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<p>Researchers at IIT Guwahati have developed a low-cost catalyst to produce hydrogen from water, to support India's National Green Hydrogen Mission and the wider shift towards cleaner energy. At the moment, nearly 90–95 per cent of the hydrogen generated from natural gas and coal releases greenhouse gases in the process. But producing hydrogen from water through electrolysis provides a cleaner alternative; however, it requires efficient catalysts.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>The most efficient catalysts for water splitting typically depend on rare and costly noble metals, making them impractical for large-scale hydrogen production. To address this, the IIT-Guwahati team turned to a low-cost, easily available nickel salt combined with an anthracene-based organic molecule.</p><p><br>Basically, hydrogen is considered an important clean-energy fuel. It is used for energy generation, which produces water as the main by-product. Hydrogen is also utilised in fuel cells and several industries, including fertiliser production. Meanwhile, most of the hydrogen production comes from fossil fuels.</p><p><br>The study led by Akshai Kumar, associate professor in the Department of Chemistry at IIT-Guwahati, has explained that the team synthesised a coordination polymer catalyst through a simple, room-temperature process using ultrasonic waves. This resulted in an extended network structure where nickel atoms are linked by organic molecules. The researchers noted that this arrangement offers a high density of active sites for the hydrogen evolution reaction, while also enabling efficient electron movement through the material.</p><h3>88 per cent of electrical energy effectively utilised</h3><p>The researchers discovered that nearly 88 per cent of the electrical energy supplied was effectively utilised to split water and pointed out that minimising energy wastage is important for building practical hydrogen-production systems. Additionally, the catalyst demonstrated stability over long-term operation, a quality that could prove significant for future large-scale applications.</p><p><br>Kalishankar Bhattacharyya, assistant professor at IIT-Guwahati, confirmed that the study indicated a synergistic effect between nickel and the anthracene-based framework, making the components improve the performance of the other. Researchers have also used chemical analysis and modelling to understand the behaviour of the catalyst. Their findings also indicated that nickel atoms form a three-dimensional network with the anthracene component.</p><p><br>The findings have been published in the Journal of Materials Chemistry A, with the study co-authored by Kumar, Bhattacharyya, and research scholars Niharika Tanwar, Jumana Ishrat and Khadimul Islam. The team believes this affordable and durable material could help advance efforts toward making hydrogen production from water more efficient and scalable.</p>

Hydrogen is used for energy generation, which produces water as the main by-product. It is also utilised in fuel cells and several industries, including fertiliser production. Meanwhile, most of the hydrogen production comes from fossil fuels.

Researchers at IIT Guwahati have developed a low-cost catalyst to produce hydrogen from water, to support India's National Green Hydrogen Mission and the wider shift towards cleaner energy. At the moment, nearly 90–95 per cent of the hydrogen generated from natural gas and coal releases greenhouse gases in the process. But producing hydrogen from water through electrolysis provides a cleaner alternative; however, it requires efficient catalysts. The most efficient catalysts for water splitting typically depend on rare and costly noble metals, making them impractical for large-scale hydrogen production. To address this, the IIT-Guwahati team turned to a low-cost, easily available nickel salt combined with an anthracene-based organic molecule. Basically, hydrogen is considered an important clean-energy fuel. It is used for energy generation, which produces water as the main by-product. Hydrogen is also utilised in fuel cells and several industries, including fertiliser production. Meanwhile, most of the hydrogen production comes from fossil fuels. The study led by Akshai Kumar, associate professor in the Department of Chemistry at IIT-Guwahati, has explained that the team synthesised a coordination polymer catalyst through a simple, room-temperature process using ultrasonic waves. This resulted in an extended network structure where nickel atoms are linked by organic molecules. The researchers noted that this arrangement offers a high density of active sites for the hydrogen evolution reaction, while also enabling efficient electron movement through the material. 88 per cent of electrical energy effectively utilised The researchers discovered that nearly 88 per cent of the electrical energy supplied was effectively utilised to split water and pointed out that minimising energy wastage is important for building practical hydrogen-production systems. Additionally, the catalyst demonstrated stability over long-term operation, a quality that could prove significant for future large-scale applications. Kalishankar Bhattacharyya, assistant professor at IIT-Guwahati, confirmed that the study indicated a synergistic effect between nickel and the anthracene-based framework, making the components improve the performance of the other. Researchers have also used chemical analysis and modelling to understand the behaviour of the catalyst. Their findings also indicated that nickel atoms form a three-dimensional network with the anthracene component. The findings have been published in the Journal of Materials Chemistry A, with the study co-authored by Kumar, Bhattacharyya, and research scholars Niharika Tanwar, Jumana Ishrat and Khadimul Islam. The team believes this affordable and durable material could help advance efforts toward making hydrogen production from water more efficient and scalable.

<p>Hydrogen is used for energy generation, which produces water as the main by-product. It is also utilised in fuel cells and several industries, including fertiliser production. Meanwhile, most of the hydrogen production comes from fossil fuels.</p>

Researchers from IIT-Guwahati develop low-cost catalyst to produce cleaner hydrogen from water

<p>Physicist Enrico Fermi posed the big question in 1950: "Where is everybody?" This led to the rise of the Fermi Paradox. If the observable universe is filled with hundreds of billions of galaxies, with even more stars, billions of Earth-like planets orbiting habitable zones around their stars in the Milky Way alone, there is a high statistical probability of extraterrestrial life being present in the universe. However, despite looking for signs of life for decades, humans have had no luck. Why haven't we found alien life yet?</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Chair of the UAP Science Council for the White House, <a href="https://avi-loeb.medium.com/">Avi Loeb</a> says we just haven't looked enough. "We haven't scoured much of the universe. Even within the orbit of the Earth around the Sun, our best telescope can only detect the reflection of sunlight from interstellar objects that are bigger than our largest rocket, Starship," he told WION.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Scientists have tried to solve the Fermi Paradox with several hypotheses over the years.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Life is hard</strong><br>Complex intelligent life requires a set of conditions - the planet should have plate tectonics, a magnetic field, a large moon and a gas giant like Jupiter to keep asteroids away from us. Besides, biological challenges, such as the transition from single-celled to multicellular life, are a major hurdle for life to evolve. Earth happens to be the rare exception that made it through.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Self-destruction</strong><br>Second, it is possible that a technologically advanced civilisation self-destructed through either nuclear weapons, climate change, or artificial intelligence even before they reached the stage of interstellar travel. Asteroids, gamma rays, and supernovae could have also wiped out life before they could expand their footprint in the universe.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>They don't want to be found</strong><br>Third, aliens might not want to reach out at all. They might know about us and are probably just looking at us. There is also a theory that alien life is silent to prevent a threat from a possibly predatory civilisation. However, even if they have sent a signal to Earth, it would be light-years before they reach us. "Even if there&nbsp;are residents in our cosmic neighbourhood, none of them may be calling us, or they may be using more advanced communication techniques," Loeb says.</p><h2><strong>Then, how should we search for alien life?</strong></h2><p><br>Huge telescopes on Earth and in space are looking for signals that could have originated from an advanced civilisation elsewhere in the universe. But nothing has even been found. Loeb says searching for radio communication signals is like waiting for a phone call. He suggests that a better way is to look for artefacts and equipment belonging to them floating near Earth, just like we have the Voyager probes billions of kilometres away.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>"Interstellar probes, like Voyager, will remain bound by gravity to the Milky Way and may arrive in our backyard," Loeb says. He has been working on this through the <a href="https://galileo.hsites.harvard.edu/">Galileo Project</a>, which focuses on technosignatures in physical space.</p><h2><strong>What happens when we find proof of extraterrestrial life?</strong></h2><p><br>Loeb says signals are something we don't need to worry about since they take tens of thousands of years to cross the Milky Way. But if we find a “visitor to our backyard requires prompt response. The nature of this response will depend on the intent and technological capabilities of the visitor.”</p><h2><strong>Could intelligent life be present under impenetrable ice without ever developing space travel or radios?</strong></h2><p><br>This is another theory floated by scientists. They believe that places like Europa and Enceladus, which have subsurface oceans, could be harbouring life several kilometres deep inside ice. Loeb agrees that life in the universe might be most common under surface ice. Such life might be living without even the concept of space travel.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>So what is the answer to "Where is everybody?" Loeb says the most convincing hypothesis is that everyone is right here.&nbsp;</p>

Humans have been searching for alien life for a long time, yet have never found any signs. Newly appointed Chair of the UAP Science Council for the White House, Avi Loeb sheds light on how to search for extraterrestrials and what humans are getting wrong.

Physicist Enrico Fermi posed the big question in 1950: "Where is everybody?" This led to the rise of the Fermi Paradox. If the observable universe is filled with hundreds of billions of galaxies, with even more stars, billions of Earth-like planets orbiting habitable zones around their stars in the Milky Way alone, there is a high statistical probability of extraterrestrial life being present in the universe. However, despite looking for signs of life for decades, humans have had no luck. Why haven't we found alien life yet? Chair of the UAP Science Council for the White House, Avi Loeb says we just haven't looked enough. "We haven't scoured much of the universe. Even within the orbit of the Earth around the Sun, our best telescope can only detect the reflection of sunlight from interstellar objects that are bigger than our largest rocket, Starship," he told WION. Scientists have tried to solve the Fermi Paradox with several hypotheses over the years. Life is hard Complex intelligent life requires a set of conditions - the planet should have plate tectonics, a magnetic field, a large moon and a gas giant like Jupiter to keep asteroids away from us. Besides, biological challenges, such as the transition from single-celled to multicellular life, are a major hurdle for life to evolve. Earth happens to be the rare exception that made it through. Self-destruction Second, it is possible that a technologically advanced civilisation self-destructed through either nuclear weapons, climate change, or artificial intelligence even before they reached the stage of interstellar travel. Asteroids, gamma rays, and supernovae could have also wiped out life before they could expand their footprint in the universe. They don't want to be found Third, aliens might not want to reach out at all. They might know about us and are probably just looking at us. There is also a theory that alien life is silent to prevent a threat from a possibly predatory civilisation. However, even if they have sent a signal to Earth, it would be light-years before they reach us. "Even if there are residents in our cosmic neighbourhood, none of them may be calling us, or they may be using more advanced communication techniques," Loeb says. Then, how should we search for alien life? Huge telescopes on Earth and in space are looking for signals that could have originated from an advanced civilisation elsewhere in the universe. But nothing has even been found. Loeb says searching for radio communication signals is like waiting for a phone call. He suggests that a better way is to look for artefacts and equipment belonging to them floating near Earth, just like we have the Voyager probes billions of kilometres away. "Interstellar probes, like Voyager, will remain bound by gravity to the Milky Way and may arrive in our backyard," Loeb says. He has been working on this through the Galileo Project, which focuses on technosignatures in physical space. What happens when we find proof of extraterrestrial life? Loeb says signals are something we don't need to worry about since they take tens of thousands of years to cross the Milky Way. But if we find a “visitor to our backyard requires prompt response. The nature of this response will depend on the intent and technological capabilities of the visitor.” Could intelligent life be present under impenetrable ice without ever developing space travel or radios? This is another theory floated by scientists. They believe that places like Europa and Enceladus, which have subsurface oceans, could be harbouring life several kilometres deep inside ice. Loeb agrees that life in the universe might be most common under surface ice. Such life might be living without even the concept of space travel. So what is the answer to "Where is everybody?" Loeb says the most convincing hypothesis is that everyone is right here.

<p>Humans have been searching for alien life for a long time, yet have never found any signs. Newly appointed Chair of the UAP Science Council for the White House, Avi Loeb sheds light on how to search for extraterrestrials and what humans are getting wrong.</p>

Why we are searching for alien life all wrong, according to White House UAP Council Chair Avi Loeb

<p>A new study has challenged the belief of how the earliest known bird may have learned to fly, offering a fresh explanation for one of evolution’s most enduring puzzles. According to the research ‘Hop, hop and away: On the take-off of Archaeopteryx using a multiple leaping mechanism’, published in the journal Developmental Biology, this bird may not have launched into the air with a dramatic flap of its wings. Instead, it probably got airborne through a series of powerful jumps. Scientists have argue Archaeopteryx relied heavily on its legs to build enough speed for flight before its wings took over.</p><p>The findings challenge the long-held idea that the ancient bird could have taken off in a single wing-powered leap. Researchers examined the take-off mechanics of living birds, including crows, magpies, gulls and finches, and applied those biomechanical models to Archaeopteryx, which lived around 150 million years ago.</p><p>The findings of the study revealed that a mid-sized, 400 g Archaeopteryx could have achieved a sustainable flight speed of 7 metres per second (16 mph) with three bipedal leaps, or with two bipedal leaps with a downward flap between jumps.</p><p>The team concluded that the animal’s hindlimbs generated most of the force needed for take-off, while the wings became important only after it had already accelerated. The researchers said Archaeopteryx lacked a keeled sternum and had limited shoulder mobility, making the powerful wing strokes used by modern birds impossible.</p><p>The study proposes two likely launch sequences: leap, leap, leap followed by sustained flapping, or leap, flap, leap followed by more flapping. It also suggests that this multi-leap strategy may represent an intermediate stage in the evolution of bird flight.</p><p>The paper notes that many modern birds still use multiple hops during take-off in low-stress situations, indicating that the behaviour may have deep evolutionary roots.</p><p>By showing that repeated jumps could generate the minimum speed needed for flight, the researchers argue that Archaeopteryx may have bridged the gap between ground-running dinosaurs and the fully powered flight seen in modern birds.<br>&nbsp;</p>

A new study suggests Archaeopteryx likely took off with two or three powerful leg-driven leaps before flapping into sustained flight, offering fresh clues about the evolution of bird flight.

A new study has challenged the belief of how the earliest known bird may have learned to fly, offering a fresh explanation for one of evolution’s most enduring puzzles. According to the research ‘Hop, hop and away: On the take-off of Archaeopteryx using a multiple leaping mechanism’, published in the journal Developmental Biology, this bird may not have launched into the air with a dramatic flap of its wings. Instead, it probably got airborne through a series of powerful jumps. Scientists have argue Archaeopteryx relied heavily on its legs to build enough speed for flight before its wings took over. The findings challenge the long-held idea that the ancient bird could have taken off in a single wing-powered leap. Researchers examined the take-off mechanics of living birds, including crows, magpies, gulls and finches, and applied those biomechanical models to Archaeopteryx, which lived around 150 million years ago. The findings of the study revealed that a mid-sized, 400 g Archaeopteryx could have achieved a sustainable flight speed of 7 metres per second (16 mph) with three bipedal leaps, or with two bipedal leaps with a downward flap between jumps. The team concluded that the animal’s hindlimbs generated most of the force needed for take-off, while the wings became important only after it had already accelerated. The researchers said Archaeopteryx lacked a keeled sternum and had limited shoulder mobility, making the powerful wing strokes used by modern birds impossible. The study proposes two likely launch sequences: leap, leap, leap followed by sustained flapping, or leap, flap, leap followed by more flapping. It also suggests that this multi-leap strategy may represent an intermediate stage in the evolution of bird flight. The paper notes that many modern birds still use multiple hops during take-off in low-stress situations, indicating that the behaviour may have deep evolutionary roots. By showing that repeated jumps could generate the minimum speed needed for flight, the researchers argue that Archaeopteryx may have bridged the gap between ground-running dinosaurs and the fully powered flight seen in modern birds.

<p>A new study suggests Archaeopteryx likely took off with two or three powerful leg-driven leaps before flapping into sustained flight, offering fresh clues about the evolution of bird flight.</p>

How did the first bird take flight? Scientists may have finally solved the mystery

<p>Michigan lake sturgeon, often described as “living dinosaurs”, may live far longer than previously believed, with some females potentially reaching an age of more than 400 years, according to a new study by researchers and wildlife officials in Michigan and Wisconsin. The study found that some female lake sturgeon could live for as long as 427 years after analysing data from five populations across the Great Lakes.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>The estimated lifespan is significantly higher than previous scientific estimates, which had placed the maximum age of lake sturgeon at around 150 years. The findings also put the fish among the longest-lived vertebrates known to science. Greenland sharks currently hold the record, with some estimated to live for up to 512 years.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/baba-vanga-s-2026-prophecy-2-predictions-already-came-true-3-terrifying-ones-remain-first-human-alien-contact-world-war-3-and-putin-s-exit-1786169922573">Baba Vanga's 2026 prophecy: 2 predictions 'already came true', 3 terrifying ones remain. Details inside</a></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>The researchers did not find or capture a lake sturgeon that was 427 years old. Instead, they reached the estimate by analysing 44 years of data collected from five different lake sturgeon populations.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Researchers captured and measured the fish, determined their sex, marked them and released them. The process was repeated over subsequent years, allowing scientists to track the growth of individual fish that had previously been captured. Unlike humans, fish continue to grow throughout their lives, meaning their size can provide clues about their age and growth patterns.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/sharks-turned-into-storm-trackers-to-predict-hurricane-intensity-know-how-scientists-are-using-it-1786263816676">Scientists turns sharks into storm trackers to predict hurricane intensity</a></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Lake sturgeon are among the largest freshwater fish in North America. According to the US Fish and Wildlife Service, they can weigh between 200 and 300 pounds. The species has existed for around 150 million years and has remained relatively unchanged over that period, contributing to its reputation as a “living dinosaur”.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>The new findings suggest that the species may have an extraordinary lifespan that has been underestimated for decades, while also highlighting the importance of long-term monitoring of lake sturgeon populations across the Great Lakes.&nbsp;</p>

A long-term Great Lakes study reveals female lake sturgeon—prehistoric "living dinosaurs"—may live up to 427 years, placing them among the world's longest-lived vertebrates alongside the Greenland shark.

