Science and Technology - Briefs

MICROBIOLOGY Algae against malaria

The new obesity

Toxic Alert

What were your key findings? We have found a link between chronic exposure to cadmium, a common environmental contaminant, at low level and rapid breast cancer growth. The longer the breast cancer cells are exposed to cadmium, the more aggressive they become. This is relevant as people are not exposed to high levels unless they work in manufacturing plants. Interviewee:  Maggie C Louie

Push to revoke endosulfan ban

Fear instinct

IT IS known that herbicides, chemicals used to kill weeds, affect amphibians. A study has for the first time shown that these chemicals force amphibians to change shape. The changes are similar to those induced in the presence of predators.

Bees lose way

COMMONLY used pesticides like neonicotinoid even in low doses can spell doom for bumblebees and honeybees. The pesticides interfere with their homing abilities, making them lose their way.

E-waste toxins in mum’s milk

TILL NOW, it was believed that pesticides like widely banned DDT were contaminating breast milk. Now, a group of researchers has found another threat. It has detected high levels of industrial chemicals in breast milk in women from various parts of the country.

Science and Technology - Briefs

ASTROPHYSICS Moon’s magnetic puzzle

Time to nail pesticides

ALMOST two years after it was found that fruits and vegetables in Delhi markets contain harmful levels of pesticides, the Centre has formed an expert committee to frame a policy to check pesticide residues in eatables.

Vitamin shield

HAZARDOUS pesticides are often found, in small amounts, all around us. High vitamin intake can minimise the damage they can cause, say researchers. It can work as an effective antidote to pesticides’ toxicity.