The Lancet Global Health retracts a letter about the plight of nurses treating COVID-19 patients in Wuhan published on February 26. Can editors of peer-reviewed journals take a moral high-ground and make disparaging comments about preprints? On February 26, The Lancet Global Health retracted a letter by two nurses from Guangzhou province just two days … Continue reading Lancet retracts letter on plight of nurses treating COVID-19 patients
Research
In a boost to vaccine development, structure of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein mapped
U.S. researchers have 3D mapped the spike protein of the novel coronavirus. Unlike SARS, the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 shows 10- to 20-fold higher affinity to bind to the human receptor ACE2. The higher binding affinity could be the reason for greater human spread. Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin and the National … Continue reading In a boost to vaccine development, structure of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein mapped
IIT Bombay team removes heavy metals from water with greater efficiency
IIT Bombay researchers have fabricated a carbon-based nanostructure that is capable of simultaneously adsorbing with very high efficiency four heavy metals — arsenic, chromium, cadmium and mercury — from wastewater. The nanostructure can be recycled and reused multiple times. Simultaneously removing heavy metals such as arsenic, chromium, cadmium and mercury from waste water with very … Continue reading IIT Bombay team removes heavy metals from water with greater efficiency
Nature denounces violence inside India’s university campuses
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
IIT Madras designs room temperature sodium sulphur battery
IIT Madras researchers have fabricated a new sodium sulphur battery that can be operated at room temperature and not at 300 degree C as is the case now. They achieved higher charge storage capacity and 83% retention of capacity even at the end of 500 cycles. While conventionally sodium sulphur batteries require very high temperature … Continue reading IIT Madras designs room temperature sodium sulphur battery
Investigation into papers with problematic images complete, report submitted: CSIR director-general
An independent committee formed by CSIR in early June 2019 to investigate into image duplication and/or manipulation in published papers has submitted its report to CSIR Director-General Dr. Shekhar Mande. The report will be sent to the directors of four-five CSIR labs, which were investigated, for necessary action. An independent committee that was formed in … Continue reading Investigation into papers with problematic images complete, report submitted: CSIR director-general
Earth-sized exoplanet in the habitable zone discovered
Using NASA’s Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS), researchers have discovered an Earth-sized planet that lies in its star’s habitable zone. The planet (TOI 700 d) is about 1.2 times the size of Earth and receives from its star 86% of the energy that the Sun provides to Earth and so considered to be in the … Continue reading Earth-sized exoplanet in the habitable zone discovered
UGC’s half-hearted attempt to teach research ethics
Finally, UGC is set to introduce a course for PhD students on research and publication ethics. Ironically, the course will not be teaching even the basics of preparing images for publication. India has the highest probability of containing problematic images in published papers. After years of ignoring the elephant in the room, the University Grants … Continue reading UGC’s half-hearted attempt to teach research ethics
‘Serum’s pneumococcal vaccine will be available by June 2020’
Serum Institute is optimistic that its pneumococcal vaccine will be available in India by June 2020. The vaccine is yet to be approved by the DCGI. But phase-3 trial data from Gambia has already been submitted to DCGI and the agency has looked into the data. The Indian phase-3 trial data has now been submitted. … Continue reading ‘Serum’s pneumococcal vaccine will be available by June 2020’
WHO prequalifies Serum’s low-cost pneumococcal vaccine
WHO has prequalified Pune-based Serum Institute’s pneumococcal conjugate vaccine made of 10 serotypes that are widely prevalent and cause pneumonia in Latin America, Africa and Asia. The vaccine will cost only $2 per dose, which is 30% cheaper than the Gavi price. The phase-3 trial data has been submitted to DCGI for licensing. Pneumococcal vaccine … Continue reading WHO prequalifies Serum’s low-cost pneumococcal vaccine
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