Michigan lake sturgeon, often described as “living dinosaurs”, may live far longer than previously believed, with some females potentially reaching an age of more than 400 years, according to a new study by researchers and wildlife officials in Michigan and Wisconsin. The study found that some female lake sturgeon could live for as long as 427 years after analysing data from five populations across the Great Lakes. The estimated lifespan is significantly higher than previous scientific estimates, which had placed the maximum age of lake sturgeon at around 150 years. The findings also put the fish among the longest-lived vertebrates known to science. Greenland sharks currently hold the record, with some estimated to live for up to 512 years. Also read: Baba Vanga's 2026 prophecy: 2 predictions 'already came true', 3 terrifying ones remain. Details inside The researchers did not find or capture a lake sturgeon that was 427 years old. Instead, they reached the estimate by analysing 44 years of data collected from five different lake sturgeon populations. Researchers captured and measured the fish, determined their sex, marked them and released them. The process was repeated over subsequent years, allowing scientists to track the growth of individual fish that had previously been captured. Unlike humans, fish continue to grow throughout their lives, meaning their size can provide clues about their age and growth patterns. Also read: Scientists turns sharks into storm trackers to predict hurricane intensity Lake sturgeon are among the largest freshwater fish in North America. According to the US Fish and Wildlife Service, they can weigh between 200 and 300 pounds. The species has existed for around 150 million years and has remained relatively unchanged over that period, contributing to its reputation as a “living dinosaur”. The new findings suggest that the species may have an extraordinary lifespan that has been underestimated for decades, while also highlighting the importance of long-term monitoring of lake sturgeon populations across the Great Lakes.

<p>A long-term Great Lakes study reveals female lake sturgeon—prehistoric "living dinosaurs"—may live up to 427 years, placing them among the world's longest-lived vertebrates alongside the Greenland shark.</p>

‘Living dinosaurs’ could be 400 years old: Great Lakes fish may have astonishing lifespan

<p>With just 5 months left in 2026, Baba Vanga's alleged predictions for the year have resurfaced. The blind Bulgarian mystic's followers claim that two of her major forecasts for the year have already come true and three more terrifying predictions are still waiting to unfold.</p><p>The mystic, who died in 1996, is said to have predicted a series of natural disasters and the growing replacement of human workers by artificial intelligence. Believers have linked those claims to events that have taken place this year.</p><p>But the predictions attributed to Vanga become far more dramatic from here. What horrors await humanity? Scroll down to find out.</p><h2><strong>Two predictions followers say have come true already</strong></h2><p>Before we move on to her predictions for the last months of 2026, let's look at which ones supposedly already came true. The first alleged prediction for 2026 concerns a wave of major natural disasters around the world. Followers have linked the claim to the 7.7 magnitude earthquake that struck Myanmar (which actually happened March 2025) and caused widespread destruction and thousands of deaths. They have also pointed to heatwaves and wildfires in Spain, Portugal, Greece and Italy, as well as floods across parts of Asia and severe storms in the US.</p><p><strong>Also read | </strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/built-to-outlive-us-all-earth-is-getting-an-indestructible-black-box-to-record-the-end-of-human-civilisation-1783747790087"><strong>Built to outlive us all: Earth is getting an indestructible ‘black box’ to record the end of human civilisation</strong></a></p><p>The problem is that the prediction reportedly contains no clear details about when or where these disasters would occur. Earthquakes, floods, wildfires and storms also occur every year, making it possible to connect a vague forecast to a wide range of events.</p><p>The second claim centres on artificial intelligence and the workplace. Followers say Vanga predicted that machines would begin replacing humans on a large scale. AI, however, had already been developing for decades. There is also no reliable record establishing when Vanga supposedly made this prediction or exactly what she said.</p><h2><strong>Massive spaceship and alien contact in November?</strong></h2><p>The most extraordinary of the remaining claims concerns extraterrestrial life. According to interpretations of Vanga's alleged prophecy, humanity could encounter aliens after a "massive spaceship" enters Earth's atmosphere.</p><p>The prediction has reportedly been assigned a specific window in November, giving believers a date against which the claim could potentially be judged.</p><p>Interest in such claims has grown amid the release of declassified US government material concerning unidentified anomalous phenomena. A cache of these UFO files was released on Friday (Aug 7).</p><p>Notably, reports of unexplained objects do not amount to evidence of extraterrestrial spacecraft. An unidentified object can eventually turn out to be a drone, aircraft, balloon, satellite, atmospheric phenomenon or even a sensor error.</p><h2><strong>World War 3 prediction</strong></h2><p>Another alleged 2026 prediction is considerably darker: the outbreak of a third world war. Interpretations of the prophecy claim China would attempt to seize Taiwan while tensions between Russia and the US would escalate into direct conflict.</p><p><strong>Also read | </strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/was-the-mother-dolphin-mourning-viral-video-of-her-keeping-afloat-a-dead-calf-leads-to-discussion-on-animal-behaviour-watch-1785912636696"><strong>Was the mother dolphin 'mourning'? Viral video of her keeping afloat a dead calf leads to discussion on animal behaviour | WATCH</strong></a></p><p>As of August 7, neither scenario has occurred. Taiwan remains self-governed, while Russia and the US have not entered into direct war.</p><p>The war in Ukraine and broader tensions between major powers have nevertheless kept the prediction in circulation.</p><h2><strong>Putin's exit before the end of 2026?</strong></h2><p>The final major prediction attributed to Vanga concerns Russia. Followers claim that Russian President Vladimir Putin will lose power and be replaced by a new leader before the end of 2026.</p><p>Putin has dominated Russian politics for more than 18 years across two periods as president. There is currently no public indication in the material provided that he is preparing to step aside.</p><p>Speculation about his health and political future has circulated for years, particularly amid the war in Ukraine. But previous rumours have not resulted in his departure.</p><h2><strong>What did Baba Vanga actually predict?</strong></h2><p>Vanga was born Vangeliya Pandeva Dimitrova in 1911 and became famous as a blind Bulgarian mystic, clairvoyant and herbalist. According to accounts about her life, she lost her sight at the age of 12 after being caught in a tornado.</p><p>Her alleged predictions have since been credited with foreseeing events including the September 11 attacks, the Chornobyl disaster, Princess Diana's death, the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, Brexit and the rise of ISIS.</p><p>Supporters have even claimed that around 85 per cent of her predictions came true. That figure, however, has never been independently verified.</p><p>With no written record of her prophecies, it remains impossible to establish reliably whether she made many of the predictions now attributed to her. For now, the 2026 claims remain exactly that: predictions attributed to Baba Vanga, rather than documented forecasts with proven origins.</p>

With five months left in 2026, Baba Vanga's alleged predictions have resurfaced, with followers claiming two have already come true. Three more supposedly await humanity. What horrors can we expect next?

With just 5 months left in 2026, Baba Vanga's alleged predictions for the year have resurfaced. The blind Bulgarian mystic's followers claim that two of her major forecasts for the year have already come true and three more terrifying predictions are still waiting to unfold. The mystic, who died in 1996, is said to have predicted a series of natural disasters and the growing replacement of human workers by artificial intelligence. Believers have linked those claims to events that have taken place this year. But the predictions attributed to Vanga become far more dramatic from here. What horrors await humanity? Scroll down to find out. Two predictions followers say have come true already Before we move on to her predictions for the last months of 2026, let's look at which ones supposedly already came true. The first alleged prediction for 2026 concerns a wave of major natural disasters around the world. Followers have linked the claim to the 7.7 magnitude earthquake that struck Myanmar (which actually happened March 2025) and caused widespread destruction and thousands of deaths. They have also pointed to heatwaves and wildfires in Spain, Portugal, Greece and Italy, as well as floods across parts of Asia and severe storms in the US. Also read | Built to outlive us all: Earth is getting an indestructible ‘black box’ to record the end of human civilisation The problem is that the prediction reportedly contains no clear details about when or where these disasters would occur. Earthquakes, floods, wildfires and storms also occur every year, making it possible to connect a vague forecast to a wide range of events. The second claim centres on artificial intelligence and the workplace. Followers say Vanga predicted that machines would begin replacing humans on a large scale. AI, however, had already been developing for decades. There is also no reliable record establishing when Vanga supposedly made this prediction or exactly what she said. Massive spaceship and alien contact in November? The most extraordinary of the remaining claims concerns extraterrestrial life. According to interpretations of Vanga's alleged prophecy, humanity could encounter aliens after a "massive spaceship" enters Earth's atmosphere. The prediction has reportedly been assigned a specific window in November, giving believers a date against which the claim could potentially be judged. Interest in such claims has grown amid the release of declassified US government material concerning unidentified anomalous phenomena. A cache of these UFO files was released on Friday (Aug 7). Notably, reports of unexplained objects do not amount to evidence of extraterrestrial spacecraft. An unidentified object can eventually turn out to be a drone, aircraft, balloon, satellite, atmospheric phenomenon or even a sensor error. World War 3 prediction Another alleged 2026 prediction is considerably darker: the outbreak of a third world war. Interpretations of the prophecy claim China would attempt to seize Taiwan while tensions between Russia and the US would escalate into direct conflict. Also read | Was the mother dolphin 'mourning'? Viral video of her keeping afloat a dead calf leads to discussion on animal behaviour | WATCH As of August 7, neither scenario has occurred. Taiwan remains self-governed, while Russia and the US have not entered into direct war. The war in Ukraine and broader tensions between major powers have nevertheless kept the prediction in circulation. Putin's exit before the end of 2026? The final major prediction attributed to Vanga concerns Russia. Followers claim that Russian President Vladimir Putin will lose power and be replaced by a new leader before the end of 2026. Putin has dominated Russian politics for more than 18 years across two periods as president. There is currently no public indication in the material provided that he is preparing to step aside. Speculation about his health and political future has circulated for years, particularly amid the war in Ukraine. But previous rumours have not resulted in his departure. What did Baba Vanga actually predict? Vanga was born Vangeliya Pandeva Dimitrova in 1911 and became famous as a blind Bulgarian mystic, clairvoyant and herbalist. According to accounts about her life, she lost her sight at the age of 12 after being caught in a tornado. Her alleged predictions have since been credited with foreseeing events including the September 11 attacks, the Chornobyl disaster, Princess Diana's death, the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, Brexit and the rise of ISIS. Supporters have even claimed that around 85 per cent of her predictions came true. That figure, however, has never been independently verified. With no written record of her prophecies, it remains impossible to establish reliably whether she made many of the predictions now attributed to her. For now, the 2026 claims remain exactly that: predictions attributed to Baba Vanga, rather than documented forecasts with proven origins.

<p>With five months left in 2026, Baba Vanga's alleged predictions have resurfaced, with followers claiming two have already come true. Three more supposedly await humanity. What horrors can we expect next?</p>

<p>The August 12, 2026 Total Solar Eclipse will be a unique event. Scientists are waiting with bated breath as it will reveal a one-of-a-kind structure of the Sun's corona (its outer atmosphere). This particular one has never been seen in the past, nor will it occur again in the future. The eclipse will capture a specific moment in Solar Cycle 25, which will be a reflection of the Sun's changing magnetic activity, sunspots and the numerous solar eruptions.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>The Sun's corona is normally invisible from Earth even though it stretches for millions of kilometres. But that's all you see during a total solar eclipse. When the Moon covers the photosphere fully, the corona emerges. This part of the Sun is not the same every time. It comprises extremely hot plasma that is shaped by the Sun's magnetic field. Since this field is constantly changing, the corona changes as well. The white, spiky tendrils visible during a total eclipse are a completely unique "snapshot" in time. Once totality ends, that exact visual layout is gone forever.</p><h2><strong>What is special about the August 12 solar eclipse?</strong></h2><p><br>At solar maximum, the sunspots produce a lot of solar flares and coronal mass ejections, while at solar minimum, none of this happens. During the latter, the corona appears more uniform and more symmetrical. During solar maximum, the sunspot regions turn into magnetic anchors and create spikes or streamers extending in different directions.</p><p>Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/aug-12-solar-eclipse-nasa-pilots-totality-will-last-nearly-3-minutes-1786348602534"><strong>Aug 12 solar eclipse: 'Eerie shadow' will cover two NASA pilots and totality will last 42 seconds more than usual</strong></a></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>The 2026 eclipse falls somewhere between the two. The Solar Cycle 25 reached its peak in October 2024, according to NASA and NOAA. But the solar activity is only in declining mode and hasn't fully ebbed. So after two years, the Sun is cooling down, but it is still highly active. "The corona will still be far more active than during the 2017, 2019 and 2020 total solar eclipses, but much less so than 2024's," solar physicist Ryan French told Space.com.</p><p>Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/total-solar-eclipse-august-12-date-time-path-and-where-to-watch-live-full-visibility-guide-1786170949222"><strong>Total solar eclipse August 12: Date, time, path and where to watch Live - Full visibility guide</strong></a></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>On August 12, astronomers can expect to see strong streamers extending far into space. They will be more symmetrical, with one side of the corona more active. A rare intermediate transition state will be visible to anyone looking, with complex magnetic spikes and streamer loops. &nbsp;It will offer a visual structure distinct from both the 2017 and 2020 eclipses and the 2024 eclipse.<br>&nbsp;</p>

The August 12 total solar eclipse will present a unique image of the Sun. Eclipse chasers will get to see a unique "snapshot" in time of the white tendrils that form the corona. With Solar Maximum already gone, what you'll see will be nothing less than special. 

The August 12, 2026 Total Solar Eclipse will be a unique event. Scientists are waiting with bated breath as it will reveal a one-of-a-kind structure of the Sun's corona (its outer atmosphere). This particular one has never been seen in the past, nor will it occur again in the future. The eclipse will capture a specific moment in Solar Cycle 25, which will be a reflection of the Sun's changing magnetic activity, sunspots and the numerous solar eruptions. The Sun's corona is normally invisible from Earth even though it stretches for millions of kilometres. But that's all you see during a total solar eclipse. When the Moon covers the photosphere fully, the corona emerges. This part of the Sun is not the same every time. It comprises extremely hot plasma that is shaped by the Sun's magnetic field. Since this field is constantly changing, the corona changes as well. The white, spiky tendrils visible during a total eclipse are a completely unique "snapshot" in time. Once totality ends, that exact visual layout is gone forever. What is special about the August 12 solar eclipse? At solar maximum, the sunspots produce a lot of solar flares and coronal mass ejections, while at solar minimum, none of this happens. During the latter, the corona appears more uniform and more symmetrical. During solar maximum, the sunspot regions turn into magnetic anchors and create spikes or streamers extending in different directions. Also Read: Aug 12 solar eclipse: 'Eerie shadow' will cover two NASA pilots and totality will last 42 seconds more than usual The 2026 eclipse falls somewhere between the two. The Solar Cycle 25 reached its peak in October 2024, according to NASA and NOAA. But the solar activity is only in declining mode and hasn't fully ebbed. So after two years, the Sun is cooling down, but it is still highly active. "The corona will still be far more active than during the 2017, 2019 and 2020 total solar eclipses, but much less so than 2024's," solar physicist Ryan French told Space.com. Also Read: Total solar eclipse August 12: Date, time, path and where to watch Live - Full visibility guide On August 12, astronomers can expect to see strong streamers extending far into space. They will be more symmetrical, with one side of the corona more active. A rare intermediate transition state will be visible to anyone looking, with complex magnetic spikes and streamer loops. It will offer a visual structure distinct from both the 2017 and 2020 eclipses and the 2024 eclipse.

<p>The August 12 total solar eclipse will present a unique image of the Sun. Eclipse chasers will get to see a unique "snapshot" in time of the white tendrils that form the corona. With Solar Maximum already gone, what you'll see will be nothing less than special.&nbsp;</p>

Total solar eclipse 2026: One-of-a-kind structure will emerge during the rare event. Details

<p>The totality of the August 12 Solar Eclipse will last for nearly three minutes for two people. For parts of the Earth witnessing totality, the entire duration will be 2 minutes 18 seconds. Two NASA aviators are set to chase the eclipse as they get on a research plane from Keflavik Airport in Iceland on Wednesday. They will fly north towards Greenland, then head south on a curving course 64km off the Icelandic coast.&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>While flying at 50,000ft, the moon's shadow will start racing from behind, crossing the ocean at a speed of more than 3,200km/hr. When the majority of the sun is covered by the moon, the shadow will cover it.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>As their plane cruises at a speed of 740 km/hr along the path of the eclipse, they will be covered in darkness for nearly 3 minutes, as compared to 2 minutes 18 seconds on the ground. This will give them more time to study the sun in its eclipsed state.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Describing the moment this happens in the air, Cary Klemm, a sensor equipment operator at Nasa’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, told The Guardian, that in the aircraft, it’s very bright, with no clouds above. "Then all of a sudden, you’re hit with this slam of shadow," said Klemm, who has previously flown eclipse missions. He says you are surrounded by "a weird, eerie shadow", the temperature drops, and you feel the "need for more light from the instruments."</p><p>Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/total-solar-eclipse-august-12-date-time-path-and-where-to-watch-live-full-visibility-guide-1786170949222"><strong>Total solar eclipse August 12: Date, time, path and where to watch Live - Full visibility guide</strong></a></p><h2><strong>Aircraft used for chasing the eclipse</strong></h2><p>The plane being used for the mission is a WB-57, which has four cameras. They will take several photos of the sun every second in different wavelengths of light. What they are expecting to capture are large, looping ribbons of plasma called prominences and magnetic explosions called nanoflares. A total solar eclipse is the only time when such features from the Sun can be viewed.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Each nanoflare releases energy equivalent to thousands of atomic bombs. Observing them helps understand the reason why the corona, or outer atmosphere, measures more than 1,000,000C, while the surface is only 6,000C.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>The Total Solar Eclipse will cover the Arctic, Greenland, Iceland, and parts of Spain and Portugal. It will be the first total solar eclipse to be visible from mainland Europe since 1999.</p><p>&nbsp;</p>

Total Solar Eclipse 2026: For two NASA pilots, the eclipse on August 12 will last nearly three minutes in totality. The eclipse chasers will be covered by a weird and eerie shadow, with the aircraft going dark suddenly, instantly cooling the interiors.

