Mount Everest's increasing height is attributed to the isostatic rebound caused by the merger of the Kosi and Arun rivers about 89,000 years ago. According to their estimates, isostatic rebound is responsible for approximately 10% of the yearly uplift rate of Everest. Isostatic rebound is a geological phenomenon that is not limited to the Himalayan region.
Two astronauts stuck on the ISS since June finally got their return transport through a SpaceX capsule after NASA deemed Boeing's Starliner unsafe due to thruster failures and helium leaks. The Dragon capsule will remain docked until February, while NASA continues inspecting the Starliner.
Asteroid '2024 PT5', discovered by ATLAS in August, flew past Earth on September 29 and will orbit it for 57 days. This mini-moon, part of the Arjuna asteroid group, is closely monitored by ISRO's NETRA. It will leave Earth's orbit on November 25 and is expected to return in 2055.
Dr PV Raghava Sarma of Lalitha super specialty hospital highlights the urgent need for physical activity and stress management to reduce heart diseases in India. The hospital has initiated awareness activities for World Heart Day, including free screenings. He recommends a balanced diet, regular exercise, and avoiding smoking and alcohol to improve heart health.
Nasa is set to launch the SpaceX Crew-9 mission on Saturday, bringing astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore back from the ISS. The mission includes transporting Nick Hague and Aleksandr Gorbunov to the ISS for a five-month stay. Live coverage starts at 9:00 am EDT, with docking expected on Monday.
Astrophotographer Andrew McCarthy captured a dramatic video of Saturn emerging from behind the Moon and shared it on social media. Enhanced with an infrared filter for better visibility, the footage shows Saturn's rings as it reappears from the Moon’s shadow. This phenomenon, known as occultation, has intrigued many astronomy enthusiasts and social media users.
Earth is set to gain a temporary mini-moon this autumn with the arrival of asteroid 2024 PT5. The asteroid, measuring about 33 feet wide, will orbit Earth from September 29 to November 25 before leaving its gravitational pull. Professional telescopes will capture images of this rare occurrence, emphasizing the dynamic activity in our solar system.
A study reveals that 'weekend warriors', who condense their weekly exercise into one or two days, have a reduced risk of over 200 diseases, comparable to those exercising regularly throughout the week. Data from nearly 90,000 individuals showed no significant difference in health benefits between weekend warriors and regular exercisers.
By 2050, one in every two El Nino events could be extreme if current greenhouse gas emission trends persist, according to a new study. Researchers used computer models to simulate past El Nino patterns, finding increased frequency and intensity with climate warming. This could result in severe impacts on life and property, reducing recovery time between events.
Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov will head a mission to rescue NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore stranded on the ISS. The rescue is planned for February 2025, following Gorbunov's first spaceflight in September 2024 with SpaceX’s Crew-9. This mission underscores significant international cooperation in space exploration.
Artificial intelligence may be capable of learning by thinking, a process previously thought exclusive to humans. Cognitive scientist Tania Lombrozo from Princeton University highlights how AI, especially large language models, can correct themselves and refine their responses through self-explanation and reasoning. This ability parallels human methods like thought experiments and self-explanations used for discovery.
Virginia Tech researchers have identified how Shigella flexneri, the bacterium responsible for dysentery, changes molecules to infect its host. This breakthrough may help in understanding various bacterial infections and improving preventive strategies. Dysentery is a major health concern in low and middle-income countries, especially among children under five years old.
Isro, IN-SPACe, and Nsil have achieved a milestone by signing 75 Transfer of Technology agreements with private companies since mid-2020. These agreements aim to provide private players access to Isro's advanced technologies, promoting innovation across multiple sectors. This effort supports India's space reforms by enhancing private sector participation and strengthening its global space industry position.
US oncologists are alarmed by the rising cancer cases linked to sexually transmitted diseases like HPV. Although vaccines have proven effective in reducing cervical cancer, their adoption in the US is poor. Increasing public awareness and vaccination efforts could significantly reduce these preventable cancers.
PM Modi-led Union Cabinet has approved major space missions: Chandrayaan-4 for lunar sample return, Bharatiya Antariksh Station by 2035, and a Venus Orbiter Mission. Additionally, the development of the Soorya rocket, a reusable next-generation launch vehicle with enhanced payload capacity, has been sanctioned to bolster India's space capabilities.
NASA has announced that Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore will return to Earth in February 2025 on a SpaceX Falcon 9, after Boeing’s Starliner was deemed unsafe for re-entry. SpaceX Crew-9 commander Nick Hague and Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov are in quarantine ahead of their ISS mission in Florida on September 20.
A partial lunar eclipse was observed across several continents as the 'harvest moon' entered Earth's shadow for over an hour. This celestial event will be followed by an annular solar eclipse on October 2, visible from places such as Easter Island and Patagonia.
Australia and India are expanding their space collaboration, focusing on supporting India's Gaganyaan mission and launching joint satellites. Australian Space Agency Head Enrico Palermo outlines future cooperation in areas like deep space exploration and climate monitoring. He emphasizes the mutual benefits and challenges of this strategic alliance, aiming to enhance regional cooperation and technological advancement.
NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore have been in space for nearly four months. Williams misses her dogs and New England's autumn foliage, while Wilmore regrets missing key moments in his daughters' lives. Despite these challenges, Williams finds joy in journaling about their unique experiences on the International Space Station.
According to a study published in The Lancet, antibiotic-resistant infections could result in over 39 million deaths globally within the next 25 years. This increasing threat is driven by the overuse of antibiotics. Researchers call for urgent strategies like vaccines, new drugs, and improved healthcare practices to mitigate this public health risk.
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.