Extreme Rainfall, Himalayan Ice Melt, Floods and Air Quality in Bengaluru, Smog-Tracking Sensors and more...

In this edition of the Research Matters newsletter, we have research-based articles and new species discovery. In the Research Beat section, we compile the top science, research and technology news from major Indian media outlets. Don’t forget to participate in the India STEAM Quiz, our weekly science quiz based on the week’s news. And check out Scidle - our science-wordle game featuring a new science word every day.

New high-resolution radar data reveal that prolonged, mid-sized clouds rather than massive thunderstorms, driven by fierce mountain winds are the real culprits behind the devastating extreme rainfall in the Western Ghats.

Underground scans reveal that the ancient permafrost sustaining India’s highest mountain settlements is rapidly melting away, leaving communities vulnerable to catastrophic water shortages.

Scientists have deployed an advanced digital twin model to simulate flash floods in Bengaluru’s vulnerable Koramangala-Challaghatta Valley, paving the way for real-time climate adaptation in India’s megacities.

A recent four-year study reveals how Bengaluru’s rapid urbanisation and soaring vehicle numbers have caused a sharp rise in toxic carbon monoxide and black carbon levels, creating a complex atmospheric trap heavily dictated by the city’s changing weather patterns and local traffic.

A dense network of ground sensors has successfully tracked massive plumes of toxic air from rural crop fires directly to Delhi, revealing extreme pollution levels missed by satellites.

• Researchers discover Brachybacterium netajii, a new pollution-eating bacteria from Hooghly

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1. Protecting elephants helps safeguard India’s forests as powerful carbon stores: Study - The Hindu

2. New sand boa species calls for attention - Mongabay India

3. India makes hydrogen from nuclear heat, not electricity. Why scientists are thrilled - India Today

4. India now dominates global research paper retractions with 6 universities in top 10 - India Today

5. PMRC scheme: Over Rs 13 crore for researchers moving to India, apply by July 15 - India Today

6. IIT Mandi scientists discover cellular signature of anaesthesia in plants, opening new frontiers in consciousness research - The Tribune

7. Academics not focusing their research on India’s problems is a tragedy: Kakodkar - Times of India

8. Ancient cave skeletal remains throw light on Ladakh’s role as crossroads of migration - Times of India

9. More trees, but less forest? India’s woodland boom hides a complicated truth - Times of India

10. Scientists Discover New Wasp Species in Rajarhat, Name It After Narayan Debnath - Times of India

11. India’s AI problem: Funding gap for AI startups, research and development is the core constraint - WION

12. Why India Must Make Clinical Research a Core Part of Medical Education - IndiaMed Today

13. IICT Hyderabad Scientists Discover Promising Vaccine Strategy for Lumpy Skin Disease and Mpox - South Matters

14. Scientist Claims Breakthrough In Construction Industry; Offers Coal Mine Waste As Alternative To Natural Stone - Etv Bharat

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