The totality of the August 12 Solar Eclipse will last for nearly three minutes for two people. For parts of the Earth witnessing totality, the entire duration will be 2 minutes 18 seconds. Two NASA aviators are set to chase the eclipse as they get on a research plane from Keflavik Airport in Iceland on Wednesday. They will fly north towards Greenland, then head south on a curving course 64km off the Icelandic coast. While flying at 50,000ft, the moon's shadow will start racing from behind, crossing the ocean at a speed of more than 3,200km/hr. When the majority of the sun is covered by the moon, the shadow will cover it. As their plane cruises at a speed of 740 km/hr along the path of the eclipse, they will be covered in darkness for nearly 3 minutes, as compared to 2 minutes 18 seconds on the ground. This will give them more time to study the sun in its eclipsed state. Describing the moment this happens in the air, Cary Klemm, a sensor equipment operator at Nasa’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, told The Guardian, that in the aircraft, it’s very bright, with no clouds above. "Then all of a sudden, you’re hit with this slam of shadow," said Klemm, who has previously flown eclipse missions. He says you are surrounded by "a weird, eerie shadow", the temperature drops, and you feel the "need for more light from the instruments." Also Read: Total solar eclipse August 12: Date, time, path and where to watch Live - Full visibility guide Aircraft used for chasing the eclipse The plane being used for the mission is a WB-57, which has four cameras. They will take several photos of the sun every second in different wavelengths of light. What they are expecting to capture are large, looping ribbons of plasma called prominences and magnetic explosions called nanoflares. A total solar eclipse is the only time when such features from the Sun can be viewed. Each nanoflare releases energy equivalent to thousands of atomic bombs. Observing them helps understand the reason why the corona, or outer atmosphere, measures more than 1,000,000C, while the surface is only 6,000C. The Total Solar Eclipse will cover the Arctic, Greenland, Iceland, and parts of Spain and Portugal. It will be the first total solar eclipse to be visible from mainland Europe since 1999.

<p>Total Solar Eclipse 2026: For two NASA pilots, the eclipse on August 12 will last nearly three minutes in totality. The eclipse chasers will be covered by a weird and eerie shadow, with the aircraft going dark suddenly, instantly cooling the interiors.</p>

Aug 12 solar eclipse: 'Eerie shadow' will cover two NASA pilots and totality will last 42 seconds more than usual

<p>Researchers in the US have turned the killer shark into mobile near-real-time ocean-data observers using CTD tags to understand the potential intensity of a hurricane before it makes landfall. The testing is being done by researchers at the University of Delaware in order to measure ocean conditions to inform oceanographic, atmospheric and climate models.</p><p><br>CTD tags are compact electronic devices that record ocean electrical conductivity, a measure closely linked to salinity, along with temperature and depth, as the marine animals carrying them swim and dive. "Animal-borne sensors have been used successfully by oceanographers for years, particularly on elephant seals in polar regions where scientific observations are scarce," said Aaron Carlisle, principal investigator ​and a professor in the university's School of Marine Science and Policy.</p><p><br>Carlisle noted that sharks present a valuable new avenue for this kind of research, since they are plentiful, widely spread across the ocean, and more accessible than many protected marine mammals. Until now, shark tagging has mainly been used to track their movement patterns and habitat use.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Also read:</strong> <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/baba-vanga-s-2026-prophecy-2-predictions-already-came-true-3-terrifying-ones-remain-first-human-alien-contact-world-war-3-and-putin-s-exit-1786169922573">Baba Vanga's 2026 prophecy: 2 predictions 'already came true', 3 terrifying ones remain. Details inside</a></p><h3>Hurricane research</h3><p>Researchers at the University of Delaware chose sharks capable of gathering data most relevant to hurricane research, prioritising species that surface frequently enough for their tags to relay information to satellites. Earlier studies identified shortfin mako sharks, blue sharks, smooth hammerheads, and juvenile great white sharks as promising candidates for such research in the North Atlantic.</p><p><br>"We are really most interested in the heat content of the top layer of the ocean, which is known as the mixed layer," Carlisle said. "This is the part of the water column that really drives hurricane intensity — warmer mixed layer equals stronger hurricane — as it holds ​the heat that feeds hurricanes," Carlisle added.</p><p><br>"The tags are attached to the dorsal fin. Then every time the shark fins (swims) at the surface, the tag can communicate and transmit data to the orbiting network of satellite receivers," Carlisle further added.</p><p><br>Caroline Wiernicki, a University of Delaware doctoral candidate in marine science, stated that this process started in early May, when highly migratory species came closer to the coast from their winter habitats further out in the ​Atlantic. Wiernicki added that researchers moved 30 to 40 miles (50 to 65 km) offshore aboard a research vessel, deployed baited lines and waited, typically ‌two to three ⁠hours, for a shark to take the bait.</p><p>&nbsp;</p>

Aaron Carlisle, principal investigator ​and a professor in the university's School of Marine Science and Policy, noted that sharks present a valuable new avenue for this kind of research, since they are plentiful, widely spread across the ocean, and more accessible.

Researchers in the US have turned the killer shark into mobile near-real-time ocean-data observers using CTD tags to understand the potential intensity of a hurricane before it makes landfall. The testing is being done by researchers at the University of Delaware in order to measure ocean conditions to inform oceanographic, atmospheric and climate models. CTD tags are compact electronic devices that record ocean electrical conductivity, a measure closely linked to salinity, along with temperature and depth, as the marine animals carrying them swim and dive. "Animal-borne sensors have been used successfully by oceanographers for years, particularly on elephant seals in polar regions where scientific observations are scarce," said Aaron Carlisle, principal investigator and a professor in the university's School of Marine Science and Policy. Carlisle noted that sharks present a valuable new avenue for this kind of research, since they are plentiful, widely spread across the ocean, and more accessible than many protected marine mammals. Until now, shark tagging has mainly been used to track their movement patterns and habitat use. Also read: Baba Vanga's 2026 prophecy: 2 predictions 'already came true', 3 terrifying ones remain. Details inside Hurricane research Researchers at the University of Delaware chose sharks capable of gathering data most relevant to hurricane research, prioritising species that surface frequently enough for their tags to relay information to satellites. Earlier studies identified shortfin mako sharks, blue sharks, smooth hammerheads, and juvenile great white sharks as promising candidates for such research in the North Atlantic. "We are really most interested in the heat content of the top layer of the ocean, which is known as the mixed layer," Carlisle said. "This is the part of the water column that really drives hurricane intensity — warmer mixed layer equals stronger hurricane — as it holds the heat that feeds hurricanes," Carlisle added. "The tags are attached to the dorsal fin. Then every time the shark fins (swims) at the surface, the tag can communicate and transmit data to the orbiting network of satellite receivers," Carlisle further added. Caroline Wiernicki, a University of Delaware doctoral candidate in marine science, stated that this process started in early May, when highly migratory species came closer to the coast from their winter habitats further out in the Atlantic. Wiernicki added that researchers moved 30 to 40 miles (50 to 65 km) offshore aboard a research vessel, deployed baited lines and waited, typically ‌two to three ⁠hours, for a shark to take the bait.

<p>Aaron Carlisle, principal investigator ​and a professor in the university's School of Marine Science and Policy, noted that sharks present a valuable new avenue for this kind of research, since they are plentiful, widely spread across the ocean, and more accessible.</p>

Sharks turned into storm trackers to predict hurricane intensity: Know how scientists are using it

<p>A discarded rocket stage of Elon Musk's SpaceX has slammed into the Moon at around 5,400 miles per hour, leaving behind a fresh crater on the lunar surface. Stunning visuals of the human-made crater have now been captured by a South Korean lunar spacecraft.</p><p>The Korea Aerospace Research Institute's Danuri spacecraft flew over the impact site shortly after the Falcon 9 upper stage crashed into the lunar surface on Wednesday. The satellite made multiple passes over the area and captured images showing the terrain before and after the impact.</p><p><strong>Also read | </strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/baba-vanga-s-2026-prophecy-2-predictions-already-came-true-3-terrifying-ones-remain-first-human-alien-contact-world-war-3-and-putin-s-exit-1786169922573"><strong>Baba Vanga's 2026 prophecy: 2 predictions 'already came true', 3 terrifying ones remain. Details inside</strong></a></p><h2><strong>Another human-made crater on the Moon</strong></h2><p>Scientists estimate that the impact could have created a crater up to 27 metres wide and around five metres deep.</p><p>The pictures reveal a noticeably darker patch on the Moon where the rocket struck, with dust and debris scattered across the surrounding surface.</p><p>KARI said Danuri began observing the region around 30 minutes before the collision and conducted eight imaging sessions in total.</p><p>"Through this observation, changes in the terrain around the impact site and traces of ejecta spread were confirmed," the agency said.</p>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Our team at <a href="https://x.com/iaa_csic?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@iaa_csic</a> has captured the impact on the Moon of the upper stage of a Falcon 9 rocket. We attach a preliminary video showing the evolution of the ejected material. The black area corresponds to the lunar disk <a href="https://x.com/SpaceX?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SpaceX</a> <a href="https://x.com/JuanLuisRizos?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JuanLuisRizos</a> <a href="https://x.com/elonmusk?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@elonmusk</a> <a href="https://x.com/tiempobrasero?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@tiempobrasero</a> <a href="https://x.com/A3Noticias?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@A3Noticias</a>… <a href="https://t.co/5Ry7hRdCeS">pic.twitter.com/5Ry7hRdCeS</a></p>&mdash; Jose Maria Madiedo (@jmmadiedo) <a href="https://x.com/jmmadiedo/status/2085344665562165293?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 6, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<h2><strong>What happened to the SpaceX rocket?</strong></h2><p>The Falcon 9 launched from Florida in January 2025 carrying two private lunar landers, Firefly Aerospace's Blue Ghost and ispace's Resilience, into lunar orbit. The rocket's primary booster was designed to return safely to Earth. But the upper stage was left drifting in space after completing its mission.</p><p>It was never supposed to hit the Moon. But a combination of lunar gravity and solar activity eventually pushed the roughly 4,000 to 4,500kg rocket stage onto a collision course with the lunar surface.</p><p>Independent astronomers first noticed the unusual trajectory before it was confirmed by NASA's Centre for Near-Earth Object Studies.</p><p>The rocket, measuring around 12 metres long, eventually hit the Moon at about 8,700 kmph. Researchers estimate the impact packed the force of roughly three tonnes of TNT.</p><h2><strong>Satellite caught the Moon before and after the crash</strong></h2><p>Danuri's observations have given scientists an unusually useful record of the impact. Because the spacecraft passed over the region shortly before the collision, researchers can compare the lunar surface before the rocket hit with the landscape after the crash.</p><p>NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter is also expected to observe the site during a later pass, providing another look at the crater and surrounding debris.</p><p>Researchers in Spain also believe they captured footage of the impact indirectly. The actual flash was hidden behind the Moon's limb, but astronomers say they may have recorded the plume of dust and debris thrown into space by the collision. Watch the stunning visuals here:</p>

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<h2><strong>Why scientists are interested in the crash</strong></h2><p>The accidental collision is more than a dramatic space event. Scientists see it as a rare opportunity to study how large objects behave when they strike the lunar surface.</p><p>The Moon is regularly bombarded by meteoroids, but scientists often have little information about the exact size and mass of naturally occurring impactors. This time, they know the approximate mass, composition and trajectory of the object. That could allow researchers to study how the impact created a crater and how far material was thrown across the lunar surface.</p><p>The Moon has been deliberately used for similar experiments before. In 2006, the European Space Agency intentionally crashed its SMART-1 spacecraft into the lunar surface to study the resulting impact.</p>

A discarded SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket stage has crashed into the Moon at around 5,400 mph, creating a fresh crater estimated to be up to 27 metres wide. South Korea's Danuri spacecraft captured the lunar surface before and after the impact.

A discarded rocket stage of Elon Musk's SpaceX has slammed into the Moon at around 5,400 miles per hour, leaving behind a fresh crater on the lunar surface. Stunning visuals of the human-made crater have now been captured by a South Korean lunar spacecraft. The Korea Aerospace Research Institute's Danuri spacecraft flew over the impact site shortly after the Falcon 9 upper stage crashed into the lunar surface on Wednesday. The satellite made multiple passes over the area and captured images showing the terrain before and after the impact. Also read | Baba Vanga's 2026 prophecy: 2 predictions 'already came true', 3 terrifying ones remain. Details inside Another human-made crater on the Moon Scientists estimate that the impact could have created a crater up to 27 metres wide and around five metres deep. The pictures reveal a noticeably darker patch on the Moon where the rocket struck, with dust and debris scattered across the surrounding surface. KARI said Danuri began observing the region around 30 minutes before the collision and conducted eight imaging sessions in total. "Through this observation, changes in the terrain around the impact site and traces of ejecta spread were confirmed," the agency said.

<p>A discarded SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket stage has crashed into the Moon at around 5,400 mph, creating a fresh crater estimated to be up to 27 metres wide. South Korea's Danuri spacecraft captured the lunar surface before and after the impact.</p>

Elon Musk's SpaceX rocket crashes into Moon at 5,400 mph: South Korean satellite captures shocking 'before and after' images

<p>Scientists have discovered a natural particle accelerator in the Milky Way blasting out protons with energies exceeding one quadrillion electron volts. These are some of the fastest-moving particles and the highest known energies in our galaxy. Humans have built colliders on Earth, but none even comes close to this cosmic accelerator. Named LHAASO J1912+1014u, it is located in the constellation Aquila. Astronomers think this object could provide clues to the origin of high-energy particles moving through space at almost the speed of light. The findings were published in The Astrophysical Journal.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>The particles emitted by this object carry energies thousands of times higher than the collision limits of Earth’s largest human-made particle accelerator, the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). First spotted in 2024, it was classified as a supernova remnant. But then a stream of gamma-ray emissions was observed bursting from the object. They are generated when accelerated particles collide with surrounding gas. This led scientists to conclude that it was a natural cosmic accelerator that boosts protons up to petaelectronvolt (PeV) energies, also known as a PeVatron.</p><h2><strong>Triple observations revealed it was not a supernova remnant</strong></h2><p>Initially thought to be a supernova remnant, researchers combined data across multiple wavelengths using data from three different observatories - NASA's Fermi-LAT, Japan's FUGIN radio telescope, and NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory. This helped them rule out electrons as the source of the gamma-ray emissions and that they stemmed from accelerated protons.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Tsunefumi Mizuno, associate professor at Hiroshima University’s Astrophysical Science Center and corresponding author of the study, said in a statement, "In this study, three arrows—Fermi-LAT GeV gamma-ray data, FUGIN radio data and Chandra X-ray data—are bundled together through a detailed multiwavelength modelling, revealing that our target, LHAASO J1912+1014u, is a cosmic-ray proton PeVatron."</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>These findings can help explain the Milky Way’s most energetic cosmic rays that travel through the galaxy and affect events. Scientists think there could be many more cosmic accelerators out there which could soon be discovered.</p>

A mysterious object is blasting energy at extremely high levels in the Milky Way, which astronomers say is a cosmic accelerator. However, its true identity remains a secret. Scientists are now trying to find more of these objects. 

Scientists have discovered a natural particle accelerator in the Milky Way blasting out protons with energies exceeding one quadrillion electron volts. These are some of the fastest-moving particles and the highest known energies in our galaxy. Humans have built colliders on Earth, but none even comes close to this cosmic accelerator. Named LHAASO J1912+1014u, it is located in the constellation Aquila. Astronomers think this object could provide clues to the origin of high-energy particles moving through space at almost the speed of light. The findings were published in The Astrophysical Journal. The particles emitted by this object carry energies thousands of times higher than the collision limits of Earth’s largest human-made particle accelerator, the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). First spotted in 2024, it was classified as a supernova remnant. But then a stream of gamma-ray emissions was observed bursting from the object. They are generated when accelerated particles collide with surrounding gas. This led scientists to conclude that it was a natural cosmic accelerator that boosts protons up to petaelectronvolt (PeV) energies, also known as a PeVatron. Triple observations revealed it was not a supernova remnant Initially thought to be a supernova remnant, researchers combined data across multiple wavelengths using data from three different observatories - NASA's Fermi-LAT, Japan's FUGIN radio telescope, and NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory. This helped them rule out electrons as the source of the gamma-ray emissions and that they stemmed from accelerated protons. Tsunefumi Mizuno, associate professor at Hiroshima University’s Astrophysical Science Center and corresponding author of the study, said in a statement, "In this study, three arrows—Fermi-LAT GeV gamma-ray data, FUGIN radio data and Chandra X-ray data—are bundled together through a detailed multiwavelength modelling, revealing that our target, LHAASO J1912+1014u, is a cosmic-ray proton PeVatron." These findings can help explain the Milky Way’s most energetic cosmic rays that travel through the galaxy and affect events. Scientists think there could be many more cosmic accelerators out there which could soon be discovered.

