Space agencies of 60 countries come together to monitor greenhouse gas emissions
Data from satellites will help keep tabs on countries’ efforts to reduce emissions in line with their climate action commitments
Plate tectonics began three billion years ago, claims study
This finding may have huge implications on geological studies and provide basis for research on Earth’s history
Nobel Prize for physics honours scientists for work on neutrino metamorphosis
Takaaki Kajita of the University of Tokyo in Japan and Arthur B McDonald of Queen’s University in Canada received the honours
Artificial ‘plants’ could fuel cars in future
The newly-created fuel can be stored for months or years and distributed through existing energy infrastructure
Why does the world need a library of underwater sounds? A scientist explains
Audrey Looby, lead author of new study on underwater sound library explains the science, benefits and challenges of such a database
Scientists detect two water worlds 218 light years away
Study of the twin planets shows exoplanets are more diverse; new planet in same system discovered
ICRISAT intern awarded for developing bio-insecticide from ‘ramphal’ leaves
Extracts from its leaves may be useful against three destructive pests — Pod borer, Green peach aphid and fall armyworm — with a …
Let it flow: COVID-19 pandemic underscores need to share research; but how will it work
The scientific community has rolled out plans to remove hurdles in the shift to open access publishing. Will this ensure equitable access?
Discovery of two new giant radio galaxies offers fresh insights into the universe
They are about 62 times the size of the Milky Way but are fainter than some others the same size
Coronavirus has put scientists in the frame alongside politicians – and poses questions about leadership
While science-based leadership may be popular in these times of coronavirus and Donald Trump, scientific input can only ever be limited in …
2020 Physics Nobel to trio for work on black holes
Roger Penrose showed black holes to be a direct consequence of Theory of Relativity; Reinhard Genzel and Andrea Ghez discovered a massive black …
Mars: mounting evidence for subglacial lakes, but could they really host life?
Although the new findings make Mars even more interesting than before, they haven’t advanced its ranking in the list of solar system bodies …
Study zeroes in on target plant hormone to improve potassium deficiency in rice
Plants deficient in Potassium more susceptible to salt, drought, chilling and other stresses
A year around the moon
India’s second lunar mission, Chandrayaan-2, completed one year in orbit around the moon August 20, 2020. Space agency ISRO said it has …
Indian researchers may improve wave forecasts
Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services-led team research may help in coastal management, mitigation of adverse impacts
Researchers use metamaterials to enhance detection of defects in large structures
Metamaterials are artificially crafted materials with unique internal microstructures that give them properties not found in nature
‘Humans are closer to setting up base on Moon’
Pushkar Ganesh Vaidya, an astrobiologist, talks about the future of China’s experiment that resulted in a seed sprouting on the lunar surface
The mystery behind radio signals from deep space
Many theories revolve around the origin and nature of fast radio bursts coming to us from far points in the universe. Down To Earth breaks down …
At Indian Science Congress, a time capsule on India’s scientific prowess
The capsule was put together by students of Lovely Professional University, who plan to bury it underground till January 3, 2119
Here is what Indian scientists achieved in 2018
Here is a collection of 15 such stories that gives a glimpse of important developments reported by Indian scientists during the year.
The world gets a note of caution on gene drives introduction
The Convention on Biological Diversity meeting wants countries to seek “free, prior and informed consent” before introducing new …
Celebrated minds
In 2016, many Indian-origin scientists made it big and got international acclaim for their work. From genetics to nanoelectronics, these …
Why certain parts of India churn out the best sportspersons
Haryana, with just two per cent of India's population, accounts for 20 per cent of its Olympic contingent
Study establishes link between monsoon and dust particles
The Indian agricultural scenario is linked to monsoon as most farmers depend on the rains for cultivation in the absence of irrigation
Fungi crucial to diversity
Pathogenic fungi kill seedlings of the same species growing near each other in forests and promote biodiversity