Down To Earth
Power of pine
Women in Solan, Himachal Pradesh use abundantly available pine needles to weave items of everyday use and decor, earning a handsome monthly income
2 min |
May 01, 2023
Down To Earth
RISE OF THE FUNGUS
Fungal infections often go undiagnosed. Even when identified, they are among the most difficult diseases to manage. They are now quietly spreading across the globe, preying on people's weakened immune system and taking advantage of the high diabetes burden. Some are even showing resistance to the existing arsenal of drugs and are becoming virulent in a warming world.
10+ min |
May 01, 2023
Down To Earth
'ALL HAVE A RIGHT TO MARRIAGE'
Nearly five years after scrapping Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code that criminalised homosexuality, the Supreme Court in April 2023 began hearing petitions seeking legalisation of same-sex marriage, which would not just recognise unions within India's LGBTQ+ (lesbian, gay, transgender, queer-identifying and others) community, but also allow partners to open joint bank accounts, make medical decisions and be eligible for inheritance. As a five-judge bench of the Apex Court headed by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud heard arguments both for and against the petitions, debates arose on the institution of marriage, on whether marriage equality was an \"elitist concept\", and even on the biological definitions of a man and a woman. DOWN TO EARTH spoke to two experts on the fate of marriage equality in India.
3 min |
May 01, 2023
Down To Earth
When generics turn into Big Pharma
Top generics firms, some from India, are charged with price-fixing and sleazy deals; Sun Pharma has paid up to settle claims
4 min |
May 01, 2023
Down To Earth
Every count matters
India’s first census of waterbodies is a much awaited one but experts question the methodology
4 min |
May 01, 2023
Down To Earth
POTENT EMITTER
Termites are a major source of methane, but determining the risk they pose to global warming is fraught with uncertainty
5 min |
May 01, 2023
Down To Earth
GREEN FLIGHT
From sustainable fuel to hydrogen-propelled engines, the aviation sector is experimenting with various technologies for a clean future
4 min |
May 01, 2023
Scientific India
Plants Emit Sounds Under Stress
The sounds emitted by plants are ultrasonic, beyond the hearing range of the human ear.
3 min |
March-April 2023
Scientific India
Atoms in preserving the past
Italian polymath Leonardo da Vinci needs no introduction. He was a man apart.
5 min |
March-April 2023
Scientific India
Scientists identify compounds that reduce the harmful side effects of antibiotics on gut bacteria
Antibiotics help to fight bacterial infections, but they can also harm the helpful microbes living in the gut, which can have long-lasting health consequences.
1 min |
March-April 2023
Scientific India
Emerging zoonotic viral disease caused by Nipah virus; a spill over from fruit bats to human
Nipah virus (NiV), an emerging zoonotic virus, Nbelongs to the family Paramyxoviridae subfamily Paramyxovirinae and genus Henipavirus.
8 min |
March-April 2023
Scientific India
Life-Building Organic Molecules Found in Samples from Asteroid Ryuga
The asteroid Ryugu is rich in organic molecules that could serve as the building blocks of life.
1 min |
March-April 2023
Scientific India
Iniant formulas promise too much
Many infant formulas promise a lot. Several products claim that they help develop the brain, increase immunity and promote children's growth and development, among other things.
5 min |
March-April 2023
Scientific India
Impact of oil spills on marine life
Oil spills contamination has spread throughout the marine ecosystem as a result of human activity.
3 min |
March-April 2023
Scientific India
Drugs against drought
Abscisic acid (ABA) is a plant hormone with essential functions in plant physiology.
2 min |
March-April 2023
Scientific India
Birds with neurotoxim-laden feathers
An expedition into the jungle of New Guinea has resulted in the of two new species of poisonous birds by researchers from the University of Copenhagen.
3 min |
March-April 2023
Scientific India
Discovery of Lithium in Jammu and Kashmir: an immense potential
Lithium is the third element in the periodic table after hydrogen and helium.
4 min |
March-April 2023
Scientific India
Extracting water from air
For human beings, nothing can replace water and drinking water has always been in demand with the increasing population.
5 min |
March-April 2023
Down To Earth
Mined To Destruction
Sand is the second most exploited resource after water and the most mined material globally, as per the UN Environment Programme. Its extraction from riverbeds is often done without regard to the adverse impact on natural river ecology. In India, sand mining grew as a large and, in many cases, illegal industry after the rapid urbanisation brought on by the economic liberalisation in the 1990s
3 min |
April 16, 2023
Down To Earth
Displaced by settlers
Tribal communities in Kerala's Attappady block are being alienated from their land despite laws in place to protect their rights
6 min |
April 16, 2023
Down To Earth
Bedaquiline patent win is a half victory
India's ability to eliminate its huge TB burden by 2025 will be a test of both its patent laws and healthcare policy
4 min |
April 16, 2023
Down To Earth
HEAVY SWAY
India developed the concept of farmer producer company (FPC) two decades ago to help small farmers own and run businesses and gain standing in the market by negotiating collectively. In 2019, the government set a target of creating 10,000 FPCs by 2024. It also introduced the concept of cluster-based business organisation (CBBO) to provide hand-holding support to farmers in forming FPCs. The move, however, has led to creation of FPCs that are controlled by the bigger companies that operate as CBBOs
10+ min |
April 16, 2023
Down To Earth
A brave, flimsy take
BHEED IS A LOUD SOCIAL COMMENTARY THAT FALLS FLAT DUE TO THE WEIGHT OF TOO MANY HALF-COOKED STORIES AND CHARACTERS SEQUENCED INTO A LINEAR PLOT
4 min |
April 16, 2023
Down To Earth
Fatal coincidence
Forest fire season in Uttarakhand coincides with flowering and breeding months of several vulnerable species, many of them native to Himalayas
4 min |
April 16, 2023
Down To Earth
Familiar discourse
The world met to discuss the burgeoning water crisis after nearly half a century; but commitments on action were largely a reiteration of ongoing work
7 min |
April 16, 2023
Down To Earth
Fake determinants
A series of research papers and an open letter by 200 global figures hold industries accountable for the growing publichealth problems, call for urgent actions
6 min |
April 16, 2023
Down To Earth
PERENNIAL GUAVA
Used in street food, chutneys and perfumes, the climate-resistant fruit is a clear option for farmers
3 min |
April 16, 2023
Down To Earth
Revival of a tradition
Rajasthan communities restore pastureland to ease impacts of fodder crisis in livestock farming
4 min |
April 16, 2023
Down To Earth
AGRARIAN REVOLUTIONARY
A tireless advocate for empowerment of rural communities, PV Satheesh will remain an inspiration
2 min |
April 01, 2023
Down To Earth
Sewage overload
Ganga remains polluted despite cleanliness drives
4 min |