International Academic Excellence Awards

  Efforts to combat climate change are hindered by the spread of misinformation. A recent report from the International Panel on the Information Environment reveals alarming trends. It marks how misleading narratives about climate science and solutions are obstructing global initiatives. The report synthesises research from the last decade. It identifies key players and suggests strategies to improve information integrity. About Information Integrity Information integrity is defined as the accuracy and completeness of information. This concept is critical in the context of climate science. The International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) 27000 standard outlines its importance. Inaccurate information can lead to misguided public perceptions and policy decisions. The report analyses 300 studies from 2015 to 2025 to understand the landscape of climate-related information. Sources of Misinformation The report identifies fossil fuel companies as major contributors to misinforma...

  More than a decade after a woman from Guadeloupe underwent routine blood tests before surgery, scientists in France have identified an entirely new blood group in her — the 48th ever discovered globally. The French Blood Establishment (EFS), the country’s national blood transfusion agency, made the announcement on LinkedIn, calling it a “world first.” The new group, officially recognised this month by the International Society of Blood Transfusion, has been named “Gwada Negative” in reference to the woman’s Caribbean heritage. EFS medical biologist Thierry Peyrard told AFP that a rare antibody had been detected in the patient’s blood as far back as 2011, but limited resources at the time delayed further analysis. It wasn’t until 2019 that researchers, using high-throughput DNA sequencing, identified the rare genetic mutation behind it. The woman is currently believed to be the only person in the world with this blood type, meaning she can only receive blood from herself. Scienti...

  Recent studies have brought into light the potential of Favipiravir as a treatment for the Chandipura virus (CHPV). Conducted by the National Institute of Virology in Pune, these preclinical trials indicate that Favipiravir can reduce viral load and improve survival rates in infected animals. The Chandipura virus is endemic to central India and primarily affects children, leading to severe symptoms such as high fever and seizures. About the Chandipura Virus The Chandipura virus belongs to the Rhabdoviridae family and is transmitted by sandflies. It was first identified in 1965 in Nagpur, Maharashtra. The virus causes encephalitis, leading to inflammation of the brain. Symptoms include fever, vomiting, altered consciousness, and convulsions. Transmission and Vector CHPV is primarily transmitted by female Phlebotomine sandflies, which are most active during the early monsoon season. Studies have indicated that certain mosquito species, particularly Aedes aegypti, could also transm...

  A team of researchers at Rice University has found a surprisingly simple way to greatly improve the stability of electrochemical devices that convert carbon dioxide into useful fuels and chemicals: passing the CO2 through an acid bubbler. Their study, published in Science, tackles a major challenge in CO2 reduction systems—salt buildup in gas flow channels. This buildup reduces efficiency and causes the systems to fail early. By using a method they call acid-humidified CO2 the researchers extended the system’s operating life more than 50 times, achieving over 4,500 hours of stable performance in a scaled-up reactor—a major milestone for the field. Turning CO₂ into useful products Electrochemical CO2 reduction, or CO2RR, is an emerging green technology that uses electricity—preferably from renewable sources—to convert climate-warming CO2 into valuable products such as carbon monoxide, ethylene, or alcohols. These products can then be refined into fuels or used in industrial appli...

  The International Society of Blood Transfusion officially recognised a new blood group system named EMM-negative, also known as Gwada negative. This designation emerged from the unique case of a woman from Guadeloupe who is the only known individual to possess this rare blood type. The discovery puts stress on advancements in transfusion medicine and genetic research. What is Gwada Negative? Gwada negative refers to the EMM-negative blood group system, identified by the absence of the EMM antigen on red blood cells. This antigen is a high-incidence antigen, present in almost all humans. The lack of such a common antigen is medically and has led to the classification of this blood type as the 48th globally recognised system in transfusion science. Discovery Process The identification of the EMM-negative blood type began in 2011 when the woman underwent routine blood tests. Initial attempts to classify her blood were inconclusive due to the lack of technology. In 2019, advancement...

  Rice farming in Africa faces challenge due to the Rice Yellow Mottle Virus (RYMV). This viral disease has been spreading silently for over a century. Recent genomic studies have brought into light its impact on rice production across the continent. Farmers are experiencing declining yields and increasing uncertainty. What is RYMV? RYMV is a viral disease affecting rice crops. It belongs to the genus Sobemovirus. The virus is endemic to Africa and has been detected in most rice-growing countries. It has high genetic variability, allowing it to evolve quickly and overcome plant resistance. Historical Context The virus emerged in the mid-1800s in the Eastern Arc Mountains of Tanzania. It spread through trade routes, colonial movements, and wartime transport. RYMV travelled from the Indian Ocean coast to Lake Victoria and reached Madagascar by the 1970s. Human activity has contributed to its spread. Symptoms and Impact Infected rice plants show yellow-green spots on leaves, which la...

NASA scientists now believe that asteroid 2024 YR4, once thought to pose a slight threat to Earth , may instead collide with the Moon in the coming years. New calculations suggest a 4.3% chance of impact in 2031. First detected on December 27, 2024, by the Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System in Hawaii, YR4 passed close to Earth just two days earlier. It orbits the Sun every four years. Recent observations in May 2025 from the James Webb Space Telescope estimate the asteroid's size between 174 and 220 feet (53-67 metres), roughly the height of a 10-storey building or the wingspan of a Boeing 747. Earlier estimates ranged from 131 to 295 feet. Data from NASA's Centre for Near Earth Object Studies at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory indicate the likelihood of the asteroid hitting the Moon has steadily risen from 1.7% in February to 3.8% in April, and now to 4.3%. If it does impact the Moon, it's expected to strike the near side, offering a rare chance for scientists to ...

