Mapping the growth of tree research in Indian megacities: a quantitative and qualitative analysis

The primary aim of the study is to analyse the Indian research outputs in the field of Environmental Science funded by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), India. The study focused on unveiling the publication trend, publication type, preferred publication sources, and research themes. The study also aimed to trace the leading authors, organisations, and collaborating nations. A total number of 8938 Indian documents in the field of Environmental Science funded by DST were found to be indexed in the Scopus database. The bibliographic records extracted in BibTeX format were analysed using the Biblioshiny. The study found a rapid growth in publications from 2018 to 2023. Findings also reveal that 88.55 % of documents were articles; and “Environmental Science and Pollution Research” was the top publication source with 387 articles. The study reported that the organisations “Academy of Scientific and Innovation Research”, “IIT Kharagpur”, and “IIT Delhi” were found to be the most productive as well as most collaborative organisations. The study revealed that India mostly collaborated with the US, Korea, and China to publish the research outputs in the field of Environmental Science funded by DST. Keyword analysis revealed that the themes such as toxicity, adsorption, kinetics, biodegradation, and bioremediation have a high degree of density and centrality, which indicates most of the studies funded by DST are related to these themes. This study provides a comprehensive overview, research trends, and future direction of the field. The findings can help researchers, to know the publication trend, prolific authors, organisations, publication sources, and emerging and declining themes in the field of Environmental Science funded by DST.

The challenge of providing quality while maintaining costs at affordable levels for society has motivated the implementation of health system reforms in various countries, seeking “allocative efficiency”, namely, prioritizing actions with the best cost-effectiveness ratio. This situation assigns increasing value to the adoption of evidence-based practices and policies. In Brazil, however, there was a persistent mismatch between scientific output and the use of its results in defining health policies and services. The Department of Science and Technology (DECIT), strengthened by the creation of the Secretariat of Science, Technology, and Strategic Inputs under the Ministry of Health in 2003, has contributed to identifying and promoting strategic research for the SUS. The main guidelines for the work by DECIT are provided by the National Agenda for Research Priorities in Health and the National Policy for Science, Technology, and Innovation in Health (PNCTIS), both approved during the 2 nd National Thematic Conference in 2004. The Conference included extensive involvement by health researchers, professionals, managers, and users of the National Health System (Guimaraes R, et al., Cad Saude Publica 2006; 22:1775-94). Participation by SUS managers has been crucial for including health problems on the scientific research agenda. An example is the growing participation by State health departments in the management of the Research Program for the SUS, implemented in all States of Brazil financed by DECIT and State Foundations to Support Research. The presence of the DECIT in the national coordination of health research has also allowed Brazil to establish multicenter studies and collaborative networks that require broad dialogue among many stakeholders. The Longitudinal Study on Adult Health (ELSA) and the National Networks for Clinical Research and Cell Therapy are examples of this exercise, demonstrating maturity in the management of health research investments. From 2003 to 2009, DECIT financed more than 3,700 research projects and made available R$650 million in funds, 60% of which from its own budget and the rest from partner institutions. In the area of specialized care, the strengthening of the scientific basis for incorporating products and services into the SUS requires serious attention, without which the system’s sustainability will be in jeopardy. Considering the need to guarantee the Constitutional right to health, the high costs of new diagnostic and therapeutic techniques, and the growing recourse to court injunctions by users of the SUS to ensure their access to treatment and medicines, decisions by health managers at the 3 levels of government must be backed by cost-effectiveness and cost-utility estimates. In this sense, the creation of the Commission for the Incorporation of Technologies by the Ministry of Health in 2006, the consolidation of the Division for Health Technology Assessment under DECIT, the establishment of the Brazilian Network for Health Technology Assessment (REBRATS), and the approval of the Technology Management Policy in the SUS are important initiatives. Specifically, DECIT has already issued three calls for research projects on health technology assessment and hired 278 studies. These efforts notwithstanding, much remains to be done. In the current context, perhaps the main challenge is to define an organizational structure to promote technology research and assessment in the SUS, ensuring the continuity and extension of the actions under way. Dealing with this challenge requires participation not only by health managers, professionals, and community representatives of social control in the SUS, but also by members of the scientific community.

Glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchor biosynthesis is a multi‐step pathway found in all eukaryotes. GPI anchored proteins are involved in a variety of functions like adhesion, host cell attachment, invasion and biofilm formation in Candida albicans, a human pathogenic fungus. The first and committed step of the pathway i.e., transfer of GlcNAc from UDP‐GlcNAc to phosphatidylinositol (PI) to form GlcNAc‐PI, involves an enzyme complex (GPI‐GnT) of six subunits viz. CaGpi1, CaGpi2, CaGpi3, CaGpi15, CaGpi19 and CaEri1. A cross‐talk exists between GPI anchor biosynthesis, Ras signaling and ergosterol biosynthesis in Candida albicans, in which CaGPI2 controls hyphal morphogenesis through CaRAS1 while CaGPI19 seems to regulate azole drug response via co‐regulation of CaERG11. Interestingly, both CaGPI2 and CaGPI19 also negatively regulate each other. Further investigations on how Ras signaling cross‐talks with GPI biosynthesis in C. albicans suggest that Ras activates GPI‐GnT activity, which runs counter to what is reported in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Out of the two Ras proteins of Candida albicans, CaRas1 alone activates the GPI‐GnT activity. Different forms of CaRas1 too can activate the GPI‐GnT in vivo. This evidence is further strengthened by the fact that CaRas1 physically interacts with CaGpi2, as evidenced by FRET. Furthermore, CaGpi2 appears to be important for virulence since a heterozygous mutant of CaGPI2 is unable to kill macrophage cells and the mutant is more susceptible for macrophage‐mediated killing. Current work is focused on identifying the domains of interaction between CaGpi2 and CaRas1. Understanding this interaction will enable us to target any or both of these molecules to control the virulence of this pathogen.Support or Funding InformationSSK received funding from Department of Science and Technology (DST) India Grant SB/SO/BB‐011/2014 and an umbrella grant to the School of Life Sciences from the DST under Promotion of University research and Scientific Excellence Grant DST PURSE No. SR/PURSE/PHASE 2/11 (C), and Department of Biotechnology (DBT) India Grant BT/PR3749/BRB/10/986/2011. SCS received Junior and Senior Research Fellowships from University Grants Commission (UGC), India.

While seventy-one per cent of the earth’s surface is covered with water, equitable access to safe and drinking water remains a challenge across countries. Especially developing countries, like India, have been identified as water-stressed. In India, various institutions are participating and joining hands to deliver social and technological solutions to resolve prevalent water-related challenges. This study reviews national policy frameworks and identifies the institutions participating in water-related technology research. Besides government interventions to formulate water-related policies, both private and government institutions are participating in water-related technology research. Along with this, local community initiatives and heterodox modes of innovations have introduced a means to address the issues surrounding water quality and availability. The Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), University Grants Commission (UGC), and Department of Science and Technology (DST) are some of the prominent institutions that have been playing a pivotal role in establishing water security through technological and ecological solutions. National Innovation Foundation (NIF) and Atal Innovation Mission have documented innovative solutions developed by individual innovators for addressing local water-related challenges.

Nanocrystalline samples of highly pure lead oxide were prepared by the sol-gel route of synthesis. X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopic techniques confirmed the nanocrystallinity of the samples, and the average sizes of the crystallites were found within 20 nm to 35 nm. The nanocrystallites exhibited specific anomalous properties, among which a prominent one is the increased lattice parameters and unit cell volumes. The optical band gaps also increased when the nanocrystallites became smaller in size. The latter aspect is attributable to the onset of quantum confinement effects, as seen in a few other metal oxide nanoparticles. Positron annihilation was employed to study the vacancy type defects, which were abundant in the samples and played crucial roles in modulating their properties. The defect concentrations were significantly larger in the samples of smaller crystallite sizes. The results suggested the feasibility of tailoring the properties of lead oxide nanocrystallites for technological applications, such as using lead oxide nanoparticles in batteries for better performance in discharge rate and resistance. It also provided the physical insight into the structural build-up process when crystallites were formed with a finite number of atoms, whose distributions were governed by the site stabilization energy.

