UC Santa Barbara researchers have developed the first map of a human brain during pregnancy, showing significant changes in gray and white matter. This study reveals the brain's remarkable adaptability and may help understand postpartum depression. The findings challenge traditional views on women's fragility during pregnancy, offering new insights into neuroplasticity.
The article features captivating space images of Earth's natural beauty and disasters. Highlights include photos of the Northern Lights over Norway, Sahara desert's patterns, Great Barrier Reef's vibrant corals, and Himalayas' peaks. Disasters like Hawaii wildfires, Hurricane Idalia's impact, Turkey earthquake damage, and Libya flooding are also documented.
The international day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer is observed on September 16, with India participating since 1995. The theme for World Ozone Day 2024 is “Montreal Protocol: Advancing Climate Actions.” This highlights the protocol's role in protecting the ozone layer and advancing climate action by phasing out harmful substances like CFCs and HCFCs.
A team at Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine has found that the enzyme protein kinase N (PKN) plays a role in cardiac fibrosis linked to heart failure. In mice models, deleting PKN reduced ventricular dysfunction and tissue buildup. These findings suggest that anti-PKN therapies could potentially protect against heart failure. The research was published in Nature Communications.
Researcher Sasha Luccioni highlights the significant energy consumption of generative AI compared to traditional search engines. Technologies like ChatGPT require vast computing power, contributing to higher greenhouse gas emissions. She advocates for transparency and energy efficiency in AI development, urging governments and companies to make informed decisions to mitigate the technology's environmental impact.
From September 29 to November 25, Earth will temporarily capture a new mini-moon named asteroid 2024 PT5. This small asteroid, about 10 meters wide and discovered by the Asteroid Terrestrial-Impact Last Alert System, will orbit Earth once before continuing its journey through space. These events underscore Earth's ongoing interactions with Near-Earth Objects.
Iran launched the Chamran-1 research satellite into orbit using a rocket developed by the Revolutionary Guard. The satellite aims to test space hardware and software. This is Iran's second launch this year, raising Western concerns about potential ballistic missile development, which Iran denies. The launch coincides with heightened regional tensions.
NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore shared their relief after the Boeing Starliner spacecraft safely landed in New Mexico. During a live press conference from the ISS, they discussed their extended mission, lessons learned, and upcoming handover to Expedition 72 astronauts Nick and Alex. The astronauts are scheduled to return to Earth aboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon in February.
MIT's new research reveals that AI chatbots can effectively reduce belief in conspiracy theories. In a study with over 2,000 participants, around 20% showed diminished belief after factual discussions with chatbots. This effect lasted for at least two months, suggesting a promising approach to combat misinformation and restore trust in public institutions.
Boeing's Starliner capsule completed its mission with a successful landing in New Mexico, despite numerous technical issues. Initially meant to return NASA astronauts from the ISS, safety concerns prompted their return on a SpaceX Crew Dragon in 2025. The mission provided valuable insights but highlighted ongoing challenges for Boeing.
Scientists traced an unusual seismic signal from last September to a significant landslide in East Greenland's Dickson Fjord. The collapse of a mountain sent part of a glacier into the water, causing a 200-meter-high mega-tsunami that lasted nine days. This incident highlights the influence of climate change on geological phenomena.
Private astronauts on the Polaris Dawn mission will undertake the first private spacewalk from a SpaceX capsule to evaluate new spacesuits. Led by billionaire Jared Isaacman, the crew includes a retired military pilot and two SpaceX employees. This mission aims to push commercial spaceflight boundaries and conduct scientific research on human responses in deep space.
The Soyuz MS-26 spacecraft launched from Moscow at 7:23 pm, carrying two Russian cosmonauts and one American astronaut to the International Space Station. It transports crew members and essential supplies while serving as an emergency escape pod. The spacecraft consists of three modules designed for living quarters, reentry, and life support systems.
SpaceX's Polaris Dawn mission has transported four astronauts to a record distance from Earth since Apollo 11. The crew is set for the first all-private spacewalk. NASA underscores the importance of this mission for advancing space health research, which will support future deep space missions to the Moon and Mars.
Since the 1970s, the Alaska Triangle has been associated with over 20,000 disappearances involving both people and aircraft. The area includes Anchorage, Juneau, and Utqiagvik. A notable case is the 1972 disappearance of a plane carrying US House Majority Leader Thomas Hale Boggs Sr. Harsh weather and rugged terrain contribute to these unresolved vanishings.
