Category: Science & Technology

Recent research in Kerala has revealed two rare species belonging to the Order Neuroptera. The Shadpada Entomology Research Lab (SERL) at Christ College has documented these findings, which include Glenochrysa zeylanica and Indophanes barbara. The rediscovery of Glenochrysa zeylanica marks its first report in India after being thought endemic to Sri Lanka for over a…

Recent advancements in genetic research have opened new avenues for understanding ancient human populations. The analysis of ancient DNA (aDNA) from burial sites, mass graves, and war graves provides essential vital information about population dynamics and migrations. Researchers utilise these genetic materials to explore the complexities of ancestry and cultural transitions throughout history. The Importance…

The Indian Institute of Technology-Madras (IIT-M) has recently inaugurated Asia’s largest shallow wave basin research facility. This development is located at the Discovery satellite campus in Thaiyur, approximately 36 km from the main IIT-M campus. The facility is designed to meet the research and industry requirements of India, particularly in coastal engineering and port management.…

In January 2025, a Louisiana resident became the first person in the United States to die from the H5N1 bird flu virus. The individual, aged 65, had underlying health conditions and had been hospitalised since mid-December. Health authorities confirmed that the general public’s risk remains low, despite this tragic incident. The Louisiana Department of Health…

Recent developments have brought into light the shifting dynamics of international scientific collaboration. On December 13, 2024, the United States and China signed a new bilateral science and technology agreement. This agreement, described as a renewal of a 45-year-old pact, narrows the scope of permitted joint research. It introduces a dispute resolution mechanism and limits…

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has made strides in space exploration with two recent experiments. On January 4, 2025, ISRO announced the successful sprouting of cowpea seeds in space, marking a major milestone in agricultural research beyond Earth. This achievement occurred shortly after the PSLV-C60 SpaDeX mission, which launched on December 30, 2024, carrying…

Recent research has revealed a promising approach to combat malaria by targeting the lipid transport in Anopheles gambiae mosquitoes. The study, published in PLOS Biology, marks the critical role of lipophorin in the development of Plasmodium falciparum, the malaria parasite. By inhibiting lipid metabolism, particularly through the use of broad-spectrum lipase inhibitors, researchers demonstrated that…

China’s disease control authority recently announced a pilot monitoring system aimed at tracking pneumonia of unknown origin. This initiative comes in response to an expected rise in respiratory infections during the winter months. The country has already observed an increase in overall infections, particularly in northern provinces, with human metapneumovirus (HMPV) emerging as a notable…

NASA has recently introduced the Mars Chopper, a new drone designed to succeed the Ingenuity helicopter. Ingenuity operated on Mars for nearly three years, far exceeding its initial mission parameters. The Mars Chopper represents advancement in aerial exploration capabilities on the Red Planet. Design Features The Mars Chopper is approximately the size of an SUV.…

Ebola virus disease (EVD) remains a critical public health concern, particularly in regions of East-Central and West Africa. Recent research has revealed new vital information about how the Ebola virus (EBOV) can potentially spread through the skin, denoting the importance of understanding this transmission route. The study, published in *Science Advances*, was conducted by researchers…