Ever wondered what happened to all our centuries-old learning of using natural dyes on fabric like cotton, silk and wool? With synthetic dyes that are non-biodegradable, carcinogenic and pollute our waters, we are doing more harm than good to ourselves. A new study by researchers at the University of Delhi has proposed efficient techniques to extract natural dye from plant based sources like roots of turmeric, fruits of harda, petals of safflower and roots of barberry.

Tuberculosis or TB is a disease known to mankind since our existence on Earth. In spite of that, our fight against this deadly disease still continues. A major breakthrough in this fight is the identification of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the bacteria that causes TB, in the 19th century. World Tuberculosis Day is celebrated commemorating that significant day, when Robert Koch discovered this deadly bacteria that has now become stronger than ever, and standing tall against all odds in this fight. Will we ever succeed? Only time can tell.

What do a spell of rain, an overcast of clouds, a lovely breeze, a scorching sun or a thunderstorm tell about the future? Today, on the occasion of World Meteorological Day, here is an insight into humanity’s journey towards understanding the dynamics of weather. It’s never been an easy one. As we uncover factors that spill some clues on what to expect, Nature throws a grand surprise and yet another difficult challenge, making weather forecasting meteorology more exciting than ever. 

This 22nd of March, on the occasion of World Water Day, Research Matters caught up with Prof MS Mohan Kumar, a Professor at the Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru. He is also the Chairman of the Indo-French Cell for Water Resources and an Associate Faculty at the Interdisciplinary Centre for Water Research (ICWaR) at IISc and an ex-Secretary of the Karnataka State Council for Science & Technology.  Apart from his role at the institute, Prof. Kumar has also extensively worked with government bodies such as the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB), Karnataka Urban Water Supply and Drainage Board (KUWSDB) and Bangalore Development Authority (BDA).

Did you know Down;s syndrome is the most common genetic disorder in humans? Characterized by physical and mental disorders of varying degree, this disorder is seen in 1 per 800 births in India and these numbers are set to increase. But what causes Down’s syndrome in the first place and how is it treated? On this World Down Syndrome Day, here is a all you need to know about this disorder and how you can help those affected by the same. 

Forests play a critical role in sustaining biodiversity on the planet, including humans. They once provided food and shelter when we were hunter-gatherers. Today, our relationship with forests is at a new level. We derive most of our energy resources from forests in the form of wood and coal. What are some of the implications of this relationship and how fragile is it getting in the future? On this International Day of Forests, here is an introspection of the same.

Did you know that the mouth, which is the gateway to our digestive health, is one of the most neglected parts of the body? With a zillion bacteria that call it home, our moth, teeth and tongue have a lot to endure. On the event of World Oral Health Day, lets understand the oral health situation in the country and resolve to keep our mouth clean and healthy.

Scientists at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, have conducted a study analyzing the influence of socio-demographic factors on the commuting habits of people in Bengaluru. The findings of the team, led by Prof. Ashish Verma from the Centre for Infrastructure, Sustainable Transportation and Urban Planning (CiSTUP), can be implemented in metropolitan cities to ease traffic congestion and pollution by opting for alternative and eco-friendly modes of transport.

A new study has now revealed how knowing beforehand what to look for, helps in our visual search process. Previews – bits of information available in advance, are shown to accelerate our search process as the brain can differentiate and identify the object we are looking for, even among a large set of identical objects. This discovery throws some light on the neurological process responsible for visual search and recognition. 

Autophagy, or self-eating, is a process where cells in our body devour some of the cell components to replenish their nutrient supply during severe shortage.  This process, though sounds gruesome, is essential for our survival and any defect in this mechanism could lead to neurodegenerative disorders like Parkinson’s disease. Several research, inspired by Nobel Laureate Prof. Yoshinori Ohsumi’s work on autophagy, has now uncovered new dimensions on our understanding of how cells function.