Oncolytic Viruses

We saw some time back about how medical science is trying its hardest to fight viral illnesses, even to the extent of trying to find ways to fight a rather innocuous illness like the common cold. Not all viruses are bad for humans though. Modified and attenuated viruses are used extensively in vaccinations. Viruses have [...]

Suspended Animation

The scientific world is all agog about recent demonstrations that Hydrogen Sulphide, a gas released by all animals and characterised by the smell of rotting eggs is instrumental in causing mice to enter a state of suspended animation. One wonders that it took so long to demonstrate this, given that since time immemorial, people have [...]

Wonder Drug

In the continuing battle against disease, researchers have now come up with “Super Chew” , a new drug targeted at helping the human system combat common cold and flue. It is a novel approach and considering the ease of administering the drug, possibly worth considering. But one wonders … Are we justified in tampering with [...]

Tie Breaker

“By spin of a coin” is often used to decide the outcome of a contest or to decide how it begins as it has for long been considered virtually tamper-proof. Now a bunch of researchers has come up with findings that could send that phrase for a toss! We at the Club are divided in [...]

Psychohistory

Predicting the future has been something humankind has always hankered after. However it has always lain in the realms of pseudoscience. Now though, scientists claim to have made a science of prediction using computer models capable of predicting insurgent attacks and the scale of these attacks. Shades of Hari Seldon perhaps?

Male Superiority?

Scientists, philosophers, actually virtually anyone and everyone has at one time or another debated whether the male or the female of the species is superior. A study done this year at the Tokyo University of Agricultural Sciences claims that not only is the female of the species better adapted to survival (and therefore superior), but [...]

Lies, damned lies, and statistics

Benjamin Disraeli once said, “There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies, and statistics.” As we see the swine flu epidemic unfold in India, we are struck by how true that statement is. Pune and adjoining Satara have been notified under the Epidemic Diseases Act; presumably because a large number of cases are being [...]

Big celestial explosion in the offing

The red star Betelgeuse in the constellation Orion is about to explode they say. Raises two important points to my mind – 1.   Where will Ford Prefect go home to? 2.   Maybe the Orion is an Indian Hunter. He just wants to spew betel juice all over the universe.