The budget has brought some cheer to India’s research community, particularly for those involved in astronomy and space research, as it has earmarked ₹13,416.20 crore for the Department of Space for 2026-27. A large chunk of the allocation has been set aside for deep-space exploration and astrophysics, including to build two advanced telescope facilities: the...
Tag: Science
Why does Thwaites glacier matter?
A: Thwaites glacier is a large glacier in West Antarctica, about the size of a large country. Scientists have often called it the “Doomsday Glacier” in the media. It is one of the most important places on the earth for those trying to understand how sea levels will rise in future. The glacier sits on...
CCMB scientists identify metabolism as new target for antifungal therapies
Fungal infections are among the most underestimated health threats worldwide, contributing to rising hospitalizations and deaths. Beyond human health, fungi also devastate crops, reduce yields, and worsen food insecurity — creating a dual crisis for both public health and agriculture. Now, researchers at the CSIR–Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) in Hyderabad have uncovered...
Rethinking battery strategy in India: the case for sodium-ion technology
Batteries have become deeply embedded in modern life. From laptops, mobile phones, wearable devices such as smartwatches and wireless earphones, to power tools, electric vehicles (EVs), and large-scale battery energy storage systems, batteries now underpin both personal convenience and critical infrastructure. A newer trend is also emerging, with batteries being integrated directly into household appliances,...
Rediscovering the virtues of bamboo, an ancient plant
Bamboo (called ‘baans’ in Hindi, and ‘moongil’ in Tamil) is an ancient plant that grows fast in wet soil in broad sunlight. It is well known to people in Asia and Latin America, where communities use bamboo plants for a variety of purposes. The food scientist and historian K.T. Achaya, in his book A Historical...
Why is earth’s atmosphere not blown away into space?
— GayatriChandrashekar The primary reason is gravity, which acts like an invisible tether. Every molecule of gas in our atmosphere, nitrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide, etc., has mass. Earth’s core exerts a gravitational pull that attracts these molecules towards the center of the planet. Even though earth travels at 1,07,000 kmph around the sun, the atmosphere...
How will budget boosts, EU access remake AYUSH beyond India? | Explained
The story so far: On February 1, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman proposed a slew of resources for AYUSH in the 2026-27 Union Budget. A week earlier, India’s new free trade agreement (FTA) with the European Union opened the door for Indian doctors and products to enter the European market more easily. What has AYUSH received...
Loud music may damage your hearing before you realise it
The thrill of live performances and the euphoric atmosphere of large music events may leave behind more than just memories. New research published in Scientific Reports suggests that prolonged exposure to loud music can cause long-lasting hearing damage. The study conducted by Nele De Poortere, a postdoctoral researcher, and her colleagues at Ghent University in...
Japan retrieves rare earth mud from deep seabed in test mission
Japan’s government said on Monday (February 2, 2026) that it has successfully retrieved rare-earth-rich seabed mud for the first time from depths of around 6 km (4 miles) during a test mission. A Japanese scientific drill ship departed on January 12 for the remote Minamitori Island to explore rare-earth-rich mud deposits, part of Tokyo’s effort...
Singapore to launch space agency in response to global investment surge
Singapore will launch its own space agency on April 1 as it bids to “fully harness the value and opportunities of the growing global space economy”, the Trade Ministry announced on Monday (February 2, 2026). “Singapore’s strengths in advanced manufacturing, aerospace, micro-electronics, precision engineering and artificial intelligence position us well to capture new opportunities in...
