Kate Middleton, Prince William celebrate King Charles' 78th birthday with a special social media post

Macron’s awkward embrace with Iceland PM Kristrún Frostadóttir goes viral – What happened?

Aliens near US military base? Woman captures bizarre jellyfish-like UFO in Alaska | WATCH

US flight chaos: Transport chief warns 'some delays, cancellations' to continue as thousands stranded after flight disruption

Why is the United States trying to control China's access to advanced AI chips?

Mumbai: 20-year-old arrested for allegedly surveying 26/11 target Chabad House, probe points to overseas links

IND vs NZ: New Zealand tour ends in disappointment as Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli fall cheaply in 5th ODI

Iran plotting to target Trump? Report claims Mossad shared intel with CIA

US-Iran war | Iran: Targeted US early-warning radar in Bahrain

Why are liquid-cooled GPUs becoming important for modern AI data centres?

ASEAN Summit 2026: PM Modi to Grace 3-Day ASEAN-India & East Asia Summit in Manila

Shape-shifting UFO sighting in Oregon leaves mother-daughter sick: 'Fell like a dead bird'

‘Outstanding day for Indian cricket’: PM Modi congratulates U19 team on Asia Cup win

'Currently has no role...': Megaspeed breaks silence on former boss Alice Huang and Nvidia CEO's affair

Who owns Jalsa, and who is Ramola Bachchan? Sister-in-law of Amitabh Bachchan questioning the 1993 gift deed

'Democracy was destroyed in 2014': Rahul Gandhi questions legitimacy of elections at Bharat Summit in Hyderabad

Why do AI GPUs consume so much electricity?

Netanyahu warns against Eisenkot's minority government plans

'I don’t negotiate with terrorists'- US school district faces lawsuit over teacher's remark to student

IndiGo flight makes emergency landing in Pune after mid-air scare – What happened?

AUS vs ENG: Perth hero Mahli Beardman rested for 2nd ODI; Nathan Ellis ruled out of T20I series

How is China trying to build its own Nvidia to challenge the US chip industry?

Blasts, sirens rock Bahrain as Iran claims drone attack on US military base

Oak Ridge Boys' Richard Sterban dies at 83 after battle with cancer, tributes pour in

Jensen Huang seen with wife Lori in Paris in photos shared by daughter Madison

'No civic sense': Viral video shows family bursting crackers inside highway tunnel, sparks outrage | Watch

Why do Nvidia and Apple depend so heavily on Taiwan?

Paris protests | Interior Ministry: 106,000 take part in protests, 121 arrested

WATCH | SpaceX catches Starship spacecraft midair for first time after 22-hour orbital flight

Meta fined €805 million in Italy over alleged access to users’ phone galleries

Israel elections: Netanyahu urges Eisenkot to join unity government, says only a coalition can eliminate Iran threat 'once and for all'

'It exploded in his mouth': Man dies after friend gives him bomb disguised as rasgulla on Diwali in Madhya Pradesh's Dindori

Telugu actor Giribabu dies at 83; Chiranjeevi, Chandrababu Naidu pay tribute

'He promised me a green card': Lebanese woman accuses Texas ICE officer of sexually assaulting her in detention

Aaryavir Sehwag chants ‘Sita Ram’ to stay calm during India-Pakistan U19 Asia Cup final | WATCH

Israel-Gaza war: Israeli airstrike on Nasser Hospital kills 6, wounds 20

First game after Cristiano Ronaldo's retirement ends in Portugal's 4-1 loss to Denmark

Indian student sentenced to 30 years in UK for online grooming of over 70 children

Harry Potter: HBO series unveils new Hogwarts scene, Dumbledore's conversation with McGonagall grabs attention

A study has found that our planet's most destructive disasters strike based on a regular cycle. These are events that have the potential to end all life on Earth or create conditions that eventually wipe everyone off the face of our planet. Professor Michael Rampino, a geologist at New York University, says that any of these disasters occurs every 27 million years. His scientific predictions, published in the journal Evolving Earth, show that Earth could be due for one such event in the near future.&nbsp;Rampino claims that something happens to our solar system every few years which triggers devastation on Earth. He analysed 89 geological events that struck in the last 260 years. This includes mass extinction events, asteroid collisions, a series of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, fluctuations in sea levels, oceans losing their oxygen, and changes in seafloor spreading rates. He claims that all of them are linked with a mysterious hidden chain.<h2>Three cycles of destruction and mass extinctions</h2>While the idea was first proposed in the 1980s, it was widely dismissed by critics as baseless. However, Rampino is almost sure that a single thread ties all mass extinction events. He further claims that there are shorter mini–cycles which connect some events every 8.9 million years, while some had a longer cycle of up to 270 million years. In one case, he found that the ages of cooled lava from massive volcanic eruptions spread over thousands of square miles matched almost exactly with his 27–million–year–cycle.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/cataclysmic-bordeaux-france-wildfires-create-giant-fire-cloud-pyrocumulonimbus-1785128996426">Cataclysmic Bordeaux wildfire is generating its own thunderstorms inside massive fire cloud</a><h2>Earth's orbit influenced by solar system and Milky Way likely trigger geological events&nbsp;</h2>&nbsp;Rampino believes that they could be occurring because of the shifts taking place deep inside Earth. He, in turn, connects this with Earth's orbit around the Sun, and goes a step further and further links them to the galaxy. Our planet's semi–liquid mantle circulates at a slow speed. When this movement changes, it could trigger deadly volcanic eruptions, earthquakes and other geological processes.&nbsp;Rampino also found that variations in Earth's orbit and its movements within the galaxy as a whole also affect the occurrences on our planet. Our solar system is constantly moving, and every 30 million years it crosses the plane of the Milky Way. At this time, comets out in the Oort cloud are disturbed, sending some of them towards us. He noted that the wobbling of the solar system coincides with major events on Earth.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/100km-asteroid-exploded-and-changed-moon-and-earth-800mn-years-ago-1784715305298">100km asteroid exploded in the solar system and changed Moon and Earth 800mn years ago</a><h2>Dark matter collide and trigger major upheaval on Earth</h2>He then suggests that Earth gathers dark matter particles when it moves through the galactic centre, which then gather in the core, collide and annihilate each other, causing heat to be released, "which could initiate an intense pulse of global geologic activity." He says this process could be up to 250 times the Earth's present internal heat flux. Rampino says nine of the Earth's 13 mass extinctions occurred within 0.3 to six million years of crossing the galactic plane.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/physicist-warns-of-unseen-threat-in-space-blames-humans-for-a-doomsday-system-1784621355783">Physicist warns of unseen threat in space, blames humans for a ‘doomsday system’</a>&nbsp;He says that the last time Earth passed the plane was three to four million years ago. This means it will happen again in the next two million years. However, Rampino admits the topic remains controversial, has limited evidence and is counter to interpretations of the nature of the geologic record. &nbsp;

Earth's mass extinctions and other disasters could be following a pattern. A scientist has claimed that Earth's orbit, influenced by the solar system's movement through the Milky Way, could be causing earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and other such events on Earth. 

A study has found that our planet's most destructive disasters strike based on a regular cycle. These are events that have the potential to end all life on Earth or create conditions that eventually wipe everyone off the face of our planet. Professor Michael Rampino, a geologist at New York University, says that any of these disasters occurs every 27 million years. His scientific predictions, published in the journal Evolving Earth, show that Earth could be due for one such event in the near future. Rampino claims that something happens to our solar system every few years which triggers devastation on Earth. He analysed 89 geological events that struck in the last 260 years. This includes mass extinction events, asteroid collisions, a series of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, fluctuations in sea levels, oceans losing their oxygen, and changes in seafloor spreading rates. He claims that all of them are linked with a mysterious hidden chain. Three cycles of destruction and mass extinctions While the idea was first proposed in the 1980s, it was widely dismissed by critics as baseless. However, Rampino is almost sure that a single thread ties all mass extinction events. He further claims that there are shorter mini–cycles which connect some events every 8.9 million years, while some had a longer cycle of up to 270 million years. In one case, he found that the ages of cooled lava from massive volcanic eruptions spread over thousands of square miles matched almost exactly with his 27–million–year–cycle. Also Read: Cataclysmic Bordeaux wildfire is generating its own thunderstorms inside massive fire cloud Earth's orbit influenced by solar system and Milky Way likely trigger geological events Rampino believes that they could be occurring because of the shifts taking place deep inside Earth. He, in turn, connects this with Earth's orbit around the Sun, and goes a step further and further links them to the galaxy. Our planet's semi–liquid mantle circulates at a slow speed. When this movement changes, it could trigger deadly volcanic eruptions, earthquakes and other geological processes. Rampino also found that variations in Earth's orbit and its movements within the galaxy as a whole also affect the occurrences on our planet. Our solar system is constantly moving, and every 30 million years it crosses the plane of the Milky Way. At this time, comets out in the Oort cloud are disturbed, sending some of them towards us. He noted that the wobbling of the solar system coincides with major events on Earth. Also Read: 100km asteroid exploded in the solar system and changed Moon and Earth 800mn years ago Dark matter collide and trigger major upheaval on Earth He then suggests that Earth gathers dark matter particles when it moves through the galactic centre, which then gather in the core, collide and annihilate each other, causing heat to be released, "which could initiate an intense pulse of global geologic activity." He says this process could be up to 250 times the Earth's present internal heat flux. Rampino says nine of the Earth's 13 mass extinctions occurred within 0.3 to six million years of crossing the galactic plane. Also Read: Physicist warns of unseen threat in space, blames humans for a ‘doomsday system’ He says that the last time Earth passed the plane was three to four million years ago. This means it will happen again in the next two million years. However, Rampino admits the topic remains controversial, has limited evidence and is counter to interpretations of the nature of the geologic record.

Earth has gone through 13 mass extinction events in its over 4.6 billion-year history, and all of them could be linked to an occurrence in the Milky Way. A scientist has found a pattern to them and claims the exact same thing happens every few years

Scientist finds a pattern to Earth's mass extinctions, and it's hiding in deep space

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket stage that has been tumbling in space since January 2025 is set to crash into the Moon next month. The event will also be visible from Earth, provided you have a telescope. The rocket will carve a new crater in the Moon, throwing plumes of lunar dust several kilometres high in the air.&nbsp;The rocket delivered Firefly Aerospace's Blue Ghost lander and ispace's Resilience lander towards the Moon in 2025. But it did not have enough fuel left to return to Earth's atmosphere or take a trip into deep space. It has been in an unstable orbit since then after escaping Earth's gravity. It has now been caught in the Moon's gravity and is moving towards it. An upcoming collision will be visible from Earth.<h2>When will SpaceX rocket crash into Moon?</h2> The rocket will collide with the Moon on August 5. The impact will happen near the Einstein Crater at 12:05 pm IST. A new study that hasn't been peer-reviewed yet has presented what to expect from the crash. Astronomer Bill Gray tracked the object using his Project Pluto software and was the first to reveal the details of the impact.<h2>How big is the SpaceX rocket?</h2>The SpaceX rocket is nearly 40 feet long, 13 feet wide, and weighs 4,000 kg. It will strike the Moon at a speed of nearly 8,750 km/hr. It will gouge a crater in the lunar surface measuring about 65 to 100 feet wide. It will send lunar regolith flying for several kilometres into the air. The rocket itself is expected to fall apart since it is hollow.&nbsp;Since the event is happening during the day, professional and amateur astronomers can see the flash and dust plume, and even click pictures if they have cameras suited for the event.&nbsp; &nbsp;

The Moon will have a new crater soon, which will be made by a man-made object. A SpaceX rocket is tumbling towards the Moon and will crash next month. You can see the impact, flash and plume of dust from Earth.

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket stage that has been tumbling in space since January 2025 is set to crash into the Moon next month. The event will also be visible from Earth, provided you have a telescope. The rocket will carve a new crater in the Moon, throwing plumes of lunar dust several kilometres high in the air. The rocket delivered Firefly Aerospace's Blue Ghost lander and ispace's Resilience lander towards the Moon in 2025. But it did not have enough fuel left to return to Earth's atmosphere or take a trip into deep space. It has been in an unstable orbit since then after escaping Earth's gravity. It has now been caught in the Moon's gravity and is moving towards it. An upcoming collision will be visible from Earth. When will SpaceX rocket crash into Moon? The rocket will collide with the Moon on August 5. The impact will happen near the Einstein Crater at 12:05 pm IST. A new study that hasn't been peer-reviewed yet has presented what to expect from the crash. Astronomer Bill Gray tracked the object using his Project Pluto software and was the first to reveal the details of the impact. How big is the SpaceX rocket? The SpaceX rocket is nearly 40 feet long, 13 feet wide, and weighs 4,000 kg. It will strike the Moon at a speed of nearly 8,750 km/hr. It will gouge a crater in the lunar surface measuring about 65 to 100 feet wide. It will send lunar regolith flying for several kilometres into the air. The rocket itself is expected to fall apart since it is hollow. Since the event is happening during the day, professional and amateur astronomers can see the flash and dust plume, and even click pictures if they have cameras suited for the event.

The Moon will have a new crater soon, which will be made by a man-made object. A SpaceX rocket is tumbling towards the Moon and will crash next month. You can see the impact, flash and plume of dust from Earth.

Watch a SpaceX rocket crash into the moon at 8,750 km/hr on THIS day

In a groundbreaking study, it was found that humans may have faced a forgotten era of extraordinary language diversity thousands of years ago, when communities across the planet in different civilisations could have spoken tens of thousands more languages as compared to all the existed today. Researchers found that this lost “linguistic golden age” reached its peak prior to the rise of powerful states, migration and expanding civilisations, which transformed the way humans communicated over time. Nearly 12,000 years ago, during the Early Holocene, Earth housed between 4,500 and 6,200 languages, where the total global population was only about 5 million, limited to distinct communities. This has turned the number of separate languages that could emerge. However, with the rise of agriculture between 10,000 and 3,000 years ago after the rise of agriculture, farmers supported larger populations and encouraged people to establish permanent settlements across valleys, plains, islands, and river basins. This has resulted the speech to gradually diverging after the communities remained separated over generations. The new Science study suggests that agriculture initially acted as a powerful tool for linguistic diversification, causing the number of languages to exponentially rise rather than decline. Researchers suggest that language diversity took place between 1000 BCE and 1000 CE, with the planet potentially home to 20,000 to 75,000 spoken and signed languages, the highest such number in recorded history, shaped by countless communities and their unique environments. The study challenges long-held assumptions about when language loss began, tracing the first major bottleneck to the rise of centralised empires like Rome, Han China, and later Arab-Islamic states between roughly 2,000 years ago and 1500 CE. As official languages became necessary for administration, trade, and law, smaller regional tongues were gradually absorbed or erased. European colonialism, global trade, and standardised education after 1500 CE further accelerated this decline. Today, only about 7,500 languages remain; researchers say empires, not colonialism alone, triggered the first great collapse of linguistic diversity, silencing countless undocumented languages forever.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/why-are-brands-turning-to-ai-influencers-for-their-marketing-campaigns-explain-1785149334949">Why are brands turning to AI influencers for their marketing campaigns? EXPLAINED</a><h3>How do these languages get lost?</h3>To trace the untold story of human speech, researchers combined computer modelling, population data, and ethnographic records to map out how languages evolved throughout the Holocene, the geological epoch that began roughly 12,000 years ago. Their research indicates that prior to widespread agriculture, humans likely communicated in thousands of distinct languages spread across various regions, with early populations potentially speaking anywhere from 4,500 to 6,200 languages before farming reshaped societal structures. As agricultural practices took hold, communities expanded in size and new social groupings formed, opening up more room for languages to branch out and diversify. However, the eventual drop in linguistic diversity wasn't due to people ceasing to create new languages. Rather, researchers attribute it to sweeping societal shifts that gradually diminished the number of independently spoken languages globally. A key driver was the rise of major political powers. As empires expanded, their official languages frequently took precedence in governance, commerce, and education. The growth of the Roman Empire, for instance, spread Latin throughout much of Europe, eventually shaping the emergence of languages such as Spanish, French, Italian, Portuguese, and Romanian. Comparable trends unfolded elsewhere as dominant states extended their reach. Wherever a single language became essential for trade, governance, or social mobility, smaller local languages tended to fade. Researchers also link this linguistic spread to wider cultural transformations — when communities stopped teaching a language to the next generation, the traditions tied to it often vanished alongside it.