Astronomers are delving into five cosmic enigmas that challenge our understanding of the universe: the suspected Planet Nine beyond Neptune, a runaway black hole speeding through space, rogue planets termed JUMBOs in the Orion Nebula, massive Fermi Bubbles from our galaxy's center, and a mysterious question mark-shaped deep-space formation captured by the James Webb Space Telescope.
The Full Harvest Moon on September 17 promises an extraordinary celestial event with both a supermoon and a partial lunar eclipse. This spectacle will be visible across various regions including North America and Europe. The peak of the eclipse will occur at 10:44pm EDT for observers in the Eastern US time zone.
The European Space Agency's Instagram post featuring a 'creepy smiley face' on Mars has intrigued many. The image highlights chloride salt deposits, providing insights into the Red Planet's history and potential habitability. This discovery is part of ESA's ExoMars program, aimed at exploring the possibility of past life on Mars.
India's Chandrayaan-3 mission has recorded over 250 seismic signals on the Moon’s south polar region, including 50 unexplained ones that could be linked to Moonquakes. This marks a significant achievement as it is the first such data collection since the Apollo era. The findings were published by ISRO researchers in ICARUS.
Researchers at Tokyo Medical and Dental University have found that the periodontal bacterium Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans exacerbates rheumatoid arthritis through inflammasome activation. This discovery could lead to new treatment strategies for RA and other systemic diseases linked to periodontal bacteria, potentially improving patient outcomes.
A study published in Cerebral Cortex indicates that chronic constipation and nausea could be early signs of Parkinson's disease. The research found a 76% higher risk of developing the disorder among patients with upper gastrointestinal tract damage. This finding highlights the need for early monitoring and potential new treatment approaches.
NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore have finalized preparations for the Boeing Starliner's autonomous return from the ISS. The spacecraft's hatch was sealed, and it is scheduled to undock at 3:30 AM IST on Saturday, with a landing anticipated in New Mexico six hours later. Viewers can watch the event live on NASA's platforms.
Boeing's Starliner capsule returned to Earth without astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore, who remain on the ISS due to technical issues. The spacecraft faced thruster malfunctions and propulsion system leaks, causing NASA to delay their return until February 2025. Boeing will investigate these problems for future missions.
ISRO's preliminary analysis of Chandrayaan-3's seismic data suggests lunar soil activity might result from past meteorite impacts or local thermal effects. More detailed studies are necessary for deeper insights. The Instrument for Lunar Seismic Activity recorded 190 hours of data, identifying over 250 signals, with about 50 considered uncorrelated events.
Boeing's Starliner capsule is set to undock from the International Space Station on September 6, landing in New Mexico six hours later. Astronauts Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams will remain on the ISS until February, returning aboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon ferry ship. The mission encountered helium leaks and thruster issues but aims for a successful landing.
Researchers have found that tartrazine, a common food dye, can temporarily render the skin of living mice transparent. This enables unprecedented visualization of internal structures without invasive procedures. If proven safe for humans, this technique could revolutionize medical imaging and diagnostics by allowing non-invasive observation of internal organs.
Isro Chairman S. Somanath highlighted India's gap in core technology development despite its success in IT services. Speaking at an event by cybersecurity firm SISA, he emphasized the need for indigenous software products and robust cybersecurity measures. SISA's new R&D centre aims to address these issues and foster innovation.
Nasa's Starliner capsule is scheduled to undock from the ISS, landing in New Mexico after overcoming various issues. The capsule returns without astronauts Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams, who stay on the ISS until February. Departure adjustments aim for safety and data collection, reflecting ongoing challenges in Nasa's commercial crew program.
A World Health Organization review of 63 studies conducted between 1994 and 2022 found no link between mobile phone use and brain cancer. The study examined the effects of radio waves from devices like mobile phones on various types of cancer, concluding that these devices do not increase the risk of developing brain tumors or other cancers.
NASA astronaut Butch Wilmore, on the International Space Station, reported a strange sonar-like noise from the Boeing Starliner. Mission Control is investigating. Wilmore and Sunita Williams, having extended their stay due to technical issues, are set to return in 2025 on a SpaceX Dragon capsule. The Starliner will return to Earth soon.
