Gene transfer enhances insect survival, says study

Gene transfer might have helped in the development of  better traits in mating, nutrition, growth and adaptation

Europe burns: National Emergency declared in UK; wildfires in France, Spain, Portugal

Many parts of the continent including Spain, Greece and France experienced wildfires July 17, 2022, after an unusually dry, hot spring

India’s first monkeypox case reported from Kerala

The patient had returned to Kerala from the United Arab Emirates July 12 and was symptomatic at the time

The African Union at 20: some reason to cheer, but lots of work ahead

There is some reason to cheer as the continental body celebrates its 20th anniversary on 9 July. Yet a lot remains to be achieved.

Monkeypox cases in non-endemic countries cross 1,000 mark in a month. What this means

Global public health risk has been classified as ‘moderate’ but the WHO refrained from stating it has pandemic potential  

How tech rebooted economics and platforms broke the invisible hand

Growing evidence and new research explain the evolution of economic diversity and the need to rethink monopolies in the age of technology  

Africa’s poverty dip, a blip?

Extreme poverty decreased due to low food price, soon to be reversed due to high inflation  

Corals and sea anemones turn sunscreen into toxins – understanding how could help save coral reefs

A new study found that when corals and sea anemones absorb oxybenzone, their cells turn it into phototoxins, molecules that are harmless in the …

How COVID-19 controls hit farmers in 7 low-income countries, most in Africa

In countries with strictest controls, 80% smallholder households reported major disruptions

75 years of Kon-Tiki: ‘Thor Heyerdahl’s theory of Polynesian-indigenous American contact still relevant today’

Two years ago, a study in Nature had said that about 2-5% of Polynesian DNA is from present-day Colombia, vindicating Heyerdahl

World Heritage Day: ‘Himalayan geo-heritage sites under threat to road construction activities’

DTE talks to ON Bhargava, geology professor at Panjab University, Chandigarh about why roads must be constructed in the Himalayas on the basis of …

Long COVID affects 1 in 5 people following infection. Vaccination, masks and better indoor air are our best protections

Most studies show a general pattern of higher prevalence of long COVID for people with more severe illness

Agriculture is linked with malaria in complex ways: evidence from 16 African countries

This is worrying because, currently, three branches of development are trying to achieve their goals in isolation

Black pepper: Healthy or not?

Modern science suggests that black pepper does indeed confer health benefits, mainly as a result of an alkaloid called piperine

‘Development will eventually lead to environmental conflicts’

With sustainable development goals in place, increasing democratisation and connectivity of the world, ecologisation of politics and vice-versa …

In the dark, freezing ocean under Antarctica’s largest ice shelf, we discovered a thriving microbial jungle

Everywhere we look, we find microbial communities making use of whatever energy source is available, creating the foundation for all of Earth&…

Retired women in South Africa carry a huge burden of poverty

The number of retirees at risk of poverty is growing

African states need a vision for relations with the Indo-Pacific

The year ahead offers an excellent opportunity for states such as South Africa to develop its approach to the Indo-Pacific

African countries must protect their fish stocks from European Union. Here’s how

There are other forms of illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing perpetrated by EU vessels 

2021 was one of the hottest years on record – and it could also be the coldest we’ll ever see again

The fact 2021 was among the world’s hottest years despite these cooling forces shows just how strong the long-term warming trend is

World’s most extreme inequality increase in India

Governments poorer than private individuals now as world wealth gets concentrated among a few; a similar situation seen at peak of imperialism …

India has the highest population with household exposure to pulmonary TB

At least 38 million people live in households across 20 high-burden countries, where at least one person has incident pulmonary TB 

Climate clock is ticking: Reset shows world is a year closer to 1.5°C warming threshold

According to recent estimates, only 500 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide can be emitted from 2020 onwards if we are to stay below the 1.5 C …

COVID-19 shows why African data is key for the continent’s response to pandemics

African public health practitioners have amassed a wealth of experience of managing epidemics

Investment to fight climate change: Three African countries need $280 billion by 2050

South Africa will require the largest share of this investment, followed by Ethiopia and Kenya