The new Science study suggests that agriculture initially acted as a powerful tool for linguistic diversification, causing the number of languages to rise exponentially rather than decline.

In a groundbreaking study, it was found that humans may have faced a forgotten era of extraordinary language diversity thousands of years ago, when communities across the planet in different civilisations could have spoken tens of thousands more languages as compared to all the existed today. Researchers found that this lost “linguistic golden age” reached its peak prior to the rise of powerful states, migration and expanding civilisations, which transformed the way humans communicated over time. Nearly 12,000 years ago, during the Early Holocene, Earth housed between 4,500 and 6,200 languages, where the total global population was only about 5 million, limited to distinct communities. This has turned the number of separate languages that could emerge. However, with the rise of agriculture between 10,000 and 3,000 years ago after the rise of agriculture, farmers supported larger populations and encouraged people to establish permanent settlements across valleys, plains, islands, and river basins. This has resulted the speech to gradually diverging after the communities remained separated over generations. The new Science study suggests that agriculture initially acted as a powerful tool for linguistic diversification, causing the number of languages to exponentially rise rather than decline. Researchers suggest that language diversity took place between 1000 BCE and 1000 CE, with the planet potentially home to 20,000 to 75,000 spoken and signed languages, the highest such number in recorded history, shaped by countless communities and their unique environments. The study challenges long-held assumptions about when language loss began, tracing the first major bottleneck to the rise of centralised empires like Rome, Han China, and later Arab-Islamic states between roughly 2,000 years ago and 1500 CE. As official languages became necessary for administration, trade, and law, smaller regional tongues were gradually absorbed or erased. European colonialism, global trade, and standardised education after 1500 CE further accelerated this decline. Today, only about 7,500 languages remain; researchers say empires, not colonialism alone, triggered the first great collapse of linguistic diversity, silencing countless undocumented languages forever. Also read: Why are brands turning to AI influencers for their marketing campaigns? EXPLAINED How do these languages get lost? To trace the untold story of human speech, researchers combined computer modelling, population data, and ethnographic records to map out how languages evolved throughout the Holocene, the geological epoch that began roughly 12,000 years ago. Their research indicates that prior to widespread agriculture, humans likely communicated in thousands of distinct languages spread across various regions, with early populations potentially speaking anywhere from 4,500 to 6,200 languages before farming reshaped societal structures. As agricultural practices took hold, communities expanded in size and new social groupings formed, opening up more room for languages to branch out and diversify. However, the eventual drop in linguistic diversity wasn't due to people ceasing to create new languages. Rather, researchers attribute it to sweeping societal shifts that gradually diminished the number of independently spoken languages globally. A key driver was the rise of major political powers. As empires expanded, their official languages frequently took precedence in governance, commerce, and education. The growth of the Roman Empire, for instance, spread Latin throughout much of Europe, eventually shaping the emergence of languages such as Spanish, French, Italian, Portuguese, and Romanian. Comparable trends unfolded elsewhere as dominant states extended their reach. Wherever a single language became essential for trade, governance, or social mobility, smaller local languages tended to fade. Researchers also link this linguistic spread to wider cultural transformations — when communities stopped teaching a language to the next generation, the traditions tied to it often vanished alongside it.

The new Science study suggests that agriculture initially acted as a powerful tool for linguistic diversification, causing the number of languages to rise exponentially rather than decline.

3,000 years ago, humanity spoke thousands of languages — then fell silent. Where did they all go?

AI influencers are increasingly emerging as a new force in India, driving the social media and advertising industry from novelty to mainstream brand assets. With the growth of followers and high engagement, most brands are turning to virtual influencers for marketing campaigns in order to promote their services and product in the amount less than what real influencers charge. From the influencers Kyra, Naina Avtr and Maya in India to global virtual influencers including Lil Miquela, Lu do Magalu, Imma and Rozy, AI-generated personalities are increasingly becoming part of the influencer and brand marketing ecosystem. Major brands are opting for AI influencers because they offer a combination of creative flexibility, cost efficiency, and brand control that is difficult to achieve with human influencers alone.&nbsp;The trend is raising an important question: can AI-generated personalities eventually challenge real influencers?&nbsp;The most trending characters among India-based virtual influencers are Kyra, which was created by Bengaluru-based marketing firm TopSocial. It is widely regarded as India's first and most popular virtual influencer, having built a large Instagram following through travel diaries, fashion-forward looks, and lifestyle content. She has since appeared on the digital cover of Travel + Leisure India, collaborated with brands including boAt, Amazon Prime Video, L'Oréal, WOW Skin Science, and John Jacobs, and crossed 250,000 Instagram followers by 2026. Other AI personas have followed similar trajectories. Radhika Subramaniam, billed as India's first bilingual (Tamil and English) AI travel influencer and created by Collective Artists Network, is designed as a Gen Z solo traveller and blends local culture, humour, and wanderlust to resonate with India's digital-first youth. She has partnered with brands like Campus Activewear. Meanwhile, Naina, another prominent AI influencer, is known for elegant fashion statements and has built a reputation for storytelling that blurs technology and creativity.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/can-ai-deliver-human-like-customer-experience-at-scale-experts-weigh-in-1785067511207">Can AI deliver human-like customer experience at scale? Experts weigh in</a><h3>How are AI influencers attracting brands?</h3>Kofluence's Decoding Influence 2026 report indicates that AI tools are now deeply embedded across content ideation, creative production, trend analysis, and influencer campaign management not only in India but at the global level as well. The data indicated that India's broader creator economy is estimated to be worth $15.03 billion in 2026, with influencer marketing spend projected to cross Rs 3,375 crore, increasingly directed toward AI-powered campaigns. Other major reasons to attract the firms and different brands are that they provide virtual influencer campaigns, delivering strong results particularly in consumer electronics, OTT and gaming, fashion and beauty, fintech, and fitness, with AI-driven influencer selection reportedly improving campaign ROI. Experts note the appeal lies in complete creative control, consistency, and freedom from the unpredictability of human creators, while sidestepping scandals or scheduling constraints. These influencers typically make a strong bond with their dedicated followers, enabling them to effect behavioural change. The greater advantage for them comes from the users only as over half the global population now uses social media. Statista report indicated that more than 4.59 billion people around the world were using social media in 2022.&nbsp;Now, surprisingly, that figure is set to rise to almost 6 billion by 2027. This shows that this audience has become a powerful marketing force for AI influencers to target and reach new audiences through campaign leaders. This enables brands to reach their service and products to a mass audience using these famous AI influencers for less than human influencers.<h3>Global reach &amp; 24/7 content production</h3>Other major reasons include that AI influencers can appear in new campaigns every day. They can instantly create content for festivals, languages, and markets without organising photoshoots. The best part is that a single AI influencer can communicate in multiple languages and can easily be adapted for wider audiences.<h3>Consistency &amp; easy optimisation</h3>Unlike human influencers, whose natural appearance, interests, and availability change over time, AI influencers maintain a fixed, consistent identity, making it easier for brands to build long-term campaigns around. With AI-generated visuals, marketers can instantly swap out clothing, hairstyles, backgrounds, products, or locations without the logistics of a real shoot. This appeals particularly to Gen Z and Gen Alpha audiences, who are already comfortable engaging with virtual characters across gaming, social media, and metaverse platforms. AI-generated content also offers unmatched agility: brands can rapidly test different styles, captions, and visual formats based on real-time engagement data, refining campaigns on the fly. Perhaps most practically, AI influencers eliminate the operational headaches that come with natural problems like illness, and human talents like vacations, scheduling conflicts, or contractual disputes that could delay campaigns. However, marketers caution against viewing AI influencers as a replacement for human creators. Industry voices argue the future is hybrid, as human creators bring irreplaceable cultural depth and community trust, especially across India's Tier 2 and Tier 3 markets, while virtual influencers offer consistency and novelty at scale.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

The greater advantage for them comes from the users only as over half the global population now uses social media. Statista report indicated that more than 4.59 billion people around the world were using social media in 2022.

AI influencers are increasingly emerging as a new force in India, driving the social media and advertising industry from novelty to mainstream brand assets. With the growth of followers and high engagement, most brands are turning to virtual influencers for marketing campaigns in order to promote their services and product in the amount less than what real influencers charge. From the influencers Kyra, Naina Avtr and Maya in India to global virtual influencers including Lil Miquela, Lu do Magalu, Imma and Rozy, AI-generated personalities are increasingly becoming part of the influencer and brand marketing ecosystem. Major brands are opting for AI influencers because they offer a combination of creative flexibility, cost efficiency, and brand control that is difficult to achieve with human influencers alone. The trend is raising an important question: can AI-generated personalities eventually challenge real influencers? The most trending characters among India-based virtual influencers are Kyra, which was created by Bengaluru-based marketing firm TopSocial. It is widely regarded as India's first and most popular virtual influencer, having built a large Instagram following through travel diaries, fashion-forward looks, and lifestyle content. She has since appeared on the digital cover of Travel + Leisure India, collaborated with brands including boAt, Amazon Prime Video, L'Oréal, WOW Skin Science, and John Jacobs, and crossed 250,000 Instagram followers by 2026. Other AI personas have followed similar trajectories. Radhika Subramaniam, billed as India's first bilingual (Tamil and English) AI travel influencer and created by Collective Artists Network, is designed as a Gen Z solo traveller and blends local culture, humour, and wanderlust to resonate with India's digital-first youth. She has partnered with brands like Campus Activewear. Meanwhile, Naina, another prominent AI influencer, is known for elegant fashion statements and has built a reputation for storytelling that blurs technology and creativity. Also read: Can AI deliver human-like customer experience at scale? Experts weigh in How are AI influencers attracting brands? Kofluence's Decoding Influence 2026 report indicates that AI tools are now deeply embedded across content ideation, creative production, trend analysis, and influencer campaign management not only in India but at the global level as well. The data indicated that India's broader creator economy is estimated to be worth $15.03 billion in 2026, with influencer marketing spend projected to cross Rs 3,375 crore, increasingly directed toward AI-powered campaigns. Other major reasons to attract the firms and different brands are that they provide virtual influencer campaigns, delivering strong results particularly in consumer electronics, OTT and gaming, fashion and beauty, fintech, and fitness, with AI-driven influencer selection reportedly improving campaign ROI. Experts note the appeal lies in complete creative control, consistency, and freedom from the unpredictability of human creators, while sidestepping scandals or scheduling constraints. These influencers typically make a strong bond with their dedicated followers, enabling them to effect behavioural change. The greater advantage for them comes from the users only as over half the global population now uses social media. Statista report indicated that more than 4.59 billion people around the world were using social media in 2022. Now, surprisingly, that figure is set to rise to almost 6 billion by 2027. This shows that this audience has become a powerful marketing force for AI influencers to target and reach new audiences through campaign leaders. This enables brands to reach their service and products to a mass audience using these famous AI influencers for less than human influencers. Global reach & 24/7 content production Other major reasons include that AI influencers can appear in new campaigns every day. They can instantly create content for festivals, languages, and markets without organising photoshoots. The best part is that a single AI influencer can communicate in multiple languages and can easily be adapted for wider audiences. Consistency & easy optimisation Unlike human influencers, whose natural appearance, interests, and availability change over time, AI influencers maintain a fixed, consistent identity, making it easier for brands to build long-term campaigns around. With AI-generated visuals, marketers can instantly swap out clothing, hairstyles, backgrounds, products, or locations without the logistics of a real shoot. This appeals particularly to Gen Z and Gen Alpha audiences, who are already comfortable engaging with virtual characters across gaming, social media, and metaverse platforms. AI-generated content also offers unmatched agility: brands can rapidly test different styles, captions, and visual formats based on real-time engagement data, refining campaigns on the fly. Perhaps most practically, AI influencers eliminate the operational headaches that come with natural problems like illness, and human talents like vacations, scheduling conflicts, or contractual disputes that could delay campaigns. However, marketers caution against viewing AI influencers as a replacement for human creators. Industry voices argue the future is hybrid, as human creators bring irreplaceable cultural depth and community trust, especially across India's Tier 2 and Tier 3 markets, while virtual influencers offer consistency and novelty at scale.

The greater advantage for them comes from the users, as over half the global population now uses social media. Statista report indicated that more than 4.59 billion people around the world were using social media in 2022.

