ID: 65881
Title: Revisiting Nawaschin: does double fertilization not occur in the family Orchidaceae?
Author: Chengqi Ao
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2024
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 126 (11) 1315-1316 10 June (2024)
Subject: Revisiting Nawaschin: does double fertilization not occur in the family Orchidaceae?
Keywords: None
Abstract: Double fertilization is widely regarded as a general feature of all flowering plants. However, Sergei Nawaschin,
the finder of double fertilization phenomenon, held the opinion that it did not occur in Orchidaceae. According
to his description, fusion between the polar nuclei and the second sperm cell did not occur in Orchidaceae,
which he claimed was a general characteristic of the family. In recent years, more and more evidence of the
second fertilization in Orchidaceae has been accumulating, indicating that double fertilization occurs ‘as is
normal’ in this family.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Yeung, E. C. and Law, S. K., Can. J. Bot.,
1989, 67, 2219–2226.
Chen, Y., Zhang, C., Wang, X. F. and Ao,
C. Q., Aust. J. Bot., 2018, 66, 354–359.
Literature cited 2: Chen, Y., Wang, X. F., Liang, L. and Ao,
C. Q., Bot. Serb., 2021, 45(2), 177–184.
Yeung, E. C. and Law, S. K., In Orchid
Biology: Reviews and Perspectives VII
(eds Arditti, J. and Pridgeon, A. M.),
Kluwer Academic Publishers, Dordrecht,
The Netherlands, 1997, pp. 31‒73.
ID: 65880
Title: Design and development of robust and precision personalized medicine
Author: Anamitra Goswami, Moumita Sil, Prashant Ratnaparkhi, Arunava Goswami, Nabanita Mukherjee and Igor Polikarpov
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2024
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 126 (11) 1312-1312 10 June (2024)
Subject: Design and development of robust and precision personalized medicine
Keywords: None
Abstract: Frederike H. Petzschner recently published an article in Science titled ‘Practical challenges for precision medicine’ (Science, 2024, 383, 149–150; doi:10.1126/science.adm9218) expressing the view that machine learning
tools are not suitable for advancing precision medicine. In this write-up, we present some evidences which show
that mathematical genomics, mathematical proteomics, statistical genomics and statistical proteomics, along
with machine learning tools can effectively guide the development of high-precision personalized medicine.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Nawn, D. et al., Int. J. Biol. Macromol.,
2024, 259, 128998.
Hassan, S. S., Sil, M., Chakraborty, S., Goswami, A., Basu, P., Nawn, D. and Uversky,
V. N., Int. J. Biol. Macromol., 2022, 222,
2105–2121.
Literature cited 2: Sil, M. et al., bioRxiv, Cold Spring Harbor
Laboratory Press, USA, 2024; doi:https://
doi.org/10.1101/2023.04.12.536521.
Mukherjee, N., Mitra, S., Sil, M., Mukherjee,
A., Goswami, A. and Hessel, V., Proc. Biochem., 2024, 131, 226–234; https://doi.org/
10.1016/j.procbio.2023.06.024
ID: 65879
Title: Direction and scope of luminescence dating research in India: fifth workshop on luminescence dating and its applications
Author: Madhav K. Murari and D. Kumar
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2024
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 126 (11) 1310-1311 10 June (2024)
Subject: Direction and scope of luminescence dating research in India: fifth workshop on luminescence dating and its applications
Keywords: None
Abstract: The Association for Luminescence Dating
(ALD), India, organized its 5th Annual
Luminescence Dating and its Applications
workshop, along with a pre-workshop training programme. The later included a local
field trip and hands-on training. A. Bharadwaj (Director, Physical Research Laboratory (PRL), Ahmedabad) welcomed the
participants for the three-days (21–23 February 2024) workshop while S. Chopra
(Director, Institute of Seismological Research (ISR), Gandhinagar) welcomed the
participants for one day (20 February 2024)
the pre-workshop training programme.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Ali, N. and Sharma, S., Curr. Sci., 2019,
118(2), 182–183.
