The Sciences
Microbes are at the ‘root’ of a tasty and strong tea
This latest discovery can offer an alternative to breeding tea varieties without genetically modifying the plant itself, or relying on chemical fertilizers.

Plant biologists in China have found that adding synthetic microbes into the roots of soils can enhance the strength and taste of tea in certain varieties.
The research, published in Current Biology, studied 17 different tea varieties, particularly how the microbes in the tea roots affected ammonia uptake. The ammonia uptake by the roots has been known to influence production of theanine, an amino acid, responsible for determining flavor in tea.
A synthetic microbial community prepared by the researchers, called SynCom, was inserted into the roots of the high-theanine tea variety called Rougui. “The initial expectation for the synthetic microbial community derived from high-quality tea plant roots was to enhance the quality of low-quality tea plants,” said co-author Wenxin Tang, a plant biologist at the Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University. “However, to our astonishment, we discovered that the synthetic microbial community not only enhances the quality of low-quality tea plants but also exerts a significant promoting effect on certain high-quality tea varieties.”
This latest discovery can offer an alternative to breeding tea varieties without genetically modifying the plant itself, while also alleviating dependence from chemical fertilizers. Moreover, the findings in this paper was found to help with ammonia uptake in Arabidopsis thaliana (or thale cress). The researchers said they plan to use their SynCom microbial community to see if it can help grow rice with higher yields and protein content in a future study.
Learning & Teaching
Canine Cognitive Abilities: Memory, Intelligence, and Human Interaction
Research on canine cognition shows that dogs have impressive memory retention, which helps them recognize faces, remember commands, and understand their environment.

Dogs are renowned for their ability to adapt and respond to various situations. One of the key features of their intelligence is their memory and how they utilize past experiences to navigate new circumstances. Dogs not only remember specific events but also use those memories to make decisions in future situations. Research on canine cognition shows that dogs have impressive memory retention, which helps them recognize faces, remember commands, and understand their environment. When faced with a new scenario, they often recall previous similar experiences and apply those learnings effectively.
Understanding Human Cues: A Result of Evolution
Dogs’ remarkable ability to understand human cues—whether through body language, vocal tones, or facial expressions—is another significant aspect of their cognitive prowess. Over thousands of years of domestication, dogs have learned to interpret human signals, making them highly attuned to the needs and intentions of their human companions. This phenomenon is often attributed to the domestication hypothesis, which suggests that dogs have evolved alongside humans and, in doing so, developed the ability to read and respond to human cues.

However, some researchers argue that dogs’ ability to understand human cues might not solely stem from domestication. There is a possibility that dogs’ social intelligence could be a result of convergent evolution, where dogs’ cognitive abilities have evolved similarly to those of social animals like primates, despite not sharing a direct evolutionary path. This perspective is still debated in the field, but it underscores the complexity of understanding the roots of canine cognition.
Cognitive Categories in Dogs: Classifying Intelligence
Dogs’ cognitive abilities can be broken down into various categories that reflect the diversity of their intelligence. These categories help researchers study the different aspects of how dogs think, learn, and behave. Some of the key categories include:
• Spatial Intelligence: Dogs possess a strong sense of spatial awareness, allowing them to navigate their environment effectively. They can remember the locations of objects such as toys, food bowls, and leashes. This spatial awareness also extends to their ability to assess distances and understand their surroundings. While most dogs develop this intelligence naturally, some may need training to enhance their spatial skills.
• Intrapersonal Intelligence: This refers to a dog’s ability to understand its own physical abilities, limitations, and needs. For example, a dog might avoid attempting an action, such as jumping over a large gap, if it perceives it to be beyond its capabilities. This form of intelligence reflects the dog’s self-awareness, although the level of this awareness may differ from that seen in humans. Dogs might not have conscious self-reflection, but their behavior indicates an understanding of their limits.
• Interpersonal Intelligence: Dogs are highly social animals, and their interpersonal intelligence is reflected in their ability to communicate with both humans and other dogs. They can interpret social cues and respond accordingly, forming strong bonds with their human families and understanding the dynamics of their social group. This intelligence is particularly evident in their interactions with humans, where they not only respond to verbal commands but also tune into human emotions, following social hierarchies and giving appropriate responses. For example, dogs can respond to human emotions by offering comfort or adjusting their behavior based on the emotional state of their human companions.

