Genesis of water
Life on Earth is the result of several fascinating coincidences, of which the presence of water is considered the most important. But we are …
The secret sex life of the sea urchin
With the unravelling of how fertilisation occurs in sea urchins, scientists may now better understand the reproduction process in higher mammals, …
Helping computers keep a tight hold on power
Scientists are trying to integrate a new type of circuits - called reversible circuits -- into computers to make them more energy efficient
Why some bumble bees spend the night out
Bumble-bees infected with the larvae of parasitic flies stay the night out in the cold to hinder the development of the eggs
In search of gravitational waves
Two projects are under way to detect an elusive phenomenon that are thought to be produced by violent events in outer space
Wanderlust heats up the blood of some fish
Biologists have found that some fish evolved into warm-blooded creatures because their adventurous ancestors were exposed to large temperature …
Penguins gauge sea resources for scientists
Scientists are relying on the emperor penguins to find out the state of sea resources in the inhospitable Antarctic region.
Male flowers enhance pollination
Plants normally have only bisexual flowers. Some species, however, also produce male flowers to make the dispersal of pollen more efficient.
Eight hearts do the work of one
US scientists postulate the Barosaurus needed more than one heart to pump blood throughout its 15-metre height
Yeast genes spring surprise on scientists
Chromosome III in yeast, the first to have its DNA fully described, opened up a wealth of new genes whose functions are completely unknown
A stale session of scientists
The 81st session of the Indian Science Congress failed to inspire interaction among scientists and was reduced to a forum for criticising the …
By God, it's Tipler!
THE PHYSICS OF IMMORTALITY Frank J Tipler . Doubledey (New York), 1994 Price: US $24.95
Meltdown 2000!
Celebrations of the new century might be accompanied by multiple nuclear meltdowns wrought by the millennium bug. Is there a way out?
Doing time
A beam of light could soon cure you of that jet lag as scientists find out how to "wind" our body clocks
Findings reveal how neem cells produce useful chemicals
The study of limonoid biosynthesis in neem tree is of potential significance as it produces agriculturally and pharmacologically important molecules
The inspirational value of ISRO's Mars mission
India's researchers need to find quickest and cheapest possible solutions to problems in the country; technology dearth no longer an acceptable excuse
Our complex world
Book>> The quantum universe, everything that can happen can happen •Brian Cox and Jeff Forshaw • Allen Lane • Rs 699
Debates on atom
Book>> The Age Of Entanglement, When Quantum Physics Was Reborn • by Louisa Gilder • Alfred A Knopf • Rs 650
Interest in metals rekindled
Scientists have found a metallic mix that allows superconductivity at higher temperatures than before
Countdown to self-reliance
Indian space scientists have been forced on the indigenisation track to launch communications satellites
Enzymes that came in from the cold
The ability of microorganisms found in the Antarctic region to produce enzymes at low temperatures could save energy used for heating in …
A drop of wood alcohal helps to perk up plants
Plants grow taller and faster if sprayed with a solution of methanol, claims an American farmer
Why one cell becomes a nose and another, an eye
All living things begin life as a single cell, and one of the most intriguing puzzles for biologists is to understand how a particular cell knows …
Exotic denizens of the particle zoo
From ancient Greece to the world of today, humans have always believed that the amazing diversity of objects in the universe can be interpreted …
Computers set to conquer language barriers
Computers are poised to make it possible for people to speak to each other in their own languages.