Scientists have made an unbelievable finding in Yellowstone National Park: "giant" viruses that date back an astounding 1.5 billion years. The word "giant" describes their extraordinarily large genomes in comparison to viruses that are more common.

Scientists have made an unbelievable finding in Yellowstone National Park: "giant" viruses that date back an astounding 1.5 billion years. The word "giant" describes their extraordinarily large genomes in comparison to viruses that are more common. Despite their name, they pose no threat to people. Rather, these giant viruses offer important insights regarding a time when Earth's first single-cell creatures were beginning to appear. They aid in the understanding of the conditions and mechanisms that shaped the earliest stages of life. Also read | Jupiter's fifth moon spotted by NASA's Juno spacecraft; Here's why it's mysterious Through the examination of ancient viruses, scientists can enhance their comprehension of the evolutionary trajectory and environmental influences that molded the genesis of life on Earth. The hot springs of Yellowstone are like living fossils—relics from a time when the planet was far harsher. These ancient viruses have survived for generations despite the severe circumstances in these settings, which include blistering temperatures, high pressures, and deadly elements such as arsenic. Also read | Caught in action: Newly found fossil shows 155 million old brittle star mid-regeneration The Lemonade Creek hot spring in Yellowstone, which reaches temperatures of around 111 degrees Fahrenheit, was the source of DNA samples for analysis by the researchers. They discovered sequences of bacteria, algae, and archaea that supported an astounding 3,700 potential viruses, of which two-thirds were giant viruses. To survive amid the heat and toxicity of these hot springs, the bacteria and archaea have been borrowing genes from one another for billions of years. The evolution and diversification of the viruses, made possible by this mechanism of gene exchange, are vital to the long-term stability of the hot spring ecosystems. (With inputs from agencies)

Scientists find ancient giant viruses in Yellowstone's hot springs

A shooting in Bamiyan province, central Afghanistan, killed three foreigners and one Afghan on Friday, according to the interior ministry. 
 
"One Afghan and three foreigner nationals were killed, and four foreigners and three Afghans were wounded" in gunfire in Bamiyan city, interior ministry Abdul Mateen Qani, told AFP.

A shooting in Bamiyan province, central Afghanistan, killed three foreigners and one Afghan on Friday, according to the interior ministry. "One Afghan and three foreigner nationals were killed, and four foreigners and three Afghans were wounded" in gunfire in Bamiyan city, interior ministry Abdul Mateen Qani, told AFP.

Shooting in Afghanistan kills 3 foreigners and 1 Afghan, injures 7 others

Since the first human heart transplants in 1967, patients have reported strange and inexplicable personality changes. Some claim that after surgery, they feel more like their donor and less like themselves.&nbsp;

For example, a transplant recipient in the 1990s told scientists in a paper published in 2000 that after receiving the heart of a young male musician, she had an unexpected love for music.

According to a recent University of Colorado (CU) study, such profound alterations in personality don't seem to be caused only by heart transplants.

Should these symptoms be closely associated with organ transplants, maybe this indicates that our entire body, not just one or two organs, contains our "sense of self."

The study published in Transplantology collected the data through a questionnaire.

No matter which organ they got, over 90% of transplant patients, 23 heart recipients, and 24 other recipients, experienced personality changes following surgery, according to an online survey.

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The majority of patients in the research reported going through four or more personality changes, with the majority of these changes being related to memories, temperament, emotions, eating habits, identity, or religious or spiritual views.

Medical researcher Brian Carter and his colleagues at CU come to the conclusion that "heart transplant recipients may not be unique in their experience of personality changes following transplantation," despite the fact that the study is too small to be statistically significant.

Rather, they contend that more study is necessary since "such changes may occur following the transplantation of any organ."

The CU study is among the first to measure the alterations in personality following a range of organ transplants.

Previous research has only tended to focus on heart transplants, as these are regarded to be the most severe and long-lasting.

Since the first human heart transplants in 1967, patients have reported strange and inexplicable personality changes. Some claim that after surgery, they feel more like their donor and less like themselves.

