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GOA, 20th April 2026: Goa Institute of Management (GIM) and XIM University researchers have highlighted the role of gender-diverse corporate boards in determining firms’ response to climate-related risks and sustainability disclosures. The research suggests that firms with boards that are gender balanced demonstrate improved attention and consistency in tracking environmental issues and climate risk reporting. Published in prestigious Finance Research Letters, the research analyses data from 9,128 firms across 91 countries between 2015 and 2023. It provides new global evidence showing that firms do not respond uniformly but rather adjust their Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) disclosures differently depending on the nature and intensity of the risks they encounter. Prof. Purba Bhattacherjee from Goa Institute of Management and Prof. Sibanjan Mishra from XIM University have identified two specific forms of climate risks, including – Long-term transitional risks emerging from market shifts towards decarbonisation Short-term or immediate physical risks stemming from extreme weather events and other climate-related disruptions Speaking about the research, Prof. Purba Bhattacherjee, Assistant Professor, Finance and Accounting area, GIM said, “Climate risk forces firms into trade-offs between reporting and resilience, and gender-diverse boards are at the centre of navigating this tension.” Key findings of the analysis include: Firms with higher women representatives on boards have significantly increased ESG disclosure in response to long-term climate transition risks. These disclosures act as strategies of sustainability commitment, and reflect a more forward-looking approach where firms try to signal preparedness for regulatory changes, shifting investor expectations, and low-carbon transitions. During acute disruptions, firms with gender-diverse boards prioritise operational resilience over ESG disclosures for immediate risk management. When this happens, the focus shifts to maintaining business as usual and managing short-term shocks rather than extending sustainability communication. The presence of gender-diverse boards becomes more influential in countries with weak governance and institutional structures. It indicates that when external oversight, regulation, or enforcement mechanisms are scarce, board composition plays a more significant role. Outcomes of this study refute the one-size-fits-all ESG strategy. Prof. Purba Bhattacherjee and Prof. Sibanjan Mishra evidences that firms do not follow a common practice and instead adjust their ESG disclosure based on climate risk type and temporal nature. Speaking about the findings of the study, Prof. Sibanjan Mishra from XIM University said, “Given that companies shift their approach as risks develop, it is evident that ESG reporting is more dependent on climate risk circumstances compared to general perception.” Furthermore, firms with more women on their boards are able to respond to changing environmental uncertainties more effectively and flexibly. The responses oscillate between long-term sustainability signalling and short-term risk management, suggesting a more flexible decision-making process rather than a fixed ESG approach. The study by Prof. Purba Bhattacherjee and Prof. Sibanjan Mishra, contributes to ongoing global discussions on climate governance by distinguishing between different types of climate risks, rather than treating them as a single category, and by showing that firms respond differently depending on whether the risks are gradual or sudden. It also demonstrates how board composition influences firms’ behaviour under uncertainty, suggesting that who is involved in decision-making can shape how firms interpret risks and choose between disclosure, adaptation, or immediate response actions. (Disclaimer: This report is generated from PRO services. ‘ArdorComm Media’ holds no responsibility for its content.)

CHENNAI, 20th April 2026: Federal Express Corporation, the world’s largest express transportation company, and Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) have successfully completed India’s first intra–city drone delivery flight trials in Bengaluru. The trials mark a significant milestone in the evolution of urban logistics and reinforce FedEx’s commitment to advancing next-generation, technology-enabled supply chains in India. The trials validated a mid-mile aerial logistics service connecting Electronic City Phase II with a site near Bangalore International Airport Limited. Conducted under the research framework of the FedEx SMART Centre at IIT Madras, the initiative tested high-speed drone operations in complex urban airspace and assessed their potential to enhance network efficiency and reduce reliance on congested road infrastructure. The trials form part of FedEx’s broader efforts globally to explore innovative, safe, and scalable logistics solutions for the future. Commenting on this successful trial, Nitin Navneet Tatiwala, vice president of marketing, customer experience, and air network, Middle East, Indian Subcontinent, and Africa (MEISA), FedEx, said, “Innovation is central to how FedEx enables global commerce. This milestone reflects the FedEx SMART Centre’s broader research agenda across air cargo optimisation, electric vehicle integration, and advanced demand forecasting. Together, these efforts are focused on shaping future-ready, resilient and sustainable supply chain ecosystems in partnership with academia, industry and policymakers.” Through detailed analysis of aerial corridors, the IIT Madras FedEx SMART Centre established that a 53 km road journey, which typically takes over 60 minutes, can be replaced by an aerial route of approximately 39-42 km. During the trials, this reduced one-way transit time to nearly 21 minutes – demonstrating the potential for step-change improvements in time-critical logistics. The flight path involved coordinated navigation through Airport Yellow and Red Zones, with all necessary permissions granted by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation. Elaborating on the technical significance of this successful trial for India, Prof. Satyanarayanan R Chakravarthy, core faculty member, FedEx SMART Centre, IIT Madras, said, “These trials represent a significant leap in our mission to create a sustainable and progressive supply chain model. By integrating advanced aerial robotics into urban logistics, we are moving beyond theoretical research to prove the efficacy of high-impact, future-ready solutions that can redefine the global logistics landscape.” Highlighting its long-term impact for Indian Logistics, Prof. Arshinder Kaur, professor in-charge, FedEx SMART Centre added, “The high-speed drone-delivery trials are a strong demonstration of the centre’s commitment to driving innovation across modern supply chains and accelerating cutting-edge technologies.” Technical Parameters  Operations were conducted at an altitude of 120 metres as per guidelines. Safety systems included an autonomous flight termination system, return-to-home capability and anti-collision strobe lighting. The implementation partner for this landmark trial was Amber Wings—a pioneering deep-tech start-up incubated at IIT Madras and founded by the FedEx SMART Centre’s Core Faculty Member, Prof. Satyanarayanan R. Chakravarthy. (Disclaimer: This report is generated from PRO services. ‘ArdorComm Media’ holds no responsibility for its content.)

