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.
Nasa astronaut Matthew Dominick captured an image of a massive moon setting over the Pacific from the ISS. The photograph, taken with specific technical settings, quickly went viral, accumulating over 5 lakh views. Dominick explained the rapid shutter speed due to the moon's quick descent.
Two experienced Nasa astronauts, Barry Wilmore and Sunita Williams, launched on Boeing's Starliner for a test flight from Florida. Initially scheduled for an eight-day mission, their stay at the ISS was extended due to Starliner's propulsion issues. They will return on a SpaceX vehicle early next year due to safety concerns.
A study from Uppsala University showed promising results for a new treatment for locally advanced rectal cancer. The strategy doubled the chance of avoiding surgery by administering radiotherapy and chemotherapy first. This approach increased the rate of complete tumor disappearance without raising local recurrence rates, preserving normal rectal function for patients.
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), founded in 1969, has made significant strides in space exploration under Dr. Vikram Sarabhai’s leadership. Its notable achievements include the Mars Orbiter Mission and cost-effective satellite launches. ISRO's advancements cover indigenous satellite navigation and reusable launch vehicles, driving progress in communication, remote sensing, and meteorology.
Nasa's Starliner mission faced several technical issues, delaying the scheduled return of astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore. Despite the setbacks, there is no urgent need to bring them back. Nasa has been using the extra time to address the spacecraft's problems, but SpaceX's Crew Dragon remains a backup option for their safe return in case of emergency.
NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore were unexpectedly stranded on the ISS due to a malfunction in the Boeing Starliner's thrusters. Initially planned for an eight-day mission, concerns about their return have arisen with risks including failed reentry and potential vaporization if the capsule's angle is incorrect during descent.
Scientists found toxic mercury being released into Arctic water systems due to melting permafrost. Researchers studying sediment in Alaska's Yukon River discovered that eroding permafrost is contributing mercury-laden sediments to the river. This poses long-term environmental and health threats to Arctic communities reliant on hunting and fishing, as mercury accumulates in the food chain over time.
A recent study published in Science Immunology revealed that inherited immune and metabolism disorders are more similar than previously understood. Researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center discovered that many genes linked to metabolic disorders also affect T cell function. This finding may pave the way for new therapies targeting both immune and metabolic defects.
The Milky Way, a small part of a universe filled with countless galaxies, highlighted the challenge of estimating galaxy numbers. Despite advanced telescopes, only 3% of the universe is observable. Current estimates suggest between 100 billion and 2 trillion galaxies in the observable universe. This discrepancy, influenced by telescope limitations, underscores the complexity of the task.
As climate change increases the frequency and intensity of wildfires around the world, a new study shows that farmworkers are paying a heavy price by being exposed to high levels of air pollution. And in Sonoma County, the focus of the work, researchers found that a program aimed at determining when it was safe to work during wildfires did not adequately protect farmworkers.
The World Health Organization declared mpox outbreaks in Congo and other African nations a global emergency, with over 99,000 cases and 208 fatalities between January 2022 and June 2024. A more transmissible viral strain is spreading, causing severe illness. Lack of vaccine equity has exacerbated the situation. Recent agreements aim to improve vaccine distribution in affected regions.
On August 19, 2024, a rare celestial event combining a supermoon and a Blue Moon coincided with Raksha Bandhan. The Moon appeared larger and brighter as a supermoon, while being the second full Moon of the month made it a Blue Moon. This cosmic event enhanced the celebrations of the Hindu festival honoring sibling bonds.The WHO reported 208 deaths and over 99,000 mpox cases in 116 nations from January 2022 to June 2024. A more transmissible strain, clade Ib, drove the outbreak in Africa. The WHO and Africa CDC are working to distribute vaccines, but earlier access could have reduced cases significantly, especially in Africa.
A recent study unveiled by NASA's InSight lander has found a massive reservoir of liquid water beneath Mars' surface, potentially capable of covering the planet in a global ocean. Seismic data suggest this water, located 7.2 to 12.4 miles deep, may indicate conditions favorable for microbial life. "Temperatures on present-day Mars become warm enough for stable liquid water near the top of mid-crust, and pores are expected to have closed at the bottom of the layer," the study said.
Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore's missions on the ISS were extended following issues with the Boeing Starliner spacecraft. Due to a helium leak, their return, initially planned for June 2024, is now uncertain. Nasa has indicated an alternative return plan using SpaceX's Crew Dragon capsule, potentially in February 2025, posing challenges for Boeing.
A researcher from the University of Edinburgh uncovered the earliest lunisolar calendar at Göbekli Tepe, an ancient site in Turkey. Martin Sweatman linked markings on a pillar to a comet impact 13,000 years ago, suggesting ancient people recorded this event. The discovery hints at advanced astronomical understanding of that time.
A Falcon 9 rocket launched from Cape Canaveral successfully placed 21 Starlink satellites in orbit on Saturday. Of these, 13 have direct-to-cell capability. This marks the 187th Starlink mission, bringing the total to 6,854 satellites. SpaceX plans two more launches on Sunday, deploying additional Starlink satellites and Arctic broadband relay stations.
Cybersecurity researchers reported a significant rise in GPS spoofing incidents targeting commercial airliners, particularly near conflict zones. Unauthorized systems broadcast false positions, leading to disruptions, including the manipulation of aircraft clocks. In one instance, a plane's clocks advanced by years, disabling its communication systems and grounding it for weeks. While not directly causing crashes, these incidents could lead to serious complications.
They'll be so close Wednesday, at least from our perspective, that just a sliver of moon could fit between them. In reality, our solar system's biggest planet and its dimmer, reddish neighbor will be more than 350 million miles (575 million kilometers) apart in their respective orbits.
Over the past century, light pollution has drastically dimmed the visibility of the Milky Way for nearly 3 billion people. Poorly designed and unnecessary lighting from various sources like streetlights and billboards contributes to this issue. Efforts involving dimming, shielding lights, and using warm-colored bulbs can help reduce light pollution and restore our night skies.
Scientists proposed to introduce engineered nanoparticles into Mars' atmosphere to raise its temperature by 50 degrees Fahrenheit over ten years. These particles would enhance the natural greenhouse effect. The researchers believe warming Mars' atmosphere is a crucial step despite the planet's harsh conditions. They also stress the importance of studying potential unintended consequences, including the possibility of past or present life on Mars.
BEML delivered light alloy structures for Isro's LVM-3 launch vehicle program, marking another success in their partnership. BEML’s Aerospace division had previously contributed to PSLV projects. With support from VSSC, BEML continues to meet expectations by delivering crucial components. The Bengaluru Complex features advanced facilities for precise fabrication.
Isro, on Aug 15, successfully launched the Earth Observation Satellite-8 using its newly-developed SSLV-D3 from Sriharikota. The EOS-08 mission aimed to design a microsatellite, develop new technologies for future satellites, and included polarized payloads like EOIR and GNSS-R. The integration of advanced satellite technology marked a significant achievement for Isro's operational capabilities.
Nasa announced that Boeing's Starliner spacecraft might be unsafe for astronaut returns, raising the possibility of using SpaceX to bring Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams back to Earth in February 2025. Initially planned for eight days, the mission has been extended due to propulsion issues in Starliner. Nasa and Boeing are working on resolving these problems.
Nasa delayed SpaceX Crew-9 mission to the ISS due to problems with Boeing's Starliner spacecraft. The Starliner, which transported two astronauts to the ISS in June, has been docked for two months due to propulsion anomalies. Now set for September 24, the Crew-9 mission may return the stranded astronauts and two Crew-8 members as Boeing addresses its issues. Updates are expected on Wednesday.