Since the first human heart transplants in 1967, patients have reported strange and inexplicable personality changes. Some claim that after surgery, they feel more like their donor and less like themselves. For example, a transplant recipient in the 1990s told scientists in a paper published in 2000 that after receiving the heart of a young male musician, she had an unexpected love for music. According to a recent University of Colorado (CU) study, such profound alterations in personality don't seem to be caused only by heart transplants. Should these symptoms be closely associated with organ transplants, maybe this indicates that our entire body, not just one or two organs, contains our "sense of self." The study published in Transplantology collected the data through a questionnaire. No matter which organ they got, over 90% of transplant patients, 23 heart recipients, and 24 other recipients, experienced personality changes following surgery, according to an online survey. Also read: Over 30% of Covaxin takers experienced nervous system disorders, menstrual abnormalities, suggests study The majority of patients in the research reported going through four or more personality changes, with the majority of these changes being related to memories, temperament, emotions, eating habits, identity, or religious or spiritual views. Medical researcher Brian Carter and his colleagues at CU come to the conclusion that "heart transplant recipients may not be unique in their experience of personality changes following transplantation," despite the fact that the study is too small to be statistically significant. Rather, they contend that more study is necessary since "such changes may occur following the transplantation of any organ." The CU study is among the first to measure the alterations in personality following a range of organ transplants. Previous research has only tended to focus on heart transplants, as these are regarded to be the most severe and long-lasting.

Organ transplants can lead to profound personality changes, suggests study

The Dow Jones Industrial Average topped the 40,000 level for the first time Thursday, as U.S. stocks drifted higher to add to their records set a day before.

The Dow was up 106 points, or 0.3%, at 40,014, in midday trading. It made its last leap of 10,000 points in about three and a half years, as the U.S. economy and corporate profits crawled out of the crash caused COVID-19. They’ve continued to hold up so far despite the worst inflation in decades, the punishing effects of high interest rates and worries about a recession that seemed inevitable but hasn’t arrived.

The S&amp;P 500 index, which is much more widely followed on Wall Street and dictates the performance of many more 401(k) accounts than the Dow, was 0.2% higher, as of 11:40 a.m. Eastern time. The Nasdaq composite was up 0.2%. They also had rallied on Wednesday to all-time highs.

Walmart was one of the strongest forces lifting the market, and it rose 6% after reporting stronger profit for the latest quarter than analysts expected. It also said its revenue for the year could top the forecasted range it had earlier given.

Walmart’s strength could be an encouraging signal for the broader economy. Worries have been rising about whether U.S. households can keep up with still-high inflation, even if it’s not as bad as before, and more expensive credit-card payments, particularly those making lower incomes.

Target, which reports its quarterly results next week, climbed following Walmart’s report, along with other retailers like Dollar General and Dollar Tree. Each added at least 2.4%.

Chubb climbed 3.8% after Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway disclosed it had built an ownership stake in the insurer.

Stronger-than-expected profit reports have been one of the main reasons U.S. stock indexes jumped through May to records following a tough April. Another has been revived hopes that the Federal Reserve will be able to cut its main interest rate at least once or twice this year. The Fed has been keeping its federal funds rate at the highest level in more than two decades.

A string of worse-than-expected reports on inflation at the start of the year had put the potential for such cuts in jeopardy, but some more encouraging data has since arrived.

Treasury yields have eased in May as hopes rose that the economy could hit the hoped-for sweet spot, where it cools enough because of high interest rates to stifle inflation but not so much that it causes a bad recession. Yields were holding edging higher Thursday following some mixed data on the economy.

One report showed slightly more workers applied for unemployment benefits last week than economists expected, though the number remains low compared with history. Others said homebuilders broke ground on fewer projects last month than expected, manufacturing growth in the mid-Atlantic region was weaker than hoped and import prices rose more than forecast.

“Today’s numbers were in line with the overall theme of the week — nothing dramatic, but showing signs of a steady-to-cooling economy,” said Chris Larkin, managing director, trading and investing, at E-Trade from Morgan Stanley.

The yield on the 10-year Treasury ticked up to 4.36% from 4.35% late Wednesday. The two-year yield, which moves more closely with expectations for action by the Fed, rose to 4.77% from 4.72%.

On the losing end of Wall Street, Deere fell 3.2% despite reporting stronger profit for its latest quarter than expected. It cut its forecast for profit over the full fiscal year below analysts’ estimates, as farmers buy fewer tractors and other equipment.

Homebuilders fell following the weaker-than-expected report on housing starts. They gave back some of their big gains the day before, when hopes for lower mortgage rates had sent them sharply higher. Lennar fell 2.1%, and D.R. Horton slipped 2%.

GameStop and AMC Entertainment slid for a second straight day, pulling back further from their jaw-dropping starts to the week. They’ve been moving more on excitement drummed up by investors than any changes to their financial prospects.

