Bugs for breakfast
There is more to your average germ than you can digest with a straight face. These bacteria can prevent allergies and fight ulcers
Darwin fast forwarded
Thanks to 'rapid evolution' every life form may survive any amount of pressure from its external environment, a study proposes
Soil fertility is not the only measure of soil health
At the ongoing International Permaculture Convergence, experts discussed how the modern farming system has destroyed soil health
New cholera strain strikes India
A cholera epidemic in the Indian subcontinent is nothing unusual. But now, another bacterial strain that can cause the disease has surfaced.
Green gold
Grown only in a few developed nations till now, the nutrient-rich spirulina algae comes to India
The killer unveiled
Scientists find out how anthrax kills. It may not be very long before we have an antidote to the dreaded bacterium
The melting pot
You never thought it could happen. For the first time, geneticists have combined genes from different species
Scavenging off toxic metals
Using microorganisms to treat pollutants is a cheap eco-friendly way of disposing waste, which is fast catching on.
Simple systems available to treat sewage
Planners should be made aware of easy techniques that can recycle waste water using little electricity.
New fungicide is eco-benign
Scientists are thrilled by the discovery that fungal enzymes called chitinases are environment friendly fungicides.
Skeletons in the closet
South Africa's racist regime was developing high-tech gizmos to eliminate unsuspecting black activists
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, …
How did it get so bad?
Ostrich policy and bad science. In Bihar, embankments built by government to prevent floods have been counter-productive
Is the alarm justified?
Yes. The disease is spreading fast. Yet there is little scientific data to devise a strategy to deal with it
Bacteria that reduces fertilser use
indian scientists have discovered a novel microorganism in salty marshlands, which has the potential to absorb nitrogen -- an essential plant …
Changing genes make cholera pathogen indomitable
despite its genome sequenced three years ago, the cholera bacterium continues to dodge all efforts aimed at combating its menace. Now, scientists …
Hot springs harbour microbial diversity
Untapped bacterial cultures from Unkeshwar hot springs on the bank of river Penganga in Maharashtra are being studied for their metabolic use in …
Gas gobbling algae
Carbon dioxide emissions from power plants can be reduced by a process involving algae, sunlight, and a little common sense
Decoding trouble
Researchers have decoded the genetic sequence of the bacterium responsible for cholera. This will aid in the development of new vaccines and …
Tackling a menace
VIRUS: THE CO-DISCOVERER OF HIV TRACKS ITS RAMPAGE AND CHARTS THE FUTURE·Luc Montagnier, Stephen Sartarelli (Translator)· W W …
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 …
Ravenous but a remedy all right
Famished bacteria are now known to be able to enter porous media like soil and create a bio-barrier to prevent the spread of pollutants
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
How to minimise chlorination's adverse health affects
Compromising with a necessary evil: this is literally true for chlorination -- the most widely used technology for disinfecting drinking water. A …
Prey, predators and pollution
Bacteria can be used to clean soil effectively if they are protected from protozoans, their predator