Science & technology

The suits prolong bacteria’s life Scientists have developed “spacesuits” for bacteria that may allow the microbes to survive space environments that would otherwise kill them. The protective suits pair live bacteria with light-absorbing semiconductors in order to capture carbon dioxide and convert it into chemicals that can be used by …

‘Only 300 birds exist, need protection’ A team of ornithologists in Ecuador has identified a new species of hummingbird: a lovely blue-green creature that lives in a cold, barren highland area and is in danger of extinction. Team leader Francisco Sornoza saw one of the birds through binoculars a year …

The imprints may also shed light on whether or not trauma can be passed on between generations Children subjected to abuse may carry the physical hallmark of that trauma in their cells, scientists said on Tuesday, in research that could help criminal investigations probing historic mistreatment. The imprints may also …

A newly developed vaccine to treat patients with metastatic HER2-positive cancers has been found to be effective and safe, scientists say. The trial showed that among the 11 evaluable patients, those who received more than the lowest dose of the HER2-targeted cancer vaccine, six (54%) demonstrated clinical benefits. Source : …

A type 2 strain of polio virus (P2) found in a sewage sample from Mumbai in the last week of August may have triggered the investigations against vaccine-making company Bio-Med. The P2 strain was found in L ward (Kurla), during a routine environmental surveillance which involves collecting sewage samples from …

Who will decide on the creamy layer among the reserved categories of SCs/STs?’ While the Narendra Modi government is keeping mum on last week’s Supreme Court judgment on reservation in promotion that adds a caveat of “creamy layer”, Union Minister and Lok Janshakti Party chief Ram Vilas Paswan has criticised …

Vietnam has seized around a tonne of pangolin scales and ivory hidden inside dozens of boxes on a flight from Nigeria, State media reported, a haul highlighting the illegal wildlife trade routes connecting Africa and Southeast Asia. Source  : https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-life/vietnam-seizes-nearly-a-ton-of-pangolin-scales-ivory/article25091998.ece

The breakthrough came after 18 months of trials at the University of Pretoria Watching the two little lion cubs play with each other at a conservation centre outside of South Africa’s capital Pretoria, it is hard to see anything out of the ordinary. But these cubs are unique. “These are …

Ahead of the bilateral summit between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin later this week, discussions are “still under way” between the two sides to conclude a final deal for 200 Kamov-226T utility helicopters. “Having also received feedback from the Ministry of Defence (MoD) of India, we …

Users can explore more than 150 different places Railway enthusiasts worldwide can now undertake a virtual journey with the Indian Railways, one of the largest and the busiest rail networks, on Google’s Arts and Culture platform. The Ministry of Railways, on Friday, partnered with the U.S.-based technology company for an …

Chemical pollutants could lead to the disappearance of half of the world’s populations of killer whales from the most heavily contaminated areas within a period of just 30 to 50 years, according to a study. More than 40 years after the first initiatives were taken to ban the use of …

A man in Hong Kong has been found to have a strain of hepatitis E that had only been seen previously in rats, researchers said Friday. While rats have passed on several other illnesses to people, this was the first discovery in humans of the rat variation of hepatitis E, …

Scientists said on Wednesday that they have finally solved the riddle of the world’s largest bird. A study released on Wednesday by British scientists suggested that one species of elephant bird was even larger than previously thought, with a specimen weighing an estimated 860 kg — about the same as …

Registered firms are only dismantling and not processing trash, says report Many of India’s electronic-waste (e-waste) recyclers aren’t recycling waste at all. While some are storing it in hazardous conditions, others don’t even have the capacity to handle such waste, says a new report prepared by the Union Environment Ministry. …

Majority judgment in Aadhaar case silent on erasing Though the majority opinion in the Aadhaar verdict is silent on deleting biometric data already collected by phone companies, Justice D.Y. Chandrachud’s direction to do so will open a Pandora’s box, if implemented. The Constitution Bench on Wednesday was unanimous in declaring …

A clean-shaven face may not be necessary for pilots to ensure safety during in-flight emergencies, according to scientists who found that those who sport a full beard can also properly seal on an oxygen mask. Several airlines require pilots to have a clean-shaven face as it is believed to be …

Scientists say they have developed aStar Trek-inspired device that could help make sophisticated medical diagnostics. The ‘multicorder’ created by researchers from the University of Glasgow takes inspiration from Star Trek ’s famous tricorder device, which the show’s medics use to make quick and accurate diagnosis. Source :  https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-life/star-trek-inspired-diagnostic-device-developed/article25032803.ece

Five years after he was paralysed in a snowmobile accident, a man in the U.S. has learned to walk again, aided by an electrical implant. A team of doctors at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota said the man, using a front-wheeled walker, was able to cover the equivalent of the …

Scientists said on Monday they had succeeded for the first time in wiping out an entire population of malaria-carrying mosquitoes in the lab using a gene editing tool to programme their extinction. So-called gene drive technology works by forcing evolution’s hand, ensuring that an engineered trait is passed down to …

MitraClip, inserted into the heart, sharply reduces death rates in patients: study For people with severe heart failure, even mundane tasks can be extraordinarily difficult. With blood flow impeded throughout their bodies, patients may become breathless simply walking across a room or up stairs. Some must sleep sitting up to …