Why are brands turning to AI influencers for their marketing campaigns? EXPLAINED

Researchers from the University of Exeter in the United Kingdom have managed to decode a centuries-old Gujarati navigational chart, revealing how Indian Ocean sailors found their way without modern maps or instruments. For nearly two centuries, the ancient Indian map sat quietly in the archives of Britain's Royal Geographical Society, admired as an unusual old map but never fully understood.Now, researchers have unlocked its hidden language and discovered that the delicate paper scroll wasn't just a map. It was a sophisticated navigation guide that helped Indian sailors cross the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden long before GPS, compasses became widespread, or European-style charts dominated the seas.The scroll, created by Kachchhi or Gujarati seafarers in the late 18th or early 19th century, offers rare evidence that Indian Ocean mariners developed their own highly effective navigation system based on local knowledge, stars and memory.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/india-s-next-terror-threat-may-not-cross-the-border-it-may-enter-through-your-phone-wion-decodes-1784346117443">India's next terror threat may not cross the border. It may enter through your phone | WION Decodes</a><h2>The map that wasn't meant to look like a map</h2>To modern eyes, the chart appears distorted. In it, the Red Sea is angled differently from modern maps, coastlines seem compressed, and there are no obvious latitude-longitude grids. For decades, scholars assumed these were flaws, concluding the chart lacked scientific precision.The new study, however, has revealed that it was an "effective aide memoire". Researchers found that the unusual design was intentional. The scroll, just 25 centimetres wide, was built for use aboard ships. Sailors could unroll only the section they needed while keeping the rest protected from wind and water.Instead of trying to replicate geography perfectly, it prioritised what navigators actually needed, like sailing directions, landmarks, islands, reefs and ports.<h2>Hidden codes finally deciphered</h2>One of the biggest breakthroughs came when researchers successfully translated all 66 Devanagari place names on the chart for the first time.Earlier historians had identified only about half of them. The team also decoded astronomical information that had gone unnoticed for almost 190 years. Rather than lacking latitude data, as previously believed, the scroll actually encoded latitude through stellar navigation, allowing experienced sailors to determine their position at sea.Researchers also found that 29 carefully drawn rhumb lines served multiple purposes, from indicating coastal direction to plotting safe routes across open water and into ports.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/built-to-outlive-us-all-earth-is-getting-an-indestructible-black-box-to-record-the-end-of-human-civilisation-1783747790087">Built to outlive us all: Earth is getting an indestructible ‘black box’ to record the end of human civilisation</a><h2>A guide written for those who already knew the sea</h2>Unlike modern navigation charts designed for anyone to read, this document assumed its users already possessed generations of maritime knowledge.It functioned as what researchers describe as an "aide memoire" — a portable reference that refreshed a navigator's memory rather than teaching someone how to sail.The scroll contains more than 180 islands, reefs, religious buildings, flags and coastal landmarks, helping experienced sailors pinpoint their location while travelling between India, Arabia and the Horn of Africa.Its religious illustrations also hint that its navigator was likely Muslim, while the flags mark important political and trading centres."This is a rich and effective navigational reference work: its stellar information allowed sailors to know their latitude and set sailing directions; its many place names and topographical information enabled them to locate themselves precisely; its religious buildings suggest the navigator’s Muslim faith; and its flags suggesting nodes of political and fiscal action," said Professor John Cooper, from the <a href="https://news.exeter.ac.uk/faculty-of-humanities-arts-and-social-sciences/two-centuries-on-experts-unlock-secrets-of-red-sea-and-gulf-of-aden-sailing-chart/">University of Exeter</a>’s Institute of Arab and Islamic Studies, who led the research.<h2>How did the Indian map end up in a British archive?</h2>According to the university, the chart entered British hands in 1835 when explorer Alexander Burnes acquired it from an unnamed sea captain in Kachchh while serving with the East India Company.Burnes recognised it as an extraordinary maritime document and donated it to the Royal Geographical Society, calling it a "form a specimen of naval surveying … unequalled in any of the cabinets of Europe". But even he misunderstood its true purpose.Over the next 180 years, the chart was examined several times (in 1947, 1987, 2002,2012 and 2022), yet scholars continued to overlook its practical role as a working navigational tool.Only now, using fresh linguistic analysis and modern cartographic techniques, have researchers reconstructed the chart's full geographical meaning.<h2>Rewriting Indian Ocean history</h2>The findings challenge long-held assumptions that sophisticated maritime navigation in the Indian Ocean depended primarily on European mapping traditions.Instead, they reveal an indigenous system refined over centuries, one that relied on experience, stellar observation and an intimate understanding of local waters rather than mathematical projections.Far from being an inaccurate map, the scroll was an elegant solution to a sailor's greatest challenge: carrying centuries of navigational knowledge across some of the world's most demanding seas in a document small enough to fit aboard a wooden ship. &nbsp;

Researchers at the University of Exeter have deciphered a centuries-old Gujarati navigational scroll, revealing that Indian Ocean sailors used a sophisticated system based on stars, landmarks and memory to navigate the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden long before modern maps and GPS.

Researchers from the University of Exeter in the United Kingdom have managed to decode a centuries-old Gujarati navigational chart, revealing how Indian Ocean sailors found their way without modern maps or instruments. For nearly two centuries, the ancient Indian map sat quietly in the archives of Britain's Royal Geographical Society, admired as an unusual old map but never fully understood. Now, researchers have unlocked its hidden language and discovered that the delicate paper scroll wasn't just a map. It was a sophisticated navigation guide that helped Indian sailors cross the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden long before GPS, compasses became widespread, or European-style charts dominated the seas. The scroll, created by Kachchhi or Gujarati seafarers in the late 18th or early 19th century, offers rare evidence that Indian Ocean mariners developed their own highly effective navigation system based on local knowledge, stars and memory. Also read | India's next terror threat may not cross the border. It may enter through your phone | WION Decodes The map that wasn't meant to look like a map To modern eyes, the chart appears distorted. In it, the Red Sea is angled differently from modern maps, coastlines seem compressed, and there are no obvious latitude-longitude grids. For decades, scholars assumed these were flaws, concluding the chart lacked scientific precision. The new study, however, has revealed that it was an "effective aide memoire". Researchers found that the unusual design was intentional. The scroll, just 25 centimetres wide, was built for use aboard ships. Sailors could unroll only the section they needed while keeping the rest protected from wind and water. Instead of trying to replicate geography perfectly, it prioritised what navigators actually needed, like sailing directions, landmarks, islands, reefs and ports. Hidden codes finally deciphered One of the biggest breakthroughs came when researchers successfully translated all 66 Devanagari place names on the chart for the first time. Earlier historians had identified only about half of them. The team also decoded astronomical information that had gone unnoticed for almost 190 years. Rather than lacking latitude data, as previously believed, the scroll actually encoded latitude through stellar navigation, allowing experienced sailors to determine their position at sea. Researchers also found that 29 carefully drawn rhumb lines served multiple purposes, from indicating coastal direction to plotting safe routes across open water and into ports. Also read | Built to outlive us all: Earth is getting an indestructible ‘black box’ to record the end of human civilisation A guide written for those who already knew the sea Unlike modern navigation charts designed for anyone to read, this document assumed its users already possessed generations of maritime knowledge. It functioned as what researchers describe as an "aide memoire" — a portable reference that refreshed a navigator's memory rather than teaching someone how to sail. The scroll contains more than 180 islands, reefs, religious buildings, flags and coastal landmarks, helping experienced sailors pinpoint their location while travelling between India, Arabia and the Horn of Africa. Its religious illustrations also hint that its navigator was likely Muslim, while the flags mark important political and trading centres. "This is a rich and effective navigational reference work: its stellar information allowed sailors to know their latitude and set sailing directions; its many place names and topographical information enabled them to locate themselves precisely; its religious buildings suggest the navigator’s Muslim faith; and its flags suggesting nodes of political and fiscal action," said Professor John Cooper, from the University of Exeter’s Institute of Arab and Islamic Studies, who led the research. How did the Indian map end up in a British archive? According to the university, the chart entered British hands in 1835 when explorer Alexander Burnes acquired it from an unnamed sea captain in Kachchh while serving with the East India Company. Burnes recognised it as an extraordinary maritime document and donated it to the Royal Geographical Society, calling it a "form a specimen of naval surveying … unequalled in any of the cabinets of Europe". But even he misunderstood its true purpose. Over the next 180 years, the chart was examined several times (in 1947, 1987, 2002,2012 and 2022), yet scholars continued to overlook its practical role as a working navigational tool. Only now, using fresh linguistic analysis and modern cartographic techniques, have researchers reconstructed the chart's full geographical meaning. Rewriting Indian Ocean history The findings challenge long-held assumptions that sophisticated maritime navigation in the Indian Ocean depended primarily on European mapping traditions. Instead, they reveal an indigenous system refined over centuries, one that relied on experience, stellar observation and an intimate understanding of local waters rather than mathematical projections. Far from being an inaccurate map, the scroll was an elegant solution to a sailor's greatest challenge: carrying centuries of navigational knowledge across some of the world's most demanding seas in a document small enough to fit aboard a wooden ship.

Researchers at the University of Exeter have deciphered a centuries-old Gujarati navigational scroll, revealing that Indian Ocean sailors used a sophisticated system based on stars, landmarks and memory to navigate the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden long before modern maps and GPS.

Hidden in British archives: Scientists decode 200-year-old Indian scroll that helped sailors cross one of the world's toughest seas

A study has determined that the maximum age up to which humans can ever survive is 156 years. A mathematical model suggests this theoretical figure could be achieved if every reversible hallmark of ageing were eliminated, barring one. This marks the first time that researchers have set a firm limit on human longevity based entirely on how much irreversible cell damage accumulates over a lifetime. Even as scientists work to increase human lifespan, the study states that even the most advanced anti-ageing interventions will hit a biological curb. The only way to break through that barrier is to control genomic damage.<h2>How long could humans live?</h2>The limit to human lifespan comes into play because of the tissues that cannot regenerate, that is, the brain and the heart, the authors wrote in the study published in npj Aging. The team used a multistage model in which ageing mechanisms were switched on one after the other. They measured how long a human could live if all of them were cured, except somatic mutations. They found that eliminating all the ageing processes still caps the median lifespan at between 146 and 194 years.&nbsp;“Neurons and cardiomyocytes" acted as "the main limiting factors," co-author Evgeniy Efimov said in a statement. Therapies to reverse certain characteristics of ageing are present today, but there is none that can do the same with somatic mutations. They accumulate in tissues slowly and in tissues that cannot replace their cells. The mathematical model showed that while liver and other renewing organs can withstand thousands of years of mutation accumulation because of continuous cell turnover, brain and heart cells, which do not divide, ultimately give in.&nbsp;The model started off with a hypothetical “non-ageing human” for whom the increasing age is not a factor in mortality. The median lifespan in this case stood at 1,759 years. The addition of somatic mutations led to the lifespan collapsing to 156 years. The researchers say they will soon expand their model to include other hallmarks of ageing.&nbsp; &nbsp;

A study has noted that humans could theoretically live up to 190 years if certain hallmarks of ageing are completely removed. When age is de-linked with mortality, the median age is 1,759 years. However, with somatic mutations, this number comes down to 156 years.

A study has determined that the maximum age up to which humans can ever survive is 156 years. A mathematical model suggests this theoretical figure could be achieved if every reversible hallmark of ageing were eliminated, barring one. This marks the first time that researchers have set a firm limit on human longevity based entirely on how much irreversible cell damage accumulates over a lifetime. Even as scientists work to increase human lifespan, the study states that even the most advanced anti-ageing interventions will hit a biological curb. The only way to break through that barrier is to control genomic damage. How long could humans live? The limit to human lifespan comes into play because of the tissues that cannot regenerate, that is, the brain and the heart, the authors wrote in the study published in npj Aging. The team used a multistage model in which ageing mechanisms were switched on one after the other. They measured how long a human could live if all of them were cured, except somatic mutations. They found that eliminating all the ageing processes still caps the median lifespan at between 146 and 194 years. “Neurons and cardiomyocytes" acted as "the main limiting factors," co-author Evgeniy Efimov said in a statement. Therapies to reverse certain characteristics of ageing are present today, but there is none that can do the same with somatic mutations. They accumulate in tissues slowly and in tissues that cannot replace their cells. The mathematical model showed that while liver and other renewing organs can withstand thousands of years of mutation accumulation because of continuous cell turnover, brain and heart cells, which do not divide, ultimately give in. The model started off with a hypothetical “non-ageing human” for whom the increasing age is not a factor in mortality. The median lifespan in this case stood at 1,759 years. The addition of somatic mutations led to the lifespan collapsing to 156 years. The researchers say they will soon expand their model to include other hallmarks of ageing.

A study has noted that humans could theoretically live up to 190 years if certain hallmarks of ageing are completely removed. When age is de-linked with mortality, the median age is 1,759 years. However, with somatic mutations, this number comes down to 156 years.

Scientists say humans could live to a maximum age of 156 years. Here's how

Archaeologists have uncovered human remains dating back to around 850 BC in El Salvador on Tuesday (Jul 21), the country’s Ministry of Culture said. The remains, which are believed to be nearly 3,000 years old, were found beneath the layers of volcanic ash at a burial site in Antiguo Cuscatlan, a suburb of San Salvador.Researchers found the remains alongside a small Usulutan-style ceramic vessel shaped like a sea turtle – an artefact that offers a rare connection to the beliefs and traditions of people who lived in the region thousands of years ago.The excavation also revealed traces of cassava branches preserved beneath layers of volcanic ash deposited over different periods. The natural covering helped protect fragments of the ancient burial site for centuries.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/venezuela-earthquake-did-delayed-military-orders-confusion-slow-rescue-operations-1784444944175">Venezuela earthquake: Did delayed military orders, confusion slow rescue operations?</a>The remains were found lying face down, a detail that has caught the attention of archaeologists. They will now undergo radiocarbon testing to confirm their age, while DNA analysis will help determine the person’s sex.The find has revived interest in El Salvador’s ancient burial practices, with experts drawing comparisons to the Chalchuapa archaeological site in western El Salvador.At Chalchuapa, excavated in the 1970s, archaeologists discovered the remains of 33 people, including complete and partial skeletons as well as isolated skulls. Some of the remains showed signs of violence, including bound limbs, mutilation and decapitation, leading researchers to identify the site as one of the earliest known examples of possible human sacrifice in Mesoamerica.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/cannon-event-16th-century-artefact-weighing-3-000-tonnes-stolen-from-mp-s-narwar-fort-1784370844593">Cannon event! 16th century artefact weighing 3.5 tonnes stolen from MP’s Narwar Fort</a> The Antiguo Cuscatlan discovery is now being studied to determine whether it carries similar evidence of ritual practices or reveals a different chapter of the region’s ancient history. For archaeologists, the grave is more than a collection of bones and artefacts – it is a rare record of a civilisation that existed long before modern borders shaped the land.

Archaeologists in El Salvador unearthed 3,000-year-old human remains at an ancient burial site, alongside a turtle-shaped ceramic vessel, offering clues into early Mesoamerican rituals and traditions.

Archaeologists have uncovered human remains dating back to around 850 BC in El Salvador on Tuesday (Jul 21), the country’s Ministry of Culture said. The remains, which are believed to be nearly 3,000 years old, were found beneath the layers of volcanic ash at a burial site in Antiguo Cuscatlan, a suburb of San Salvador. Researchers found the remains alongside a small Usulutan-style ceramic vessel shaped like a sea turtle – an artefact that offers a rare connection to the beliefs and traditions of people who lived in the region thousands of years ago. The excavation also revealed traces of cassava branches preserved beneath layers of volcanic ash deposited over different periods. The natural covering helped protect fragments of the ancient burial site for centuries. Also read | Venezuela earthquake: Did delayed military orders, confusion slow rescue operations? The remains were found lying face down, a detail that has caught the attention of archaeologists. They will now undergo radiocarbon testing to confirm their age, while DNA analysis will help determine the person’s sex. The find has revived interest in El Salvador’s ancient burial practices, with experts drawing comparisons to the Chalchuapa archaeological site in western El Salvador. At Chalchuapa, excavated in the 1970s, archaeologists discovered the remains of 33 people, including complete and partial skeletons as well as isolated skulls. Some of the remains showed signs of violence, including bound limbs, mutilation and decapitation, leading researchers to identify the site as one of the earliest known examples of possible human sacrifice in Mesoamerica. Also read | Cannon event! 16th century artefact weighing 3.5 tonnes stolen from MP’s Narwar Fort The Antiguo Cuscatlan discovery is now being studied to determine whether it carries similar evidence of ritual practices or reveals a different chapter of the region’s ancient history. For archaeologists, the grave is more than a collection of bones and artefacts – it is a rare record of a civilisation that existed long before modern borders shaped the land.

Archaeologists in El Salvador unearthed 3,000-year-old human remains at an ancient burial site, alongside a turtle-shaped ceramic vessel, offering clues into early Mesoamerican rituals and traditions.

