Muranika

Category: Science & Discoveries

Explore fascinating scientific discoveries, groundbreaking research, space exploration, and insights into the natural world.

  • Maruthi R. Akella Honoured by IISc: How His Research Helped Guide a Moon Landing

    Maruthi R. Akella Honoured by IISc: How His Research Helped Guide a Moon Landing

    November 13, 2026 | Science & Discoveries | Muranika Editorial Team

    What does it take to guide a spacecraft safely toward the Moon? Powerful engines are only part of the answer. Behind the journey are sophisticated algorithms that help a spacecraft adjust its direction and respond to changing conditions.

    Indian-origin aerospace scientist Maruthi R. Akella, whose research team contributed to a historic lunar landing, has been selected for the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Distinguished Alumnus Award 2026.

    The recognition celebrates a remarkable scientific career spanning spacecraft guidance, autonomous systems, and advanced control engineering.

    From Andhra Pradesh to International Space Research

    Akella’s journey began in rural Andhra Pradesh, where he grew up with limited access to higher education.

    His interest in mathematics and physics eventually led him to study mechanical engineering at the National Institute of Technology Calicut.

    He later completed a Master of Engineering in Aerospace Engineering at IISc Bengaluru in 1994, followed by a PhD at Texas A&M University.

    Since 1999, Akella has been a faculty member at the University of Texas at Austin, where he currently holds the Cockrell Family Chair in Engineering.

    His research focuses on developing mathematical methods that allow spacecraft, robots, and other complex systems to operate reliably—even when conditions are uncertain.

    How Did His Research Help a Spacecraft Reach the Moon?

    One of Akella’s most notable achievements involves Intuitive Machines’ IM-1 mission, which delivered the Odysseuslunar lander to the Moon on February 22, 2024.

    The mission marked the first US soft landing on the Moon since the Apollo era and the first commercial soft lunar landing.

    Akella and his research team at the University of Texas supported the development of an onboard guidance algorithm designed to help the lander maintain accurate orientation and target its destination near the Moon’s south pole.

    The Engineering Challenge: A Spacecraft That Changes as It Flies

    An important challenge during the mission was that the lander’s mass distribution changed as its engine consumed fuel.

    That matters because a spacecraft’s response to engine thrust depends partly on its mass distribution and centre of gravity.

    Even small orientation errors can become significant during a precision landing.

    The guidance approach needed to account for these changing conditions so the vehicle could maintain stable pointing during critical flight manoeuvres.

    This is a practical example of how advanced mathematical research can contribute directly to space exploration.

    The IM-1 mission was part of NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services initiative. Although Odysseus ultimately came to rest on its side, it successfully reached the lunar surface and transmitted scientific and engineering data.

    What Is Spacecraft Guidance and Control?

    Spacecraft generally rely on three interconnected capabilities:

    • Guidance: Determines the desired trajectory or direction.
    • Navigation: Estimates the spacecraft’s position, velocity, and orientation.
    • Control: Adjusts thrust and other mechanisms to follow the intended trajectory.

    Unlike vehicles operating on Earth, distant spacecraft cannot always depend on immediate instructions from ground controllers.

    Autonomous guidance and control systems help them respond to sensor information and changing flight conditions.

    These technologies have applications beyond lunar missions, including satellite operations, autonomous aircraft, and advanced robotics.

    An Asteroid Already Bears His Name

    Akella’s contributions have also received recognition beyond Earth.

    In October 2024, the International Astronomical Union named minor planet 5376 “Maruthiakella” in his honour.

    The asteroid is located in the main asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter.

    He was also selected as a VAIBHAV Fellow in 2025, supporting scientific collaboration between international researchers and institutions in India.

    IISc Distinguished Alumni Awards 2026

    IISc announced its 2026 award recipients on November 6.

    Akella is among five Distinguished Alumnus/Alumna Award recipients, alongside B. S. Manjunath, Dipankar Das Sarma, Jagannath Nayak, and Rajat Moona.

    The awards ceremony is scheduled for December 19, 2026, at the JN Tata Auditorium on the IISc campus in Bengaluru.

    Why This Achievement Matters

    Akella’s career illustrates the connection between fundamental engineering research and real-world technological breakthroughs.

    Algorithms developed through years of academic research can eventually contribute to missions operating hundreds of thousands of kilometres from Earth.

    His recognition also highlights the role of Indian researchers and international university collaborations in advancing space technology.