Following NASA's DART mission that intentionally impacted asteroid moonlet Dimorphos, over two million pounds of space debris were generated. This debris could result in a faint, man-made meteor shower potentially visible on Earth and Mars over the next 10 to 30 years. The event underscores the importance of studying space debris and planetary defense.
A study found unapproved formulations accounted for over 60% of psychotropic fixed dose combination drug sales in India from 2008 to 2020. The report highlights risks due to a lack of safety and efficacy evaluation, urging enhanced regulatory measures and market surveillance to mitigate potential public health threats.
Officials have initiated a two-week study to evaluate six high-risk glacial lakes in Sikkim at the behest of NDMA. This includes assessing lake physical dimensions and moraine dam stability through advanced surveys. The effort aims to mitigate glacial lake outburst floods and enhance the understanding of lake hydrology, critical for disaster prevention.
An emergency room doctor from the University of Florida Health Jacksonville, Dr Sam Ghali, shared alarming CT scans showing a severe parasitic infection in a patient who ate undercooked pork. Diagnosed with cysticercosis, caused by the pork tapeworm, the patient faced significant health risks. Dr Ghali recommends avoiding raw or undercooked pork to prevent similar infections.
Nasa plans to remove two astronauts from a SpaceX mission to make room for two ISS astronauts, Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore, who will return early due to safety concerns with their Boeing Starliner capsule. The adjustments ensure their February return with Nick Hague and Aleksandr Gorbunov, while other astronauts are deferred to future flights. The agency said that factors such as spaceflight experience were considered in making this decision.
Scientists at UC San Diego have found a new mechanism explaining cardiac inflammation after a heart attack, revealing that heart muscle cells initiate this process in the borderzone surrounding the affected area. This discovery opens potential therapeutic avenues to prevent the progression from heart attack to heart failure.
HAL has signed a contract with Safhal Helicopter Engines Pvt Ltd to co-develop the ‘Aravalli’ engine for India’s forthcoming Multi-Role Helicopter platforms. This collaboration aims to bolster India’s self-reliance in crucial engine technologies, enhancing the capabilities of both IMRH and DBMRH platforms. The undertaking represents a significant step in India’s indigenous defence technology development.
Scientists from Nasa's Jet Propulsion Laboratory report that Canadian wildfires from May to September 2023 released 640 million metric tons of carbon, surpassing the annual fossil fuel emissions of Russia and Japan in 2022. The fires were fueled by unusually warm and dry conditions, affecting 18 million hectares of forest.
Common diabetes drug may lower dementia risk
SpaceX rocket launches have been suspended after a Falcon 9 booster crash during a landing attempt, causing a fire. Following the incident, the FAA began an investigation and will need to approve corrective actions before resuming flights. The suspension impacts SpaceX's upcoming private and NASA crew missions, and other scheduled launches.
Astronomers discovered J0529-4351, the brightest quasar known, 500 trillion times brighter than the sun. It contains a supermassive black hole growing at an unprecedented rate. The quasar’s light, 12 billion years old, is key to studying the early Universe. Future research will use advanced instruments to explore this celestial phenomenon.
SpaceX has delayed the Polaris Dawn mission for a second time this week due to poor weather conditions off Florida's coast. The mission, aiming to carry four civilians into orbit and conduct a historic private spacewalk, will be rescheduled once conditions are favorable. The team continues to monitor weather for a safe and timely re-entry.
A study revealed that the Y chromosome, which determines male sex, is degenerating and may vanish in a few million years. Research on Sry-deficient Amami spiny rats, which lost the Y chromosome but still reproduce, suggests humans might evolve a new male-determining gene, offering hope for survival despite the Y chromosome's decline.
Researchers from the University Hospital Bonn and the Hebrew University of Jerusalem found that low doses of cannabis can reverse brain ageing in mice. The study showed THC improved cognitive functions by increasing mTOR activity, suggesting a potential anti-ageing treatment. Results indicated cognitive benefits in older mice alongside reduced activity in other body parts, mimicking low-calorie diets.
A study revealed that obesity-related cancers in China increased by 3.6% annually from 2007 to 2021, with a 15% yearly rise among those aged 25 to 29. Researchers warned of a potential doubling in cases over the next decade without public health interventions, highlighting the urgency of addressing the obesity epidemic.