Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

RupsyKhurana @rupsykhurana.bsky.social · 21d

Small-scale fisheries account for ~ 40% of the global fish catch. Widely seen as more sustainable, they overlap with critical habitats for sharks and rays.
My latest for @MongabayIndia on why elasmobranchs need local actions grounded in species biology.

india.mongabay.com/2025/09/indi...

India’s nearshore fisheries overlap with shark and ray habitats

Small-scale fishing along India’s coasts, often seen as sustainable, is emerging as a threat to sharks and rays, which need local management.

india.mongabay.com

1

Reposted by RupsyKhurana

National Centre for Biological Sciences, Bengaluru @ncbsbangalore.bsky.social · Jul 16

#ResearchExplained!
A recent study from Prof. @rpadinjat.bsky.social and Prof R. Sowdhamini's lab found that genes encoding PIP4K—a key enzyme in the phosphoinositide signalling pathway that regulates PIP3 levels—are found exclusively in metazoans.

Read: bit.ly/3TIyxo0

✏️@rupsykhurana.bsky.social

1 2

Reposted by RupsyKhurana

National Centre for Biological Sciences, Bengaluru @ncbsbangalore.bsky.social · Jul 15

#ResearchExplained!
🐕Free-ranging dogs are changing Spiti Valley's fragile food web, forcing red foxes to adapt.

🦊NCBS MSc. Wildlife program alumnus Herman Ramesh & team investigated how varying dog densities influence red fox behaviour.

Read here: bit.ly/3IukakD

✏️ @rupsykhurana.bsky.social

1 2

RupsyKhurana @rupsykhurana.bsky.social · Jul 8

#biomarkers #healthy #aging #AI

RupsyKhurana @rupsykhurana.bsky.social · Jul 4

My latest for @thehindu.com
Much of what we know about health and disease comes from studies in Western populations, which means the
diagnostic tools, biomarkers, and even treatments may not be optimal for people in India or other non-Western countries.
www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/hea...
DM for copy

A new BHARAT- establishing baseline health parameters for the Indian population

BHARAT study in India aims to identify biomarkers for healthy aging, addressing the gap in Western-focused research.

www.thehindu.com

1

Reposted by RupsyKhurana

National Centre for Biological Sciences, Bengaluru @ncbsbangalore.bsky.social · Jun 12

#ResearchExplained!
In a first, @vivekharisundar.bsky.social & team from Dr @shivaprasadpv.bsky.social 's group has identified a new H4 histone variant in rice which may have helped semi-aquatic rice varieties adapt to changing environments.🌾

Read here: bit.ly/4jNcirp
By @rupsykhurana.bsky.social

2 4

RupsyKhurana @rupsykhurana.bsky.social · May 25

My latest for @hindustan-times.bsky.social
I explore the world of animals that is beyond our imagination. Colors we cannot see, sounds we cannot hear and so much more.
What might seem absurd is just another way of being.
DM me for a copy or the story is freely available on HT app.
#animal #senses

Reposted by RupsyKhurana

National Centre for Biological Sciences, Bengaluru @ncbsbangalore.bsky.social · May 14

#NewFaculty!
Welcome to the campus, Dr @pritiagarwal.bsky.social !

🎙️In an interview with Rupsy Khurana, Dr Priti Agarwal talks about her journey, motivations, and research, along with her exciting plans for the future at NCBS.

Read Here: news.ncbs.res.in/spotlight/nc...

@rupsykhurana.bsky.social

1 7 10

Reposted by RupsyKhurana

National Centre for Biological Sciences, Bengaluru @ncbsbangalore.bsky.social · May 19

#ResearchExplained!
Himanshu C. & team from Prof Uma Ramakrishnan's group is using trace DNA at livestock kill sites to help ID the exact predator- species & individual, paving the way for more informed & strategic conservation resolutions
Read here: bit.ly/4k1HKmL
✏️ @rupsykhurana.bsky.social

3 5

Reposted by RupsyKhurana

RupsyKhurana @rupsykhurana.bsky.social · May 14

To avoid predation by an invasive parasitoid fly, crickets on Hawaii are remixing their love songs for females but these escape plans might not be foolproof, at least not yet.
My latest for @thehindu.com is on an evolutionary arms race in real time.

www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/sci...

