Some scum are like manna

A food for generations the world over, an algae comes as a boon for Tamil Nadu's farmers

Lilliputians

Scientists claim to have discovered the smallest life forms. But are they alive?

The black fever

While the nation's attention is focused on the caste killings in Jehanabad, a silent but deadlier killer is striking terror in Bihar. Kala-azar, …

Pill poppers beware

Indiscriminate antibiotic use has created drug resistance in harmful bacteria

Fermented delicacies

Of algae, worms and cash flow

Continuing the series on organic farming, Down To Earth's reporter found that both the scientific community and farmers are showing interest in …

Life industry goldrush

Trade in bio-industrial products is on in full swing, conjuring up visions of El dorado. But whether the Indian industry can embark on this …

The microbes strike back

Diseases that were cheerfully believed to have been eradicated are inexplicably cropping up again in India in deadlier, drug-resistant forms

Punjab's spiritual farming

Colours of Nature

An organisation in Mumbai documents the presence of dyeing pigments in microbes and plants

Simple systems available to treat sewage

Planners should be made aware of easy techniques that can recycle waste water using little electricity.

How did it get so bad?

Ostrich policy and bad science. In Bihar, embankments built by government to prevent floods have been counter-productive

Spawning grounds

Environmental changes have led to the emergence of kala-azar in new areas

Is the alarm justified?

Yes. The disease is spreading fast. Yet there is little scientific data to devise a strategy to deal with it

Reprieve for the killer

Smallpox virus stocks to be kept for research until 2002

A fine balance

The bill keeps national interests intact and remains TRIPS compliant

Rising trend

Little nibblers

How green algae eat pipelines

Nitrate nightmare

Kamikaze microbes

And now genetically-altered microorganisms that self-destruct once they've fulfilled their mission

Microbial miners

A bacterium can rid magnesite ore of silica, a major impurity

Oldest feast

Defence strategy

With researchers discovering the evading mechanism of the anthrax bacteria, better drugs may be on the anvil

Saving grace

Killer bug's DNA code deciphered

Kidney-friendly bacteria