    As future lunar missions demand increasingly precise, reliable, and autonomous systems, guidance and control research will remain an important part of spacecraft engineering.

    Sources and Further Reading

  • Why Do Some People Resist Alzheimer’s? Rare Genes Offer New Clues

    Why Do Some People Resist Alzheimer’s? Rare Genes Offer New Clues

    November 11, 2026 | Science & Discoveries | Muranika Editorial Team

    Why do some people develop Alzheimer’s disease while others remain mentally sharp well into old age, even when they carry genetic risk factors?

    Scientists are investigating this fascinating question by studying individuals who appear unusually resistant to Alzheimer’s-related brain damage.

    A new feature published in Nature on November 10, 2026, highlights growing evidence that rare genetic variations may help protect some people from Alzheimer’s disease, offering promising directions for future research and treatments.

    The Mystery of People Who Resist Alzheimer’s

    Alzheimer’s disease is commonly associated with two abnormal protein changes in the brain:

    • Amyloid-beta: Proteins that accumulate into plaques.
    • Tau: Proteins that form tangles associated with damage to brain cells.

    These changes can contribute to memory loss and cognitive decline.

    However, researchers have identified unusual individuals whose brains contain substantial amyloid deposits but who experience little or no dementia for many years.

    Others remain cognitively healthy despite carrying genes associated with a higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s.

    Understanding these exceptional cases could reveal how the brain naturally protects itself.

    The APOE Gene: A Major Clue

    One of the most important genes being investigated is APOE, which helps regulate the transport of fats and cholesterol throughout the body and brain.

    It has three common forms:

    • APOE2: Generally associated with a lower risk of Alzheimer’s.
    • APOE3: The most common form, typically associated with an intermediate level of risk.
    • APOE4: Associated with a substantially increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease.

    But scientists have discovered something particularly interesting: rare changes within these genetic forms may alter how the brain responds to disease.

    Researchers have identified three rare variants of APOE3 associated with exceptional resilience and one APOE4 variant that appears to counteract its usual risk.

    These findings suggest that small genetic differences can influence whether damaging processes develop or progress.

    The Rare Christchurch Variant

    One especially promising discovery involves a rare form of APOE3 known as the Christchurch variant.

    Researchers believe this variant may interfere with the movement and accumulation of harmful tau proteins between brain cells.

    Some other protective APOE3 variants appear to influence how the ApoE protein interacts with fatty molecules, potentially reducing harmful protein aggregation.

    Studies involving human cells and experimental models are helping scientists investigate these protective mechanisms.

    However, the effects can vary depending on the individual’s genetic background.

    Scientists Are Looking Beyond European Populations

    Geneticist Henne Holstege of Amsterdam University Medical Centre began studying people with unusual resilience to neurodegeneration in 2013.

    Research teams are now examining large genetic databases to identify protective mutations that might otherwise go unnoticed.

    One important development is the growing inclusion of people from different ancestral backgrounds.

    For example, researchers have identified a rare potential protective variant called W276C in individuals with Native American ancestry.

    Such discoveries highlight why genetic diversity matters in Alzheimer’s research.

    A gene variant that is rare or absent in one population might provide important clues in another.

    Could These Discoveries Lead to New Treatments?

    Scientists have identified approximately a dozen rare genetic variants with varying levels of evidence suggesting protection against Alzheimer’s.

    The long-term objective is to understand how these variants influence processes such as amyloid accumulation, tau movement, inflammation, and brain-cell survival.

    These findings could eventually support the development of treatments that imitate the protective effects of naturally occurring genetic changes.

    However, this research has not yet produced a proven treatment that makes people resistant to Alzheimer’s.

    Researchers still need to establish how these mechanisms work and whether they can be translated into safe, effective therapies.

    Final Thoughts

    For decades, Alzheimer’s research has focused heavily on understanding what causes the disease.

    Now, scientists are also asking a different question: What prevents some vulnerable people from developing dementia?

    The answer may lie partly in rare genetic differences that strengthen the brain’s natural defenses.

    Although practical treatments remain a future possibility, studying these exceptional individuals could help scientists discover new ways to delay or reduce Alzheimer’s-related damage.

    What do you think? Could understanding naturally protective genes change the future of Alzheimer’s treatment? Share your perspective in the comments.

    Sources and Further Reading

    Medical note: This article discusses emerging scientific research and is not intended as medical advice or a recommendation for genetic testing.