18 Feb 2014

How dengue virus enters cells found

Scientists have unveiled the mechanism behind how dengue enters cells of our immune system, a finding that could help develop vaccine for the deadly virus. 

Dengue fever, an infectious tropical disease caused by a mosquito-borne virus, afflicts millions of people each year, causing fever, headache, muscle and joint pains and a characteristic skin rash, researchers said. In some people the disease progresses to a severe, often fatal, form known as dengue hemorrhagic fever.

Liquid Crystal Soft Matter Improves Biosensing

Plop living, swimming bacteria into a novel water-based, nontoxic liquid crystal and a new physics takes over. The dynamic interaction of the bacteria with the liquid crystal creates a novel form of soft matter: living liquid crystal.

New spider species discovered in Kerala

Aranmula: Three new species of spiders have been discovered near the proposed airport site at Aranmula in Pathanamthitta district, Kerala.

The research team, led by AV Sudhikumar, an arachnologist with the Zoology Department of Christ College, Irinjalakuda, has discovered three new and eight rare species of spiders on the proposed airport site.