News on Science, Technology and Research in India
MATSYA-6000—a first-of-its-kind, fourth-generation scientific submersible—is designed for an operational endurance of 12 hours and an emergency endurance of up to 96 hours. It features state-of-the-art systems such as a high-density Li-Po battery, underwater acoustic telephone, drop-weight emergency escape mechanisms, and bio-vests for crew safety and health monitoring.
The hybrid technique called Laser-Assisted Turning (LAT), that combines localized laser heating with mechanical cutting of such superalloys using tools coated with materials like tungsten carbide and CrAlSiN nanocomposite as well as the wear mechanisms of tungsten carbide cutting tools during the machining of IN625 superalloy, paves way for next-generation turbine blades, surgical tools, and high-performance automotive parts that are lighter, stronger, and more efficient.
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a debilitating condition affecting numerous people worldwide, with its prevalence expected to increase significantly in the future. It accounts for 70-80% of dementia cases and is the 5th leading cause of death, posing a substantial socioeconomic burden on the healthcare sector and society. The disease is characterized by the accumulation of protein clumps in the brain, memory loss, and cognitive deficits.
The study, spearheaded by Prof. Ashis K. Mukherjee, Director of IASST, and Ms. Susmita Nath, research scholar, among others, found that the secret behind the danger of the sting lies in 25 distinct toxins spanning eight different protein families packed in the venom that the scorpion injects.
A team of scientists from Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences (ILBS) New Delhi, and National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER) Guwahati, ventured to probe the therapeutic efficacy of VEGF-C in ameliorating gut lymphatic dysfunction and improving lymph drainage. They studied if VEGF-C could help reduce ascites and attenuate inflammation in end-stage liver cirrhosis.
Metals in the cloud is a matter of growing concern due to its adverse impact on human health on a wider scale through continental long-range transport. However, information regarding metal contamination of low-level clouds, particularly the late summer and early monsoon clouds in India is lacking,
Smart windows which can change colour at the flick of a switch, block heat on
A group of scientists from the National Institute of Technology Calicut developed eight distinct sensor architectures and a sensitive, low-cost, portable device for detecting endotoxins rapidly and accurately, which in the future can be used at the bedside of the patient.
Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is a vital oxidizing agent with broad applications in chemical synthesis, sterilization, wastewater treatment, and fuel cells. Known for its eco-friendly nature of degrading or breaking down into only water and oxygen – H2O2 is a key component in sustainable chemical processes. However, its conventional production methods are energy-intensive, environmentally hazardous, and costly.
In a study performed by the Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences (ARIES), an autonomous research institute under the Department of Science & Technology (DST), Government of India, Scientists from the Institute collected data over five years at a high-altitude research site in Nainital.