GameStop fell 25.2%, though it’s still up nearly 69% for the week so far. AMC Entertainment lost 13.9%.

Under Armour swung from an early loss to a slight gain after it warned that its revenue will be likely down by “a low double-digit percentage rate” this upcoming fiscal year, citing weaker demand from wholesalers and “inconsistent execution across our business.” The company announced a restructuring plan to cut costs and also announced a program to buy back up to $500 million of its stock. It was up 1.1%.

In stock markets abroad, indexes were modestly lower in much of Europe after mostly rising in Asia. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng jumped 1.6% after reopening following a holiday, while Japan’s Nikkei 225 rose 1.4%.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average topped the 40,000 level for the first time Thursday, as U.S. stocks drifted higher to add to their records set a day before. The Dow was up 106 points, or 0.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average topped the 40,000 level for the first time Thursday, as U.S. stocks drifted higher to add to their records set a day before. The Dow was up 106 points, or 0.3%, at 40,014, in midday trading. It made its last leap of 10,000 points in about three and a half years, as the U.S. economy and corporate profits crawled out of the crash caused COVID-19. They’ve continued to hold up so far despite the worst inflation in decades, the punishing effects of high interest rates and worries about a recession that seemed inevitable but hasn’t arrived. The S&P 500 index, which is much more widely followed on Wall Street and dictates the performance of many more 401(k) accounts than the Dow, was 0.2% higher, as of 11:40 a.m. Eastern time. The Nasdaq composite was up 0.2%. They also had rallied on Wednesday to all-time highs. Walmart was one of the strongest forces lifting the market, and it rose 6% after reporting stronger profit for the latest quarter than analysts expected. It also said its revenue for the year could top the forecasted range it had earlier given. Walmart’s strength could be an encouraging signal for the broader economy. Worries have been rising about whether U.S. households can keep up with still-high inflation, even if it’s not as bad as before, and more expensive credit-card payments, particularly those making lower incomes. Target, which reports its quarterly results next week, climbed following Walmart’s report, along with other retailers like Dollar General and Dollar Tree. Each added at least 2.4%. Chubb climbed 3.8% after Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway disclosed it had built an ownership stake in the insurer. Stronger-than-expected profit reports have been one of the main reasons U.S. stock indexes jumped through May to records following a tough April. Another has been revived hopes that the Federal Reserve will be able to cut its main interest rate at least once or twice this year. The Fed has been keeping its federal funds rate at the highest level in more than two decades. A string of worse-than-expected reports on inflation at the start of the year had put the potential for such cuts in jeopardy, but some more encouraging data has since arrived. Treasury yields have eased in May as hopes rose that the economy could hit the hoped-for sweet spot, where it cools enough because of high interest rates to stifle inflation but not so much that it causes a bad recession. Yields were holding edging higher Thursday following some mixed data on the economy. One report showed slightly more workers applied for unemployment benefits last week than economists expected, though the number remains low compared with history. Others said homebuilders broke ground on fewer projects last month than expected, manufacturing growth in the mid-Atlantic region was weaker than hoped and import prices rose more than forecast. “Today’s numbers were in line with the overall theme of the week — nothing dramatic, but showing signs of a steady-to-cooling economy,” said Chris Larkin, managing director, trading and investing, at E-Trade from Morgan Stanley. The yield on the 10-year Treasury ticked up to 4.36% from 4.35% late Wednesday. The two-year yield, which moves more closely with expectations for action by the Fed, rose to 4.77% from 4.72%. On the losing end of Wall Street, Deere fell 3.2% despite reporting stronger profit for its latest quarter than expected. It cut its forecast for profit over the full fiscal year below analysts’ estimates, as farmers buy fewer tractors and other equipment. Homebuilders fell following the weaker-than-expected report on housing starts. They gave back some of their big gains the day before, when hopes for lower mortgage rates had sent them sharply higher. Lennar fell 2.1%, and D.R. Horton slipped 2%. GameStop and AMC Entertainment slid for a second straight day, pulling back further from their jaw-dropping starts to the week. They’ve been moving more on excitement drummed up by investors than any changes to their financial prospects. GameStop fell 25.2%, though it’s still up nearly 69% for the week so far. AMC Entertainment lost 13.9%. Under Armour swung from an early loss to a slight gain after it warned that its revenue will be likely down by “a low double-digit percentage rate” this upcoming fiscal year, citing weaker demand from wholesalers and “inconsistent execution across our business.” The company announced a restructuring plan to cut costs and also announced a program to buy back up to $500 million of its stock. It was up 1.1%. In stock markets abroad, indexes were modestly lower in much of Europe after mostly rising in Asia. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng jumped 1.6% after reopening following a holiday, while Japan’s Nikkei 225 rose 1.4%.