Mystery of ancient burial: Archaeologists uncover 3,000-year-old skeleton in El Salvador

For decades, scientists have noticed a pattern in the Moon's craters that points to something massive that happened 800 million years ago. They may have finally solved the mystery and believe an asteroid about 100 kilometres in diameter could be to blame. Researchers have pointed out that this mammoth rock broke into several pieces after a catastrophic collision. Today, we know this family of asteroids as Eulalia.&nbsp;Asteroids smash into other cosmic objects and explode all the time. But this particular asteroid was very near the 3:1 mean motion resonance with Jupiter when this happened. This means that an object at this point would go around the Sun three times in the time that Jupiter takes to do once. This point is a gravitational escape for the asteroid belt from where objects can be flung into planet-crossing regions throughout the solar system. Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/latest-findings-on-meteorite-that-killed-dinosaurs-proves-just-how-unlucky-they-were-1784635815538">Latest findings on meteorite that killed dinosaurs proves just how unlucky they were</a> &nbsp;When this mammoth asteroid struck something, fragments were thrown to the J3:1 point, from where they reached the inner solar system. A non-gravitational thermal acceleration force known as the Yarkovsky effect sent more of these pieces inwards over the next 150 million years. This led to a major bombardment of the planets in the inner region. The team of researchers said that most of the Near-Earth asteroids, such as Ryugu and Bennu, have come from this collision.&nbsp;The biggest proof of this activity comes from the Moon. It is marked with several craters, and 800 million years ago there was a sudden spike in crater formation. Copernicus crater, a 93-kilometre-wide ditch, was made during this time. The samples collected by Apollo astronauts also showed tiny glass beads made from intense impacts. Their radiometric ages have been dated to around 800 million years ago. Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/our-sun-was-missing-its-silver-scientists-finally-know-what-went-wrong-1784553877953">Our Sun was missing its silver. Scientists finally know what went wrong</a><h2>How asteroid rain impacted Earth</h2>Meanwhile, Earth's higher gravity would have meant that our planet would have witnessed 20 times the collisions witnessed by the Moon. Researchers said that at exactly the same time, the Bitter Springs Anomaly occurred on our planet. &nbsp;Earth’s carbon cycle was disrupted, which they now believe was because of an increased amount of asteroid dust in the atmosphere. This happened just before the “Snowball Earth” glaciation period.&nbsp;On Mars, massive volcanic calderas sprang upright around 800 million years ago, and led to a planetary surge in volcanic eruptions. On Venus, around 650 million years ago, the event sparked a catastrophic volcanic resurfacing event. However, scientists admit that tying these planetary events to the asteroidal activity needs extraordinary evidence.

Moon craters tell the story of an asteroid that collided somewhere near Jupiter 800 million years ago. The fragments were flung towards the inner solar system, where they crashed into Earth, Mars, Venus and our Moon. Scientists say a 100km asteroid was the culprit.

For decades, scientists have noticed a pattern in the Moon's craters that points to something massive that happened 800 million years ago. They may have finally solved the mystery and believe an asteroid about 100 kilometres in diameter could be to blame. Researchers have pointed out that this mammoth rock broke into several pieces after a catastrophic collision. Today, we know this family of asteroids as Eulalia. Asteroids smash into other cosmic objects and explode all the time. But this particular asteroid was very near the 3:1 mean motion resonance with Jupiter when this happened. This means that an object at this point would go around the Sun three times in the time that Jupiter takes to do once. This point is a gravitational escape for the asteroid belt from where objects can be flung into planet-crossing regions throughout the solar system. Also Read: Latest findings on meteorite that killed dinosaurs proves just how unlucky they were When this mammoth asteroid struck something, fragments were thrown to the J3:1 point, from where they reached the inner solar system. A non-gravitational thermal acceleration force known as the Yarkovsky effect sent more of these pieces inwards over the next 150 million years. This led to a major bombardment of the planets in the inner region. The team of researchers said that most of the Near-Earth asteroids, such as Ryugu and Bennu, have come from this collision. The biggest proof of this activity comes from the Moon. It is marked with several craters, and 800 million years ago there was a sudden spike in crater formation. Copernicus crater, a 93-kilometre-wide ditch, was made during this time. The samples collected by Apollo astronauts also showed tiny glass beads made from intense impacts. Their radiometric ages have been dated to around 800 million years ago. Also Read: Our Sun was missing its silver. Scientists finally know what went wrong How asteroid rain impacted Earth Meanwhile, Earth's higher gravity would have meant that our planet would have witnessed 20 times the collisions witnessed by the Moon. Researchers said that at exactly the same time, the Bitter Springs Anomaly occurred on our planet. Earth’s carbon cycle was disrupted, which they now believe was because of an increased amount of asteroid dust in the atmosphere. This happened just before the “Snowball Earth” glaciation period. On Mars, massive volcanic calderas sprang upright around 800 million years ago, and led to a planetary surge in volcanic eruptions. On Venus, around 650 million years ago, the event sparked a catastrophic volcanic resurfacing event. However, scientists admit that tying these planetary events to the asteroidal activity needs extraordinary evidence.

Moon craters tell the story of an asteroid that collided somewhere near Jupiter 800 million years ago. The fragments were flung towards the inner solar system, where they crashed into Earth, Mars, Venus and our Moon. Scientists say a 100km asteroid was the culprit.

100km asteroid exploded in the solar system and changed Moon and Earth 800mn years ago

The meteorite that killed the dinosaurs belonged to an extremely rare class of space rocks, a study has found. It was composed of carbonaceous (CO) chondrites of the Ornans class, something that is typically not seen in the meteorites found on Earth. Scientists say this shows just how far it travelled to smash into Earth and wipe out 75 per cent of dinosaurs. The study was carried out by researchers from the University of British Columbia (UBC), Paris, Brussels and Vienna, and published in Science Advances on Monday (July 20).&nbsp;The team used advanced nickel isotope analysis of samples to detect the composition of the meteorite that slammed during the Cretaceous-Palaeogene era. Of the meteorites found on Earth, barely any have carried similar signatures. “Carbonaceous chondrites of the Ornans class are definitely not like the typical meteors you find in museum collections,” Dr Philippe Claeys, who was a visiting professor at UBC and part of the study, said.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/forgotten-fossil-reveals-largest-dinosaurs-to-ever-walk-earth-lived-in-antarctica-1782796088641">82-million-year-old fossil reveals Antarctica was home to the largest dinosaurs to ever walk Earth</a>&nbsp;“A CO contains much less volatile elements—like carbon, zinc, water and particularly sulphur—than other classes of meteorites we’ve discovered so far on Earth," Dr Claeys added. "Carbonaceous chondrites make up only five per cent of meteorites so far sampled on Earth. Carbonaceous chondrites of the Ornans class — CO chondrites — make up a tiny fraction of that group," he further said, adding “it really underscores how unlucky the dinosaurs were.”<h2>Does it change anything about the dinosaur extinction?</h2>They stressed that the latest discovery does not alter how the dinosaurs died 66 million years ago from the impactor. However, it does clarify one crucial point - that sulphur did not play a major role in the mass extinction event.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/sotheby-s-t-rex-auction-rs-482-crore-1784087057744">Someone just paid Rs 482 crore for a Tyrannosaurus rex</a>&nbsp;As the meteorite smashed into the Yucatán Peninsula in Mexico at a speed of 64,000 km/hr, dust and debris were thrown into the atmosphere. The layer triggered a mass cooling, killing all life slowly. Dr Claeys, a professor with Vrije Universiteit Brussel, said that the work was challenging since "only a minute fraction of the projectile is preserved in the planet’s KT clay layer."Questions remain about the origin of the meteorite. Scientists say it could have come debris-rich regions of the outer Solar System or even the outer area of the asteroid belt near Jupiter.

Dinosaurs were wiped off the face of the Earth because of a meteorite, and now a study has found just how rare that rock was. It contained elements that have almost never been seen in meteorites found on Earth. 

The meteorite that killed the dinosaurs belonged to an extremely rare class of space rocks, a study has found. It was composed of carbonaceous (CO) chondrites of the Ornans class, something that is typically not seen in the meteorites found on Earth. Scientists say this shows just how far it travelled to smash into Earth and wipe out 75 per cent of dinosaurs. The study was carried out by researchers from the University of British Columbia (UBC), Paris, Brussels and Vienna, and published in Science Advances on Monday (July 20). The team used advanced nickel isotope analysis of samples to detect the composition of the meteorite that slammed during the Cretaceous-Palaeogene era. Of the meteorites found on Earth, barely any have carried similar signatures. “Carbonaceous chondrites of the Ornans class are definitely not like the typical meteors you find in museum collections,” Dr Philippe Claeys, who was a visiting professor at UBC and part of the study, said. Also Read: 82-million-year-old fossil reveals Antarctica was home to the largest dinosaurs to ever walk Earth “A CO contains much less volatile elements—like carbon, zinc, water and particularly sulphur—than other classes of meteorites we’ve discovered so far on Earth," Dr Claeys added. "Carbonaceous chondrites make up only five per cent of meteorites so far sampled on Earth. Carbonaceous chondrites of the Ornans class — CO chondrites — make up a tiny fraction of that group," he further said, adding “it really underscores how unlucky the dinosaurs were.” Does it change anything about the dinosaur extinction? They stressed that the latest discovery does not alter how the dinosaurs died 66 million years ago from the impactor. However, it does clarify one crucial point - that sulphur did not play a major role in the mass extinction event. Also Read: Someone just paid Rs 482 crore for a Tyrannosaurus rex As the meteorite smashed into the Yucatán Peninsula in Mexico at a speed of 64,000 km/hr, dust and debris were thrown into the atmosphere. The layer triggered a mass cooling, killing all life slowly. Dr Claeys, a professor with Vrije Universiteit Brussel, said that the work was challenging since "only a minute fraction of the projectile is preserved in the planet’s KT clay layer." Questions remain about the origin of the meteorite. Scientists say it could have come debris-rich regions of the outer Solar System or even the outer area of the asteroid belt near Jupiter.

Dinosaurs were wiped off the face of the Earth because of a meteorite, and now a study has found just how rare that rock was. It contained elements that have almost never been seen in meteorites found on Earth.&nbsp;

Latest findings on meteorite that killed dinosaurs proves just how unlucky they were

The Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) has approved Japanese company Takeda Biopharmaceuticals India’s dengue vaccine, QDENGA. It is the first such vaccine that India has greenlighted. The approved vaccine is designed to protect against all four dengue virus strains (DENV-1, DENV-2, DENV-3 and DENV-4) and can be administered despite prior dengue exposure. The company confirmed that the vaccine does not require pre-vaccination testing. The vaccine is given as an under-the-skin (subcutaneous) injection, administered in a two-dose regimen of 0.5 mL each, which is spaced three months apart. While pricing has not been finalised yet, but are expected to be affordable for Indians, given that Takeda has partnered with Hyderabad-based Biological E to produce up to 50 million doses annually. The final price will also hinge on whether the vaccine is eventually included in government-run immunisation schemes. The vaccine offers protection against all four strains of the dengue virus and is approved for people aged four to 60, irrespective of whether they've had dengue before, meaning no prior testing is required before vaccination. It stands out as the most rigorously researched dengue vaccine to date, with long-term data confirming lasting protection against both dengue infection and severe cases requiring hospitalisation.&nbsp;Also read:<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/world-wants-me-to-die-bryan-johnson-says-people-rejoiced-in-his-autoimmune-disease-diagnosis-1784530751620"> 'World wants me to die': Bryan Johnson says people rejoiced in his autoimmune disease diagnosis</a><h3>The clinical trial of QDENGA vaccine</h3>Takeda's dengue vaccine QDENGA has been approved in India, backed by an extensive global clinical development programme spanning 19 Phase 1, 2, and 3 trials with over 28,000 participants across dengue-endemic and non-endemic regions. Central to this was the pivotal Phase III TIDES (DEN-301) trial involving more than 20,000 participants across eight countries. At 12 months post-second dose, the vaccine showed 80.2 per cent efficacy against virologically confirmed dengue, while at 18 months it demonstrated 90.4 per cent efficacy against dengue-related hospitalisation. Long-term data at 4.5 years showed 84.1 per cent efficacy in preventing hospitalisations, with safety and efficacy sustained for up to seven years across all four dengue serotypes. The approval is further supported by DEN-302, a Phase III trial conducted specifically in Indian participants aged 4–60, which confirmed the vaccine's tolerability, safety, and immunogenicity across children, adolescents, and adults. Ongoing real-world evidence and pharmacovigilance continue to reinforce these findings. WHO also gave a nod for the vaccine, confirming that it meets global standards for quality, safety and efficacy, and allowing eligibility for procurement using international agencies, including UNICEF and PAHO, to support broader access.&nbsp;

The vaccine offers protection against all four strains of the dengue virus and is approved for people aged four to 60, irrespective of whether they've had dengue before, meaning no prior testing is required before vaccination.

The Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) has approved Japanese company Takeda Biopharmaceuticals India’s dengue vaccine, QDENGA. It is the first such vaccine that India has greenlighted. The approved vaccine is designed to protect against all four dengue virus strains (DENV-1, DENV-2, DENV-3 and DENV-4) and can be administered despite prior dengue exposure. The company confirmed that the vaccine does not require pre-vaccination testing. The vaccine is given as an under-the-skin (subcutaneous) injection, administered in a two-dose regimen of 0.5 mL each, which is spaced three months apart. While pricing has not been finalised yet, but are expected to be affordable for Indians, given that Takeda has partnered with Hyderabad-based Biological E to produce up to 50 million doses annually. The final price will also hinge on whether the vaccine is eventually included in government-run immunisation schemes. The vaccine offers protection against all four strains of the dengue virus and is approved for people aged four to 60, irrespective of whether they've had dengue before, meaning no prior testing is required before vaccination. It stands out as the most rigorously researched dengue vaccine to date, with long-term data confirming lasting protection against both dengue infection and severe cases requiring hospitalisation. Also read: 'World wants me to die': Bryan Johnson says people rejoiced in his autoimmune disease diagnosis The clinical trial of QDENGA vaccine Takeda's dengue vaccine QDENGA has been approved in India, backed by an extensive global clinical development programme spanning 19 Phase 1, 2, and 3 trials with over 28,000 participants across dengue-endemic and non-endemic regions. Central to this was the pivotal Phase III TIDES (DEN-301) trial involving more than 20,000 participants across eight countries. At 12 months post-second dose, the vaccine showed 80.2 per cent efficacy against virologically confirmed dengue, while at 18 months it demonstrated 90.4 per cent efficacy against dengue-related hospitalisation. Long-term data at 4.5 years showed 84.1 per cent efficacy in preventing hospitalisations, with safety and efficacy sustained for up to seven years across all four dengue serotypes. The approval is further supported by DEN-302, a Phase III trial conducted specifically in Indian participants aged 4–60, which confirmed the vaccine's tolerability, safety, and immunogenicity across children, adolescents, and adults. Ongoing real-world evidence and pharmacovigilance continue to reinforce these findings. WHO also gave a nod for the vaccine, confirming that it meets global standards for quality, safety and efficacy, and allowing eligibility for procurement using international agencies, including UNICEF and PAHO, to support broader access.