To determine the significant experiences of Grade 7-Science Technology and Engineering (STE) class in science learning regardless of profile in times of the COVID-19 pandemic, Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Science courseware was utilized in this study. Specifically, this study aimed to: (1) know the demographic profile of the students (2) identify the most essential learning competencies to be supplemented by the DOST Science courseware; and (3) document the significant experiences of Grade 7 STE students in utilizing DOST Courseware. This utilizes the descriptive research method and the purposive sampling method was also employed. In terms of statistical treatment, the researcher used qualitative analyses to gather insights from the data collected from the respondents. Content analysis was used to analyze the learning competencies suited for each of the mobile apps of the DOST Grade 7 Courseware. The researcher also used thematic analysis to determine the significant experiences of Grade 7-STE students after using the courseware materials. During this difficult time, it is vital to consider the demographic profile of students in selecting effective and efficient supplementary materials. The DOST Courseware selected is based on the Most Essential Learning Competencies and from that only three courseware were utilized. To gather data for the significant experiences digital technologies were used such as web surveys through Facebook messenger. The findings of the study suggest that most of the significant experiences of the students were found on the “visual-aided discussions” theme along with motivation; the “Presence of inquiry-based teaching features” theme along with interest; and the “Completing game-based tasks” theme along with satisfaction. Based on the results and conclusions posted in the study, the same evaluation may be conducted in all the remaining DOST Courseware and can be conducted in regular classes where technology is scarce and development is low. Keywords: Education and Teaching, Significant Experiences, Thematic Analysis, Philippines-Asia

India has recently increased its engagement with globally esteemed scientific publications, positioning itself as a growing economic powerhouse. Despite various challenges, India’s contributions to scientific research publications have consistently risen, surpassing similar economies. The enhanced availability of research funds has further strengthened India’s global standing. Chemistry education and research, in particular, have become central, significantly contributing to India’s research output. According to the Nature Index, chemistry comprises half of India’s overall research activities. This underscores India’s robust inclination towards advancing chemistry research which is heavily influenced by state-of-the-art infrastructure facilities. This article examines the role of state-of-the-art infrastructure in advancing chemical sciences research, focusing on the Fund for Improvement of S&T Infrastructure in Universities and Higher Educational Institutions (FIST) by the Department of Science and Technology (DST). This study offers a comprehensive analysis of the pivotal role that FIST plays in fostering the emerging research areas in chemistry across diverse scientific institutions in India.

In the current scenario of perceptible climatic changes and the debates over predictability of trends based on available records; it is appropriate to review the developments in the Quaternary research during past two decades. In India where the Quaternary period is richly expressed by a variety of archives in wide geographic extent; such an overview may be useful to future developments. Year-wise bibliographic analysis (since 1990) based on selective qualitative and quantitative measures such as total number of national and international publications, contributions from Universities and research Institutions, and from the Department of Science and Technology (DST)-New Delhi funded projects are especially highlighted. Further a classification of the research work into various field areas (e.g., Himalaya, Ganga basin and Bay of Bengal, Thar desert, Coastal and Marine records) is made to produce a quantitative synthesis. The analysis derives an average of 36 publications a year, and the trend in many research field areas is significantly correlated to the DST funding. We discover two major declines in the research output: (a) during 1999-2001 and (b) since 2007. The second decline is of great concern as it contradicts to the phenomenal growth of the subject and availability of funds during recent years. The peaks and steady output during the intermediate periods is related to the seeding of national programs, multi-Institutional projects and training programs funded by DST. Considering the sympathetic relation of the research output in Quaternary geosciences to DST's support; it can be presumed that DST can play an effective role in the growth of Quaternary research in India. Further we identify and discuss three research field areas (Himalaya, Ganga basin and the Bay of Bengal) as priority areas needing attention of Quaternary geoscientists in this country. Finally, the bibliographic compilation made by this article can facilitate several analyses such as trends of output of the individual Institutes, workers and subject areas to device improvements.