The Role of Human-Dog Interaction in Cognitive Development
Dogs’ cognitive abilities, including their ability to understand human emotions, are likely a product of their long history of living alongside humans. Studies show that dogs can often read the intentions of humans, making them exceptionally skilled at interpreting social cues. This human-dog bond has shaped dogs’ social intelligence, allowing them to be highly responsive to the emotional and social cues provided by humans. For instance, when a human expresses frustration or joy, a dog can often sense the change in mood and react accordingly, whether by offering comfort or simply adjusting their behavior.
Interestingly, some studies suggest that domestic dogs might lose some of their problem-solving abilities when raised solely in human environments. This loss might occur because dogs begin to rely on human intervention for problem-solving, rather than using their independent cognitive skills. However, with appropriate training and stimulation, many dogs can retain or even develop complex problem-solving abilities.
Variations and Training
Just as with humans, not all dogs display the same level of cognitive abilities. Some dogs might struggle with spatial awareness or might not respond to certain social cues as effectively as others. This is particularly evident in some breeds or individual dogs that may require additional training to enhance these skills. Spatial awareness, for example, might be challenging for dogs that were not raised in environments where they had to navigate complex spaces. Training exercises can help improve these cognitive areas, allowing the dog to become more aware of its surroundings and capable of responding appropriately.

Moreover, self-awareness or intrapersonal intelligence can also vary among dogs. While some dogs might instinctively understand their physical limitations (e.g., recognizing when they can’t jump a certain height), others may require repeated experiences to learn these boundaries.
Complex and Multifaceted
Overall, dogs exhibit a wide range of cognitive abilities that demonstrate both adaptive intelligence and social prowess. Their ability to learn, remember, and apply past experiences to new situations showcases their problem-solving skills, while their social intelligence allows them to communicate effectively with humans and other dogs. While there is still much to learn about the origins and evolution of canine intelligence, it is clear that dogs have evolved to become highly adept at interpreting the world around them, both physically and socially.

The domestication of dogs, along with their interaction with humans, has contributed significantly to the development of their cognitive abilities. These abilities are not only a result of their domesticated lives but also a product of their evolutionary adaptation to social living, both with humans and other animals. Understanding these cognitive abilities in dogs helps deepen the bond between dogs and humans and enriches our appreciation for these remarkable companions.
Society
Health Challenges Intensify Amid Climate Change, Zoonotic Diseases: WHO former Chief Scientist
Dr. Soumya Swaminathan explains that most emerging viral threats today are zoonotic infections, transmitted from animals to humans, which are becoming more frequent due to environmental factors exacerbated by climate change

Amid rising concerns over climate change and its impact on human health, Dr. Soumya Swaminathan, the former Chief Scientist of the World Health Organization (WHO), highlighted the pressing challenges facing global health, particularly the rise of zoonotic diseases, antimicrobial resistance, and the growing threat of climate change.
Dr. Swaminathan made these remarks at an event in Cochin, the bustling port city in the southern Indian state of Kerala, on January 25, 2025. The event marked the launch of several initiatives as part of a significant research project on water quality and waterborne diseases in Vembanad Lake at the ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI). Dr. Swaminathan stressed the urgency of addressing these interconnected global health issues.
She explained that most emerging viral threats today are zoonotic infections, transmitted from animals to humans, which are becoming more frequent due to environmental factors exacerbated by climate change. “Most of the health threats today originate from environmental factors,” she said, calling for a stronger focus on integrated research. This includes collaboration across weather, climate, health, and environmental data to predict and prevent future outbreaks of infectious diseases.
Dr. Swaminathan also called for the establishment of an Environmental Health Regulatory Agency in India to better manage the risks posed by climate change and other environmental factors. “We need a more systematic and comprehensive approach to protecting public health,” she noted.
Dietary Risks and Non-Communicable Diseases
In addition to environmental concerns, Dr. Swaminathan raised alarms about the rising health risks linked to poor diets. “Half of Indians cannot afford a nutritionally sufficient healthy diet,” she revealed, highlighting the growing crisis of malnutrition, obesity, anaemia, and micronutrient deficiencies in the country. She particularly pointed to South Indian states Kerala and Tamil Nadu, where these health issues are escalating, despite the rising rates of obesity and non-communicable diseases.
Dr. Swaminathan also called for the establishment of an Environmental Health Regulatory Agency in India to better manage the risks posed by climate change and other environmental factors
Dr. Swaminathan emphasized the untapped potential of marine resources as a key solution to improving nutrition in India, urging for a greater focus on incorporating these resources into the national diet to combat these nutritional challenges.
Climate Change and Public Health
The devastating effects of climate change were another focal point of Dr. Swaminathan’s remarks. “India is one of the most vulnerable countries to climate change,” she warned. “Almost the entire population is exposed to climate hazards such as floods, droughts, cyclones, and extreme heat, which are detrimental to both physical and mental health.” She pointed out that the most vulnerable populations, including the poor, are hit hardest by these hazards and called for enhanced adaptation strategies and resilience-building measures to mitigate these impacts.
Collaboration and Citizen Science: A Path Forward
Dr. Swaminathan also underscored the importance of collaboration between government agencies, research institutions, and local communities in tackling these multifaceted health challenges. She highlighted the role of citizen science initiatives in empowering communities and gathering valuable data.
Reflecting on the success of the global scientific response to COVID-19, she praised the unprecedented collaboration and data-sharing that led to the rapid development of vaccines. “During my time at the WHO, I witnessed first-hand the extraordinary level of networking and data sharing,” Dr. Swaminathan said. “Scientists prioritized rapid dissemination of findings over individual publication, which paid off.”
However, she also warned about the dangers of misinformation, particularly in the digital age, where misleading health advice can easily spread on social media. “This was evident during the COVID-19 pandemic, when everyone considered themselves an ‘expert’ and offered advice to the public,” she said, stressing the need for clear, evidence-based communication.
Dr. Swaminathan also praised Kerala’s proactive approach to public health, particularly in effectively containing the Nipah virus, which serves as a model for other states in India.
Society
New Study Combines Modern Science and Ayurveda to Offer Hope for Alzheimer’s Treatment
The research explores a novel multipronged approach to Alzheimer’s treatment that combines modern scientific methods with ancient Ayurvedic medicine.