Stock market today: Dow tops 40,000 for the first time as Wall Street drifts higher

German scientists have discovered the fossil of&nbsp;a six-armed brittle star that was petrified while it was still partially renewing.

This very unique fossil was discovered in 2018 in a limestone deposit in southern Germany, which was originally a deep lagoon teeming with coral meadows and sponge beds. These days it is a fossil garden full of shark teeth and the skeletal remains of extinct pterosaurs, crustaceans, and crocodile-like animals from the late Jurassic period.

The fossil is the first and only example of Ophiactis hex, a new species of brittle star that scientists have identified.

Fissiparity, in which the star "splits" in two and each side regenerates its missing pieces, is the reproduction mechanism used by many contemporary brittle stars and certain starfish.

Because the two new stars are clones of the original, it is sometimes referred to as clonal fragmentation. The species that use this method tend to have six arms, instead of five, to make for an even split.

"While the biology and ecology of clonal fragmentation are comparatively well understood, virtually nothing is known about the evolution and geological history of that phenomenon," the paper published in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences explains.

The Ophiactis hex fossil, which is 155 million years old and has been preserved to the point that you can see its hook-shaped arm spines, offers compelling evidence of the deep evolutionary roots of clonal fragmentation in star-shaped echinoderms.

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It was given that name in honour of the supercomputer that can conceive the unimaginable, in one of Terry Pratchett's Discworld&nbsp;novels. It appears that the six-armed brittle star discovered by this group of paleontologists is an undiscovered object, proving that fissiparity is an old asexual reproduction strategy connected to that symmetrical body design.

"While skeletons of ophiuroids with individual arms frozen in the process of regeneration are relatively common in the fossil record, cases of individuals with a regenerating body half are exceedingly rare," the study read.

"To the best of our knowledge, the specimen described in the present paper is only the second case known so far, and the first one for which regeneration seems indeed linked to six-fold symmetry and clonal fragmentation," it continued.

The researchers acknowledge that it is hard to determine the precise appearance of the species before its division and whether or not it was six-armed, given that only one specimen of Ophiactis hex has been discovered so far.

German scientists have discovered the fossil of a six-armed brittle star that was petrified while it was still partially renewing. This very unique fossil was discovered in 2018 in a limestone deposit in southern Germany, which was originally a deep lagoon teeming with coral meadows and sponge beds.

German scientists have discovered the fossil of a six-armed brittle star that was petrified while it was still partially renewing. This very unique fossil was discovered in 2018 in a limestone deposit in southern Germany, which was originally a deep lagoon teeming with coral meadows and sponge beds. These days it is a fossil garden full of shark teeth and the skeletal remains of extinct pterosaurs, crustaceans, and crocodile-like animals from the late Jurassic period. The fossil is the first and only example of Ophiactis hex, a new species of brittle star that scientists have identified. Fissiparity, in which the star "splits" in two and each side regenerates its missing pieces, is the reproduction mechanism used by many contemporary brittle stars and certain starfish. Because the two new stars are clones of the original, it is sometimes referred to as clonal fragmentation. The species that use this method tend to have six arms, instead of five, to make for an even split. "While the biology and ecology of clonal fragmentation are comparatively well understood, virtually nothing is known about the evolution and geological history of that phenomenon," the paper published in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences explains. The Ophiactis hex fossil, which is 155 million years old and has been preserved to the point that you can see its hook-shaped arm spines, offers compelling evidence of the deep evolutionary roots of clonal fragmentation in star-shaped echinoderms. Also read: Practice makes a person almost perfect, science confirms It was given that name in honour of the supercomputer that can conceive the unimaginable, in one of Terry Pratchett's Discworld novels. It appears that the six-armed brittle star discovered by this group of paleontologists is an undiscovered object, proving that fissiparity is an old asexual reproduction strategy connected to that symmetrical body design. "While skeletons of ophiuroids with individual arms frozen in the process of regeneration are relatively common in the fossil record, cases of individuals with a regenerating body half are exceedingly rare," the study read. "To the best of our knowledge, the specimen described in the present paper is only the second case known so far, and the first one for which regeneration seems indeed linked to six-fold symmetry and clonal fragmentation," it continued. The researchers acknowledge that it is hard to determine the precise appearance of the species before its division and whether or not it was six-armed, given that only one specimen of Ophiactis hex has been discovered so far.

