With 1 in 10 adults in India living with diabetes, and 62% of all deaths in the country due to cardiovascular disease, research has now begun to focus on tracing the genetic mechanisms that predispose Indians to type 2 diabetes (T2D) and cardiovascular disease. A new paper on this subject from the U.S., by Dharambir...
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April 21, 2026April 21, 2026Health, Science & Tech
UTIs, tooth decay: how common infections may be fast-tracking dementia
For decades, medical science has viewed dementia as a slow-burning fire fuelled by genetics and lifestyle. However, a recent, compelling study published in PLOS Medicine suggests that more sudden events occurring externally may shape the timeline of cognitive decline. Specifically, cases of severe cystitis (bladder infections) and even tooth decay have been identified as accelerants...
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April 21, 2026April 21, 2026Science & Tech
Hahnöfersand bone: of contention
Researchers recently reevaluated a famous fossil known as the Hahnöfersand frontal bone. It was first found in Germany in 1973, with scientists dating the bone to 36,000 years ago. Scientists’ early descriptions of the bone suggested that, going by its robust appearance, the individual who had it was a hybrid between a Neanderthal and a...
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April 21, 2026April 21, 2026Science & Tech
Peripheral neuropathy: why only some mutations cause disease
Inherited peripheral neuropathies (IPN) are cruel genetic diseases that affect around 1 in 2,500 individuals. A person affected by IPN develops high foot arches, curled toes, thin calves, and walks awkwardly or trips. Their fingers may become clawed and, because they lose sensation, they may not notice minor injuries. In some cases, the weakness of...
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April 20, 2026April 20, 2026Science & Tech
In Focus podcast | Can a cancer therapy help treat autoimmune diseases?
CAR-T cell therapy, a breakthrough treatment that has transformed certain cancer outcomes, is now showing early promise in tackling autoimmune diseases. In a recent case in Germany, a patient with multiple severe autoimmune conditions entered treatment-free remission after receiving the therapy, raising fresh questions about its potential beyond cancer. In this episode, we break down...
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April 20, 2026April 20, 2026Science & Tech
From light waves to quantum physics: the science behind smart washbasins
Even though phones now provide an inexhaustible source of entertainment, going to a nearby movie theatre to watch a film still has its own charm. The shared loud laughter, the annoying phone calls of neighbours, and even the endless paan-masala ads featuring fitness-enthusiastic Bollywood actors remind us of simpler times when only humans were sometimes...
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April 20, 2026April 20, 2026Health, Science & Tech
Where India is going wrong in its goal to find new drugs
Fundamental research is the ‘silent engine’ of modern medicine. Before a scientist can design a pill or a new therapeutic technology, they must first understand the biology of the disease, including what is defective in the diseased state. This is particularly true for rare genetic disorders, where the roadmap to a cure is often missing....
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April 20, 2026April 20, 2026Science & Tech
Cherry blossoms fade in Japan with climate change
Every spring, Japan is bathed in the pastel pink of cherry blossoms, attracting tourists and local people who celebrate the bloom and gather to take selfies under the trees. But now the spectacular flowers are fading, with climate change. A new study published in in the International Journal of Biometeorology said that cherry trees, which are...
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April 20, 2026April 20, 2026Science & Tech
Breakthrough Prizes award $18.75 million to 2026 research leaders
The Breakthrough Prize Foundation announced its 2026 laureates on April 18, awarding six prizes of $3 million each across life sciences, fundamental physics and mathematics. The size of the total purse this year is $18.75 million. Stuart Orkin and Swee Lay Thein shared one of the three life sciences prizes for their contributions to development...
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April 20, 2026April 20, 2026Science & Tech
What environmental conditions caused kangaroos to evolve hopping?
— Gayatri Chandrashekar, Bengaluru A: Even if an animal is less intelligent than humans at particular tasks, it can still make complex decisions. An interesting one concerns how it searches for food.
