Science Technology

Researchers have developed a targeted nano formulation that can help sustained release of a hormone called 17β-Estradiol which is crucial for managing Parkinson’s Disease (PD). Many neurodegenerative and psychiatric malignancies like Parkinson’ disease (PD) originate from an imbalance of 17β-Estradiol (E2) in the human brain. However, the peripheral side effects of the usage of E2 for PD therapy and less understanding of the molecular mechanism hinder establishing its neurotherapeutic potential. Scientists from Institute of Nano Science and Technology (INST) Mohali, an autonomous institute of Department of Science and Technology, used Dopamine Receptor D3 (DRD3) conjugated to 17β-Estradiol-loaded chitosan nanoparticles that led to sustained release of 17β-Estradiol (E2) to the brain. The targeted nano-formulation inhibited the mitochondrial translocation of calpain, thereby protecting neurons from rotenone-induced mitochondrial damage. Furthermore, the targeted nano delivery system alleviated behavioural impairments in a rodent model. Additionally, the study reveals for the first time that BMI1, a member of the PRC1 complex that regulates mitochondrial homeostasis, is a substrate of calpain. The targeted nano-formulation restored BMI1 expression by inhibiting its degradation through calpain. The study Carbohydrate Polymers has helped in understanding the role of hormone (E2) in regulating oxidative stress in PD patients. With the continued exploration of long-term safety profiles and better-targeted delivery, this can establish itself as a safer drug to improve the lives of Parkinson's patients.
Science news
New nano-formulation may help bring safer treatment for Parkinson’s Patients
By
News Desk
Researchers have developed a targeted nano formulation that can help sustained release of a hormone called 17β-Estradiol
Shri Hariman Sharma, a visionary farmer from Himachal Pradesh, has been honored with Padma Shri, the highest Civilian Award for his transformative contribution to Indian agriculture. He developed an innovative, self- pollinating, low chilling apple variety called HRMN – 99, that has revolutionized the apple cultivation landscape in the country and brought a juicy nutritive variety more within reach in terms of geography and affordability. Unlike commercial apple varieties that require temperate climates and extended chilling hours, HRMN-99 thrives in tropical, sub-tropical, and plain regions with summer temperatures reaching 40-45°C, enabling apple farming in areas where it was previously considered unviable. Orphaned during childhood, Hariman Sharma’s journey from the mountainous lanes of his tiny hamlet Paniala, located in Bilaspur (HP) to the great halls of Rashtrapati Bhavan is truly inspirational not only for the farming community, but also for the students, researchers and horticulturists of the country. Despite all odds, Shri Sharma completed his education till matric and pursued his passion for farming and pomology. The story of the HRMN-99 apple variety began in 1998 when Hariman Sharma planted a few seeds from discarded apples used for household consumption in his backyard. Remarkably, one of these seeds sprouted the following year, and by 2001, the plant bore fruit despite the warm climate of Paniala, situated at an elevation of 1,800 feet. Realizing its potential, he carefully tended to the mother plant and propagated it through grafting, eventually establishing a flourishing apple orchard. Over the following decade, he focused on expanding his orchards by experimenting with various scions, grafting techniques and refining his innovative apple variety. Despite his efforts to share this breakthrough with regions having similar climatic conditions, his work initially garnered limited attention from both the farming and scientific communities. In 2012, the National Innovation Foundation (NIF) – India, an autonomous institute of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India, scouted this innovation. NIF verified the distinctness of the variety and supported its validation by facilitating molecular studies, fruit quality testing, and multi-location trials in collaboration with ICAR institutions, Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), agricultural universities, state agriculture departments, farmers and volunteers spread across the country. Through these collaborative efforts, the variety has expanded to 29 states and UTs, including Bihar, Jharkhand, Manipur, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Dadra, and Nagar Haveli, Karnataka, Haryana, Rajasthan, Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab, Kerala, Uttarakhand, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, Orissa, Pondicherry, Himachal Pradesh as well as planted at Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi. NIF also facilitated the registration of the variety at the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Authority, New Delhi. For his innovation, Shri Hariman Sharma was conferred the National Award in 2017 during the 9th National Biennial Grassroots Innovation and Outstanding Traditional Knowledge Awards by then Hon’ble President of India Shri Pranab Mukherjee. He also has several accolades to his credit including the National Innovative Farmer Award by Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Ministry, GoI (2016), IARI Fellow Award (2017), Kisan Vaigyanik Upadhi by DDG, ICAR (2017), National Best Farmer Award (2018), Rashtriya Krishak Samrat Samman (2018) Jagjivan Ram Krishi Abhinav Award (2019) and several state and central government awards. He also represented India in the 4th ASEAN India Grassroots Innovation Forum (AIGIF) held during November 2023 in Malaysia. The HRMN-99 variety, characterized by its striped red-over-yellow skin, soft and juicy pulp, and ability to produce up to 75 kg of fruit per plant annually, has empowered thousands of farmers across India. NIF also supported its commercial adoption, establishing apple orchards and providing training to in collaboration with the State Agriculture Departments and the North Eastern Region Community Resource Management Project (NERCORMP) under North Eastern Council (NEC), Ministry of DoNER, Govt of India to transplant the variety through the North-eastern states at large scale, resulting over one lakhs of saplings of the variety have been planted in all NE states for providing an additional source of income to the farmers. Shri Hariman Sharma’s exceptional innovation has not only transformed apple cultivation in India but has also inspired innumerable farmers with additional income and better nutritional access. Through his efforts, the apple once considered rich man’s diet is in the reach of common man. Recognition of his efforts through the Padma Shri Award, stands as a testament to the transformative power of grassroots innovations in addressing national challenges and creating sustainable livelihoods, aligning with the sustainable development goals (SDGs).
