Science 
Pure science with potential applications
Are big cities depriving small towns?
(0)Proximity to big cities – does it help or hinder the development of small towns nearby? Researchers at Symbiosis Centre for Urban Studies investigated. A report on the research by R. Rakendu
Savannas of Sahyadri: triangulating traditions and scientific disciplines
Some people claim that the savannas in Maharashtra were once forests and that deforestation turned them into the existing grasslands. Researchers in IISER Pune counter this argument, using evidence from Marathi literature, paintings, ecology, climatology and the cultural traditions of the region. Yogita Karpate reports.
Fungus farms of termites: weed control
Some termite colonies farm specific fungi as their food and carefully eliminate other fungi. How do they do it? Research by a team in IISER Mohali has recently uncovered the methods that a termite common in India use to prevent unwanted fungi from their fungal farms. Read the report.
Antioxidant in Aviation Fuels: How does it work?
Oxidation of aviation fuel before it reaches the engine can lead to clogging and failure of the aircraft. Antioxidants are used to reduce this danger. But how do they really work at a molecular level? Ashutosh Gupta from Varanasi explains the research done by researchers in Kottayam and Chennai
Evolution of mimicry in swallowtail butterflies
Krushnamegh Kunte and team at NCBS Bangalore have been puzzling over the evolution of butterflies that mimic other butterflies distasteful to predators. Interestingly, in some species only the females mimic other butterflies. Now they have collected enough clues to explain the phenomenon. Rahul Kumar, Sheodeni Sao College, Kaler reports.
Water Resources in Jhelum Basin: planning for climate resilience
The Jhelum is a perennial river because of snow and glacier melt. If the climate changes as predicted by climate models, what will happen to the glaciers in the basin? What should we anticipate in terms of water resources? Researchers from Kashmir investigated recently. Sheikh Aneaus reports from Srinagar, Kashmir.
Freshwater Fish Farms: Bacterial contamination?
Though fresh water fish from aquaculture farms are exposed to antibiotics, researchers do not find any multidrug resistant bacteria on fish sourced from farms. But when sourced from the market, the fish seems to have drug resistant bacteria. How does that happen? Read on
Surya Namaskar and anxiety in polycystic ovary syndrome
Can women with polycystic ovary syndrome benefit from practicing Surya Namaskar? Sri Manjari reports research done by Yashvi Panjrath, Vijendra Nath Pathak and Krishan Kumar, which suggests that practicing Surya Namaskar helps reduce anxieties related to body image, a common problem among women with PCOS. Read on…
Mosquito-borne diseases – on the rise in coastal India?
Data from the National Centre for Vector Borne Disease Control shows that coastal states have a higher incidence of diseases transmitted by mosquitoes. Why? What can be done to reduce the problem? Researchers from the Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology, Chennai investigate.
Nitrous oxide in groundwater: based on land use?
Chemical nitrogen fertilisers increase nitrous oxides in atmosphere leading to climate warming. Besides atmosphere, nitrous oxide accumulates in groundwater also. Researchers from NIO and IISc examine the extent of the problem in groundwater under land used for agriculture, in coastal areas, banks of estuaries and forests of India.
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