<p>A mysterious object is blasting energy at levels thousands of times than the maximum energy humans can give a particle in Earth's largest and most powerful machine, the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). The identity of this object remains unknown.</p>

1,000x stronger than the LHC: Milky Way has a mystery engine blasting record-breaking energy

<p>Nearly 540 million years ago, the Cambrian explosion happened when life exploded and expanded dramatically. Scientists now have a cause for it - poop. A study published in Trends in Ecology &amp; Evolution states that as faecal matter slowly accumulated, it distributed organic material and nutrients throughout the ocean. This created the right conditions for life to be born and evolve. The study notes that fossilised faeces and the emergence of animals with complex digestive systems are linked.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Study co-author Russell Bicknell said that the importance of faeces in ancient ecosystems is often overlooked, with oxygen levels being given more importance. Turns out, poop played a major role in the evolutionary explosion during the Cambrian period. It took place around 539 million to 485 million years ago. Almost all major animal groups we know of on Earth today emerged during this time. Scientists treat this time period as a benchmark for the evolution of early life on Earth.</p><h2><strong>Complex digestive systems emerged because of poop</strong></h2><p>Fossilised faeces, also called coprolites, are from the time around the onset of the Cambrian, co-author Julien Kimming, a palaeontologist at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology in Germany, and Bicknell wrote in The Conversation. There is also no evidence of complex digestive systems before the Cambrian. "As we move forwards in time, more diverse coprolites appear. Associated with this shift, there was an increase in very well-preserved fossils with complex digestive systems, particularly among early arthropods," they wrote.</p><p>Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/scientists-find-descendants-of-ancient-sea-creatures-trapped-under-antarctica-s-blood-falls-1785840315758"><strong>Scientists find descendants of ancient sea creatures trapped under Antarctica's Blood Falls</strong></a></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>The researchers state in the study that until now, all studies have focused on oxygen levels, food webs, or biogeochemical cycles during the Cambrian. The authors started off with the aim to explore the origin and role of faecal matter, as today poop is a vital element of the marine biological pump. They talk about an ecological feedback loop in which more poop added more nutrients into the environment, thus supporting more animals and consequently leading to more poop.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>The scientists say this isn't any different from other theories about life on Earth. In most systems on Earth, a combination of various elements triggered a feedback loop, leading to something bigger to be born. In the case of the Cambrian, poop played a vital role in triggering life to be born, as did other elements.</p>

Complex life on Earth was born nearly 540 million years ago, and the reason was something as simple as poop. Scientists have found that fossilised faeces led to the emergence of animals with complex digestive systems on Earth during the Cambrian explosion.

Nearly 540 million years ago, the Cambrian explosion happened when life exploded and expanded dramatically. Scientists now have a cause for it - poop. A study published in Trends in Ecology & Evolution states that as faecal matter slowly accumulated, it distributed organic material and nutrients throughout the ocean. This created the right conditions for life to be born and evolve. The study notes that fossilised faeces and the emergence of animals with complex digestive systems are linked. Study co-author Russell Bicknell said that the importance of faeces in ancient ecosystems is often overlooked, with oxygen levels being given more importance. Turns out, poop played a major role in the evolutionary explosion during the Cambrian period. It took place around 539 million to 485 million years ago. Almost all major animal groups we know of on Earth today emerged during this time. Scientists treat this time period as a benchmark for the evolution of early life on Earth. Complex digestive systems emerged because of poop Fossilised faeces, also called coprolites, are from the time around the onset of the Cambrian, co-author Julien Kimming, a palaeontologist at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology in Germany, and Bicknell wrote in The Conversation. There is also no evidence of complex digestive systems before the Cambrian. "As we move forwards in time, more diverse coprolites appear. Associated with this shift, there was an increase in very well-preserved fossils with complex digestive systems, particularly among early arthropods," they wrote. Also Read: Scientists find descendants of ancient sea creatures trapped under Antarctica's Blood Falls The researchers state in the study that until now, all studies have focused on oxygen levels, food webs, or biogeochemical cycles during the Cambrian. The authors started off with the aim to explore the origin and role of faecal matter, as today poop is a vital element of the marine biological pump. They talk about an ecological feedback loop in which more poop added more nutrients into the environment, thus supporting more animals and consequently leading to more poop. The scientists say this isn't any different from other theories about life on Earth. In most systems on Earth, a combination of various elements triggered a feedback loop, leading to something bigger to be born. In the case of the Cambrian, poop played a vital role in triggering life to be born, as did other elements.

<p>Complex life on Earth was born nearly 540 million years ago, and the reason was something as simple as poop. Scientists have found that fossilised faeces led to the emergence of animals with complex digestive systems on Earth during the Cambrian explosion.</p>

540 million years ago, ancient poop caused life to explode on Earth

<p>For the first time, scientists have made viruses using artificial intelligence that don't exist on Earth. The researchers behind the study hope to use it for medical breakthroughs, although this could also unfold a nightmare scenario where the technology is used to make deadly pathogens. People are not buying it, saying that COVID-19 possibly leaked from a lab, as claimed in several reports. So why would we do this with AI?</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Known as bacteriophages, this group of viruses only infect bacteria. &nbsp;Researchers wrote in Science that the viruses were designed using an AI model and killed E coli bugs that cannot be eliminated by natural bacteriophages.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Dr Brian Hie, from Stanford University in California, used genome language models to design functioning genomes for bacteriophages. The viruses were then made in the laboratory and tested against E coli. The researchers state in the study that the ability to design genomes for specific bugs can "help overcome resistance, transform phage therapy and expand biotechnological toolkits." It could help control deadly bacterial infections.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>However, experts have warned that this technology needs to be used cautiously as it raises "important biosafety, biocontainment and biosecurity considerations". Anyone designing whole genomes should do so in consultation with safety and security professionals throughout the project. The technology could be harnessed to develop more complex forms of life and even build biological weapons, they warned.</p><p>Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-cuts-timeline-to-remove-unlawful-ai-content-from-36-to-3-hours-what-are-the-new-rules-1786038978906"><strong>India cuts timeline to remove unlawful AI content from 36 to 3 hours. What are the new rules?</strong></a></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Prof Tom Inglesby and Dr Moritz Hanke at the Center for Health Security at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore wrote in an article, “Although this is promising for life sciences applications, it also raises urgent biosafety and biosecurity questions. The ability to compose viral genomes using generative AI now exists; the governance to safely steer it does not.”</p><h2><strong>How the team designed a virus in the lab</strong></h2><p>The team behind the breakthrough used AI models called Evo1 and Evo2 to design the new viral genomes and were trained on genetic data from 2 million bacteriophages. To remove the chances of designing dangerous viruses, the models were not trained on the genetic code for viruses that can infect plants, humans or other animals.</p><p>Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/karnataka-partners-with-anthropic-to-train-2-lakh-people-in-artificial-intelligence-plans-dedicated-ai-university-1786086978392"><strong>Karnataka partners with Anthropic to train 2 lakh people in artificial intelligence</strong></a></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>After AI generated thousands of prospective genomes, scientists narrowed the field to nearly 300 and built them from scratch. They used host bacteria as living factories to read the code and assemble the new bacteriophages. While the survival rate was slim—only 16 came to life—a combined dose of these engineered phages quickly overpowered drug-resistant strains of E. coli.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Inglesby and Hanke said the work proved that generative AI could create functioning viral genomes. "Such genomes might encode new pathogens that … cannot be contained by existing countermeasures," they wrote. To ensure the technology is not used for wrong purposes, "safeguards around model development, responsible research review, and established laboratory biosafety and biosecurity" are needed.</p><h2><strong>People fear the tech can be weaponised</strong></h2><p>Meanwhile, netizens cannot believe that humans would actually make something that can trigger the end of the world. Reacting to the news, they asked why they would deliberately make viruses that they know can trigger a human crisis. A user wrote, "That's how it starts, until they produce the next zombie virus to destroy humankind."&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Another wrote, "This is like one of those audio logs you find in an abandoned lab in a post-apocalyptic survival game." A user wrote, "It'll be a lab leak from a place like this. I don't know why people never learn. The hubris of the "scientists" will murder the masses." One of them stated, “The one commonality with every technological innovation since the dawn of man is that it's been weaponised.”</p>

Humans have created the first viruses using AI. Plenty of things could go wrong from here, experts warned, although the positive implications of the tech are also huge. What is needed is responsible research and proper safeguards.

For the first time, scientists have made viruses using artificial intelligence that don't exist on Earth. The researchers behind the study hope to use it for medical breakthroughs, although this could also unfold a nightmare scenario where the technology is used to make deadly pathogens. People are not buying it, saying that COVID-19 possibly leaked from a lab, as claimed in several reports. So why would we do this with AI? Known as bacteriophages, this group of viruses only infect bacteria. Researchers wrote in Science that the viruses were designed using an AI model and killed E coli bugs that cannot be eliminated by natural bacteriophages. Dr Brian Hie, from Stanford University in California, used genome language models to design functioning genomes for bacteriophages. The viruses were then made in the laboratory and tested against E coli. The researchers state in the study that the ability to design genomes for specific bugs can "help overcome resistance, transform phage therapy and expand biotechnological toolkits." It could help control deadly bacterial infections. However, experts have warned that this technology needs to be used cautiously as it raises "important biosafety, biocontainment and biosecurity considerations". Anyone designing whole genomes should do so in consultation with safety and security professionals throughout the project. The technology could be harnessed to develop more complex forms of life and even build biological weapons, they warned. Also Read: India cuts timeline to remove unlawful AI content from 36 to 3 hours. What are the new rules? Prof Tom Inglesby and Dr Moritz Hanke at the Center for Health Security at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore wrote in an article, “Although this is promising for life sciences applications, it also raises urgent biosafety and biosecurity questions. The ability to compose viral genomes using generative AI now exists; the governance to safely steer it does not.” How the team designed a virus in the lab The team behind the breakthrough used AI models called Evo1 and Evo2 to design the new viral genomes and were trained on genetic data from 2 million bacteriophages. To remove the chances of designing dangerous viruses, the models were not trained on the genetic code for viruses that can infect plants, humans or other animals. Also Read: Karnataka partners with Anthropic to train 2 lakh people in artificial intelligence After AI generated thousands of prospective genomes, scientists narrowed the field to nearly 300 and built them from scratch. They used host bacteria as living factories to read the code and assemble the new bacteriophages. While the survival rate was slim—only 16 came to life—a combined dose of these engineered phages quickly overpowered drug-resistant strains of E. coli. Inglesby and Hanke said the work proved that generative AI could create functioning viral genomes. "Such genomes might encode new pathogens that … cannot be contained by existing countermeasures," they wrote. To ensure the technology is not used for wrong purposes, "safeguards around model development, responsible research review, and established laboratory biosafety and biosecurity" are needed. People fear the tech can be weaponised Meanwhile, netizens cannot believe that humans would actually make something that can trigger the end of the world. Reacting to the news, they asked why they would deliberately make viruses that they know can trigger a human crisis. A user wrote, "That's how it starts, until they produce the next zombie virus to destroy humankind." Another wrote, "This is like one of those audio logs you find in an abandoned lab in a post-apocalyptic survival game." A user wrote, "It'll be a lab leak from a place like this. I don't know why people never learn. The hubris of the "scientists" will murder the masses." One of them stated, “The one commonality with every technological innovation since the dawn of man is that it's been weaponised.”

<p>Humans have created the first viruses using AI. Plenty of things could go wrong from here, experts warned, although the positive implications of the tech are also huge. What is needed is responsible research and proper safeguards.</p>

AI just made the first viruses that do not exist on Earth. 'That's how they create the next zombie virus,' netizens say

<p>Scientists have long projected that billions of years from now, our Sun will start expanding as it reaches the end stages of its life. It will become a Red Giant, swallow Mercury and Venus, and likely Earth and Mars as well, while affecting the environments and orbits of Jupiter and the later gas giants. But one researcher thinks that we can save ourselves from this fate. A soon-to-be-published study argues that it is possible to dodge the bullet when the Sun is no longer alive.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Independent researcher Gabriel Harry provides a solution to living for up to 9 quadrillion years even when the Sun runs out of fuel in about a billion years, and finally shrivels into a glowing ring of gas in 5 billion years. The study, set to appear in the Journal of the British Interplanetary Society, states megaengineering can protect Earth from not only the Sun, but also tectonics and water loss, changes in the planet’s tilt and spin, collision, and any other dangers from beyond our solar system.</p><h2><strong>A sunshield in Moon's orbit</strong></h2><p>In its current state, Earth will become uninhabitable in about one billion years, Harry states. "Implementing and maintaining the set of safeguards would allow the Earth to remain habitable for 9.1 million billion years," he adds. As the Sun starts expanding, Earth will need some kind of shield to protect itself from solar radiation. He proposes that a 700,000-kilometre-wide sunshade placed just outside the Moon’s orbit can save Earth.</p><p>Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/sun-may-spare-earth-and-mars-as-study-reverses-course-on-death-of-our-planet-1781952003897"><strong>Sun may spare Earth and Mars, as study reverses course on death of our planet</strong></a></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>To keep it in position, a carbon cable can be used, which is attached to a weight placed at Lagrange Point 1 (L1). &nbsp;It will be made of aluminium that can be mined from the Moon, and will cover a 70-degree area of the sky. The 2-million-km carbon tether could be made by mining 40 per cent of the dwarf planet Ceres. The shield will be 0.1 millimetres thick, putting its total mass at around 100 quadrillion kilograms.</p><h2><strong>How to heat up Earth if the Sun is blocked out</strong></h2><p>However, blocking out the Sun would cool Earth considerably. To solve this problem, he suggests making an artificial sun. The fuel could be sourced from Jupiter for fusion reactors that could orbit the gas giant 6,500 km deep in its atmosphere. The energy produced can be beamed up to Jupiter’s L1, then shone onto Earth’s surface, heating up the atmosphere.</p><p>Also Read: <a href="https://www.wion"><strong>This is a photo of the Sun, and it can answer a big question about our star</strong></a></p><h2><strong>How to avoid being swallowed by the Sun?</strong></h2><p>The problem of being engulfed by the Sun would still remain. For this, we would need to move away from it. Harry suggests extending Earth’s orbit from 1 astronomical unit to 1.2 astronomical units. For this shift, oxygen mined from Jupiter could be used to fire a particle beam past Earth. With a mass roughly equal to half of the Amazon River’s outflow, it will slowly move our planet away from the Sun.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>All of these methods sound like straight from a sci-fi thriller, and it is hard to believe that they could ever become real. Mining Jupiter for energy and a 2-million-km carbon tether sound purely absurd. However, since the Sun is still many, many years away from dying, an advanced civilisation might be able to pull it off. Let's save his recommendations in a black box that future humans can dig up.</p>

Can humans alter the fate of our planet? Is it possible to survive the death of our star? A scientist thinks it can be done and has suggested three ways to avoid being killed off by our Sun. But they would need extreme advances in technology.

Scientists have long projected that billions of years from now, our Sun will start expanding as it reaches the end stages of its life. It will become a Red Giant, swallow Mercury and Venus, and likely Earth and Mars as well, while affecting the environments and orbits of Jupiter and the later gas giants. But one researcher thinks that we can save ourselves from this fate. A soon-to-be-published study argues that it is possible to dodge the bullet when the Sun is no longer alive. Independent researcher Gabriel Harry provides a solution to living for up to 9 quadrillion years even when the Sun runs out of fuel in about a billion years, and finally shrivels into a glowing ring of gas in 5 billion years. The study, set to appear in the Journal of the British Interplanetary Society, states megaengineering can protect Earth from not only the Sun, but also tectonics and water loss, changes in the planet’s tilt and spin, collision, and any other dangers from beyond our solar system. A sunshield in Moon's orbit In its current state, Earth will become uninhabitable in about one billion years, Harry states. "Implementing and maintaining the set of safeguards would allow the Earth to remain habitable for 9.1 million billion years," he adds. As the Sun starts expanding, Earth will need some kind of shield to protect itself from solar radiation. He proposes that a 700,000-kilometre-wide sunshade placed just outside the Moon’s orbit can save Earth. Also Read: Sun may spare Earth and Mars, as study reverses course on death of our planet To keep it in position, a carbon cable can be used, which is attached to a weight placed at Lagrange Point 1 (L1). It will be made of aluminium that can be mined from the Moon, and will cover a 70-degree area of the sky. The 2-million-km carbon tether could be made by mining 40 per cent of the dwarf planet Ceres. The shield will be 0.1 millimetres thick, putting its total mass at around 100 quadrillion kilograms. How to heat up Earth if the Sun is blocked out However, blocking out the Sun would cool Earth considerably. To solve this problem, he suggests making an artificial sun. The fuel could be sourced from Jupiter for fusion reactors that could orbit the gas giant 6,500 km deep in its atmosphere. The energy produced can be beamed up to Jupiter’s L1, then shone onto Earth’s surface, heating up the atmosphere. Also Read: This is a photo of the Sun, and it can answer a big question about our star How to avoid being swallowed by the Sun? The problem of being engulfed by the Sun would still remain. For this, we would need to move away from it. Harry suggests extending Earth’s orbit from 1 astronomical unit to 1.2 astronomical units. For this shift, oxygen mined from Jupiter could be used to fire a particle beam past Earth. With a mass roughly equal to half of the Amazon River’s outflow, it will slowly move our planet away from the Sun. All of these methods sound like straight from a sci-fi thriller, and it is hard to believe that they could ever become real. Mining Jupiter for energy and a 2-million-km carbon tether sound purely absurd. However, since the Sun is still many, many years away from dying, an advanced civilisation might be able to pull it off. Let's save his recommendations in a black box that future humans can dig up.

