A weekly digest of science news from Nature India

<h4>AI cracks ancient Tamil scripts, a glacial lake flood could threaten Sikkim again, and a lab grown cow lung reveals TB secrets</h4>Host: Subhra Priyadarshini; Sound editing: Prince George

Episode 45: This week in India's science

Staying updated on the latest scientific developments can be difficult. This podcast brings to you a concise overview of the most important science news from India, perfect for those who may not have the time to read all our stories, or for listeners on the go. This week we talk about how India’s Guillain-Barré syndrome outbreak highlights water contamination risks, discuss the absence of a national natural history museum in India,explores the birth of massive stars, the launch of India's first elephant mobile clinic and a recent study which reveals that wild cormorants near Kolkata are carriers of antibiotic-resistant&nbsp;Escherichia coli&nbsp;strains. We also shed light on the persistent&nbsp;underrepresentation of women&nbsp;in clinical trials, a practice that compromises the efficacy and safety of medical treatments for female patients and talk about a method to convert carbon nanoparticles found in vehicle exhaust soot into electrocatalysts for hydrogen fuel production.

Episode 44: This week in India's science

Scientists are harnessing the power of plant totipotency to create disease-resistant, high-yielding crops at unprecedented speeds

The Biolore&nbsp;podcast series presents lesser-known stories from the history of biological sciences in India. This richly researched audio retrospect draws on expert insights, science archives, oral histories, literature reviews and field reportage.&nbsp;Biolore&nbsp;delves into foundational science, analyzing its lasting impact on humankind. This episode of&nbsp;Biolore&nbsp;explores the science and history of plant tissue culture and its transformative impact on agriculture and forestry in India. It highlights key breakthroughs such as haploid culture, pioneered by Panchanan Maheshwari’s team at Delhi University, and micropropagation, which helped scale up plant breeding. The episode also delves into forestry applications, notably the revival of century-old teak trees at the National Chemical Laboratory Pune. Researchers discuss the commercial success of tissue-cultured bananas, the challenges of virus outbreaks, and the need for crop diversification. They talk about how plant tissue culture is reshaping farming, making crops more resilient and improving yields worldwide. Host:&nbsp;Subhra Priyadarshini; Co-production:&nbsp;Sahana Ghosh; Sound editing and Biolore title music:&nbsp;Prince George; Biolore vocal:&nbsp;Sarah Hyder Iqbal

Episode 43: Biolore: How plant tissue culture transformed Indian agriculture

How alien species are changing India’s landscapes

In this episode of&nbsp;Biolore,&nbsp;experts Ankila Hiremath, Manzoor Shah, and Ninad Mungi uncover the hidden impact of invasive plant species on India’s biodiversity. From the aggressive spread of&nbsp;Lantana camara&nbsp;choking forests to the unexpected dominance of Canadian horseweed in Kashmir, invasive species are altering landscapes, disrupting food webs, and affecting local economies. The discussion explores how history, climate, and human activity drive these invasions and why prevention is the key to control. Can policy, science, and grassroots action reverse the damage? Tune in to learn why these ‘silent invaders’ demand urgent attention. The Biolore&nbsp;podcast series presents lesser-known stories from the history of biological sciences in India. This richly researched audio retrospect draws on expert insights, science archives, oral histories, literature reviews and field reportage.&nbsp;Biolore&nbsp;delves into foundational science, analyzing its lasting impact on humankind. Host:&nbsp;Subhra Priyadarshini; Co-production:&nbsp;Sahana Ghosh; Sound editing and Biolore title music:&nbsp;Prince George; Biolore vocal:&nbsp;Sarah Hyder Iqbal

Episode 42: Biolore: India's most aggressive botanical invaders

Gene detectives analyse extinct species, ancient diseases and lost human histories

In the third episode of Biolore, we explore how scientists are using cutting-edge genetic sequencing to uncover the mysteries held within centuries-old remains of animals and humans, and hear how this knowledge is important for conservation of species and medicine today. The Biolore podcast series presents lesser-known stories from the history of biological sciences in India. This richly researched audio retrospect draws on expert insights, science archives, oral histories, literature reviews and field reportage. Biolore delves into foundational science, analyzing its lasting impact on humankind. Host:&nbsp;Subhra Priyadarshini&nbsp;; Co-production:&nbsp;Sahana Ghosh&nbsp;; Sound editing and Biolore title music:&nbsp;Prince George&nbsp;; Biolore vocal:&nbsp;Sarah Hyder Iqbal

Episode 41: Biolore: How ancient DNA is unlocking lost secrets of the planet

Science, culture and controversy layer the identity of the prized grain

The&nbsp;Biolore&nbsp;podcast series presents captivating, lesser-known stories from the history of biological sciences in India. This richly researched audio retrospect draws on expert insights, science archives, oral histories, literature reviews and field reportage.&nbsp;Biolore&nbsp;delves into foundational science, analyzing its lasting impact on humankind.&nbsp;In the second episode of Biolore, we discuss the science, culture and controversy surrounding the world's most favourite rice — basmati.

Episode 40: Biolore: The story of basmati

An American researcher picked a zebrafish from a pet shop, and changed the course of biomedical research

The&nbsp;Biolore&nbsp;podcast series presents captivating, lesser-known stories from the history of biological sciences in India. This richly researched audio retrospect draws on expert insights, science archives, oral histories, literature reviews and field reportage.&nbsp;Biolore&nbsp;delves into foundational science, analyzing its lasting impact on humankind.In the first episode, discover how the zebrafish, a tropical fish from the Ganga river, journeyed to a US lab to become a beloved model organism in biomedical research.Host:&nbsp;Subhra Priyadarshini; Co-production:&nbsp;Sahana Ghosh; Sound editing and&nbsp;Biolore&nbsp;title music:&nbsp;Prince George;&nbsp;Biolore&nbsp;vocal:&nbsp;Sarah Hyder Iqbal

Episode 39: Biolore: How a tiny fish from India became biology’s most loved animal

Ease of doing science and timely fund disbursement rank high

Voting is underway in the 2024 general elections in India, the world's largest democracy, with nearly 970 million eligible voters. This election period, spanning over a month and a half, provides a unique opportunity to look back on the course of science and innovation in India, celebrating milestones achieved while pondering over the challenges that lie ahead. Nature India brings to you an exclusive conversation around the pressing questions scientists in India are contemplating — their wish list for the newly elected government, their favourite science moments and their take on the public understanding of science. Host: Subhra Priyadarshini, production and script: Sahana Ghosh, Subhra Priyadarshini, sound editing: Prince George.

Episode 38: India election special: A science wish list for an incoming government

Amplifying the voice of India's science and scientists

What goes into producing the science podcast at Nature India? Listen in.

Episode 37: Science podcasting at Nature India

A podcast on India's science 

The Nature India podcast brings stories from India's science and research to the world.

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