International Academic Excellence Awards

       The brain needs a lot of energy — far more than any other organ in the body — to work properly. And aging and Alzheimer’s disease both seem to leave the brain underpowered. But an experimental cancer drug appeared to re-energize the brains of mice that had a form of Alzheimer’s — and even restore their ability to learn and remember. The finding, published in the journal Science, suggests that it may eventually be possible to reverse some symptoms of Alzheimer’s in people, using drugs that boost brain metabolism.    The results also offer an approach to treatment that’s unlike anything on the market today. Current drugs for treating Alzheimer’s, such as lecanemab and do nanemab, target the sticky amyloid plaques that build up in a patient’s brain. These drugs can remove plaques and slow the disease process, but do not improve memory or thinking. The result should help “change how we think about targeting this disease,” says Shannon Macauley, an associate professor at the Universi

  Scientists utilizing the James Webb Space Telescope have made a groundbreaking discovery on Charon, Pluto's largest moon. For the first time, researchers have detected carbon dioxide on Charon's frozen surface, according to a study published in Nature Communications. Led by the Southwest Research Institute, the team found traces of carbon dioxide and hydrogen peroxide on the moon, which is roughly half the size of Pluto. This breakthrough discovery builds upon previous findings of ice, ammonia, and organic compounds on Charon. The study explains that hydrogen peroxide forms when ice is broken down by charged particles, releasing hydrogen and oxygen atoms that combine. This highly reactive compound is commonly used in bleaches and disinfectants. The presence of the chemical suggests Charon's icy surface is altered by ultra-violet light and solar wind from the distant Sun, according to the study. The discovery sheds new light on Charon's composition and chemical process

Chemical packages of 500 gm or 500 ml will be catagorised as laboratory chemicals and attract an import duty at 10 per cent, according to CBIC, while packages with larger quantity will attract a differential or higher duty.The new quantity norm has been made effective from September 19. This issue became contentious after the Union Budget when the duty on chemical laboratories was raised to 150 per cent. Later, after a lot of criticism, it was lowered.According to a CBIC circular, “laboratory chemicals” means all chemicals, organic or inorganic, whether or not chemically defined, imported and intended only for own use (i.e. other than purposes like trading, further sale etc.) in packings not exceeding 500 grams or 500 millilitres and which can be identified with reference to the purity, markings or other features to show them to be meant for use solely as laboratory chemicals. Earlier, with effect from August 1, the Finance Ministry offered relief for researchers and academicians by ca