IISc researchers found that certain regions of the genome rich in four-stranded DNA — G-quadruplexes (G4-DNA) — are more resistant to radiation damage. As a result, there are fewer DNA breaks seen in G-quadruplexes when exposed to radiation. It is well known that ionizing radiation can break the double-stranded DNA in one or both the strands. … Continue reading IISc: Natural shield protects certain DNA regions from radiation damage
Radiation
NPL synthesises novel security ink
NPL researchers have synthesised a security ink that emits intense red colour due to fluorescence when exposed to 254 nm wavelength UV and emits green colour due to phosphorescence soon after the UV source is turned off. A novel security ink that emits intense red colour when exposed to 254 nm wavelength UV and emits … Continue reading NPL synthesises novel security ink
Social factors too determine skin colour of Indians
Researchers from CCMB and other international institutions have found that socio-cultural factors had a bigger influence on skin colour variation in Indians than genetics (6.4%) and environmental factors (16%). While the SLC24A5 gene variant rs1426654-A is usually associated with lighter skin colour in most Indian populations, an intriguing pattern was seen in two specific populations studied. … Continue reading Social factors too determine skin colour of Indians
Tamil Nadu networks all CT, MRI machines in public hospitals for better healthcare delivery
Tamil Nadu will become the first State in the country to virtually connect all 58 CT and 18 MRI machines located in different government hospitals in the State. The fully networked teleradiology system will be officially launched in a few weeks. Connecting all CT and MRI machines to a central server will address shortage or absence … Continue reading Tamil Nadu networks all CT, MRI machines in public hospitals for better healthcare delivery
IIT Gandhinagar team takes initial step to treat breast, prostate cancer
IIT Gandhinagar researchers have successfully produced large quantity of a biologically active protein involved in DNA damage response pathway in breast and prostate cancer cells. A handful of small molecules synthesised by them was able to achieve up to 75% inhibition of the protein thus preventing it from repairing DNA damage in cancer cells caused by radiation or … Continue reading IIT Gandhinagar team takes initial step to treat breast, prostate cancer
NIIST researchers fabricate a wearable WiMAX antenna
The wearable WiMAX antenna is flexible, light weight and operates at around 3.37 GHertz. Since copper ink used for screen printing can get oxidised, the researchers used silver ink for printing the bottom electrode on the polyester fabric as well as the E-shaped patch antenna. Wearable antenna embedded in a multilayered polyester fabric suitable for WiMAX … Continue reading NIIST researchers fabricate a wearable WiMAX antenna
Weighing the risks and benefits of CT scans in childhood
John Mathews, University of Melbourne As a parent, should you be worried if your child needs to have a CT scan? CT (computed tomography) scans are special medical X-rays that make three-dimensional pictures. These are very useful in the diagnosis and management of health conditions and injuries. Their potential downside is, the kind of radiation … Continue reading Weighing the risks and benefits of CT scans in childhood
The yawning gap in tuberculosis care in India
The dismal state of tuberculosis (TB) care in the private sector in India has been exposed by a November 2015 study (The Lancet) that employed a novel strategy of using standardised TB patients — healthy individuals trained to pose as TB patients and interact with health-care providers. Standardised patient method has been widely used in India … Continue reading The yawning gap in tuberculosis care in India
Trials with antibiotics lead to TB diagnosis delay
Tuberculosis patients in India who seek care in the private sector face a delay of as long as two months before they are diagnosed correctly — if at all — according to systematic reviews of Indian studies. This becomes alarming as private sector accounts for almost half of the TB care delivered in India. A … Continue reading Trials with antibiotics lead to TB diagnosis delay
Editorial: Transparency by AERB at any cost
The shutdown of the 220 MW Unit-1 of the Kakrapar Atomic Power Station located in Gujarat’s Surat district following leakage of heavy water used to cool the nuclear reactor, on March 11, the fifth anniversary of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant disaster in Japan, is at once a reminder of the inherent risks associated with … Continue reading Editorial: Transparency by AERB at any cost
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