Caught in action: Newly found fossil shows 155 million old brittle star mid-regeneration

A building fire in Düsseldorf, North Rhine-Westphalia, early on Thursday (May 16) morning resulted in three fatalities and several injuries.&nbsp;

In the Flingern area, a building with many apartments and a kiosk on the ground floor of Lichtstraße and Grafenberger Allee caught fire at around 2:30 in the morning.&nbsp;

Locals reported hearing a huge blast, according to regional media site RP Online. It's unclear, though, if the explosion happened before or after the fire started. Subsequently, the fire extended to the nearby residential building. In addition, a number of parked automobiles that were in front of the business caught fire.

Approximately 100 firemen responded to the scene during the night. Residents escaped to balconies at the back of the home. The fire department then used ladders to rescue them from the burning and smoke-filled structure. "We carried out a massive rescue operation," stated a fire department spokeswoman told local media.

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16 persons, including two with potentially fatal injuries, were attended to by emergency personnel and sent to a hospital, the spokeswoman said. Emergency services discovered three bodies. According to authorities, the fire was put out during the night.

Investigating the event, police and fire specialists were on the scene on Thursday morning.

A police spokeswoman stated, "The investigation is ongoing."

On Thursday, many roads surrounding the location remained blocked. There is an advisory for drivers to avoid the area completely.

Brehmschule primary school students must also arrange for diversion and take an extended route to school.

The structure was undergoing further safety precautions, according to the fire department, and there was rubble all across the roadway.

Bus and tram service is also disrupted.

There will likely be short-term cancellations and diversions as a result of the restrictions surrounding the fire site, which is preventing many Rheinbahn services from operating on their regular routes.

A building fire in Düsseldorf, North Rhine-Westphalia, early on Thursday (May 16) morning resulted in three fatalities and several injuries. In the Flingern area, a building with many apartments and a kiosk on the ground floor of Lichtstraße and Grafenberger Allee caught fire at around 2:30 in the morning.

A building fire in Düsseldorf, North Rhine-Westphalia, early on Thursday (May 16) morning resulted in three fatalities and several injuries. In the Flingern area, a building with many apartments and a kiosk on the ground floor of Lichtstraße and Grafenberger Allee caught fire at around 2:30 in the morning. Locals reported hearing a huge blast, according to regional media site RP Online. It's unclear, though, if the explosion happened before or after the fire started. Subsequently, the fire extended to the nearby residential building. In addition, a number of parked automobiles that were in front of the business caught fire. Approximately 100 firemen responded to the scene during the night. Residents escaped to balconies at the back of the home. The fire department then used ladders to rescue them from the burning and smoke-filled structure. "We carried out a massive rescue operation," stated a fire department spokeswoman told local media. Also read: Ukraine's Zelensky meets military leaders in Kharkiv, says situation 'very difficult' 16 persons, including two with potentially fatal injuries, were attended to by emergency personnel and sent to a hospital, the spokeswoman said. Emergency services discovered three bodies. According to authorities, the fire was put out during the night. Investigating the event, police and fire specialists were on the scene on Thursday morning. A police spokeswoman stated, "The investigation is ongoing." On Thursday, many roads surrounding the location remained blocked. There is an advisory for drivers to avoid the area completely. Brehmschule primary school students must also arrange for diversion and take an extended route to school. The structure was undergoing further safety precautions, according to the fire department, and there was rubble all across the roadway. Bus and tram service is also disrupted. There will likely be short-term cancellations and diversions as a result of the restrictions surrounding the fire site, which is preventing many Rheinbahn services from operating on their regular routes.

Germany: 3 killed, several injured after fire at a residential building in Düsseldorf

WASP-193b, located 1,200 light-years from Earth, is a real outlier among the more than 5,000 exoplanets found so far. This new planet has a density similar to cotton candy since it is 50% bigger than Jupiter but seven times less dense.

"WASP-193b is the second least dense planet discovered to date, after Kepler-51d, which is much smaller," said Khalid Barkaoui, the study's first author and postdoctoral researcher at ULiege's EXOTIC Laboratory. The study was published in Nature Astronomy.

