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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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Cancer Cells Reprogramme Immune Cells to Aid Tumour Growth

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  Cancer cells can manipulate the body’s immune defences to support tumour growth, according to a new study that sheds light on a critical mechanism of cancer progression. Researchers have found that tumours can “reprogramme” immune cells to produce molecules that actively promote cancer growth, with potential implications for diagnosis and personalised treatment. Neutrophils Turn from Defenders to Enablers The study, led by researchers from the University of Geneva and the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, focused on neutrophils, one of the most abundant immune cells in the human body. Neutrophils normally act as the first line of defence against infections and injuries. However, when exposed to tumour environments, they undergo functional reprogramming that contributes to cancer progression. Role of CCL3 in Tumour Progression Published in the journal Cancer Cell, the research identifies the chemokine CCL3 as a key molecule produced by reprogrammed neutrophils. The study shows...
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NASA’s SPHEREx Detects Organic Molecules In Interstellar Comet

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  NASA’s SPHEREx space telescope has delivered new insights into interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS, only the third such object ever observed passing through the solar system. Observations made in December 2025 revealed a rich mix of organic molecules and heightened cometary activity, strengthening scientific understanding of material formed beyond the Sun’s influence. Infrared observations of a rare interstellar visitor The NASA’s SPHEREx mission turned its infrared instruments toward comet 3I/ATLAS shortly after it passed closest to the Sun. Scientists detected organic molecules including methanol , cyanide and methane. While these compounds are central to biological processes on Earth, researchers emphasise that such molecules can also form through non-biological processes in space. Post-perihelion brightening and cometary activity Mission scientists reported a dramatic increase in the comet’s brightness nearly two months after its closest approach to the Sun. This delayed surge is lin...
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Indian Researchers Develop Low-Cost Biosensor For Early Heart Attack Detection

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  Researchers have developed a flexible and economical biosensor capable of rapidly detecting myoglobin, a critical cardiac biomarker linked to the early stages of a heart attack. The innovation is expected to significantly improve early diagnosis, particularly in resource-limited healthcare settings, by enabling faster and more accessible cardiac screening. Indo-Australian Research Collaboration The biosensor has been developed by doctoral researcher Mohsina Afrooz through a joint programme between Birla Institute of Technology and Science Pilani Hyderabad and RMIT University. The collaborative research brings together expertise in materials science, biosensing, and biomedical engineering, strengthening Indo-Australian cooperation in advanced healthcare technologies. Graphene-Based Myoglobin Detection The newly developed sensor is graphene-based and detects myoglobin, a protein released into the bloodstream soon after cardiac muscle injury. Early identification of myoglobin is cli...
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Customs Duty Scrapped on 17 Cancer Drugs

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   Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has announced major relief for patients battling cancer and rare diseases in the Union Budget 2026. The Budget removes basic customs duty on 17 cancer-related drugs and extends duty exemptions to treatments for seven rare diseases, aiming to reduce the financial burden of life-saving therapies that are largely dependent on imports. Relief for Cancer Patients Through Duty Exemption Presenting the Budget in Parliament, Sitharaman said the removal of basic customs duty on 17 cancer drugs is intended to make advanced and complex treatments more affordable. Imported oncology medicines currently attract customs duty, which significantly inflates retail prices. By eliminating this levy, the government expects a direct reduction in treatment costs across several high-value cancer therapies, improving access for patients across income groups. Impact on Treatment Costs and Access Health experts have noted that imported medicines form a substa...
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