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 …
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
Water vapour discovered on potentially ‘habitable’ planet
Using Hubble Space Telescope, scientists also detected the presence of hydrogen and helium in K2-18b's atmosphere
50th anniversary of Apollo 11: Look at these panoramas from the Moon missions
It’s the 50th anniversary of Apollo 11 mission, when humans stepped on the surface of the moon for the first time. The National Aeronautics …
How clouds don’t matter when it comes to radar technologies
Recent remarks make one wonder about the efficacy with which important information is ferried to the prime minister, and if he is aware about how …
Space Race 2.0: Who does it belong to?
Governments have been exploring space for a while, but the influx of private players has altered the rules of the game. What are the laws …
ISRO has realised Sarabhai’s vision of using space technology to help the common man
Wing Commander (retired) Rakesh Sharma recently completed 35 years of being the first Indian to have ever set foot in space. He talked to Down To …
‘Telecom industry did no research on health impacts of 5G’
India plans to begin 5G trials by 2020, but experts and industry stand at odds over its impact on human health and environment. The fifth …
‘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 …
Psychographics: the behavioural analysis that helped Cambridge Analytica know voters' minds
How the Cambridge academic Michal Kosinski’s model is able to predict someone’s personality profile just on the basis of 300 likes
Children’s Science Congress promotes scientific way of thinking
The objective is to let children exhibit their creativity and innovation to solve problems they experience locally using the method of science
India gets robotic telescope to keep an eye on dynamic cosmos
A new telescope will be commissionined at the Indian Astronomical Observatory at Hanle in Ladakh as part of an international network designed to …
Did scientists just discover the world’s oldest fungi?
It is an indication that life-forms evolved to survive deep under the sea, without access to either light or oxygen
Glimpses from the 104th Indian Science Congress
Every year, scientific from across the country gather at the Indian Science Congress to deliberate on a a theme. Down To Earth was present at the …
Celebrated minds
In 2016, many Indian-origin scientists made it big and got international acclaim for their work. From genetics to nanoelectronics, these …
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