Perfecting crystals
When cultivated in gravity-free space, crystals have more perfect protien structures that help help in designing better drugs
New gene promises kidney stone cure
Scientists have isolated a gene that can break down oxalic acid, the primary culprit that damages tissue and leaves the victim gasping in pain
Confronting cholera in Peru
The year-long cholera epidemic in Peru refocussed scientific attention worldwide on the causes of the disease and the various strains of cholera …
Climate changes alter height of Himalayan range
The average height of the Himalay has been going down over the last two million years because of climatic changes, surveys indicate.
Yeast genes spring surprise on scientists
Chromosome III in yeast, the first to have its DNA fully described, opened up a wealth of new genes whose functions are completely unknown
Cometary commune edged out
Observations support the hypothesis that thousands of comets are present in a belt on the periphery of our Solar System
Ignorance is no bliss
Coronary heart disease is more prevalent among the poorly educated rural Indians than the well-educated
Humanising machines
Scientists have incorporated a facet of human logic into a computer programme to help in disease diagnosis
Tough coats
Development of new carbon thin films could translate into protective covering for a wide range of products
Knocking strange doors
The study of sleep patterns in environments as wierd as outer space and underwater could be beneficial to public health in general
Brain-teasers
Recent studies not only reveal that functions of the human brain are highly localised but also that the brain responds to different stimuli in a …
A taste of nerves
By studying a gene causing a taste anomaly in fruit flies, researchers are trying to interpret the working patterns of the human brain
For a safer landing?
An experiment ultimately aimed at protecting the threatened whooping crane -- by teaching it to migrate to relatively safer winter locations -- …
Genuine stuff
Lasers passed through a fluoride glass doped with rare elements could end the search for genuine three-dimensional images
Seeing beyond the lights
In road safety equipment, the latest is an infrared camera for enabling vehicles to traverse safely on treacherous roads
Feelers into preplanned development
The bristles of a fruitfly demonstrate how the concept of 'prepatterns' governs biological development
Three pronged attack
Promising results from new drug developments were discussed at the Vancouver AIDS conference but questions about their long-term benefits and …
Layered wonder
Ongoing work on metallic film multilayers could facilitate their already extensive use in industry
New isotopes on the block
A German heavy ion laboratory discovers new isotopes and also sights nickel 78, which has uses in nuclear as well as astrophysics
Frozen chaos
Experiments with superconducting wires in magnetic field could lead researchers on to a better understanding of that curious amorphous solid -- glass
Handy phone
Soon it will be possible to receive a call or dial a number anywhere, anytime, on your wristwatch
Growth that inhibits
Researchers from the US have recently declared that it may be possible to reduce the degree of mercury pollution in the soil by simply growing …
A pair of W's
With the creation of the W particle in laboratory, researchers hope to clear up some of the mysteries in particle physics
The scars in the stars
Two European experiments performed with helium-3 uphold the theory of defect formation during phase transition, and clear some of the fog over …
Small wonder
Shake a few bits of silicon in a petri-dish containing water and lo, you have a three-dimensional structure!