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

Finally, microorganisms and pollinators receive much needed support: Technical working group formed by FAO

19th session of Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture held July 17-21, 2023 in Rome to decide on the agenda for next two years

Little nibblers

How green algae eat pipelines

Nitrate nightmare

Microbial miners

A bacterium can rid magnesite ore of silica, a major impurity

Some scum are like manna

A food for generations the world over, an algae comes as a boon for Tamil Nadu's farmers

Oldest feast

Saving grace

Killer bug's DNA code deciphered

Kidney-friendly bacteria

A shot for the heart