South Africa’s involvement in the Space Science started at the dawn of the “Space Age”. Before this, South Africa had been involved in astronomy since 1820, when the first permanent astronomical observatory (and scientific institution) in the southern hemisphere was completed at the Cape of Good Hope. Despite this rich history, South Africa has unfortunately, for various reasons, not been able to fully exploit the benefits of space technology and its applications to meet the challenges—it faces. One reason in particular is lack of awareness and understanding by planners, decision-makers and users about the potential benefits of space technology in planning and implementation of socio-economic development plans. In recent years, South Africa has made the development and cultivation of a domestic space industry a priority, citing the critical roles that space science, technology and innovation play in economic growth and socio-economic development. However, to ensure a long-term viable space programme and a growing space industry, it is imperative that South Africa builds the necessary capacity to support such an industry—hence, the need to create awareness and an appreciation for STEM-based careers at all levels of society which, for our school-going population, is likely to translate into an increase in the uptake and appreciation of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). In South Africa, the Department of Science and Technology (DST) plays a leading role in the implementation of space science and technology activities. Current space-related projects include the Satellite Build Programme; Operation Phakisa and the CubeSats Development Programme. There are also a number of local programmes and initiatives to promote space education and awareness. These are initiated, supported and implemented by various organizations, from the DST and its agencies through to the private sector and industry, as well as non-governmental and non-profit organizations. With regard to reaching out to schools, the DST conducts Space Weeks and other science festivals, as well as numerous initiatives by the local Radio Amateurs Clubs working with schools on high-altitude ballooning projects. Nonetheless, it has been noted that although there are much effort and resources expended on STEM awareness, there is notable lack of its intended impact. The role of educators/teaching staff will therefore be addressed focusing on their contribution to the goals of such STEM programmes. This paper discusses the various space-based STEM programmes that have been put in place to promote space education awareness and the contribution made by various role players. Furthermore, this paper will showcase a concept for a new approach to space awareness activities and its potential to drive STEM awareness programmes in the country. Lastly, this paper aims to recognize the achievements of South Africa in promoting space education and awareness in the country and the related issues and impediments to pursue these programmes. The paper also emphasizes the importance of introducing space education programmes in schools not only for the children but for the teachers in particular.

In celebration of the world year of physics, I worked with the Department of Science and Technology (DST) to start a Women in Physics working group in South Africa. At the end of 2004, I submitted a proposal to DST to fund the formation of Women in Physics in South Africa. The DST funded the formation of the working group. This success was due to my personal interest in women in physics, which was instilled by my attendance at the first IUPAP Women in Physics Conference in Paris in 2002. The story presented here is my personal journey to becoming a physicist, despite some difficulties that I have come across in my life, and to establishing the Women in Physics Group in South Africa.

Although street trees take up carbon by vegetation growth, they emit carbon directly or indirectly into the atmosphere due to the need for regular management, such as pruning and, irrigation, etc. This study estimates the annual carbon budget from the growth and management of urban street trees in South Korea and suggests management strategies to minimize the degree of management and annual carbon emissions. Annual carbon emissions from management practices such as pruning, irrigation, pesticide and fungicide application, and fertilization were estimated based on maintenance data, interviews with managers, and actual measurements. Annual carbon emissions from the management of urban street trees were calculated to be 2.4 kg/tree/year. From this total, pruning was the largest contributor at 91%. The average net carbon uptake for each street tree was 5.5 kg/tree/year. The street trees included in this study played an important role in carbon uptake, which was equivalent to 90–550% of the annual carbon emissions from street tree management. Based on these results, suggested management strategies include pruning, irrigation, pesticide and fungicide application, and fertilization. These study results will be useful for designing practical low-carbon landscapes with minimal management and carbon emissions.