The vaccine offers protection against all four strains of the dengue virus and is approved for people aged four to 60, irrespective of whether they've had dengue before, meaning no prior testing is required before vaccination.

DCGI clears Takeda's QDENGA, India's first-ever dengue vaccine: Full details inside

Our Sun, the planets, meteorites, and everything else in our solar system formed from the same cloud of gas and dust 4.6 billion years ago. Which means all of them should also have the same proportion of heavy elements. However, the Sun has been missing its silver, which has puzzled scientists for decades. Meteorites are time capsules, pristine pieces from billions of years ago that act as a benchmark. So everything they have, the Sun should also have.&nbsp;&nbsp;But measurements showed that the Sun is missing a significant proportion of its silver as compared to meteorites. The difference was huge, which has led astronomers to do everything they can to solve this mystery.&nbsp;This dilemma has finally been resolved. Sema Caliskan of Uppsala University has found the reason for the missing silver. Actually, the silver was never missing at all. The problem lay with how humans were measuring it.<h2>How do scientists detect elements in sunlight?</h2> To know which elements are present in a star, scientists check for their fingerprints. The atoms of each element absorb tiny amounts of light at very specific wavelengths when the sunlight passes through the outer layers of the Sun. They leave faint dark lines in the spectrum, and their pattern helps scientists figure out which elements are present along with their quantities. Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasa-warns-humans-have-underestimated-the-strongest-solar-storms-1784528249152">NASA warns humans have underestimated the strongest solar storms - ‘There could be no upper limit’</a><h2>How did Caliskan and his team find the silver in Sun</h2> To get as close as possible to the right number, it is important how the Sun's atmosphere is modelled. Caliskam and his team built a model that was far more realistic compared to the oversimplified versions. It accounted for the turbulent and dynamic nature of the Sun's outer layers. Atomic physics describes precisely how silver atoms interact with light and their surroundings. It also dealt with how that light itself affects the atoms that produce these lines. Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/earthly-microbes-could-turn-deadlier-on-mars-spelling-doom-for-astronauts-1784294014524">Bad News for Musk: Earthly microbes could turn deadlier on Mars, spelling doom for astronauts</a>&nbsp;The model revealed what scientists had been missing all this time. The Sun has a lot of silver, 55 per cent more than previously thought. This finding has finally brought our star more in line with the meteorites. Caliskam's team now plans to study other stars to understand where and when elements like silver were born and what caused them to be scattered in the Milky Way. &nbsp;

The Sun has 55 per cent more silver in it than scientists had calculated in the past. Previous studies showed that a lot of this element was missing from our star. But now, a study has found the missing silver in the Sun.

Our Sun, the planets, meteorites, and everything else in our solar system formed from the same cloud of gas and dust 4.6 billion years ago. Which means all of them should also have the same proportion of heavy elements. However, the Sun has been missing its silver, which has puzzled scientists for decades. Meteorites are time capsules, pristine pieces from billions of years ago that act as a benchmark. So everything they have, the Sun should also have. But measurements showed that the Sun is missing a significant proportion of its silver as compared to meteorites. The difference was huge, which has led astronomers to do everything they can to solve this mystery. This dilemma has finally been resolved. Sema Caliskan of Uppsala University has found the reason for the missing silver. Actually, the silver was never missing at all. The problem lay with how humans were measuring it. How do scientists detect elements in sunlight? To know which elements are present in a star, scientists check for their fingerprints. The atoms of each element absorb tiny amounts of light at very specific wavelengths when the sunlight passes through the outer layers of the Sun. They leave faint dark lines in the spectrum, and their pattern helps scientists figure out which elements are present along with their quantities. Also Read: NASA warns humans have underestimated the strongest solar storms - ‘There could be no upper limit’ How did Caliskan and his team find the silver in Sun To get as close as possible to the right number, it is important how the Sun's atmosphere is modelled. Caliskam and his team built a model that was far more realistic compared to the oversimplified versions. It accounted for the turbulent and dynamic nature of the Sun's outer layers. Atomic physics describes precisely how silver atoms interact with light and their surroundings. It also dealt with how that light itself affects the atoms that produce these lines. Also Read: Bad News for Musk: Earthly microbes could turn deadlier on Mars, spelling doom for astronauts The model revealed what scientists had been missing all this time. The Sun has a lot of silver, 55 per cent more than previously thought. This finding has finally brought our star more in line with the meteorites. Caliskam's team now plans to study other stars to understand where and when elements like silver were born and what caused them to be scattered in the Milky Way.

The Sun has 55 per cent more silver than scientists had calculated in the past. Previous studies showed that a lot of this element was missing from our star. But now, a study has found the missing silver in the Sun.

Our Sun was missing its silver. Scientists finally know what went wrong

China is planning a huge asteroid strike mission where it will crash a spacecraft into a small space rock at 26 times the speed of light. The mission aims to deflect the asteroid from its trajectory and even break it apart entirely, SCMP reported. The planetary defence mission goes way beyond what NASA did with DART in many ways. The American space agency altered the orbit of the asteroid moonlet around the main rock, and later analysis showed that its shape had changed. But China wants to see if it can shatter its composition.&nbsp;The mission is being led by Li Mingtao, chief scientist of planetary defence at the China National Space Administration (CNSA). The target is Asteroid 2015 XF261, which has not been studied much. Compared to asteroid moonlet Dimorphos, which was a 525-foot rubble-pile space rock, asteroid 2015 XF261 measures only about 98 feet and is believed to be a stronger, more solid body. The intercept will happen when it comes roughly 7 million kilometres near Earth around 2029 or 2030.&nbsp;The plan is to strike the asteroid at an astonishing speed of 9 kilometres per second, equivalent to Mach 26 at sea level. In comparison, NASA's DART impact had a velocity of 6.1 km/s. The higher speed would deliver a more powerful impact because kinetic energy increases exponentially with velocity. Scientists think that this could cause the asteroid to completely come apart.<h2>China will launch the observing spacecraft on the same rocket</h2>China also plans to observe the affected asteroid differently from NASA. The same rocket will carry two spacecraft - the impactor and the observer. Once launched, both of them will go their separate ways. One will go towards the asteroid, and a second spacecraft will observe the asteroid before, during and after the collision. It will see how its orbit, shape and surface change after the impact. This spacecraft will use Venus gravity assist to observe the effects. In contrast, the European Space Agency launched the Hera mission separately to observe the changes in Dimorphos&nbsp;The mission overall has four targets - an accurate hit, successfully changing its orbit, precisely measuring the impact results, and confirming that Earth remains safe after the test. &nbsp;

China could soon outrival NASA in planetary defence and asteroid strike. Its new mission aims to slam an asteroid at a speed of Mach 26, much higher than the DART mission, and even break apart a small asteroid completely.  

China is planning a huge asteroid strike mission where it will crash a spacecraft into a small space rock at 26 times the speed of light. The mission aims to deflect the asteroid from its trajectory and even break it apart entirely, SCMP reported. The planetary defence mission goes way beyond what NASA did with DART in many ways. The American space agency altered the orbit of the asteroid moonlet around the main rock, and later analysis showed that its shape had changed. But China wants to see if it can shatter its composition. The mission is being led by Li Mingtao, chief scientist of planetary defence at the China National Space Administration (CNSA). The target is Asteroid 2015 XF261, which has not been studied much. Compared to asteroid moonlet Dimorphos, which was a 525-foot rubble-pile space rock, asteroid 2015 XF261 measures only about 98 feet and is believed to be a stronger, more solid body. The intercept will happen when it comes roughly 7 million kilometres near Earth around 2029 or 2030. The plan is to strike the asteroid at an astonishing speed of 9 kilometres per second, equivalent to Mach 26 at sea level. In comparison, NASA's DART impact had a velocity of 6.1 km/s. The higher speed would deliver a more powerful impact because kinetic energy increases exponentially with velocity. Scientists think that this could cause the asteroid to completely come apart. China will launch the observing spacecraft on the same rocket China also plans to observe the affected asteroid differently from NASA. The same rocket will carry two spacecraft - the impactor and the observer. Once launched, both of them will go their separate ways. One will go towards the asteroid, and a second spacecraft will observe the asteroid before, during and after the collision. It will see how its orbit, shape and surface change after the impact. This spacecraft will use Venus gravity assist to observe the effects. In contrast, the European Space Agency launched the Hera mission separately to observe the changes in Dimorphos The mission overall has four targets - an accurate hit, successfully changing its orbit, precisely measuring the impact results, and confirming that Earth remains safe after the test.

China could soon outrival NASA in planetary defence and asteroid strike. Its new mission aims to slam an asteroid at a speed of Mach 26, much higher than the DART mission, and even break apart a small asteroid completely. &nbsp;

China to whack asteroid at 26 times the speed of sound. Here's how the mission outrivals NASA's DART

Space scientists at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland have warned that we have been underestimating the worst-case scenarios for solar storms and their impact on Earth. According to a study published in the journal Nature, "erroneous measurements" of solar storms have likely distorted estimates about how much energy can be transferred into Earth’s polar ionosphere. While we think there is some kind of upper limit to it, the researchers say there may not be one.&nbsp;Study coauthor Maria Walach said in a statement that "fortunately, very extreme cases are rare, but this also means we have limited data to work with and only time will tell what happens at the very extreme one-in-a-thousand-year kind of event." &nbsp;She added, "If there is no upper limit to our planet’s response to the solar wind, modelling for extreme cases needs to take this into account, and we should be vigilant for space weather effects."&nbsp;The problem does not arise from faulty equipment, but from how scientists measure their space weather measurements, Walach says. Instruments in space that detect solar storms long before they reach Earth are located at a point where they fail to gauge the dissipating effects of solar storms.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/tracked-by-nasa-since-1998-missing-asteroid-reappears-as-mysterious-dark-comet-1784286114510">Tracked by NASA since 1998, missing asteroid reappears as mysterious dark comet</a>&nbsp;NASA’s IMAP sits at the Lagrange point one (L1) and provides consistent early warning data on solar particles and CMEs released by the Sun. It is stationary and locked in an orbit, where it relies on measurements taken before these particles hit the Earth's magnetosheath. It basically overestimates the actual solar wind, which is later “influenced by local plasma and field conditions,” the researchers wrote.<h2>Instruments measuring solar winds</h2>The researchers compared over a million solar wind measurements taken by NASA’s THEMIS all-sky imager, MMS, and DoubleStar. They were seen in contrast to ordinary readings of the magnetosheath and magnetosphere. The team concluded that "there is currently no statistical evidence to suggest an upper limit to the energy transferred from the solar wind to the polar ionosphere."&nbsp;&nbsp;Extreme solar storms can cause satellites to tumble down on Earth, and GPS signals are affected, which is rare. “Our planet’s magnetic field does a really great job of protecting us against many space weather effects,” Walach noted. So until we have an actual major storm, it is hard to say to what extent the magnetosphere can withstand the impact from the sun's energy.

The most intense forms of solar storms are rare, and so we do not know exactly how Earth's magnetic field will behave when one arrives. It is highly likely that we still do not know how strong solar winds and energy can get, meaning we have been underestimating them.

Space scientists at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland have warned that we have been underestimating the worst-case scenarios for solar storms and their impact on Earth. According to a study published in the journal Nature, "erroneous measurements" of solar storms have likely distorted estimates about how much energy can be transferred into Earth’s polar ionosphere. While we think there is some kind of upper limit to it, the researchers say there may not be one. Study coauthor Maria Walach said in a statement that "fortunately, very extreme cases are rare, but this also means we have limited data to work with and only time will tell what happens at the very extreme one-in-a-thousand-year kind of event." She added, "If there is no upper limit to our planet’s response to the solar wind, modelling for extreme cases needs to take this into account, and we should be vigilant for space weather effects." The problem does not arise from faulty equipment, but from how scientists measure their space weather measurements, Walach says. Instruments in space that detect solar storms long before they reach Earth are located at a point where they fail to gauge the dissipating effects of solar storms. Also Read: Tracked by NASA since 1998, missing asteroid reappears as mysterious dark comet NASA’s IMAP sits at the Lagrange point one (L1) and provides consistent early warning data on solar particles and CMEs released by the Sun. It is stationary and locked in an orbit, where it relies on measurements taken before these particles hit the Earth's magnetosheath. It basically overestimates the actual solar wind, which is later “influenced by local plasma and field conditions,” the researchers wrote. Instruments measuring solar winds The researchers compared over a million solar wind measurements taken by NASA’s THEMIS all-sky imager, MMS, and DoubleStar. They were seen in contrast to ordinary readings of the magnetosheath and magnetosphere. The team concluded that "there is currently no statistical evidence to suggest an upper limit to the energy transferred from the solar wind to the polar ionosphere." Extreme solar storms can cause satellites to tumble down on Earth, and GPS signals are affected, which is rare. “Our planet’s magnetic field does a really great job of protecting us against many space weather effects,” Walach noted. So until we have an actual major storm, it is hard to say to what extent the magnetosphere can withstand the impact from the sun's energy.

The most intense forms of solar storms are rare, and so we do not know exactly how Earth's magnetic field will behave when one arrives. It is highly likely that we still do not know how strong solar winds and energy can get, meaning we have been underestimating them.

NASA warns humans have underestimated the strongest solar storms - 'There could be no upper limit'

Tara Polar Station is an aluminium igloo travelling to the Arctic with 12 people and a dog on board. It will drift through the North Pole for nearly 500 days and collect samples to study the impact of climate change. It will be a risky affair and is the first of 10 expeditions over 20 years.

Tara Polar Station is an aluminium igloo travelling to the Arctic with 12 people and a dog on board. It will drift through the North Pole for nearly 500 days and collect samples to study the impact of climate change. It will be a risky affair and is the first of 10 expeditions over 20 years.

500 days, -52 C, polar bears and total isolation: 12 humans and a dog undertake an arduous North Pole expedition

China has completed the first successful implantation of a commercially approved brain-computer interface (BCI) chip. The achievement marks a major milestone in neurotechnology, which aims to restore movement and communication to humans suffering ​from varied forms of paralysis. The NEO brain chip was implanted in a patient suffering a long-term spinal cord injury in order to help restore hand movement through a robotic glove controlled by brain signals. The chip received approval in China earlier this year. The development has intensified the global race in brain-chip technology, with China and the US competing to lead the field. With this approval, China has become the first nation in the world to allow the use of an invasive BCI medical device for commercial use.<h3>How NEO brain chip different from Elon Musk's Neuralink</h3>The product is an invasive brain-computer interface (BCI), meaning its electrodes are implanted directly into the brain rather than placed on its surface. It employs a minimally invasive extradural implantation technique and operates using wireless technology. The device is intended for patients aged 18 to 60 who have a specific type of spinal cord injury. To qualify, the injury must have occurred at least one year earlier, the patient must have remained medically stable for six months after standard treatment, and they must have lost the ability to grasp objects with their hands while still retaining some upper-arm movement. Meanwhile, NeuCyber's advanced Beinao-2 system is another invasive BCI featuring flexible electrodes that are fully implanted into the brain and is currently undergoing large-scale animal trials. In comparison, Neuralink's N1 chip stands out for its robotic surgical system, which can implant hundreds of electrodes into the brain within minutes. "The benchmark for Beinao-2 is ⁠Neuralink. I have to say, (there is) about three years' lag because they have over 20 patients using it already," ​Li Yuan, rotating CEO of NeuCyber, a startup linked with the Beijing-based Chinese Institute for Brain Research (CIBR), said. "We ​have just finished the first product and have to go through animal testing, then early-feasibility clinical trials, and then the real trials. That's maybe about two years later for the real trial," he added.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-s-first-private-orbital-rocket-vikram-1-successfully-lifts-off-from-sriharikota-1784360535292">India's first private orbital rocket, Vikram-1, successfully lifts off from Sriharikota; PM Modi congratulates</a> Li stated that the BCI device is a coin-sized wireless implant by Shanghai-based private firm Neuracle. It sits on the outer membrane of the brain and controls a ‌robotic glove. So far, NeuCyber has achieved seven human implantations of the previous version known as Beinao-1, a semi-invasive BCI having electrodes implanted on the brain's outer membrane. In contrast, Neuralink reported in January that it has 21 participants worldwide registered in human clinical trials. Li projects that it could take an additional two to three years for NeuCyber's BCI products to become widely available in the domestic market, pending necessary clearances from China’s health commission, medical product regulators, and medical insurance authorities.