  Recent advancements in cancer treatment have brought into light a new one-step colloidal synthesis method for nanoparticles. This innovative approach focuses on creating nanoparticles with a unique shell structure, specifically designed for photothermal therapy (PTT) to combat cancer. Colloidal Synthesis The new method allows for the creation of semi-shells (SS) with a nano-cup morphology at room temperature. This contrasts sharply with traditional techniques that are often multi-step and require harsh chemicals. The use of a biocompatible metal-organic framework, ZIF-8, as a sacrificial template is crucial for this synthesis. Advantages of the New Method This novel approach eliminates the need for toxic etching agents and high temperatures. It employs mild reducing agents, such as ascorbic acid, which is Vitamin C. The synthesis process is straightforward, requiring no specialised equipment. This simplicity enhances accessibility for research and clinical applications. Optical a...

                                           Some of the brightest, longest-lived flares probably come from megastars getting shredded by supermassive black holes, researchers report in the June 6 Science Advances. This new class of cosmic explosions — dubbed extreme nuclear transients, or ENTs — release more energy than any other known transient, an event that changes brightness in the night sky. “These extreme nuclear transients, in the timescale of a year, emit about the same energy as our sun does in its entire 10-billion-year lifetime,” says astronomer Jason Hinkle of the University of Hawaii at Mānoa in Honolulu. Similar transients usually involve a star less than twice the mass of the sun veering too close to a black hole, whose gravity is stronger than that holding the star together. The black hole’s powerful pull overwhelms the star, which stretches around the black hole...

  Recent studies reveal alarming trends in ocean health. Research indicates that over 20% of the global ocean has darkened in the past two decades. This phenomenon poses serious threats to marine ecosystems and overall planetary health. About Ocean Darkening Ocean darkening refers to the reduction of light penetration in the photic zones. These zones are vital as they support photosynthesis, which is essential for marine life. The photic layer can extend up to 200 meters deep and is crucial for maintaining biodiversity. Research Findings The study employed satellite data and advanced modelling techniques. Researchers measured changes in light absorption using the diffuse attenuation coefficient (Kd 490). Between 2003 and 2022, 21% of the global ocean experienced darkening. Particularly, 9% saw a reduction in photic zone depth exceeding 50 meters. Mixed Global Patterns While many areas darkened, some regions became lighter. The North Sea and Arctic showed the most losses in light. ...

  Satellite data used by archaeologists to find traces of ancient ruins hidden under dense forest canopies can also be used to improve the speed and accuracy to measure how much carbon is retained and released in forests. Understanding this carbon cycle is key to climate change research, according to Hamdi Zurqani, an assistant professor of geospatial science for the Arkansas Forest Resources Center and the College of Forestry, Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of Arkansas at Monticello. The center is headquartered at UAM and conducts research and extension activities through the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station and the Cooperative Extension Service, the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture's research and outreach arms. "Forests are often called the lungs of our planet, and for good reason," Zurqani said. "They store roughly 80 percent of the world's terrestrial carbon and play a critical role in regulating Earth's c...

                                         Your breath is one of a kind. A study published June 12 in the Cell Press journal Current Biology demonstrated that scientists can identify individuals based solely on their breathing patterns with 96.8% accuracy. These nasal respiratory " fingerprints" also offer insights into physical and mental health. The research stemmed from the lab's interest in olfaction, or the sense of smell. In mammals, the brain processes odor information during inhalation. This link between the brain and breathing led researchers to wonder: since every brain is unique, wouldn't each person's breathing pattern reflect that?To test the idea, the team developed a lightweight wearable device that tracks nasal airflow continuously for 24 hours using soft tubes placed under the nostrils. Most breathing tests last just one to 20 minutes, focusing on evaluating lung func...

  The emergence of the XFG variant of SARS-CoV-2 has raised concerns in India. As of June 2025, 163 cases have been reported, primarily in Maharashtra. The total number of active COVID-19 cases in India stands at 6,815, with three deaths recorded in the last 24 hours. The Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium has confirmed the presence of this new variant. About the XFG Variant The XFG variant is a recombinant strain. It results from the merging of two earlier strains, LF.7 and LP.8.1.2. This variant carries four mutations in the spike protein. It has shown rapid global spread since its initial detection in Canada. The variant is a descendant of the Omicron sub-variant. Geographical Distribution Maharashtra has reported the highest number of cases at 89. Other states with notable cases include Tamil Nadu (16), Kerala (15), Gujarat (11), and Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and West Bengal (six each). A new case has also been confirmed in Telangana. Clinical Characteristics The XFG ...

Looking to nature for answers to complex questions can reveal new and unprecedented results that can even affect cells on molecular levels. For instance, human cells oxidize glucose to produce ATP (adenosine triphosphate), an energy source necessary for life. Cancer cells produce ATP through glycolysis, which does not utilize oxygen even under conditions where oxygen is present, and convert glucose into pyruvic acid and lactic acid. This method of producing ATP, known as the Warburg effect, is considered inefficient, thus raising questions as to why cancer cells choose this energy pathway to fuel their proliferation and survival. In search for this energy catalyst, Associate Professor Akiko Kojima-Yuasa's team at Osaka Metropolitan University's Graduate School of Human Life and Ecology analyzed the cinnamic acid ester ethyl p-methoxycinnamate, a main component of kencur ginger, and its mechanism of action. In previous research, the team discovered that ethyl p-methoxycinnamate...