Even under the implausible premise of a coreless structure, traditional models of irradiated gas giants cannot account for the planet's very low density. "Its extremely low density makes it a real anomaly among the more than five thousand exoplanets discovered to date," Barkaoui continues.

The first to identify the new planet was the Wide Angle Search for Planets (WASP), an international initiative that used two robotic observatories to examine hundreds of stars' brightness in the sky. A transiting planet was detected by periodic dips in the brightness from the star WASP-193.

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Subsequently, the group measured the planetary signal at several wavelengths and confirmed that the eclipsing object was really planetary using the Chilean observatories TRAPPIST-South and SPECULOOS-South. The planet's mass was determined using spectroscopic measurements made with the CORALIE and HARPS spectrographs in Chile.&nbsp;

With a mass and size of around 0.14 and 1.5 times that of Jupiter, respectively, the planet's density was found to be very low based on the cumulative measurements: 0.059 grams per cubic centimeter, or approximately the same as cotton candy.

According to co-author and MIT professor Julien de Wit, "the planet is so light that it's difficult to think of an analogous, solid-state material." "The planet is basically super fluffy."

Scientists believe that WASP-193b is primarily composed of hydrogen and helium, and that its massively inflated atmosphere stretches tens of thousands of kilometers beyond the atmosphere of Jupiter. Nevertheless, how a planet may expand to such a degree is still outside the current understanding of planetary formation theories.

"We don't know where to put this planet in all the formation theories we have right now, because it's an outlier of all of them. We cannot explain how this planet was formed," added Francisco Pozuelos, astronomer at the Instituto de Astrofisica de Andalucia.

(With inputs from agencies)

WASP-193b, located 1,200 light-years from Earth, is a real outlier among the more than 5,000 exoplanets found so far. This new planet has a density similar to cotton candy since it is 50% bigger than Jupiter but seven times less dense.

WASP-193b, located 1,200 light-years from Earth, is a real outlier among the more than 5,000 exoplanets found so far. This new planet has a density similar to cotton candy since it is 50% bigger than Jupiter but seven times less dense. "WASP-193b is the second least dense planet discovered to date, after Kepler-51d, which is much smaller," said Khalid Barkaoui, the study's first author and postdoctoral researcher at ULiege's EXOTIC Laboratory. The study was published in Nature Astronomy. Even under the implausible premise of a coreless structure, traditional models of irradiated gas giants cannot account for the planet's very low density. "Its extremely low density makes it a real anomaly among the more than five thousand exoplanets discovered to date," Barkaoui continues. The first to identify the new planet was the Wide Angle Search for Planets (WASP), an international initiative that used two robotic observatories to examine hundreds of stars' brightness in the sky. A transiting planet was detected by periodic dips in the brightness from the star WASP-193. Also read: Face of Stone Age man thought to have drowned 4,000 years ago reconstructed Subsequently, the group measured the planetary signal at several wavelengths and confirmed that the eclipsing object was really planetary using the Chilean observatories TRAPPIST-South and SPECULOOS-South. The planet's mass was determined using spectroscopic measurements made with the CORALIE and HARPS spectrographs in Chile. With a mass and size of around 0.14 and 1.5 times that of Jupiter, respectively, the planet's density was found to be very low based on the cumulative measurements: 0.059 grams per cubic centimeter, or approximately the same as cotton candy. According to co-author and MIT professor Julien de Wit, "the planet is so light that it's difficult to think of an analogous, solid-state material." "The planet is basically super fluffy." Scientists believe that WASP-193b is primarily composed of hydrogen and helium, and that its massively inflated atmosphere stretches tens of thousands of kilometers beyond the atmosphere of Jupiter. Nevertheless, how a planet may expand to such a degree is still outside the current understanding of planetary formation theories. "We don't know where to put this planet in all the formation theories we have right now, because it's an outlier of all of them. We cannot explain how this planet was formed," added Francisco Pozuelos, astronomer at the Instituto de Astrofisica de Andalucia. (With inputs from agencies)

The fluffy giant: New planet ‘WASP-193b’ defies expectations with cotton candy-like density

Colonel Vaibhav Anil Kale (Retd), who was murdered while on his way to a hospital in Gaza's Rafah area, lived in Pune and had recently joined the UN as a security service coordinator, according to his family.

