A new species of non-venomous aquatic snake- Aquatic Rhabdops dicovered in Western Ghats

Native butterflies up and flying, outsiders yet to be spotted

The Himalaya and north-eastern India are very important biodiversity hotspots in the world. They are also relatively less explored in recent times, although new research efforts are intensifying in documenting biodiversity in this region. These efforts are paying big dividends, with many species that are new to science being discovered in these remote parts. The latest discovery of two new dragonfly species, named Cephalaeschna acanthifrons and Planaeschna poumai, was announced today by Mr. G. N.

Explorers of the Library of Nature

The National Centre for Biological Sciences is delighted to welcome Dr. Vinothkumar Kutti Ragunath who joins the Centre as its newest faculty member.

A novel regulator for membrane traffic in cells has been discovered by a team of scientists from the National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS), Tata Institute for Fundamental Research (TIFR) and the Babraham Institute. The molecule, Phosphatidylinositol 5-phosphate 4-kinase or PIP4K is a molecular overseer of membrane dynamics that functions as a negative regulator of endocytosis.

Horse taming does not generally come to mind in connection with molecular biophysics, where one studyies the shape, structure and dynamics of proteins and DNA. However, scientists from the National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS) in India and the National Cancer Institute (NCI), USA, have found two enzymes that interact with each other in a manner somewhat like a trainer taming a wild mustang.

Plants are sessile and they are constantly in a struggle with their environment. Most plants have developed elaborate mechanisms to counter a variety of environmental stresses, be it pathogens, or unfavorable soil and climatic conditions. However, when plants were converted into crops, most of their energy was diverted towards making more grains. This selection pressure forced crop plants to give up their natural ability to manage environmental stresses. This is the single biggest reason for crop failure due to environmental stresses.

Granny Knows best

No food, yet larvae reach within and develop