Kumar, A. and Bisht, P., J. Geol. Soc. India,
2021, 97(3), 328
Literature cited 2: Murari, M. K. and Kumar, D., Curr. Sci.,
2023, 125(12), 1298
ID: 65878
Title: Unique nest building strategies of eusocial insects to merge cells of variable sizes
Author: Sudipta Adhya
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2024
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 126 (11) 1308-1308 10 June (2024)
Subject: Unique nest building strategies of eusocial insects to merge cells of variable sizes
Keywords: None
Abstract: Just like humans, honeybees and vespids
or social wasps can also be considered as
‘misers’. They are very wise and frugal
when it comes to investing their energy in
manufacturing raw materials (wax or paper
pulp) and using them to build their houses.
These social ‘bee-ings’ are excellent civil
engineers and skilled craftsmen. How did
these insects gain such a high level of expertise in building arrays or groups of hexagonal cells as shelter?
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1:
Literature cited 2:
ID: 65877
Title: Land restoration and promotion of Alpine medicinal and aromatic plants: a practical approach in context of Himalaya of Uttarakhand, India
Author: Pradeep Dobhal, Vijay Kant Purohit Jaidev Chauhan Ajay Hemdan Rajeev Ranjan Kumar
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2024
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 126 (11) 1301-1303 10 June (2024)
Subject: Land restoration and promotion of Alpine medicinal and aromatic plants: a practical approach in context of Himalaya of Uttarakhand, India
Keywords: None
Abstract: Land restoration is crucial to restore our
environment’s natural balance. It involves
repairing the land damaged by natural disasters or has remained unused for many
years. Restoration of a land area includes
growing new vegetation and rehabilitating
a place that has not been used for many
years. Restoring the land helps to improve
the soil quality and promotes carbon sequestration, which can help combat climate
change, protect biodiversity and benefit
local people. Recognizing the urgent need
to restore degraded and deforested land
globally, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and the Government of Germany launched the Bonn
Challenge in 2011. This global initiative
aims to rejuvenate 150 million hectares of
degraded and deforested landscapes by
2020 and 350 million hectares by 2030
(ref. 1). India has undertaken to restore 26
million hectares of degraded and deforested
land by 2030.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: https://www.indiabudget.gov.in/doc/budget_
speech.pdf
https://www.indiabudget.gov.in/economicsurvey/doc/echapter.pdf
Literature cited 2: Maikhuri, R. K., Nautiyal, S., Rao, K. S. and
Saxena, K. G., For. Policy Econ., 2001, 3,
355–365; doi:10.1016/S1389-9341(01)00037-5.
Nautiyal, M. C., Nautiyal, B. P. and Prakash,
V., The Environmentalist, 2004, 24, 2, 125–
134; doi:10.1007/s10669-004-4803-z.
ID: 65876
Title: Mustard crop suitability mapping using analytical hierarchy process in the Imphal–Iril river sub-catchment, Manipur, India
Author: Ngangom Robertson and Oinam Bakimchandra
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2024
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 126 (6) 721-730 25 March (2024)
Subject: Mustard crop suitability mapping using analytical hierarchy process in the Imphal–Iril river sub-catchment, Manipur, India
Keywords: Analytical hierarchy process, land suitability, land use land cover, mustard.
Abstract: Land suitability analysis is method for obtaining optimum utilization of naturally accessible land resources.
This study aims to identify the mustard cultivation
suitability potential sites in rabi season using analytical
hierarchy process (AHP) in the Imphal–Iril river catchment Manipur, India. Using the geospatial approach,
the assessment was conducted by using climate, soil
and topography data. The findings indicate that AHP
method could potentially be used to classify suitable
zones for mustard cultivation. Highly suitability zones
for mustard were observed in the valley portion having
mild slope while moderately suitable sites were primarily
found near the foothill, which have a gentle sloping topography. Not suitable zone were found mostly in the
hilly regions. This assessment will helpful for cropping
management option to the regional growers and the
policy makers to achieve high production of mustard
in the region
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Naidu, L. G. K., Ramamurthy, V., Challa, O., Hegde, R. and Krishnan, P., Manuals of Soil–Site Suitability Criteria for Major Crops,
National Bureau of Soil Survey and Land Use Planning, Nagpur,
2006, vol. 129, p. 118.
