Mix and match

HOW viruses evolved has always been a puzzle for scientists. It is difficult to chart out a clear history of their evolution because they mutate rapidly and have high rates of mosaicism, wherein cells in a single organism display different genetic composition.

Metals blunt drugs

Usually industry is regarded as the chief purveyor of heavy metal pollution. Roadways and automobiles constitute one of the largest sources of pollution by heavy metals. Various types of fuels, tire wear, batteries and brake emissions release significant amounts of heavy metals into the environment. Leaching from soil because of acid rain is another source of heavy metals.

Science and Technology - Briefs

Plant sciences Agent orange & its ruby

Oilfree, naturally

Bite that mosquitoes love

EVER wondered why mosquitoes bite some people more than others? Scientists say they have an answer.

Science and Technology - Briefs

Health Sciences Assault by medicines

Fatal resistance

Tears well up in Naseem Haider’s eyes as he watches his 25-day-old son twitch inside the incubator. Born premature after 29 weeks, this palm-sized infant, weighing no more than a kilogram has a feeding tube piercing through one nostril and an oxygen tube through the other. His vital organs are constantly monitored via wires attached to his body.

Who are you?

Microorganisms explain more about us and our world than we ever imagined. sumana narayanan courses through rodent brain, feline gut, and the human stomach This is not something you are likely to see in a Tom and Jerry animation. Imagine a cat readying itself to pounce on a mouse. The mouse notes the feline but does not budge. It grooms itself and looks away. Soon, it is cat food.

Frontier guards

Agent B483

FROM sophisticated insecticides to genetic modification, scientists have tried every possible mechanism to eliminate menacing mosquitoes. But the measures only raised environmental concerns and resulted in sturdier mosquitoes. Scientists are, therefore, working hard to find out more biological control agents to combat the disease-spreading vector. The latest to join the arsenal are bacteria.