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Neurosurgeons in London have performed the world’s first successful AI-assisted operation to remove a brain tumour, saving the sight of a 48-year-old man. The surgery was carried out in May at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery (NHNN), part of University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. Details of the procedure were kept under wraps until Thursday (Aug 27) while the patient, Rhys Hibbert, recovered.Hibbert had been diagnosed with an 11mm tumour on his pituitary gland in 2024. His condition was initially managed without surgery, but his symptoms later worsened, including severe hormone imbalance and vision problems. Without surgery, he faced the risk of losing his sight, health officials said.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/precision-in-motion-how-technology-is-shaping-orthopaedic-surgery-1787828555734">Precision in motion: How technology is shaping orthopaedic surgery?</a>During the operation, the surgical team remained in full control while an AI system analysed live camera footage. The technology helped identify key structures, including nerves and blood vessels, around the tumour that needed to be avoided.The system uses colour coding to help surgeons identify tiny anatomical structures in the brain and recognise them during delicate procedures. The technology had previously been used at the hospital as a research tool, but Hibbert's operation marked the first time it was used on a patient.The pituitary gland, blood vessels and nerves responsible for vision are located close together, meaning even a small surgical error can have serious consequences, including blindness, stroke or death, health officials said.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/lunar-eclipse-2026-india-timings-places-to-see-blood-moon-1787721040703">Lunar eclipse 2026: India timings, places to see and more. All about Blood moon</a>Dr Sophia Bano, an associate professor in robotics and AI at UCL and the technical lead for the system, said the technology had been trained using hundreds of surgical videos.“By learning from hundreds of surgical videos, [the system] has been exposed to a breadth of surgical examples that would take a surgeon many years to encounter,” Bano told The Guardian.

Surgeons at London's NHNN performed the world’s first AI-assisted pituitary tumour removal on 48-year-old Rhys Hibbert. The real-time, colour-coded AI guidance protected vital brain structures, saving his vision.

Neurosurgeons in London have performed the world’s first successful AI-assisted operation to remove a brain tumour, saving the sight of a 48-year-old man. The surgery was carried out in May at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery (NHNN), part of University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. Details of the procedure were kept under wraps until Thursday (Aug 27) while the patient, Rhys Hibbert, recovered. Hibbert had been diagnosed with an 11mm tumour on his pituitary gland in 2024. His condition was initially managed without surgery, but his symptoms later worsened, including severe hormone imbalance and vision problems. Without surgery, he faced the risk of losing his sight, health officials said. Also read: Precision in motion: How technology is shaping orthopaedic surgery? During the operation, the surgical team remained in full control while an AI system analysed live camera footage. The technology helped identify key structures, including nerves and blood vessels, around the tumour that needed to be avoided. The system uses colour coding to help surgeons identify tiny anatomical structures in the brain and recognise them during delicate procedures. The technology had previously been used at the hospital as a research tool, but Hibbert's operation marked the first time it was used on a patient. The pituitary gland, blood vessels and nerves responsible for vision are located close together, meaning even a small surgical error can have serious consequences, including blindness, stroke or death, health officials said. Also read: Lunar eclipse 2026: India timings, places to see and more. All about Blood moon Dr Sophia Bano, an associate professor in robotics and AI at UCL and the technical lead for the system, said the technology had been trained using hundreds of surgical videos. “By learning from hundreds of surgical videos, [the system] has been exposed to a breadth of surgical examples that would take a surgeon many years to encounter,” Bano told The Guardian.

Surgeons at London's NHNN performed the world’s first AI-assisted pituitary tumour removal on 48-year-old Rhys Hibbert. The real-time, colour-coded AI guidance protected vital brain structures, saving his vision.&nbsp;

World first! London surgeons use AI to remove brain tumour, save patient’s sight

Working alongside surgical skill, Orthopaedic surgery has entered a new era with the advancement of technology, making the complex process simpler and more precise. The technology has transformed orthopaedic surgery by delivering sub-millimetre precision, highly personalised care, and faster recovery times for patients. &nbsp; Key technologies that are shaping the orthopaedic field are Robotic-assisted systems, 3D printing, augmented reality (AR) and artificial intelligence (AI). In the case of Robotic-assisted surgery, the Mako Robotic Arm allows surgeons to execute joint replacements with exact bone cuts, matching pre-planned 3D models. Navigation systems in the field also provide real-time feedback during procedures, reducing guesswork in implant alignment and positioning. On the other hand, 3D printing has also transformed pre-surgical planning, allowing custom implants and patient-specific guides tailored to individual bone structures. Meanwhile, artificial intelligence is increasingly used to analyse imaging data, predict surgical outcomes, and personalise recovery protocols based on patient-specific factors.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/400-year-old-vampire-grave-in-poland-reveals-rare-genetic-lineage-1787729488056">400-year-old 'vampire' grave in Poland reveals non-existent genetic lineage</a><h3>Technology allows precision surgery</h3>With the rise in technology over the last decade, Dr Sujit Narayan, MBBS, D. Ortho, FIMS, AO (Trauma), Sr. Consultant Orthopaedics, Joint Replacement and Spine Surgeon, Yatharth Super Speciality Hospitals, stated that with the advent of time, Orthopaedic surgery has evolved tremendously, with technology being one of the biggest drivers of the change. Irrespective of arthritis treatments, sports injuries, or complex joint conditions, the technological tools allow doctors to plan and perform procedures with a level of precision that was not possible before. "Technologies such as robotic-assisted surgery, advanced imaging, and digital surgical planning help us better understand each patient's anatomy and tailor treatment accordingly. While the surgeon's experience remains central to achieving good outcomes, these innovations provide valuable support in the operating room. Ultimately, the goal is simple - to help patients recover faster, regain function, and return to the activities that matter most to them with greater confidence," Dr Narayan said. Echoing similar points over the surgery, Dr Amit Sharma, MS Orthopaedics, Principal Director and Head, Speciality Unit of Joint Replacement, Arthroscopy and Sports Medicine, Yashoda Kaushambi and Yashoda Medicity, Ghaziabad, said, "One of the most exciting developments in orthopaedics has been the growing role of technology in helping us deliver more precise and personalised care. In orthopaedics, innovations such as robotic-assisted replacement surgeries and planning allow us to map procedures in detail before entering the operating room and execute them with enhanced accuracy. This is particularly valuable in joint replacement surgery, where precision can play an important role in restoring natural movement and long-term function. As these technologies continue to advance, they are helping us improve the surgical experience while keeping the focus on achieving the best possible outcomes for our patients and helping them get back to living active, pain-free lives."&nbsp;

Orthopaedic surgery has evolved tremendously, with technology being one of the biggest drivers of the change. Irrespective of arthritis treatments, sports injuries, or complex joint conditions, technological tools allow doctors to plan and perform procedures with a level of precision.

Working alongside surgical skill, Orthopaedic surgery has entered a new era with the advancement of technology, making the complex process simpler and more precise. The technology has transformed orthopaedic surgery by delivering sub-millimetre precision, highly personalised care, and faster recovery times for patients. Key technologies that are shaping the orthopaedic field are Robotic-assisted systems, 3D printing, augmented reality (AR) and artificial intelligence (AI). In the case of Robotic-assisted surgery, the Mako Robotic Arm allows surgeons to execute joint replacements with exact bone cuts, matching pre-planned 3D models. Navigation systems in the field also provide real-time feedback during procedures, reducing guesswork in implant alignment and positioning. On the other hand, 3D printing has also transformed pre-surgical planning, allowing custom implants and patient-specific guides tailored to individual bone structures. Meanwhile, artificial intelligence is increasingly used to analyse imaging data, predict surgical outcomes, and personalise recovery protocols based on patient-specific factors. Also read: 400-year-old 'vampire' grave in Poland reveals non-existent genetic lineage Technology allows precision surgery With the rise in technology over the last decade, Dr Sujit Narayan, MBBS, D. Ortho, FIMS, AO (Trauma), Sr. Consultant Orthopaedics, Joint Replacement and Spine Surgeon, Yatharth Super Speciality Hospitals, stated that with the advent of time, Orthopaedic surgery has evolved tremendously, with technology being one of the biggest drivers of the change. Irrespective of arthritis treatments, sports injuries, or complex joint conditions, the technological tools allow doctors to plan and perform procedures with a level of precision that was not possible before. "Technologies such as robotic-assisted surgery, advanced imaging, and digital surgical planning help us better understand each patient's anatomy and tailor treatment accordingly. While the surgeon's experience remains central to achieving good outcomes, these innovations provide valuable support in the operating room. Ultimately, the goal is simple - to help patients recover faster, regain function, and return to the activities that matter most to them with greater confidence," Dr Narayan said. Echoing similar points over the surgery, Dr Amit Sharma, MS Orthopaedics, Principal Director and Head, Speciality Unit of Joint Replacement, Arthroscopy and Sports Medicine, Yashoda Kaushambi and Yashoda Medicity, Ghaziabad, said, "One of the most exciting developments in orthopaedics has been the growing role of technology in helping us deliver more precise and personalised care. In orthopaedics, innovations such as robotic-assisted replacement surgeries and planning allow us to map procedures in detail before entering the operating room and execute them with enhanced accuracy. This is particularly valuable in joint replacement surgery, where precision can play an important role in restoring natural movement and long-term function. As these technologies continue to advance, they are helping us improve the surgical experience while keeping the focus on achieving the best possible outcomes for our patients and helping them get back to living active, pain-free lives."

Orthopaedic surgery has evolved tremendously, with technology being one of the biggest drivers of the change. Irrespective of arthritis treatments, sports injuries, or complex joint conditions, technological tools allow doctors to plan and perform procedures with a level of precision.

Precision in motion: How technology is shaping orthopaedic surgery?

Researchers confirmed on Wednesday (August 26) that endangered little brown bats can adapt to cancer-causing cell damage in a unique pattern that could inform efforts to curb the disease that claims the lives of more than 600,000 Americans annually. The findings came after an experiment using tissue samples from the creatures disclosed that the interaction led to the genes that promoted cell death instead of DNA repair when the bats’ cells were tested against lethal chemicals. “We found the literal opposite of what we expected if you treat the bats with a lethal dose of this chemical,” biologist Juan Manuel “Manny” Vazquez, an assistant professor at Penn State University and co-lead author of the related study, confirmed in a news release from the University of California, Berkeley. “The longest-lived bat in North America decides ‘I can't save this ship’ and immediately switches gears to prioritise killing off the cells that are damaged. The elephant, another cancer-resistant species that is long-lived, has the exact same strategy: if you can't save the cell, kill the cell,” he continued. The University of Vermont confirmed that analysis of the bats’ DNA revealed another secret to their longevity and good immune function.<h3>Multiple copies of immune gene</h3>The scientists have found that the animals had multiple copies of an immune gene discovered in every mammal, known as “protein kinase r,” or PRK. Generally, Mammals have one copy of the gene, suggesting to Vazquez it could be responsible for protective effects. The study’s authors also assert that the findings could be applied to human research on longevity and disease. “We can look at these bats and try to understand how, in the same way you can improve your immune system to fight off viruses, maybe you can improve your immune system so it doesn't decline in old age,” Vazquez said. “Or maybe bats can help us find ways to fight off tumours so our immune system doesn’t get tired, and that can also help us deal with other stresses of life and not exhaust our immunity.”&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/whose-buffalo-is-it-bihar-police-turn-to-dna-test-to-solve-ownership-row-1787800004479">The great buffalo mystery: Bihar Police seek DNA proof to find its real owner</a> Elise Lauterbur, an assistant professor of evolutionary biology at the University of Vermont and co-lead author of the study, explained, "Pathogen adaptation, longevity and cancer resistance- they are fundamentally linked.” That said, applying these adaptations to treat human disease remains a distant prospect. So why study bats in the first place? For their size, they're remarkably long-lived among mammals, with some species surviving for decades. (Little brown bats face endangerment mainly due to white-nose syndrome, a lethal fungal disease.) Bats also lead highly active lives, flying nightly to hunt insects. Researchers suggest this level of fitness may contribute to stronger immune function and longer lifespan — a pattern also seen in humans. “Bats have evolved this incredible fitness capacity, this incredible ability to deal with disease and this incredible ability to be able to prevent cancer,” Vazquez said. “That means that, by understanding how bats have evolved to do all these things that other mammals haven't, we can find completely new and unexpected ways of dealing with the normal things that cause human diseases.”

The scientists have found that the animals had multiple copies of an immune gene discovered in every mammal, known as “protein kinase r,” or PRK. Generally, Mammals have one copy of the gene, which could be responsible for protective effects. 

Researchers confirmed on Wednesday (August 26) that endangered little brown bats can adapt to cancer-causing cell damage in a unique pattern that could inform efforts to curb the disease that claims the lives of more than 600,000 Americans annually. The findings came after an experiment using tissue samples from the creatures disclosed that the interaction led to the genes that promoted cell death instead of DNA repair when the bats’ cells were tested against lethal chemicals. “We found the literal opposite of what we expected if you treat the bats with a lethal dose of this chemical,” biologist Juan Manuel “Manny” Vazquez, an assistant professor at Penn State University and co-lead author of the related study, confirmed in a news release from the University of California, Berkeley. “The longest-lived bat in North America decides ‘I can't save this ship’ and immediately switches gears to prioritise killing off the cells that are damaged. The elephant, another cancer-resistant species that is long-lived, has the exact same strategy: if you can't save the cell, kill the cell,” he continued. The University of Vermont confirmed that analysis of the bats’ DNA revealed another secret to their longevity and good immune function. Multiple copies of immune gene The scientists have found that the animals had multiple copies of an immune gene discovered in every mammal, known as “protein kinase r,” or PRK. Generally, Mammals have one copy of the gene, suggesting to Vazquez it could be responsible for protective effects. The study’s authors also assert that the findings could be applied to human research on longevity and disease. “We can look at these bats and try to understand how, in the same way you can improve your immune system to fight off viruses, maybe you can improve your immune system so it doesn't decline in old age,” Vazquez said. “Or maybe bats can help us find ways to fight off tumours so our immune system doesn’t get tired, and that can also help us deal with other stresses of life and not exhaust our immunity.” Also read: The great buffalo mystery: Bihar Police seek DNA proof to find its real owner Elise Lauterbur, an assistant professor of evolutionary biology at the University of Vermont and co-lead author of the study, explained, "Pathogen adaptation, longevity and cancer resistance- they are fundamentally linked.” That said, applying these adaptations to treat human disease remains a distant prospect. So why study bats in the first place? For their size, they're remarkably long-lived among mammals, with some species surviving for decades. (Little brown bats face endangerment mainly due to white-nose syndrome, a lethal fungal disease.) Bats also lead highly active lives, flying nightly to hunt insects. Researchers suggest this level of fitness may contribute to stronger immune function and longer lifespan — a pattern also seen in humans. “Bats have evolved this incredible fitness capacity, this incredible ability to deal with disease and this incredible ability to be able to prevent cancer,” Vazquez said. “That means that, by understanding how bats have evolved to do all these things that other mammals haven't, we can find completely new and unexpected ways of dealing with the normal things that cause human diseases.”

The scientists have found that the animals had multiple copies of an immune gene discovered in every mammal, known as “protein kinase r,” or PRK. Generally, Mammals have one copy of the gene, which could be responsible for protective effects.&nbsp;

Could brown bats hold the key to fighting human cancer? Scientists reveal shocking truth

Biorobotics engineers have designed six-legged Cyborg cockroaches with cameras and miniature medical injectors for search-and-rescue missions of trapped people under rubble in an earthquake or similar disaster. The insects, which are designed to deliver emergency aid to people, can track or help rescuers to reach caves or other places that are too dangerous. The “paraborgs” have been developed by University of Queensland biorobotics researchers at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) while working with biomedical engineers. UQ biorobotics engineer Thang Vo-Doan stated that their research turns the cyborg insect into a tiny first responder from a mobile sensor, while critical medical decisions remain under human control. “Cyborg insects have been designed for search and explore missions for the past couple of decades,” Vo-Doan said. “We wanted to take the next step. Once they find someone, can they actually help?” For the study, researchers outfitted a species native to far north Queensland, the giant burrowing cockroach (Macropanesthia rhinoceros), with lightweight electronic components and onboard cameras, along with custom-built, remotely triggered auto-injection systems designed specifically for the insect. “Augmenting their natural biomechanics could allow these cyborg insects to deliver timely emergency assistance when direct access to people trapped in narrow, debris-filled spaces isn’t possible,” Vo-Doan said. In proof-of-concept trials, the resulting "paraborgs" delivered injections successfully 95 per cent of the time when operating at close range (within 15cm of the target), while the full navigation-and-injection sequence succeeded in 72 per cent of attempts.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/400-year-old-vampire-grave-in-poland-reveals-rare-genetic-lineage-1787729488056">400-year-old 'vampire' grave in Poland reveals non-existent genetic lineage</a><h2>Precise positioning: The toughest engineering hurdles</h2>According to PhD candidate Hai Nhan Le, precise positioning was among the toughest engineering hurdles the team faced. Le explained that the cyborg insect must navigate to its target, position itself with accuracy, and hold steady enough to complete the injection. “A lot of people might not like the sight of a giant cockroach scurrying towards them, but if you’re trapped in rubble or stuck in a cave and need help, it could make a real difference between life and death.” The cockroaches, similar to the previous cyborg insect models of the team, are anaesthetised during electrode and microchip fitting, and live for as long as other cockroaches once the harnesses are removed. In response, the Fire and Rescue NSW Supt Tim Hassiotis stated that the technology could extend the reach of rescue teams. “If cyborg insects can safely enter spaces we can’t, locate casualties and ultimately help deliver emergency care, they could become another valuable tool in the future of urban search and rescue,” he said. Vo-Doan confirmed that the longer-term vision was to put swarms of specialised cyborg insects along with individuals performing complementary roles. “Hopefully, within the next five to 10 years, we could see cyborg insect rescue teams deployed to help people in real emergencies,” he said.

