Science Vision

2-17

Authors: K. Lalchhandama

The history of medicine teaches us that understanding the principle and natural origin of diseases is key to their effective management. Ancient Greek and Roman physicians abandoned supernatural interventions, as previously believed to be the sources of diseases, and instead expounded a theory of natural cause called miasma. Malaria (the very word meaning ‘bad air’) is the archetype, and is the most vicious of them all, then and thereafter, in the entire history of humankind. The search for its origin and transmission was as old as the miasma theory itself. Some rays of light dawned during the Italian the Renaissance from Girolamo Fracastoro in the form of contagion theory, but its true nature was as enigmatic as ever. The Pandora’s box of dilemmas was closed only on the closing of the 19th century CE. Yielding no medical enlightenment after a good two millennia, the miasma theory was confronted by the fledgling germ theory, and finally subjugated by the mosquito-malaria theory. The epoch-making discoveries came from two army physicians, Alphonse Laveran in Africa, who discovered the malarial parasite, and Ronald Ross in India, who discovered the mode of transmission. The saga is classic in the annals of science where theories are tested and falsified, and the one with the most credible and durable evidence survives, in spite of the odds and authoritative hostilities.

28-33

Authors: D.C. Baro, S. Sharma and R.A. Baishya

Extensive survey for ornamental fishes of Sonkosh River was conducted from April, 2012 to March, 2013. The River Sonkosh is located in the western part of Kokrajhar District of Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) area, a tributary of the Brahmaputra River in north-west bank. During the survey period, a total of 49 ornamental fish species were identified belonging to 34 genera, 18 families and 6 orders. Cyprinidae family represented the maximum number of species (18) followed by the family Channidae (5), Cobitidae (4), Siluridae (3), Amblycipitidae (3), Balitoridae, Nandidae, Badidae and Belontiidae (2 species each) and Notopteridae, Schilbeidae, Olyridae, Chacidae, Mastacembelidae, Chandidae, Osphronemidae, Gobiidae and Tetraodontidae (1 species each). The study shows that 1 species belongs to endangered category, 3 species near threatened, 1 species vulnerable, 32 species least concern, 3 species data deficient and 6 species not evaluated according to IUCN status, 2013.

39-45

Authors: Lalmuansangi and H. Lalramnghinglova

The present study was conducted during March to September 2013 at Palak Dil, the largest lake in Mizoram, which is located between 92°52’-92°55’E longitude and 22°10’-22°13’N latitude in the remote part of Mara Autonomous District Council in the southern part of Mizoram near the border of Indo-Burma hotspots region. The Palak Dil is a nationally recognized natural lake and the catchment area is approximately 18.5 sq km and the total water body is around 1.5 sq km only. The water quality, viz. temperature, pH, total dissolved solids, electrical conductivity, acidity, alkalinity, dissolved oxygen, biological oxygen demand, carbon dioxide, total hardness, chloride, nitrate, phosphate and iron were analyzed and found that all the parameters are within the standard limits given by various scientific agencies, but the water is not pure as expected. This can be accrued to the developmental works that were undergoing around the lake. Study on biodiversity was carried out by field enumeration, collection and identification of the flora and fauna. It was observed that the ecosystem in which birds and animals living there is gradually degrading due to anthropogenic activity and developmental works.

51-58

Authors: S. Mukherjee and N. Senthil Kumar

The terminator technology is a genetically engineered suicide mechanism that can be triggered off by specific external stimuli. The preferred trigger is antibiotic tetracycline, which is applied to seeds. As a result of which the seeds of the next generation will self-destruct by auto-poisoning. The main version of the terminator includes a set of three novel genes inserted into one plant. However, there is another version, which divides two or three genes on to two plants that are later to be cross-pollinated. The ultimate outcome is a dead seed in the following generation. Many consider terminator technology a problem due to the fact that the top 10 largest seed companies globally control half the world’s commercial seed market. Therefore, if terminator technology is commercialized, corporations will most likely try to incorporate this technology into all of their seeds. This would secure a much stronger monopoly on the seed market compared to patents because this technology would ensure that it is impossible for farmers to re-use their once harvested seeds.