Society

Lifting the fog over dementia diagnosis in India

Bengaluru | May 28, 2020

India is ageing. Approximately 104 million Indians are above sixty and vulnerable to cognitive disorders affecting memory, such as dementia. Despite this impending future, we haven't been able to assess the current prevalence of such illnesses in the country. It is partly due to the geographical and cultural vastness of India, and the barriers of language and ethics prohibit the use of tests used in western countries. Now, a new study is trying to close this gap by introducing a psychological test that is adapted to the cultural and linguistic diversity of India.

General, Science, Health, Society, Deep-dive

Broken chromatin fragments could hold the key in the fight against the deadly sepsis

Bengaluru | May 26, 2020

Building on their previous research, researchers at Tata Memorial Centre (TMC), Mumbai have tried to find out the root cause of sepsis in a recent study. So far, most drugs treat the symptoms of sepsis, such as inflammation, rather than its causes. In this study, the researchers find that broken pieces of chromosomes could trigger sepsis. The results of the study are published in the journal PLoS ONE.

General, Science, Technology, Health, Society

Childhood vaccination improves schooling among India's adults, shows study

Bengaluru | May 22, 2020

A recent study explores how childhood vaccination among children in India has impacted the level of education attained by them as adults.

General, Science, Health, Society, Deep-dive

First-ever study in India investigates a rare type of cancer caused by a virus

Bengaluru | May 20, 2020

In the first-ever study from India, researchers at the National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS), Bengaluru and the Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai, have analysed how prevalent the Merkel Cell Polyomavirus (MCV) is in India.

General, Science, Health, Society, Deep-dive

224 Years Of Modern Day Vaccine – The Journey Of Vaccinology

Bengaluru | May 14, 2020

“As the world confronts the COVID-19 pandemic, humanity’s victory over smallpox is a reminder of what is possible when nations come together to fight a common health threat,” said Tedros Adhanom, Director-General of the World Health Organisation (WHO), in a recent media briefing.

General, Science, Health, Society, Deep-dive

Lungs may still have scars left behind by tuberculosis, shows study

Bengaluru | May 13, 2020

In a recent study, researchers from Pune, along with their collaborators in Chennai and the USA, have assessed the functioning of lungs after successful tuberculosis (TB) treatment. The study, published in the journal PLoS ONE, has shown the occurrence of lung defects and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease after tuberculosis treatment.

General, Science, Health, Society, Deep-dive

Are you pro-environment? Perhaps not as much as you think, shows study

Bengaluru | May 12, 2020

Being "environment friendly" or "eco-friendly" is the 'in thing' today. Aiming a zero-waste or vegan or carbon-neutral lifestyle are now trendy. The recent climate strikes and the declaration of a 'climate emergency' have raised awareness on environmental issues, motivating behavioural change in people towards sustainable lifestyles. However, do people tend to perceive themselves as better than others in living such a planet-friendly life? Yes, says a study by researchers at the University of Gothenburg, Sweden.

General, Science, Society, Deep-dive

Roads pose a roadblock to tiger conservation in South and Southeast Asia

Bengaluru | Apr 29, 2020

A tiger crossing a road in Tadoba National Park, India [Image Credits: Grassjewel / CC BY-SA]

Study finds proposed road construction in the continent could impact tiger populations in 13 countries.

General, Science, Ecology, Society, Policy

Poets and Quants

Bengaluru | Apr 29, 2020

Genius is when someone’s works are so profound that they not only stand the test of time but test the truths of time. It has been 100 years today since Srinivasa Ramanujan was cruelly snatched away at a young age of 32. His works are yet to be fully deciphered.

General, Science, Society, Deep-dive

SIR and SEIR Models of Infectious Diseases

Bengaluru | Apr 28, 2020

Research Matters is happy to bring you this article as part of the series on Mathematical Modeling and Data Analysis by the Mathematical Modeling team of Indian Scientists' Response to Covid-19 (ISRC). The second part of this series is on SIR and SEIR Models of Infectious Diseases.

General, Science, Health, Society, Policy, Deep-dive