Scientists at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) have discovered a new molecule that, they say, could potentially lead to an anti-cancer drug, which may help reduce the dosage of current treatment methods like chemotherapy or radiotherapy. The molecule, aimed at killing cancer cells by blocking their DNA repair mechanism, was successful in removing tumours in mice during laboratory experiments, say the researchers.

The team is now evaluating offers to collaborate, including one from a US-based pharma company, for further research and clinical trials. Typically, the road to market for a new molecule can take at least a decade.

Sulphur dioxide, pretty notorious as a gaseous pollutant, may potentially have a role to play in tackling tuberculosis (TB), according to a recent paper by researchers at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Pune. Their findings, potentially, open the door to the development of various sources of sulphur dioxide in the treatment of the infectious disease that affects millions globally every year.

Research into novel approaches to treat TB is driven by the need to tackle multi-drug-resistant strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), the pathogenic bacterial species that causes the disease

Bangalore As revised estimates point to a two-fold increase in India's potential for wind energy generation with the use of taller towers for wind turbines, the Centre for Wind Energy Technology (C-WET) is setting up 75 monitoring stations across the country to validate the prediction and also assess the land availability.

The initiative, which would involve measuring wind speed from towers as tall as 100 metre, comes more than a decade after the centre embarked on a similar exercise to validate the potential at 50-metre hub heights. Wind speeds are greater at higher tower heights, though the density is lower.

Bangalore A low-cost, battery-operated electrocardiogram has pretty much been the mascot for General Electric's frugal engineering in India, finding a lucrative market in advanced countries.

Now, its wind turbine, optimised for India's low wind conditions, is also on its way to playing a role in the reverse innovation game. The electrocardiogram, introduced in India four years ago, now sells in about 70 countries, along with other locally designed products, such as an incubator and phototherapy systems.

With the clean technology space in India attracting major funding in 2010, more start-ups are looking at energy efficiency applications and waste management as a business model to woo investors into this space.