Singh, N., Vasudev, S., Kumar Yadava, D., Kumar, S., Naresh, S.,
Ramachandra Bhat, S. and Vinod Prabhu, K., An assessment of genetic
diversity in Brassica juncea Brassicaceae genotypes using phenotypic differences and SSR markers. Rev. Biol. Trop., 2013, 61(4),
1919–1934.
Literature cited 2: IPCC, Climate Change, Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability,
Contribution of working Group II to the Forth Assessment Report
of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, Cambridge
University Press, Cambridge, UK, 2007, pp. 273–313.
Pan, G. and Pan, J., Research in crop land suitability analysis based
on GIS. Computer Comput. Technol. Agric., 2012, 365, 314–325.
ID: 65875
Title: Pollination of Dipcadi saxorum Blatt. (Asparagaceae: Scilloideae)
Author: Hensal Rodrigues, Kiran Chakral and Suchandra Dutta
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2024
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 126 (6) 714-720 25 March (2024)
Subject: Pollination of Dipcadi saxorum Blatt. (Asparagaceae: Scilloideae)
Keywords: Dipcadi saxorum Blatt., nectar production, pollinators and visitors, scent analysis, self-compatibility
Abstract: Pollination of Dipcadi saxorum Blatt. was studied in
Thane and Mumbai suburban districts, Maharashtra,
India, during the flowering season from June to August
for a period of two years. The flowers are nocturnal,
producing scent and nectar at nightfall, which extends
up to morning hours, attracting many visitors. The study
shows that the species is self-incompatible and that its
foul-acrid odour is mainly because of aldehydes and
esters. Settling moths, Heliothus peltigera and Chrysodexis acuta, as well as hovering moths, Macroglossum
stellatarum and Cephanodes hylas, are pollinators of D.
saxorum Blatt.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, UK;
Published on the Internet; http://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org/
(retrieved 30 August 2023).
Deb, D. B. and Dasgupta, S., Revision of the genus Dipcadi Medik.
(Liliaceae) in India and adjoining regions. J. Bombay Natl. Hist.
Soc., 1978, 75, 50–70
Literature cited 2: Deb, D. B. and Dasgupta, S., Fascicles of Flora of India, Fascicle
7, Botanical Survey of India, Calcutta, 1981, 7, 9.
Almeida, M. R., Flora of Maharashtra, Orient Press, Mumbai,
2009, vol. 5(B), pp. 176–178
ID: 65874
Title: AYUsearch: a repository to facilitate the biochemical understanding of natural products-derived chemical substances
Author: Komal Tilwani , Abhishek Patel , Ghanshyam Patel , Mrugendra Rahevar and Gayatri Dave
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2024
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 126 (6) 706-713 25 March (2024)
Subject: AYUsearch: a repository to facilitate the biochemical understanding of natural products-derived chemical substances
Keywords: Ayurveda, molecular docking, natural products, network pharmacology, repository
Abstract: Ayurveda – a traditional Indian medicinal (TIM) practice
advocates a lifestyle regimen utilizing natural products
to cure complex ailments. The famous Ayurveda classics,
viz. Charak Samhita, Ashtanga Hridayam and Sushruta
Samhita, elaborate on various plant and animal products,
in which the descriptions are narrated in Sanskrit and
often signified through a metaphor. The particulars are
empirical and usually lack experimental evidence. Its
efficacy needs to be ensured towards the gold standard
of biomedical sciences. Indeed, an ordered catalogue
on a natural product is quintessential to designing the
validation strategies for TIM. We obtained evidence on
60 natural products with a mentioned history in Ayurveda. For this, we manually curated a list of natural
products-derived molecules (NDMs). Next, they were
sorted into universally accepted chemical identifiers
and processed into SDF formats. The 1004 gene targets
were identified for 636 NDMs through molecular and
reverse docking studies. Subsequently, the functional
annotation of differentially expressed genes using
KEGG pathways and Gene Ontology analysis unravelled
the role of the scrutinized ligands on cell functions.
