	56
Amitava Chattopadhyay
Learning Laboratory	58
Manoranjan K. Singh and Alok K. Bhushan
COLUMNS
ECOTALK: Poison Plants!	42
HEALTH: Hepatitis C—An Epidemic in the Making	45
DEPARTMENTS
READERS WRITE	4
IN FOCUS	5
ENTERTAINMENT ARENA	16
SCIENCE NEWS	17
SPECTRUM	18
QUIZ TIME	28
FACT FILE
• Star Watch: Constellation Scorpius	31
• Ingenious Inventions: Copying Wonder	32
• Herbal Healers: Euphrasia—An Eye Medicine	33
• Safe Sanctuaries: Great Himalayan National Park	34
BOOKSHELF	35
CROSSWORD	38
SKY CORNER	36
PUZZLE CORNER	40
DID YOU KNOW?	48
HOW?	50
WHY?	51
HUMOUR	60

Planet Search

The nine known planets of the Solar System have over a hundred new companions and many more awaiting discovery in the starry depths of space. The article dwells on the exciting and intriguing concept of extra-solar planets.

History of Stethoscopes

Several models of stethoscopes have been designed over the years as it is realized to be one of the most valuable diagnostic tools in medicine. The article traces the development of stethoscopes over the years.

Optical Technology in Telecommunications

The article deals with the way fibre optics has revolutionized telecommunications.

Ornamental Orchids

Orchids are the aristocracy of the plant kingdom. The article dwells on the beautiful denizens of the plant kingdom.

Stellar Saga

Orchids are the aristocracy of the plant kingdom. The article dwells on the beautiful denizens of the plant kingdom.

Learning Laboratory

The article discusses how science teaching can be made more interesting and lively through an application oriented conceptual exposition.

ISSN: 0036-8512
VOLUME 40	NUMBER 8	AUGUST 2003