Quality V Quantity

Daniele Fanelli, a researcher at University of Edinburgh in Scotland is analysing the increasing bias in scientific studies. He did a similar …

Protein bodyguards

A protein found in almost all life-forms not only offers protection against toxins but also preverits errant behaviour in other proteins

Reptile theory turns turtle

The reproductive behaviour of a turtle species overturns a theory that held that reptiles always lay eggs on land

Biomining and bacteria

Microorganisms are proving to be cheaper, more efficient and cleaner at ore extraction than conventional mining techniques

Enzymes go synthetic

Growing awareness in industry about the potential of enzymes might lead to their synthetic production

Catch a falling planet

...A recent discovery is the first confirmation of the long-held belief that planets such as Earth may exist in other parts of the universe

Where did Homo erectus first appear?

The antedating of two fossils of Homo erectus -- our immediate ancestors -- has shaken a long-held belief that humans originated in Africa

Radio comes of age

Digital audio technology will enable listeners to make their own compact disc-like recordings.

Indian scientists thwart Western embargo on manufacture of carbon composites

An indigenous technique of manufacturing carbon-carbon composites -- state-of-the-art materials of immense commercial and military importance.…

A penchant for adultery

Most birds are adulterous, find bird-watchers, and contrary to earlier beliefs, it is the females who have a roving eye

All the hair in place, just in time

Examining hair fibres could help determine when South Americans graduated from hunting vicunas to herding llamas

Star hunger

A recent astronomical observation may prove to be the first sighting of a class of celestial bodies whose existence was postulated about two …

New kilns that are cheaper and better

Indian scientists have devised a coal-fired kiln for potters, which is expected to revive the pottery sector groaning under the high cost of firewood.

The paradox of the loose joints

Laxity of joints can be a boon or liability, depending on whether they are subject to mobility or load-bearing.

Universal law

A mathematical relationship between planets in our solar system holds astoundingly true even for 3 distant planets orbiting a pulsar

Chink in the armour

Recent measurements show that protective ozone levels in the atmosphere touched a record low early this year

Groping for invisible matter

What we can see constitutes only about 10 per cent of the universe's mass. Where is the rest hidden?

Kamikaze microbes

And now genetically-altered microorganisms that self-destruct once they've fulfilled their mission

Cometary conundrum

Fresh data on the collision of shards of Shoemaker-Levy 9 with Jupiter last year has divided scientists on the size of the comet fragments

Timeless pursuits

A new interpretation of texts from a civilisation that flourished 1,000 years ago reveals its uncanny similarity with modern times

Miniature musings

Science or pure imagination? Nanotechnology opens up unlimited possibilities which can revolutionise almost every field of human activity

Small makes it big

Micromechanics, a field of engineering earlier considered to be fascinating but impractical, is now back with a bang. A host of applications are …

Brainy idiot-box

Hang it on your wall and do not worry about scanning for your favourite programmes. This new television knows what you are looking for

Hark, the drunkard

You may freshen up your breath, but cops will soon be equipped with a microphone that can catch you by your voice pattern

Lean, not fall

Experts are now busy implementing an innovative technique for preventing the leaning tower of Pisa from going overboard