Research Matters

In a recent study, a team of international researchers have analysed how defects in hexagonal boron nitride can help in boosting the performance of electronic devices.

A recent study shows how a smartphone-based tool can be effectively turned into an eye-examination device. This device can take not only retinal photos but also detect early signs of diabetic retinopathy.

The big, bright, green-coloured Andaman day gecko is a sight to behold; only that, you have to go all the way to the Andaman Islands to get a glimpse of it. Endemic to the islands, these geckos live in trees and are active during the day. Thanks to cash crops grown on these islands today, they can be found in plenty, feeding on bananas, coconuts and betel nuts. They belong to the genus called Phelsuma, believed to have evolved from Madagascar, an island about 6000 km away from the Andamans! A new study has traced their evolutionary history and has thrown some light on how they differ from the other geckos in the Andamans.

People see human-animal conflicts as a fight between two species on opposing sides. However, in reality, the human aspect also has multiple dimensions. In some cases, there are two groups—the affected public—and the forest department staff, who manage and mitigate it; in others, more such groups. One of the frequent human-animal conflicts is that between humans and monkeys, especially the rhesus macaque, whose population is widespread in many cities. Now, a study by researchers shows that differences in people's opinions on mitigating such conflicts could instead be adding to the conflict.

In a recent study, researchers show how cleaner air during the lockdown in Delhi, one of the most polluted cities in the world, has led to a hike in solar power generation.

In a recent study, researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT Bombay) have examined how the structure of leaves of the taro plant (Colocasia esculenta) helps in repelling water. 

In 2013, over 50 infants died in Attapadi —a protected area in the Palakkad district of Kerala. This incident, and more deaths in the subsequent years, put the spotlight on the health of the tribal population that lives here. Several underlying health issues, including malnutrition and infant mortality, were identified to be rampant. Both the central and state governments responded with a financial package to provide healthcare and related facilities to these communities free of cost. Seven years later, a new study has found that free healthcare hasn't solved the problem of poor access to healthcare and high levels of infant mortality. 

In a recent study, researchers have assessed how successful computer simulations are in matching with solar surface observations.

Researchers use new self-assembly techniques to create microstructures that can be used in early detection of Alzheimer’s disease.

^{Photo by Faris Mohammed on Unsplash}