Latest news with #DepartmentofZoology
Time of India
3 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
Certain antidepressants used during pregnancy may cause lifelong mental health issues in children, suggests AU study
Prayagraj: Certain antidepressants may impact brain development in fetuses, potentially resulting in long-term mental health issues in children. Researchers at the Allahabad University, led by Prof. KP Singh from the Department of Zoology, investigated the side-effects of newer antidepressants, including Vilazodone (Viibryd), Vortioxetine (Trintellix), and Venlafaxine (Venlor), on infant rats. Their findings indicated that these medications can have detrimental effects on newborns. The study was published in the esteemed Springer journal Archives of Toxicology, known for its high impact factor. Prof. Singh emphasized that depression is a significant global mental health issue, affecting 2-20% of Indians, with women being two to three times more likely to suffer than men. Pregnant women are especially vulnerable, with around 10-20% experiencing depression. He stressed the importance of balancing effective treatment with medication safety for both mother and baby's well-being. To investigate this, Prof Singh's team, comprising his research scholars Pallavi Singh and Priyanka Agarwal, conducted experiments on pregnant rats, mimicking human pregnancy. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo They found that when these antidepressants were given during key stages of brain development (equivalent to the second and third trimesters in humans), the baby rats showed several alarming changes. The study found that using certain newer antidepressant drugs during pregnancy could harm the unborn baby's brain development. These drugs were linked to smaller brain size and weight in the fetus. Parts of the brain responsible for thinking, emotions, learning, memory and movement were not properly developed. This includes areas like the cerebral cortex, hippocampus, and striatum. The study found that exposure to certain antidepressants in early life led to reduced levels of crucial brain chemicals like dopamine, serotonin, and acetylcholine, which are essential for mood regulation and mental function. Additionally, the levels of substances that support brain growth were decreased, and the rate of brain cell death was increased. As a result, the baby rats developed issues such as depression, anxiety, memory problems, and emotional regulation difficulties as they matured. Prof. Singh's research revealed that antidepressants taken during pregnancy may lead to lasting mental health issues in children, persisting into adulthood. The study found that exposure to these medications in the womb caused changes in brain chemistry and function that endured even as the offspring grew up, suggesting a lifelong impact. "The young rats developed depression- and anxiety-like behaviours, along with learning and memory problems. These issues persisted into adulthood, suggesting long-lasting impacts," said Pallavi Singh, the first author of the research paper, which reported these important findings published in top international journals like Elsevier and Springer. "The key concern of the research was to highlight that the safety of newer antidepressants like Vilazodone, Vortioxetine, and Venlafaxine during pregnancy is still not well understood. More research is needed before these drugs can be considered safe for both the expecting mother and her baby," said Prof Singh.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Science
- Time of India
Bio Bloom 2K-25 – Intercollegiate Science Fest held in Vizag
VISAKHAPATNAM: Department of Zoology, St. Joseph's College for Women (Autonomous), Visakhapatnam, successfully organized Intercollegiate Science Fest 'Bio Bloom 2K-25' on Saturday (July 19). This year's fest revolved around the crucial and contemporary theme of 'Sustainability and Climate Change Mitigation,' aimed at promoting awareness, scientific thinking, and innovative solutions among students. The event witnessed enthusiastic participation from students of four prominent colleges participated in the event, namely: Dr. V. S. Krishna Government College, Mrs. A.V.N. College, and Dr. L. Bullayya College across Visakhapatnam, who showcased their creativity and scientific temper through a variety of competitions including Science Exhibitions, PowerPoint Presentations, Short Reels, and Creative Competitions. All participants demonstrated immense dedication and originality in addressing the challenges of environmental conservation through the lens of biological sciences. The fest was inaugurated by G.V.A. Prasad, Jr. Fisheries Scientist, who graced the occasion as the Chief Guest and addressed the gathering with an inspiring message on the Marine fish & Fisheries of India with emphasis on Tuna Fishery. The Valedictory Session was honoured by Dr. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Cardiologists Beg: Take These 4 Ingredients Before Bed to Burn Fat The Healthy Way Learn More Undo P.K. Jayalakshmi, Head, Dept of 2nd Languages, St. Joseph's College for Women(A), Visakhapatnam who served as the Chief Guest for the closing ceremony, and appreciated the efforts of all the young participants and organizers. The winners of the Science Exhibition were awarded cash prizes in recognition of their outstanding contributions. Participants of other events were presented with certificates and mementoes as tokens of appreciation for their efforts and involvement. The successful organization of Bio Bloom 2025 was spearheaded by Dr. E. Harini, Head of the Department of Zoology, along with her dedicated team members Dr. A. Sneha and Dr. P. Rosina George. Their commitment, coordination, and mentorship played a pivotal role in ensuring the smooth conduct and meaningful execution of the fest. The event was coordinated under the leadership of Principal Dr. Sr. Shyji, who congratulated the students and faculty for their teamwork and commitment in making the event a grand success. She also emphasized the need for such academic platforms to cultivate responsible citizenship and scientific awareness in line with the Sustainable Development Goals. Bio Bloom 2025 concluded on a high note, leaving participants and attendees inspired to continue their journey toward environmental responsibility and scientific innovation.
