Know your Garden Microbes : Nostoc As gardeners, we often focus on the macro aspects of our garden such as the plants, trees, and shrubs. But, what about the tiny microbes that play a vital role in the health of our gardens? Today, we are going to focus on a particular type of bacteria that is often overlooked: Nostoc. What is Nostoc? N ostoc is a jelly-like microorganism commonly found growing on soggy lawns. While the discovery of the creature might be frightening for some gardeners, it poses no threat to plants or animals in the environment. Because the Nostoc grows in places where grass does not, it is likely to fill in any gaps left by the grass. Evidence of an imbalance in the ratio of fungus to bacteria can be easily identified. Figure 1: Nostoc Growing in the Garden. It was once believed that these strange-looking masses of matter came from the dust of shooting stars, which gave rise to the nicknames star jelly, star shot, and star slime beca...
IIT Madras, a renowned educational institution, has taken a significant step towards integrating medical science and technology by introducing the Department of Medical Sciences and Technology. This initiative aims to explore the potential of advancements in medical science and technology, particularly in the context of the increasing reliance on Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the field. In a press release issued by IIT Madras , it was revealed that the department will adopt an interdisciplinary approach to prepare students for various domains within the field. The curriculum will focus on designing life-saving medical devices, drug discovery, the application of AI in medicine, and fundamental medical research. Furthermore, the department aims to train physicians to effectively utilize technology in their clinical practice and pave the way for physician-scientist training in India. The p...