<p>Can humans alter the fate of our planet? Is it possible to survive the death of our star? A scientist thinks it can be done and has suggested three ways to avoid being killed off by our Sun. But they would need extreme advances in technology.</p>

Can Earth survive the death of Sun? Researcher proposes wild plan to live for 9 quadrillion years

<p>Scientists have learned something new about the Sun. The most powerful solar telescope on Earth, the NSF's Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope located in Hawaii, has captured whirlpools that had never been seen before. Huge columns of hot plasma rise from deep within the Sun, spread outward, cool, and sink along the edges of convection cells. Each of them is roughly the size of Texas. Inouye has exposed turbulent whirlpools swirling around the Sun's magnetic boundaries in the highest-resolution photo ever of our star. The findings have been published in Nature.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>“These are the highest spatial resolution images of the solar surface ever acquired,” Dr Friedrich Wöger, a senior scientist at the US National Solar Observatory, said. It operates the telescope near the summit of the Haleakalā volcano, on the island of Maui. The new pictures are expected to solve the mystery of why the corona, the Sun’s outer atmosphere, is millions of degrees hotter than its surface.</p><p>Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/world-s-largest-digital-camera-captures-over-500-000-galaxies-50-000-stars-in-one-stunning-image-1785657873100"><strong>World's largest digital camera captures over 500,000 galaxies, 50,000 stars in one stunning image</strong></a></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>These whirlpools are known as Kelvin-Helmholtz instabilities (KHI), which have been theorised to exist in some parts of the Sun. But the latest photo shows that they are not isolated events and are present everywhere on the solar surface. "Seeing how truly omnipresent they are across the magnetic surface was something we really didn't expect at all," solar physicist David Kuridze of the US National Solar Observatory told ScienceAlert.</p><h2><strong>Kelvin-Helmholtz instabilities have been found on Earth, Jupiter and Saturn</strong></h2><p>KHI form when fast-moving plasma slides past slower-moving fluid. This contact creates shear at the interface, setting up small disturbances in the Sun’s plasma that grow into spiralling vortices, just like how ocean waves break. They have also been seen on Earth, in clouds, lakes and oceans. They have even been spotted in the atmospheres of Jupiter and Saturn. This is the first time they have been confirmed on the Sun, thanks to Inouye.</p><h2><strong>The telescope in Hawaii captured the whirlpools on Sun</strong></h2><p>Scientists have long believed that KHI should be present on the Sun because of its volatile nature. However, none of the instruments was advanced enough to capture these vortices. Then, in April 2025, the telescope was focused at a magnetically active region near a sunspot. The aim was to capture a time-lapse of the solar plasma moving around. When they got back the data and analysed it, they found clear signs of KHI vortices.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Swirling plasma vortices on the Sun likely twist and tangle its magnetic field lines like braided hair. When these tangled lines snap, they suddenly release energy. This could explain how the Sun's outer atmosphere gets millions of degrees hotter than its surface. “This could solve the biggest mystery of the last half a century for solar physics and astrophysics,” said Kuridze.&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>To know that KHI are actually widespread across the Sun's surface means they could be influencing the flow of energy through the solar atmosphere almost everywhere. The findings will not only help solve the corona problem but also explain the enormous eruptions that sweep the solar system and disrupt communication systems on Earth.</p>

The most detailed photo ever of our Sun has revealed turbulent whirlpools that form when fast-moving plasma slides past slower-moving fluid. This photo can help solve the question of why the corona is hotter than the surface.

Scientists have learned something new about the Sun. The most powerful solar telescope on Earth, the NSF's Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope located in Hawaii, has captured whirlpools that had never been seen before. Huge columns of hot plasma rise from deep within the Sun, spread outward, cool, and sink along the edges of convection cells. Each of them is roughly the size of Texas. Inouye has exposed turbulent whirlpools swirling around the Sun's magnetic boundaries in the highest-resolution photo ever of our star. The findings have been published in Nature. “These are the highest spatial resolution images of the solar surface ever acquired,” Dr Friedrich Wöger, a senior scientist at the US National Solar Observatory, said. It operates the telescope near the summit of the Haleakalā volcano, on the island of Maui. The new pictures are expected to solve the mystery of why the corona, the Sun’s outer atmosphere, is millions of degrees hotter than its surface. Also Read: World's largest digital camera captures over 500,000 galaxies, 50,000 stars in one stunning image These whirlpools are known as Kelvin-Helmholtz instabilities (KHI), which have been theorised to exist in some parts of the Sun. But the latest photo shows that they are not isolated events and are present everywhere on the solar surface. "Seeing how truly omnipresent they are across the magnetic surface was something we really didn't expect at all," solar physicist David Kuridze of the US National Solar Observatory told ScienceAlert. Kelvin-Helmholtz instabilities have been found on Earth, Jupiter and Saturn KHI form when fast-moving plasma slides past slower-moving fluid. This contact creates shear at the interface, setting up small disturbances in the Sun’s plasma that grow into spiralling vortices, just like how ocean waves break. They have also been seen on Earth, in clouds, lakes and oceans. They have even been spotted in the atmospheres of Jupiter and Saturn. This is the first time they have been confirmed on the Sun, thanks to Inouye. The telescope in Hawaii captured the whirlpools on Sun Scientists have long believed that KHI should be present on the Sun because of its volatile nature. However, none of the instruments was advanced enough to capture these vortices. Then, in April 2025, the telescope was focused at a magnetically active region near a sunspot. The aim was to capture a time-lapse of the solar plasma moving around. When they got back the data and analysed it, they found clear signs of KHI vortices. Swirling plasma vortices on the Sun likely twist and tangle its magnetic field lines like braided hair. When these tangled lines snap, they suddenly release energy. This could explain how the Sun's outer atmosphere gets millions of degrees hotter than its surface. “This could solve the biggest mystery of the last half a century for solar physics and astrophysics,” said Kuridze. To know that KHI are actually widespread across the Sun's surface means they could be influencing the flow of energy through the solar atmosphere almost everywhere. The findings will not only help solve the corona problem but also explain the enormous eruptions that sweep the solar system and disrupt communication systems on Earth.

<p>The most detailed photo ever of our Sun has revealed turbulent whirlpools that form when fast-moving plasma slides past slower-moving fluid. This photo can help solve the question of why the corona is hotter than the surface.</p>

This is a photo of the Sun, and it can answer a big question about our star

<p>Fresh genetic evidence has linked ancient Tamil settlements with present-day South Indian, Sri Lankan Tamil and broader South Asian populations, in one of the most significant breakthroughs in the study of Sangam-era ancestry. Researchers at the Ancient DNA Lab in the Department of Genetics at Madurai Kamaraj University successfully extracted and analysed more than 75,000 genetic markers from human remains recovered from Konthagai, the burial site associated with Keeladi, along with samples from Adichanallur and Sivagalai. The lab was established in November 2022 to support Tamil Nadu's archaeological excavations. The latest findings are expected to be published in peer-reviewed international journals by December 2026, according to reports in Deccan Herald and other media outlets.</p><p>Besides the 75,000 markers from Konthagai, about 9,000 and 6,000 markers were extracted from DNA samples at Adichanallur and Sivagalai, showing genetic proximity with South Indians, Sri Lankans and South Asians, said Prof G Kumaresan, Head of the Department of Genetics at MKU.</p><p>From processing 4,000-5,000 markers in 2025, the researchers have made a major leap this year to around 75,000 markers.</p><p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/historic-tomb-unearthed-archaeologists-reveal-1-400-year-old-secrets-1769800870744/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/historic-tomb-unearthed-archaeologists-reveal-1-400-year-old-secrets-1769800870744/embed</a></p><p>The results have consistently aligned with ancestry patterns in the 1000 Genomes Project, one of the world's largest catalogues of human genetic variation.</p><p>Kumaresan said the team plans additional rounds of analysis before releasing the complete dataset and publishing the findings.</p><p>The department is preparing nine research papers covering ancient Tamil ancestry, agriculture, cuisine, textile production and other aspects of Sangam-era civilisation.</p><h2>Keeladi, a major site for tracing Sangam-era Tamil ancestry</h2><p>The new study adds to a growing body of evidence from Keeladi, a Sangam-era urban settlement discovered in 2014 by archaeologist K Amarnath Ramakrishna of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). Keeladi has been carbon-dated to around 2,600 years ago. Iron artefacts recovered from nearby Sivagalai have been dated to 3345 BCE, making them among the world's earliest known examples of smelted iron.</p><p>Excavations at Keeladi have uncovered brick structures, drainage systems, industrial activity and Tamil-Brahmi inscriptions, suggesting the existence of an organised urban settlement in southern India during the Sangam period.</p><p>Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/mystery-of-ancient-burial-archaeologists-uncover-3-000-year-old-skeleton-in-el-salvador-1784717859917">Mystery of ancient burial: Archaeologists uncover 3,000-year-old skeleton in El Salvador</a></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Separately, researchers from Liverpool John Moores University reconstructed the facial features of individuals buried at Konthagai around 2,500 years ago, providing a visual complement to the ongoing genetic studies and offering a glimpse into the appearance of people who lived in the ancient settlement.</p><p>Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/stone-jar-with-remains-of-37-mystery-humans-found-in-laos-1785747716646">Jar of death? Stone container with remains of 37 mystery humans found in Laos</a></p><h2>Keeladi life: Meat consumption, rice cultivation</h2><p>The Madurai Kamaraj University team has also analysed proteins and biochemical residues to reconstruct the everyday life of the settlement's inhabitants. Cholesterol detected in ancient pottery suggests that meat formed part of their diet. The studies also indicate that ancient Tamils cultivated multiple varieties of rice and ‘thinai’ or foxtail millet.</p><p>Organic molecules recovered from archaeological samples point to meals featuring rice with ghee, beans, spinach, milk, cucumber, groundnut and coconut. These findings are corroborated by references in Sangam-era literary works, including Kurunthokai, Purananuru, Agananuru and Porunararruppadai.</p><p>Kumaresan said Sangam literature had been a massive help in drawing conclusions from the archaeological and scientific evidence, as its references supported many of the findings from the excavations and laboratory analyses.</p>

New DNA research decoding 75,000 genetic markers from Keeladi, Konthagai, Adichanallur and Sivagalai has revealed links between ancient Tamils and South Asian populations, alongside insights into Sangam-era life. What was life like those days?

Fresh genetic evidence has linked ancient Tamil settlements with present-day South Indian, Sri Lankan Tamil and broader South Asian populations, in one of the most significant breakthroughs in the study of Sangam-era ancestry. Researchers at the Ancient DNA Lab in the Department of Genetics at Madurai Kamaraj University successfully extracted and analysed more than 75,000 genetic markers from human remains recovered from Konthagai, the burial site associated with Keeladi, along with samples from Adichanallur and Sivagalai. The lab was established in November 2022 to support Tamil Nadu's archaeological excavations. The latest findings are expected to be published in peer-reviewed international journals by December 2026, according to reports in Deccan Herald and other media outlets. Besides the 75,000 markers from Konthagai, about 9,000 and 6,000 markers were extracted from DNA samples at Adichanallur and Sivagalai, showing genetic proximity with South Indians, Sri Lankans and South Asians, said Prof G Kumaresan, Head of the Department of Genetics at MKU. From processing 4,000-5,000 markers in 2025, the researchers have made a major leap this year to around 75,000 markers. https://www.wionews.com/videos/historic-tomb-unearthed-archaeologists-reveal-1-400-year-old-secrets-1769800870744/embed The results have consistently aligned with ancestry patterns in the 1000 Genomes Project, one of the world's largest catalogues of human genetic variation. Kumaresan said the team plans additional rounds of analysis before releasing the complete dataset and publishing the findings. The department is preparing nine research papers covering ancient Tamil ancestry, agriculture, cuisine, textile production and other aspects of Sangam-era civilisation. Keeladi, a major site for tracing Sangam-era Tamil ancestry The new study adds to a growing body of evidence from Keeladi, a Sangam-era urban settlement discovered in 2014 by archaeologist K Amarnath Ramakrishna of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). Keeladi has been carbon-dated to around 2,600 years ago. Iron artefacts recovered from nearby Sivagalai have been dated to 3345 BCE, making them among the world's earliest known examples of smelted iron. Excavations at Keeladi have uncovered brick structures, drainage systems, industrial activity and Tamil-Brahmi inscriptions, suggesting the existence of an organised urban settlement in southern India during the Sangam period. Also read: Mystery of ancient burial: Archaeologists uncover 3,000-year-old skeleton in El Salvador Separately, researchers from Liverpool John Moores University reconstructed the facial features of individuals buried at Konthagai around 2,500 years ago, providing a visual complement to the ongoing genetic studies and offering a glimpse into the appearance of people who lived in the ancient settlement. Also read: Jar of death? Stone container with remains of 37 mystery humans found in Laos Keeladi life: Meat consumption, rice cultivation The Madurai Kamaraj University team has also analysed proteins and biochemical residues to reconstruct the everyday life of the settlement's inhabitants. Cholesterol detected in ancient pottery suggests that meat formed part of their diet. The studies also indicate that ancient Tamils cultivated multiple varieties of rice and ‘thinai’ or foxtail millet. Organic molecules recovered from archaeological samples point to meals featuring rice with ghee, beans, spinach, milk, cucumber, groundnut and coconut. These findings are corroborated by references in Sangam-era literary works, including Kurunthokai, Purananuru, Agananuru and Porunararruppadai. Kumaresan said Sangam literature had been a massive help in drawing conclusions from the archaeological and scientific evidence, as its references supported many of the findings from the excavations and laboratory analyses.

<p>New DNA research decoding 75,000 genetic markers from Keeladi, Konthagai, Adichanallur and Sivagalai has revealed links between ancient Tamils and South Asian populations, alongside insights into Sangam-era life. What was life like those days?</p>

The genetic roots of Tamils: 75,000 DNA markers decoded in latest study of Sangam-era settlement

<p>A haunting video of a dolphin carrying the body of her dead calf has sparked a fresh discussion on whether animals experience mourning in a way that resembles grief. The footage, posted on July 20 by whale conservation group Geographe Marine Research, shows a mother dolphin swimming with the body of her two-week-old calf in waters south of Perth, Australia.&nbsp;</p><p>The group said it knew the mother dolphin, named Fraggle, and had followed her struggles over time. Fraggle had already lost three calves earlier, and the birth of a fourth during winter in the Southern Hemisphere had made survival difficult from the start. "We still had hope she had a chance to be a mum again," the group wrote in a social media post that drew wide attention. The organisation said the calf likely died of pneumonia.</p><p><strong>Also read | </strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-says-strait-of-hormuz-remains-open-despite-unwarranted-iranian-aggression-as-report-suggest-deal-to-reopen-vital-waterway-close-1785897369267"><strong>US says Strait of Hormuz remains open despite ‘unwarranted Iranian aggression,’ as report suggest deal to reopen vital waterway close</strong></a></p><h2><strong>Why scientists say the behaviour matters</strong></h2><p>Marine mammal experts say such behaviour is not unusual among dolphins and whales, which belong to the cetacean family. According to Lori Marino, neuroscientist and the founder of the Whale Sanctuary Project, dolphins are known to carry dead offspring for days, sometimes weeks.</p><p>"It’s absolutely clear that this is a mother grieving for her child," Marino said. She pointed out that the behaviour of the surrounding pod was also notable. In the video, the other dolphins stay close to Fraggle rather than scattering away.</p><p>"They are close to her," she said, adding that the pod appears to recognise that something significant is happening.</p>

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<h2><strong>Grief-like behaviour seen in other species</strong></h2><p>Scientists say similar behaviour has been observed in other cetaceans as well. In one widely known case, an orca named Tahlequah was seen carrying her dead calf for more than two weeks near British Columbia in 2018. Experts said that was an extreme example, but not an isolated one.</p><p><strong>Also read | </strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/google-earth-accidentally-creates-ai-s-next-misinformation-nightmare-new-feature-rolled-back-over-terrifying-ques-what-s-real-anymore-1785546636794"><strong>Google Earth accidentally creates AI's next misinformation nightmare. 'Create image' feature rolled back over terrifying ques: What's real anymore?</strong></a></p><p>The pattern is also not limited to marine mammals. Researchers have documented nonhuman primates, including chimpanzees, gorillas and baboons, carrying dead infants for extended periods.</p><p>According to doctoral researcher Abigail McClain, such cases raise important questions about how animals understand death. "Again and again we see mothers carrying infants for days to weeks, sometimes even when there is evidence that the mother knows the infant has died," she wrote.</p><h2><strong>A natural response, experts say</strong></h2><p>For Lauren Brandkamp of Whale and Dolphin Conservation North America, the reaction should not come as a surprise.</p><p>"It’s a natural behavioural response in animals," she said. "They form these bonds with their offspring, with other members of their pod or their species. And when a life is lost, they also experience that kind of mourning and sadness."</p><p>The video of Fraggle has now become part of a wider conversation about the emotional lives of animals, and how much more there is still to learn about grief in the natural world.</p><p>"What is most remarkable in these cases is that the mothers don’t have hands and live in an aquatic medium where they have to regularly surface to breathe as well as hunt," Susana Monsó, a philosopher and the author of "Playing Possum: How Animals Understand Death," told The New York Times. "This makes holding on to the corpse something very difficult and shows a strong motivation on the part of the mother."<br>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p>

A viral video of a mother dolphin carrying her dead calf has sparked fresh debate over whether animals experience grief. Scientists say dolphins and other highly social mammals have repeatedly shown behaviours that resemble mourning.

A haunting video of a dolphin carrying the body of her dead calf has sparked a fresh discussion on whether animals experience mourning in a way that resembles grief. The footage, posted on July 20 by whale conservation group Geographe Marine Research, shows a mother dolphin swimming with the body of her two-week-old calf in waters south of Perth, Australia. The group said it knew the mother dolphin, named Fraggle, and had followed her struggles over time. Fraggle had already lost three calves earlier, and the birth of a fourth during winter in the Southern Hemisphere had made survival difficult from the start. "We still had hope she had a chance to be a mum again," the group wrote in a social media post that drew wide attention. The organisation said the calf likely died of pneumonia. Also read | US says Strait of Hormuz remains open despite ‘unwarranted Iranian aggression,’ as report suggest deal to reopen vital waterway close Why scientists say the behaviour matters Marine mammal experts say such behaviour is not unusual among dolphins and whales, which belong to the cetacean family. According to Lori Marino, neuroscientist and the founder of the Whale Sanctuary Project, dolphins are known to carry dead offspring for days, sometimes weeks. "It’s absolutely clear that this is a mother grieving for her child," Marino said. She pointed out that the behaviour of the surrounding pod was also notable. In the video, the other dolphins stay close to Fraggle rather than scattering away. "They are close to her," she said, adding that the pod appears to recognise that something significant is happening.