LUMAMI, NAGALAND, 20th April 2026: Researchers from Nagaland University and Fazl Ali College, Mokokchung, have transformed one of the State’s most problematic invasive weeds into a powerful tool for next-generation healthcare and sustainable manufacturing, unlocking major end-use applications in pharmaceuticals, medicine and green industry. The research team has developed an eco-friendly method to convert the invasive plant Mikania micrantha into silver nanoparticles that can efficiently accelerate drug production, combat harmful bacteria, and show promising anticancer activity, all without relying on toxic chemicals conventionally used in nanomaterial synthesis. The researchers adopted a “green chemistry” approach that replaces hazardous industrial processes with plant-based science. Using leaf extracts, the team created highly stable silver nanoparticles that act as ultra-fast catalysts that can produce essential drug components known as ‘Imidazoles’ in 30 to 180 seconds. These compounds are foundational to a wide range of medicines used across therapeutic areas. The Research was supported by Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) and the National Fellowship for Scheduled Tribe Students (NFSTMOTA). The findings were published in Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbrc.2026.153682), a peer-reviewed scientific journal that disseminates short reports of significant findings across the fields of biochemistry, biophysics, and molecular biology. The Paper was co-authored by Manthae C. Phom, Phitovili Sumi, Betokali K. Zhimomi, Khonzani Yanthan, Tonge W W, Shokip Tumtin and Tovishe Phucho. Commending the Nagaland University-led research team for their groundbreaking work in transforming an invasive plant into a valuable resource for pharmaceutical development, Prof. Jagadish K. Patnaik, Vice Chancellor, Nagaland University, said, “This innovative study highlights a fast, eco-friendly approach to drug synthesis while demonstrating significant antibacterial and anticancer potential. Such research underscores the university’s commitment to scientific excellence and sustainable solutions to address global health challenges.” The study’s most immediate impact lies in pharmaceutical manufacturing. The nanoparticles function as reusable catalytic engines, enabling faster, cleaner, and more cost-effective production of key drug ingredients. Unlike conventional methods that depend on expensive and toxic reagents, this approach offers a scalable and sustainable alternative for industry. Importantly, the nanoparticles can be reused at least six times with minimal loss of efficiency, significantly reducing production costs and chemical waste—an advantage with strong implications for large-scale drug manufacturing. Elaborating on the important outcomes of this research, Dr. I. Tovishe Phucho, Associate Professor, Department of Chemistry, Nagaland University, said that there is still a huge potential for many more locally available plants to show such promising properties and with proper funding, further research is possible. Beyond their productions, these nanoparticles demonstrated strong antibacterial activity against dangerous pathogens, including Staphylococcus aureus (a major cause of hospital infections) and Yersinia pestis. This opens up potential applications in antimicrobial coatings, wound care products, and infection control systems. In parallel, lab tests on human colon cancer cells revealed that the nanoparticles significantly reduce cancer cell viability, showing nearly twice the potency of the plant extract alone. This positions the research as a promising step toward developing plant-based nanomaterials for future cancer therapies. The nanoparticles are naturally coated with plant-derived compounds, giving them exceptional stability even at temperatures as high as 165°C. This makes them suitable for demanding industrial environments, including pharmaceutical processing and biomedical applications. TACKLING AN ECO-CHALLENGE Mikania micrantha has long posed ecological challenges across Nagaland. This research converts an invasive species into a high-value raw material for advanced medical and industrial applications. By leveraging Nagaland’s unique biodiversity as part of the Eastern Himalayas, a global hotspot, the study also highlights how local plant species can yield globally relevant scientific innovations. The specific chemical properties of plants from this region contributed to the efficiency and stability of the nanoparticles, marking a first-of-its-kind achievement. (Disclaimer: This report is generated from PRO services. ‘ArdorComm Media’ holds no responsibility for its content.)