Scientists have found a cricket evolving rapidly to beat a new threat

Pacific field crickets in Hawaii evolved quieter songs to evade invasive flies, but flies adapted, illustrating a rapid evolutionary arms race driven by climate change.

www.thehindu.com

1 2 7

RupsyKhurana @rupsykhurana.bsky.social · May 14

Thank you @robinmting.bsky.social
@virajtorsekar.bsky.social @cleobertelsmeier for the comments.

@Vasudevan Mukunth for the wonderful edits.

1

RupsyKhurana @rupsykhurana.bsky.social · May 14

To avoid predation by an invasive parasitoid fly, crickets on Hawaii are remixing their love songs for females but these escape plans might not be foolproof, at least not yet.
My latest for @thehindu.com is on an evolutionary arms race in real time.

www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/sci...

Scientists have found a cricket evolving rapidly to beat a new threat

Pacific field crickets in Hawaii evolved quieter songs to evade invasive flies, but flies adapted, illustrating a rapid evolutionary arms race driven by climate change.

www.thehindu.com

1 2 7

RupsyKhurana @rupsykhurana.bsky.social · Mar 5

@alexskeels.bsky.social and Jason Ali, thank you for your comments.

1

RupsyKhurana @rupsykhurana.bsky.social · Mar 5

My latest for @the_hindu
Australia and Asia boast rich biodiversity that is also unique. A simple yet popular way to understand these ‘separate greatnesses’ has taken the shape of the Wallace line.
www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/sci...
Thank you for the edits, Vasudevan Mukunth.

How the Wallace line explains the difference in species across continents

Discover the Wallace Line, a biogeographical boundary between Asia and Australia, through the eyes of naturalist Alfred Russel Wallace.

www.thehindu.com

1 2

Reposted by RupsyKhurana

Science Magazine @science.org · Mar 2

A U.S. military base on the Galápagos Islands could harm fragile species and ecosystems, argue the authors of a new #LetterToScience.

Military base threatens Galápagos Islands

In December 2024, the Ecuadorian government, led by President Daniel Noboa, authorized the establishment of a US military base on the Galápagos Islands, a Natural World Heritage Site.

scim.ag

2 31 130

RupsyKhurana @rupsykhurana.bsky.social · Feb 12

#Internationaldayofwomenandgirlsinscience ! Woking with @TinkleMagazine was a dream. I am glad that I could turn this into a reality @ncbsbangalore.bsky.social Hope to initiate more such fun collaborations that bring curiosity and wonder of #science to mainstream. #scicomm

National Centre for Biological Sciences, Bengaluru @ncbsbangalore.bsky.social · Feb 10

#NewComicAlert!
Our latest comic with Tinkle Comics Studio featuring the inspiring story of Dr Dimple Notani is out now!
Dimple is an Associate Professor at NCBS studying gene regulation.

Check it out and let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
#sciencecomics
@dimplenotani.bsky.social

Title: Meet Superwoman Dimple Notani!
Publisher: NCBS, Tinkle Issue #821 (February 2025)

This comic introduces Dimple Notani, a scientist studying gene regulation, through engaging illustrations and dialogue.

Panel 1: An elephant, a monkey, and a woman stand in a green outdoor setting. The elephant says, "I’m big and I have a trunk." The monkey, swinging from a tree, adds, "I have long arms that help me swing from trees." The woman, dressed in an orange shirt and blue jeans, says, "I walk on two legs and don’t have a trunk or long arms. We are so different! Yet, our DNA is 98% similar!" This highlights genetic similarities despite physical differences.

Panel 2: A scientist in a white lab coat and glasses stands with the group. She explains, "We all have a genetic code—our DNA. It contains instructions that determine height, eye color, behavior, and more." The characters listen attentively.

Panel 3: The scientist introduces DNA’s four building blocks: A, T, G, and C. A diagram shows how these nucleotides pair. She explains, "These letters are in all DNA. Their arrangement creates differences between species. When their order changes, they form different ‘words’ and ‘sentences,’ leading to changes in us." A footnote clarifies that nucleotides are DNA’s building blocks.

