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In an increasingly interconnected and complex world, the boundaries of diplomacy have expanded beyond traditional politics and trade agreements. One of the most significant developments in the modern era is the rise of science diplomacy, the use of scientific cooperation and knowledge sharing as a tool for fostering international relations, solving global challenges, and enhancing a nation’s influence. India, with its rich scientific heritage and rapidly growing research capabilities, has embraced science diplomacy as a means to further its geopolitical ambitions, strengthen international partnerships, and address global challenges. Science diplomacy has become an essential instrument for India in its efforts…
Image Courtesy: Flickr/ mukerjichinmoy Editor’s Note: This is the concluding edition of the three-part series on science behind music presented by Science India. The first volume of the article laid the groundwork by exploring the nuanced characteristics of musical sound and providing a comprehensive classification of Indian musical instruments. It then delved into Tantu Vadya, or stringed instruments, elucidating their operation through a scientific lens, unraveling the physics behind their melodic expression. Building upon this foundation, the second volume expanded the discourse to include Sushir Vadya, or wind instruments, and Avanaddha Vadya, encompassing percussion instruments or drums. Readers were treated…
Editor’s Note: This is the second of the three-part series presented by Science India to explore the scientific basis of the rich heritage of Indian music The first volume of this article embarked on a comprehensive journey through the intricate world of music, beginning with a meticulous examination of the characteristics inherent in musical sound. These characteristics serve as the foundational pillars upon which the subsequent exploration unfolds. Following this insightful discussion, the article meticulously delved into the classification of Indian musical instruments, providing a structured framework to navigate the rich tapestry of traditional music. Transitioning seamlessly from this classification,…
Editor’s Note: Given the immense richness of musical traditions of the subcontinent, Science India presents a three-part series that takes an in-depth look at what gives Indian music its unparalleled strength The appreciation of art, particularly music and visual arts, relies heavily on the human senses of hearing and sight. These senses afford us the highest aesthetic pleasures derived from experiencing the beauty of sound and imagery. Our comprehension of the world is greatly enriched through these sensory organs, upon which our very existence depends. Sound and light are foundational elements in our daily lives. While light can traverse through vacuum, sound…
Image Courtesy: Sonam Singh Subhedar Within the sacred confines of temples, amidst the fragrance of incense and the murmurs of devotees, lie profound secrets waiting to be unearthed. These ancient sanctuaries, steeped in spirituality and adorned with architectural splendour, serve as repositories of scientific marvels that have captivated scholars and worshippers for centuries. Acoustics, the science of sound, and lightning, the powerful force of nature, both find resonance within the hallowed halls of temples. Through a blend of ancient wisdom and astute engineering, these sacred spaces are transformed into theatres of sensory wonder, where the celestial harmonies of light and…
Throughout history, the universe has remained an enigma, captivating the curiosity of humanity since time immemorial. The quest to understand its origin has spurred countless questions and inspired numerous discoveries. In a remarkable revelation, astronomers, akin to cosmic detectives, have unveiled a cosmic secret hidden within the depths of the Milky Way. Leveraging observations from the European Space Agency’s Gaia space telescope, they have identified two early streams of stars, named ‘Shakti’ and ‘Shiva’ after Hindu deities. These celestial formations offer a tantalizing glimpse into the galaxy’s primordial past, serving as ancient relics that illuminate its earliest epochs, billions of…
Blood vessel stiffness has been proven to be a highly powerful indicator of cardiovascular issues and ageing of the heart. Accurate measurements of changes in arterial dimensions and blood pressure are necessary for determining arterial stiffness. Modern techniques carry out this measurement using specialised ultrasound imaging apparatus. Widespread application of image-based arterial stiffness monitoring is constrained by the need for expensive equipment and high levels of technical skill to operate that equipment. A low-cost, simple-to-use technology that can be widely used with little training is required. The ARTerial Stiffness Evaluation for Non-invasive Screening (ARTSENS) test was created by HTIC (Healthcare…
The hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a bloodborne pathogen, and the majority of infections result through contact with blood from unsafe injection techniques, hazardous medical procedures, unscreened blood transfusions, injectable drug usage, and sexual behaviours that expose one to blood. Around 1.5 million new HCV cases are reported each year globally, with an estimated 58 million people worldwide carrying the infection. According to estimates, 3.2 million children and adolescents worldwide have chronic hepatitis C infection. According to the WHO, 2,90,000 people died from hepatitis C in 2019 in the world, primarily due to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (primary liver cancer).…
Success of India’s COVID-19 response has a background of multiple programmes that the government of India had undertaken during 2017-18 to improve healthcare. To make India’s health sector robust, economically affordable, and accessible, the National Health Policy 2017 was rolled out. Ayushman Bharat Program (ABP), the flagship healthcare initiative, was launched in 2018 as a mission to expand universal health coverage, with a commitment to ‘leave no one behind’. One of the components of ABP, the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY) had begun to expand the footprint of healthcare coverage to rural and vulnerable populations, improving access to hospitalisation…
Dr Ashwani Kumar, Senior Principal Scientist of the Chandigarh-based Institute of Microbial Technology (IMTECH), has been given the prestigious Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Award for Biological Sciences for the year 2022. His substantial contributions to TB pathophysiology, particularly the part played by biofilm-induced infections, have earned him this honour. In the presence of Dr Jitendra Singh, Dr N Kalaiselvi, Director General, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), announced the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar (SSB) awards for 2022. A valued scientific honour for noteworthy and excellent work in biology, chemistry, environmental science, and physics, among other fields, is the SSB Prize for…