State 
From which state of India does the paper originate?
Predicting Induced Seismicity
Akshat Goel, an economist, teams up with Denise Gorse, a computer scientist, to compare machine learning models designed to predict seismicity in a gas field in the Netherlands. The work may provide clues for predicting seismicity in some parts of India too. Read on for more.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A new therapeutic target
The causative mechanism behind inflammatory bowel disorder is not yet known. The therapeutic strategy to counter the inflammatory response targeted the pathway that was recognised earlier. But there is another pathway that influences inflammation. Soumen Basak’s lab at NII pry apart the role of the two pathways in inflammation. Alvina Deka reports:
Treating Hyperpigmentation: Targeting Fatty Acid Synthesis
Hyperpigmentation, where parts of the skin are darker, pose psycho-social difficulties for some. Indian scientists trace the causative roots of the problem to fatty acid metabolism. Their results point at possible therapeutic interventions. Tanya Jain reports:
Insect-pests infesting edible stored pulses in India: A survey
Those tiny, dark brown creatures scurrying in pulses and float up when you wash dal for cooking – they are called bruchids. The tiny beetles consume a large portion of the edible pulses produced in India. Data and evidence to take strategic action to counter the loss of the protein-rich food item was lacking till now. An all India survey initiated by ICAR-Indian Institute of Pulses Research, Kanpur has fixed the problem. Aparna Kalawate reports:
AdipoRon Ameliorates Alzheimer’s: clues from diabetes research
Adiponectin, a signalling molecule from adipose tissues, has been implicated in insulin resistant cases of diabetes. AdipoRon, adiponectin receptor agonist, alleviates the symptoms. If not managed properly, diabetic patients develop Alzheimer’s disease. Can Adiporon reduce the symptoms of Alzheimer’s too? Neha Jawla reports recent findings from the National Institute of Immunology.
Tuberculosis bacteria in labs: search for a clinically appropriate model
The abundance of food, comfort and safety in culture media have made the strain of tuberculosis bacteria in labs less virulent over generations. Indian scientists from NCR region have now come up with protocol for producing a more clinically relevant laboratory model. Bharati Swamy reports:
Fighting Leishmania with Synthetic Glycoside
A glycoprotein protects leishmania parasites from digestion by our macrophages. So the parasites can hitch a ride on macrophages to viscera, mucosa or skin and start dividing, causing leishmaniosis. Indian scientists have come up with a synthetic glycoside which targets the glycoprotein and effectively kills the parasites. Tanya Jain, NII, reports.
Metformin in Diabetes Type II: responders vs non-responders
The prevalence of diabetes type II is increasing rapidly. The drug of choice for the condition is metformin. But all patients do not respond to the drug in the same manner. Why? Researchers from Manipal came up with an answer. Karthic A reports.
Spotted Owlet: Biocontrol Agent in Agriculture
Researchers from the PJTSAU, Hyderabad investigated the dietary preferences of the spotted owlets in and around Rajendranagar. By analysing the pellets of indigestible food regurgitated by the owlet, the researchers demonstrate the value of the bird for farmers. Aparna Kalawate reports:
Predicting age and gender from dental images
Hemalatha Balan from the KGISL Institute of Technology, Coimbatore has come out with a method to automatically classify dental images as per age and sex – a boon for forensic science. Nazim Nazeer from the ICMR-National Institute for Research in Environmental Health provides the details: