Kerala 
Crab diversity in the estuaries of Kerala
(0)Researchers from the University of Kerala, recently reported spatial and temporal variations in mangrove crab diversity in five of the estuaries of Kerala. The fiddler crab, out of the thirteen species of the short tailed crabs, Austruca annulipes, was the most abundant species and Pseudosesarma glabrum was the rarest. Read more.
Bilayered 3D hydrogel dressing for chronic wounds
Researchers from the Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology, Thiruvananthapuram have come up with a dressing that can help heal chronic wounds. Besides mimicking the matrix between cells, it contains bioactive peptides that help keep infections at bay, Tests show that wounds on diabetic mice heal fast. Read on for more.
Molecular markers to distinguish aromatic rice of Kerala
Researchers from the Kerala Agricultural University found three molecular markers to distinguish two aromatic rice varieties of Kerala from non-aromatic ones. This can help detect adulteration of aromatic rice with non-aromatic rice. The markers can also help researchers select aromatic rice plants for breeding purposes. Saravanan M reports.
Converting Carbon Dioxide to Methanol
To keep carbon dioxide emissions under control, convert the green-house gas into methanol. To do this, there is a simple method developed recently by scientists at CSIR-NCL Pune and IIT Palakkad. Ajesh Zacchariah reports.
Jaggery-infused Coconut Chips: Healthier snack
What do you do when you have a bumper harvest of coconuts and the price in the market goes down? Make sweet, crisp coconut chips that can be preserved packaged and sold, say ICAR scientists. Here is the method.
Funds from Fish Scales
The world is throwing away more than 2 million tonnes of fish scales as waste every year. Muhamed Ashraf and team from the ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Technology, Kochi have now found a way to convert the waste to wealth.
Tolerance of Coconut Plants to Seawater
Hydroponic cultivation of coconut trees? Yes, it is possible, and you could even reduce the need for nutrients, say researchers from ICAR-CPCRI, Kasargod, god’s own country. It could reduce the pressure on land for coconut cultivation.
Local Magnetic Field: Earthquake precursor?
The disturbances in the horizontal component of the earth’s magnetic field are not the same in different magnetic field stations. Researchers from the University of Kerala suggest that monitoring the correlations in the ratio of signals from magnetic field stations can help forecast earthquakes.
Expanding peafowl distribution in Kerala
Sanjo Jose and P O Nameer, from the Kerala Agricultural University were puzzled about increased sightings of peacocks in Kerala. Investigating into the environmental and climatic factors that increase distribution of peafowl, they find that the species may soon extent its territory in Kerala.
Essential oils to preserve fruits and vegetables
Essential oils from Garlic is great to keep fungal infections on vegetables and fruits. But add essential oils from sesamum and Acorus calamus and you have a fantastic preservative even for soft fruit like plums that spoil easily.
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