For the study, researchers outfitted a species native to far north Queensland, the giant burrowing cockroach, with lightweight electronic components and onboard cameras, including custom-built, remotely triggered auto-injection systems designed specifically for the insect.

Biorobotics engineers have designed six-legged Cyborg cockroaches with cameras and miniature medical injectors for search-and-rescue missions of trapped people under rubble in an earthquake or similar disaster. The insects, which are designed to deliver emergency aid to people, can track or help rescuers to reach caves or other places that are too dangerous. The “paraborgs” have been developed by University of Queensland biorobotics researchers at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) while working with biomedical engineers. UQ biorobotics engineer Thang Vo-Doan stated that their research turns the cyborg insect into a tiny first responder from a mobile sensor, while critical medical decisions remain under human control. “Cyborg insects have been designed for search and explore missions for the past couple of decades,” Vo-Doan said. “We wanted to take the next step. Once they find someone, can they actually help?” For the study, researchers outfitted a species native to far north Queensland, the giant burrowing cockroach (Macropanesthia rhinoceros), with lightweight electronic components and onboard cameras, along with custom-built, remotely triggered auto-injection systems designed specifically for the insect. “Augmenting their natural biomechanics could allow these cyborg insects to deliver timely emergency assistance when direct access to people trapped in narrow, debris-filled spaces isn’t possible,” Vo-Doan said. In proof-of-concept trials, the resulting "paraborgs" delivered injections successfully 95 per cent of the time when operating at close range (within 15cm of the target), while the full navigation-and-injection sequence succeeded in 72 per cent of attempts. Also read: 400-year-old 'vampire' grave in Poland reveals non-existent genetic lineage Precise positioning: The toughest engineering hurdles According to PhD candidate Hai Nhan Le, precise positioning was among the toughest engineering hurdles the team faced. Le explained that the cyborg insect must navigate to its target, position itself with accuracy, and hold steady enough to complete the injection. “A lot of people might not like the sight of a giant cockroach scurrying towards them, but if you’re trapped in rubble or stuck in a cave and need help, it could make a real difference between life and death.” The cockroaches, similar to the previous cyborg insect models of the team, are anaesthetised during electrode and microchip fitting, and live for as long as other cockroaches once the harnesses are removed. In response, the Fire and Rescue NSW Supt Tim Hassiotis stated that the technology could extend the reach of rescue teams. “If cyborg insects can safely enter spaces we can’t, locate casualties and ultimately help deliver emergency care, they could become another valuable tool in the future of urban search and rescue,” he said. Vo-Doan confirmed that the longer-term vision was to put swarms of specialised cyborg insects along with individuals performing complementary roles. “Hopefully, within the next five to 10 years, we could see cyborg insect rescue teams deployed to help people in real emergencies,” he said.

For the study, researchers outfitted a species native to far north Queensland, the giant burrowing cockroach, with lightweight electronic components and onboard cameras, including custom-built, remotely triggered auto-injection systems designed specifically for the insect.

'Paraborgs': Scientists turn cyborg cockroaches to deliver emergency aid in disaster rubble

A dramatic partial lunar eclipse on August 27 will see almost 96 per cent of the Moon hidden behind Earth's shadow. The eclipse is occurring during daytime, which means it will not be visible in India. The lunar surface will appear reddish-orange with only a sliver of it illuminated by the Sun. The lunar eclipse will be visible from North and South America, Europe and Africa. The eclipse will begin at 9:23 pm ET when the Moon enters Earth's outer shadow.<h2>Lunar eclipse timings</h2> The partial phase will occur at 10:33 p.m. ET. At this point, Earth's dark umbral shadow will start creeping across the lunar surface. The eclipse will peak at 12:12 a.m. ET, when 96.2 per cent of the Moon will be in Earth's shadow. Partiality will end at 1:51 am ET, and the penumbral eclipse will conclude at 3:01 am ET. The entire eclipse will last about five hours.<h2>Best places to see the lunar eclipse</h2> The lunar eclipse will be best visible to people in North and South America. Europeans will be able to catch the eclipse in the early morning hours of August 28. The moon will set while the partial eclipse is still going on. Londoners can catch the maximum eclipse at 5:12 am BST.&nbsp;&nbsp;In Africa, Egypt will witness about 93 per cent of the Moon covered at its peak. The penumbral phase will begin at 4:24 am local time, with the partial eclipse starting at 5:34 am. Peak visibility occurs in Cairo at around 6:29 am just as the sun rises.<h2>Watch Saturn alongside the eclipse</h2> Saturn will be close to the Moon on this night. Venus will also be visible and shine brightly soon after sunset in the southwest.<h2>Why is the eclipse moon red?</h2> The Moon appears red because of Earth's atmosphere, which filters and bends the sunlight. This phenomenon only allows red light, with the longest wavelength, to pass through the atmosphere. It refracts towards the moon, giving it a rusty orange glow.<h2>Lunar eclipse August 2026: Will it be visible from India?</h2> People in India won't be able to see the lunar eclipse since it is occurring during daytime. It will begin after sunrise at 6:53 am IST and end at 12:32 pm IST.&nbsp;

Lunar eclipse 2026: The moon will be covered by almost 96 per cent during the August 27 eclipse. It will be visible in North and South America, Europe and Africa. In India, it will start after sunrise on August 28. All details about the eclipse.

A dramatic partial lunar eclipse on August 27 will see almost 96 per cent of the Moon hidden behind Earth's shadow. The eclipse is occurring during daytime, which means it will not be visible in India. The lunar surface will appear reddish-orange with only a sliver of it illuminated by the Sun. The lunar eclipse will be visible from North and South America, Europe and Africa. The eclipse will begin at 9:23 pm ET when the Moon enters Earth's outer shadow. Lunar eclipse timings The partial phase will occur at 10:33 p.m. ET. At this point, Earth's dark umbral shadow will start creeping across the lunar surface. The eclipse will peak at 12:12 a.m. ET, when 96.2 per cent of the Moon will be in Earth's shadow. Partiality will end at 1:51 am ET, and the penumbral eclipse will conclude at 3:01 am ET. The entire eclipse will last about five hours. Best places to see the lunar eclipse The lunar eclipse will be best visible to people in North and South America. Europeans will be able to catch the eclipse in the early morning hours of August 28. The moon will set while the partial eclipse is still going on. Londoners can catch the maximum eclipse at 5:12 am BST. In Africa, Egypt will witness about 93 per cent of the Moon covered at its peak. The penumbral phase will begin at 4:24 am local time, with the partial eclipse starting at 5:34 am. Peak visibility occurs in Cairo at around 6:29 am just as the sun rises. Watch Saturn alongside the eclipse Saturn will be close to the Moon on this night. Venus will also be visible and shine brightly soon after sunset in the southwest. Why is the eclipse moon red? The Moon appears red because of Earth's atmosphere, which filters and bends the sunlight. This phenomenon only allows red light, with the longest wavelength, to pass through the atmosphere. It refracts towards the moon, giving it a rusty orange glow. Lunar eclipse August 2026: Will it be visible from India? People in India won't be able to see the lunar eclipse since it is occurring during daytime. It will begin after sunrise at 6:53 am IST and end at 12:32 pm IST.

Lunar eclipse 2026: The moon will be covered by almost 96 per cent during the August 27 eclipse. It will be visible in North and South America, Europe and Africa. In India, it will start after sunrise on August 28. All details about the eclipse.

Lunar eclipse 2026: India timings, places to see and more. August Blood moon factsheet

A team of researchers at Southern Illinois University Carbondale have come up with a strange way to end plastic pollution - turn it into edible and tasty cookies. They used specially engineered yeast for it and 3D printed the cookies out of plastic waste. The yeast breaks down components of plastic compounds and agricultural material, such as plant stalks, into proteins, fats, acids, and flavourings. Everything is combined together and fed into a 3D printer to make cookies of any shape. The project was funded by NASA’s Deep Space Food Challenge.&nbsp;The cookies were made in the shape of the Greek letter µ, lending it the name "µBites", or micro bites. The researchers are yet to taste the cookies as they are waiting for university approval. However, they are confident that the cookies are fine and tasty. “I think it has a pleasant, appealing aroma. And it will taste good, too,” Lahiru Jayakody, a microbiologist at SIU who led the research, told New Scientist.<h2>How was plastic turned into a cookie?</h2> The process depends heavily on the yeast. They used CRISPR gene-editing technology to reprogram yeast strains to eat polyethene terephthalate (PET). This is the most widely found form of plastic, present in water bottles, food packaging and clothes. First, the plastic is broken down into smaller bits through a process called oxidative hydrothermal dissolution. This makes it easier for the microbes to digest it, turning it into a slurry of proteins, fats, and acids. Fibre, starch, and sweetener are added to bring taste and body to the mixture. The 3D printer then turns it into cookies.&nbsp;<h2>Challenges and problems with the plastic-to-cookie method</h2> While the revolutionary invention could address not only the problem of plastic waste, but also food shortages, the costs attached to it make it unviable for now. According to a report by The Guardian, it will cost around $60 to produce a kilogram of cookies. Besides, there is so much plastic waste in the world, with more of it continuously adding to the current load, that 3D printing might never be a solution. "We produce 400 million tons a year of plastic waste. You’re not going to turn it all into cookies. So it’s not a solution to the plastic-waste crisis," Jason Hallett at Imperial College London told New Scientist.&nbsp;However, since NASA is involved in the project, the cookies might become a culinary option for astronauts who could one day visit distant planets like Mars.&nbsp;

A cookie made out of plastic waste is the next breakthrough in addressing pollution and may be food crisis. However, it might not be feasible given the mounds of plastic pollution. Meanwhile, it could be an option for astronauts. 

A team of researchers at Southern Illinois University Carbondale have come up with a strange way to end plastic pollution - turn it into edible and tasty cookies. They used specially engineered yeast for it and 3D printed the cookies out of plastic waste. The yeast breaks down components of plastic compounds and agricultural material, such as plant stalks, into proteins, fats, acids, and flavourings. Everything is combined together and fed into a 3D printer to make cookies of any shape. The project was funded by NASA’s Deep Space Food Challenge. The cookies were made in the shape of the Greek letter µ, lending it the name "µBites", or micro bites. The researchers are yet to taste the cookies as they are waiting for university approval. However, they are confident that the cookies are fine and tasty. “I think it has a pleasant, appealing aroma. And it will taste good, too,” Lahiru Jayakody, a microbiologist at SIU who led the research, told New Scientist. How was plastic turned into a cookie? The process depends heavily on the yeast. They used CRISPR gene-editing technology to reprogram yeast strains to eat polyethene terephthalate (PET). This is the most widely found form of plastic, present in water bottles, food packaging and clothes. First, the plastic is broken down into smaller bits through a process called oxidative hydrothermal dissolution. This makes it easier for the microbes to digest it, turning it into a slurry of proteins, fats, and acids. Fibre, starch, and sweetener are added to bring taste and body to the mixture. The 3D printer then turns it into cookies. Challenges and problems with the plastic-to-cookie method While the revolutionary invention could address not only the problem of plastic waste, but also food shortages, the costs attached to it make it unviable for now. According to a report by The Guardian, it will cost around $60 to produce a kilogram of cookies. Besides, there is so much plastic waste in the world, with more of it continuously adding to the current load, that 3D printing might never be a solution. "We produce 400 million tons a year of plastic waste. You’re not going to turn it all into cookies. So it’s not a solution to the plastic-waste crisis," Jason Hallett at Imperial College London told New Scientist. However, since NASA is involved in the project, the cookies might become a culinary option for astronauts who could one day visit distant planets like Mars.

A cookie made out of plastic waste is the next breakthrough in addressing pollution and may be food crisis. However, it might not be feasible given the mounds of plastic pollution. Meanwhile, it could be an option for astronauts.&nbsp;

Would you eat a 3D printed cookie made from plastic waste? NASA astronauts might have to

Palm oil, extracted from the fruit of oil palm trees, widely used product within the food industry of the world. Its widespread use in packaged edible items has been occasioned by properties unique to the oil that enhance product quality and shelf life. It has a very long shelf life, which does not easily become rancid due to its oxidation resistance. As a result, the oil is ideal for use in snacks that must remain fresh for a long time, such as chips, biscuits, and baked goods. In India, palm oil is a standardised edible oil permitted for use in packaged foods under food safety regulations. A week ago, Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Prataprao Jadhav also claimed that palm oil's safety is ensured through scientific assessments aligned with internationally recognised Codex Alimentarius standards. He underscored that under Sub-regulation 2.2 of the Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011, it is classified as a standardised edible fat. He further explained that palm oil is regulated under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, by FSSAI.<h3>Is palm oil healthy to consume?</h3>Palm oil is moderately healthy when eaten in small amounts; however, it is high in saturated fat, which can raise bad cholesterol. It is better than artificial trans fats, but worse for our heart than liquid plant oils like olive or canola oil. Harvard nutrition experts explained that palm oil is clearly better than high–trans fat shortenings, along with a probable better choice than butter. But it can't be a top priority to consume. Meanwhile, several health reports suggest that it is roughly 50 per cent saturated fat (specifically palmitic acid), which can clog arteries, promote inflammation, and raise heart disease risks when consumed heavily. It is widely used in cheap, ultra-processed Indian snacks, instant noodles, and fried fast foods, where excess calories, sugars, and trans fats compound overall metabolic health risks. Overall, spending on palm oil imports decreased by -5.6 per cent for all importing countries since 2021. Five years earlier, international purchases of palm oil cost $51.8 billion. The 5 biggest importers of palm oil are India, Pakistan, mainland China, the Netherlands and the United States of America. From a continental perspective, Asian countries imported the highest dollar value of palm oil during 2025, with purchases valued at $28.2 billion or almost three-fifths (57.8 per cent) of the global total. In second place were importers based in Europe at 17 per cent, while another 16.8 per cent of palm oil imported worldwide was delivered to buyers in Africa.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="IIT Delhi alumna builds battery-powered refrigeration system, cuts cold-chain costs by 75%">IIT Delhi alumna builds battery-powered refrigeration system, cuts cold-chain costs by 75%</a><h3>Why is palm oil preferred most?</h3>Palm oil is widely used in packaged snacks because of its long shelf life, neutral taste, affordability and versatility. Its resistance to oxidation helps prevent rancidity, allowing products such as chips, biscuits and baked goods to stay fresh for longer. Since it has a mild, neutral flavour, it does not overpower the natural taste of snacks. Palm oil is also economical due to its high yield and relatively low production costs. Its semi-solid texture helps provide desirable qualities such as crispness, fluffiness and smooth fillings while maintaining consistency during storage. Its antioxidant properties can further slow spoilage and reduce the need for artificial preservatives. With a high smoke point, palm oil is well suited for deep-frying snacks. Its widespread availability, particularly from Indonesia and Malaysia, also supports large-scale production. Certified sustainable palm oil offers manufacturers an option to address growing environmental and ethical concerns.<h3>What do experts think about palm oil?</h3>Sumit Roy, Deputy General Manager, Solidaridad Asia, said, "Palm oil presents quite unique properties because of its natural composition: semi-solid at room temperature. It can be divided into lower-melting olein and higher-melting stearin. The stearin provides a hard nature and is used in biscuits, cream filling, or bakery items without relying on partial hydrogenation. Palm-derived fats also have strong oxidative stability, which helps fried or baked products retain texture during distribution and storage." "Greater oxidative stability reduces quality loss during storage, which is particularly important in India’s warm climate and long distribution chains. Refined palm olein has a high smoke point and can withstand repeated industrial frying better than many more polyunsaturated oils, which oxidise more readily," he added. Roy claimed that the health concern regarding palm oil is over hyped and lacks substance. He noted that India’s Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare has already highlighted that palm oil, which is a fully standardised item permitted to use under national food safety regulations, meets strict safety standards based on comprehensive scientific evaluations.&nbsp;Alka Srivastava, Director, Swad &amp; Masala Food and Beverages Pvt Ltd., also said that palm oil is used in packaged foods on a large scale as it is affordable, stable, and helps products stay fresh for longer. However, Alka warned that excessive consumption can be a concern as it is high in saturated fat, which may raise LDL (“bad”) cholesterol and increase the risk of heart disease.&nbsp;“It can also contribute to an unhealthy diet when consumed frequently through highly processed foods. In my opinion, instead of completely demonising palm oil, the focus should be on moderation, transparent labelling, and healthier alternatives. Consumers should be more aware of what goes into the packaged foods they consume every day,” Srivastava added.<h3>Higher LDL cholesterol and cardiovascular risk</h3>Sonali Saxena, Sr. Clinical Nutritionist &amp; Diabetes Educator, The Women’s Hospital, said, "Palm oil has become a common ingredient in packaged foods because of its affordability, stability and ability to improve texture and shelf life. Its scale of use in India is significant, with palm oil accounting for about &nbsp;59% of the country’s edible-oil imports, according to the Department of Food &amp; Public Distribution. Palm oil is relatively high in saturated fat, and diets consistently high in saturated fat can contribute to higher LDL cholesterol and cardiovascular risk. For women, the larger conversation should be about building a sustainable pattern of eating around whole grains, vegetables, fruits, pulses, nuts and other nutrient-dense foods, while reducing dependence on highly processed foods. As per Sonali Saxena, Senior Clinical Nutritionist and Diabetes Educator from TWH hospital, "Learn to read nutritional labels and try to avoid food containing palm oil. You can prefer healthy snacks prepared at home, such as roasted makhana or prefer to eat whole fruits or prefer homemade kala chana chaat or sprouts salads for everyday eating."&nbsp;Dr Jatinder Singh Bhogal, Sr. Consultant - Gastroentrology&amp;Heptatology, Kailash Deepak Hospital, said, "Palm oil is widely used in packaged foods mainly because it is affordable, easily available, and has a long shelf life. It is also quite stable at high temperatures and gives foods the texture and consistency manufacturers are looking for. That is why it is commonly found in products such as biscuits, chips, baked foods and packaged snacks. From a health perspective, the main concern is its relatively high saturated fat content, particularly palmitic acid. Consuming too much saturated fat on a regular basis can increase LDL, or “bad” cholesterol, which over time may contribute to cardiovascular risk. However, it is important to look at the overall diet rather than palm oil in isolation." "The bigger concern is often frequent consumption of packaged and ultra-processed foods, which can also be high in calories, refined carbohydrates, sodium and saturated fats. So, it is less about avoiding palm oil completely and more about how much and how often we consume foods containing it. An occasional serving is very different from making such foods a regular part of the diet. Ideally, consumers should focus on a balanced diet and choose foods with healthier unsaturated fats wherever possible," Bhogal added. Dr Sachin Trivedi, Director Medical Oncology, HCG Cancer Hospital, Colaba, also claimed, "Due to its low cost, high-temperature stability, long shelf life, and favourable texture properties, palm oil finds extensive application in the packaging of food products. However, its consumption can lead to an increased intake of saturated fats and thus affect heart health." Trivedi noted that there is currently no clear evidence establishing a direct link between palm oil consumption and cancer. He said the greater concern is the consumption of highly processed foods that may contain excessive levels of saturated fats, sugar, salt and calories. People undergoing cancer treatment or those who have completed treatment should therefore focus on maintaining a balanced diet rather than eliminating any particular ingredient. He advised consumers to check the nutrition labels of food products and assess their overall nutritional content. He recommended prioritising fresh or minimally processed foods, along with adequate portions of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and protein-rich foods.

Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Prataprao Jadhav also claimed that palm oil's safety is ensured through scientific assessments aligned with internationally recognised Codex Alimentarius standards.

Palm oil, extracted from the fruit of oil palm trees, widely used product within the food industry of the world. Its widespread use in packaged edible items has been occasioned by properties unique to the oil that enhance product quality and shelf life. It has a very long shelf life, which does not easily become rancid due to its oxidation resistance. As a result, the oil is ideal for use in snacks that must remain fresh for a long time, such as chips, biscuits, and baked goods. In India, palm oil is a standardised edible oil permitted for use in packaged foods under food safety regulations. A week ago, Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Prataprao Jadhav also claimed that palm oil's safety is ensured through scientific assessments aligned with internationally recognised Codex Alimentarius standards. He underscored that under Sub-regulation 2.2 of the Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011, it is classified as a standardised edible fat. He further explained that palm oil is regulated under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, by FSSAI. Is palm oil healthy to consume? Palm oil is moderately healthy when eaten in small amounts; however, it is high in saturated fat, which can raise bad cholesterol. It is better than artificial trans fats, but worse for our heart than liquid plant oils like olive or canola oil. Harvard nutrition experts explained that palm oil is clearly better than high–trans fat shortenings, along with a probable better choice than butter. But it can't be a top priority to consume. Meanwhile, several health reports suggest that it is roughly 50 per cent saturated fat (specifically palmitic acid), which can clog arteries, promote inflammation, and raise heart disease risks when consumed heavily. It is widely used in cheap, ultra-processed Indian snacks, instant noodles, and fried fast foods, where excess calories, sugars, and trans fats compound overall metabolic health risks. Overall, spending on palm oil imports decreased by -5.6 per cent for all importing countries since 2021. Five years earlier, international purchases of palm oil cost $51.8 billion. The 5 biggest importers of palm oil are India, Pakistan, mainland China, the Netherlands and the United States of America. From a continental perspective, Asian countries imported the highest dollar value of palm oil during 2025, with purchases valued at $28.2 billion or almost three-fifths (57.8 per cent) of the global total. In second place were importers based in Europe at 17 per cent, while another 16.8 per cent of palm oil imported worldwide was delivered to buyers in Africa. Also read: IIT Delhi alumna builds battery-powered refrigeration system, cuts cold-chain costs by 75% Why is palm oil preferred most? Palm oil is widely used in packaged snacks because of its long shelf life, neutral taste, affordability and versatility. Its resistance to oxidation helps prevent rancidity, allowing products such as chips, biscuits and baked goods to stay fresh for longer. Since it has a mild, neutral flavour, it does not overpower the natural taste of snacks. Palm oil is also economical due to its high yield and relatively low production costs. Its semi-solid texture helps provide desirable qualities such as crispness, fluffiness and smooth fillings while maintaining consistency during storage. Its antioxidant properties can further slow spoilage and reduce the need for artificial preservatives. With a high smoke point, palm oil is well suited for deep-frying snacks. Its widespread availability, particularly from Indonesia and Malaysia, also supports large-scale production. Certified sustainable palm oil offers manufacturers an option to address growing environmental and ethical concerns. What do experts think about palm oil? Sumit Roy, Deputy General Manager, Solidaridad Asia, said, "Palm oil presents quite unique properties because of its natural composition: semi-solid at room temperature. It can be divided into lower-melting olein and higher-melting stearin. The stearin provides a hard nature and is used in biscuits, cream filling, or bakery items without relying on partial hydrogenation. Palm-derived fats also have strong oxidative stability, which helps fried or baked products retain texture during distribution and storage." "Greater oxidative stability reduces quality loss during storage, which is particularly important in India’s warm climate and long distribution chains. Refined palm olein has a high smoke point and can withstand repeated industrial frying better than many more polyunsaturated oils, which oxidise more readily," he added. Roy claimed that the health concern regarding palm oil is over hyped and lacks substance. He noted that India’s Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare has already highlighted that palm oil, which is a fully standardised item permitted to use under national food safety regulations, meets strict safety standards based on comprehensive scientific evaluations. Alka Srivastava, Director, Swad & Masala Food and Beverages Pvt Ltd., also said that palm oil is used in packaged foods on a large scale as it is affordable, stable, and helps products stay fresh for longer. However, Alka warned that excessive consumption can be a concern as it is high in saturated fat, which may raise LDL (“bad”) cholesterol and increase the risk of heart disease. “It can also contribute to an unhealthy diet when consumed frequently through highly processed foods. In my opinion, instead of completely demonising palm oil, the focus should be on moderation, transparent labelling, and healthier alternatives. Consumers should be more aware of what goes into the packaged foods they consume every day,” Srivastava added. Higher LDL cholesterol and cardiovascular risk Sonali Saxena, Sr. Clinical Nutritionist & Diabetes Educator, The Women’s Hospital, said, "Palm oil has become a common ingredient in packaged foods because of its affordability, stability and ability to improve texture and shelf life. Its scale of use in India is significant, with palm oil accounting for about 59% of the country’s edible-oil imports, according to the Department of Food & Public Distribution. Palm oil is relatively high in saturated fat, and diets consistently high in saturated fat can contribute to higher LDL cholesterol and cardiovascular risk. For women, the larger conversation should be about building a sustainable pattern of eating around whole grains, vegetables, fruits, pulses, nuts and other nutrient-dense foods, while reducing dependence on highly processed foods. As per Sonali Saxena, Senior Clinical Nutritionist and Diabetes Educator from TWH hospital, "Learn to read nutritional labels and try to avoid food containing palm oil. You can prefer healthy snacks prepared at home, such as roasted makhana or prefer to eat whole fruits or prefer homemade kala chana chaat or sprouts salads for everyday eating." Dr Jatinder Singh Bhogal, Sr. Consultant - Gastroentrology&Heptatology, Kailash Deepak Hospital, said, "Palm oil is widely used in packaged foods mainly because it is affordable, easily available, and has a long shelf life. It is also quite stable at high temperatures and gives foods the texture and consistency manufacturers are looking for. That is why it is commonly found in products such as biscuits, chips, baked foods and packaged snacks. From a health perspective, the main concern is its relatively high saturated fat content, particularly palmitic acid. Consuming too much saturated fat on a regular basis can increase LDL, or “bad” cholesterol, which over time may contribute to cardiovascular risk. However, it is important to look at the overall diet rather than palm oil in isolation." "The bigger concern is often frequent consumption of packaged and ultra-processed foods, which can also be high in calories, refined carbohydrates, sodium and saturated fats. So, it is less about avoiding palm oil completely and more about how much and how often we consume foods containing it. An occasional serving is very different from making such foods a regular part of the diet. Ideally, consumers should focus on a balanced diet and choose foods with healthier unsaturated fats wherever possible," Bhogal added. Dr Sachin Trivedi, Director Medical Oncology, HCG Cancer Hospital, Colaba, also claimed, "Due to its low cost, high-temperature stability, long shelf life, and favourable texture properties, palm oil finds extensive application in the packaging of food products. However, its consumption can lead to an increased intake of saturated fats and thus affect heart health." Trivedi noted that there is currently no clear evidence establishing a direct link between palm oil consumption and cancer. He said the greater concern is the consumption of highly processed foods that may contain excessive levels of saturated fats, sugar, salt and calories. People undergoing cancer treatment or those who have completed treatment should therefore focus on maintaining a balanced diet rather than eliminating any particular ingredient. He advised consumers to check the nutrition labels of food products and assess their overall nutritional content. He recommended prioritising fresh or minimally processed foods, along with adequate portions of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and protein-rich foods.

Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Prataprao Jadhav also claimed that palm oil's safety is ensured through scientific assessments aligned with internationally recognised Codex Alimentarius standards.

Why is palm oil used in so many packaged foods and is it safe to eat? Here’s what experts say

Palaeontologists have uncovered evidence of a remarkably rich marine ecosystem that existed in what is now Egypt’s desert millions of years ago, identifying teeth from seven shark species in rocks formed from an ancient seabed. The fossils were found on the Abu-Tartur Plateau in Egypt’s Western Desert, within the phosphate-rich Duwi Formation. The area was once part of a shallow sea that covered large parts of northern Africa during the Cretaceous period, between about 145 million and 66 million years ago.The study, led by palaeontologist Tarek Yassin of Cairo University, was published in the journal Cretaceous Research under the title describing the shark assemblage from the Duwi Formation at Abu-Tartur.Researchers examined 14 previously unreported shark teeth and identified five species that had not been recorded from Abu-Tartur before: Cretalamna cf. maroccana, Scapanorhynchus cf. raphiodon, Serratolamna cf. serrata, Squalicorax bassanii and Squalicorax pristodontus. Two of them, Serratolamna cf. serrata and Squalicorax bassanii, are also new records for Egypt.One discovery was particularly significant. The needle-like teeth of Scapanorhynchus cf. raphiodon may represent the first known occurrence of the species in Africa and could be its youngest known fossil record, according to the researchers.The findings point to a highly productive marine environment, likely fuelled by ocean upwelling that brought nutrient-rich deep water toward the surface. This would have supported plankton, fish and invertebrates, creating a food web capable of sustaining several large shark predators.The researchers cautioned that the fossils do not prove all seven species lived in the area simultaneously. Limited sediment accumulation meant the phosphate deposits condensed remains from different periods and ecological settings.“The presence of Squalicorax could suggest an input from nearshore/inner shelf settings, while the occurrence of Scapanorhynchus reflects deeper-water conditions on the outer shelf and slope,” the researchers wrote.

Scientists have uncovered a 100-million-year-old shark graveyard in Egypt’s desert, with teeth from seven species revealing a once-thriving marine ecosystem along northern Africa.

Palaeontologists have uncovered evidence of a remarkably rich marine ecosystem that existed in what is now Egypt’s desert millions of years ago, identifying teeth from seven shark species in rocks formed from an ancient seabed. The fossils were found on the Abu-Tartur Plateau in Egypt’s Western Desert, within the phosphate-rich Duwi Formation. The area was once part of a shallow sea that covered large parts of northern Africa during the Cretaceous period, between about 145 million and 66 million years ago. The study, led by palaeontologist Tarek Yassin of Cairo University, was published in the journal Cretaceous Research under the title describing the shark assemblage from the Duwi Formation at Abu-Tartur. Researchers examined 14 previously unreported shark teeth and identified five species that had not been recorded from Abu-Tartur before: Cretalamna cf. maroccana, Scapanorhynchus cf. raphiodon, Serratolamna cf. serrata, Squalicorax bassanii and Squalicorax pristodontus. Two of them, Serratolamna cf. serrata and Squalicorax bassanii, are also new records for Egypt. One discovery was particularly significant. The needle-like teeth of Scapanorhynchus cf. raphiodon may represent the first known occurrence of the species in Africa and could be its youngest known fossil record, according to the researchers. The findings point to a highly productive marine environment, likely fuelled by ocean upwelling that brought nutrient-rich deep water toward the surface. This would have supported plankton, fish and invertebrates, creating a food web capable of sustaining several large shark predators. The researchers cautioned that the fossils do not prove all seven species lived in the area simultaneously. Limited sediment accumulation meant the phosphate deposits condensed remains from different periods and ecological settings. “The presence of Squalicorax could suggest an input from nearshore/inner shelf settings, while the occurrence of Scapanorhynchus reflects deeper-water conditions on the outer shelf and slope,” the researchers wrote.

Scientists have uncovered a 100-million-year-old shark graveyard in Egypt’s desert, with teeth from seven species revealing a once-thriving marine ecosystem along northern Africa.

Was Egypt’s desert once a shark-filled sea? Scientists uncover ancient ‘graveyard’

In one of the most shocking discoveries in the universe, scientists have found a galaxy with not one, not two, but three supermassive black holes. Typically, they are believed to exist at the centre of their home galaxy. Earlier this year, astronomers from the Max Planck Institute for Radio Astronomy announced that they had found a galaxy with a pair of supermassive black holes. That itself was a huge finding, and was the first time a pair had been seen in one galaxy. Now astronomers from the Max Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics have stumbled upon a galaxy with three supermassive black holes.&nbsp;Hannah Übler, lead author of the study, said, "This is the first evidence of three active black holes in a single galaxy in the distant universe." The findings were published in the journal Astronomy &amp; Astrophysics on August 12, 2026.<h2>Two of them will collide, the third is located on the fringes of the galaxy</h2>Two of these supermassive black holes are located at the heart of the galaxy, while the third one is sitting on the outskirts. The biggest one of them is equivalent to 80 million Suns and is one of the two at the centre. The second one near it is only 620 light-years away from it and has a solar mass of just 600,000. The third supermassive black hole is about 5,500 light-years from the centre and two million times the mass of our Sun. Surprisingly, the smallest is the hungriest of the three and on a merger course with the biggest one, which will happen in the next few hundred million years.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/extreme-orbit-of-a-star-moving-at-25-000-kmps-drags-into-spacetime-near-sagittarius-a-1787214140427">Extreme orbit of a star moving at 25,000 kmps drags into spacetime near Sagittarius A*</a>&nbsp;The galaxy is J0148-4214 and 12.5 billion light-years from us. This means what scientists on Earth are seeing existed only about 1.2 billion years after the Big Bang. What else is surprising is that none of them is quiet, and all three are accreting and consuming material. Almost every other black hole sitting at the centre of any galaxy, including the Milky Way, is relatively quiet.<h2>JWST helped identify three separate black holes</h2>The discovery was made by using the James Webb Space Telescope’s NIRSpec instrument, which examined the galaxy’s spectral signature. It broke down the wavelengths of light, which allowed them to see hydrogen moving at high speed. In the absence of this tool, they would have spotted only one black hole. "The JWST data allowed us not only to identify the three black holes, but also to estimate their masses, accretion rates, and the stellar mass of the galaxy," Co-author Giovanni Mazzolari said.&nbsp;The researchers say these older black holes can reveal how the universe grew. Hannah added, the finding shows that the early universe was capable of bringing massive black holes together and creating a scenario where they could merge, a process scientists have long believed is how supermassive black holes form.

