IIT Bombay researchers study the effects of poor ventilation on occupants of low-income households

Researchers from the IISc and the UAS, Bengaluru, have explained how Salmonella enters a growing plant from the soil. 

Researchers from IISc, Bengaluru, and the Kerala Forest Department, have reported the presence of the human malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum, in two species of Indian monkeys.

Researchers from IIT Bombay develop a handheld sensor to measure copper concentration in blood and environmental samples.

We are often told that bacteria are dangerous, cause notorious infections and that we need to keep them away. While there is a bit of truth in that, did you know your gut has a plethora of these ‘friendly’ microbes? Yes, our gastrointestinal tract is home to many microorganisms forming an ecosystem called the gut microbiome. They help the digestion process and also contribute to our happiness and other moods! 

In a recent announcement made by the Indian Academy of Sciences, Bangalore, 23 scientists from across the country have been elected as Fellows of the Academy. The list contains nine scientists from Bengaluru, with five from the Indian Institute of Science, two from TIFR Centre for Applicable Mathematics and one each from National Institute of Mental Health & Neurosciences (NIMHANS) and Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR).

The new year is here and we are still revelling in the spirits of 2018! One of our significant initiatives of 2018 was communicating science in regional languages so that the compelling science stories reach far and wide, breaking language barriers. After our debut with Kannada, we scored big with Hindi, Marathi and Assamese. The year 2019 holds more promise and we are all excited about it! Here we present a selected list of stories that were our top ‘local flavours’.

As we bid adieu to 2018 and welcome 2019, here is a snapshot of India’s year in science. From remarkable satellite launches, scientific breakthroughs and a cocktail of controversies, the year that went by was eventful for various reasons. Here is an attempt to travel down the memory line, reflecting on what we saw and what we could learn. While this is not an extensive list and in no way ranked, it is an attempt to highlight India’s year in science.

The year 2018 was marked by exciting discoveries and inventions in the field of medical sciences, life sciences, archeology, physical sciences, and planetary sciences. While some are headline-hitting, most are crucial in cementing our understanding of various tenets in these areas. As we come close to bidding goodbye to 2018, here is a sneak-peek into the trendsetters in science in this year, in no particular order.

You asked it and here we have! Wondering what was popular on Research Matters in 2018? Following are our top-ten stories that gained traction by readers like you. Thank you for your support and hope to see it continue in the years to come.