Nature India Podcast

Episode 47: This week in India's science: 21 April 2025India's gravitational wave research milestone, the wisdom of Indigenous communities in conservation and an archaeological twist to South Asia's farming origin.

Host: Subhra Priyadarshini; Sound editing: Prince George On this week's show: Bacteria that patch up Moon bricks, magnetic gels that grow muscle in mice, cool leather from waste and a vanishing forest tree’s comeback.

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

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 Escherichia coli strains. We also shed light on the persistent underrepresentation of women 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.

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.This episode of Biolore 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: Subhra Priyadarshini; Co-production: Sahana Ghosh; Sound editing and Biolore title music: Prince George; Biolore vocal: Sarah Hyder Iqbal

In this episode of Biolore, 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 Lantana camara 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 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: Subhra Priyadarshini; Co-production: Sahana Ghosh; Sound editing and Biolore title music: Prince George; Biolore vocal: Sarah Hyder Iqbal

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: Subhra Priyadarshini ; Co-production: Sahana Ghosh ; Sound editing and Biolore title music: Prince George ; Biolore vocal: Sarah Hyder Iqbal

The Biolore 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. Biolore delves into foundational science, analyzing its lasting impact on humankind. In the second episode of Biolore, we discuss the science, culture and controversy surrounding the world's most favourite rice — basmati.

The Biolore 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. Biolore 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: Subhra Priyadarshini; Co-production: Sahana Ghosh; Sound editing and Biolore title music: Prince George; Biolore vocal: Sarah Hyder Iqbal