After finding a galaxy with two supermassive black holes, astronomers have now spotted a galaxy with three supermassive black holes. This is the first time such a discovery has been made, just like the pair that was seen earlier this year.

In one of the most shocking discoveries in the universe, scientists have found a galaxy with not one, not two, but three supermassive black holes. Typically, they are believed to exist at the centre of their home galaxy. Earlier this year, astronomers from the Max Planck Institute for Radio Astronomy announced that they had found a galaxy with a pair of supermassive black holes. That itself was a huge finding, and was the first time a pair had been seen in one galaxy. Now astronomers from the Max Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics have stumbled upon a galaxy with three supermassive black holes. Hannah Übler, lead author of the study, said, "This is the first evidence of three active black holes in a single galaxy in the distant universe." The findings were published in the journal Astronomy & Astrophysics on August 12, 2026. Two of them will collide, the third is located on the fringes of the galaxy Two of these supermassive black holes are located at the heart of the galaxy, while the third one is sitting on the outskirts. The biggest one of them is equivalent to 80 million Suns and is one of the two at the centre. The second one near it is only 620 light-years away from it and has a solar mass of just 600,000. The third supermassive black hole is about 5,500 light-years from the centre and two million times the mass of our Sun. Surprisingly, the smallest is the hungriest of the three and on a merger course with the biggest one, which will happen in the next few hundred million years. Also Read: Extreme orbit of a star moving at 25,000 kmps drags into spacetime near Sagittarius A* The galaxy is J0148-4214 and 12.5 billion light-years from us. This means what scientists on Earth are seeing existed only about 1.2 billion years after the Big Bang. What else is surprising is that none of them is quiet, and all three are accreting and consuming material. Almost every other black hole sitting at the centre of any galaxy, including the Milky Way, is relatively quiet. JWST helped identify three separate black holes The discovery was made by using the James Webb Space Telescope’s NIRSpec instrument, which examined the galaxy’s spectral signature. It broke down the wavelengths of light, which allowed them to see hydrogen moving at high speed. In the absence of this tool, they would have spotted only one black hole. "The JWST data allowed us not only to identify the three black holes, but also to estimate their masses, accretion rates, and the stellar mass of the galaxy," Co-author Giovanni Mazzolari said. The researchers say these older black holes can reveal how the universe grew. Hannah added, the finding shows that the early universe was capable of bringing massive black holes together and creating a scenario where they could merge, a process scientists have long believed is how supermassive black holes form.

After finding a galaxy with two supermassive black holes, astronomers have now spotted a galaxy with three supermassive black holes. This is the first time such a discovery has been made, just like the pair that was seen earlier this year.

Universe delivers a banger as scientists find galaxy with 3 supermassive black holes

A team of Indian geologists has found our planet's earliest lifeforms that lived and died 3.5 billion years ago. Geologist Trisrota Chaudhuri of the Geological Survey of India and her team discovered the remnants of an ancient microbial community and directly dated the material for the first time. Chaudhuri said that, since well-preserved biological material and datable zircons were present in the same rock, an extremely rare occurrence, they were able to directly link the age of the rock and the evidence of life. Chaudhuri collaborated with scientists in Europe and the US for her analysis, and the study has been published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.&nbsp;Finding the earliest organisms that inhabited Earth has proved to be extremely difficult since any signs of them have changed over billions of years. But sometimes conditions lead the traces of dead microbes to be preserved inside silica. They sit there as thin layers of carbon and are not affected even when the rock is bearing the brunt of heat and pressure, causing changes in it.<h2>The discovery was made near Jamshedpur in Jharkhand</h2>&nbsp; Chaudhuri and her team made the discovery at the Singhbhum Craton, one of Earth's oldest surviving blocks of continental crust. Some rocks in Singhbhum are 3.5 billion years old. A set of black-and-white patterns was embedded in the ancient rock near Bhitardari, Jamshedpur, in the state of Jharkhand. The researchers said that these bands are remnants of microbial mats, fossilised remains in which single-celled organisms resided. "&nbsp;<h2>Studying the carbon in the rock</h2> She said that the chemical signatures preserved in this rock suggest that life forms were already using sophisticated ways of turning carbon dioxide into organic matter 3.5 billion years ago. This carbonaceous layer could have come from non-biological processes, such as volcanism, or could belong to something that lived all those years ago. To determine exactly which argument was true, they used Raman spectroscopy. They used a laser to light up the carbon, enabling them to study its structure to learn about when it formed and the alterations it went through over the years.&nbsp;For it to be from an organism that was once alive, they had to establish that the carbon was indigenous to the rock and did not come from another geological event. The maximum temperature endured by the carbon was between 324 and 369 degrees Celsius, while the later veins of quartz had been heated at much higher temperatures. The cooler layers showed that the carbon was part of the original rock.&nbsp;<h2>Why the discovery matters</h2> To find the age of the material, researchers analysed eight zircon crystals. To know when the zircon was formed, scientists looked at the ratio of uranium to lead in a zircon sample. While four crystals had undergone several changes, the other four revealed the true age, dating them back to around 3.5 billion years ago. "What we find most remarkable is that our study again confirms that primitive life thrived in a chemically extreme world 3.5 billion years ago. These microorganisms lived alongside active volcanism, in an ocean rich in iron and silica," Chaudhuri told ScienceAlert. &nbsp;

A team of Indian geologists have discovered the earliest life forms fossilised in the rocks of Jharkhand. They are dated to be 3.5 billion years old and were found in the Singhbhum Craton, one of Earth's oldest surviving blocks of continental crust.

A team of Indian geologists has found our planet's earliest lifeforms that lived and died 3.5 billion years ago. Geologist Trisrota Chaudhuri of the Geological Survey of India and her team discovered the remnants of an ancient microbial community and directly dated the material for the first time. Chaudhuri said that, since well-preserved biological material and datable zircons were present in the same rock, an extremely rare occurrence, they were able to directly link the age of the rock and the evidence of life. Chaudhuri collaborated with scientists in Europe and the US for her analysis, and the study has been published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Finding the earliest organisms that inhabited Earth has proved to be extremely difficult since any signs of them have changed over billions of years. But sometimes conditions lead the traces of dead microbes to be preserved inside silica. They sit there as thin layers of carbon and are not affected even when the rock is bearing the brunt of heat and pressure, causing changes in it. The discovery was made near Jamshedpur in Jharkhand Chaudhuri and her team made the discovery at the Singhbhum Craton, one of Earth's oldest surviving blocks of continental crust. Some rocks in Singhbhum are 3.5 billion years old. A set of black-and-white patterns was embedded in the ancient rock near Bhitardari, Jamshedpur, in the state of Jharkhand. The researchers said that these bands are remnants of microbial mats, fossilised remains in which single-celled organisms resided. " Studying the carbon in the rock She said that the chemical signatures preserved in this rock suggest that life forms were already using sophisticated ways of turning carbon dioxide into organic matter 3.5 billion years ago. This carbonaceous layer could have come from non-biological processes, such as volcanism, or could belong to something that lived all those years ago. To determine exactly which argument was true, they used Raman spectroscopy. They used a laser to light up the carbon, enabling them to study its structure to learn about when it formed and the alterations it went through over the years. For it to be from an organism that was once alive, they had to establish that the carbon was indigenous to the rock and did not come from another geological event. The maximum temperature endured by the carbon was between 324 and 369 degrees Celsius, while the later veins of quartz had been heated at much higher temperatures. The cooler layers showed that the carbon was part of the original rock. Why the discovery matters To find the age of the material, researchers analysed eight zircon crystals. To know when the zircon was formed, scientists looked at the ratio of uranium to lead in a zircon sample. While four crystals had undergone several changes, the other four revealed the true age, dating them back to around 3.5 billion years ago. "What we find most remarkable is that our study again confirms that primitive life thrived in a chemically extreme world 3.5 billion years ago. These microorganisms lived alongside active volcanism, in an ocean rich in iron and silica," Chaudhuri told ScienceAlert.

A team of Indian geologists have discovered the earliest life forms fossilised in the rocks of Jharkhand. They are dated to be 3.5 billion years old and were found in the Singhbhum Craton, one of Earth's oldest surviving blocks of continental crust.

Indian geologist finds 3.5bn-year-old evidence of life in the rocks of Jharkhand

US President Donald Trump on Thursday (Aug 20) signed a memorandum aimed at dramatically expanding America's commercial space industry, setting a target of at least 1,000 space launches and re-entries every year by 2030.The proposed expansion would mark a major jump from the 178 launches recorded last year. That figure was already around 10 times higher than the number recorded in 2013, with Elon Musk's SpaceX accounting for much of the recent growth.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-announces-crushing-economic-campaign-against-iran-threatens-allies-with-tremendous-penalties-1787186991774">Trump announces ‘crushing’ economic campaign against Iran, threatens allies with ‘tremendous’ penalties</a><h2>Government land eyed for new launch sites</h2>The memorandum directs federal agencies to identify government-owned land that could be used for future commercial launch and re-entry sites.Trump has given officials 90 days to identify a new federal re-entry site. Agencies have also been instructed to designate priority airspace for key launch corridors and incorporate space transportation into broader air traffic control modernisation efforts.The administration wants government agencies to work more closely with private companies on space transportation infrastructure while speeding up permitting and environmental reviews.Officials have also been asked to ensure sufficient wireless spectrum is available for launch operations.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/america-s-debt-hits-a-staggering-40-trillion-is-the-us-heading-for-a-crisis-1787187559842">America's debt hits a staggering $40 trillion for the first time. Is the US heading for a crisis?</a><h2>Moon missions remain a priority</h2>The new policy also puts America's return to the Moon at the centre of the administration's space ambitions.Trump wants US astronauts back on the lunar surface by 2028, while directing NASA to support commercial transportation to the Moon and robotic missions to Mars.The administration also wants NASA to explore commercial options for eventually sending humans to Mars.Michael Kratsios, director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, described the policy as a "commercial-first approach".He said it would support having Americans on the Moon by 2028 and initial elements of a Moon base by 2030, alongside stronger launch capabilities for national security.Trump's latest space push comes after lawmakers put renewed emphasis on NASA's Artemis Moon programme, despite the president's earlier focus on Mars missions. The memorandum also directs federal agencies to consider, on a case-by-case basis, requests to launch commercial foreign space vehicles from US territory.

Trump has set an extraordinary new target for America's space industry: 1,000 launches and re-entries every year by 2030. With the US recording just 178 launches last year, the White House is betting heavily on private companies to transform the country's space ambitions.

US President Donald Trump on Thursday (Aug 20) signed a memorandum aimed at dramatically expanding America's commercial space industry, setting a target of at least 1,000 space launches and re-entries every year by 2030. The proposed expansion would mark a major jump from the 178 launches recorded last year. That figure was already around 10 times higher than the number recorded in 2013, with Elon Musk's SpaceX accounting for much of the recent growth. Also read | Trump announces ‘crushing’ economic campaign against Iran, threatens allies with ‘tremendous’ penalties Government land eyed for new launch sites The memorandum directs federal agencies to identify government-owned land that could be used for future commercial launch and re-entry sites. Trump has given officials 90 days to identify a new federal re-entry site. Agencies have also been instructed to designate priority airspace for key launch corridors and incorporate space transportation into broader air traffic control modernisation efforts. The administration wants government agencies to work more closely with private companies on space transportation infrastructure while speeding up permitting and environmental reviews. Officials have also been asked to ensure sufficient wireless spectrum is available for launch operations. Also read | America's debt hits a staggering $40 trillion for the first time. Is the US heading for a crisis? Moon missions remain a priority The new policy also puts America's return to the Moon at the centre of the administration's space ambitions. Trump wants US astronauts back on the lunar surface by 2028, while directing NASA to support commercial transportation to the Moon and robotic missions to Mars. The administration also wants NASA to explore commercial options for eventually sending humans to Mars. Michael Kratsios, director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, described the policy as a "commercial-first approach". He said it would support having Americans on the Moon by 2028 and initial elements of a Moon base by 2030, alongside stronger launch capabilities for national security. Trump's latest space push comes after lawmakers put renewed emphasis on NASA's Artemis Moon programme, despite the president's earlier focus on Mars missions. The memorandum also directs federal agencies to consider, on a case-by-case basis, requests to launch commercial foreign space vehicles from US territory.

Trump has set an extraordinary new target for America's space industry: 1,000 launches and re-entries every year by 2030. With the US recording just 178 launches last year, the White House is betting heavily on private companies to transform the country's space ambitions.

Trump wants US astronauts back on the lunar surface by 2028; signs 'commercial-first' executive order on space launches

Delhi's pollution is not Delhi's alone; only about 28 per cent of NCR PM2.5 is estimated to come from local sources. A new Centre for Study of Science, Technology and Policy (CSTEP) report argues that roughly one-third of pollutants come from other Indo-Gangetic Plain states, and another third from neighbouring countries. It argues that coordinated action on household fuel use, industry, transport, waste and farm burning could cut PM2.5 levels more effectively than isolated city-level measures. It claims that pollution could not be solved by individual cities acting alone; states across the region must coordinate their policies.The study, “Beyond State Boundaries: Quantifying Interstate Air Pollution Transport and Sectoral Solutions in the Indo-Gangetic Plain”, identifies residential emissions, including the use of solid fuels for cooking and heating, as the largest local contributor, followed by industry, natural and agricultural sources, transport and open burning.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/tarique-rahman-india-visit-brics-summit-slim-bangladesh-1787245636793">‘Slim’ chances of Tarique Rahman’s India visit for BRICS Summit without ‘dignified invitation’</a>The report says that winter air pollution is driven by a combination of emissions and meteorological conditions such as low wind speeds, shallow boundary layers and temperature inversions, which trap pollutants closer to the ground. Crop-residue burning sharply worsens post-monsoon air quality, but a 50 per cent cut in Punjab and Haryana burning delivers about a 5 per cent PM2.5 reduction in Punjab during October-November.CSTEP argues that isolated action by one city, state or sector will produce limited gains. In its combined modelling scenario- 50 per cent cuts in residential, transport, energy, industrial and agricultural-waste-burning emissions, plus a 90 per cent reduction in waste emissions-annual PM2.5 levels fell by about 23 per cent in the NCR, from 67.9 to 52.3 µg per cubic meter. In Punjab, they fell by about 20 per cent, from 77.8 to 62.2 µg per cubic meter.The report recommends an airshed-based approach for the wider Indo-Gangetic Plain. This would involve establishing a Commission for Air Quality Management in the National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas (CAQM), shared regional pollution-reduction targets, aligned enforcement timelines, a common approved-fuel list, coordinated policies on vehicle scrappage and electric vehicles, stronger industrial monitoring, satellite-based tracking of fires, and a high-resolution national emissions inventory.&nbsp;

A CSTEP study says only about 28 per cent of NCR PM2.5 comes from local sources, highlighting the need for coordinated pollution control across the Indo-Gangetic Plain.

Delhi's pollution is not Delhi's alone; only about 28 per cent of NCR PM2.5 is estimated to come from local sources. A new Centre for Study of Science, Technology and Policy (CSTEP) report argues that roughly one-third of pollutants come from other Indo-Gangetic Plain states, and another third from neighbouring countries. It argues that coordinated action on household fuel use, industry, transport, waste and farm burning could cut PM2.5 levels more effectively than isolated city-level measures. It claims that pollution could not be solved by individual cities acting alone; states across the region must coordinate their policies. The study, “Beyond State Boundaries: Quantifying Interstate Air Pollution Transport and Sectoral Solutions in the Indo-Gangetic Plain”, identifies residential emissions, including the use of solid fuels for cooking and heating, as the largest local contributor, followed by industry, natural and agricultural sources, transport and open burning. Also Read: ‘Slim’ chances of Tarique Rahman’s India visit for BRICS Summit without ‘dignified invitation’ The report says that winter air pollution is driven by a combination of emissions and meteorological conditions such as low wind speeds, shallow boundary layers and temperature inversions, which trap pollutants closer to the ground. Crop-residue burning sharply worsens post-monsoon air quality, but a 50 per cent cut in Punjab and Haryana burning delivers about a 5 per cent PM2.5 reduction in Punjab during October-November. CSTEP argues that isolated action by one city, state or sector will produce limited gains. In its combined modelling scenario- 50 per cent cuts in residential, transport, energy, industrial and agricultural-waste-burning emissions, plus a 90 per cent reduction in waste emissions-annual PM2.5 levels fell by about 23 per cent in the NCR, from 67.9 to 52.3 µg per cubic meter. In Punjab, they fell by about 20 per cent, from 77.8 to 62.2 µg per cubic meter. The report recommends an airshed-based approach for the wider Indo-Gangetic Plain. This would involve establishing a Commission for Air Quality Management in the National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas (CAQM), shared regional pollution-reduction targets, aligned enforcement timelines, a common approved-fuel list, coordinated policies on vehicle scrappage and electric vehicles, stronger industrial monitoring, satellite-based tracking of fires, and a high-resolution national emissions inventory.

