International Academic Excellence Awards

  Recent research has revealed a unique quadruple star system in our galaxy. Named UPM J1040−3551 AabBab, it consists of two cold brown dwarfs orbiting a pair of young red dwarf stars. This rare configuration has never been observed before. The finding promises new vital information about the nature of brown dwarfs and star formation. What Is the Quadruple Star System? The system contains four celestial bodies grouped in two pairs. One pair is young red dwarf stars, common and relatively bright. The other pair consists of cold brown dwarfs, faint objects about the size of Jupiter. The brown dwarfs orbit the red dwarfs in a hierarchical arrangement. This system is unique because brown dwarfs rarely have companions and are seldom found in multiple-star systems. Characteristics of Brown Dwarfs Brown dwarfs are objects that form like stars from gas clouds but lack the mass needed to sustain hydrogen fusion. This makes them “failed stars.” They share traits with gas giant planets, such...

  Bloom Syndrome is a rare genetic disorder with fewer than 300 cases reported worldwide. Recently, a 12-year-old girl in Chennai underwent a bone marrow transplant using stem cells from her younger brother, marking medical intervention in India. This disorder affects DNA repair mechanisms, leading to multiple health challenges and a high risk of cancer. Genetic Basis and Inheritance Bloom Syndrome is caused by mutations in the BLM gene. This gene produces a protein essential for maintaining DNA structure during replication and repair. When mutated, cells lose the ability to fix damaged DNA, causing abnormal cell growth. The condition is inherited in an autosomal recessive pattern. Both parents must carry the mutation for a child to be affected. It is most common among the Ashkenazi Jewish population but occurs worldwide. Signs and Symptoms Symptoms vary widely but often include poor growth before and after birth. Affected individuals typically have below-average height and head s...

  When two organisms live together so closely that they merge into a functional unit, this is known as symbiosis. In the "1+1=1" project, an international, interdisciplinary research team is investigating how synthetic symbiosis between microorganisms can be created in a targeted manner and what this reveals about the formation of complex cell structures. Researchers and engineers from Forschungszentrum Jülich's Institute of Bio- and Geosciences are involved in the project. As part of the project, the researchers draw on insights from the evolution of the plant world. Using experimental methods, they aim to gain unprecedented insights into synthetic symbiosis in living organisms, thus opening up new perspectives for biotechnology and medicine. Alongside Forschungszentrum Jülich, Michigan State University (U.S.) and the CNRS in Grenoble (France) are also involved in the project. Plants the product of an ancient symbiosis Around one billion years ago, a single-celled organ...

  Recent research has uncovered that the bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa exhibits bistable gene expression, a phenomenon where identical cells show different levels of gene activity. This discovery sheds light on how this deadly pathogen adapts and survives in hostile environments such as hospitals. The study focuses on the glpD gene, which shows variable expression linked to the bacterium’s ability to cause infections. Understanding this mechanism is crucial because P. aeruginosa is a major cause of hospital-acquired infections and is often resistant to antibiotics. Bistability in Microorganisms Bistability refers to the existence of two distinct expression states of the same gene within genetically identical cells. This variation can be inherited by daughter cells, a process called epigenetic inheritance. It allows bacteria to diversify their behaviour and adapt to changing environments. In Pseudomonas aeruginosa, bistability may help the pathogen survive immune responses and a...

  After 22 years of Uranus having 28 confirmed moons, the gas giant was recently confirmed by researchers at the Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) to have a 29th moon after careful analysis of data obtained from NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope (JWST). The team estimates the newly discovered moon has an approximate diameter of 6 miles (10 kilometers). Until now, the smallest moons have been estimated to be approximately 11 miles (18 kilometers) in diameter, which are Cupid, Mab, and Trinculo. “As part of JWST’s guest observer program, we found a previously unknown satellite of the ice giant, which has been provisionally designated S/2025 U 1,” said Dr. Maryame El Moutamid, who is a lead scientist in SwRI’s Solar System Science and Exploration Division in Boulder, Colorado. “This object, by far the smallest object discovered to date, was detected in a series of 10 long exposures obtained by the Near-Infrared Camera.” S/2025 U 1 orbits approximately 35,000 miles (56,250 kilometer...

  The sliteye shark has been recorded for the first time in the Great Chagos Bank. This coral atoll is the largest of its kind globally. The discovery reveals the rich and largely unexplored biodiversity of the Chagos Archipelago and its Marine Protected Area. Researchers captured images of the shark in deep seagrass habitats on the southern rim of the Bank. This finding adds new knowledge about the species and its habitat preferences. Discovery of Sliteye Shark in Chagos Scientists used Baited Remote Underwater Video systems to record two sliteye sharks. They were found only 11 kilometres apart at depths between 23 and 29 metres. The species is known for its narrow, slit-like eyes, which help it see in low light. Although usually found in deeper waters, the sliteye shark can also live in shallow, clear seas. This is the first time it has been documented in the Great Chagos Bank. Significance of Deepwater Seagrass Habitats The sliteye shark was discovered in seagrass meadows first...

  Recent research has revealed a universal pattern in how biodiversity arranges itself within the world’s major biogeographical regions. This discovery challenges earlier assumptions that species distribution inside each region would be unique and unrelated to others. The study analysed over 30,000 species from various taxa across the globe. It found a clear, repeating layered structure in biodiversity that transcends continents, climate zones, and organism types. Biogeographical Regions The Earth is divided into large biogeographical regions, each hosting distinct species shaped by history, climate, and geographical barriers. Traditionally, scientists believed that biodiversity patterns inside these regions were idiosyncratic. Tropical zones are known for high species richness, while polar regions have fewer species. However, the new study sought to find if a universal internal pattern exists within these regions. Methodology and Data Analysis Researchers used global databases su...

