Nature has, in an editorial, denounced the violent attack on students inside university campuses. The “government and state authorities must step in and stop violent attacks on academic campuses” it says. In an editorial published on January 14, 2020, Nature, one of the most respected and reputed journals in the world, has said that the … Continue reading Nature denounces violence inside India’s university campuses
Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU)
IMA condemns attack on doctors, nurses during JNU violence
In a strongly-worded statement, the Indian Medical Association has condemned attack on doctors and nurses when they tried providing medical aid to people injured in violence at JNU. If doctors and nurses are not safe in the capital of the country, it speaks volumes about the governance and lack of it, IMA says. After doctors … Continue reading IMA condemns attack on doctors, nurses during JNU violence
Novel way found to kill dormant TB bacteria in stem cells
Delhi-based researchers have found that TB bacteria promote rapid synthesis of lipids inside mesenchymal stem cells and hide within the lipid droplets so created. They found that TB bacteria hijack the cellular mechanism to stop the stem cells from replicating and turn themselves dormant. They found a way to rid the stem cells of bacteria and … Continue reading Novel way found to kill dormant TB bacteria in stem cells
Nanocurcumin enhances BCG vaccine efficacy
Curcumin was found to enhance the efficacy of the BCG vaccine by increasing the number of central memory cells. Curcumin also helps in the activation of innate immune cells known as macrophages and dendritic cells. Mice treated with curcumin nanoparticles had ten times less bacterial load than controls. A study carried out on mice models … Continue reading Nanocurcumin enhances BCG vaccine efficacy
A large study measures blood biochemical parameters of Indian adolescents
The blood biochemical parameters — lipid profile (total cholesterol, LDL, HDL and triglycerides), plasma glucose, insulin, HbA1c, urea, and creatinine — of Indian adolescents were measured in a large study involving over 7,600 subjects. This can now be used as reference for Indian adolescents. Till now, since biochemical parameters for Indian adolescents were not available, … Continue reading A large study measures blood biochemical parameters of Indian adolescents
Delhi researchers’ novel molecule prevents malaria disease
A team led by researchers from JNU and ICGEB, New Delhi has identified a molecule that prevents malaria parasites from invading red blood cells (RBCs) and causing the disease. It prevents the interaction between parasites and receptors found on RBCs thereby preventing the parasites from invading the RBCs. Since the molecule targets the receptors found on RBCs, it … Continue reading Delhi researchers’ novel molecule prevents malaria disease
JNU researchers reduce TB treatment time using curcumin
Curcumin, the basic ingredient of turmeric, when administered in a nanoparticle formulation has several favourable properties in the treatment of tuberculosis in mice, researchers have found. Prof. Gobardhan Das from the Special Centre for Molecular Medicine, Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) Delhi and his team found nanoparticle curcumin to be five times more bioavailable in mice, … Continue reading JNU researchers reduce TB treatment time using curcumin
Indian researchers use a novel approach to kill TB bacteria
A team of Indian researchers has been able to achieve 100-fold reduction in TB bacterial load in lungs of mice after 60 days of treatment using bergenin — a phytochemical isolated from tender leaves of sakhua or shala tree (Shorea robusta). Unlike the regularly used antibiotic drugs that target the TB bacteria, the bergenin compound … Continue reading Indian researchers use a novel approach to kill TB bacteria
JNU researchers show highly pungent capsicum varieties have higher antioxidant property
A team of Indian researchers from the School of Life Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University and other institutions has successfully decoded the molecular basis of extreme fiery hot (pungency) property of Bhut jolokia (Capsicum chinense) which is native of northeast India; Bhut jolokia has the highest pungency level in the world. In the study, many varieties belonging … Continue reading JNU researchers show highly pungent capsicum varieties have higher antioxidant property
Indian researchers enhance BCG vaccine efficacy using anti-leprosy drug
Indian researchers have been able to bring about more than 50-fold improvement in the efficacy of the commonly used TB vaccine — Bacillu Calmette Guerin (BCG) — by giving mice anti-leprosy drug (clofazimine) for a month along with a single dose of the vaccine. The duration of protection lasted till the end of the trial protocol … Continue reading Indian researchers enhance BCG vaccine efficacy using anti-leprosy drug
Science Chronicle 