Miracle amid ruins

Two years ago, Japan was ravaged by a tsunami. Now there’s a new memorial to the people and things who lived through it: the “miracle tree” that survived the surge has been converted into a sculpture.

Taken to tusk

Google came under fire at the recently concluded international wildlife meet in Bangkok. Conservation groups accused the Internet giant of helping fuel a dramatic surge in ivory demand in Asia that is killing African elephants at record levels.

Guinea pig out, computer in

SCIENTISTS and pharma companies are on a constant lookout for new and better drugs. They work equally hard to ensure these new drugs remain free of side-effects. These unwanted secondary effects are a huge health concern and the main reason medicines are taken off market. Researchers from Kyushu University in Japan have now proposed a new in silico or computer-based method to predict side-effects of drugs.

Trick or treat?

Fukushima to food

Japanese food traders are leaving no stone unturned in trying to convince foreign consumers that Japanese delicacies remain safe to eat, after last year’s nuclear disaster at Fukushima.

Bad days for film

It is a sign of the times. And it does not bode well for film photography lovers. One of the most prestigious photo competitions will no longer accept film photographs. The call for entries for the 34th Nikon Photo Contest noted, “Scans of photographs taken with film cameras are not eligible.”

Chinese suplex

Companies that mine rare earth elements, which power mobile phones and car batteries, keenly await the outcome of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s visit to Japan in mid-November. The two countries are likely to reach an agreement that would facilitate setting up of a rare earth-processing plant in India by Japanese auto giant Toyota Tsusho. This could open a new business chapter for both the countries.

Sayonara to nuclear

Blog Intro:  Even if Japan aims to exit nuclear power by 2040, its path remains treacherous Even if Japan aims to exit nuclear power by 2040, its path remains treacherous

Rise of the mutants

WHEN the reactors at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant malfunctioned after the devastating tsunami in March last year, it left the scientific community jittery over the noxious effects the radiations might have on the biodiversity in Japan, and beyond. It seems the fears were not unfounded.

Tepco nails itself

Relenting to pressure from the media and government, Tokyo Electric Power (Tepco) has released 150 hours of video footage taken inside its command centres during last year’s devastating accident at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant. “The impression is one of confusion, disorganisation and intense strain,” reports Japan Realtime.