AYUsearch (database) is an attempt to redefine the information embedded in Ayurveda, where the biological
role of natural chemical products is decoded through
network pharmacology.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Park, K., A review of computational drug repurposing. Transl.
Clin. Pharmacol., 2019, 27, 59–63.
Yuan, H., Ma, Q., Ye, L. and Piao, G., The traditional medicine
and modern medicine from natural products. Molecules, 2016, 21,
559.
Literature cited 2: López-López, E., Bajorath, J. and Medina-Franco, J. L., Informatics
for chemistry, biology, and biomedical sciences. J. Chem. Inf. Model.,
2020, 61, 26–35.
Humbeck, L. and Koch, O., What can we learn from bioactivity data?
Chemoinformatics tools and applications in chemical biology research. ACS Chem. B
ID: 65873
Title: Spatial mapping of acidity and vegetal multi-micronutrients in soils of the Meghalaya Plateau, northeastern Himalaya, India
Author: Burhan U. Choudhury, Md. Zafar , Arumugam Balusamy , Prabha Moirangthem , Ramesh Thangavel , Manoj Kumar , Bibhash C. Verma, Hammylliende Talang , Samarendra Hazarika and Vinay K. Mishra
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2024
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 126 (6) 694-705 25 March (2024)
Subject: Spatial mapping of acidity and vegetal multi-micronutrients in soils of the Meghalaya Plateau, northeastern Himalaya, India
Keywords: Crop productivity, deficiency zone, micronutrients, soil acidity, soluble aluminium, spatial mapping
Abstract: This study explores the high-precision mapping (1 :
50 K stratified random sampling) of spatial variability
in soil acidity (pH), soluble aluminium (Al) and plant available micronutrients (Fe, Mn, Cu and Zn extracted
by DTPA) for the acid soils of the Meghalaya Plateau
northeastern Himalaya, India. Results revealed that
soils in nearly 88% of the total geographical area
(TGA: 22,429 sq. km) fell below the pH limit of 5.5, of
which significant areas (13.9% TGA) were strongly
acidic in reaction (pH < 4.5). In close to 90% of the
plateau soils, Al exceeded the critical toxicity threshold
(>9.0 mg kg–1
). Over 93% of the soils were high in Fe
concentration (>10.5–100.0 mg kg–1
). Mn, Cu, and Zn
were found to be deficient in 12% (Mn < 5.0 mg kg–1
),
20% (Cu < 0.6 mg kg–1
), and 27% (Zn < 0.9 mg kg–1
) of
TGA respectively. The multi-micronutrient composite
maps of Fe, Mn, Cu and Zn displayed an intricate spatial
dimension in the deficiency zones. The study concludes
that there is a pressing need to manage site-specific
micronutrients to improve crop productivity and the
quality of the produce.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: . Choudhury, B. U., Nengzouzam, G., Ansari, M. A. and Islam, A.,
Causes and consequences of soil erosion in northeastern Himalaya,
India. Curr. Sci., 2022, 122(7), 772–789.
Choudhury, B. U., Nengzouzam, G. and Islam, A., Runoff and soil
erosion in the integrated farming systems based on micro-watersheds under projected climate change scenarios and adaptation
strategies in the eastern Himalayan mountain ecosystem (India).
J. Environ. Manage., 2022, 309, 114667; doi:org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2022.11466
Literature cited 2: Kumar, M. et al., Micronutrients (B, Zn and Mo) for improving
crop production on acidic soils of northeast India. Natl. Acad. Sci.
Lett., 2016, 39(2), 85–89.
Choudhury, B. U. and Mandal, S., Indexing soil properties through
constructing minimum datasets for soil quality assessment of surface
and profile soils of intermontane valley (Barak, North East India).
Ecol. Indic., 2021, 123, 107369.
