Bangladesh: Breaking Barriers in the World of Science
The long-held viewpoint that the Bangalees are on the back bench when it comes to scientific and technological breakthroughs needs to be changed. Since Jagadish Chandra Bose and Satyendranath Bose, few Bangalees have done any pioneering part of international significance for a long period. With his phenomenal knowledge of genes, geneticist Maqsudul Alam sequenced the genes of a number of plants, including papaya and jute. In addition to saving papaya farmers in Hawaii from pest attacks, he opened up the possibility of using jute in Bangladesh in diverse ways.
Zahid Hasan Tapas, a physicist of Bangladeshi origin at Princeton University, then made the world sit up when he discovered the Weyl fermion particle, a massless wonder particle which could revolutionise communications and information technology. Fermions are one of the essentially two classes of particles, and the Weyl fermion is unique in that it has no mass. Bosons, who act as forces between fermions, are the particles that hold them together. What an extraordinary coincidence that two Bangalees’ names are inextricably linked to both particles! Weyl fermion for Satyendranath and Boson for Zahid.
Another groundbreaking discovery has been made by Zahid Hasan and his team at Princeton. We are talking about the topological kagome quantum magnet. In conjunction with Weyl fermions, this newly discovered material force opens unlimited possibilities; if used properly, this could allow computers, and electronics to be 100 times more powerful. In addition to its use in the sciences, it will be most beneficial in medicine. As well as the two important discoveries now among the top 10 discoveries in the world, the Bangladeshi scientist has launched a number of other pioneering projects. For his contribution to science, he may be the next candidate for a Nobel Prize from our country.
Research was done in the United States of America by late Dr Maqsudul Alam and Dr Zahid Hasan. In this context, it is no wonder that he took mathematics as his major at the University of Dhaka after having taken first place in his Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) examinations. The scholarship enabled him to attend only four classes before he left for the United States. Bloody clashes between student groups in those days led him to leave for the University of Texas, Austin in the United States to study. This scholar virtuoso was blessed with the uncanny ability to know where he could put his talent to good use. It is remarkable, then, that students like him couldn’t achieve the same marks! One of the reasons is a lack of the right kind of environment to generate a special kind of genius.
This demonstrates the deficiencies of higher education within the country. The lack of experimentation and research in academia has never contributed much to the country’s contribution to science and technology. However, there is no reason to undermine the scientific talents here. In spite of the slow yet steady change in the situation, it is encouraging.
An excellent example of this is the implementation of a simple method by the Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST) for low-cost early cancer detection. Scientists at the university have designed a device capable of detecting cancer in just five minutes. This device costs just 500 tk. Through the use of intense laser beams, blood samples will be analysed to determine whether or not the individual has cancer. The nonlinear optics process has been applied to the detection of cancer for the first time ever in the world. The implications of its significance for the world are unimaginable. Because the blood test is so inexpensive and catches cancer early, more people will submit to it to find out if they possess the cancer germ in their body. In addition to increasing patient survival chances, this will also reduce the cost of treatment. Clearly, the international community is watching closely for the development of the detection devices. Efforts by her research team are expected to be completed by next year, according to leader Dr Yasmeen Haque.
A research team from the Bangladesh Agricultural University has achieved yet another scientific breakthrough. To map the DNA and RNA of Hilsha fish, researchers collaborated with Dhaka University, US and Australian research facilities. A study of this kind will have a major impact on the production of this fish, especially in areas where it spawns. Currently, the government bans the harvest of Hilsha fish in sweet-water rivers in the Bay of Bengal because during a certain period, flocks of Hilshas lay their eggs there. The claims are not backed by science. Sequencing the genome will provide answers to many of the questions that are necessary for the organism to reproduce freely.
The scientific works presented here are of great significance. In addition to this, a Bangladeshi researcher who is working in Australia on the development of small modular reactors contributes to these efforts. With his works, nuclear power plants could be designed on acres of land in a completely new way. As in previous years, a robot designed by Bangladeshi students is set to fly to Mars on an American rocket, courtesy of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration in the U.S. Bangladeshi inventors and innovators have announced their willingness to engage in the pursuit of invention or discovery. Let this just be the beginning -more will hopefully follow.
Written By
Orobi Bakhtiar