  Recent advances in synthetic biology and bioelectrochemistry have led to the development of self-powered chemical sensors using genetically engineered bacteria. Researchers from Imperial College London and Zhejiang University have created living biosensors that convert chemical signals into electrical outputs. These devices promise low-cost, portable, and programmable bioelectronic applications. Limitations of Traditional Biosensors Conventional biosensors often rely on enzymes. They tend to be fragile and expensive. Their response times can be slow, especially in complex environments. Optical signals from whole-cell biosensors are difficult to integrate with portable electronics. These issues limit their practical use in field conditions. Engineering Bacteria for Electrical Signal Output Researchers used Escherichia coli bacteria as biological platforms. The bacteria were genetically modified to include three modules – sensing, information processing, and output. The sensing mo...

  Recent research in the North Pacific Subtropical Gyre has revealed a giant virus named PelV-1. This virus infects the plankton Pelagodinium and possesses a tail far longer than any previously identified. Measuring 2.3 micrometres, the tail is about 19 times the length of the coronavirus that causes COVID- 19. This discovery provides new vital information about marine viruses and their ecological roles. Discovery and Habitat PelV-1 was found at Station ALOHA, north of Hawaii, by sampling seawater 25 metres below the surface. Scientists isolated Pelagodinium plankton and detected the virus as a hitchhiker. Viruses infecting dinoflagellates like Pelagodinium are extremely rare, with only two other large DNA viruses known to target this group. Unique Morphology PelV-1 has a 200-nanometre capsid and an exceptionally long tail measuring 2.3 micrometres. This tail is the longest viral appendage discovered to date. Unlike most viruses, which lack tails or have very small ones, PelV-1’s t...

  India is witnessing shift in its power sector. Industrial and commercial consumers are increasingly producing their own renewable energy . This trend is changing the traditional electricity market dominated by public utilities. It is a quiet revolution that could reshape India’s energy future. Growth of Captive Renewable Energy Captive power refers to energy generated by industries for their own use. In Tamil Nadu, captive renewable energy already supplies over 28% of industrial electricity needs. Many factories use rooftop solar panels and other renewable sources. This reduces their dependence on public transmission and distribution companies. Larger industrial units may soon supply power to their suppliers and nearby consumers. This decentralised model is described as reforms by stealth because it gradually reduces the monopoly of public utilities without major policy upheaval. Renewable Energy Capacity Vs. Consumption India has rapidly increased renewable energy (RE) capacity....

  Albedo is a measure of the proportion of incoming sunlight that is reflected by a surface. It is a fundamental concept in climate science , influencing the Earth’s energy balance, surface temperatures, and feedback processes such as ice–albedo interactions. Variations in albedo occur naturally and through human activity, making it an important parameter in understanding and mitigating climate change. Definition and Measurement Albedo is expressed as a fraction between 0 and 1, where 0 represents a perfect absorber (a black body) and 1 represents a perfect reflector. Surface albedo is calculated as the ratio of radiosity (total reflected radiation) to irradiance (total incident radiation) received by a surface. It depends not only on surface properties but also on the spectral and angular distribution of solar radiation, which vary with atmospheric conditions, location, and time of day. Unless specified as spectral albedo (measured for a particular wavelength), the term refers to ...

  The Kagaznagar forest division in Komaram Bheem Asifabad district of Telangana has witnessed a rare burst of colourful fungi. The most remarkable discovery is the Blue Pinkgill mushroom (Entoloma hochstetteri), a species native to New Zealand. This vivid blue mushroom is notable for its rare azulene pigments. Alongside, the shuttlecock mushroom (Clathrus delicatus) was recorded in the Kawal Tiger Reserve, marking its first sighting in the Eastern Ghats. These findings show the exceptional fungal diversity and ecological uniqueness of Telangana’s forests. Blue Pinkgill Mushroom The Blue Pinkgill is also called the sky-blue mushroom. It has a striking bright blue cap and stems. The gills appear pink to purplish due to spores. Its colour comes from rare azulene pigments uncommon in fungi. Caps vary from flat to funnel-shaped. Gills can be pink or white, with spores producing a pink to salmon spore print. These features aid in its identification. Native Habitat and Distribution Orig...

  The Sea of Galilee in Israel displayed an unusual red hue over several days. Israeli authorities have investigated and explained the phenomenon as a natural occurrence linked to algae growth. The event marks growing concerns about climate change and its impact on freshwater ecosystems worldwide. Red Colouration The Sea of Galilee, Israel’s largest freshwater lake, changed colour to red due to an algal bloom. Officials confirmed the water remains safe for humans. The green algae Botryococcus braunii, common in the lake, produces red pigments under sunlight. This pigment accumulation caused the striking red tint. The Water Ministry continues to monitor the lake’s water quality and ecosystem health. Botryococcus Braunii Botryococcus braunii is a green algae from the Chlorophyta group. It produces carotenoid pigments that turn red in sunlight. Known for producing hydrocarbons, this algae is studied for biofuel potential. Its sudden bloom in the Sea of Galilee is unusual but not harm...