ID: 65872
Title: Designing design of expert for the treatment of sulphur black dye in textile effluents using zinc-oxide nanobioadsorbents
Author: Sangita Yadav, Subhash Chander and Asha Gupta
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2024
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 126 (6) 686-693 25 March (2024)
Subject: Designing design of expert for the treatment of sulphur black dye in textile effluents using zinc-oxide nanobioadsorbents
Keywords: Biogenic adsorbent, response surface methodology, sulphur black dye, textile effluents, zinc-oxide nanomaterials
Abstract: The present study uses biogenic fabricated ZnO and
ZnO-ME nanomaterials to extract sulphur black (SB)
dye from textile effluents. In this study, response surface methodology-central composite design (RSM-CCD)
was used to optimize the batch adsorption experiments
instead of standard one-variable-at-a-time method.
The optimum parameters for removing textile dye with
desirability of 1 were 22 mg adsorbent dosage at room
temperature (30°C) and 137 min of contact time and
the colour adsorption efficiency was found to be 67%
and 76% of ZnO and ZnO-ME nanomaterials respectively. Validation of the model showed that the estimated
response was consistent with the experimental results.
The model demonstrated excellent fit for SB dye removal utilizing ZnO and ZnO-ME nanomaterials,
which had adjusted R2 values of 0.9991 and 0.9952 and
predicted R2 values of 0.9961 and 0.9972 respectively.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Chander, S., Yadav, S., Gupta, A. and Luhach, N., Sequestration of
Ni(II), Pb(II), and Zn(II) utilizing biogenic synthesized Fe3O4/
CLPC NCs and modified Fe3O4/CLPC@ CS NCs: process optimization, simulation modeling, and feasibility study. Environ. Sci.
Pollut. Res., 2023, 30, 114056–114077.
Kumar, S., Yadav, S., Kataria, N., Chauhan, A. K., Joshi, S., Gupta, R. and Show, P. L., Recent advancement in nanotechnology for
the treatment of pharmaceutical wastewater: sources, toxicity, and
remediation technology. Curr. Pollut. Rep., 2023, 10, 110–142.
Literature cited 2: Yadav, S., Punia, S., Sharma, H. R. and Gupta, A., Nano-remediation for the decolourisation of textile effluents: a review. Nanofabrication, 2022, 7, 217–243.
Boubaker, H., Arfi, R. B., Mougin, K., Vaulot, C., Hajjar, S., Kunneman, P. and Ghorbal, A., New optimization approach for successive cationic and anionic dyes uptake using reed-based beads. J.
Clean. Prod., 2021, 307, 127218.
ID: 65871
Title: Climate-smart land management methods for enhancing the adaptive capacity of food production systems in the tropical regions
Author: A. Velmurugan , T. P. Swarnam, D. Burman , S. Mandal and T. Subramani
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2024
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 126 (6) 676-685 25 March (2024)
Subject: Climate-smart land management methods for enhancing the adaptive capacity of food production systems in the tropical regions
Keywords: Adaptation, alternative land management, climate change, coastal regions and islands, waterlogging.
Abstract: The island ecosystem is influenced by the maritime
climate and endemic flora and fauna that predominate
the food production system. The observed variations
and projected changes in rainfall and temperature severely affect the small islands and island states (SIS)
more than large countries. In this study, we analyse the
long-term changes in total rainfall, its seasonal variations, the number of rainy days and extreme events
based on standardized global datasets and ground observations for SIS, including island regions of India, to
identify suitable adaptation options in order to ensure
sustainable food production. We link these climatic parameters with the observed waterlogging, moisture stress
and salinity, compounded by the sea-water intrusion,
which severely affects agricultural diversification and
food production. In these areas, climate-smart alternative
land management (ALM) methods, viz. raised beds,
paddy–fish, farm ponds with broader dykes, etc. have
been demonstrated and evaluated against these climate
change-linked challenges at smallholder farms in the
Andaman Islands and Sundarbans region of India. The
results showed that the ALM methods created favourable conditions for crop growth and agricultural diversification by excluding sea-water intrusion, harvesting
rainwater, reducing salinity and facilitating drainage
amidst extreme events experienced during the observation period (2010–2020). ALM enhanced on-farm food
production (2.7–34.6 tonne ha–1 rice equivalent yield),
sustainability (0.23–0.79, measured as sustainable yield
index) and net mitigation benefit (2.2–5.7 Mg CO2 eq.
year
–1
), providing greater scope for its upscaling in the
island and coastal regions as adaptation measures.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: FAO, Climate change adaptation and mitigation: challenges and
opportunities in the food sector, Food and Agriculture Organisation, Rome, Italy, 2012.
