The article presents statistical data from a 2020 survey by ABS, highlighting the participation of the LGB+ population in civic and political groups and unpaid volunteer work in Australia. It notes that the LGB+ population is more likely to be in higher income quintiles compared to the heterosexual population. ANZ Research aims to include data on transgender, gender diverse, non-binary populations, and people with an intersex variation in future reports.

The study investigates the expression profiles of olfactory receptors (ORs) in single malignant cells using single-cell RNA sequencing datasets. It identifies 59 previously unreported OR-tumor pairs and highlights the role of ORs in cancer cell differentiation and prognosis. The research reveals that OR expression is linked to tumor heterogeneity and can stratify breast cancer samples into groups with different survival probabilities. The study introduces a computational workflow, CancerSmell, to estimate chemosensory receptor activation at the single-cell level, providing insights into the potential therapeutic and diagnostic functions of ectopic olfactory receptors in cancer.

The article discusses the challenges faced by ASHA workers in India during the COVID-19 pandemic. Sajidha, an ASHA worker in Bengaluru, is on the frontlines, conducting door-to-door surveys to check for coronavirus symptoms and educate the public. Despite the critical role they play, ASHA workers are not officially recognized as employees and are underpaid, receiving only an honorarium. The article highlights the lack of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for these workers, especially in Bihar, where they have stopped working due to safety concerns. The government's plan for dealing with COVID hotspots relies heavily on ASHA workers, yet they are categorized as the lowest risk and often do not receive adequate PPE. The article also touches on the recent increase in honorarium and the insurance cover announced by the government, which ASHA workers find insufficient. The article underscores the systemic issues faced by over 10 lakh ASHA workers, who are essential to India's public health system but remain undervalued and vulnerable.

The article discusses the confusion surrounding whether India is in Stage 2 or Stage 3 of the COVID-19 pandemic, with conflicting statements from the Union Health Ministry and the Association of Healthcare Providers India (AHPI). The article presents an analysis of the growth pattern of COVID-19 cases in India, showing that the increase has been exponential rather than linear. It also addresses the country's testing strategy and capacity, highlighting the low rate of tests per million population. Additionally, the article provides demographic insights into the affected population, noting that the virus is not only impacting older individuals but also significantly affecting the 20-39 age group. It also observes that more men are affected and have higher fatality rates than women. The data used in the article is sourced from Covid19India.org and covers the period from January 30 to March 29.

The article discusses the history of protests in Bengaluru, India, highlighting the city's unexpected record of the most protests in a month due to the CAA protests. It traces the roots of activism back to the colonial era, the Freedom Struggle, and the linguistic nationalism movement post-independence. The article also covers the era of public sector undertakings (PSUs) in the 60s and 70s, which turned Bengaluru into a workers' city, leading to significant protests and strikes. The narrative includes the impact of the emergency declared by Indira Gandhi in 1975, which suppressed union rights and public assemblies but ironically made Bengaluru a key location for the opposition's movement. The piece sets the stage for understanding the city's current protest culture by looking at its historical context.

The article discusses the occupational hazards faced by traffic policemen in Bengaluru, India, highlighting the severe health risks they encounter due to air pollution, noise, and the physical dangers of managing traffic. It references studies showing high rates of respiratory problems and reduced lung functions among the policemen compared to the general population. The article also touches on the mental stress and fatigue experienced by these officers. Despite the Bengaluru Traffic Police Department's efforts to mitigate these risks through health check-ups, masks, and shift rotations, the article suggests that more preventive measures are needed. The introduction of modern traffic kiosks and a move towards 'contactless enforcement' using technology are seen as potential solutions to reduce the hazards faced by traffic policemen.

The article discusses the state of public libraries in Bengaluru, India, highlighting that the city has a relatively high number of libraries compared to other Indian cities, but still falls short of international recommendations. Despite the collection of a library cess, public libraries are underfunded due to the non-release of funds by the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP). The article also touches on the centralised governance of libraries, which hampers local decision-making, and the reliance on temporary staff who are underpaid and lack job security. The piece suggests that while public libraries continue to serve as important community spaces, particularly for students, they face significant challenges in infrastructure, funding, and governance that need to be addressed.

The article discusses the lack of a comprehensive mobility plan for Bengaluru's Namma Metro project, which has led to poor integration with existing transportation infrastructure and other civic development plans. Despite the project's launch in 2003, it was only in 2019 that a draft Comprehensive Mobility Plan (CMP) was unveiled, highlighting the absence of a clear vision for urban mobility. Experts and activists have criticized the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) and the Directorate of Urban Land Transport (DULT) for not adhering to national policies. The article also covers the legal actions taken by citizen activists, who filed a Writ Petition in the Karnataka High Court due to the state's failure to comply with conditions set by the central government for metro projects. The article further discusses the failed attempts to establish a Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority (UMTA) in Bengaluru, which is crucial for coordinating transportation planning and infrastructure development.

The article discusses a nationwide strike in India on January 8th, supported by various workers' unions, student organizations, and civil society groups. The strike, organized by ten Central Trade Unions and supported by 175 farmers' and agricultural workers' unions, is a response to the government's economic policies, labour law amendments, and the agrarian crisis. Workers from major industrial clusters in Bengaluru participated, impacting factories, banks, and PSUs, while public services like schools and hospitals remained mostly unaffected. The strike coincides with protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act and violence in educational institutions. The workers' demands include a national minimum wage, implementation of labour laws, job creation, and stopping the privatisation of PSUs. The economic slowdown has led to job losses, particularly in the manufacturing sector, and trade unions criticize the government's supply-side measures instead of addressing the demand-side crisis. The article also highlights the precarious situation of non-permanent workers and demands for higher minimum wages.