Stem Cell Therapy for Parkinson’s Disease: Researchers at Kyoto University conducted a Phase I/II clinical trial to assess the safety and side effects of stem cell therapy using dopaminergic progenitors derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). Parkinson’s disease is a neurodegenerative disorder that causes the progressive loss of dopamine-producing neurons in the brain. […]
Month: April 2025
Enzymes and Coenzymes
Enzymes and Coenzymes: The recent issue of Nature highlighted biofortified rice varieties, a major breakthrough from CAS, Beijing, under the title ‘Gene-edited plants make the jump from farm to factory’. Enzymes are proteins that catalyze biochemical reactions, enhancing the efficiency of cellular metabolism. Many enzymes require helper molecules for proper function. These are called cofactors, […]
Lower Subansiri Hydroelectric Project
Lower Subansiri Hydroelectric Project: The NHPC’s plan to start generating electricity from the 2000 megawatt Lower Subansiri Hydroelectric Project (LSHP) has triggered downstream impact worries in Assam. It is a 2000 MW run-of-the-river hydro project being constructed on the Subansiri River, a tributary of the Brahmaputra. It is located on the borders of Arunachal Pradesh […]
Davis Strait Proto-Microcontinent
Davis Strait Proto-Microcontinent: A hidden landmass called the Davis Strait proto-microcontinent has been found beneath the icy waters of the Davis Strait, the body of water that separates Canada’s Baffin Island from Greenland. Davis Strait Proto-Microcontinent is a newly discovered submerged microcontinent located around the Davis Strait, a large stretch of water located between Canada’s […]
Pope Francis Passes Away
Pope Francis Passes Away: Pope Francis (Jorge Mario Bergoglio), spiritual leader of the Roman Catholic Church, has passed away. The Pope is the Bishop of Rome and the visible head of the Catholic Church, which regards Jesus Christ as its invisible head. He is also known as the supreme pontiff, and his office is called […]
17th National Civil Services Day
17th National Civil Services Day: The Prime Minister addressed civil servants on the occasion of the 17th National Civil Services Day (21st April 2025) and honored the Prime Minister’s Awards for Excellence in Public Administration (PMAEPA). On National Civil Services Day, the historic representation of women in civil services was highlighted, with 74 women officers […]
Heatwaves in India
Heatwaves in India: India witnessed severe heatwaves in March 2025 — 20 days earlier than in 2024 — highlighting the urgent need for short-term and long-term strategies to tackle heat stress and its cascading impacts.In India, a heatwave is declared when maximum temperature exceeds 40°C in plains and 30°C in hilly areas. It is intensified […]
Angstrom-scale Chip
Angstrom-scale Chip: A team from IISc has submitted a proposal to the government to develop angstrom-scale semiconductor chips using 2D materials, aiming to position India as a leader in next-generation chip technologies.Angstrom-scale chips refer to semiconductor devices built at the atomic scale, where one angstrom equals 1 nanometres. Proposed and developed by scientists at the […]
Bhutan Green Cryptocurrency
Bhutan Green Cryptocurrency: Bhutan is exploring the mining of green cryptocurrency using hydropower to boost its economy, aiming to reduce youth brain drain and promote sustainable development.Green cryptocurrencies are digital currencies mined using renewable energy sources like hydro, wind, or solar instead of fossil fuels.
Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR)
Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR): The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) clarified that no decision has been made to implement GNSS-based tolling from May 1, 2025. Instead, an Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR)-FASTag-based barrier-less toll system will be introduced at selected plazas.ANPR uses high-performance cameras to capture and read vehicle number plates, enabling […]