Porter, J. R., Food security and food production systems. In Climate
Change 2014: Impacts, Adaptation, and Vulnerability. Part A:
Global and Sectoral Aspects (ed. Field, C. B.), Cambridge University Press, NY, USA, 2014, pp. 485–533.
Literature cited 2: IPCC, Climate Change – 2007: Synthesis Report, Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.
Geneva, Switzerland, 2007, pp. 1–104.
Hess, A., Sustainable development and environmental management
of small islands – an overview. In Sustainable Development and
Environmental Management of Small Islands (eds Beller, W.,
D’ayala, P. and Hein, P.), UNESCO, Paris, France, 1990, pp. 3–14.
ID: 65870
Title: Metalized plastic: a material for a better world
Author: M. C. Rath
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2024
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 126 (6) 671-675 25 March (2024)
Subject: Metalized plastic: a material for a better world
Keywords: Carbon emission, global warming, metalized polyester, solar radiation, summer heat, winter cold.
Abstract: Global warming has been a matter of serious concern
in recent years, and therefore, there is a need for lower
carbon emissions in all human activities. In order to
achieve this goal, new technologies are being developed. However, at present, a good amount of energy is
being spent to get protection from the summer heat as
well as the winter cold using appliances across the globe.
Due to poor economic conditions, many people still
cannot afford such appliances to live comfortably in
these extreme climatic conditions. Additionally, those
working directly under the sun during summer may
even lose their lives due to sunstroke. Therefore, an
easier and cheaper alternative method is described in
this study for protection from the summer heat as well
as the winter cold.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Houghton, J., Global Warming, The Complete Briefing, Cambridge
University Press, Cambridge, UK, 2004.
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Solar_Spectrum.png (accessed on 22 D
Literature cited 2: Webber, M. J., Handbook of Optical Materials, CRC Press, Boca
Raton, 2003.
Clarke, F. W. and Washington, H. S., The composition of earth’s
crust. US Geol. Surv., Prof. Pap., 1924, pp. 1–122.
ID: 65869
Title: The evolution of diabetes treatments: from insulin therapy to synthetic biology
Author: Shubhangi Sharma and Jaspreet Kaur
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2024
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 126 (6) 662-670 25 March (2024)
Subject: The evolution of diabetes treatments: from insulin therapy to synthetic biology
Keywords: Blood glucose levels, diabetes, insulin analogs, traditional and new-age treatments, synthetic biology
Abstract: Diabetes mellitus is one of the most prevalent diseases
in the world and a leading cause of many cardiovascular
diseases. Today, there is a wide range of options available to treat diabetes. Over the last few decades, the
clinical field has gone through a major shift in the direction of genetic engineering and synthetic biology.
This has led to many new techniques and treatments
that can help manage diabetes. The purpose of this
study is to summarize the advancement of diabetic
treatments from old, conventional methods to new-age
treatments which hold the potential to cure diabetes.
While reviewing published research and review articles,
we found that over the last few decades, there has been a
surge in more handy devices to monitor and manage
blood glucose levels. With advancements in the field of
science, techniques such as genetic engineering, nanotechnology and synthetic biology are being used to design new devices or artificially engineer cells to relieve
the symptoms associated with the disease. While the old
conventional ways of taking medications or managing
glycaemic levels using insulin syringes are more common, new-age treatments like insulin patches, synthetic
cells, and synthetic receptors will likely gain popularity
in the coming years.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Sun, H. et al., IDF Diabetes Atlas: global, regional and countrylevel diabetes prevalence estimates for 2021 and projections for
2045. Diabetes Res. Clin. Pract., 2022, 183, 109119.
Whiting, D. R., Guariguata, L., Weil, C. and Shaw, J., IDF Diabetes Atlas: global estimates of the prevalence of diabetes for 2011
and 2030. Diabetes Res. Clin. Pract., 2011, 94, 311–321.