Science news
Padma Shri for Hariman Sharma: The Apple Man of India
By
News Desk
Shri Hariman Sharma, a visionary farmer from Himachal Pradesh, has been honored with Padma Shri, the highest Civilian Award
India has achieved a significant milestone in its space endeavors by successfully conducting its first space docking mission. On January 16, 2025, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) executed the Space Docking Experiment (SpaDeX), marking India as the fourth nation to master this complex technology, following the United States, Russia, and China. The mission involved two ISRO satellites, aptly named "Chaser" and "Target." Launched into a 470-kilometer circular orbit on December 30, 2024, these satellites performed a series of intricate orbital maneuvers, culminating in a successful docking and subsequent undocking. This achievement is pivotal for future space operations, including satellite maintenance, space station activities, and interplanetary missions. Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauded this accomplishment, emphasizing its significance for India's forthcoming space missions. ISRO's success in this domain not only advances its technological capabilities but also strengthens India's position in the global space market, which is projected to reach $400 billion. The organization aims to increase India's share to $44 billion by 2040, with plans to construct a space station and promote private sector participation in space commercialization. The SpaDeX mission also showcased collaboration with private industry. Notably, Ananth Technologies was responsible for the integration and testing of the satellites, marking a first in India's space endeavors. Additionally, the mission demonstrated the transfer of electric power between the docked satellites, a capability vital for applications such as in-space robotics and composite spacecraft control. This successful demonstration of space docking technology is a testament to ISRO's growing expertise and ambition in space exploration, paving the way for more complex missions and international collaborations in the future.
Science news
India's ISRO carries out successful space docking mission.
By
News Desk
India has achieved a significant milestone in its space endeavors by successfully conducting its first space docking mission.
Highly efficient and spectrally pure single photon sources are desirable in fundamental studies of quantum physics and in many varied applications like in quantum metrology and quantum cryptography where the ability to generate and manipulate individual photons with high purity and brightness is a game changer. 2D semiconductor colloidal quantum wells (CQWs) are quite appropriate as nanoscale photon sources because of their giant oscillator strengths and large absorption cross sections. The integration of such sources with dielectric metasurfaces exhibiting narrow resonances provides an excellent platform for highly efficient light-matter interactions and the development of on-chip light sources with high spectral purity. Researchers at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore, have have integrated two-dimensional (2D) semiconductor colloidal quantum wells (CQWs) with dielectric metasurface resonators (MSRs) to achieve unprecedented emission line narrowing and long- range photon transport at room temperature for on-chip photonic quantum information processing. Led by Prof. Jaydeep K. Basu from IISc’s Department of Physics, in collaboration with Prof. Shankar Kumar Selvaraja from the Centre for Nano Science and Engineering (CeNSE), and theoretical support from Prof. Girish S. Agarwal at Texas A&M University, the study showcases the integration of Cadmium Selenide (CdSe)-based CQWs with a guided mode MSR. The MSR, fabricated on a silicon nitride (SiN) slab-waveguide platform, features a precise arrangement of holes in a square-lattice geometry. This design enables narrow resonances in both out-of-plane and in-plane directions, effectively tuning the light emission properties of CQWs. The integration achieved remarkable results, including a 12-fold increase in brightness and a 97% reduction in the width of the emitted light’s spectral line, ensuring unparalleled spectral purity. The enhancement was enabled by the spectral overlap between the MSR’s narrow-band response and the broader emission from CQWs. The platform also demonstrated long-range photon transport across the chip, up to 1 mm, showcasing its potential for creating compact and efficient quantum devices. “Our work shows how nanoscale materials like CQWs can be seamlessly integrated with photonic structures to achieve exceptional control over light emission and transport, which is critical for the next generation of quantum devices,” said Prof. Basu. The researchers employed a state-of-the-art confocal setup for photoluminescence (PL) measurements, funded by the DST-FIST program, to study enhanced light properties with high precision. The findings have been published in the prestigious journal Advanced Optical Materials. Looking ahead, the researchers aim to extend this platform to integrate single quantum emitters (SPEs) with MSRs to create highly efficient single-photon sources which are essential for quantum cryptography and quantum information processing. Combining the spectral filtering capabilities of MSRs with the precise light emission of SPEs could unlock new possibilities in on-chip quantum photonics, enabling secure communications and advanced sensing technologies.
Science news
Technology developed to shape light for future technologies
By
Sunil Shukla
A new cutting-edge platform for controlling light at the nanoscale, paves the way for advancements in quantum communication, data encryption, and next-generation photonic devices.
Dates announced for Rounds 2 and 3 of the Young Innovators Program-2022.
Bharat
Dates announced for Rounds 2 and 3 of the Young Innovators Program-2022.
By
Sunil Shukla
Young Innovator's Program is a platform to foster young minds with scientific enthusiasm and a credo to solve the problems facing the globe.
Read More
Buy Website Traffic
logo
The Public Press Journal
publicpressjournal.com