Life Sciences

Samia ricini is an important non-mulberry silkworm species with considerable nutritional and economic significance in the sericulture industry. In addition to silk production, its developmental stages have potential nutritional value, while Eri culture provides opportunities for income generation and small-scale rural livelihoods. Castor (Ricinus communis) is one of the principal host plants of S. ricini and supports its growth and development under laboratory conditions.

Medicinal plants are believed to be used as first aid to treat people as primary medicine for several thousands of years. Among most of the people some plant species play an important role for their daily needs such as food, clothing, shelter and also economically. These plants have various bioactive compounds which exhibit diverse pharmacological activities and traditional medicines that effectively cure our primary health problems. Species of Citraceae family are commonly found in Assam. People largely used for the preparation of juice both locally and in industry level.

Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS) is an indispensable, hyphenated analytical technique that has profoundly influenced the areas of chemistry, life sciences, and medicine. By synergistically combining the high-resolution separation power of Liquid Chromatography (LC) with the unparalleled selectivity and sensitivity of Mass Spectrometry (MS), LC-MS enables the qualitative identification and precise quantitative analysis of complex mixtures.

The selective targeting ability of nanoparticles has overshadowed conventional cancer therapies. Recent studies have reported the anticancer potential of ZnO nanoparticles due to their high biocompatibility and selectivity. Through this study, the anticancer potential of biogenically synthesized glucose-capped (GC ZnO-NPs) and uncapped ZnO nanoparticles (UC ZnO-NPs) by aqueous leaf extract of Solanum nigrum has been assessed against the triple-negative breast cancer (MDA-MB-231) cell line through induction of apoptosis and the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS).

This study provides the first assessment of the morphometry, length–weight relationship, and condition factor of Sarpa salpa in the Bizerte Lagoon, northern Tunisia, to enhance understanding of its population structure and growth dynamics. Morphometric traits, including body shape, fin dimensions, and eye and orbital measurements, were analyzed to provide a detailed description of the species’ morphology.

Amblyopia, usually known as "lazy eye," is a childhood vision disorder resulting from impaired coordination between the brain and the eye during early visual development, leading to reduced vision in one eye. It is a universal public health concern, affecting 1-5% of the population, with higher prevalence in developing countries due to limited access to early diagnosis and treatment. Untreated amblyopia can cause permanent vision loss, impacting education and career prospects.

Rice is one of the most widely used staple foods in the world. However, its production is still very limited compared to the exponentially growing demand. Senegal, with an average consumption of 90 kg/habitant, is the third largest importer of rice in Africa. Aware of the impact of imports on the population, Senegal has set itself the objective of achieving food self-sufficiency by 2022 with an average yield of 5T/ha. ISRA, through its research, contributes to the achievement of this objective by developing adapted technologies.

This work reports the development of a UV-induced thiol–ene photografting process applied to cellulosic paper in a batch reactor, enabling homogeneous and controlled surface functionalization. Parametric optimisation revealed that increasing the thiol concentration from 0.05 to 0.20 mol•L⁻¹ raised the grafted sulfur content from 0.18% to 1.02%, while thiol conversion reached 98% after 90 min of irradiation at 15 mW•cm⁻².

Côte d'Ivoire, the world's largest producer of cocoa, is not outside the constraints linked to this crop. In addition to diseases like swollen shoot, certain bio-aggressors such as termites wreak havoc in cocoa trees. The objective of this study is to evaluate the yield loss linked to termite attacks on cocoa trees in different agroforestry systems. Yield was evaluated by selecting ten (10) infested and ten (10) non-infested cocoa trees in 30 m x 30 m quadrats installed in each plot.

This study examined the epidemiology of Salmonella Typhi in Kala'a Hong Local Government Area, Adamawa State. The research aimed to identify the prevalence, distribution, and risk factors associated with Salmonella Typhi infections within the region. A cross-sectional survey design was employed, with samples collected from both clinical and environmental sources across selected communities. Laboratory analyses confirmed the presence of Salmonella Typhi, with results indicating a significant prevalence rate among the population.