A CSTEP study says only about 28 per cent of NCR PM2.5 comes from local sources, highlighting the need for coordinated pollution control across the Indo-Gangetic Plain.

Delhi pollution not a city-only problem: 72% of NCR PM2.5 linked to sources beyond local emissions, study finds

Elon Musk’s Starlink has reportedly renewed its push to enter India’s satellite communications market, submitting a fresh application to the Indian space regulator for its next-generation satellite constellation.According to the Economic Times, the application seeks authorisation for Starlink’s Gen 2 constellation, which would operate in low Earth orbit at altitudes ranging from 340 to 615 km. The system could bring newer capabilities to India, including direct-to-device (D2D) connectivity, potentially allowing compatible smartphones to connect with satellites without relying entirely on conventional mobile networks.Starlink’s latest move comes as India prepares to expand its satellite communications framework and considers regulations for emerging technologies. The company had previously applied for approval for a constellation of around 30,000 satellites, but the application was rejected by the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) over certain technical features and spectrum bands.“The company has recently applied to get authorisation for its Gen 2 constellation... at an altitude of 340-615 km in low earth orbit (LEO),” a person familiar with the matter told The Economic Times.IN-SPACe approved Starlink’s Gen 1 constellation in July 2025. The first-generation network consists of 4,408 satellites and is designed to provide conventional broadband services.The fresh application could strengthen Starlink’s position as India weighs the introduction of D2D services. The Economic Times had earlier reported that Starlink would need to submit a new application for Gen 2 approval.SpaceX plans to eventually deploy about 42,000 satellites under Gen 2, although the latest Indian application seeks authorisation for nearly 30,000.Starlink is not alone in eyeing the Indian market. Reliance Jio has proposed a 1,600-satellite constellation, while Amazon Leo and Eutelsat OneWeb are also seeking opportunities in the country.However, commercial satellite services are yet to begin for major non-geostationary satellite operators, with security clearances and spectrum allocation still pending.The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India has already issued recommendations on satellite spectrum pricing, while consultations on D2D services are underway. Any rollout will also face scrutiny over national security, spectrum use and potential misuse of satellite infrastructure.

Starlink has reapplied for India approval of its Gen 2 satellite network, seeking to offer advanced services including direct-to-device connectivity as New Delhi weighs satcom rules.

Elon Musk’s Starlink has reportedly renewed its push to enter India’s satellite communications market, submitting a fresh application to the Indian space regulator for its next-generation satellite constellation. According to the Economic Times, the application seeks authorisation for Starlink’s Gen 2 constellation, which would operate in low Earth orbit at altitudes ranging from 340 to 615 km. The system could bring newer capabilities to India, including direct-to-device (D2D) connectivity, potentially allowing compatible smartphones to connect with satellites without relying entirely on conventional mobile networks. Starlink’s latest move comes as India prepares to expand its satellite communications framework and considers regulations for emerging technologies. The company had previously applied for approval for a constellation of around 30,000 satellites, but the application was rejected by the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) over certain technical features and spectrum bands. “The company has recently applied to get authorisation for its Gen 2 constellation... at an altitude of 340-615 km in low earth orbit (LEO),” a person familiar with the matter told The Economic Times. IN-SPACe approved Starlink’s Gen 1 constellation in July 2025. The first-generation network consists of 4,408 satellites and is designed to provide conventional broadband services. The fresh application could strengthen Starlink’s position as India weighs the introduction of D2D services. The Economic Times had earlier reported that Starlink would need to submit a new application for Gen 2 approval. SpaceX plans to eventually deploy about 42,000 satellites under Gen 2, although the latest Indian application seeks authorisation for nearly 30,000. Starlink is not alone in eyeing the Indian market. Reliance Jio has proposed a 1,600-satellite constellation, while Amazon Leo and Eutelsat OneWeb are also seeking opportunities in the country. However, commercial satellite services are yet to begin for major non-geostationary satellite operators, with security clearances and spectrum allocation still pending. The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India has already issued recommendations on satellite spectrum pricing, while consultations on D2D services are underway. Any rollout will also face scrutiny over national security, spectrum use and potential misuse of satellite infrastructure.

Starlink has reapplied for India approval of its Gen 2 satellite network, seeking to offer advanced services including direct-to-device connectivity as New Delhi weighs satcom rules.

Starlink coming to India? Elon Musk’s satellite giant makes fresh India push

Astronomers have detected a fast-moving star near the Milky Way's supermassive black hole, which is moving at a whopping 25,000 kilometres per second, which is 8.5 per cent of the speed of light. The discovery by the <a href="https://www.mpe.mpg.de/8222492/news20260819">Max Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics</a> has been described in a paper published in Nature. S301 completes one orbit around Sagittarius A* in 8.7 years. It touches the top velocity when it moves closer to the black hole. At its closest point, the distance between Sagittarius A* and this star is the same as the distance between the Sun and Saturn.&nbsp;The study further states that S301's trajectory suggests it was possibly part of a binary system at some point, but the black hole tore them apart, capturing one in a tight orbit and sending the other hurtling into deep space. Finding this lost star could strengthen the theory.<h2>Star becomes a probe to study the black hole&nbsp;</h2>For now, the GRAVITY+ collaboration is using this star as a probe to study the supermassive black hole. They think that using it can help answer some questions about it, such as its spin. It is also an opportunity to test the theory that black holes have no "hair".Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/milky-way-ate-a-galaxy-containing-stars-equal-to-500-million-suns-12-billion-years-ago-1787063887138">Milky Way ate a galaxy containing stars equal to 500 million suns 12 billion years ago</a>&nbsp;Black holes emit no light, which makes it extremely hard to study them. Stars and other bodies that approach the galactic centre are the only means to shed some light on the nature of this cosmic dark element. Astrophysicist Felix Mang of the Max Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics in Germany, who was part of the team that studied the star, told ScienceAlert that the star is a probe "with which we can gauge the spinning spacetime curvature around this massive black hole is just really cool."Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/scientist-blames-dark-matter-at-centre-of-milky-way-for-mass-extinctions-on-earth-1785246607054">Scientist finds a pattern to Earth's mass extinctions, and it's hiding in deep space</a>&nbsp;S301 has an elongated orbit which sends it into extreme depths of the black hole's gravity well. As it does this, it accelerates wildly, reaching speeds of more than 25,000 kilometres per second. As black holes spin, spacetime gets dragged towards their centre. S301, in its journey, dips so near the black hole that it enters this very fabric of spacetime. This creates frame-dragging, or the Lense-Thirring effect. This can help scientists learn about the spin of Sagittarius A*.<h2>Falling into the dragging spacetime around black hole</h2>As S301 approaches the closest point, falling into the stretching spacetime slightly changes its orbit. Comparing the altered orbit with its original orbit can help calculate how our supermassive black hole spins. This brings us closer to understanding the no-hair theorem, according to which, if we know the mass and spin of an uncharged black hole, it can predict every other detail about its gravitational field.&nbsp;The wait to see the star reach pericentre, its closest point to the black hole, isn't long. This is set to happen towards the end of 2031. At this point, the effect of spin on its orbit will be strongest. Scientists are hoping to confirm the black hole's spin within the next decade. They are also hoping to find more stars like S301 for quicker results. &nbsp;

A star moving at more than 25,000 km per second around Sagittarius A*, our supermassive black hole, is turning into a special probe to study the galactic centre. S301 was once a binary, but the black hole likely threw away its companion.  

Astronomers have detected a fast-moving star near the Milky Way's supermassive black hole, which is moving at a whopping 25,000 kilometres per second, which is 8.5 per cent of the speed of light. The discovery by the Max Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics has been described in a paper published in Nature. S301 completes one orbit around Sagittarius A* in 8.7 years. It touches the top velocity when it moves closer to the black hole. At its closest point, the distance between Sagittarius A* and this star is the same as the distance between the Sun and Saturn. The study further states that S301's trajectory suggests it was possibly part of a binary system at some point, but the black hole tore them apart, capturing one in a tight orbit and sending the other hurtling into deep space. Finding this lost star could strengthen the theory. Star becomes a probe to study the black hole For now, the GRAVITY+ collaboration is using this star as a probe to study the supermassive black hole. They think that using it can help answer some questions about it, such as its spin. It is also an opportunity to test the theory that black holes have no "hair". Also Read: Milky Way ate a galaxy containing stars equal to 500 million suns 12 billion years ago Black holes emit no light, which makes it extremely hard to study them. Stars and other bodies that approach the galactic centre are the only means to shed some light on the nature of this cosmic dark element. Astrophysicist Felix Mang of the Max Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics in Germany, who was part of the team that studied the star, told ScienceAlert that the star is a probe "with which we can gauge the spinning spacetime curvature around this massive black hole is just really cool." Also Read: Scientist finds a pattern to Earth's mass extinctions, and it's hiding in deep space S301 has an elongated orbit which sends it into extreme depths of the black hole's gravity well. As it does this, it accelerates wildly, reaching speeds of more than 25,000 kilometres per second. As black holes spin, spacetime gets dragged towards their centre. S301, in its journey, dips so near the black hole that it enters this very fabric of spacetime. This creates frame-dragging, or the Lense-Thirring effect. This can help scientists learn about the spin of Sagittarius A*. Falling into the dragging spacetime around black hole As S301 approaches the closest point, falling into the stretching spacetime slightly changes its orbit. Comparing the altered orbit with its original orbit can help calculate how our supermassive black hole spins. This brings us closer to understanding the no-hair theorem, according to which, if we know the mass and spin of an uncharged black hole, it can predict every other detail about its gravitational field. The wait to see the star reach pericentre, its closest point to the black hole, isn't long. This is set to happen towards the end of 2031. At this point, the effect of spin on its orbit will be strongest. Scientists are hoping to confirm the black hole's spin within the next decade. They are also hoping to find more stars like S301 for quicker results.

A star moving at more than 25,000 km per second around Sagittarius A*, our supermassive black hole, is turning into a special probe to study the galactic centre. S301 was once a binary, but the black hole likely threw away its companion. &nbsp;

Extreme orbit of a star moving at 25,000 kmps drags into spacetime near Sagittarius A*

The Swift observatory will crash later this year, NASA has confirmed, as the LINK mission sent to save it nearly a month ago is facing problems in orbit. The quest to save the 22-year-old-telescope was called off on Wednesday, ending Swift's journey of watching the most powerful explosions, gamma-ray bursts, in the universe. The commercial robotic repair vehicle was built by Katalyst Space for $30 million to help salvage the Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory. LINK was supposed to grab it and carry it to a higher orbit. However, a few weeks after being launched on July 3, it went into an uncontrollable spin.&nbsp;NASA tried to fix the problem from Earth, slowing down the spin, but ultimately couldn't save it as pointing and positioning persisted. NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman said in a statement, "This is not the outcome we were working toward, but it does not change why this mission was worth attempting." NASA has not confirmed the exact data Swift will fall down.&nbsp;In a joint statement, Katalyst and NASA said, "Following continued monitoring and assessment of the LINK spacecraft, Katalyst Space and NASA together have concluded that ​due to ongoing attitude control issues, the mission will not include the capture ​and boost of NASA’s Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory."Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/swift-and-link-spacecraft-captured-behind-each-other-video-1786966222732">NASA's falling telescope and its saviour spacecraft captured behind each other - Video</a><h2>Why was Swift falling?</h2> Swift was launched in 2004 to study gamma-ray bursts in space. But recently, its low Earth orbit began to rapidly decay. It started dragging down because of solar storms and faced an imminent end before early 2027. It was located at 600 km above the surface of Earth, but then dropped to around 360 km, with much of the drag occurring in the last two years. NASA had the choice to either let it go or try to save the telescope. This had to be done before it fell to 300 kilometres, else it would become unsavable.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasa-launches-link-to-catch-swift-observatory-in-space-1783079815337">NASA launches LINK to catch 22-year-old Swift observatory in space - Details</a><h2>Making LINK to save Swift</h2> Katalyst was awarded the project and the company "designed, built, tested, and integrated a robotic spacecraft" in just eight months. But it did not work as expected. Two of LINK’s three reaction wheels have failed, and it has been spinning uncontrollably. A flight software update was expected to help. On August 10, NASA said that the "new attitude control algorithms are designed to maintain LINK’s stability using the spacecraft’s remaining actuators." &nbsp;

A NASA observatory is set to crash in the coming weeks after the mission sent to save it was declared a failure on Wednesday. Swift has been dragging down for months because of a decaying orbit. Saviour mission LINK has been spinning and no fix has worked.

The Swift observatory will crash later this year, NASA has confirmed, as the LINK mission sent to save it nearly a month ago is facing problems in orbit. The quest to save the 22-year-old-telescope was called off on Wednesday, ending Swift's journey of watching the most powerful explosions, gamma-ray bursts, in the universe. The commercial robotic repair vehicle was built by Katalyst Space for $30 million to help salvage the Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory. LINK was supposed to grab it and carry it to a higher orbit. However, a few weeks after being launched on July 3, it went into an uncontrollable spin. NASA tried to fix the problem from Earth, slowing down the spin, but ultimately couldn't save it as pointing and positioning persisted. NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman said in a statement, "This is not the outcome we were working toward, but it does not change why this mission was worth attempting." NASA has not confirmed the exact data Swift will fall down. In a joint statement, Katalyst and NASA said, "Following continued monitoring and assessment of the LINK spacecraft, Katalyst Space and NASA together have concluded that due to ongoing attitude control issues, the mission will not include the capture and boost of NASA’s Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory." Also Read: NASA's falling telescope and its saviour spacecraft captured behind each other - Video Why was Swift falling? Swift was launched in 2004 to study gamma-ray bursts in space. But recently, its low Earth orbit began to rapidly decay. It started dragging down because of solar storms and faced an imminent end before early 2027. It was located at 600 km above the surface of Earth, but then dropped to around 360 km, with much of the drag occurring in the last two years. NASA had the choice to either let it go or try to save the telescope. This had to be done before it fell to 300 kilometres, else it would become unsavable. Also Read: NASA launches LINK to catch 22-year-old Swift observatory in space - Details Making LINK to save Swift Katalyst was awarded the project and the company "designed, built, tested, and integrated a robotic spacecraft" in just eight months. But it did not work as expected. Two of LINK’s three reaction wheels have failed, and it has been spinning uncontrollably. A flight software update was expected to help. On August 10, NASA said that the "new attitude control algorithms are designed to maintain LINK’s stability using the spacecraft’s remaining actuators."

A NASA observatory is set to crash in the coming weeks after the mission sent to save it was declared a failure on Wednesday. Swift has been dragging down for months because of a decaying orbit. Saviour mission LINK has been spinning and no fix has worked.

