New Metamaterial, Nanoparticles for Spintronics, Nanosheets for Flextronics, Tricky DNA segments and more...

Weekly Newsletter | Issue #15 - 09 April, 2025

Apr 09, 2025

Greetings from Research Matters!

Before we get to the news this week, we have a request.

We need your support! We are really grateful to all our subscribers. As a small team, producing science and research-based content, including daily articles and weekly infographics, comics, and the newsletter, it has often been challenging, but your support has kept us going. If you like our work and would like to support a small science newsroom's growth, kindly consider donating.

Support us

Do you have a research publication or upcoming events you would like us to cover in the newsletter? Email us at editors@researchmatters.in.

This World Health Day, learn more about the backbone of India’s healthcare - Its Primary Health Centres with our detailed infographic.

In this week's stories; there is a new metamaterial for super-sensitive sensors; new nanoparticles to advance spintronics, new nanosheets for flextronic applications, selfish DNA plasmids trick yeast genes; and using drones for ecological monitoring. Check out our regional section for stories in Hindi, Marathi and Kannada. We also have a podcast in Kannada in collaboration with Janasuddi. There are also stories from other media and events happening this week. Don’t forget to check out Scidle - the science wordle, for a new science word every day.

Find us on different platforms

Stories in this edition

Novel metamaterial sandwich achieves near-perfect detection of molecular fingerprints | UoD, IIT Delhi

By precisely tuning the metamaterial structures, researchers create a near-perfect light trap synchronised with molecular vibrations, paving the way for advanced sensors and optical devices.

How a new Gd-doped Tin disulfide nanoparticles could Revolutionize Spintronics | VIT-AP University

Researchers investigate the structural, optical, and magnetic traits of novel nanomaterials synthesized via a simple hydrothermal method.

How MoS₂ nanosheets could supercharge flexible plastic circuits | Guru Ghasidas Vishwavidyalaya, others

Adding minuscule Molybdenum Disulfide flakes helps organize polymer chains, paving the way for faster, more efficient bendable electronics.

The hitchhiking DNA: How a tiny circular piece of DNA tricks the yeast for survival | IIT Bombay

For generations, a tiny piece of DNA has mastered the art of inheritance by hijacking the yeast cell’s division machinery, despite providing no known benefit to its host, the yeast.

Sky-high botanists: Drones are helping researchers study inaccessible plants | Yeungnam University, SRM University AP, others

Researchers use drones and 3D modeling to accurately track the growth of Victoria amazonica without getting their feet wet.

Infographic: World Health Day 2025

Science Games & Puzzles

Try the science wordle game - Scidle, and share your score with the world!

Play Scidle

-11:52

Research Beat | Research-based news in other media

India’s first home-grown civil aircraft Hansa-3 (NG) given to private firm for commercial manufacturing - Deccan Herald
IIT-Kharagpur study reveals alarming impact of ozone pollution on major Indian food crops - Deccan Herald
CSIR-NAL and Supreme Solar Partner to Revolutionize Solar Water Heating with Eco-Friendly NALSUN-NGTM Coating - The Financial World
Sweet twist: Artificial sweetener saccharin found to kill deadly drug-resistant bacteria and boost antibiotic power - Business Today
'₹35,000 a month...': Viral post on PhD stipends sparks uproar over India’s research funding neglect - Business Today
IIT Madras researchers develop ‘UbiqMap’, a real-time indoor mapping solution that can be used under any conditions - Hindustan Times
India needs to be product nation, design as per own specs: Principal Scientific Advisor Ajay Kumar Sood - The Indian Express
India launches first study to detect bird-to-human diseases, will help prepare for future pandemics - The New Indian Express
Indian marine scientists turn to AI in hunt for curious corals - India Today
Building India’s First Quantum Computer, a Foreign-Returned Physicist Battles the Bureaucracy - Outlook Business

Events

Sci-Tech Legends of India: A Doll Exhibition | IISc, 12 April 2025
Kaapi with Kuriosity - Three Puzzles from the First Billion Years | ICTS, 13 April 2025
Designing for a crisis: Story of the Stove | Science Gallery Bengaluru (SGB), 13 April 2025
SciKnowFest2025 - Grand Science & Math Carnival | SciKnow Tech, Ahmedabad, 13 April 2025

Share Research Matters | Beat