AT ANY time, maize plants are in danger of being dismembered by the vicious western corn rootworm larvae. When under attack, the plants call the emergency service for help. This service is provided by beneficial nematode worms that are specialized in killing the enemy. The plant secretes a volatile compound to call for their help. The larvae of the western corn rootworm (Diabrotica
OUR nomadic ancestors had to quickly cover long distances while hunting. A prey that ran faster had to be outrun. While running after the animal they constantly moved their arms; it reduced the effort and counterbalanced the body weight. People now run after buses, sprinters run to win a medal. But the dynamics of running have not changed. What a team was interested in knowing was why
THE outbreak of disease in a population can cause a large number of deaths, if unchecked. This decreases the genetic diversity of the species as a whole. The species lacking diversity is unable to adapt to the ever-changing climate and environmental conditions. This opens the door for further disease outbreaks. Gradually the species becomes extinct. Frog populations are
CHANDAN CHAKRABORTY is an oncologist with a practice in Kolkata. He specializes in cancers of the colon and rectum. During a conversation about his daily endeavours, he mentioned an occupational hazard:
ILLEGAL QUARRYING STOPPED: The Bombay High Court has asked the state government to halt illegal quarrying in Thane and Navi Mumbai. A public interest petition moved in the court claimed unrestricted quarrying at nine locations is causing irreversible environmental damage to the scenic hills of Thane and Navi Mumbai. It also stated that according the Thane collectorate no quarrying
On your inspiration I studied engineering, but was convinced I was not meant for it. During my stint with Ford Foundation, I worked with a doctor couple from Johns Hopkins University, USA. They were training rural women in Maharashtra as community health workers. I realized that is exactly what I wanted to do. On PRADAN I conceived of the organization, but Vijay Mahajan, the
