Indian Polyvalent Antivenom
Polyvalent antivenom is a life‑saving serum that neutralises venom from multiple snake species. Developed by Indian institutes and manufacturers, it is primarily derived from the venom of the “big four” snakes — the Indian cobra, common krait, Russell’s viper and saw‑scaled viper. The antivenom is affordable and widely available, making it the backbone of snakebite treatment in India. However, experts at the Assam Snake Symposium 2025 pointed out that this one‑size‑fits‑all serum does not work well against species prevalent in Northeast India. They emphasised the need for region‑specific antivenoms to improve recovery and reduce fatalities.
Sakura Science Programme
The Sakura Science Programme is an exchange initiative started by Japan in 2014. It invites young students from countries such as India, Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa to visit Japan for short‑term educational tours. Participants, including 34 Indian students flagged off in August 2025, interact with universities, research centres and cultural institutions. The programme aims to spark scientific curiosity, foster cross‑cultural understanding and build a network of future innovators.
E. coli Turned into a Mercury Sensor
Researchers at Imperial College London and Zhejiang University have engineered Escherichia coli bacteria to act as living sensors for toxic metals. The modified microbes produce phenazine molecules when they detect mercury in water. These molecules generate an electrical current on an electrode, and the strength of the current corresponds to the concentration of mercury. Such biosensors could provide cheap, self‑powered tools for monitoring drinking water, tracking industrial pollution and advancing synthetic biology.
Dibru–Saikhowa National Park
Dibru–Saikhowa is a riverine national park in Assam between the Brahmaputra and Dibru rivers. It was declared a biosphere reserve in 1997 and a national park in 1999. Covering about 425 km², its landscape of wetlands, grasslands and semi‑evergreen forests hosts India’s only feral horses, critically endangered birds such as the Bengal florican and mammals like hog deer and swamp grass babbler. The park faces threats from invasive plants, floods and human pressure, which shrink its grassland habitats and endanger its unique biodiversity.
India’s First Sustainable Aviation Fuel Plant from Used Cooking Oil
The Indian Oil Corporation announced that by December 2025 its Panipat refinery will start producing sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) using used cooking oil. SAF is a biofuel made from renewable feedstocks such as waste oil, ethanol and agricultural residues. It can be blended with conventional jet fuel and reduces lifecycle carbon emissions by up to 80 %. The Panipat plant is expected to produce 35,000 tonnes of SAF per year. Benefits include lower greenhouse gas emissions, reduced reliance on imported fossil fuel and compliance with international carbon offset requirements. Challenges remain, including high costs, collecting waste oil from small eateries and industry resistance.
Arctic Reindeer Could Decline Sharply by 2100
A study published in 2025 warned that populations of Arctic reindeer (caribou) could drop by up to 80 % by the end of the century. Reindeer, known in Eurasia as Rangifer tarandus and in North America as caribou, inhabit the tundra and boreal forests of Canada, Alaska, Greenland, Scandinavia and Russia. Their wide hooves and thick fur make them well adapted to snow. Reindeer grazing regulates tundra vegetation and influences the carbon cycle. Climate change threatens their survival by altering food availability and habitats. Industrial development and over‑hunting add further pressure, prompting calls for urgent conservation.