Medicine 
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:
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.
Ginger Extracts: Free radical scavengers and radioprotectors
There are four ginger species that grow in Manipur. Ginger is known to have many beneficial molecules. But how do the four species differ in their nutraceutical properties? Researchers from the DM College of Science, Imphal recently investigated.
Khuban Buch, a researcher from Srinagar, Kashmir, reports the findings.
Research Round Up 1: COVID-19
What are Indian researchers doing about COVID-19? Sileesh Mullasseri, KUFOS, Kochi investigates the publications between 15th and 31st January.
Chitosan Properties: source matters
More than two decades ago, a team from CSIR-NCL started inquiring into the basic science of the felicity of fungi to shift forms between yeast and hyphae. Now they are homing in on applications. Here are the details of the first one.
Combating Stress: yoga nidra for adolescents
While low levels of stress may be productive, unremitting high levels of stress can lead to mental ill health and suicides. How can schools counter high suicide levels among Indian students? Here’s the answer from researchers in Mangalore.
Detecting Ovarian Cancer
Researchers from IIT Hyderabad and IIT Bombay collaborated to come up with a method to detect ovarian cancer. They attached antibodies against fibronectin, a protein, to porous carbon derived from sweet corn husk to make the biosensor.
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