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The flourishing Complex Systems Research Programme at the National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS), Bangalore, headed by Prof. Janaki Balakrishnan aims to understand and explain the dynamical behaviour of complex systems of diverse kinds by constructing appropriate predictive mathematical models. The work done by Prof. Balakrishnan and her collaborators deals with a variety of disciplines and hence is highly interdisciplinary and trans-disciplinary in nature. Some of her recent works on ecological modelling and impact of climate change on ecological population dynamics have met with considerable success.

Quantum computers are designed to handle information using the strange but powerful laws of quantum physics. Scientists predict that these computers will be faster and consume lesser energy than conventional computers.

If someone came up to you and said the stool from one person can be used as medicine to treat another, you’d most likely be disgusted or find it absurd. It sounds incredible, but it is true.

Black holes are the celestial objects with such immense gravity that nothing can escape from them -- not even light!

Researchers have always used bacteria, yeast, worms, fruitflies, fish and rodents in laboratories since experimentation on humans is often unfeasible and presents with an ethical conundrum. These model organisms are chosen depending on the nature and complexity of study and the cost and convenience of its maintenance. Zebrafish (Danio rerio) is today a favourite model organism for various biological research studies for well deserved reasons.

It is thought that free radicals are the cause of aging and can also cause or aggravate diseases like cancer and coronary heart disease. However, this is a highly debated topic and experiments have been conducted to show that this may not be true.

“Oh! Not again! Bees are buzzing all around the tube light. Now it's enough, I have to call the pest control guy and get rid of this hive ASAP!”. Before doing this, stop and imagine, how will the world be without honey bees?

Scientists at the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-waves Observatory (LIGO) recently announced the detection of gravitational waves. This comes exactly 100 years after Einstein had predicted their existence in 1916. This discovery has caused huge ripples of enthusiasm in the arena of astronomy. But what are gravitational waves?

Have you ever noticed that the price tag of daily consumables always comes with a 9 at its end - Like jeans with a price tag of Rs. 999 or mobiles with Rs. 4999? Instead of using 1000 or 5000, the merchants always prefer to choose these prices ending with a 9. Not only in shopping malls, but shops in your locality also use this same tactics to draw your attention.

What you do when you are sick? Obviously you go to a doctor. You tell him/her what your problem is, s/he examines you with a stethoscope to monitor your heartbeat at various regions of your body and then you get some medicines. Now, if your friend goes to the doctor with the same problem, s/he gets similar medicines.