Research and innovation

As Kinnaur’s Deodhars stand sentinel, their rings urge action. Reforestation with drought-resilient natives, slope-stabilizing terracing, and AI-driven monitoring could blunt the edge. Community-led early warnings, drawing on local lore, might save lives where tech lags.

Indian agricultural scientists say the new AI-based model needs to be developed further, to provide the most useful data for all those who need it.

The activists alleged that data was selectively used, negative trial results ignored, and unsubstantiated performance claims amplified in order to push the technology into Indian farms without adequate scientific basis or regulatory rigour.

The cost of Tuesday’s two flights alone is estimated at ₹1.2 crore (approximately) as part of the pilot. While rainfall did not materialise, IIT Kanpur reported modest reductions in particulate matter (PM₂.₅ and PM₁₀) at test locations, roughly 6 to 10 per cent lower concentrations.

This allows researchers to recreate the compound in controlled settings, speeding up pharmaceutical development and reducing dependence on scarce natural sources.

Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa has ordered a time-bound scientific study of photocatalytic “smog-eating” coatings, including titanium dioxide-based surfaces, hoping they may offer a drawbridge between policy and technological innovation to reduce harmful pollutants like nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) and volatile hydrocarbons.

The indigenously developed technology ‘Gausort’ was launched by the prime minister earlier on  5 October 2024 will be used in sex sorting. Through Gausort technology, Sex Sorted Semen will be available to the farmers of the eastern and north-eastern region at reasonable rates.

Although aluminium has great potential because it can store and release energy efficiently, scientists faced problems in practically using it due to its complicated chemistry.