To qualify, the injury must have occurred at least one year earlier, the patient must have remained medically stable for six months after standard treatment, and they must have lost the ability to grasp objects with their hands while still retaining some upper-arm movement.

China has completed the first successful implantation of a commercially approved brain-computer interface (BCI) chip. The achievement marks a major milestone in neurotechnology, which aims to restore movement and communication to humans suffering from varied forms of paralysis. The NEO brain chip was implanted in a patient suffering a long-term spinal cord injury in order to help restore hand movement through a robotic glove controlled by brain signals. The chip received approval in China earlier this year. The development has intensified the global race in brain-chip technology, with China and the US competing to lead the field. With this approval, China has become the first nation in the world to allow the use of an invasive BCI medical device for commercial use. How NEO brain chip different from Elon Musk's Neuralink The product is an invasive brain-computer interface (BCI), meaning its electrodes are implanted directly into the brain rather than placed on its surface. It employs a minimally invasive extradural implantation technique and operates using wireless technology. The device is intended for patients aged 18 to 60 who have a specific type of spinal cord injury. To qualify, the injury must have occurred at least one year earlier, the patient must have remained medically stable for six months after standard treatment, and they must have lost the ability to grasp objects with their hands while still retaining some upper-arm movement. Meanwhile, NeuCyber's advanced Beinao-2 system is another invasive BCI featuring flexible electrodes that are fully implanted into the brain and is currently undergoing large-scale animal trials. In comparison, Neuralink's N1 chip stands out for its robotic surgical system, which can implant hundreds of electrodes into the brain within minutes. "The benchmark for Beinao-2 is ⁠Neuralink. I have to say, (there is) about three years' lag because they have over 20 patients using it already," Li Yuan, rotating CEO of NeuCyber, a startup linked with the Beijing-based Chinese Institute for Brain Research (CIBR), said. "We have just finished the first product and have to go through animal testing, then early-feasibility clinical trials, and then the real trials. That's maybe about two years later for the real trial," he added. Also read: India's first private orbital rocket, Vikram-1, successfully lifts off from Sriharikota; PM Modi congratulates Li stated that the BCI device is a coin-sized wireless implant by Shanghai-based private firm Neuracle. It sits on the outer membrane of the brain and controls a ‌robotic glove. So far, NeuCyber has achieved seven human implantations of the previous version known as Beinao-1, a semi-invasive BCI having electrodes implanted on the brain's outer membrane. In contrast, Neuralink reported in January that it has 21 participants worldwide registered in human clinical trials. Li projects that it could take an additional two to three years for NeuCyber's BCI products to become widely available in the domestic market, pending necessary clearances from China’s health commission, medical product regulators, and medical insurance authorities.

To qualify, the injury must have occurred at least one year earlier, the patient must have remained medically stable for six months after standard treatment, and they must have lost the ability to grasp objects with their hands while still retaining some upper-arm movement.

How China's NEO brain chip differs from Elon Musk's Neuralink: Technology, trials & regulatory race explained

Not very long ago, joining a terrorist organisation often meant crossing borders. Recruits travelled to secret camps, where they met handlers in person. There, they would learn how to make explosives, communicate secretly and evade security forces through face-to-face training. However, that model is now changing. Today, much of that radicalisation journey can begin with nothing more than a smartphone, an encrypted messaging app and increasingly, artificial intelligence.Security agencies across the world are warning that terrorist organisations are rapidly adapting to AI-powered technologies, using them not just to spread propaganda but also to recruit supporters, create fake identities, translate extremist material into multiple languages and even assist with operational planning.For countries like India, where millions of young people spend hours online every day, the concern is no longer limited to militants crossing the border. The greater challenge may be preventing radicalisation before anyone ever leaves their bedroom. WION Decodes the changing face of terror and radicalisation.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/if-india-wants-a-permanent-unsc-seat-why-is-it-still-contesting-for-a-temporary-one-wion-decodes-1784104714747">If India wants a permanent UNSC seat, why is it still contesting for a temporary one? WION Decodes</a><h2>How are terror groups using AI?</h2>Creating propaganda once required designers, translators and video editors. Now, generative AI has dramatically changed that.Groups linked to ISIS, Al Qaeda and other extremist organisations can now generate realistic videos, speeches, posters and audio messages in multiple languages within minutes. Europol has warned that AI is making extremist propaganda cheaper, faster and far more scalable than before.Deepfake technology adds another layer of risk. Synthetic voices and AI-generated videos can make fake messages appear authentic, while fabricated identities allow recruiters to hide behind convincing online personas.<h2>Recruitment has become personal: AI personalising propaganda</h2>Perhaps the biggest change is not the technology itself but how it is being used. Instead of broadcasting one message to everyone, AI allows recruiters to tailor content to individuals. Algorithms can identify vulnerable users, personalise conversations and keep potential recruits engaged through encrypted messaging platforms and social media.The result is a recruitment process that looks less like traditional extremist propaganda and more like targeted digital marketing.<h2>Can chatbots manipulate vulnerable people?</h2>The concern is no longer theoretical. Reports suggest that terrorists are now experimenting with AI chatbots.A recent study by researcher Dr Juelich and shared with The New York Times before its publication, involving interviews with former Boko Haram members, found that some militants had begun using AI chatbots to seek technical information that could improve weapons and assist with planning attacks.Former members said trainers linked to the Islamic State taught recruits how to create AI accounts, use VPNs, frame prompts effectively and bypass chatbot safety restrictions.One former commander described the experience bluntly. "You type in the question or use your voice, and it gives you a detailed answer, like 'How can I build a bomb?', and then it tells you how. It is like a human robot! We used it a lot."The study suggests that extremist groups are not relying on a single AI platform. According to terrorism experts, they move between multiple chatbots depending on which one provides the information they are seeking.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/india-s-brahmos-vs-usa-s-tomahawk-russia-s-kalibr-and-china-s-yj-18-why-nations-are-lining-up-for-the-make-in-india-missile-1782892168517">India's BrahMos vs USA's Tomahawk, Russia's Kalibr and China's YJ-18: Why nations are lining up for the Make-in-India missile</a><h2>Why is this harder to stop</h2>In the past, traditional terrorist networks left a paper trail: training camps could be spotted, physical meetings could be wiretapped, and unusual travel patterns flagged suspicion. Virtual networks are a different game entirely; they operate in the shadows, leaving behind almost no physical footprint.Encrypted messaging services, anonymous accounts, AI-generated identities and decentralised online communities make investigations significantly more difficult. Extremist content can spread across social media, gaming platforms and private channels simultaneously, allowing recruiters to reach audiences across borders without ever meeting them.<h2>Can India stop it?</h2>Indian security agencies have already begun treating AI-enabled radicalisation as an emerging national security challenge.Addressing the fifth BIMSTEC National Security Advisers' Meeting on Thursday (Jul 16) Indian National Security Adviser Ajit Doval noted that the world is now "facing multi-domain security threats, amplified by rapid technological advancements" and called for stronger regional cooperation and practical measures to tackle technology-driven security threats. The Ministry of Home Affairs has also strengthened cyber and information security capabilities aimed at detecting online extremist activity and improving intelligence sharing.Recent investigations in states such as Gujarat and Kerala have also reinforced the importance of early detection, cyber monitoring and coordinated intelligence to identify online radicalisation before it develops into organised terror activity.<h2>Can AI itself become radical?</h2>No, AI cannot become radical in the way humans can. Large language models (LLMs) do not hold beliefs or ideologies. However, they can become tools that extremist groups attempt to exploit.While developers continue to strengthen safeguards that block requests for violent or illegal assistance, time and time again, researchers have shown that indirect prompts, multiple systems or other techniques can be used to evade those safeguards.That means the risk lies less in AI becoming extremist and more in extremists trying to misuse AI.<h2>What can AI do that humans couldn't?</h2>While AI hasn't replaced terrorist groups, it has definitely made their operations faster, cheaper, and a lot harder to track.Today, recruitment often starts with a single click. Propaganda that used to take days to produce is now generated in minutes, and fake identities can be generated almost instantly. On top of that, encrypted apps allow these groups to coordinate across borders without ever meeting face-to-face.For intelligence agencies, the new frontline is digital. For countries like India, stopping terror is no longer just about boots on the ground; it's about cybersecurity and digital literacy.

As terrorist organisations increasingly exploit artificial intelligence for propaganda, recruitment and operational planning, WION Decodes how AI is reshaping the global terror landscape and why India's biggest security challenge may now begin online, not across its borders.

Not very long ago, joining a terrorist organisation often meant crossing borders. Recruits travelled to secret camps, where they met handlers in person. There, they would learn how to make explosives, communicate secretly and evade security forces through face-to-face training. However, that model is now changing. Today, much of that radicalisation journey can begin with nothing more than a smartphone, an encrypted messaging app and increasingly, artificial intelligence. Security agencies across the world are warning that terrorist organisations are rapidly adapting to AI-powered technologies, using them not just to spread propaganda but also to recruit supporters, create fake identities, translate extremist material into multiple languages and even assist with operational planning. For countries like India, where millions of young people spend hours online every day, the concern is no longer limited to militants crossing the border. The greater challenge may be preventing radicalisation before anyone ever leaves their bedroom. WION Decodes the changing face of terror and radicalisation. Also read | If India wants a permanent UNSC seat, why is it still contesting for a temporary one? WION Decodes How are terror groups using AI? Creating propaganda once required designers, translators and video editors. Now, generative AI has dramatically changed that. Groups linked to ISIS, Al Qaeda and other extremist organisations can now generate realistic videos, speeches, posters and audio messages in multiple languages within minutes. Europol has warned that AI is making extremist propaganda cheaper, faster and far more scalable than before. Deepfake technology adds another layer of risk. Synthetic voices and AI-generated videos can make fake messages appear authentic, while fabricated identities allow recruiters to hide behind convincing online personas. Recruitment has become personal: AI personalising propaganda Perhaps the biggest change is not the technology itself but how it is being used. Instead of broadcasting one message to everyone, AI allows recruiters to tailor content to individuals. Algorithms can identify vulnerable users, personalise conversations and keep potential recruits engaged through encrypted messaging platforms and social media. The result is a recruitment process that looks less like traditional extremist propaganda and more like targeted digital marketing. Can chatbots manipulate vulnerable people? The concern is no longer theoretical. Reports suggest that terrorists are now experimenting with AI chatbots. A recent study by researcher Dr Juelich and shared with The New York Times before its publication, involving interviews with former Boko Haram members, found that some militants had begun using AI chatbots to seek technical information that could improve weapons and assist with planning attacks. Former members said trainers linked to the Islamic State taught recruits how to create AI accounts, use VPNs, frame prompts effectively and bypass chatbot safety restrictions. One former commander described the experience bluntly. "You type in the question or use your voice, and it gives you a detailed answer, like 'How can I build a bomb?', and then it tells you how. It is like a human robot! We used it a lot." The study suggests that extremist groups are not relying on a single AI platform. According to terrorism experts, they move between multiple chatbots depending on which one provides the information they are seeking. Also read | India's BrahMos vs USA's Tomahawk, Russia's Kalibr and China's YJ-18: Why nations are lining up for the Make-in-India missile Why is this harder to stop In the past, traditional terrorist networks left a paper trail: training camps could be spotted, physical meetings could be wiretapped, and unusual travel patterns flagged suspicion. Virtual networks are a different game entirely; they operate in the shadows, leaving behind almost no physical footprint. Encrypted messaging services, anonymous accounts, AI-generated identities and decentralised online communities make investigations significantly more difficult. Extremist content can spread across social media, gaming platforms and private channels simultaneously, allowing recruiters to reach audiences across borders without ever meeting them. Can India stop it? Indian security agencies have already begun treating AI-enabled radicalisation as an emerging national security challenge. Addressing the fifth BIMSTEC National Security Advisers' Meeting on Thursday (Jul 16) Indian National Security Adviser Ajit Doval noted that the world is now "facing multi-domain security threats, amplified by rapid technological advancements" and called for stronger regional cooperation and practical measures to tackle technology-driven security threats. The Ministry of Home Affairs has also strengthened cyber and information security capabilities aimed at detecting online extremist activity and improving intelligence sharing. Recent investigations in states such as Gujarat and Kerala have also reinforced the importance of early detection, cyber monitoring and coordinated intelligence to identify online radicalisation before it develops into organised terror activity. Can AI itself become radical? No, AI cannot become radical in the way humans can. Large language models (LLMs) do not hold beliefs or ideologies. However, they can become tools that extremist groups attempt to exploit. While developers continue to strengthen safeguards that block requests for violent or illegal assistance, time and time again, researchers have shown that indirect prompts, multiple systems or other techniques can be used to evade those safeguards. That means the risk lies less in AI becoming extremist and more in extremists trying to misuse AI. What can AI do that humans couldn't? While AI hasn't replaced terrorist groups, it has definitely made their operations faster, cheaper, and a lot harder to track. Today, recruitment often starts with a single click. Propaganda that used to take days to produce is now generated in minutes, and fake identities can be generated almost instantly. On top of that, encrypted apps allow these groups to coordinate across borders without ever meeting face-to-face. For intelligence agencies, the new frontline is digital. For countries like India, stopping terror is no longer just about boots on the ground; it's about cybersecurity and digital literacy.

As terrorist organisations increasingly exploit artificial intelligence for propaganda, recruitment and operational planning, WION Decodes how AI is reshaping the global terror landscape and why India's biggest security challenge may now begin online, not across its borders.

