Opportunists among plants

Science and Technology - Briefs

HEALTH Dengue breakthrough Nearly half a million people are affected by dengue every year. But there is currently no vaccine to protect against the dreaded disease. This is because dengue is not caused by a single virus, but rather by four different viruses, known as DENV 1, 2, 3 and 4.

Missing the grass for the trees

I looked out from the observation hut and took in the soothing vision of lush green grasslands in the autumnal light of an October evening. A male great Indian bustard (GIB) had been displaying in a bare patch, puffing out his neck feathers and bobbing his neck in synchrony with his impressive booming call. Just then, I saw two wolves trotting through the grass about 300 metres from the bustard.

Science and Technology - Briefs

HEALTH SCIENCES Diesel fuelling obesity

Science and Technology - Briefs

Climate Sciences Adaptive instinct

Flame that cools

For a poet, it is all colour and no fragrance, and for the common man, it is a mere flower. Palash, or the Flame of the Forest, which is abundantly available in central parts of the country, has long been considered virtually useless. Of course, the flower once came handy in making dyes for Holi but the profusion of chemical colours in the market put to an end to its use.

Science and Technology - Briefs

MICROBIOLOGY Algae against malaria

Science and Technology - Briefs

ECOLOGY Jelly, jelly everywhere

Flower power

As temperatures soar, the neem trees are in full flower in northern India. In the plains of Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Odisha, the forests are filled with the scent of mahua flowers. Everyone should have dishes cooked from these flowers at least once every season to beat the heat and keep ailments at bay

Science and Technology - Briefs

Astrophysics Star-eating monsters