Swift telescope set to crash on Earth as NASA declares saviour mission LINK has failed

NASA’s plan for a long-term human presence on the Moon is moving beyond brief astronaut visits, with India now potentially playing a role in the effort. The agency is developing a Moon Base near the lunar South Pole, where Chandrayaan-3 has given India valuable experience. The outpost is envisioned as a place where astronauts can live, conduct research and test technologies for deeper-space missions.<h2>What is the real objective of the Moon Base?</h2>The Moon Base is not simply about putting a permanent building on the lunar surface. It is intended to test whether humans can live and work for extended periods away from Earth, while developing systems for power, transportation, communications, resource extraction and construction.NASA is already working with commercial partners on cargo landers, rovers and other infrastructure, with some lunar deliveries targeted for 2028. The technologies being developed include systems to generate and store power, extract water and oxygen from local resources, and build landing pads and other infrastructure.<h2>Why is the lunar South Pole important?</h2>The lunar South Pole is valuable because some permanently shadowed craters are extremely cold and may preserve water ice and other volatiles. Water could become one of the most important resources for a future settlement – for drinking, life support and potentially producing hydrogen and oxygen for fuel.The region also contains areas that receive relatively prolonged sunlight, creating opportunities for solar power, while nearby shadowed regions could harbour ice. India has already contributed important knowledge about this difficult environment.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/gaganyaan-the-mission-that-could-change-how-the-world-sees-india-s-space-ambitions-1783690204848">Gaganyaan: The mission that could change how the world sees India’s space ambitions</a><h2>How does Chandrayaan-3 strengthen India’s position?</h2>Chandrayaan-3 gave ISRO something far more valuable than a successful landing: first-hand experience of operating in the lunar South Polar region.Vikram landed on August 23, 2023, and Pragyan conducted in-situ studies of the terrain. Its instruments measured temperature, seismic activity, plasma conditions and the elemental composition of lunar soil. ISRO says the rover travelled about 101 metres.More recently, ChaSTE data have helped scientists understand the thermal behaviour of the polar regolith, information relevant to future habitat and resource planning.<h2>What could ISRO’s role be – and what could India gain?</h2>NASA invited ISRO to join its Moon Base programme during the India-US Civil Space Joint Working Group meeting in Bengaluru on August 5-6. The two sides also agreed to advance discussions on scientific data sharing.India’s exact role has not yet been announced. But ISRO’s experience could make it a useful partner in robotic exploration, lunar science, landing technologies, surface mobility and resource mapping. Participation could also give Indian scientists and industry access to a much larger international lunar programme while strengthening India’s position in the emerging lunar economy.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/how-russia-ukraine-war-is-reshaping-energy-flows-food-prices-defence-spending-and-india-s-strategy-wion-decodes-1783337395169">How Russia-Ukraine war is reshaping energy flows, food prices, defence spending and India’s strategy | WION Decodes</a><h2>Could the Moon become a resource hub and Mars launchpad?</h2>The Moon could potentially become a resource hub and Mars launchpad – but that remains a long-term possibility, not an immediate reality.If water ice can be extracted economically, it could support life-support systems and produce propellant. Lunar resources could eventually reduce the need to transport everything from Earth. The Moon’s lower gravity could also make it attractive for launching spacecraft deeper into the solar system.That is why NASA describes the Moon Base as more than a destination. It is a test bed for technologies and operations needed for Mars. The lunar South Pole could ultimately become humanity’s first sustained foothold beyond Earth – and India now has an opportunity to help shape what that foothold becomes. &nbsp;

NASA’s Moon Base plan is opening a new chapter in lunar exploration, with India’s Chandrayaan-3 experience giving ISRO a potential role in the race to establish a long-term presence on the Moon.

NASA’s plan for a long-term human presence on the Moon is moving beyond brief astronaut visits, with India now potentially playing a role in the effort. The agency is developing a Moon Base near the lunar South Pole, where Chandrayaan-3 has given India valuable experience. The outpost is envisioned as a place where astronauts can live, conduct research and test technologies for deeper-space missions. What is the real objective of the Moon Base? The Moon Base is not simply about putting a permanent building on the lunar surface. It is intended to test whether humans can live and work for extended periods away from Earth, while developing systems for power, transportation, communications, resource extraction and construction. NASA is already working with commercial partners on cargo landers, rovers and other infrastructure, with some lunar deliveries targeted for 2028. The technologies being developed include systems to generate and store power, extract water and oxygen from local resources, and build landing pads and other infrastructure. Why is the lunar South Pole important? The lunar South Pole is valuable because some permanently shadowed craters are extremely cold and may preserve water ice and other volatiles. Water could become one of the most important resources for a future settlement – for drinking, life support and potentially producing hydrogen and oxygen for fuel. The region also contains areas that receive relatively prolonged sunlight, creating opportunities for solar power, while nearby shadowed regions could harbour ice. India has already contributed important knowledge about this difficult environment. Also read | Gaganyaan: The mission that could change how the world sees India’s space ambitions How does Chandrayaan-3 strengthen India’s position? Chandrayaan-3 gave ISRO something far more valuable than a successful landing: first-hand experience of operating in the lunar South Polar region. Vikram landed on August 23, 2023, and Pragyan conducted in-situ studies of the terrain. Its instruments measured temperature, seismic activity, plasma conditions and the elemental composition of lunar soil. ISRO says the rover travelled about 101 metres. More recently, ChaSTE data have helped scientists understand the thermal behaviour of the polar regolith, information relevant to future habitat and resource planning. What could ISRO’s role be – and what could India gain? NASA invited ISRO to join its Moon Base programme during the India-US Civil Space Joint Working Group meeting in Bengaluru on August 5-6. The two sides also agreed to advance discussions on scientific data sharing. India’s exact role has not yet been announced. But ISRO’s experience could make it a useful partner in robotic exploration, lunar science, landing technologies, surface mobility and resource mapping. Participation could also give Indian scientists and industry access to a much larger international lunar programme while strengthening India’s position in the emerging lunar economy. Also read | How Russia-Ukraine war is reshaping energy flows, food prices, defence spending and India’s strategy | WION Decodes Could the Moon become a resource hub and Mars launchpad? The Moon could potentially become a resource hub and Mars launchpad – but that remains a long-term possibility, not an immediate reality. If water ice can be extracted economically, it could support life-support systems and produce propellant. Lunar resources could eventually reduce the need to transport everything from Earth. The Moon’s lower gravity could also make it attractive for launching spacecraft deeper into the solar system. That is why NASA describes the Moon Base as more than a destination. It is a test bed for technologies and operations needed for Mars. The lunar South Pole could ultimately become humanity’s first sustained foothold beyond Earth – and India now has an opportunity to help shape what that foothold becomes.

NASA’s Moon Base plan is opening a new chapter in lunar exploration, with India’s Chandrayaan-3 experience giving ISRO a potential role in the race to establish a long-term presence on the Moon.

NASA’s Moon Base: How Chandrayaan-3 could give India an edge in the lunar race

If you have ever opened Instagram for “just five minutes” and found yourself scrolling much longer, a new brain study offers a possible explanation. Researchers found that short videos people enjoyed were linked to reduced activity in two brain regions involved in cognitive control.The study, published in NeuroImage, involved 56 young adults. Researchers used functional MRI (fMRI) to watch brain activity while participants freely viewed short videos. They also used magnetic resonance spectroscopy to examine chemicals including glutamate and GABA. The finding does not mean Reels or Shorts switch off the brain, nor does it prove that short videos cause permanent brain damage.&nbsp;<h2>What happens to the brain while watching?</h2>The researchers focused on the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (dACC) and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC).These areas are part of the brain's cognitive control network. They are involved in functions such as monitoring behaviour, managing attention and deciding when to change what we are doing.When participants watched videos they liked and watched until the end, activity in both regions fell significantly compared with less-preferred videos that participants stopped early. The researchers described this as deactivation of the cognitive control network. Interestingly, communication between the dACC and dlPFC became stronger while people watched videos, particularly preferred ones. The study also found that people with higher resting levels of glutamate in the dACC showed less suppression of activity in these regions.&nbsp;<h2>Does this explain endless scrolling?</h2>Possibly, but researchers are not saying the study proves that. The idea is that highly engaging videos may reduce activity in brain systems involved in monitoring and controlling behaviour while attention becomes focused on the content.&nbsp;That could help explain why stopping can feel difficult once someone becomes absorbed in a stream of entertaining clips. But the study was conducted in a controlled setting and does not establish that the effect continues after people stop watching.&nbsp;<h2>Other studies have raised similar questions</h2>The findings add to growing research into how rapid short-video consumption affects cognition. A 2025 study by Nicholas Barton and Michael Smyth found that participants exposed to unlimited context-switching between short videos performed worse on a prospective-memory task afterwards. Prospective memory is the ability to remember something you intend to do later. A separate study published in Behavioral Sciences in June 2026 involved 106 students in one experiment and 64 in another. It found that prolonged short-video viewing reduced prospective-memory accuracy, although the effect depended on the attentional demands of the task.&nbsp;Together, the research suggests that how we consume short-form video may matter, particularly when viewing involves rapid switching and prolonged engagement.But there is an important distinction: none of these studies shows that watching Reels, Shorts or TikTok causes permanent brain damage.The latest research instead provides another clue about why highly engaging short videos can capture attention so effectively and why “just one more” can be surprisingly difficult to resist.

A study of 56 young adults found that brain regions involved in attention and self-control became less active while participants watched short videos they enjoyed. Researchers say the findings may help explain why highly engaging clips can be difficult to stop watching.


If you have ever opened Instagram for “just five minutes” and found yourself scrolling much longer, a new brain study offers a possible explanation. Researchers found that short videos people enjoyed were linked to reduced activity in two brain regions involved in cognitive control. The study, published in NeuroImage, involved 56 young adults. Researchers used functional MRI (fMRI) to watch brain activity while participants freely viewed short videos. They also used magnetic resonance spectroscopy to examine chemicals including glutamate and GABA. The finding does not mean Reels or Shorts switch off the brain, nor does it prove that short videos cause permanent brain damage. What happens to the brain while watching? The researchers focused on the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (dACC) and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC). These areas are part of the brain's cognitive control network. They are involved in functions such as monitoring behaviour, managing attention and deciding when to change what we are doing. When participants watched videos they liked and watched until the end, activity in both regions fell significantly compared with less-preferred videos that participants stopped early. The researchers described this as deactivation of the cognitive control network. Interestingly, communication between the dACC and dlPFC became stronger while people watched videos, particularly preferred ones. The study also found that people with higher resting levels of glutamate in the dACC showed less suppression of activity in these regions. Does this explain endless scrolling? Possibly, but researchers are not saying the study proves that. The idea is that highly engaging videos may reduce activity in brain systems involved in monitoring and controlling behaviour while attention becomes focused on the content. That could help explain why stopping can feel difficult once someone becomes absorbed in a stream of entertaining clips. But the study was conducted in a controlled setting and does not establish that the effect continues after people stop watching. Other studies have raised similar questions The findings add to growing research into how rapid short-video consumption affects cognition. A 2025 study by Nicholas Barton and Michael Smyth found that participants exposed to unlimited context-switching between short videos performed worse on a prospective-memory task afterwards. Prospective memory is the ability to remember something you intend to do later. A separate study published in Behavioral Sciences in June 2026 involved 106 students in one experiment and 64 in another. It found that prolonged short-video viewing reduced prospective-memory accuracy, although the effect depended on the attentional demands of the task. Together, the research suggests that how we consume short-form video may matter, particularly when viewing involves rapid switching and prolonged engagement. But there is an important distinction: none of these studies shows that watching Reels, Shorts or TikTok causes permanent brain damage. The latest research instead provides another clue about why highly engaging short videos can capture attention so effectively and why “just one more” can be surprisingly difficult to resist.

A study of 56 young adults found that brain regions involved in attention and self-control became less active while participants watched short videos they enjoyed. Researchers say the findings may help explain why highly engaging clips can be difficult to stop watching.

Watching Reels may switch down parts of the brain linked to focus, study finds

China has taken a major step forward in its push to build a reusable commercial space industry after startup LandSpace successfully landed the first stage of its Zhuque-3 rocket on Wednesday (Aug 18). The achievement puts LandSpace in a small group of private companies to have successfully recovered an orbital-class rocket booster, alongside SpaceX and Blue Origin. For China, the milestone marks progress in an area where the United States has built a significant lead.Why this matters: The ability to recover and fly boosters again is seen as crucial to lowering launch costs and making frequent satellite launches commercially viable.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/want-to-survive-the-apocalypse-this-swiss-firm-is-making-end-of-the-world-bunkers-for-billionaires-1787038088615">Want to survive the apocalypse? This Swiss firm is making end-of-the world bunkers for billionaires</a><h2>Second attempt ends in successful landing</h2>The 66.1-metre Zhuque-3 lifted off from the Dongfeng Commercial Space Innovation Pilot Zone in northwestern China.Its nine-engine first stage separated after the launch and travelled back to a landing site in Gansu province, around 390 kilometres southeast of the launch pad, according to Chinese state media.The successful landing came on LandSpace's second attempt. The company's first reusable rocket attempt in December 2025 reached orbit but failed to complete the controlled landing.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">China launched the reusable rocket Zhuque-3 on Wednesday morning, achieving its first recovery of a rocket&#39;s first stage on land. <a href="https://x.com/hashtag/Zhuque?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Zhuque</a>-3 <a href="https://t.co/Sut9LgOoYs">pic.twitter.com/Sut9LgOoYs</a>&mdash; China Xinhua News (@XHNews) <a href="https://x.com/XHNews/status/2089871742068310332?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 19, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">MISSION SUCCESS | ZhuQue-3 Y2 Reusable Launch Vehicle Achieved Full Success in Orbital Insertion and First-Stage Recovery On August 19, 2026, at 07:35 (UTC+8), the ZhuQue-3 (ZQ-3) Y2 reusable launch vehicle lifted off from the Dongfeng Commercial Space Innovation Pilot Zone.… <a href="https://t.co/fshijOxgtc">pic.twitter.com/fshijOxgtc</a>&mdash; LandSpace (@LandSpace_Tech) <a href="https://x.com/LandSpace_Tech/status/2089877715331809546?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 19, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<h2>China's answer to Falcon 9</h2>LandSpace has positioned Zhuque-3 as a Chinese competitor to Elon Musk's SpaceX Falcon 9. The rocket uses a stainless-steel structure, which the company says can withstand higher temperatures and could reduce manufacturing costs compared with the aluminium-lithium alloy used in Falcon 9.It is powered by methane and liquid oxygen, a combination LandSpace says burns more cleanly than Falcon 9's liquid oxygen and kerosene system.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>For a one-time launch, Zhuque-3 can carry up to 14.2 tonnes into low Earth orbit, compared with 22.8 tonnes for Falcon 9, according to LandSpace. The company wants the Zhuque-3 booster to eventually be reused as many as 20 times.<h2>LandSpace eyes rapid reuse</h2>The next challenge is to prove that recovering a rocket can become a repeatable commercial operation. LandSpace says it plans to fly a recovered first-stage booster again within six months. That would be an important test of whether China can move beyond individual demonstration flights towards high-frequency launches.SpaceX has already made booster reuse routine, launching Falcon 9 rockets roughly three times a week and flying recovered boosters repeatedly.LandSpace is also seeking to raise 7.5 billion yuan, or about $1.11 billion, through a planned listing on Shanghai's STAR Market. Its updated prospectus says the company is targeting profitability by 2029.<h2>China steps closer to the reusable launch market</h2>Wednesday's landing was China's fourth attempt at recovering an orbital-class booster. The country has also been testing different recovery approaches. In July, China successfully demonstrated a net-based system for catching an experimental booster on a floating platform. &nbsp;&nbsp;

China's private space race has taken a major leap. LandSpace has successfully landed the first stage of its Zhuque-3 rocket, moving the country closer to routine reusable launches and putting a new challenger into the race with SpaceX.

China has taken a major step forward in its push to build a reusable commercial space industry after startup LandSpace successfully landed the first stage of its Zhuque-3 rocket on Wednesday (Aug 18). The achievement puts LandSpace in a small group of private companies to have successfully recovered an orbital-class rocket booster, alongside SpaceX and Blue Origin. For China, the milestone marks progress in an area where the United States has built a significant lead. Why this matters: The ability to recover and fly boosters again is seen as crucial to lowering launch costs and making frequent satellite launches commercially viable. Also read | Want to survive the apocalypse? This Swiss firm is making end-of-the world bunkers for billionaires Second attempt ends in successful landing The 66.1-metre Zhuque-3 lifted off from the Dongfeng Commercial Space Innovation Pilot Zone in northwestern China. Its nine-engine first stage separated after the launch and travelled back to a landing site in Gansu province, around 390 kilometres southeast of the launch pad, according to Chinese state media. The successful landing came on LandSpace's second attempt. The company's first reusable rocket attempt in December 2025 reached orbit but failed to complete the controlled landing.

China's private space race has taken a major leap. LandSpace has successfully landed the first stage of its Zhuque-3 rocket, moving the country closer to routine reusable launches and putting a new challenger into the race with SpaceX.

China lands reusable rocket booster, closes gap with SpaceX and Blue Origin

The Milky Way cannibalised a smaller galaxy 12 billion years ago, just two years after the Big Bang. This earliest known merger pushes the Milky Way’s earliest known major merger back by 1.8 billion years. A new study, published in Nature Astronomy and led by astronomer Davide Massari from the Astrophysics and Space Science Observatory of Bologna, Italy, talks about how the study of exceptionally precise ages of very dense clusters of stars helped answer a few questions about this merger - the timing, how massive this galaxy was, and its evolution before it joined the Milky Way.&nbsp;The galaxy absorbed by the Milky Way has been named "LKH" (Low-energy-Kraken-Heracles). Even though we are calling it small, it wasn't. The stars in it had a combined mass of 500 million Suns, nearly one-quarter of the total mass of the entire Milky Way at that time.&nbsp;Before this galaxy, the Gaia–Sausage–Enceladus, or GSE, a substantial galaxy, was found to have merged with the Milky Way around 10 billion years ago. Way before this, smaller galaxies were merging with the Milky Way, and instead of being small, they were major building blocks for its evolution.<h2>Odd formations in inner regions of Milky Way</h2>The team used the Hubble and Gaia space telescopes and found "foreign" globular star clusters in the inner regions of our galaxy. These clusters weren't the same as those that formed in the Milky Way in its earliest time. They were also different from the Gaia–Sausage–Enceladus merger. The latest event identified occurred about 1.8 billion years before GSE.<h2>Why this finding matters</h2>The finding challenges the idea that the Milky Way developed completely on its own during its earliest years. Instead, we now know that several mergers occurred and our galaxy grew significantly by "cannibalising" smaller galaxies. This brought stars and fresh gas for new bursts of star formation. The discovery is significant since reconstructing these ancient events helps us understand how the Milky Way evolved into its current structure and how it ultimately provided the environment for the birth of our solar system. &nbsp;

Scientists have discovered that the Milky Way collided with a smaller galaxy containing stars equivalent to 500 million suns just two billion years after the Big Bang. This finding shows that our galaxy did not grow in isolation. 