Literature cited 2: Kannan, R., India is home to 77 million diabetics, second highest in
the world. The Hindu, 14 November 2019.
Gromada, J., Chabosseau, P. and Rutter, G. A., The α-cell in diabetes
mellitus. Nature Rev. Endocrinol., 2018, 14, 694–704.
ID: 65868
Title: Cashless economy: the impact of digital innovation in India
Author: S. Sangeeta Kumari, K. M. Singh and Nasim Ahma
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2024
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 126 (6) 650-661 25 March (2024)
Subject: Cashless economy: the impact of digital innovation in India
Keywords: Cashless economy, digital innovation, economic growth, financial transactions, internet connectivity
Abstract: Digitalization has brought a revolutionary change in every walk of human life, giving the average
person many digital options for payment and settlement. Information communication technology enabled the transformation of our banking system from paper to virtual mode, facilitating speedy and
secure fund transfers. Post-demonetization (8 November 2016), the cashless economy got a boost,
and about 98% of transactions have become cashless. A cashless policy empowers industries, leading to
an increase in employment opportunities and reducing cash-oriented fraud. The Reserve Bank of IndiaDigital Payments Index was recorded at 349.30 as of March 2022 against 304.06 for September
2021, indicating significant growth, rapid adoption and deepening of digital payment across the nation.
During the financial year 2021–22, digital transactions surged to 7195 crores, with the value increasing to Rs 17.44 billion. There is a strong need to make policies for protection against cyberattacks, encourage digital literacy, and ensure adequate rural penetration of internet connectivity
and banking infrastructure, with awareness among rural masses to strengthen organized indigenous
markets. This article provides an insight into the cashless economy and the impact of digital innovation on India’s financial system.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Kaur, P., Cash to cashless economy: challenges and opportunities.
Int. J. 360 Manage. Rev., 2019, 7(1), 520–528.
Rupa, R., Demonetization: a way to cashless economy. Intercontinental. J. Finan. Res. Rev., 2016, 5(7), 81–88.
Literature cited 2: Badam, D. and Gochhait, S., Digitalization and its impact on Indian
economy. Eur. J. Mol. Clin. Med., 2020, 7(6), 2131–2140.
IBEF, Digital Payments and their impact on the Indian economy.
India Brand Equity Foundation, 2021; www.ibef.org
ID: 65867
Title: Laboratory science: representations of reproductive biology in Carl Djerassi’s An Immaculate Misconception: Sex in an Age of Mechanical Reproduction
Author: Ajay Kumar and Adrene Freeda Dcruz
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2024
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 126 (6) 646-649 25 March (2024)
Subject: Laboratory science: representations of reproductive biology in Carl Djerassi’s An Immaculate Misconception: Sex in an Age of Mechanical Reproduction
Keywords: Artificial reproduction, ethical implications, intracytoplasmic sperm injection, laboratory on stage, mutual incomprehension.
Abstract: Carl Djerassi’s ‘An Immaculate Misconception: Sex in an Age of Mechanical Reproduction’ belongs
to the science-in-theatre genre. The play revolves around the incidents in a reproductive biology
laboratory and investigates the ethical implications of intracytoplasmic sperm injection, a pathbreaking scientific innovation in the field of assisted reproductive technology. In selecting key scientific themes as the subject matter of his literary works, Djerassi attempts to disseminate scientific
ideas to a non-scientific audience. This is a significant step towards narrowing the gap of mutual incomprehension between scientists and non-scientists.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Snow, C. P., The two cultures. Leonardo, 1990, 23, 169–173.
Djerassi, C., Contemporary ‘science-in-theatre’: a rare genre. Interdiscip. Sci. Rev., 2002, 27, 193–20
Literature cited 2: Shepherd-Barr, K., Science on Stage: From Doctor Faustus to Copenhagen, Princeton University Press, Princeton, NJ, USA, 2012.
Djerassi, C., An Immaculate Misconception: Sex in an Age of Mechanical Repro