Warm greetings to you all. My name is Dr. Tony Fauci, and I am the Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious (NIAID) at the U.S. National Institutes of Health and Chief Medical Adviser to President Joe Biden. I sincerely appreciate being asked to help open the National Academy of Science and Technology, Philippines’ 43rd Annual Scientific Meeting with its focus on learning from the past to inform the future. Among the most important lessons we have learned from the COVID-19 pandemic is that sustained biomedical research is essential to global well-being, as manifested by the successful development of highly effective vaccines against SARS-CoV-2. We also have seen that an effective response to emerging infectious diseases requires international scientific cooperation. Keeping in mind the theme of this meeting, I would like to briefly highlight the value and importance of research cooperation between the United States and the Philippines while expressing my hope that this cooperation will continue and thrive in the coming years. The institute I lead, NIAID, has supported US and Filipino scientists working together for more than 30 years. As we now fight SARS-CoV-2, HIV, and other viral diseases together, our efforts continue to grow when scientific importance and public health value. Over the years, much productive NIAID supported collaborative research in the Philippines has focused on HIV and tuberculosis co-infections. Talented Filipino scientists from your outstanding institutions have participated in multiple AIDS clinical research networks that have advanced the global understanding of HIV prevention, treatment, and care particularly while addressing TB as a comorbidity in resource challenge settings. Participation of the Philippines in these multi-country networks has helped ensure that your scientists are among the core of key contributors advancing biomedical discoveries that have made AIDS a preventable chronic disease rather than an acute one with a high degree of mortality. In addition to participation in HIV/AIDS research, Filipino scientists have helped lead the way in studies of tuberculosis particularly multidrug-resistant TB (MDR TB). The work in the Regional Prospective Observational Research in Tuberculosis (RePORT) network has been especially important and promising. With continuing support from the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), the Philippines is sure to make significant contributions to the global fight against TB. Philippine institutions also have played an important in other infectious diseases research. For example, Filipino scientists continue to lead research on dengue (another flaviviruses), malaria, and schistosomiasis building on prior NIAID support for Filipino studies on these pathogens. For many years the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) received NIAID funding as a tropical medicine research center of excellence. Hopefully, this institution and others will continue to receive Philippine government support so that they will remain competitive for both funding and talent. Given this track record, I also can foresee great value in the Philippines expanding its scientific leadership role in the Asia-Pacific region. In this regard, we are pleased to partner with the Department of Science and Technology through the e-ASIA Joint Research Program (e-ASIA JRP). In the future, this program–which supports collaborative research involving US and Filipino scientists–has the potential of adding real value to our overall research efforts, as long as it is adequately supported by all the participating agencies. In closing, I want to emphasize the importance of sustained local support for scientists and scientific institutions in the Philippines and elsewhere. This support is necessary foundation to attract funding from outside the country. It is also an essential element for economic vitality and growth. In addition, as we have seen with COVID-19, science–particularly biomedical research–is fundamentally important to pandemic preparedness and effective outbreak responses that save lives and stabilize societies. Fortunately, the Philippines has long recognized the value of science. Just four (4) months ago, we saw this again when NIAID and DOST jointly sponsored a special COVID-19 workshop focused on research findings and scientists in this region. With the success of that workshop, we look forward to convening the 2022 emerging infectious diseases of the Pacific Rim Conference which DOST has offered to co-host along with NIH and Japan’s AMED. Thank you again for a long-standing scientific partnership and for the continuing commitment of the Philippines to the global research enterprise. Through decades of collaboration, we have learned from each other and share the tradition of excellence in science and technology particularly in biomedical research. I am confident that our future collaborations will continue to contribute to scientific discovery through basic and clinical research and the training of the talented new scientists. I wish you every success with your 43rd Annual Scientific Conference and with the implementation of its results.