<p>A viral video of a mother dolphin carrying her dead calf has sparked fresh debate over whether animals experience grief. Scientists say dolphins and other highly social mammals have repeatedly shown behaviours that resemble mourning.</p>

Was the mother dolphin 'mourning'? Viral video of her keeping afloat a dead calf leads to discussion on animal behaviour | WATCH

<p>Scientists have found that the enigmatic Blood Falls in Antarctica still harbour descendants of ancient sea creatures that have been trapped beneath the glacier for hundreds of thousands of years. The eerie red water comes from the Taylor Glacier and flows into Lake Bonney. The brine emerging from beneath the ice is rich in iron and turns red upon contact with air. This gives it a unique colour that resembles blood. Under the glacier resides a unique community of microorganisms, including marine diatoms, haptophytes, dinoflagellates and ciliates.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>These marine microorganisms typically live in the ocean. They became isolated when the glacier moved away and cut off the trapped seawater from the ocean. The discovery proves that the mysterious water is actually from the sea but got sealed beneath advancing ice years ago. The findings were published in the journal Nature Geoscience, in which researchers stated that "the subglacial brine–fed system at the Taylor Glacier Terminus retains marine–derived biological signatures long after physical separation from the ocean", calling it a “rare marine refuge.”</p><h2><strong>Brine water in Blood Falls came from the sea?</strong></h2><p>For years there has been speculation that the iron-rich salty water was once seawater and Taylor Valley was filled with it when the region was warm. But later, when sea levels dropped, the glacier advanced over it. This is the first time researchers have found biological proof that the water came from the sea.</p><p>Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/forgotten-fossil-reveals-largest-dinosaurs-to-ever-walk-earth-lived-in-antarctica-1782796088641"><strong>82-million-year-old fossil reveals Antarctica was home to the largest dinosaurs to ever walk Earth</strong></a></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>The team analysed 167 samples of water, sediment, ice and air collected from the McMurdo Dry Valleys and nearby areas of Antarctica. DNA sequencing revealed thousands of microorganisms of different kinds inhabited the Blood Falls. Species normally found in marine areas were found to be living in the red ice, mud and sediments from where the water emerges. At Blood Falls, 9.34 per cent of the microorganisms matched those found in nearby ocean samples, whereas other Antarctic Dry Valley sites shared only 1.15 per cent.</p><p>Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/sea-ice-twice-the-size-of-rajasthan-goes-missing-from-antarctica-in-winter-1781702114417"><strong>Sea ice twice the size of Rajasthan goes missing from Antarctica in winter</strong></a></p><h2><strong>Active life found in Blood Falls</strong></h2><p>They also discovered that many of the microorganisms are biologically active despite the hostile conditions. They are even carrying out photosynthesis, evidence shows. To survive in the freezing and salty conditions, they repair damaged cells and activate stress–response systems. Some species become dormant until the environment becomes fit for them again.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Researchers say that this discovery shows how life would have survived on Earth through major climate changes over millions of years. They are also going to be using the data to construct the history of the frozen continent.<br>&nbsp;</p>

Blood Falls, the strangest occurrence in Antarctica, has revealed something peculiar about itself. Scientists have for years thought that the water in this formation is from the sea, even though it is isolated from the ocean. Now they know for sure that it is true.

Scientists have found that the enigmatic Blood Falls in Antarctica still harbour descendants of ancient sea creatures that have been trapped beneath the glacier for hundreds of thousands of years. The eerie red water comes from the Taylor Glacier and flows into Lake Bonney. The brine emerging from beneath the ice is rich in iron and turns red upon contact with air. This gives it a unique colour that resembles blood. Under the glacier resides a unique community of microorganisms, including marine diatoms, haptophytes, dinoflagellates and ciliates. These marine microorganisms typically live in the ocean. They became isolated when the glacier moved away and cut off the trapped seawater from the ocean. The discovery proves that the mysterious water is actually from the sea but got sealed beneath advancing ice years ago. The findings were published in the journal Nature Geoscience, in which researchers stated that "the subglacial brine–fed system at the Taylor Glacier Terminus retains marine–derived biological signatures long after physical separation from the ocean", calling it a “rare marine refuge.” Brine water in Blood Falls came from the sea? For years there has been speculation that the iron-rich salty water was once seawater and Taylor Valley was filled with it when the region was warm. But later, when sea levels dropped, the glacier advanced over it. This is the first time researchers have found biological proof that the water came from the sea. Also Read: 82-million-year-old fossil reveals Antarctica was home to the largest dinosaurs to ever walk Earth The team analysed 167 samples of water, sediment, ice and air collected from the McMurdo Dry Valleys and nearby areas of Antarctica. DNA sequencing revealed thousands of microorganisms of different kinds inhabited the Blood Falls. Species normally found in marine areas were found to be living in the red ice, mud and sediments from where the water emerges. At Blood Falls, 9.34 per cent of the microorganisms matched those found in nearby ocean samples, whereas other Antarctic Dry Valley sites shared only 1.15 per cent. Also Read: Sea ice twice the size of Rajasthan goes missing from Antarctica in winter Active life found in Blood Falls They also discovered that many of the microorganisms are biologically active despite the hostile conditions. They are even carrying out photosynthesis, evidence shows. To survive in the freezing and salty conditions, they repair damaged cells and activate stress–response systems. Some species become dormant until the environment becomes fit for them again. Researchers say that this discovery shows how life would have survived on Earth through major climate changes over millions of years. They are also going to be using the data to construct the history of the frozen continent.

<p>Blood Falls, the strangest occurrence in Antarctica, has revealed something peculiar about itself. Scientists have for years thought that the water in this formation is from the sea, even though it is isolated from the ocean. Now they know for sure that it is true.</p>

Scientists find descendants of ancient sea creatures trapped under Antarctica's Blood Falls

On August 12, three amazing cosmic events will unfold one after the other. It will start with a total solar eclipse, then the Perseid meteor shower and end with the six-planet parade. Netizens are calling it a ‘triple feature’ by the universe.

Triple cosmic affair, universe's 'soft reboot', unfolds on August 12 - Eclipse, meteor shower and planetary parade

<p>Former White House COVID-19 Response Coordinator Dr Ashish Jha has said he now believes the COVID-19 pandemic was more likely caused by an accidental laboratory leak than a natural outbreak, while stressing that there is no definitive proof and that only Chinese authorities can conclusively determine the virus's origin.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Speaking to CNN's Dana Bash on Sunday (Aug 2), Jha said his assessment had changed since he joined the Biden administration. Bash referred to a recent post by commentator Jamie Metzl, which argued that the virus most likely originated from a lab leak at the Wuhan Institute of Virology. Jha had reshared the post on social media, writing that he agreed with its conclusions.</p><p>"This is going to surprise some people. When I went into the White House, my view was, 'This was almost surely a natural outbreak, maybe a lab leak,'" Jha said during the interview. "Based on information I learned and based on information I've seen, I have come to conclude that it is more likely to have been a lab leak."</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-dosage-was-obviously-too-high-elon-musk-reignites-debate-on-covid-19-vaccine-safety-claims-he-felt-like-dying-1776072676186">'Dosage was obviously too high': Elon Musk reignites debate on COVID-19 vaccine safety, claims he ‘felt like dying’</a></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>However, Jha emphasised that his conclusion was an assessment rather than a confirmed fact.</p><p>"Here's the bottom line. No one in the United States knows for sure. The only people who know for sure are officials in China, and we still need transparency and accountability on that," he said.&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>“That is my best assessment. I'm not suggesting I know for sure, but I'm saying my best assessment is that it probably was a lab leak.” Responding to Jha's remarks, Bash said the comments reflected how understanding of the pandemic's origins continues to evolve.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Following the interview, Jha shared a clip of the discussion on X, saying his position was not new and that he had held the same view since his time in the White House. "My view on COVID origins isn't new. I've held it since my time at the White House," he wrote. "Here's the truth: no one in America knows for sure. Anyone telling you they do is selling you something. Based on strong circumstantial evidence I've seen, I think lab leak is much more likely. Not engineered. Not deliberate. Accidental. Reasonable people can look at the same evidence and disagree."</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/will-covid-19-pandemic-become-endemic-442102">Will COVID-19 pandemic become endemic?</a></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>The origins of COVID-19 have remained the subject of global scientific and political debate since the pandemic began. Early in the outbreak, many scientists considered natural transmission, including the possibility of the virus spreading from animals to humans, to be the leading explanation. At the same time, the lab leak hypothesis was widely disputed and, in some cases, claims related to it were restricted by social media platforms under COVID-19 misinformation policies.</p>

Former White House official Dr Ashish Jha stated COVID-19 likely originated from an accidental lab leak based on circumstantial evidence, though he stressed Chinese authorities hold the definitive answer.



Former White House COVID-19 Response Coordinator Dr Ashish Jha has said he now believes the COVID-19 pandemic was more likely caused by an accidental laboratory leak than a natural outbreak, while stressing that there is no definitive proof and that only Chinese authorities can conclusively determine the virus's origin. Speaking to CNN's Dana Bash on Sunday (Aug 2), Jha said his assessment had changed since he joined the Biden administration. Bash referred to a recent post by commentator Jamie Metzl, which argued that the virus most likely originated from a lab leak at the Wuhan Institute of Virology. Jha had reshared the post on social media, writing that he agreed with its conclusions. "This is going to surprise some people. When I went into the White House, my view was, 'This was almost surely a natural outbreak, maybe a lab leak,'" Jha said during the interview. "Based on information I learned and based on information I've seen, I have come to conclude that it is more likely to have been a lab leak." Also read: 'Dosage was obviously too high': Elon Musk reignites debate on COVID-19 vaccine safety, claims he ‘felt like dying’ However, Jha emphasised that his conclusion was an assessment rather than a confirmed fact. "Here's the bottom line. No one in the United States knows for sure. The only people who know for sure are officials in China, and we still need transparency and accountability on that," he said. “That is my best assessment. I'm not suggesting I know for sure, but I'm saying my best assessment is that it probably was a lab leak.” Responding to Jha's remarks, Bash said the comments reflected how understanding of the pandemic's origins continues to evolve. Following the interview, Jha shared a clip of the discussion on X, saying his position was not new and that he had held the same view since his time in the White House. "My view on COVID origins isn't new. I've held it since my time at the White House," he wrote. "Here's the truth: no one in America knows for sure. Anyone telling you they do is selling you something. Based on strong circumstantial evidence I've seen, I think lab leak is much more likely. Not engineered. Not deliberate. Accidental. Reasonable people can look at the same evidence and disagree." Also read: Will COVID-19 pandemic become endemic? The origins of COVID-19 have remained the subject of global scientific and political debate since the pandemic began. Early in the outbreak, many scientists considered natural transmission, including the possibility of the virus spreading from animals to humans, to be the leading explanation. At the same time, the lab leak hypothesis was widely disputed and, in some cases, claims related to it were restricted by social media platforms under COVID-19 misinformation policies.

<p>Former White House official Dr Ashish Jha stated COVID-19 likely originated from an accidental lab leak based on circumstantial evidence, though he stressed Chinese authorities hold the definitive answer.</p><p>&nbsp;</p>

‘Covid-19 was probably a lab leak’, says ex-White House COVID response coordinator. What to know about the debate

<p>Auroras lit up high-latitude regions on Earth on August 2 after a coronal mass ejection (CME) slammed into our planet’s magnetosphere around midday. &nbsp;Auroral displays were triggered across northern Scotland, Scandinavia and similar locations. The sun released a huge blast of solar material and magnetic fields a few days ago. Scientists say it was either a slow-moving CME released by the sun on July 27, or a slight blow from a July 30 eruption. It resulted in a geomagnetic storm of G2, or moderate levels.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Meanwhile, astronauts on the space station also witnessed the mind-blowing activity from space. Jessica Meir shared a video of the green and red aurora over Earth. She also mentioned that it was "even more special as it was shared with Anil Menon", the Indian-American astronaut in space for the first time. "I‘ll stop posting timelapses of the aurora from the @Space_Station when I’m tired of looking at them . . . so basically never!" she wrote.</p><p>Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/who-is-anil-menon-indian-origin-nasa-astronaut-set-for-july-14-launch-on-eight-month-iss-mission-1783682933106"><strong>Who is Anil Menon? Indian-origin NASA astronaut set for July 14 launch on eight month ISS mission</strong></a></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Jessica added, “Another unforgettable display of this ethereal phenomenon as it danced beneath us last night, this one even more special as it was shared with @astro_anil as he witnessed it for the first time with such intensity. The red wavelengths (above the green) were particularly bright in this pass.”</p><h2><strong>Video of aurora from space station</strong></h2>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">I‘ll stop posting timelapses of the aurora from the <a href="https://x.com/Space_Station?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Space_Station</a> when I’m tired of looking at them . . . so basically never! Another unforgettable display of this ethereal phenomenon as it danced beneath us last night, this one even more special as it was shared with… <a href="https://t.co/zwVRUHAYzq">pic.twitter.com/zwVRUHAYzq</a></p>&mdash; Jessica Meir (@Astro_Jessica) <a href="https://x.com/Astro_Jessica/status/2084274124055015627?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 3, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<p>Yesterday, flare production was recorded at low levels, with 2 C-class and 2 B-class (weak) flares observed during the period, EarthSky reported. NOAA said that the largest flare was a C6.3 on August 2, followed by the strongest flare, which was a C1.3 from sunspot region AR4492 on the same day. On August 3, the sunspot region AR4498 fired a C1.0 flare.</p><h2><strong>Aurora predictions for August - Where to see auroras</strong></h2><p>Some predictions state that if the current solar conditions persist, auroras could also become visible much farther from the poles than usual. Meanwhile, satellites, radio communications, and power systems are also expected to take a hit from the solar material. Auroras are also predicted to occur in Edinburgh, Seattle, Toronto, Chicago, and even London and New York.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>The solar activity is expected to continue over August 3 - 5. Most likely, there will be C flares, although there is a 20 per cent chance for M-class (moderate) flares as well, with R1–R2, minor–moderate radio blackouts. The chances for X-class (strong) flares remain very low. The sunspots that will be responsible for this activity are AR4498 and AR4499.</p>

A solar storm lit up skies over high-latitude regions on August 2. The green and red dancing lights were also visible from the space station, visuals of which were shared by astronaut Jessica Meir, who called them extra special, as  Indian-American astronaut Anil Menon saw his first.

Auroras lit up high-latitude regions on Earth on August 2 after a coronal mass ejection (CME) slammed into our planet’s magnetosphere around midday. Auroral displays were triggered across northern Scotland, Scandinavia and similar locations. The sun released a huge blast of solar material and magnetic fields a few days ago. Scientists say it was either a slow-moving CME released by the sun on July 27, or a slight blow from a July 30 eruption. It resulted in a geomagnetic storm of G2, or moderate levels. Meanwhile, astronauts on the space station also witnessed the mind-blowing activity from space. Jessica Meir shared a video of the green and red aurora over Earth. She also mentioned that it was "even more special as it was shared with Anil Menon", the Indian-American astronaut in space for the first time. "I‘ll stop posting timelapses of the aurora from the @Space_Station when I’m tired of looking at them . . . so basically never!" she wrote. Also Read: Who is Anil Menon? Indian-origin NASA astronaut set for July 14 launch on eight month ISS mission Jessica added, “Another unforgettable display of this ethereal phenomenon as it danced beneath us last night, this one even more special as it was shared with @astro_anil as he witnessed it for the first time with such intensity. The red wavelengths (above the green) were particularly bright in this pass.” Video of aurora from space station

<p>A solar storm lit up skies over high-latitude regions on August 2. The green and red dancing lights were also visible from the space station, visuals of which were shared by astronaut Jessica Meir, who called them extra special, as &nbsp;Indian-American astronaut Anil Menon saw his first.</p>

Indian-American astronaut Anil Menon sees auroras from space station, visuals captured from Earth as well

<p>The advent of peptide science has brought with it peptides with extremely targeted interactions with biological pathways. These include a Decapeptide-12 with a proposed function in pigmentation biology. It is a synthetic peptide which may be targeted to melanin synthesis mechanisms and is being evaluated as a research tool to better understand melanin synthesis molecular regulation. It has been speculated to have selective interactions with melanogenic pathways, and has been used as a valuable subject in peptide engineering, molecular biology and cellular signalling research.</p><h2><strong>What are peptides?</strong></h2><p>Peptides are short chains of amino acids, and are basic signalling molecules in biological systems. They are smaller and easier to manipulate, so they might be able to be engineered to bind to a specific receptor, enzyme or cellular pathway. This versatility has led to the increasing importance of synthetic peptides in the laboratory, where they are used to investigate biological processes and to develop new molecular models for scientific research.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>A synthetic peptide is one of these, known as Decapeptide-12. It consists of 10 amino acids that are designed to bind to the key regulators of melanogenesis (melanin production). It is thought that its structure may allow it to interact selectively with enzymes that are associated with pigmentation, notably tyrosinase, which has a major role in the conversion of the amino acid tyrosine to melanin.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Tyrosinase has been consistently found to be one of the important control points in pigmentation biology from scientific literature. The regulation of tyrosinase has been highlighted in reviews that appeared in Physiological Reviews, Biochimica et Biophysica Acta and the International Journal of Molecular Sciences in the field of understanding melanogenesis and pigment-related cellular mechanisms.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>In addition to tyrosinase, Decapeptide-12 is also being studied for its possible impacts on more global pathways in cellular communication that are related to pigmentation. Researchers are investigating the peptide's potential to influence regulatory proteins, such as microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF), signalling pathways such as cyclic AMP (cAMP), protein kinase A (PKA) and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs). These pathways, in turn, regulate the expression of pigmentation genes and cellular responses.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Secondly, Decapeptide-12 is a rather small molecule and therefore is a good peptide engineering model. The researchers are now able to make very specific changes in the sequences of amino acids and see how this affects the molecule's binding affinity, as well as its specific and biological functions. The modular approach will aid scientists in the design of next-generation peptides in more targeted biochemical research.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Decapeptide-12 is proposed to be more specific than many naturally occurring peptides that act on several biological pathways. This type of molecular design is believed to facilitate targeted experimental investigations and is in line with a wider movement in peptide science towards precision research tools.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Synthetic peptides are under continued research to gain a deeper understanding of the biology of pigmentation and its molecular regulation, and Decapeptide-12 remains significant. It is a promising case study for the use of engineered peptides to aid biochemical and cellular research due to its specific design and possible interaction with melanogenic pathways, and is still under investigation. The best core peptides research materials online are here: <a href="https://www.corepeptides.com/">https://www.corepeptides.com/</a></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>The published studies on Decapeptide-12 in journals such as Physiological Reviews, Pigment Cell Research, Journal of Investigative Dermatology, Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA) – General Subjects, and the International Journal of Molecular Sciences have contributed to the scientific understanding of melanogenesis, tyrosinase regulation and pigmentation signalling.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><i>Disclaimer: This article is from the Brand Desk. User discretion is advised.</i></p>

Decapeptide-12 is a synthetic 10-amino-acid peptide researched for its precision targeting of melanogenesis. By regulating tyrosinase, MITF, and cellular signalling pathways, it serves as a model in peptide engineering.

