CT scan will reveal Egyptian mummy's secrets


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It is rare for medical facilities to admit patients who have been dead for more than 2,000 years, but this week an Italian hospital made an exception.

The mummy of Ankhekhonsu, believed to have been an Egyptian priest, was transferred from Bergamo's Civic Archaeological Museum to Milan's Policlinico hospital, where experts will shed light on his life and the burial customs of almost 3,000 years ago.

A similar enterprise by Cairo University in February revealed Pharaoh Seqenenre Taa II was killed by invaders in the 16th century BC.

"The mummies are practically a biological museum, they are like a time capsule," said Sabina Malgora, the director of Mummy Project Research.

Ms Malgora said information on the mummy's name comes from the sarcophagus, dated between 900 and 800BC, where Ankhekhonsu – which means "the god Khonsu is alive" – is written five times.

Researchers believe they can reconstruct the life and death of the Egyptian priest and understand the kinds of products used to mummify the body.

The CT scan analysis will show a complete biological and pathological profile of the individual: his age at death, his stature, and all the diseases or wounds he may have suffered during his life.

Astonishingly revealing 3D images produced by the CT scan show what was hidden by the bandage.

Researchers prepare to move the Egyptian mummy from the Civic Archaeological Museum of Bergamo to Milan's Policlinico hospital. Reuters
Researchers prepare to move the Egyptian mummy from the Civic Archaeological Museum of Bergamo to Milan's Policlinico hospital. Reuters

Only once the chemical and physical analysis is complete will researchers know for certain whether the mummy was indeed an ancient Egyptian priest. However, it is already clear that he belonged to a high social class because mummification was an expensive process.

This elevated status meant mummies were targets for thieves, and it is believed Ankhekhonsu has been disturbed in the past in order to steal amulets and jewels.

The analysis of Ankhekhonsu also has a very modern relevance.

"Studying ancient diseases and wounds is important for modern medical research ... we can study the cancer or the arteriosclerosis of the past and this can be useful for modern research," Ms Malgora said.

The 15 players selected

Muzzamil Afridi, Rahman Gul, Rizwan Haider (Dezo Devils); Shahbaz Ahmed, Suneth Sampath (Glory Gladiators); Waqas Gohar, Jamshaid Butt, Shadab Ahamed (Ganga Fighters); Ali Abid, Ayaz Butt, Ghulam Farid, JD Mahesh Kumara (Hiranni Heros); Inam Faried, Mausif Khan, Ashok Kumar (Texas Titans

Abu Dhabi traffic facts

Drivers in Abu Dhabi spend 10 per cent longer in congested conditions than they would on a free-flowing road

The highest volume of traffic on the roads is found between 7am and 8am on a Sunday.

Travelling before 7am on a Sunday could save up to four hours per year on a 30-minute commute.

The day was the least congestion in Abu Dhabi in 2019 was Tuesday, August 13.

The highest levels of traffic were found on Sunday, November 10.

Drivers in Abu Dhabi lost 41 hours spent in traffic jams in rush hour during 2019

 

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Clubs (10) - Limerick (1991-1992), Perston North End (1992), Blackpool (1994-1996), Notts County (1997-1999), Bolton Wanderers (1999-2007), Newcastle United (2007-2008), Blackburn Rovers (2008-2010), West Ham United (2011-2015), Sunderland (2016), Crystal Palace (2016-2017)

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While Huawei did launch the first smartphone with a 50MP image sensor in its P40 series in 2020, Oppo in 2014 introduced the Find 7, which was capable of taking 50MP images: this was done using a combination of a 13MP sensor and software that resulted in shots seemingly taken from a 50MP camera.

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UAE squad

Rahul Chopra (captain), Aayan Afzal Khan, Ali Naseer, Aryansh Sharma, Basil Hameed, Dhruv Parashar, Junaid Siddique, Muhammad Farooq, Muhammad Jawadullah, Muhammad Waseem, Omid Rahman, Rahul Bhatia, Tanish Suri, Vishnu Sukumaran, Vriitya Aravind

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Friday, November 1 – Oman v UAE
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Top tips to avoid cyber fraud

Microsoft’s ‘hacker-in-chief’ David Weston, creator of the tech company’s Windows Red Team, advises simple steps to help people avoid falling victim to cyber fraud:

1. Always get the latest operating system on your smartphone or desktop, as it will have the latest innovations. An outdated OS can erode away all investments made in securing your device or system.

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Top New Zealand cop on policing the virtual world

New Zealand police began closer scrutiny of social media and online communities after the attacks on two mosques in March, the country's top officer said.

The killing of 51 people in Christchurch and wounding of more than 40 others shocked the world. Brenton Tarrant, a suspected white supremacist, was accused of the killings. His trial is ongoing and he denies the charges.

Mike Bush, commissioner of New Zealand Police, said officers looked closely at how they monitored social media in the wake of the tragedy to see if lessons could be learned.

“We decided that it was fit for purpose but we need to deepen it in terms of community relationships, extending them not only with the traditional community but the virtual one as well," he told The National.

"We want to get ahead of attacks like we suffered in New Zealand so we have to challenge ourselves to be better."