The Milky Way cannibalised a smaller galaxy 12 billion years ago, just two years after the Big Bang. This earliest known merger pushes the Milky Way’s earliest known major merger back by 1.8 billion years. A new study, published in Nature Astronomy and led by astronomer Davide Massari from the Astrophysics and Space Science Observatory of Bologna, Italy, talks about how the study of exceptionally precise ages of very dense clusters of stars helped answer a few questions about this merger - the timing, how massive this galaxy was, and its evolution before it joined the Milky Way. The galaxy absorbed by the Milky Way has been named "LKH" (Low-energy-Kraken-Heracles). Even though we are calling it small, it wasn't. The stars in it had a combined mass of 500 million Suns, nearly one-quarter of the total mass of the entire Milky Way at that time. Before this galaxy, the Gaia–Sausage–Enceladus, or GSE, a substantial galaxy, was found to have merged with the Milky Way around 10 billion years ago. Way before this, smaller galaxies were merging with the Milky Way, and instead of being small, they were major building blocks for its evolution. Odd formations in inner regions of Milky Way The team used the Hubble and Gaia space telescopes and found "foreign" globular star clusters in the inner regions of our galaxy. These clusters weren't the same as those that formed in the Milky Way in its earliest time. They were also different from the Gaia–Sausage–Enceladus merger. The latest event identified occurred about 1.8 billion years before GSE. Why this finding matters The finding challenges the idea that the Milky Way developed completely on its own during its earliest years. Instead, we now know that several mergers occurred and our galaxy grew significantly by "cannibalising" smaller galaxies. This brought stars and fresh gas for new bursts of star formation. The discovery is significant since reconstructing these ancient events helps us understand how the Milky Way evolved into its current structure and how it ultimately provided the environment for the birth of our solar system.

Scientists have discovered that the Milky Way collided with a smaller galaxy containing stars equivalent to 500 million suns just two billion years after the Big Bang. This finding shows that our galaxy did not grow in isolation.&nbsp;

Milky Way ate a galaxy containing stars equal to 500 million suns 12 billion years ago

Physicists have evidence that a glueball, an exotic subatomic state that was first predicted nearly 50 years ago, could be real. It is composed entirely of force-carrier particles, rather than ordinary matter. The discovery was made by scientists at the Beijing Electron Positron Collider II (BEPCII). According to quantum chromodynamics, quarks and gluons interact to create the ordinary matter around us. Quarks are the fundamental building blocks that make up protons and neutrons, while gluons are the massless "glue" particles of the strong force and hold quarks together.&nbsp;Decades ago, scientists hypothesised "glueballs", gluons that bind to each other without any quarks, effectively creating a particle made purely out of force. Physicists at BEPCII have found that a known particle called X(2370) is dominated by one of these elusive states. Researchers explained in a statement that a glueball is the only type of particle in nature composed entirely of force mediators.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/beyond-solid-liquid-gas-scientists-find-new-state-of-matter-where-two-exotic-materials-meet-1786861678342">Beyond solid, liquid, gas: Scientists find new state of matter where two exotic materials meet</a><h2>High-energy collisions</h2>The international team of scientists analysed high-energy collisions that yielded the&nbsp;X(2370), first detected in 2011. They went through billions of particle decay events and measured the particle's mass, spin-parity, and decay pathways. BEPCII, a particle accelerator and collider that smashes electrons into their antimatter counterparts, called positrons, was used to study the complex physics.&nbsp;Jin Shan, a particle physicist at Nanjing University and one of the research team's leaders, noted that the glueball they found is an "unprecedented form of matter." Shan told South China Morning Post that the discovery "not only enables the theory describing strong interactions to pass its most rigorous test, but also vastly expands the boundaries of our understanding of the physical world."&nbsp;The J/ψ (J/psi) meson, a subatomic particle caused by high-energy collisions, is formed when particles crash together at nearly the speed of light. It decays almost instantly, and this event provides "one of the best avenues to search for glueballs". A few years back, scientists analysed 10 billion meson decay events and measured the X(2370) particle's mass and spin parity and found complete agreement between their experimental values and predictions.<h2>A single flavour nature</h2>In the latest analysis, they have found "the most important characteristic of a glueball." They confirmed its "flavour-singlet" nature—meaning it decays without showing a preference for any specific type (flavour) of quark. The team said more particle smashing is needed to further confirm and constrain the properties of the exotic glueball. &nbsp;

Scientists at the Beijing Electron Positron Collider II have found a particle that is made purely of force. The glueball was first hypothesised nearly 50 years ago, and physicists may have found the first strong evidence to show that it exists.

Physicists have evidence that a glueball, an exotic subatomic state that was first predicted nearly 50 years ago, could be real. It is composed entirely of force-carrier particles, rather than ordinary matter. The discovery was made by scientists at the Beijing Electron Positron Collider II (BEPCII). According to quantum chromodynamics, quarks and gluons interact to create the ordinary matter around us. Quarks are the fundamental building blocks that make up protons and neutrons, while gluons are the massless "glue" particles of the strong force and hold quarks together. Decades ago, scientists hypothesised "glueballs", gluons that bind to each other without any quarks, effectively creating a particle made purely out of force. Physicists at BEPCII have found that a known particle called X(2370) is dominated by one of these elusive states. Researchers explained in a statement that a glueball is the only type of particle in nature composed entirely of force mediators. Also Read: Beyond solid, liquid, gas: Scientists find new state of matter where two exotic materials meet High-energy collisions The international team of scientists analysed high-energy collisions that yielded the X(2370), first detected in 2011. They went through billions of particle decay events and measured the particle's mass, spin-parity, and decay pathways. BEPCII, a particle accelerator and collider that smashes electrons into their antimatter counterparts, called positrons, was used to study the complex physics. Jin Shan, a particle physicist at Nanjing University and one of the research team's leaders, noted that the glueball they found is an "unprecedented form of matter." Shan told South China Morning Post that the discovery "not only enables the theory describing strong interactions to pass its most rigorous test, but also vastly expands the boundaries of our understanding of the physical world." The J/ψ (J/psi) meson, a subatomic particle caused by high-energy collisions, is formed when particles crash together at nearly the speed of light. It decays almost instantly, and this event provides "one of the best avenues to search for glueballs". A few years back, scientists analysed 10 billion meson decay events and measured the X(2370) particle's mass and spin parity and found complete agreement between their experimental values and predictions. A single flavour nature In the latest analysis, they have found "the most important characteristic of a glueball." They confirmed its "flavour-singlet" nature—meaning it decays without showing a preference for any specific type (flavour) of quark. The team said more particle smashing is needed to further confirm and constrain the properties of the exotic glueball.

Scientists at the Beijing Electron Positron Collider II have found a particle that is made purely of force. The glueball was first hypothesised nearly 50 years ago, and physicists may have found the first strong evidence to show that it exists.

50-year-mystery solved: Physicists find rare 'glueball' particle with no matter and pure force

With the advent of time in the drone age, electronic warfare has become considerably more capable than public commentary typically acknowledges. Along with electronic warfare, armour, fortifications, missile defences, electronic warfare and deception have preserved combat power by preserving the force’s freedom to act. This has not only prepared soldiers for potential war, but has also given the military a purpose: to preserve freedom of action through manoeuvrability and to fight in a way that imposes their will. For over a hundred years, different nation always planned and built their militaries with quantity, equipping foot soldiers with body armour so that they could keep fighting even under direct engagement. Later, after armour got technically advanced, equipment to launch in the air or on land was fitted with heavier plating and active defence systems to keep moving while taking fire. In addition, Naval vessels were designed with multiple layers of missile defence so they could function in hostile waters. Now, all the war from face-to-face or without human presence in the armour's launcher, it has shifted to drone technology, reshaping the modern battlefield. Defence industry leaders noted that electronic warfare has moved from a supporting function to a core pillar of national security. In India, the push for indigenous technology has become central to staying ahead of the threat. The rise of cheap, commercially available drone technology has fundamentally altered the calculus of conflict. Capabilities that once demanded expensive missile systems or manned aircraft can now be replicated with a few thousand dollars of off-the-shelf hardware, giving smaller forces and non-state actors access to surveillance, precision-strike, and electronic-warfare capabilities once reserved for major militaries. Industry estimates peg the global military drone market to reach $80–90 billion in annual revenue by 2030.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/wion-exclusive-how-energy-productivity-can-power-india-s-next-phase-of-industrial-growth-1786784297557">WION Exclusive: How can energy productivity power India’s next phase of industrial growth</a><h3>Experts on the rise of drone technology</h3>Reacting to the drone capabilities, "Amardeep Singh, Founder &amp; CEO, Armory," The nature of modern conflict has changed, and the proliferation of drones is at the centre of that shift. What used to require expensive missiles or manned aircraft can now be achieved with a few thousand dollars’ worth of commercial hardware. Today's battlefield is defined by intelligent, low-cost, and highly adaptable unmanned systems capable of surveillance, targeting, precision strikes, and electronic warfare. The global military drone market is projected to generate annual revenues of USD 80-90 billion by 2030. As drones become more sophisticated through frequency-hopping communication, encrypted data links, GPS-denied navigation, and increasingly autonomous flight modes that do not rely on a live signal to the operator at all, counter-drone technologies must evolve even faster to catch up with it all. A hostile drone can go from being detected to causing damage in under a minute. Electronic Warfare systems have to detect, classify, and respond within that same narrow window, putting enormous pressure on the speed of decision-making architecture." "Addressing these evolving threats requires complete ownership of the technology stack rather than dependence on imported subsystems. By designing, developing, and manufacturing our counter-drone systems entirely in Bharat, we, at Armoury, have built the agility to rapidly prototype, test, and deploy new capabilities based on real-time operational feedback. Our flagship system, SURGE, progressed from concept to a fully operational counter-drone platform in just six months, while our AI-driven operating architecture, Samaritan OS, enables autonomous threat detection, analysis, and precision response. As India strengthens its defence capabilities, building sovereign electronic warfare technologies will be essential not only for safeguarding military assets and critical infrastructure but also for positioning the country as a global leader in next-generation defence systems. The future of drone defence will belong to nations that can innovate faster than the threats they face," Singh added. Venkatesh Sai, Founder &amp; CTO of ZUPPA Geo Navigation Technologies, echoed the sentiment about the drones, considering them more valuable and more dangerous after they grow more autonomous and widely accessible. He stated that modern defence forces can no longer rely on simply detecting an incoming drone; they need the ability to identify, track, analyse, and respond in real time. He noted that electronic warfare allows forces to monitor the electromagnetic spectrum and disrupt hostile signals without depending solely on conventional weapons, allowing them to skip unnecessary escalation. Venkatesh Sai said, "The advanced evolution of drone technology has transformed the way nations approach security and modern warfare. Drones have become more intelligent, autonomous, and widely available, making them valuable assets on one hand and potential threats on the other. As this landscape continues to evolve, electronic warfare has become one of the most critical capabilities for ensuring mission success and national security. In today's operational environment, it is no longer enough to simply detect an incoming drone. Defence forces must be able to identify, track, analyse, and respond to threats quickly and accurately. Electronic warfare provides that capability by enabling forces to monitor the electromagnetic spectrum, disrupt hostile communications, and counter drone threats without relying solely on conventional weapons. This not only improves operational efficiency but also reduces the risk of unnecessary escalation." "At Zuppa, we believe that the future of defence lies in building intelligent, secure, and resilient technologies that can adapt to changing battlefield conditions. As drone systems become more advanced, it is equally important to develop electronic warfare solutions that are agile, reliable, and capable of protecting critical assets in real time. Innovation in this space will play a defining role in strengthening defence preparedness. India has made significant progress in developing indigenous defence technologies, and electronic warfare will remain a key focus area as the country advances towards greater self-reliance. Building homegrown capabilities in this domain will not only strengthen national security but also position India as a global technology leader in next-generation defence solutions. The future battlefield will be shaped by information, speed, and technological superiority. Electronic warfare is no longer a supporting capability; now it has become a strategic necessity. By investing in innovation and indigenous technologies today, we can build a safer, stronger, and more secure tomorrow," he added.&nbsp;

The rise of cheap, commercially available drone technology has fundamentally altered the calculus of conflict. Capabilities that once demanded expensive missile systems or manned aircraft can now be replicated with a few thousand dollars of off-the-shelf hardware.

With the advent of time in the drone age, electronic warfare has become considerably more capable than public commentary typically acknowledges. Along with electronic warfare, armour, fortifications, missile defences, electronic warfare and deception have preserved combat power by preserving the force’s freedom to act. This has not only prepared soldiers for potential war, but has also given the military a purpose: to preserve freedom of action through manoeuvrability and to fight in a way that imposes their will. For over a hundred years, different nation always planned and built their militaries with quantity, equipping foot soldiers with body armour so that they could keep fighting even under direct engagement. Later, after armour got technically advanced, equipment to launch in the air or on land was fitted with heavier plating and active defence systems to keep moving while taking fire. In addition, Naval vessels were designed with multiple layers of missile defence so they could function in hostile waters. Now, all the war from face-to-face or without human presence in the armour's launcher, it has shifted to drone technology, reshaping the modern battlefield. Defence industry leaders noted that electronic warfare has moved from a supporting function to a core pillar of national security. In India, the push for indigenous technology has become central to staying ahead of the threat. The rise of cheap, commercially available drone technology has fundamentally altered the calculus of conflict. Capabilities that once demanded expensive missile systems or manned aircraft can now be replicated with a few thousand dollars of off-the-shelf hardware, giving smaller forces and non-state actors access to surveillance, precision-strike, and electronic-warfare capabilities once reserved for major militaries. Industry estimates peg the global military drone market to reach $80–90 billion in annual revenue by 2030. Also read: WION Exclusive: How can energy productivity power India’s next phase of industrial growth Experts on the rise of drone technology Reacting to the drone capabilities, "Amardeep Singh, Founder & CEO, Armory," The nature of modern conflict has changed, and the proliferation of drones is at the centre of that shift. What used to require expensive missiles or manned aircraft can now be achieved with a few thousand dollars’ worth of commercial hardware. Today's battlefield is defined by intelligent, low-cost, and highly adaptable unmanned systems capable of surveillance, targeting, precision strikes, and electronic warfare. The global military drone market is projected to generate annual revenues of USD 80-90 billion by 2030. As drones become more sophisticated through frequency-hopping communication, encrypted data links, GPS-denied navigation, and increasingly autonomous flight modes that do not rely on a live signal to the operator at all, counter-drone technologies must evolve even faster to catch up with it all. A hostile drone can go from being detected to causing damage in under a minute. Electronic Warfare systems have to detect, classify, and respond within that same narrow window, putting enormous pressure on the speed of decision-making architecture." "Addressing these evolving threats requires complete ownership of the technology stack rather than dependence on imported subsystems. By designing, developing, and manufacturing our counter-drone systems entirely in Bharat, we, at Armoury, have built the agility to rapidly prototype, test, and deploy new capabilities based on real-time operational feedback. Our flagship system, SURGE, progressed from concept to a fully operational counter-drone platform in just six months, while our AI-driven operating architecture, Samaritan OS, enables autonomous threat detection, analysis, and precision response. As India strengthens its defence capabilities, building sovereign electronic warfare technologies will be essential not only for safeguarding military assets and critical infrastructure but also for positioning the country as a global leader in next-generation defence systems. The future of drone defence will belong to nations that can innovate faster than the threats they face," Singh added. Venkatesh Sai, Founder & CTO of ZUPPA Geo Navigation Technologies, echoed the sentiment about the drones, considering them more valuable and more dangerous after they grow more autonomous and widely accessible. He stated that modern defence forces can no longer rely on simply detecting an incoming drone; they need the ability to identify, track, analyse, and respond in real time. He noted that electronic warfare allows forces to monitor the electromagnetic spectrum and disrupt hostile signals without depending solely on conventional weapons, allowing them to skip unnecessary escalation. Venkatesh Sai said, "The advanced evolution of drone technology has transformed the way nations approach security and modern warfare. Drones have become more intelligent, autonomous, and widely available, making them valuable assets on one hand and potential threats on the other. As this landscape continues to evolve, electronic warfare has become one of the most critical capabilities for ensuring mission success and national security. In today's operational environment, it is no longer enough to simply detect an incoming drone. Defence forces must be able to identify, track, analyse, and respond to threats quickly and accurately. Electronic warfare provides that capability by enabling forces to monitor the electromagnetic spectrum, disrupt hostile communications, and counter drone threats without relying solely on conventional weapons. This not only improves operational efficiency but also reduces the risk of unnecessary escalation." "At Zuppa, we believe that the future of defence lies in building intelligent, secure, and resilient technologies that can adapt to changing battlefield conditions. As drone systems become more advanced, it is equally important to develop electronic warfare solutions that are agile, reliable, and capable of protecting critical assets in real time. Innovation in this space will play a defining role in strengthening defence preparedness. India has made significant progress in developing indigenous defence technologies, and electronic warfare will remain a key focus area as the country advances towards greater self-reliance. Building homegrown capabilities in this domain will not only strengthen national security but also position India as a global technology leader in next-generation defence solutions. The future battlefield will be shaped by information, speed, and technological superiority. Electronic warfare is no longer a supporting capability; now it has become a strategic necessity. By investing in innovation and indigenous technologies today, we can build a safer, stronger, and more secure tomorrow," he added.

