News on Science, Technology and Research in India
Methanotrophs metabolise and convert methane into carbon dioxide. They can effectively reduce methane emission, which is the second most important greenhouse gas (GHG) and 26 times more potent as compared to carbon dioxide. In rice fields, methanotrophs are active near the roots or soil-water interfaces.
Chandrayaan 2 orbiter has an optical camera called the Orbiter High-Resolution Camera (OHRC) which captures detailed images of the Moon. OHRC can image at a best resolution of 0.25 meters/pixel, beating NASA Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter’s (LRO) best of 0.5 meters/pixel.
Scientists at International Advanced Research for Powder Metallurgy & New Materials (ARCI), Hyderabad, an autonomous R&D Centre of Department of Science and Technology (DST) have developed Polymer Electrolyte Membrane fuel cells (PEMFC).
The ink was prepared in a batch of 1kg and given to Bank Note Press (BNP), Dewas, Madhya Pradesh, a unit of Security Printing Minting Corporation of India Ltd (SPMCIL), New Delhi. The ink is found comparable to the standards that are in use. The formulation can be used to check the authenticity of passports, Government documents, tamper-evident labels, and identity cards.
The research team of Sree Chitra Thirunal Institute of Medical Science and Technology (SCTIMST),Thiruvanthapuram, an Institute of National Importance under the Department of Science and Technology has developed an innovative intracranial flow diverter stent for the treatment of aneurysms of the blood vessels of the brain. It is ready for transfer and further testing in animals, followed by human trials.
The group led by Prof CNR Rao consisting of Dr P Chithaiah from CeNS and Prof G U Kulkarni from Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR), Bengaluru has developed a rapid and simple route for the synthesis of rGO by the combustion of table-sugar. This method being single-step and reproducible is advantageous compared to the reported protocols used presently.
With the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) having successfully tested its prototype biodigesters on houseboats in the Dal Lake in Srinagar to reduce pollution, the authorities in Kashmir have decided to install biodigesters in the houseboats on a pilot basis.
A team of scientists from Sree Chitra Thirunal Institute of Medical Science and Technology (SCTIMST), Kerala, an autonomous institution under the Department of Science and Technology, have developed a nickel-titanium alloy based occlusion device for non-surgical closure of atrial septal defect (ASD) in the heart.
In a new study, a team of researchers led by Dr. V. Arun Nagaraj of Institute of Life Sciences and Mr. Srinivasa Raju of Jigsaw Bio Solutions Pvt. Ltd used a new concept of genome mining that identifies identical multi-repeat sequences (IMRS) distributed throughout the malaria parasite genome and successfully targeted them to develop what is called a “ultra-sensitive” qPCR assay for malaria diagnosis.
They have successfully engineered a marine cyanobacterium called Synechococcus sp. PCC 7002 which showed a higher growth rate and sugar (glycogen) content. When grown on air, the growth was doubled and the glycogen content of the cells increased by about 50%.
