Ants take the shortest route to success
An Israeli mathematician offers proof of how ants, without a bird's eye view of their terrain, are still able to follow a straight route to food
Was the Archaeopteryx: Bird or dinosaur?
An American ornithologist says he has found fresh evidence that the world's oldest bird-like creature, the Archaeopteryx, was undoubtedly a bird. …
A long step forward in nerve communications
Agrin, a protein released by nerve cells, helps in triggering off the formation of a machinery through which neurons communicate.
Dead brain cells may be replaceable
Certain mouse brain cells have been found to be capable of producing neurons. Scientists say if similar cells are found to exist in the human …
New theory explains the evolution of sexes
An Oxford biologist says sexes exist to prevent chaos within cells during reproduction. And why only two sexes? Because life would get too …
And now, "calculating" babies
Babies less than six months old have the surprising abilities to distinguish shapes, sizes and colours. Now, a study indicates infants can even …
Scientists seek clues to properties of water
A molecular theory is being put forward to explain why water behaves the way it does, but proof still eludes the researchers.
When fathers harass their sons
Among white-fronted bee-eaters, a bird species found abundantly in east and central Africa, fathers torment their sons and physically prevent …
A scientist, a Marxist and a dreamer
Thirty-five years ago, a renowned British biologist branded England "a criminal state" and migrated to India. Today, in the year of his birth …
Schrodinger's kittens dead or alive
Can a cat be both dead and alive at the same time? If you believe the classic interpretation of quantum physics, it can. But several scientists …
The grain of the matter
The study of a new kind of structure called oscillon could enhance our understanding of the granular system and even lead to an universal theory …
How is science doing?
"The engine of social and economic improvement" has recently been assessed globally by experts and scientists
Executing a killer
Should the remaining two stocks of the smallpox virus be wiped out permanently from the face of the earth? The question, which brings to fore …
Early birds
Rocks -- 3.85 billion year old --show that battered by meteors and supposedly sterile, ancient Earth still harboured life-forms
The roachmobile
Researchers are teaching insects how to drive. This can lead to a wheelchair that can be controlled by twitching a muscle or two
Never mined
A simple, inexpensive device now gives hope to thousands living in fear of stepping on a live landmine
From Adam to ape
God, says the Kansas State Board of Education in the US, created the world in seven says. Evolution therefore doesn't exist. A new curriculum …
Forlorn in the USA
About 12 million American families last year couldn't afford to buy food. 32 per cent of them actually experienced someone going hungry at one …
Meet Deben Bora
As field researchers will tell, you don't get up one fine morning and cut through an unknown forest in search of an elusive animal species. Even …
Biocontrol Backfires
South American cane toads introduced into Australia to check sugarcane pests have become a menace
Plant a bone
Plant-based treatment of osteoporosis is gaining ground. The Central Drug Research Institute is adding new dimensions to ancient remedies
Fighting hidden hunger
Dr Howarth E Bouis, director of HarvestPlus, is a doctorate from Stanford University. He is promoting biofortification within the Consultative …
Here come the "number-crunchers"
India's attempts at developing supercomputers have not only paid off, they have sparked intense competition.
New rice varieties flourish in deep waters
New varieties of rice that can be grown in flood-hit areas are producing higher yields. Combined with other crops, they can give the farmer a …
"These are the times of one standard"
S P VASIREDDI, Chairperson and Managing Director, Vimta Labs Ltd, Hyderabad was recently in Delhi. NIDHI JAMWAL caught up with the scientist