Colonel Vaibhav Anil Kale (Retd), who was murdered while on his way to a hospital in Gaza's Rafah area, lived in Pune and had recently joined the UN as a security service coordinator, according to his family. Two days after his body is flown via Cairo, the 46-year-old former Indian army officer's final rites will take place in Pune, according to his brother-in-law Wing Commander Prasant Karde (Retd), who spoke to PTI. Wing Commander Karde, a senior commander of IndiGo, stated that Col. Kale was travelling in a vehicle flying the UN flag when it came under fire. "Vaibhav left the army three years ago and had settled in Pune. He hailed from Nagpur and had studied at the Somalwar high school there," he said. According to him, the former infantry officer chose to enlist in the UN in order to further his career and because he was passionate about working for humanitarian causes. Also read: WHO stands firm on Gaza death toll data despite Israeli criticism; Over 35,000 dead; 60% women and children "While Vaibhav succumbed to bullet injuries, another officer who was with him in the vehicle, is critical and undergoing treatment," said Wing Commander Karde. According to him, Vaibhav's remains are being transported by plane from Cairo and will arrive in Mumbai or Pune, contingent on the flight schedule. Col Kale was on deputation in a UN peacekeeping operation in Congo from 2009 to 2010, according to Wing Commander Karde. "In fact, that stint was a motivation for undertaking the latest UN stint which proved fatal," he stated. The army commander had led the 11 JAK Rifles in Kashmir and served as an instructor at the army's Infantry School in Mhow. "Vaibhav joined the army in 1998 and in his more than two decades long career in the military, had served in the north-east and also in the Siachen glacier. He was a retired deputy commander of Rashtriya Rifles in Kashmir and was a part of counter-intelligence and counter terrorism operations," he said. He is survived by his wife, Amruta, and their two teenage children, son Vedant and daughter Radhika. His brother, Group Captain Vishal Kale, holds a senior position in the Indian Air Force, while his cousin, Colonel Amey Kale, serves in the army. (With inputs from agencies)

Indian Army veteran-turned-UN officer killed in Gaza; family awaits mortal remains

According to a new study, stressful life events like divorce or the loss of a loved one increase a person's chance of dementia in later life. But only if the traumatic experience occurred during youth or in middle age.

According to a new study, stressful life events like divorce or the loss of a loved one increase a person's chance of dementia in later life. But only if the traumatic experience occurred during youth or in middle age. The research, published in Annals of Neurology, comprised 1,290 adults who were at high risk of acquiring Alzheimer's disease. The researchers examined 18 stressful life events and determined when they occurred in people's lives. A subgroup of the group (393 people) had their spinal fluid samples taken to look for unusual proteins known as tau and amyloid that are linked to Alzheimer's disease. They also measured the amount of grey matter and searched for indicators of brain inflammation, which is assumed to be a factor in the illness. Although the researchers discovered that stressful life experiences between childhood and midlife were linked to aberrant amyloid and tau, two "biological markers" of Alzheimer's disease, they were not linked to losses in grey matter. The presence of Alzheimer's disease markers may imply that stress has a particularly significant influence on chemicals and reactions in the brain during childhood and middle age. Midlife is when Alzheimer's indicators begin to accumulate in the brain, which might explain why it is also a susceptible stage. Also read: Face of Stone Age man thought to have drowned 4,000 years ago reconstructed Total stressful life experiences were similarly linked to amyloid biomarkers, brain inflammation, and reduced grey matter, but only in people with a history of psychiatric problems. This might be because people with mental health concerns are more sensitive to the adverse effects of stress. It's also possible that people who have gone through certain stressful life situations are more prone to develop a psychiatric disorder. In either case, people who encounter both may face an elevated danger. Total stressful life experiences were not associated with Alzheimer's disease indicators in all individuals. These findings imply that some periods or settings amplify the effects of stressful life events on the development of Alzheimer's disease-related brain alterations, at least in individuals who are predisposed to the disease. There are certain limits to the results. The researchers depended on participants to recall what and when stressful situations occurred, often several years later. (With inputs from agencies)

Youth and midlife stress events linked to increased dementia risk in later life, study finds

6 South Indian Breakfast Options Other Than Idli And Dosa

South Indian food is well known for its flavoursome and delectable breakfast delights, with Idli and Dosa being the most popular. However, there’s much more to this rich cuisine collection.

It is a traditional South Indian dish made with rice, split yellow mung dal, ghee, cumin, ginger, pepper and curry leaves. It is a popular household dish, specially made during the harvest festival of Pongal.