The advent of peptide science has brought with it peptides with extremely targeted interactions with biological pathways. These include a Decapeptide-12 with a proposed function in pigmentation biology. It is a synthetic peptide which may be targeted to melanin synthesis mechanisms and is being evaluated as a research tool to better understand melanin synthesis molecular regulation. It has been speculated to have selective interactions with melanogenic pathways, and has been used as a valuable subject in peptide engineering, molecular biology and cellular signalling research. What are peptides? Peptides are short chains of amino acids, and are basic signalling molecules in biological systems. They are smaller and easier to manipulate, so they might be able to be engineered to bind to a specific receptor, enzyme or cellular pathway. This versatility has led to the increasing importance of synthetic peptides in the laboratory, where they are used to investigate biological processes and to develop new molecular models for scientific research. A synthetic peptide is one of these, known as Decapeptide-12. It consists of 10 amino acids that are designed to bind to the key regulators of melanogenesis (melanin production). It is thought that its structure may allow it to interact selectively with enzymes that are associated with pigmentation, notably tyrosinase, which has a major role in the conversion of the amino acid tyrosine to melanin. Tyrosinase has been consistently found to be one of the important control points in pigmentation biology from scientific literature. The regulation of tyrosinase has been highlighted in reviews that appeared in Physiological Reviews, Biochimica et Biophysica Acta and the International Journal of Molecular Sciences in the field of understanding melanogenesis and pigment-related cellular mechanisms. In addition to tyrosinase, Decapeptide-12 is also being studied for its possible impacts on more global pathways in cellular communication that are related to pigmentation. Researchers are investigating the peptide's potential to influence regulatory proteins, such as microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF), signalling pathways such as cyclic AMP (cAMP), protein kinase A (PKA) and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs). These pathways, in turn, regulate the expression of pigmentation genes and cellular responses. Secondly, Decapeptide-12 is a rather small molecule and therefore is a good peptide engineering model. The researchers are now able to make very specific changes in the sequences of amino acids and see how this affects the molecule's binding affinity, as well as its specific and biological functions. The modular approach will aid scientists in the design of next-generation peptides in more targeted biochemical research. Decapeptide-12 is proposed to be more specific than many naturally occurring peptides that act on several biological pathways. This type of molecular design is believed to facilitate targeted experimental investigations and is in line with a wider movement in peptide science towards precision research tools. Synthetic peptides are under continued research to gain a deeper understanding of the biology of pigmentation and its molecular regulation, and Decapeptide-12 remains significant. It is a promising case study for the use of engineered peptides to aid biochemical and cellular research due to its specific design and possible interaction with melanogenic pathways, and is still under investigation. The best core peptides research materials online are here: https://www.corepeptides.com/ The published studies on Decapeptide-12 in journals such as Physiological Reviews, Pigment Cell Research, Journal of Investigative Dermatology, Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA) – General Subjects, and the International Journal of Molecular Sciences have contributed to the scientific understanding of melanogenesis, tyrosinase regulation and pigmentation signalling. Disclaimer: This article is from the Brand Desk. User discretion is advised.

<p>Decapeptide-12 is a synthetic 10-amino-acid peptide researched for its precision targeting of melanogenesis. By regulating tyrosinase, MITF, and cellular signalling pathways, it serves as a model in peptide engineering.</p>

Decapeptide-12: Unveiling a precision peptide in pigmentation research

<p>A new study has revealed that a trail of two "ghost lineages" of extinct human populations lies hidden within our genome. But one of these ghost lineages left its DNA dispersed in all present-day people. Meanwhile, researchers reported Thursday (July 30) in the journal Science that the other, a "super-archaic" lineage, dates back nearly 2 million years.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>"These extinct populations may have lived hundreds of thousands, or even more than a million, &nbsp;years ago, yet traces of their genetic legacy remain preserved in our genomes today," said study co-author Priya Moorjani, a human evolutionary geneticist at the University of California, Berkeley.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>For more than ten years, scientists have discovered that DNA evidence indicates our species, Homo sapiens, once mated with now-extinct relatives such as Neanderthals and Denisovans. Most of the population not a part of sub-Saharan ancestry living today have nearly 1 per cent to 2.4 per cent Neanderthal ancestry, and Asians and Oceanians (people from the island nations of the Pacific Ocean) harbour approximately 0.1 per cent to 6 per cent Denisovan ancestry.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>However, scientists have speculated that contemporary humans may have crossbred with other now-extinct human groups that have not been detected yet. But the lack of ancient DNA samples makes it difficult to find out what these unidentified groups, often called ghost lineages, might have provided to our species.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>"Ancient DNA has transformed our understanding of human evolution, but it can only tell us about populations for which DNA has been preserved," Moorjani said. "DNA survives only under very specific conditions — typically in cold, dry environments, which means that much of our evolutionary history, particularly in Africa, other tropical regions, and at very deep timescales, remains inaccessible."</p><h2>Long-extinct ancestors</h2><p>In the new finding, Moorjani and her team members explained that everyone's genome has a record of their ancestry. They also investigated possibilities to uncover signs of "long-extinct ancestors preserved within the genomes of present-day people." They also developed a new technique to scan and compare over 500 complete genomes of present-day humans from around the world.</p><p><br>Drawing on this data, researchers reconstructed detailed genealogies for individual segments of each person's genome, building family trees that traced ancestral lineages back through every point of divergence and merging. Their focus centred on ancestors whose genetic makeup differed significantly from modern humans, an indicator that these lineages had branched off from the modern human line long ago.</p><p><br>"Most regions of our genome share a common ancestor relatively recently in our evolutionary history," Moorjani said. "Occasionally, however, we find stretches of DNA whose common ancestor lies much farther back in time, indicating they originated from a long-separated human lineage," she added.</p><p><br>What sets this method apart from earlier techniques is that it doesn't rely on fossil DNA to detect ancient genetic sequences within modern-human genomes. According to Moorjani, scientists no longer need to depend on rare, well-preserved fossils to learn about extinct human populations. Instead, the genomes of people alive today carry remnants of these ancient ancestors, and genealogical analysis can help uncover that concealed history.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Also read: </strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/world-s-largest-digital-camera-captures-over-500-000-galaxies-50-000-stars-in-one-stunning-image-1785657873100">World's largest digital camera captures over 500,000 galaxies, 50,000 stars in one stunning image</a></p><p><br>To validate the approach, researchers tested it experimentally, and it successfully identified Neanderthal and Denisovan ancestry within modern-human genomes. Beyond confirming known lineages, the method also revealed previously undocumented cases of interbreeding with extinct groups. Notably, the researchers found DNA from one "ghost lineage" present across all modern humans — evidence suggesting this group interbred with modern humans in Africa more than 50,000 years ago, predating the most recent wave of Homo sapiens migration out of Africa and into the rest of the world.</p><p><br>"Previous publications suggested that there might be ghost ancestry, ancestry from unknown archaic lineages in modern humans, but they hadn't concluded whether this unknown ancestry is present only in Africans or not, and when this introgression event happened," study co-author Yulin Zhang, a computational biologist at UC Berkeley, said in a statement. "We were actually able to find and map genomic locations in modern humans that are from this ghost lineage and show that this ghost ancestry is in all modern humans, not only in Africans."</p><p><br>This new DNA contains around 0.5 per cent to 1 per cent of the genomes of modern humans, comparable to the amount of Neanderthal DNA. It has been estimated that about 800,000 years ago this ghost lineage diverged from the ancestors of modern humans, about the same time Neanderthals and Denisovans did. The possible ghost lineage was found to be Homo heidelbergensis, which lived from about 700,000 to 200,000 years ago in Africa and Europe.</p><p><br>"I agree with their speculation that this ghost could have been the species Homo heidelbergensis, which was present in Africa as recently as 300,000 years ago," Chris Stringer, a paleoanthropologist at the Natural History Museum in London who was not involved in the study, said.</p><h2>‘Super-archaic’ human lineage</h2><p>Researchers also discovered that people from Oceania carry traces of a "super-archaic" human lineage that split from modern humans' ancestors roughly 1.8 million years ago, well before the common ancestor of modern humans, Neanderthals, and Denisovans emerged. This ancient DNA accounted for approximately 0.002% of the Oceanian genomes studied and was found embedded within regions of Denisovan ancestry, indicating it likely entered modern humans through interbreeding with Denisovans.</p><p><br>Fernando Villanea, a population geneticist at the University of Colorado Boulder uninvolved in the study, suggested the DNA's age points to Homo erectus as its likely original source, passed first into Denisovans and then into modern humans. This theory gains support from Yunxian skull fossils in China, which share certain features with Denisovan remains, though limited H. erectus genetic material has been analysed so far. "We see hybridisation being a common trait in the evolution of many other species, and these findings help us reframe our scientific thinking away from a mentality of human exceptionalism," Villanea said.</p><p><br>According to Villanea, these findings underscore that modern humans descend from multiple ancient species, making hybridisation the norm rather than the exception. These newly identified DNA segments cluster most densely in genome regions tied to immune function and metabolism, a pattern Moorjani says reflects how adapting to new pathogens and food sources has consistently driven human evolutionary pressure.</p>

For over a decade, DNA evidence has shown Homo sapiens once mated with extinct relatives like Neanderthals and Denisovans. Most non-sub-Saharan populations carry 1-2.4% Neanderthal ancestry, while Asians and Oceanians harbour roughly 0.1-6% Denisovan ancestry.

A new study has revealed that a trail of two "ghost lineages" of extinct human populations lies hidden within our genome. But one of these ghost lineages left its DNA dispersed in all present-day people. Meanwhile, researchers reported Thursday (July 30) in the journal Science that the other, a "super-archaic" lineage, dates back nearly 2 million years. "These extinct populations may have lived hundreds of thousands, or even more than a million, years ago, yet traces of their genetic legacy remain preserved in our genomes today," said study co-author Priya Moorjani, a human evolutionary geneticist at the University of California, Berkeley. For more than ten years, scientists have discovered that DNA evidence indicates our species, Homo sapiens, once mated with now-extinct relatives such as Neanderthals and Denisovans. Most of the population not a part of sub-Saharan ancestry living today have nearly 1 per cent to 2.4 per cent Neanderthal ancestry, and Asians and Oceanians (people from the island nations of the Pacific Ocean) harbour approximately 0.1 per cent to 6 per cent Denisovan ancestry. However, scientists have speculated that contemporary humans may have crossbred with other now-extinct human groups that have not been detected yet. But the lack of ancient DNA samples makes it difficult to find out what these unidentified groups, often called ghost lineages, might have provided to our species. "Ancient DNA has transformed our understanding of human evolution, but it can only tell us about populations for which DNA has been preserved," Moorjani said. "DNA survives only under very specific conditions — typically in cold, dry environments, which means that much of our evolutionary history, particularly in Africa, other tropical regions, and at very deep timescales, remains inaccessible." Long-extinct ancestors In the new finding, Moorjani and her team members explained that everyone's genome has a record of their ancestry. They also investigated possibilities to uncover signs of "long-extinct ancestors preserved within the genomes of present-day people." They also developed a new technique to scan and compare over 500 complete genomes of present-day humans from around the world. Drawing on this data, researchers reconstructed detailed genealogies for individual segments of each person's genome, building family trees that traced ancestral lineages back through every point of divergence and merging. Their focus centred on ancestors whose genetic makeup differed significantly from modern humans, an indicator that these lineages had branched off from the modern human line long ago. "Most regions of our genome share a common ancestor relatively recently in our evolutionary history," Moorjani said. "Occasionally, however, we find stretches of DNA whose common ancestor lies much farther back in time, indicating they originated from a long-separated human lineage," she added. What sets this method apart from earlier techniques is that it doesn't rely on fossil DNA to detect ancient genetic sequences within modern-human genomes. According to Moorjani, scientists no longer need to depend on rare, well-preserved fossils to learn about extinct human populations. Instead, the genomes of people alive today carry remnants of these ancient ancestors, and genealogical analysis can help uncover that concealed history. Also read: World's largest digital camera captures over 500,000 galaxies, 50,000 stars in one stunning image To validate the approach, researchers tested it experimentally, and it successfully identified Neanderthal and Denisovan ancestry within modern-human genomes. Beyond confirming known lineages, the method also revealed previously undocumented cases of interbreeding with extinct groups. Notably, the researchers found DNA from one "ghost lineage" present across all modern humans — evidence suggesting this group interbred with modern humans in Africa more than 50,000 years ago, predating the most recent wave of Homo sapiens migration out of Africa and into the rest of the world. "Previous publications suggested that there might be ghost ancestry, ancestry from unknown archaic lineages in modern humans, but they hadn't concluded whether this unknown ancestry is present only in Africans or not, and when this introgression event happened," study co-author Yulin Zhang, a computational biologist at UC Berkeley, said in a statement. "We were actually able to find and map genomic locations in modern humans that are from this ghost lineage and show that this ghost ancestry is in all modern humans, not only in Africans." This new DNA contains around 0.5 per cent to 1 per cent of the genomes of modern humans, comparable to the amount of Neanderthal DNA. It has been estimated that about 800,000 years ago this ghost lineage diverged from the ancestors of modern humans, about the same time Neanderthals and Denisovans did. The possible ghost lineage was found to be Homo heidelbergensis, which lived from about 700,000 to 200,000 years ago in Africa and Europe. "I agree with their speculation that this ghost could have been the species Homo heidelbergensis, which was present in Africa as recently as 300,000 years ago," Chris Stringer, a paleoanthropologist at the Natural History Museum in London who was not involved in the study, said. ‘Super-archaic’ human lineage Researchers also discovered that people from Oceania carry traces of a "super-archaic" human lineage that split from modern humans' ancestors roughly 1.8 million years ago, well before the common ancestor of modern humans, Neanderthals, and Denisovans emerged. This ancient DNA accounted for approximately 0.002% of the Oceanian genomes studied and was found embedded within regions of Denisovan ancestry, indicating it likely entered modern humans through interbreeding with Denisovans. Fernando Villanea, a population geneticist at the University of Colorado Boulder uninvolved in the study, suggested the DNA's age points to Homo erectus as its likely original source, passed first into Denisovans and then into modern humans. This theory gains support from Yunxian skull fossils in China, which share certain features with Denisovan remains, though limited H. erectus genetic material has been analysed so far. "We see hybridisation being a common trait in the evolution of many other species, and these findings help us reframe our scientific thinking away from a mentality of human exceptionalism," Villanea said. According to Villanea, these findings underscore that modern humans descend from multiple ancient species, making hybridisation the norm rather than the exception. These newly identified DNA segments cluster most densely in genome regions tied to immune function and metabolism, a pattern Moorjani says reflects how adapting to new pathogens and food sources has consistently driven human evolutionary pressure.

<p>For over a decade, DNA evidence has shown Homo sapiens once mated with extinct relatives like Neanderthals and Denisovans. Most non-sub-Saharan populations carry 1-2.4% Neanderthal ancestry, while Asians and Oceanians harbour roughly 0.1-6% Denisovan ancestry.</p>

1.8 Mn years old: Scientists discover two mysterious 'ghost ancestors' hidden in human genome - More details inside

<p>The amount of space junk falling back to Earth is increasing as rocket launches and satellite deployments increase. Although most debris disintegrates in the atmosphere or lands in the ocean, large objects, roughly a metric ton in weight, are now re-entering Earth's atmosphere approximately once a week, according to reports</p><p><br>Mariusz Slonina, who leads space situational awareness operations for the Polish Space Agency, stated that around one metric ton of space debris re-enters Earth's atmosphere weekly. “The re-entries happen each and every day,” he said. Reflecting the rapid increase in space activity, the US Space Force recorded nearly 820 objects re-entering the atmosphere in 2025, a sharp rise from just 110 a decade earlier.</p><h3>Growing frequency of rocket launches</h3><p>A similar incident took place near Mukuku village in Kenya, where a sizeable metal ring from a rocket crashed into farmland. Rather than burning up during re-entry, the object landed intact and was later traced to a rocket that had been orbiting Earth for over 16 years. The growing frequency of rocket launches and satellite deployments continues to drive up the volume of debris returning to Earth. Last year alone saw more than 300 rocket launches, while thousands of satellites remain in orbit, many of which eventually re-enter the atmosphere once their missions conclude.</p><p><br>Recent developments indicate debris from the International Space Station landed on a home in Florida, and parts of a SpaceX rocket fell in Poland. Another example includes a defunct Chinese satellite which broke apart over Spain's Canary Islands. In addition, pieces of space debris have also been discovered in Australia and the Philippines.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Also read:</strong> <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/world-s-largest-digital-camera-captures-over-500-000-galaxies-50-000-stars-in-one-stunning-image-1785657873100">World's largest digital camera captures over 500,000 galaxies, 50,000 stars in one stunning image</a></p><p><br>An FAA-commissioned study projected that by 2035, debris from SpaceX satellites alone could result in an injury or death roughly once every two years. Experts have called on governments and companies to adopt materials designed to fully burn up during re-entry, though no such regulations currently exist. The report noted that existing UN treaties addressing liability for space debris were established during the Cold War era and remain narrow in scope. It further noted that although the UN released guidelines on space debris in 2007, these remain non-binding.</p><p><br>According to The New York Times, predicting the exact landing location of uncontrolled space debris remains beyond the capability of even top rocket scientists. A miscalculation of just one minute in estimating re-entry timing can shift the potential landing zone by nearly 300 miles.</p>

Recent developments indicate debris from the International Space Station landed on a home in Florida, and parts of a SpaceX rocket fell in Poland. Another example includes a defunct Chinese satellite which broke apart over Spain's Canary Islands.