Panel 4: In a lab, a digital display of a DNA helix is shown. The scientist, joined by her students in lab coats, says, "We study DNA’s ‘sentences’ to understand genetic differences." A student adds, "Our field of study is gene regulation."

This educational comic explains DNA and gene regulation through engaging visuals and simple analogies, emphasizing how genetic codes shape living beings.
Continued to page 2

Title: Meet Superwoman Dimple Notani! (Page 2)
Publisher: NCBS, Tinkle Issue #821 (February 2025)

This page continues introducing Dr. Dimple Notani and her passion for decoding DNA.

Panel 1: A surreal scene features an elephant with tiger stripes, a monkey with a trunk, and a tiger walking upright like a human and a woman with one half of her hair curly and the other half straight. Dr. Notani explains, "There is a reason an animal looks and behaves in certain ways. We don’t often question how it all works. Decoding this is my passion."

Panel 2: Dr. Notani, in a lab coat, speaks to two colleagues. She says, "Decoding DNA is like finding the secret language of life. It helps us understand why some people get diseases and some don’t, helping prevent or treat them." She holds a folder while explaining.

Panel 3: A young girl observes tadpoles and wonders, "How do they become frogs?" An inset of Dr. Notani states, "I didn’t always know I would have such an awesome job." Another inset adds, "Even though I wasn’t always good at studies, I was fascinated by animals and insects."

Panel 4: A younger Dr. Notani, excited, thinks, "I have to tell my professors about this discovery!" She explains, "My curiosity turned into a passion for understanding differences. My school teacher encouraged me to pursue science. Despite hardships, I became my family’s first graduate and scientist."

Panel 5: Dr. Notani shares, "My postdoctoral mentor, Michael Geoff Rosenfeld, inspired me. I now encourage young people to pursue science. No matter the challenges, you’ll find a way past them!" A note clarifies "Studies done after PhD."

The comic concludes: "Dimple Notani is associated with the National Centre for Biological Sciences, Bengaluru."

3

RupsyKhurana @rupsykhurana.bsky.social · Feb 2

While tobacco and alcohol use, oral lesions, and UV exposure are well-known risk factors, clinicians are noticing a surge in aggressive oral cancers worldwide that these causes can’t fully explain.

In my latest for @deccanherald

Read more at: www.deccanherald.com/health/catch...

Catching the unsuspecting culprits behind oral cancer

Rupsy Khurana writes about a study that explored reasons behind the compromised immune systems in oral cancer patients

www.deccanherald.com

Reposted by RupsyKhurana

RupsyKhurana @rupsykhurana.bsky.social · Jan 19

In my latest for @the_hindu
As people age, they accrue richer experiences and their wisdom deepens.
So do animals. Without these elders, fish may never find their spawning grounds and birds would get waylaid as they flew across continents.
DM for a copy.

www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/ene...

Grave new world: humans are killing the elders species need to survive

Elders in the animal kingdom hold crucial knowledge, guiding their families and ecosystems through life's uncertainties, and killing them off could affect a species in more ways than the death of othe...

www.thehindu.com

1

RupsyKhurana @rupsykhurana.bsky.social · Jan 19

In my latest for @the_hindu
As people age, they accrue richer experiences and their wisdom deepens.
So do animals. Without these elders, fish may never find their spawning grounds and birds would get waylaid as they flew across continents.
DM for a copy.

www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/ene...

Grave new world: humans are killing the elders species need to survive

Elders in the animal kingdom hold crucial knowledge, guiding their families and ecosystems through life's uncertainties, and killing them off could affect a species in more ways than the death of othe...

www.thehindu.com

1

RupsyKhurana @rupsykhurana.bsky.social · Dec 14

Hello Dr Kopf, I am trying to get in touch with you for a story. I’d really appreciate if you could take a look at my email. Thank you.

RupsyKhurana @rupsykhurana.bsky.social · Dec 3

In my latest for @the_hindu , I look at emerging infectious diseases—a new actor on the list of threats to pollinators.

thehindu.com/sci-tech/scien…#beese#emergingdiseasese#diseaseses

https://thehindu.com/sci-tech/scien…

1