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Ancient Ice Bacterium Shows Modern Antibiotic Resistance

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  Scientists have identified a 5,000-year-old bacterium preserved in underground ice in Romania that can resist multiple modern antibiotics. The discovery has raised concerns about the risks posed by melting ice in a warming climate. The strain, recovered from Scărișoara Ice Cave, survived millennia in frozen isolation yet carries resistance to drugs commonly used in present-day clinical practice. Discovery from a 25-Metre Ice Core Researchers drilled a 25-metre ice core from the “Great Hall” of Scărișoara Ice Cave in north-west Romania. The ice represents nearly 13,000 years of accumulation. To prevent contamination, samples were handled in sterile conditions and transported frozen to laboratories for analysis. Several bacterial strains were isolated and sequenced. The most significant was Psychrobacter SC65A.3, a cold-adapted bacterium belonging to a genus previously linked to infections in humans and animals. Despite its ancient origin, it demonstrated notable resilience to mod...
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AIIMS Conducts First Remote Ultrasound in Antarctica

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  In a major leap for telemedicine, doctors at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, have conducted a real-time ultrasound examination on a patient located nearly 12,000 km away at India’s Maitri research station in Antarctica. The breakthrough demonstrates the feasibility of delivering specialist diagnostic care in one of the world’s most hostile and remote environments. Tele-Robotic Ultrasound System Demonstrated The procedure was enabled by a tele-robotic diagnostic system that allows specialists in India to remotely operate ultrasound equipment stationed in Antarctica. The initiative marks the first known deployment of such a system at an Antarctic research station globally. It was developed through collaboration between the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR), AIIMS, IIT Delhi and technology startups. NCPOR Director Thamban Meloth stated that the innovation positions India at the forefront of medical technology in polar regions. The...
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Bonnie Bassler Highlights Power of Bacterial Communication

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  Bacteria are often associated with disease and infection, yet they are also essential to life. Renowned molecular biologist Bonnie Bassler of Princeton University described bacteria as “magical microbes” that hold transformative potential in medicine, environmental sustainability and agriculture. Delivering a lecture titled “A Chemical Language that Enables Communication Between Diverse Organisms”, she underscored the remarkable ability of bacteria to communicate and coordinate behaviour. According to Prof. Bassler, bacteria are multilingual organisms capable of collective decision-making. This communication system, known as quorum sensing, reshapes scientific understanding of microbial life. Understanding Quorum Sensing Quorum sensing refers to the chemical signalling process through which bacteria detect their population density and synchronise actions. By releasing and sensing small signalling molecules, bacteria coordinate group behaviours such as biofilm formation, virulen...
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WHO Prequalifies New Oral Polio Vaccine nOPV2

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  The World Health Organization (WHO) has prequalified another novel oral polio vaccine type 2 (nOPV2), strengthening global efforts to eradicate poliomyelitis. The decision enables United Nations agencies, including UNICEF, to procure and distribute the vaccine for immunisation campaigns worldwide. Prequalification confirms that the vaccine meets international standards of quality, safety and efficacy, facilitating its use in large-scale public health programmes. Why nOPV2 Matters The nOPV2 vaccine has been engineered to be more genetically stable than earlier oral polio vaccines. Traditional oral vaccines, while effective, carried a rare risk of mutating and triggering circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus outbreaks. By enhancing genetic stability, nOPV2 lowers the likelihood of such reversions while maintaining the ability to interrupt virus transmission. This innovation addresses a key challenge in the final stages of global polio eradication. Global Eradication Push The preq...
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Goa Unveils First Biodiversity and Cultural Map

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  Goa is set to receive its first biodiversity and cultural features map, developed by WWF India, offering a child-friendly visual guide to 48 commonly found species and traditional art forms of the state. The map will be released at the Goa Art and Literature Festival and distributed free of cost to schools across Goa in both print and digital formats. Designed as an educational tool, the initiative aims to strengthen environmental awareness among schoolchildren at a time when conservationists are also working on a comprehensive wildlife mapping exercise in the state. Featuring 48 Common Species The WWF India-Goa map highlights 48 species representing birds, mammals, reptiles, marine animals, mangroves and insects commonly found in Goa. From catfish and mangrove species to larger mammals such as the tiger, the focus remains on organisms that children are likely to encounter in their daily surroundings. The selection deliberately avoids rare species found only in remote interiors, ...
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Lancet Study Questions HbA1c Accuracy for Diabetes in India

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  A new study published in The Lancet Regional Health has raised concerns over the widespread reliance on glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) testing for diagnosing and monitoring type-2 diabetes in India. The findings suggest that HbA1c may not accurately reflect true blood glucose levels in large sections of the population, potentially misrepresenting the country’s actual diabetes burden. Why HbA1c May Be Unreliable in India HbA1c reflects the glycation of haemoglobin over the lifespan of red blood cells and is widely used for diabetes diagnosis and long-term glucose monitoring. However, the study highlights that conditions affecting haemoglobin quantity, structure or lifespan can distort HbA1c values. These include anaemia, haemoglobinopathies and red blood cell enzyme disorders such as glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency, all of which are prevalent in India. Risk of Misdiagnosis and Delayed Treatment According to the study, exclusive reliance on HbA1c can lead to both ...
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New Frog Species Found in Peru Faces Immediate Threat

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  Scientists have discovered a new species of frog in the cloud forests of northern Peru, but researchers warn that the amphibian may already be at risk of extinction due to rapid habitat loss. The finding highlights growing concerns over biodiversity loss in fragile high-altitude ecosystems of South America. Discovery in Peru’s Cloud Forests The new species was discovered in the cloud forests of the San Martín region by a joint team of Peruvian and French scientists, supported by indigenous guides. The frog has been named “Oreobates shankusacha”, and the discovery has been formally documented in the scientific journal “Salamandra”. Researchers encountered the species on the Amazon forest floor, where it lives among leaf litter, moss, and ferns. Unique Features and Indigenous Link “Oreobates shankusacha” is a small, ground-dwelling frog measuring about one inch in length. It is dark brown in colour with distinctive golden eyes, allowing it to blend easily into its surroundings. Th...
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