The amount of space junk falling back to Earth is increasing as rocket launches and satellite deployments increase. Although most debris disintegrates in the atmosphere or lands in the ocean, large objects, roughly a metric ton in weight, are now re-entering Earth's atmosphere approximately once a week, according to reports Mariusz Slonina, who leads space situational awareness operations for the Polish Space Agency, stated that around one metric ton of space debris re-enters Earth's atmosphere weekly. “The re-entries happen each and every day,” he said. Reflecting the rapid increase in space activity, the US Space Force recorded nearly 820 objects re-entering the atmosphere in 2025, a sharp rise from just 110 a decade earlier. Growing frequency of rocket launches A similar incident took place near Mukuku village in Kenya, where a sizeable metal ring from a rocket crashed into farmland. Rather than burning up during re-entry, the object landed intact and was later traced to a rocket that had been orbiting Earth for over 16 years. The growing frequency of rocket launches and satellite deployments continues to drive up the volume of debris returning to Earth. Last year alone saw more than 300 rocket launches, while thousands of satellites remain in orbit, many of which eventually re-enter the atmosphere once their missions conclude. Recent developments indicate debris from the International Space Station landed on a home in Florida, and parts of a SpaceX rocket fell in Poland. Another example includes a defunct Chinese satellite which broke apart over Spain's Canary Islands. In addition, pieces of space debris have also been discovered in Australia and the Philippines. Also read: World's largest digital camera captures over 500,000 galaxies, 50,000 stars in one stunning image An FAA-commissioned study projected that by 2035, debris from SpaceX satellites alone could result in an injury or death roughly once every two years. Experts have called on governments and companies to adopt materials designed to fully burn up during re-entry, though no such regulations currently exist. The report noted that existing UN treaties addressing liability for space debris were established during the Cold War era and remain narrow in scope. It further noted that although the UN released guidelines on space debris in 2007, these remain non-binding. According to The New York Times, predicting the exact landing location of uncontrolled space debris remains beyond the capability of even top rocket scientists. A miscalculation of just one minute in estimating re-entry timing can shift the potential landing zone by nearly 300 miles.

<p>Recent developments indicate debris from the International Space Station landed on a home in Florida, and parts of a SpaceX rocket fell in Poland. Another example includes a defunct Chinese satellite which broke apart over Spain's Canary Islands.</p>

'One metric ton every 7 days': Space junk falling to Earth once a week as rocket launches surge

<p>Astronomers using the world's largest digital camera captured over 500,000 galaxies and 50,000 stars in one deep view of the universe. The image was captured using the Vera C. Rubin Observatory, based in Chile, Rubin's 3.2-gigapixel (3.2-billion-pixel) LSST Camera, mounted on the 8.4-meter Simonyi Survey Telescope of the observatory.</p><p><br>Rather than a single exposure, the image was constructed by layering hundreds of individual images on top of each other, with each additional layer of exposure gradually revealing faint, distant light. The result is a single frame densely packed with spiral galaxies displaying their characteristic arms, smooth elliptical galaxies, galaxies caught mid-collision and faint red galaxies dating back to the early universe. Only a handful of bright foreground stars from our own Milky Way appear in the foreground, a detail that adds to the image's visual impact.</p><p><br>The Rubin Observatory is a collaborative venture funded by the US National Science Foundation and the Department of Energy's Office of Science. The area featured in this particular image, known as the COSMOS field, has been under astronomical observation for over two decades, dating back to the Hubble Space Telescope's initial studies in 2003. Since then, numerous leading telescopes worldwide have trained their instruments on this same patch of sky, collecting data spanning the full spectrum from radio waves to X-rays.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Also read: </strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/from-trash-to-fuel-scientists-turn-plastic-waste-into-hydrogen-fuel-using-a-new-technique-here-s-how-1785572844654">From trash to energy: Scientists turn plastic waste into Hydrogen fuel using a new technique - Here's how</a></p><h3>What do we know about the COSMOS?</h3><p>COSMOS sits away from the crowded plane of our own galaxy, having little interference from nearby stars, and dust clouds blocking the view. That provides telescopes with an unusually clear line of sight to huge numbers of distant galaxies. Scientists also indicated that some are so far away and travelling toward Earth for billions of years.</p><p><br>This field allows scientists to study galaxies at different points in the history of the universe, essentially within one continuous dataset. Through repeated observations of the COSMOS field over time, the observatory is building a living record that captures how the sky evolves. This process lies at the heart of Rubin's broader mission: a decade-long survey known as the Legacy Survey of Space and Time, or LSST, aimed at producing the most detailed, continuously refreshed picture of the universe ever compiled.</p><p><br>Given its scientific significance, subsequent observations are anticipated to uncover even fainter galaxies and finer detail than what's currently visible. This particular image represents Rubin's Early Data Preview 2 (EDP2), the observatory's inaugural data release generated specifically from LSST Camera observations. It draws together science validation data gathered between April 2025 and January 2026, spanning approximately 3,000 square degrees of sky, or roughly one-sixth of the Southern Hemisphere's total visible expanse.</p>

The result is a single frame densely packed with spiral galaxies displaying their characteristic arms, smooth elliptical galaxies, galaxies caught mid-collision and faint red galaxies dating back to the early universe.

Astronomers using the world's largest digital camera captured over 500,000 galaxies and 50,000 stars in one deep view of the universe. The image was captured using the Vera C. Rubin Observatory, based in Chile, Rubin's 3.2-gigapixel (3.2-billion-pixel) LSST Camera, mounted on the 8.4-meter Simonyi Survey Telescope of the observatory. Rather than a single exposure, the image was constructed by layering hundreds of individual images on top of each other, with each additional layer of exposure gradually revealing faint, distant light. The result is a single frame densely packed with spiral galaxies displaying their characteristic arms, smooth elliptical galaxies, galaxies caught mid-collision and faint red galaxies dating back to the early universe. Only a handful of bright foreground stars from our own Milky Way appear in the foreground, a detail that adds to the image's visual impact. The Rubin Observatory is a collaborative venture funded by the US National Science Foundation and the Department of Energy's Office of Science. The area featured in this particular image, known as the COSMOS field, has been under astronomical observation for over two decades, dating back to the Hubble Space Telescope's initial studies in 2003. Since then, numerous leading telescopes worldwide have trained their instruments on this same patch of sky, collecting data spanning the full spectrum from radio waves to X-rays. Also read: From trash to energy: Scientists turn plastic waste into Hydrogen fuel using a new technique - Here's how What do we know about the COSMOS? COSMOS sits away from the crowded plane of our own galaxy, having little interference from nearby stars, and dust clouds blocking the view. That provides telescopes with an unusually clear line of sight to huge numbers of distant galaxies. Scientists also indicated that some are so far away and travelling toward Earth for billions of years. This field allows scientists to study galaxies at different points in the history of the universe, essentially within one continuous dataset. Through repeated observations of the COSMOS field over time, the observatory is building a living record that captures how the sky evolves. This process lies at the heart of Rubin's broader mission: a decade-long survey known as the Legacy Survey of Space and Time, or LSST, aimed at producing the most detailed, continuously refreshed picture of the universe ever compiled. Given its scientific significance, subsequent observations are anticipated to uncover even fainter galaxies and finer detail than what's currently visible. This particular image represents Rubin's Early Data Preview 2 (EDP2), the observatory's inaugural data release generated specifically from LSST Camera observations. It draws together science validation data gathered between April 2025 and January 2026, spanning approximately 3,000 square degrees of sky, or roughly one-sixth of the Southern Hemisphere's total visible expanse.

<p>The result is a single frame densely packed with spiral galaxies displaying their characteristic arms, smooth elliptical galaxies, galaxies caught mid-collision and faint red galaxies dating back to the early universe.</p>

World's largest digital camera captures over 500,000 galaxies, 50,000 stars in one stunning image

<p>A strengthening El Nino that could shatter all-time records is "adding fuel to a planet already on fire" and pushing the world into "uncharted territory," UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned Friday.</p><p>"Two months ago, I warned that El Nino was arriving on our doorstep," Guterres told the world body. "Now it is inside the house -- and turning up the heat."</p><p>The El Nino weather pattern warms surface temperatures in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean, triggering worldwide changes in winds, atmospheric pressure and rainfall patterns, and pushing warmer overall global temperatures.</p><p>Human-caused climate change can amplify El Nino's impacts because a warmer ocean and atmosphere increase the availability of energy and moisture for extreme weather events, such as heat waves and heavy rainfall.</p><p>"We have already endured a summer of extremes -- record-shattering heat domes; apocalyptic wildfires raging in Spain, France and far beyond; thousands of lives lost in the scorching conditions," said Guterres. "But according to the latest science, this is only a warm-up act."</p><p>Pacific waters driving the El Nino have never been this warm this early, he said, with a new forecast by the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) finding sea-surface temperatures now averaging 3C (5.4F) above normal.</p><p>The WMO's outlook shows that through October, nearly every land mass on Earth is expected to be hotter than normal.</p><p>"Taken together, that risks shattering every seasonal record -- and driving even more severe effects worldwide," said Guterres. "We are in uncharted territory."</p><p>The risks go beyond heat alone, he added. India's monsoon is running well below average, while hotter and drier conditions are forecast from Central America and the Caribbean to parts of South America, South Asia, the Southwest Pacific, Europe and Africa.</p><p>"The verdict is clear: the climate crisis is in overdrive," said Guterres, outlining action required on four fronts.</p><p>First, protect people from heat with city- and country-wide heat plans and early warning systems, including expanded access to sustainable cooling.</p><p>Second, make work safer, with governments setting heat standards so vulnerable workers — in the garment industry, for example — aren't risking their lives.</p><p>Third, build protection from extreme heat into the design of cities, homes, schools and hospitals, and factor it into plans and budgets.</p><p>Fourth and most fundamentally, "the world must stop fueling the crisis," said Guterres, and roll back fossil fuels that are driving planet-wide heating rather than treating each disaster as an isolated tragedy.</p><p><i>Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits for grammar and punctuation. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.</i></p>

Pacific waters driving the El Nino have never been this warm this early, he said, with a new forecast by the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) finding sea-surface temperatures now averaging 3C (5.4F) above normal.

A strengthening El Nino that could shatter all-time records is "adding fuel to a planet already on fire" and pushing the world into "uncharted territory," UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned Friday. "Two months ago, I warned that El Nino was arriving on our doorstep," Guterres told the world body. "Now it is inside the house -- and turning up the heat." The El Nino weather pattern warms surface temperatures in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean, triggering worldwide changes in winds, atmospheric pressure and rainfall patterns, and pushing warmer overall global temperatures. Human-caused climate change can amplify El Nino's impacts because a warmer ocean and atmosphere increase the availability of energy and moisture for extreme weather events, such as heat waves and heavy rainfall. "We have already endured a summer of extremes -- record-shattering heat domes; apocalyptic wildfires raging in Spain, France and far beyond; thousands of lives lost in the scorching conditions," said Guterres. "But according to the latest science, this is only a warm-up act." Pacific waters driving the El Nino have never been this warm this early, he said, with a new forecast by the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) finding sea-surface temperatures now averaging 3C (5.4F) above normal. The WMO's outlook shows that through October, nearly every land mass on Earth is expected to be hotter than normal. "Taken together, that risks shattering every seasonal record -- and driving even more severe effects worldwide," said Guterres. "We are in uncharted territory." The risks go beyond heat alone, he added. India's monsoon is running well below average, while hotter and drier conditions are forecast from Central America and the Caribbean to parts of South America, South Asia, the Southwest Pacific, Europe and Africa. "The verdict is clear: the climate crisis is in overdrive," said Guterres, outlining action required on four fronts. First, protect people from heat with city- and country-wide heat plans and early warning systems, including expanded access to sustainable cooling. Second, make work safer, with governments setting heat standards so vulnerable workers — in the garment industry, for example — aren't risking their lives. Third, build protection from extreme heat into the design of cities, homes, schools and hospitals, and factor it into plans and budgets. Fourth and most fundamentally, "the world must stop fueling the crisis," said Guterres, and roll back fossil fuels that are driving planet-wide heating rather than treating each disaster as an isolated tragedy. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits for grammar and punctuation. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

<p>Pacific waters driving the El Nino have never been this warm this early, he said, with a new forecast by the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) finding sea-surface temperatures now averaging 3C (5.4F) above normal.</p>

‘Adding fuel to planet already on fire’: UN Chief warns El Nino strengthening

<p>A California robotics company has unveiled a rescue robot that looks as if it stepped out of a post-apocalyptic nightmare. With four powerful legs, curved horn-like structures and chainsaw attachments, ThreeHalves has become an internet sensation for one reason above all: it is unsettling to look at.</p><p>Developed by startup Satyress, the robot was designed for dangerous environments where human rescuers cannot safely operate, including wildfire zones, collapsed structures and toxic industrial sites. But its appearance has overshadowed its engineering. Unlike the sleek, friendly-looking robots often promoted by technology companies, ThreeHalves embraces a deliberately intimidating aesthetic.</p><p>The machine stands more than six feet tall and has a silhouette that many online users have compared to a demonic creature or a mechanical beast. Its horned frame and aggressive stance have fueled a wave of social media reactions, with many questioning why a rescue robot needs to look so terrifying.</p><p>Satyress has not tried to soften that reaction. In fact, the company describes the robot as “more dangerous than it looks,” while simultaneously publishing detailed information about how it can be physically disabled if it malfunctions. The unusual combination of fearsome design and transparency about its weaknesses has become central to the robot’s identity.</p><p>The company says ThreeHalves includes emergency braking systems, mechanical locks and other built-in safeguards that allow humans to stop it if necessary. That message appears intended to counter fears that advanced machines could become uncontrollable.</p>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Meet Threehalves <a href="https://t.co/bFkcEyaPk7">pic.twitter.com/bFkcEyaPk7</a></p>&mdash; satyress (@satyressrobots) <a href="https://x.com/satyressrobots/status/1917207032324825126?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 29, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<h2><strong>Social media compares it with Satan</strong></h2><p>“Why did you make it look like Satan?” a social media user questioned. Another asked, “I really see the utility of this form, but have you considered making it look less scary?” A third said, “Looks demonic with the head of a goat!” One user asked, “Why the horns, though? Why the devil goat face?”</p>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Nah I&#39;m good. <a href="https://t.co/TOGQCIqy71">pic.twitter.com/TOGQCIqy71</a></p>&mdash; Matt (@Matt321492814) <a href="https://x.com/Matt321492814/status/2082702977727439237?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 30, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<p>One person said, “This is AWESOME.” Another wrote, “I love the thought behind this; it looks like it would do a lot of good work for rescuing, but do you think it would be better to make it look friendlier? Maybe paint it a different colour and give it softer features? Somebody getting rescued might be terrified.”</p><p>Another user wrote, “Even if this saves someone’s life, it would be the second most traumatic experience a victim would have that day if a robot like this were deemed necessary. Those eyes are horrifying. Your company name rhyming with ‘satire’ is not helping your case.”<br> </p><p> </p>

California startup Satyress unveiled ThreeHalves, a horned four-legged rescue robot with a terrifying appearance. The company also revealed built-in safety systems and ways to physically stop it.

A California robotics company has unveiled a rescue robot that looks as if it stepped out of a post-apocalyptic nightmare. With four powerful legs, curved horn-like structures and chainsaw attachments, ThreeHalves has become an internet sensation for one reason above all: it is unsettling to look at. Developed by startup Satyress, the robot was designed for dangerous environments where human rescuers cannot safely operate, including wildfire zones, collapsed structures and toxic industrial sites. But its appearance has overshadowed its engineering. Unlike the sleek, friendly-looking robots often promoted by technology companies, ThreeHalves embraces a deliberately intimidating aesthetic. The machine stands more than six feet tall and has a silhouette that many online users have compared to a demonic creature or a mechanical beast. Its horned frame and aggressive stance have fueled a wave of social media reactions, with many questioning why a rescue robot needs to look so terrifying. Satyress has not tried to soften that reaction. In fact, the company describes the robot as “more dangerous than it looks,” while simultaneously publishing detailed information about how it can be physically disabled if it malfunctions. The unusual combination of fearsome design and transparency about its weaknesses has become central to the robot’s identity. The company says ThreeHalves includes emergency braking systems, mechanical locks and other built-in safeguards that allow humans to stop it if necessary. That message appears intended to counter fears that advanced machines could become uncontrollable.

<p>California startup Satyress unveiled ThreeHalves, a horned four-legged rescue robot with a terrifying appearance. The company also revealed built-in safety systems and ways to physically stop it.</p>

‘Satanic’ chainsaw-wielding rescue bot leaves internet divided: ‘Those eyes are horrifying’

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