Category: Science

Science

Platelets ‘can replicate benefits of exercise in brain’, shows study

August 18, 2023 admin

A new study published in Nature Communications found platelets to play an instrumental role in developing potential new treatments for Alzheimer’s disease. Image for representational purpose only. | Photo Credit: Reuters Scientists have found that an injection of specific blood molecules can replicate the benefits of exercise in the brain, paving the way for potential…

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How the deadliest virus in human history paved the way for new cures

August 18, 2023 admin

This is part II of a two-part story on the virus that caused the Great Influenza epidemic. Read part I here. The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is the apex organisation in the U.S. on matters of public health and safety. Research on any new infectious agent must be first approved…

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Negotiating a life with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

August 17, 2023 admin

The only way Nita Parekh (69) of Pune, is able to communicate with her family and, on rare occasions, with others is by blinking her eyes and nodding slightly. “The last time I saw her standing was probably in August 2021”, said Sohil Parekh (45), Mrs. Parekh’s only child and primary caregiver, along with his…

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Sci-Five | The Hindu Science Quiz: On Elephants

August 17, 2023 admin

Sci-Five | The Hindu Science Quiz: On Elephants Elephants are seen on the edge of the forest at Pongara National Park, near Libreville, Gabon, October 16, 2021. START THE QUIZ 1 / 5 | What do elephants do to protect themselves from the sun? Go underwater Fan themselves Cover themselves in dust Find shade under…

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ISRO’s Chandrayaan-3 moon lander separates from propulsion module

August 17, 2023 admin

After the separation of the two modules, a series of complex braking manoeuvres will be executed to facilitate a soft landing in the south polar region of the moon. The lander is expected to touch down on the moon surface at 5.47 p.m. on August 23, 2023. After 34 days on board the Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft,…

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The story of how the deadliest virus to humans was revived

August 17, 2023 admin

This is part I of a two-part story on the virus that caused the Great Influenza epidemic. Read part II here. In August 1997, the members of the village council of a small settlement in Alaska, called Brevig Mission, were faced with a peculiar request. A man named Johan Hultin wanted their permission to exhume…

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Flying fox bats for vigilance while roosting

August 17, 2023 admin

Flying fox and one of its colonies in southern Assam’s Barak Valley. | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT India’s largest species of bats, named after a canine fabled to be sly, spend 7% of their day-roosting time being environmentally vigilant, a new study has said. The nectar and fruit-eating flying fox (Pteropus giganteus) is generally considered…

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NCBS museum hosts bee species from across India to spur research

August 16, 2023 admin

Bumblebee (Bombus festivus) specimens from high-altitude regions of Arunachal Pradesh in the NCBS museum in Bengaluru. A museum at National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS) in Bengaluru has started to put together a collection of bees from across India, particularly biodiversity hotspots such as Western Ghats and North-east India. According to NCBS, whose scientists are…

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The Science Quiz | Want to be tickled pink out of the blue?

August 16, 2023 admin

Colours to dye threads which are used to make colourful threads for embroidering the Namda carpets. | Photo Credit: Nissar Ahmed/The Hindu Q: X is a dye named for a country, associated with the name of a revolt in that country in 1859, and whose colour is popularly associated today with denim jeans. Name X….

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Chandrayaan-3 takes another crucial step closer to moon

August 16, 2023 admin

ISRO released on August 16 a new image of the moon captured by the Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft. | Photo Credit: special arrangement After being together for 34 days onboard the Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft, the propulsion module and the lander module will part ways on August 17 and embark on their respective journeys. “It’s time for preparations as…

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