A long-standing mystery in the evolution of life seems to be solved in a study by researchers from the Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, USA, and the Cleveland Clinic Foundation, USA. The study, published in The Journal of Biological Chemistry, provides a convincing explanation about the fusion of two genes in an ancestor of today’s animals, about a billion years ago.

In a recent announcement, five journalists have been awarded the India Science Media Fellowships—a first of its kind fellowship in India that is designed to support Indian journalists to build a body of science-based journalistic work.

A team of international researchers examine the cost burden of haemodialysis and found that about nine in ten households found it hard to meet the expenses, in spite of subsidies. 

An international team of researchers investigate the prevalence of water reallocations, from rural areas to cities, throughout the world to understand its drivers, conflicts and policy implications.

Researchers from Switzerland, Germany, Austria and India have calculated the distribution of ice thickness or the volume of ice in the glaciers present across the globe.

Scientists have revealed the first ever photograph of a supermassive black hole present at the heart of the distant galaxy Messier 87 in the Virgo constellation. The image, released today shows the shadow of a black hole.

Bacteria like Salmonella and Mycobacterium, which have developed resistance to multiple drugs, are now a global health challenge. Studies estimate that the number of people succumbing to infections caused by drug-resistant bacteria is on the rise, with 33,000 deaths annually in Europe alone.

In a ceremony held at the Vigyan Bhavan in Delhi, the President of India, Shri. Ramnath Kovind announced the NIRF and ARIIA rankings for 2019. The National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) ranking evaluates India’s institutes, both public and private, based on five parameters and in seven categories. The Atal Ranking of Institutions on Innovation Achievements (ARIIA), established to rank all major higher educational institutions and universities in India on its innovation and entrepreneurship development, made its debut this year.

Dr Syed Zahoor Qasim, who successfully led India’s first Antarctic expedition in 1981, has been commemorated for his contributions to the Indian polar programme in a special issue of Polar Science. A peer-reviewed academic journal, Polar Science aims to inform people about polar science, primarily in Asia. It is published by the National Institute of Polar Research in collaboration with Elsevier and is one of the few comprehensive academic journals in the field of polar science.

Researchers at the International Food Policy Research Institute, Washington DC, USA, assessed the reach of the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) program to the intended beneficiaries and took stock of its shortcomings.