Stay Connected. Stay Informed.
Science
Quantum mechanics is usually described as the science of the very small — of electrons, atoms, and photons that behave in ways that defy the rules of everyday experience. Yet one of the most striking results of modern physics is that this quantum behaviour doesn’t vanish abruptly when systems become large. Instead, it continues to…
Bats are the only mammals capable of true powered flight, yet their wings have evolved from the same basic five-digit limb structure found in all mammals. How, then, can they alone fly? “At first, when scientists started comparing animals, we thought big anatomical differences must come from big differences in DNA,” Christian Feregrino, a lead…
Read More “By reusing old genes, bats became the only mammals able to fly” »
The story so far: Quantum mechanics says that particles can sometimes cross barriers they don’t have the energy to climb, like boring through a mountain instead of scaling it first. This process, called tunnelling, is common in nuclear and atomic physics. The 2025 physics Nobel Prize laureates John Clarke, Michel Devoret, and John Martinis showed…
Read More “Why did macroscopic quantum tunnelling win the 2025 physics Nobel?” »
PHOTO: Getty Images/iStockphoto Why do they peck? First things first, why do they constantly knock their heads against wood? Knocking one’s knuckles against wood is understandable, since it’s considered a source of good luck. But woodpeckers don’t have knuckles, so do they use their bills as a substitute? Not really. The birds hold the ability…
PHOTO: SHIV KUMAR PUSHPAKAR / The Hindu What is it? What exactly are nightshades? Simply put, they are plants, herbs, and vegetables that belong to the Solanaceae plant family. This is a plant family where nearly all members of its flora contain naturally occurring organic compounds known as alkaloids, which makes them toxic in nature….
Accessible Science Corner at the Periyar Science and Technology Centre in Chennai A sea of blue invites you to the Accessible Science Corner at the Periyar Science and Technology Centre in Chennai with corals, silicone dolphin and 3D model of fishes. This corner enables visually-impaired people to experience and understand the underwater world. Inaugurated by…
Bubble wrap. | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT There’s no resisting the sound when our hands get on to attack some bubble wrap. It’s addictive and satisfying for anyone and everyone who wants an excuse to fidget with some bubble wrap. You get your hands on it and before you even think about it – Pop!…
Read More “It’s popping: Why is bubble wrap so satisfying?” »
Focused experiments demonstrated that the Sri Lankan Land Mass (SLLM), situated in the southeastern part of the Indian peninsula, actively blocks long-period swell waves from the Southern Ocean from reaching India’s southeast coast. Photo: Google Maps Sri Lanka, located to the south of India, acts as a natural land barrier and plays a crucial role…
Read More “How Sri Lanka protects Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh from ocean fury” »
A double rainbow | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement. Double rainbows are two arcs of colour decorating the sky – literally two for the price of one. The main rainbow is usually brighter and of the usual pattern (red on top, violet at the bottom), and the second rainbow — which is called the secondary arc…
Read More “Double the positivity: How are double rainbows formed?” »
Ever heard of the movie ‘The Martian’, starring Matt Damon? The astronaut, Mark Watney is stranded on Mars and must use his skills of improvisation to survive. This example provides a sneak peek into terraforming. Space agencies and research groups have been working to turn the same planet into a habitable land where every human…