India's next terror threat may not cross the border. It may enter through your phone | WION Decodes

China has reportedly achieved a major milestone in brain-computer interface (BCI) technology by carrying out what authorities describe as the world's first commercial brain chip implant. The procedure was performed at Huashan Hospital in Shanghai using Neo, a brain-computer interface developed by Neuracle Medical Technology. Unlike experimental implants used in clinical trials, Neo has already received commercial approval in China, allowing eligible patients to receive the technology in hospitals.The development has drawn global attention because it comes before Elon Musk's Neuralink receives full commercial approval in the United States.<h2>How does Neo work?</h2> Neo is designed to help people with severe paralysis regain some control over movement. The coin-sized implant is placed on the surface of the brain, rather than inside brain tissue. When a patient thinks about moving their hand, the device detects those brain signals and sends them to a computer.The software then translates the signals into commands that control a robotic glove, helping patients perform everyday tasks that would otherwise be impossible. Doctors said the patient, who suffered a spinal cord injury in a car accident around 10 years ago, remained stable after surgery. Tests also showed the implant was successfully capturing high-quality brain signals.<h2>Neo vs Neuralink: What's the difference?</h2>Although both Neo and Neuralink aim to restore independence for people with paralysis, the two technologies take different approaches. Neuralink uses extremely thin flexible threads that are inserted directly into brain tissue using a specially designed surgical robot. Its first product, Telepathy, allows users to control computers and smartphones using only their thoughts. Neo, however, sits on the surface of the brain, avoiding penetration into brain tissue. This makes the procedure less invasive while still allowing the system to capture the electrical signals needed to operate assistive devices.<h2>The biggest difference is regulatory status.</h2>Neuralink has implanted its devices in several patients, but all procedures remain part of clinical trials approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Neo, by contrast, received approval from China's National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) earlier this year as what Chinese authorities describe as the world's first commercially approved implantable brain-computer interface classified as a Class III medical device.The breakthrough signals that the global race in brain-computer interfaces is entering a new phase. For years, companies have focused on proving that BCIs can safely translate thoughts into digital commands. The next challenge is making those technologies available to patients outside research programmes. If Neo continues to deliver positive clinical outcomes, it could accelerate the adoption of brain-computer interfaces for treating paralysis and other neurological conditions. At the same time, competition is expected to intensify as companies including Neuralink, Synchron, Precision Neuroscience and others work to bring their own brain chip technologies to market. While commercial approval marks an important milestone, experts note that long-term safety, durability and patient outcomes will ultimately determine how widely brain-computer interfaces are adopted in healthcare.

China has reportedly carried out the world's first commercial brain chip implant using the Neo brain-computer interface. Unlike Neuralink, which remains in clinical trials, Neo has regulatory approval for hospital use, marking a major milestone in the global race to commercialise BCI technology.

China has reportedly achieved a major milestone in brain-computer interface (BCI) technology by carrying out what authorities describe as the world's first commercial brain chip implant. The procedure was performed at Huashan Hospital in Shanghai using Neo, a brain-computer interface developed by Neuracle Medical Technology. Unlike experimental implants used in clinical trials, Neo has already received commercial approval in China, allowing eligible patients to receive the technology in hospitals. The development has drawn global attention because it comes before Elon Musk's Neuralink receives full commercial approval in the United States. How does Neo work? Neo is designed to help people with severe paralysis regain some control over movement. The coin-sized implant is placed on the surface of the brain, rather than inside brain tissue. When a patient thinks about moving their hand, the device detects those brain signals and sends them to a computer. The software then translates the signals into commands that control a robotic glove, helping patients perform everyday tasks that would otherwise be impossible. Doctors said the patient, who suffered a spinal cord injury in a car accident around 10 years ago, remained stable after surgery. Tests also showed the implant was successfully capturing high-quality brain signals. Neo vs Neuralink: What's the difference? Although both Neo and Neuralink aim to restore independence for people with paralysis, the two technologies take different approaches. Neuralink uses extremely thin flexible threads that are inserted directly into brain tissue using a specially designed surgical robot. Its first product, Telepathy, allows users to control computers and smartphones using only their thoughts. Neo, however, sits on the surface of the brain, avoiding penetration into brain tissue. This makes the procedure less invasive while still allowing the system to capture the electrical signals needed to operate assistive devices. The biggest difference is regulatory status. Neuralink has implanted its devices in several patients, but all procedures remain part of clinical trials approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Neo, by contrast, received approval from China's National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) earlier this year as what Chinese authorities describe as the world's first commercially approved implantable brain-computer interface classified as a Class III medical device. The breakthrough signals that the global race in brain-computer interfaces is entering a new phase. For years, companies have focused on proving that BCIs can safely translate thoughts into digital commands. The next challenge is making those technologies available to patients outside research programmes. If Neo continues to deliver positive clinical outcomes, it could accelerate the adoption of brain-computer interfaces for treating paralysis and other neurological conditions. At the same time, competition is expected to intensify as companies including Neuralink, Synchron, Precision Neuroscience and others work to bring their own brain chip technologies to market. While commercial approval marks an important milestone, experts note that long-term safety, durability and patient outcomes will ultimately determine how widely brain-computer interfaces are adopted in healthcare.

China has reportedly carried out the world's first commercial brain chip implant using the Neo brain-computer interface. Unlike Neuralink, which remains in clinical trials, Neo has regulatory approval for hospital use, marking a major milestone in the global race to commercialise BCI technology.

China performs world's first commercial brain chip implant, moving ahead of Elon Musk's Neuralink

India's first private orbital-class rocket, Vikram-1, lifted off from Sriharikota on Saturday (July 18, 2026), marking a major milestone for the country's commercial space sector, executed by Hyderabad-based Skyroot Aerospace. The project has been named "Mission Aagaman" (arrival). Vikram- 1 Test Flight-1 has successfully reached orbit, with the rocket completing its final burn and deploying its payloads into a nearly 450-km Low-Earth Orbit.&nbsp;The milestone made India the third country in the world to successfully achieve private orbital launch capability, signifying a historic moment for the growing commercial space industry of the country. Before reaching orbit, it completed all four stages of its maiden flight within 10 minutes, soon after the launch.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/j-k-government-establishes-independent-cyber-crime-coordination-centre-1784332797232">J&amp;K government establishes independent cyber crime coordination centre</a><h3>PM Modi congratulates the team on their success</h3>After the successful launch, PM Modi congratulated the team of Hyderabad-based Skyroot Aerospace. "You will achieve your targets ahead of time," he said. The launch vehicle reached more than the speed of sound, crossing through Max-Q, and entered space, as well as executed stage separations as planned. Under overcast skies, the four-stage, seven-story-tall Vikram-1 rocket launched at 12:05 PM on Saturday from the first launch pad at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota. The liftoff occurred 35 minutes later than its originally scheduled time of 11:30 AM due to a planned hold triggered by apparent navigation issues.&nbsp;WATCH: https://www.wionews.com/videos/vikram-1-launch-success-india-s-first-private-rocket-reaches-space-skyroot-creates-history-1784361397727&nbsp;Following an initial flight lasting just under 16 minutes, the rocket is scheduled to deploy its mix of domestic and international payloads into a 450 km Low Earth Orbit (LEO) at a 60-degree inclination. Named in honour of Vikram Sarabhai, the renowned Father of India's space program, Vikram-1 features an entirely carbon-composite airframe. It relies on internally developed propulsion technology, highlighted by 3D-printed engines and high-thrust, solid-fuel boosters.

Under overcast skies, the four-stage, seven-story-tall Vikram-1 rocket launched at 12:05 PM on Saturday from the first launch pad at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota.

India's first private orbital-class rocket, Vikram-1, lifted off from Sriharikota on Saturday (July 18, 2026), marking a major milestone for the country's commercial space sector, executed by Hyderabad-based Skyroot Aerospace. The project has been named "Mission Aagaman" (arrival). Vikram- 1 Test Flight-1 has successfully reached orbit, with the rocket completing its final burn and deploying its payloads into a nearly 450-km Low-Earth Orbit. The milestone made India the third country in the world to successfully achieve private orbital launch capability, signifying a historic moment for the growing commercial space industry of the country. Before reaching orbit, it completed all four stages of its maiden flight within 10 minutes, soon after the launch. Also read: J&K government establishes independent cyber crime coordination centre PM Modi congratulates the team on their success After the successful launch, PM Modi congratulated the team of Hyderabad-based Skyroot Aerospace. "You will achieve your targets ahead of time," he said. The launch vehicle reached more than the speed of sound, crossing through Max-Q, and entered space, as well as executed stage separations as planned. Under overcast skies, the four-stage, seven-story-tall Vikram-1 rocket launched at 12:05 PM on Saturday from the first launch pad at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota. The liftoff occurred 35 minutes later than its originally scheduled time of 11:30 AM due to a planned hold triggered by apparent navigation issues. WATCH: https://www.wionews.com/videos/vikram-1-launch-success-india-s-first-private-rocket-reaches-space-skyroot-creates-history-1784361397727 Following an initial flight lasting just under 16 minutes, the rocket is scheduled to deploy its mix of domestic and international payloads into a 450 km Low Earth Orbit (LEO) at a 60-degree inclination. Named in honour of Vikram Sarabhai, the renowned Father of India's space program, Vikram-1 features an entirely carbon-composite airframe. It relies on internally developed propulsion technology, highlighted by 3D-printed engines and high-thrust, solid-fuel boosters.

Under overcast skies, the four-stage, seven-story-tall Vikram-1 rocket launched at 12:05 PM on Saturday from the first launch pad at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota.

India's first private orbital rocket, Vikram-1, successfully lifts off from Sriharikota; PM Modi congratulates

Humans are trying to ascertain how to live and survive on Mars, a planet some think is the future of humanity. Whether that turns out to be true or not, a study has shown that this would at least be true for the microbes that reach the Red Planet from Earth. Scientists say disease-causing microbes that live in and on the human body will not only survive but also thrive on Mars. Tommaso Zaccaria of Radboud University in the Netherlands writes in a thesis, "Evaluating how microorganisms respond and tolerate space conditions is essential to ensure the safe access and exploration of space."&nbsp;His paper mentions four pathogens which were added to a simulated Martian environment in the laboratory. There was extremely low pressure, dryness, high ultraviolet radiation and a high concentration of salty water with the highly toxic substance perchlorate. The microbes were tested in each of these environments, and Zaccaria found that some of the microbes survived. Some of them were able to live for 16 days in desiccation, the extreme dry conditions.<h2>Microbes could find a saviour in Martian regolith</h2>When all of the conditions were combined, the survival of the microbes dropped from 16 days to only one. However, this is not the whole truth. Martian regolith, or the soil, might actually support the growth of microbes since small amounts of water hide in there. Microbes could also use the soil to hide from the ultraviolet radiation. But the regolith also has perchlorate, an extremely toxic substance.&nbsp;The initial part of the experiment showed that the microbes shrank and became almost invisible to human immune systems. They were exposed to a human immune cell called peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in another experiment, where the cells produced fewer cytokines and reactive oxygen species. Some of the bacteria survived by adapting to the cells. This could potentially make them even more pathogenic or deadly. This would spell doom for astronauts hoping to live on Mars someday.<h2>Effects of Martian soil on human health</h2>Zaccaria also tested the effects of regolith on human health and found that the cells experienced local tissue inflammation and neutrophilia. This happened because of tissue damage, which resulted in increased white blood cell activity. Some signs seen before chronic respiratory disease also emerged. "The studies of this thesis have shown how the selected microorganisms can tolerate space conditions," the thesis reads. The study is vital in showing how pathogens from Earth could become deadlier on Mars. &nbsp;

A study shows that Mars might provide a supportive environment for microbes that will reach the Red Planet with the astronauts. They will become deadlier and even more pathogenic, spelling doom for humans hoping to live on Mars one day.

Humans are trying to ascertain how to live and survive on Mars, a planet some think is the future of humanity. Whether that turns out to be true or not, a study has shown that this would at least be true for the microbes that reach the Red Planet from Earth. Scientists say disease-causing microbes that live in and on the human body will not only survive but also thrive on Mars. Tommaso Zaccaria of Radboud University in the Netherlands writes in a thesis, "Evaluating how microorganisms respond and tolerate space conditions is essential to ensure the safe access and exploration of space." His paper mentions four pathogens which were added to a simulated Martian environment in the laboratory. There was extremely low pressure, dryness, high ultraviolet radiation and a high concentration of salty water with the highly toxic substance perchlorate. The microbes were tested in each of these environments, and Zaccaria found that some of the microbes survived. Some of them were able to live for 16 days in desiccation, the extreme dry conditions. Microbes could find a saviour in Martian regolith When all of the conditions were combined, the survival of the microbes dropped from 16 days to only one. However, this is not the whole truth. Martian regolith, or the soil, might actually support the growth of microbes since small amounts of water hide in there. Microbes could also use the soil to hide from the ultraviolet radiation. But the regolith also has perchlorate, an extremely toxic substance. The initial part of the experiment showed that the microbes shrank and became almost invisible to human immune systems. They were exposed to a human immune cell called peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in another experiment, where the cells produced fewer cytokines and reactive oxygen species. Some of the bacteria survived by adapting to the cells. This could potentially make them even more pathogenic or deadly. This would spell doom for astronauts hoping to live on Mars someday. Effects of Martian soil on human health Zaccaria also tested the effects of regolith on human health and found that the cells experienced local tissue inflammation and neutrophilia. This happened because of tissue damage, which resulted in increased white blood cell activity. Some signs seen before chronic respiratory disease also emerged. "The studies of this thesis have shown how the selected microorganisms can tolerate space conditions," the thesis reads. The study is vital in showing how pathogens from Earth could become deadlier on Mars.

A study shows that Mars might provide a supportive environment for microbes that will reach the Red Planet with the astronauts. They will become deadlier and even more pathogenic, spelling doom for humans hoping to live on Mars one day.

Bad News for Musk: Earthly microbes could turn deadlier on Mars, spelling doom for astronauts

In 2024, an amateur astronomer found a large pit in Quebec, Canada, while browsing through Google Maps to plan a camping trip. It formed a perfect ring spanning 25 kilometres in diameter and centred around Lake Marsal. It looked too huge to be a regular pit, and so Joël Lapointe contacted French geophysicist Pierre Rochette, who believed that it was a crater made by an asteroid or a comet. Now, findings have confirmed that it is a 390-million-year-old crater from a meteor.&nbsp;To learn about the origin of the large ditch, scientists retrieved and tested samples. There were a few things that could prove its extraterrestrial origin. One of them was a mineral called zircon, which is formed during meteor impacts. However, it was not enough, and so a team of researchers went to the site to examine the pit. They were looking for evidence of shock metamorphism, something that "occurs due to the immense pressures created by asteroid or cometary impacts, or nuclear explosions", Gordon Osinski, professor of planetary geology at Western University, told Live Science.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/tracked-by-nasa-since-1998-missing-asteroid-reappears-as-mysterious-dark-comet-1784286114510">Tracked by NASA since 1998, missing asteroid reappears as mysterious dark comet</a> &nbsp;Osinski and other geologists were specifically looking for signs of shockwaves that would have passed through the ground of an asteroid or meteor were involved. Osinski said travelling to the crater was "one of the most arduous expeditions" he had ever taken. "The terrain was incredibly rough and rugged, plus [there were] lots of bugs." However, the ordeal bore fruit when they found what they were looking for - shatter cones, depicted by grooves or lines in the rock's surface.<h2>Signs of impact crater in Canada</h2>An impact event triggers an extreme rise in temperature and pressure as well, leading to the formation of melt rock. Scientists found big cliffs of it, proving an ancient impact. The last time a meteorite crater was discovered in Canada was in 2010. The latest crater discovered has been named Uhaachatik Crater, and the team will present their work at the Annual Meeting of the Meteorological Society in Germany next month.