The rise of cheap, commercially available drone technology has fundamentally altered the calculus of conflict. Capabilities that once demanded expensive missile systems or manned aircraft can now be replicated with a few thousand dollars of off-the-shelf hardware.

The growing importance of electronic warfare in the drone age: WION Exclusive

The Swift Observatory and NASA's LINK spacecraft, sent to save it, have been captured moving in space, revealing an occurrence scientists had been waiting for with bated breath. LINK was launched into low-Earth orbit in July this year to save the Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory. This telescope has been watching the most powerful explosions - &nbsp;gamma-ray bursts - in space for nearly 22 years. But now it is dragging down as its orbit has started decaying. Instead of letting a perfectly good observatory crash onto Earth, NASA decided to save it.&nbsp;The space agency had earlier said that the chances of the telescope crashing by June 2026 stood at 50 per cent, which hasn't happened. There is a 90 per cent probability of it happening before 2027. The commercial robotic repair vehicle built by Katalyst Space is supposed to grab the telescope and move it higher. If it fails, Swift could crash later this year, putting on a fiery display.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasa-launches-link-to-catch-swift-observatory-in-space-1783079815337">NASA launches LINK to catch 22-year-old Swift observatory in space - Details</a><h2>Problems with LINK spacecraft</h2>But LINK has been sent to save the day. After being launched on July 3, LINK has been facing issues. Two of LINK’s three reaction wheels have failed, and it has been spinning uncontrollably, causing the communication to break. NASA uploaded a flight software update to fix the issue and said on August 10 that the “new attitude control algorithms are designed to maintain LINK’s stability using the spacecraft’s remaining actuators.”<h2>Watch LINK and Swift in same orbit</h2>

Things seem to be fine, as seen in a video captured by amateur astronomers in Puerto Rico with the Sociedad de Astronomía del Caribe. A video shows LINK and Swift in the same, or probably a similar, trajectory, with LINK about a minute ahead of Swift. While there is still hope to salvage the observatory, if it drops below roughly 300 km, then it would be impossible to save it. This is expected to happen in October.&nbsp;

Astronomers have captured a video of LINK and the Swift observatory moving in the same orbit in space. The robotic repair vehicle is supposed to catch Swift and move it to a higher orbit; otherwise, it will definitely crash.   

The Swift Observatory and NASA's LINK spacecraft, sent to save it, have been captured moving in space, revealing an occurrence scientists had been waiting for with bated breath. LINK was launched into low-Earth orbit in July this year to save the Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory. This telescope has been watching the most powerful explosions - gamma-ray bursts - in space for nearly 22 years. But now it is dragging down as its orbit has started decaying. Instead of letting a perfectly good observatory crash onto Earth, NASA decided to save it. The space agency had earlier said that the chances of the telescope crashing by June 2026 stood at 50 per cent, which hasn't happened. There is a 90 per cent probability of it happening before 2027. The commercial robotic repair vehicle built by Katalyst Space is supposed to grab the telescope and move it higher. If it fails, Swift could crash later this year, putting on a fiery display. Also Read: NASA launches LINK to catch 22-year-old Swift observatory in space - Details Problems with LINK spacecraft But LINK has been sent to save the day. After being launched on July 3, LINK has been facing issues. Two of LINK’s three reaction wheels have failed, and it has been spinning uncontrollably, causing the communication to break. NASA uploaded a flight software update to fix the issue and said on August 10 that the “new attitude control algorithms are designed to maintain LINK’s stability using the spacecraft’s remaining actuators.” Watch LINK and Swift in same orbit

Astronomers have captured a video of LINK and the Swift observatory moving in the same orbit in space. The robotic repair vehicle is supposed to catch Swift and move it to a higher orbit; otherwise, it will definitely crash. &nbsp;&nbsp;

NASA's falling telescope and its saviour spacecraft captured behind each other - Video

Scientists at the University of Cambridge say they have resolved a long-standing puzzle in obesity research: how both activating and blocking the same brain receptor can reduce food intake and body weight. The study found that the answer lies not simply in whether the receptor is switched on or off, but in where it is located in the brain. The findings were published in Nature Metabolism under the title “Distinct brain regions mediate regulation of food intake in response to GIPR agonism or antagonism”. The study was led by Dr Jo Edward Lewis and colleagues at the University of Cambridge’s Institute of Metabolic Science.<h2>The GIPR paradox</h2>The receptor at the centre of this discovery is the glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide receptor (GIPR), which is involved in regulating appetite, metabolism and blood sugar. GIPR is an important target in the development of obesity medicines. Drugs such as tirzepatide, sold as Mounjaro and Zepbound, activate GIPR alongside the glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor. Other experimental medicines take the opposite approach by blocking GIPR. MariTide, currently in Phase 3 clinical trials, combines GIPR antagonism with GLP-1 receptor activation. The apparent contradiction has puzzled researchers for years. Why should both stimulating and blocking the same receptor contribute to weight loss?<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/weight-loss-drugs-fuel-protein-rich-whey-craving-demand-for-protein-rich-whey-explodes-1778001291434/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/weight-loss-drugs-fuel-protein-rich-whey-craving-demand-for-protein-rich-whey-explodes-1778001291434/embed</a><h2>It is the brain region that determines the outcome</h2>Cambridge researchers used genetically engineered mice in which GIPR could be selectively removed from particular regions of the brain. One group lacked GIPR in the brainstem, while another lacked the receptor in the hypothalamus. A control group retained normal GIPR expression. The researchers then examined responses to GIPR agonists and antagonists, as well as GLP-1 medicines used alone and in combination. The experiments revealed two distinct mechanisms. When GIPR is activated in the brainstem, it suppresses appetite, reducing food consumption and body weight. Blocking GIPR in the hypothalamus, on the other hand, strengthens the brain’s response to signals indicating that the body is full.In the hypothalamus, GIPR appears to act as a brake on satiety signalling. Blocking the receptor releases that brake, allowing fullness signals to become more powerful and reducing food intake through a different pathway.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/lifestyle/beyond-the-scale-the-hard-truth-about-fitness-nobody-talks-about-1781351991790">Beyond the scale: The hard truth about fitness nobody talks about</a>&nbsp;The researchers monitored food intake, body weight, fat mass, blood-sugar control and brain activity throughout the study. Their findings suggest that the same receptor can influence weight loss through different neural circuits depending on its location in the brain.<h2>What the discovery means for future combination drugs</h2>The researchers also found evidence that GIPR blockade could enhance the effects of medicines targeting the amylin receptor. This raises the possibility of combining different hormone pathways to produce stronger weight-loss effects. The findings could help researchers develop more precise obesity treatments that target specific brain circuits rather than treating GIPR as a single, uniform switch.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/next-weight-loss-breakthrough-astrazeneca-tests-a-daily-pill-1780986473092">Next weight-loss breakthrough? AstraZeneca tests a daily pill - Elecoglipron</a>&nbsp;“Understanding which brain circuits respond to these medications – and how they do so – could help us design better drugs that produce more weight loss with fewer side effects, and which might work in combination with other obesity medicines to even greater effect,” Lewis said.The study was funded by the UK Medical Research Council and Wellcome. As the research was conducted in mice, the findings do not yet establish that the same mechanisms will operate identically in humans. However, the work provides a framework for developing the next generation of obesity medicines and reinforces the central role of the brain in regulating body weight.

Cambridge scientists found why activating and blocking a brain receptor can both cause weight loss. The drugs act on different brain regions, revealing new pathways for more effective obesity treatments.

Scientists at the University of Cambridge say they have resolved a long-standing puzzle in obesity research: how both activating and blocking the same brain receptor can reduce food intake and body weight. The study found that the answer lies not simply in whether the receptor is switched on or off, but in where it is located in the brain. The findings were published in Nature Metabolism under the title “Distinct brain regions mediate regulation of food intake in response to GIPR agonism or antagonism”. The study was led by Dr Jo Edward Lewis and colleagues at the University of Cambridge’s Institute of Metabolic Science. The GIPR paradox The receptor at the centre of this discovery is the glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide receptor (GIPR), which is involved in regulating appetite, metabolism and blood sugar. GIPR is an important target in the development of obesity medicines. Drugs such as tirzepatide, sold as Mounjaro and Zepbound, activate GIPR alongside the glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor. Other experimental medicines take the opposite approach by blocking GIPR. MariTide, currently in Phase 3 clinical trials, combines GIPR antagonism with GLP-1 receptor activation. The apparent contradiction has puzzled researchers for years. Why should both stimulating and blocking the same receptor contribute to weight loss? https://www.wionews.com/videos/weight-loss-drugs-fuel-protein-rich-whey-craving-demand-for-protein-rich-whey-explodes-1778001291434/embed It is the brain region that determines the outcome Cambridge researchers used genetically engineered mice in which GIPR could be selectively removed from particular regions of the brain. One group lacked GIPR in the brainstem, while another lacked the receptor in the hypothalamus. A control group retained normal GIPR expression. The researchers then examined responses to GIPR agonists and antagonists, as well as GLP-1 medicines used alone and in combination. The experiments revealed two distinct mechanisms. When GIPR is activated in the brainstem, it suppresses appetite, reducing food consumption and body weight. Blocking GIPR in the hypothalamus, on the other hand, strengthens the brain’s response to signals indicating that the body is full. In the hypothalamus, GIPR appears to act as a brake on satiety signalling. Blocking the receptor releases that brake, allowing fullness signals to become more powerful and reducing food intake through a different pathway. Also read: Beyond the scale: The hard truth about fitness nobody talks about The researchers monitored food intake, body weight, fat mass, blood-sugar control and brain activity throughout the study. Their findings suggest that the same receptor can influence weight loss through different neural circuits depending on its location in the brain. What the discovery means for future combination drugs The researchers also found evidence that GIPR blockade could enhance the effects of medicines targeting the amylin receptor. This raises the possibility of combining different hormone pathways to produce stronger weight-loss effects. The findings could help researchers develop more precise obesity treatments that target specific brain circuits rather than treating GIPR as a single, uniform switch. Also read: Next weight-loss breakthrough? AstraZeneca tests a daily pill - Elecoglipron “Understanding which brain circuits respond to these medications – and how they do so – could help us design better drugs that produce more weight loss with fewer side effects, and which might work in combination with other obesity medicines to even greater effect,” Lewis said. The study was funded by the UK Medical Research Council and Wellcome. As the research was conducted in mice, the findings do not yet establish that the same mechanisms will operate identically in humans. However, the work provides a framework for developing the next generation of obesity medicines and reinforces the central role of the brain in regulating body weight.

Cambridge scientists found why activating and blocking a brain receptor can both cause weight loss. The drugs act on different brain regions, revealing new pathways for more effective obesity treatments.

Scientists solve brain “switch” mystery behind weight loss in possible game changer for obesity drugs

Physicists at Rutgers University have discovered a quantum state that doesn't fit into solid, liquid, gas, or plasma states. According to a report in Science Advances, the finding emerged not from a single material but from the boundary where two unusual compounds meet. The study involved combining Eu₂Ir₂O₇ with Dy₂Ti₂O₇. Where Eu₂Ir₂O₇ act as a Weyl semimetal, where electrical conduction occurs through Weyl fermions, an exotic type of particle-like electronic excitation, while Dy₂Ti₂O₇ acts as a magnetic insulator known as spin ice, in which magnetic moments arrange themselves in a pattern similar to how hydrogen atoms form ice. Both compounds are magnetic pyrochlores and have been studied extensively on their own; however, they had never been examined together until this study, done by first author Tsung-Chi Wu, who completed his doctorate at Rutgers in June.<h3>Kondo coupling</h3>The researchers recorded a sixfold pattern in the electrical conductivity of the material at extremely low temperatures and high magnetic fields, with the effect of weakening along six specific directions. They considered the phenomenon to be Kondo coupling, noting that the shift of the magnetic state of the spin ice alters how electrons spread within the Weyl semimetal's surface, also identified as Fermi-arc states. As the magnetic field advances further, that sixfold pattern also collapses into a twofold one, calling it a rotational symmetry breaking, pointing to a many-body state driven by interactions among large numbers of particles as compared to individual ones. Building the atoms-thick heterostructure required a specially designed instrument, the Q-DiP (Quantum Phenomena Discovery Platform), which was developed by Chakhalian's team following four years of prior experimentation. The bulk of the recent measurements were conducted at the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory in Tallahassee, Florida, where extremely low temperatures and powerful magnetic fields enabled the observations to be made. Meanwhile, Jedediah Pixley's theoretical group, which included postdoctoral researcher Yueqing Chang, spent over two years developing models to interpret the experimental findings. The results indicate that interfaces between different materials can give rise to physics not observed in either material individually—a principle that researchers believe could pave the way for new methods of controlling electronic and magnetic properties.

The researchers recorded a sixfold pattern in the electrical conductivity of the material at extremely low temperatures and high magnetic fields, with the effect of weakening along six specific directions.

Physicists at Rutgers University have discovered a quantum state that doesn't fit into solid, liquid, gas, or plasma states. According to a report in Science Advances, the finding emerged not from a single material but from the boundary where two unusual compounds meet. The study involved combining Eu₂Ir₂O₇ with Dy₂Ti₂O₇. Where Eu₂Ir₂O₇ act as a Weyl semimetal, where electrical conduction occurs through Weyl fermions, an exotic type of particle-like electronic excitation, while Dy₂Ti₂O₇ acts as a magnetic insulator known as spin ice, in which magnetic moments arrange themselves in a pattern similar to how hydrogen atoms form ice. Both compounds are magnetic pyrochlores and have been studied extensively on their own; however, they had never been examined together until this study, done by first author Tsung-Chi Wu, who completed his doctorate at Rutgers in June. Kondo coupling The researchers recorded a sixfold pattern in the electrical conductivity of the material at extremely low temperatures and high magnetic fields, with the effect of weakening along six specific directions. They considered the phenomenon to be Kondo coupling, noting that the shift of the magnetic state of the spin ice alters how electrons spread within the Weyl semimetal's surface, also identified as Fermi-arc states. As the magnetic field advances further, that sixfold pattern also collapses into a twofold one, calling it a rotational symmetry breaking, pointing to a many-body state driven by interactions among large numbers of particles as compared to individual ones. Building the atoms-thick heterostructure required a specially designed instrument, the Q-DiP (Quantum Phenomena Discovery Platform), which was developed by Chakhalian's team following four years of prior experimentation. The bulk of the recent measurements were conducted at the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory in Tallahassee, Florida, where extremely low temperatures and powerful magnetic fields enabled the observations to be made. Meanwhile, Jedediah Pixley's theoretical group, which included postdoctoral researcher Yueqing Chang, spent over two years developing models to interpret the experimental findings. The results indicate that interfaces between different materials can give rise to physics not observed in either material individually—a principle that researchers believe could pave the way for new methods of controlling electronic and magnetic properties.

The researchers recorded a sixfold pattern in the electrical conductivity of the material at extremely low temperatures and high magnetic fields, with the effect of weakening along six specific directions.

Beyond solid, liquid, gas: Scientists find new state of matter where two exotic materials meet

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.&nbsp;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.<h3>88 per cent of electrical energy effectively utilised</h3>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.

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.

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

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?&nbsp;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.&nbsp;Scientists have tried to solve the Fermi Paradox with several hypotheses over the years.&nbsp;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.&nbsp;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.&nbsp;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&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.<h2>Then, how should we search for alien life?</h2> 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.&nbsp;"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.<h2>What happens when we find proof of extraterrestrial life?</h2> 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.”<h2>Could intelligent life be present under impenetrable ice without ever developing space travel or radios?</h2> 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.&nbsp;So what is the answer to "Where is everybody?" Loeb says the most convincing hypothesis is that everyone is right here.&nbsp;

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.

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.

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

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Where is everyone? Scientist says we are searching for alien life all wrong