This traditional South Indian dish with fluffy steamed rice cakes, has a crumbly texture, steamed to perfection along with coconut. It is eaten either with a Banana or along with Kadala Curry. It is also linked with many digestion benefits.

This South Indian speciality is very common in the Indian state of Karnataka. Made with semolina, mixed veggies, curry leaves and spices, it is similar to the popular spicy Rava Upma.

The Karnataka-style Bonda soup consists of crispy urad dal fritters dipped in a hot thin-based dal soup. It is a favourite dish among all the Kannadigas, especially in Mysore, Karnataka.

This South Indian recipe is made from freshly ground rice sauteed along with green chillies, lemon juice and spices. It is a delicious everyday breakfast.

These are ball-shaped crisp dumplings made by steaming batter composed of black lentils and rice, similar to the composition of Idli or Dosa batter. It is made in both sweet and savoury variations, eaten with a spicy chutney or sambhar.

5 Yoga Poses to Boost Brain Blood Flow and Enhance Mental Clarity

Do you feel listless or somnolent even after a good night’s sleep? The ancient Indian art of Yoga has the solution for you. Here are five effective yoga poses to boost your brain activity by increasing blood flow to the brain:

It is an effective stretching asana (position) that calms the mind while gently stretching the lower back, hips, thighs, and ankles. It is linked with therapeutic benefits for anxiety, stress, depression, sleeping difficulties and fatigue.

Adho Mukha Svanasana (Downward-facing Dog Position)

This rejuvenating pose is characterized by a forward-bending type position and aids in stretching the body muscles. It increases muscle strength and blood supply to the brain.

It helps improve blood circulation, boosts the immune system, regulates blood pressure and diabetes, relieves stress and back pain, and strengthens the digestive system.

This yoga pose helps to improve blood circulation to the head, chest, abdomen, and entire pelvic area, resulting in good mental health and sleep.



This pose encourages blood flow to the head, refreshing the brain and improving focus. It enhances flexibility in the spine and calf muscles, making everyday movements easier.

Reacting to US government's decision of raising tariffs on Chinese imports, Wang Wenbin, spokeswoman for the Chinese foreign ministry, told reporters on Tuesday that China opposes "the unilateral imposition of tariffs which violate (World Trade Organization) rules, and will take all necessary actions to protect its legitimate rights.

Reacting to US government's decision of raising tariffs on Chinese imports, Wang Wenbin, spokeswoman for the Chinese foreign ministry, told reporters on Tuesday that China opposes "the unilateral imposition of tariffs which violate (World Trade Organization) rules, and will take all necessary actions to protect its legitimate rights." “This will severely affect the atmosphere for bilateral cooperation," China's commerce ministry was quoted as saying by AFP. Beijing asked the United States to "promptly correct its erroneous actions and revoke the additional tariff measures imposed on China." Earlier, in an effort to impede Beijing's development of vital technology and give priority to US production, President Joe Biden announced new tariffs on $18 billion worth of Chinese imports in a few key industries that are considered critical to national security. Imported steel and aluminum, legacy semiconductors, electric vehicles, battery components, critical minerals, solar cells, cranes, and medical products will all be subject to higher tariffs. The new tariff rates will go into effect over the course of the next two years. They start at 100% for electric cars, 50% for solar components, and 25% for every other sector. “China’s using the same playbook it has before to power its own growth at the expense of others. China’s simply too big to play by its own rules,” said Lael Brainard, director of the White House National Economic Council. Former President Donald Trump imposed a tariff programme on $300 billion in Chinese imports during his presidency, citing a clause in US trade law that permits tariffs to be used to hinder competition that threatens national security interests. The same trade law mandates that the efficacy of such tariff schemes be examined every four years, and the Biden administration's decision comes after the outcome of the said assessment. Also read: US and China ratchet up AI arms race amid growing strategic concerns Officials at the White House said they also changed the programme's criteria to match Biden administration's policy goals include the shift to renewable energy. “China can’t be the only country that produces clean technology for the world we need. We need diversified, not concentrated, production of our most critical goods and technologies. … That’s the kind of dynamic we think will produce resilient supply chains and clean technology,” a senior administration official told CNN. “It was important to have a large enough step-up in the tariffs to ensure that we try to level the playing field,” another senior administration official told CNN. (With inputs from agencies)

China fumes as Biden administration ramps up tariffs on Chinese imports

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