The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) has always pushed for the country’s scientific and technological advancement. On the other hand, the National Academy of Science and Technology, Philippines (NAST PHL) has served as primary adviser to government on matters related to science and technology and has actively worked towards developing a truly Filipino productive science culture. In 2019, DOST Secretary Fortunato T. De La Peña challenged NAST PHL to undertake a foresight study, similar to the Malaysia’s Outlook 2050 crafted by the Akademi Sains Malaysia. The NAST PHL’s proposal to develop a 30-year STI Foresight, including strategic plans, was quickly approved for funding by the DOST Executive Committee the following year. The NAST PHL was able to complete the first and second versions of the country’s STI Foresight document, aptly entitled PAGTANAW 2050, or LOOKING AHEAD 2050, despite the technical and other unprecedented difficulties brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. PAGTANAW 2050 is the first DOST-funded inter-disciplinal and trans-disciplinal project on Philippine-focused STI Foresight and Strategic Plan that will impact on the aspirations of the Filipino people by 2050. It is a compendium of STI megatrends, global and national societal goals, transdisciplinary, and interdisciplinary operational areas, and current and emerging technologies relevant to the nation’s development that is firmly grounded in the Filipino people’s aspirations within the context of the natural and physical endowments as well as shared Filipino values and skills, and other potentials. The said document also delves into probable and significant drivers of change, and provides insights and reflections on the plausible development paths towards achieving the Filipino aspirations as expressed in the 1987 Philippine Constitution, the various Philippine Development Plans, the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the Department of Science and Technology Harmonized National Research and Development Agenda, and the National Economic Development Authority’s vision for the Filipino people, AmBisyon Natin 2040 (NEDA, 2016). At the core of this Foresight are 12 key operational areas, namely: Blue Economy; Governance; Business and Trade; Digital Transformation and Information and Communications Technology; Science Education and Talent Retention; Food Security and Nutrition; Health Systems; Energy; Water; Environment and Climate Change; Shelter, Transportation, and Other Infrastructure; and Space Exploration. It is hoped that the S&T aspirations of the Filipino people will be achieved by 2050 through this Foresight

This study aimed to determine the relationship between weather conditions as to wet and dry as recorded in the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) – Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) Weather Forecast Station and the crimes committed in Pagadian City in calendar years 2014-2018. Weather conditions as to wet and dry were correlated to crimes against person and property that was committed in Pagadain City. It employed a quantitative descriptive correlational method of research using the data of crime occurrences recorded in the Philippine National Police Pagadian City Station and the rainfall data from Department of Science and Technology (DOST) – Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) Weather Forecast Station in the city statistically treated using frequency count, mean, paired sample t-test, and chi-square test. Findings of the study revealed that physical injuries were profiled the highest in crimes against persons, followed by murder, homicide, and rape. At the same time, theft cases were dominantly registered for crimes against properties, followed by robbery, carnapping, and cattle rustling. The average distribution of murder, homicide, and physical injuries during the wet season outnumbered the cases during the dry season, except for rape cases that were higher during the dry season. Likewise, robbery, theft, carnapping, and cattle rustling were higher during the wet season than the dry season. The average distribution differences of crimes committed between the wet and the dry seasons tested at a 0.05 level of significance were not significant. The relationship between crimes against persons and the weather conditions was not significant. The relationship between crimes against properties and the weather conditions was also not significant. Moreover, crimes against persons and properties in the city do not depend on weather conditions. Murder, homicide, physical injuries, rape, robbery, theft, carnapping, cattle rustling, and the like could happen in the city regardless of whether it is wet or dry weather conditions, and there is a need to implement the crime prevention programs designed by the researcher.

Omicron BA.2 lineage spreads in clusters and is concentrated in Denmark.