An intriguing study led by Professor Anirban Bhunia at the Bose Institute in Kolkata, India, offers new hope for those battling Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, and other neurodegenerative conditions. The research, published in two journals, explores a novel multipronged approach to treatment that combines modern scientific methods with ancient Ayurvedic medicine.
Amyloid proteins, particularly amyloid beta (Aβ), are known to play a significant role in the development of Alzheimer’s disease. These proteins accumulate in the brain, forming toxic plaques that disrupt normal brain function. Professor Bhunia and his team have been investigating strategies to prevent the aggregation of amyloid beta proteins, a key factor in the progression of Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative diseases.
In their latest study, the researchers employed two distinct strategies. The first involved the use of chemically synthesized small molecules, specifically designed peptides, which have shown promise in inhibiting amyloid aggregation. The second strategy repurposed an ancient Ayurvedic formulation, Lasunadya Ghrita (LG), which has long been used in traditional Indian medicine to treat depression and related mental health disorders.
This study highlights a novel role for Ayurvedic compounds in combating amyloid-related diseases
“We have demonstrated that the water extract of Lasunadya Ghrita (LGWE) is particularly effective in breaking down amyloid beta aggregates,” said Professor Bhunia. “Remarkably, these compounds were more effective than chemically designed peptides in reducing the toxicity of amyloid aggregates, breaking them down into smaller, non-toxic molecules.”
The team’s research revealed that LGWE not only disrupted the elongation of amyloid fibrils but also inhibited the formation of toxic oligomers in the early stages of aggregation. This study highlights a novel role for Ayurvedic compounds in combating amyloid-related diseases.
In their findings, which were published in Biochemistry (ACS) and Biophysical Chemistry (Elsevier), Professor Bhunia and his collaborators from the Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics (SINP) Kolkata and IIT-Guwahati confirmed that both the synthetic peptides and the natural compounds derived from Ayurveda were non-toxic and stable in serum. These compounds proved effective in inhibiting amyloid protein aggregation, offering new avenues for treatment.

Further collaboration with Ayurveda expert Professor Dr. Sanjeev Rastogi from Lucknow University in India’s Uttar Pradesh state emphasized the potential of integrating natural remedies into modern therapeutic strategies for neurodegenerative diseases. Their combined research sheds light on how Ayurvedic compounds can not only inhibit amyloid beta aggregation but also enhance the breakdown of these proteins more effectively than synthetic peptides.
“This study brings new hope for Alzheimer’s patients and demonstrates that ancient Ayurvedic medicine may have a modern-day role in treating complex diseases like dementia,” said Dr. Rastogi. “The potential of these natural compounds to address amyloid aggregation could revolutionize the way we approach treatment for these debilitating conditions.”
This innovative research underscores the importance of exploring both modern science and traditional medicine in the search for effective treatments for Alzheimer’s disease and related neurodegenerative disorders. It paves the way for further exploration of natural compounds and could significantly improve the quality of life for those suffering from dementia in the future.
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