FINGER LENGTH TIED TO

Who’s a playboy? 4th finger to tell

    A longer fourth finger in comparison to the second finger suggests the species tend to be highly competitive and promiscuous, says a new study.
    F inger length ratio is a reliable predictor of how a primate will behave socially, say scientists who have been running the tape-measure over groups of baboons and gibbons. Such ratios are governed by exposure in the womb to androgens like testosterone, which figure importantly in the development of masculine characteristics such as aggression and strength.
    H igh levels of androgens, such as testosterone, increase the length of the fourth finger in comparison to the second finger. The scientists used finger ratios as an indicator of the levels of exposure to the hormone and compared this data with observed social behaviour in primate groups, Scienceagogo reported.
    T he researchers, from the University of Liverpool, found that Old World monkeys, such as baboons and rhesus macaques, have a longer fourth finger in comparison to the second finger, which suggests that they have been exposed to high levels of prenatal androgens. These species tend to be highly competitive and promiscuous.
    O ther species, such as gibbons and many New World species, have finger ratios that suggest low levels of prenatal androgen exposure. These species were monogamous and less competitive than Old World monkeys. Great Apes, such as orangutans and chimpanzees, expressed a different finger ratio. This suggests that early androgen exposure is lower in this groups compared to Old World monkeys. Lower androgen levels could explain why Great Apes show high levels of male cooperation and tolerance.
    T he research may help scientists understand the development of human sociality. “Finger ratios do not change much after birth and appear to tell us something about how very early androgens affect adult behaviour, particularly behaviour linked to mating and reproduction,” noted researcher Emma Nelson. AGENCIES

Iconic Hummer brand sold to Chinese manufacturer

DETROIT – Hummer, the off-road vehicle that once epitomized America's love for hulking trucks, is now in the hands of a Chinese heavy equipment maker.

General Motors Co. and Sichuan Tengzhong Heavy Industrial Machinery Corp. finally signed the much-anticipated deal for GM to sell the brand on Friday.

Tengzhong will get an 80 percent stake in the company, while Hong Kong investor Suolang Duoji, who indirectly owns a big stake in Tengzhong through an investment company, will get 20 percent. The investors will also get Hummer's nationwide dealer network.

Financial terms were not disclosed, although a person briefed on the deal said the sale price was around $150 million. The person did not want to be identified because the terms were being kept private. GM's bankruptcy filing last summer said that the brand with military roots could bring in $500 million or more.

Tata buys Land Rover & Jaguar from Ford

The total amount to be paid in cash by Tata Motors for Jaguar Land Rover upon closing will be approximately US $2.3 billion. At closing, Ford will then contribute up to approximately US $600 million to the Jaguar Land Rover pension plans.

Harrods

Harrods is the most famous departmental store in the world. This legendary store is situated in London, which has remained city's chief retail outlet for over 155 years. It covers 1.2 million square feet of retail space and 330 different departments and a staff of around 4000. It stands with a motto "All Things, For All People, Everywhere".

The journey started from the year 1834 in London's East End, by an English merchant Charles Henry Harrod. The shop sold groceries with special interest in tea and had earnings of 20 pounds per week. In 1860 Charles Digby Harrod, son of Charles took over the business who expanded the Harrods into a prestigious departmental store. He increased the turnover to 1000 pounds per week with a staff of sixteen. At the later years he increased the trade by introducing his own brand of groceries, medicines, perfumes, stationery, fruit and vegetables. In the year 1889 the store become a public company with new departments added including the Harrods Bank and Estate agency. They were first to introduce the escalator in 1898 to provide luxurious experience to the customers.

The customers in the world could buy anything in the world ranging from an alligator, and baby elephant to aeroplanes and first television sets. The clients could hire a fully equipped ambulance with a nurse in the 1940s.