School of Natural Sciences and Engineering

What drives anthropogenic fine particulate chloride emissions in India? – A quantitative assessment of hotspots

Particulate chloride (pCl) is a significant constituent of atmospheric particulate matter, playing a critical role as a key precursor to secondary aerosols via nocturnal heterogeneous reactions. While coarse pCl typically prevails along the coastal belt, however, the growing presence of fine pCl in the interior regions is an emerging air quality concern. Anthropogenic sources driving these emissions remain poorly characterised, particularly in India, where existing global inventories lack resolution and specificity.

To Be or Not to Be Conscious: Reflections on the Phenomenological Complexity of the Macaque Mind

 One of the most difficult aspects of studying consciousness scientifically, particularly in other-than-humans, is to develop functional definitions for the phenomenon in non-verbal beings, wherein consciousness has to manifest itself in behavioural actions that can be unambiguously ascribed to being products of conscious states of the mind.

Krishnan Raghavan

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Krishnan Raghavan
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Dr. Krishnan Raghavan specializes in climate modeling to understand scientific issues relating to “Climate Change, Asian Monsoon and Water Cycle”. Under his leadership the Centre for Climate Change Research (CCCR) @ IITM, Pune, developed the first Earth System Model (ESM) from India that contributed to the CMIP6 and IPCC Sixth Assessment Report. He was a Coordinating Lead Author in the IPCC AR6 WG1 report (Chapter-8: Water Cycle Changes) and a Drafting Author in the Summary for Policymakers. He was a Member of the Joint Scientific Committee (JSC), World Climate Research Programme (WCRP), World Meteorological Organisation (WMO). He and his team from CCCR-IITM published the First National Climate Change Assessment Report of the Ministry of Earth Sciences, Govt of India in 2020. After obtaining M.Sc degree in Applied Mathematics from the Madras Institute of Technology, Chennai, he pursued Ph.D. research in Atmospheric Sciences at the Physical Research Laboratory, Ahmedabad. He was awarded Ph.D. degree from Univ. of Pune in 1994. He has published over 165 scientific articles/papers, supervised/co-supervised 26 PhDs [21 (awarded) + 1 (submitted) + 4 (ongoing)] & 7 Master (M.Sc/M.Tech) dissertation. He offered training lectures in Geophysical Fluid Dynamics & Atmospheric Sciences.

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Dhananjay A. Sant

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Dr. Dhananjay A. Sant, a retired Professor of Geology from the Department of Geology at Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, Vadodara, India, holds over 38 years of academic and research experience. His expertise spans multidisciplinary studies in geology, geomorphology, paleoclimatology, geoarchaeology, and near-surface seismology. Dr. Sant obtained his Ph.D. in Geology in 1992 and a master’s degree in Geology (Honors) in 1987 from the Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda. His research focuses on climate change dynamics, sedimentary processes, and subsurface imaging techniques. His impactful publications have significantly contributed to Earth Sciences, appearing in prestigious journals such as Geophysical Research Letters, Soil Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering, Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, Journal of Asian Earth Sciences, Chaos, Solitons & Fractals, Frontiers Earth Science, Cretaceous Research, Current Science, Journal Geological Society of India. Dr. Sant has collaborated with esteemed institutions, including IISc Bangalore, Department of Ancient History and Archaeology at MSU, CSIR Fourth Paradigm Institute, Bengaluru, Geological Survey of India, Jammu University, Indian Institute of Geomagnetism, and the University of Cambridge. He has guided numerous Ph.D. students and serves as a reviewer for numerous international scientific journals and funding bodies. Dr. Sant’s pioneering research is on high-resolution quantitative sedimentology and profiling low-velocity zones within Quaternary sediments and beneath the Deccan Traps using microtremor HVSR technique. Microtremor HVSR technique has practical applications in engineering and mineral exploration, as well as carbon dioxide and hydrogen sequestration. Additionally, Dr. Sant actively participates in professional associations and has held key administrative positions at the university, including serving as a Senate member and Director of the All-India Central Services Training Centre.

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Geospatial Identification of Human–Wildlife Conflict Hotspots in the Southern Western Ghats

This study analyzed unprecedented 34,596 geo-stamped human-wildlife conflict (HWC) incidents from 2019–2023 in Karnataka’s Southern Western Ghats reveals critical insights into spatio-temporal dynamics. Predominated by human–elephant conflicts (92.1% of incidents, 87.4% of compensation), the data also includes human–carnivore and other conflicts, with elephants, tigers, leopards, wild boars, and gaurs driving 99.6% of cases.

Geospatial Identification of Human–Wildlife Conflict Hotspots in the Southern Western Ghats

This study analyzed unprecedented 34,596 geo-stamped human-wildlife conflict (HWC) incidents from 2019–2023 in Karnataka’s Southern Western Ghats reveals critical insights into spatio-temporal dynamics. Predominated by human–elephant conflicts (92.1% of incidents, 87.4% of compensation), the data also includes human–carnivore and other conflicts, with elephants, tigers, leopards, wild boars, and gaurs driving 99.6% of cases.

International Albinism Awareness Day

International Albinism Awareness Day is observed on June 13. It is a rare genetic condition that results in little or no production of melanin, the pigment responsible for the colour of the skin, hair, and eyes. Yes, Albinism is hereditary. While a cure is not currently available, research in genetics and gene therapy is ongoing. Discriminating against people for a reason one is not responsible is a wrong that is committed.