They don’t pass on their genes, yet they pass on profound evolutionary insights. Sterile hybrids—from mules to lab-bred bees—are changing how we think about life, legacy, and the limits of nature.

The Genome India Project—an effort to sequence 10,000 genomes from 83 population groups across the country, represents a turning point in India's transition to precision health. This historic initiative heralds the dawn of a health genomics revolution, but also raises pressing concerns about long-standing disparities in global genomics research, where South Asian populations are grossly underrepresented. As India enters this new frontier, issues of data privacy, informed consent, and community sovereignty are paramount. To fully realise the potential of genomic medicine for all, India needs to establish an inclusive, ethically grounded framework aligned with international benchmarks and culturally responsive governance that prioritises both scientific advancement and social justice.

In healthcare, effective drug delivery remains a key challenge. Traditional pills and injections offer relief but often cause side effects and have limited efficacy. Active matter therapeutics transform treatment by delivering medicines precisely to affected areas, reducing side effects and enhancing drug delivery.

The exhibition ‘Critical Zones: In search of a common ground’ urges visitors to contemplate innovative ways of coexisting with other life forms for a sustainable future on Earth. The travelling exhibition is on display at Science Gallery Bengaluru (SGB) from February 16 to 17 March 2024. Sindhu M, a PhD student at IISc, shares her experience of visiting this exhibition at SGB.

Traditional peer review processes are known for being opaque and long-drawn, causing significant delays in publication and much anxiety to the authors. Thanks to the academic community's efforts, the process is evolving to reduce the time burden and increase transparency and inclusivity. This article describes some of the novel peer review models and their pros and cons.