The Hindu
28-06-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Explained: The secret life of antlions
The sun is up, the air is crisp and it is a glorious morning. You are an ant and you have woken up and left your nest and colony behind. As you walk by, enjoying this bright, beautiful day, with dreams clouded on nibbling a sugary treat waiting for you somewhere, you suddenly notice your legs giving away. You slip, arms flailing. You frantically use your tiny arms, as you try to grapple onto something and climb up. But it is too late. You keep slipping down a sandy, steep, slippery slope. The sand collapses and you lose your feet, and more sand falls onto you. It is like an avalanche. Only it is not snow, but heaps of sand. The fall is mighty, the incline doesn't help and before you know it, you have fallen- caught and trapped in the sneaky little pit trap laid out by an antlion. Oops! It's game over for you buddy! Sorry! If you are an outdoorsy person, you would have sometimes noticed tiny, 3-inch wide conical pits on the ground. Seen where the soil is loose, these spiral, conical holes are created by a tiny, oval, and plump brown creature with a flattened head that protrudes forward. If you have been adventurous and went poking about in this pit, you would have seen a 'bug' scrambling in, throwing sand upon itself and trying to dig itself further deep inside the sandy pit. What many of you may not know is that this little creature is just the larval stage of the insect antlion. And once it moves into the adult stage, it will fly away- an insect you may dismiss off as a damselfly. If we got you to read till here, let's dive into the secret, little, documented lives of these antlions. What's an antlion? A type of insect belonging to the family Myrmeleontidae (belonging to the order Neuroptera), the antlion is most familiar to you in its larval stage. That is, the creature that you accidentally find in these pits. 'The pit-making larval stage is only one stage in the antlion's life. This is a highly predatory stage, and one that most people would be familiar with. But not all antlions make these conical pits. Only a few species do. Some of the species will hide themselves behind fallen leaves on the floor to catch the prey. These are ambush predators,' says Dr. Bijoy C, Assistant Professor, Department of Zoology, Christ College, Irinjalakuda. Bijoy and his student Suryanarayanan T.B. figures among the very few scientists in India who research upon antlions. There are four stages in the life of antlions. The first of course is the eggs which are laid on the ground. Once the larva (popularly called as antlion) is born out of this, it takes up residence under the soil pits in the sandy ground. It is here that the highly aggressive predatory behaviour of the antlion is observed. The inverted conical soil pit is crafted by the antlion by throwing off sand, as it moves in a backward motion. And here it lies in wait, for an unsuspecting ant to walk in. There are more than 2,000 species of antlions around the world. India is home to about 124 species (belonging to 35 genera) of antlions. Conical pits For antlions to make these pits, some conditions need to be satisfied, such as the presence of loose soil. It needn't necessarily be sand, but the soil cannot be tight and hard. Alternately, these pits cannot be made in regions that get too much sunshine or rain. As such the pits are created in regions that get plenty of shade and are positioned away from the possible onslaught of rain. They are some two inches deep and around three inches wide. So how does the antlion make this pit? The larva will move backwards, scooping up the soil, flicking and throwing it across, as it digs further and further, creating a spiral and a circular groove. It moves from the circumference to the centre, eventually making a round, conical pit. Once the pit is created, it will then settle itself underneath with widely opened jaws, buried in the sand, as it waits for its prey to tumble down. 'The larva produces an enzyme which digests the body parts and it will then suck the fluid out of its victim. There are reported instances of the antlion feeding on cockroaches and beetles. Once it feeds on its prey, it will then throw the pieces of the carcass outside,' says Bijoy. Metamorphosis to the adult stage 'During its larval stage, the antlion's main focus is on feeding,' says Bijoy. 'The larval stage is the longest in terms of duration. In the next stage, it pupates. It will make a cocoon, which stays buried inside the soil. In this globular pupation stage, the cocoon is made with the silk it spins and fine soil particles. It will stay here for a few days, which may go up to a period of 40 days. Then it will grow wings and fly out, searching for a potential mate,' says Bijoy. The adults are sometimes called antlion lacewings. 'The adult resembles the damselflies. So people often confuse the adults for damselflies or dragon flies. But if you look closely, you can see that they are different. Their wings are very fragile, translucent and net-like. They have very prominent clavate antennae and their posture is also different. Once the larva becomes an adult, there are little references of any foraging. There are some references on the adults feeding on pollen, but it is still disputed. The key focus in the adult stage is procreation. The adults are nocturnal,' he adds. An understudied species Antlion species are so understudied that sometimes they have to be redescribed. In a recent study by Bijoy and Suryanarayanan, a taxonomic revision and re-examination of 21 species in Myrmeleon recorded from India was done. And their results show that only five valid species of Myrmeleon reside in India. The most common antlion species in India is Myrmeleon tenuipennis. 'The lives of antlions are perhaps the most understudied. Even in India, we have very few researchers studying about antlions. One of the pioneers was Dr. S.K. Gosh. We are yet to know more about these species. Only more research can throw light into this,' says Bijoy.
New Indian Express
24-05-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Karnataka HC cancels appointment of Meera BK as acting V-C of Maharani Cluster University
BENGALURU: The Karnataka High Court quashed the appointment of Dr Meera BK as acting Vice-Chancellor (VC) of Maharani Cluster University by the Governor of Karnataka and Chancellor of Universities Thaawarchand Gehlot. The high court, however, granted liberty to the Chancellor to appoint an acting vice-chancellor in accordance with the law. Justice R Nataraj passed the order recently, while allowing partly the petition filed by Dr TM Manjunath, director of the School of Humanities and Liberal Arts of Maharani Cluster University, questioning the notification dated March 28, 2025, issued by the Chancellor for the appointment of Dr Meera, professor, Department of Zoology, Maharani Cluster University, as the acting VC. She was appointed after the retirement of Dr Ushadevi C as acting VC. The petitioner has also sought direction to the Chancellor to appoint him as acting VC. The court, however, said the claim of the petitioner that he alone should be appointed as acting VC cannot be considered for the simple reason that it is for the Chancellor to exercise discretion to appoint the seniormost person and therefore, this court cannot arrogate to itself the power vested in the Chancellor. Hence, the Chancellor is at liberty to consider appointing an acting VC by Section 16(2) of the Karnataka State Universities Act, 2000 and if the petitioner is eligible, the Chancellor may consider appointing the petitioner in accordance with law, the court said. Contending that he is a senior director eligible to be appointed as the acting VC and his name was found at the top of the list of directors sent by the Registrar of the varsity to the Chancellor, Manjunath alleged that the Chancellor, without considering his name, appointed senior most woman professor of the Department of Zoology as acting VC, though she was not even a Director of any school of the varsity. The impugned notification was silent as to why the petitioner was not considered and as to how Dr Meera was more suitable for the post, he argued. However, the counsel representing the Chancellor contended that the university was established to impart quality education to aspiring female students. In furtherance of this objective, the Chancellor intends to better understand the academic and psychological needs of the female students and has appointed Meera as acting V-C. Rejecting the contention of the Chancellor, the court said that the Special Secretary of the Chancellor did not restrict the post to women candidates while writing to the Registrar of the university to send the list of senior most Deans or Directors. Similarly, it was not mentioned in the impugned notification that there was any irregularity or illegality in appointing the petitioner as a Director. Therefore, the Chancellor cannot now supplement reasons to sustain the impugned notification and therefore the notification is in violation of Section 16(2) of the Act, 2000, the court said.
The Hindu
23-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Karnataka HC cancels appointment of Meera B.K. as acting V-C to Maharani Cluster University
The High Court of Karnataka has quashed the Governor's order of appointing Meera B.K. as acting Vice-Chancellor of Maharani Cluster University, Bengaluru, while pointing out that she was not the senior-most dean/director to qualify to be in-charge V-C of the varsity as per the provisions of the Karnataka Universities Act, 2000. Justice R. Nataraj passed the order while partly allowing a petition filed by T.M. Manjunath, who is the senior-most dean/director in the university. The petitioner had questioned the March 28, 2025, order of the Governor in appointing Ms. Meera as acting V-C contrary to Section 16(2) of the act. 'When a statute requires a particular act to be done in a particular manner, it has to be done in that manner or not at all. When Section 16(2) of the Act, 2000, mandates that whenever a vacancy in the office of V-C remains unfilled, it is the senior-most dean of the university who may be appointed to act as the V-C. The Chancellor cannot arrogate to himself the power to appoint anyone else to act as the V-C,' the court observed. Pointing out that though Ms. Meera was earlier appointed as a director of the university, she did not take the charge as the post of director but remained as a professor in the Department of Zoology, the court said that she was not even a director to be considered for holding the post of acting V-C as per the law. While refusing to accept the contentions of the chancellor and the State government that the senior most woman professor was selected as an acting V-C as the varsity is primarily catering to the girl students, the court said that this 'contention does not stand to reason as the Special Secretary to the Governor/Chancellor when calling for the list of senior most deans/directors of the university did not restrict it to women candidates.' 'This apart, there is nothing on record to establish that the Maharani Cluster University is a women's university, where the V-C should be a woman as in the case of Akkamahadevi University,' the court pointed out. Though the court declined to direct the chancellor to consider only the petitioner [Mr. Manjunath] as acting V-C, as it is the discretion of the chancellor to make an appointment to the post, it gave liberty to the Chancellor to consider the petitioner, if he is found eligible, to the post while appointing acting V-C as per Section 16(2) of the act.