A nearly 400-million-year-old crater has been discovered in Canada in an extremely rugged terrain that was extremely hard to reach. Scientists have confirmed that it is a meteor crash site, first seen on Google Maps by an amateur astronomer. 

In 2024, an amateur astronomer found a large pit in Quebec, Canada, while browsing through Google Maps to plan a camping trip. It formed a perfect ring spanning 25 kilometres in diameter and centred around Lake Marsal. It looked too huge to be a regular pit, and so Joël Lapointe contacted French geophysicist Pierre Rochette, who believed that it was a crater made by an asteroid or a comet. Now, findings have confirmed that it is a 390-million-year-old crater from a meteor. To learn about the origin of the large ditch, scientists retrieved and tested samples. There were a few things that could prove its extraterrestrial origin. One of them was a mineral called zircon, which is formed during meteor impacts. However, it was not enough, and so a team of researchers went to the site to examine the pit. They were looking for evidence of shock metamorphism, something that "occurs due to the immense pressures created by asteroid or cometary impacts, or nuclear explosions", Gordon Osinski, professor of planetary geology at Western University, told Live Science. Also Read: Tracked by NASA since 1998, missing asteroid reappears as mysterious dark comet Osinski and other geologists were specifically looking for signs of shockwaves that would have passed through the ground of an asteroid or meteor were involved. Osinski said travelling to the crater was "one of the most arduous expeditions" he had ever taken. "The terrain was incredibly rough and rugged, plus [there were] lots of bugs." However, the ordeal bore fruit when they found what they were looking for - shatter cones, depicted by grooves or lines in the rock's surface. Signs of impact crater in Canada An impact event triggers an extreme rise in temperature and pressure as well, leading to the formation of melt rock. Scientists found big cliffs of it, proving an ancient impact. The last time a meteorite crater was discovered in Canada was in 2010. The latest crater discovered has been named Uhaachatik Crater, and the team will present their work at the Annual Meeting of the Meteorological Society in Germany next month.

A nearly 400-million-year-old crater has been discovered in Canada in an extremely rugged terrain that was extremely hard to reach. Scientists have confirmed that it is a meteor crash site, first seen on Google Maps by an amateur astronomer.&nbsp;

25km meteor crater in rugged Canadian terrain remained hidden for 390 million years

Skyroot Aerospace is set to achieve a milestone, creating history with the maiden launch of Vikram-1, marking India's first privately owned orbital-class rocket, from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota on July 18. The Mission, named Aagaman, aims to validate the rocket's performance ahead of its commercial operations debut. If the launch succeeds, it will become the first instance of an Indian private company placing a rocket into orbit from Indian soil, marking a major milestone in the country's rapidly growing India's private space industry after recent policy reforms.&nbsp;In 2020, the Government of India introduced sweeping reforms in the space sector, opening the field to greater participation of non-governmental entities (NGEs) in enabling them to undertake end-to-end activities in the space domain on an equal footing. Building on these reforms, the government introduced the Indian Space Policy 2023 to provide a clear regulatory framework and foster a vibrant space ecosystem. The policy seeks to strengthen India's space capabilities, promote commercial participation, drive technological innovation, expand international cooperation, and accelerate the adoption of space-based applications across sectors.&nbsp;The vision of the reform was to augment space capabilities allowing to enable, enabling, encouraging, and developing a rising commercial presence in space; using space as a driver of technology development and fetching benefits in allied areas; pursuing international relations, along with creating an ecosystem for effective implementation of space applications among all stakeholders.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/spacex-aborts-starship-launch-seconds-before-liftoff-after-engine-failure-elon-musk-says-next-attempt-next-week-1784275988606">SpaceX aborts Starship launch seconds before liftoff after engine failure; Elon Musk says next attempt next week</a><h3>How have private companies changed India's space ecosystem?</h3>Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh, confirmed that the space economy has risen to an estimated $8.4 billion, with 399 start-ups now operating across launch vehicles, satellites, propulsion systems and space-grade electronics. The reforms formulated a conducive environment for private investment and entrepreneurship in a sector that had remained largely government-driven for more than 10 years. This resulted in the rise of the space start-ups, which have increased sharply from single-digit levels to 399 at present. It has also prompted the space sector to be valued at about $8.4 billion, which is likely to grow four to five times over the next eight to ten years, potentially reaching $40–45 billion. The Minister also underscored the revenue generated after the launch of foreign satellites. He noted that out of the 434 foreign satellites launched by ISRO so far, 399 were launched after 2014, earning India revenues of nearly € 323 million and $233 million. This growth has reflected the country’s growing presence in the global space launch market. The proposed change is transitioning from a “Supply-Based Model” to a “Demand-Based Model”. In addition, it will also help ISRO to carry out capacity building in the space domain through the development of new technologies and capabilities, allowing the sharing of facilities by NewSpace India Limited &nbsp;(NSIL) and Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe).<h3>NGEs to play a larger role</h3>Further in future, the policy encourages Non-Government Entities (NGEs) to play a larger role in India's space sector by allowing them to provide a wide range of commercial space services. They can offer satellite-based communication services using their own, leased or procured satellites, establish and operate ground infrastructure such as satellite control centres and tracking stations, and use both Indian and foreign orbital resources. NGEs are also permitted to develop and operate remote-sensing satellite systems, distribute satellite data and related applications, and commercialise technologies in navigation, communication and remote sensing. The framework allows private companies to manufacture and operate launch vehicles, build launch infrastructure, and develop reusable and advanced space transportation technologies. They can also strengthen space situational awareness, conduct research and innovation for the long-term sustainability of space activities, and provide end-to-end services for safe space operations. Additionally, the policy permits commercial recovery, ownership, transport, use and sale of asteroids or other space resources in accordance with Indian laws and international obligations, while enabling participation in other commercial space activities approved by IN-SPACe.

The Government of India introduced sweeping reforms in the space sector in 2020, opening the field to greater participation of non-governmental entities (NGEs) in enabling them to undertake end-to-end activities in the space domain on an equal footing.

Skyroot Aerospace is set to achieve a milestone, creating history with the maiden launch of Vikram-1, marking India's first privately owned orbital-class rocket, from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota on July 18. The Mission, named Aagaman, aims to validate the rocket's performance ahead of its commercial operations debut. If the launch succeeds, it will become the first instance of an Indian private company placing a rocket into orbit from Indian soil, marking a major milestone in the country's rapidly growing India's private space industry after recent policy reforms. In 2020, the Government of India introduced sweeping reforms in the space sector, opening the field to greater participation of non-governmental entities (NGEs) in enabling them to undertake end-to-end activities in the space domain on an equal footing. Building on these reforms, the government introduced the Indian Space Policy 2023 to provide a clear regulatory framework and foster a vibrant space ecosystem. The policy seeks to strengthen India's space capabilities, promote commercial participation, drive technological innovation, expand international cooperation, and accelerate the adoption of space-based applications across sectors. The vision of the reform was to augment space capabilities allowing to enable, enabling, encouraging, and developing a rising commercial presence in space; using space as a driver of technology development and fetching benefits in allied areas; pursuing international relations, along with creating an ecosystem for effective implementation of space applications among all stakeholders. Also read: SpaceX aborts Starship launch seconds before liftoff after engine failure; Elon Musk says next attempt next week How have private companies changed India's space ecosystem? Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh, confirmed that the space economy has risen to an estimated $8.4 billion, with 399 start-ups now operating across launch vehicles, satellites, propulsion systems and space-grade electronics. The reforms formulated a conducive environment for private investment and entrepreneurship in a sector that had remained largely government-driven for more than 10 years. This resulted in the rise of the space start-ups, which have increased sharply from single-digit levels to 399 at present. It has also prompted the space sector to be valued at about $8.4 billion, which is likely to grow four to five times over the next eight to ten years, potentially reaching $40–45 billion. The Minister also underscored the revenue generated after the launch of foreign satellites. He noted that out of the 434 foreign satellites launched by ISRO so far, 399 were launched after 2014, earning India revenues of nearly € 323 million and $233 million. This growth has reflected the country’s growing presence in the global space launch market. The proposed change is transitioning from a “Supply-Based Model” to a “Demand-Based Model”. In addition, it will also help ISRO to carry out capacity building in the space domain through the development of new technologies and capabilities, allowing the sharing of facilities by NewSpace India Limited (NSIL) and Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe). NGEs to play a larger role Further in future, the policy encourages Non-Government Entities (NGEs) to play a larger role in India's space sector by allowing them to provide a wide range of commercial space services. They can offer satellite-based communication services using their own, leased or procured satellites, establish and operate ground infrastructure such as satellite control centres and tracking stations, and use both Indian and foreign orbital resources. NGEs are also permitted to develop and operate remote-sensing satellite systems, distribute satellite data and related applications, and commercialise technologies in navigation, communication and remote sensing. The framework allows private companies to manufacture and operate launch vehicles, build launch infrastructure, and develop reusable and advanced space transportation technologies. They can also strengthen space situational awareness, conduct research and innovation for the long-term sustainability of space activities, and provide end-to-end services for safe space operations. Additionally, the policy permits commercial recovery, ownership, transport, use and sale of asteroids or other space resources in accordance with Indian laws and international obligations, while enabling participation in other commercial space activities approved by IN-SPACe.

The Government of India introduced sweeping reforms in the space sector in 2020, opening the field to greater participation of non-governmental entities (NGEs) in enabling them to undertake end-to-end activities in the space domain on an equal footing.

How is opening India's space sector to private firms transforming the industry? EXPLAINED

An asteroid discovered in 1998 failed to show up decades later where it should have been, which led to a whole new revelation. Astronomers now say it isn't an asteroid at all, but a dark comet, a class of space objects that are still a mystery to humans. The space rock was missing when scientists were observing it last year. According to their calculations, it should have been in that particular region in space. They were stumped to see that it had missed its date with them.&nbsp;After a year of analysis, a team of researchers has stated that this mysterious object is not an asteroid, and showed activity consistent with another cosmic object. The study, published in the journal Nature Astronomy, states that 1998 SH2 is not a common space rock. Astronomers have observed it for nearly three decades, during which time they have calculated its orbit and noted other things about it. Turns out, they had it all wrong. And they only found this out while waiting for it in August 2025.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/world-asteroid-day-hazardous-asteroids-flagged-to-hit-earth-and-current-status-1782828620702">World Asteroid Day: Hazardous asteroids flagged to hit Earth and current status</a>&nbsp;Asteroid 1998 SH2 was due to return at this time, and so the astronomers were ready with their telescopes. But it did not show up on its orbital path. Later, Brazil’s Southern Observatory for Near Earth Asteroids Research caught it, but it had moved beyond its expected position and path. This was unusual for a near-Earth asteroid, and experts went back to the drawing board to understand what they had missed.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/move-over-rapture-another-prophecy-claims-comet-will-end-the-world-in-2026-1758790270916">Rapture did not happen, but another world-ending event has been prophesied for 2026</a>&nbsp;Jet Propulsion Lab and Caltech researcher Davide Farnocchia and his team now have the answer. They noted in the study that the object displayed weak cometary outgassing, where jets of gas were escaping from beneath its surface. This is something that happens with comets. However, it had none of the other characteristics of a comet, which presented another mystery. There was neither a glowing tail, nor a coma. This is why initially astronomers didn't suspect that it could be a comet.&nbsp;Layered composite imagery in follow-up analysis revealed faint traces of these features. This led them to conclude that 1998 SH2 was a type of dark comet, a space rock that is not commonly seen in the universe.<h2>‘Oumuamua, the most famous dark comet</h2>The finding has presented a new challenge for planetary defense. There is a high chance that many more asteroids could be comets. These objects can change orbits and acceleration, complicating tracking efforts. Notably, the first interstellar object ‘Oumuamua, was also classified as a dark comet.

Asteroid 1998 SH2 managed to fool astronomers for nearly 30 years by its appearance and movement. But when it dodged a date with them in 2025, they knew something was wrong. Analysis showed that it was never an asteroid. 

An asteroid discovered in 1998 failed to show up decades later where it should have been, which led to a whole new revelation. Astronomers now say it isn't an asteroid at all, but a dark comet, a class of space objects that are still a mystery to humans. The space rock was missing when scientists were observing it last year. According to their calculations, it should have been in that particular region in space. They were stumped to see that it had missed its date with them. After a year of analysis, a team of researchers has stated that this mysterious object is not an asteroid, and showed activity consistent with another cosmic object. The study, published in the journal Nature Astronomy, states that 1998 SH2 is not a common space rock. Astronomers have observed it for nearly three decades, during which time they have calculated its orbit and noted other things about it. Turns out, they had it all wrong. And they only found this out while waiting for it in August 2025. Also Read: World Asteroid Day: Hazardous asteroids flagged to hit Earth and current status Asteroid 1998 SH2 was due to return at this time, and so the astronomers were ready with their telescopes. But it did not show up on its orbital path. Later, Brazil’s Southern Observatory for Near Earth Asteroids Research caught it, but it had moved beyond its expected position and path. This was unusual for a near-Earth asteroid, and experts went back to the drawing board to understand what they had missed. Also Read: Rapture did not happen, but another world-ending event has been prophesied for 2026 Jet Propulsion Lab and Caltech researcher Davide Farnocchia and his team now have the answer. They noted in the study that the object displayed weak cometary outgassing, where jets of gas were escaping from beneath its surface. This is something that happens with comets. However, it had none of the other characteristics of a comet, which presented another mystery. There was neither a glowing tail, nor a coma. This is why initially astronomers didn't suspect that it could be a comet. Layered composite imagery in follow-up analysis revealed faint traces of these features. This led them to conclude that 1998 SH2 was a type of dark comet, a space rock that is not commonly seen in the universe. ‘Oumuamua, the most famous dark comet The finding has presented a new challenge for planetary defense. There is a high chance that many more asteroids could be comets. These objects can change orbits and acceleration, complicating tracking efforts. Notably, the first interstellar object ‘Oumuamua, was also classified as a dark comet.

Asteroid 1998 SH2 managed to fool astronomers for nearly 30 years by its appearance and movement. But when it dodged a date with them in 2025, they knew something was wrong. Analysis showed that it was never an asteroid.&nbsp;

Tracked by NASA since 1998, missing asteroid reappears as mysterious dark comet

Fossilised leaves surfaced from the Makum Coalfield of Assam have disclosed that the kewra (kevda) plant—best known for its fragrant essence used in sweets, perfumes, traditional medicine and temple rituals- has survived for at least 24 million years on the Indian subcontinent. The discovery has indicated that this plant is far older than human civilisation and predates the rise of the Himalayas. The discovery was published in the international journal Geobios by researchers identified as Harshita Bhatia and Gaurav Srivastava of the Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences (BSIP), Lucknow, an autonomous institute that falls under the Department of Science and Technology (DST).&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/spacex-aborts-starship-launch-seconds-before-liftoff-after-engine-failure-elon-musk-says-next-attempt-next-week-1784275988606">SpaceX aborts Starship launch seconds before liftoff after engine failure; Elon Musk says next attempt next week</a><h3>Fossils belong to screw-pine family</h3>The researchers recovered well-preserved fossil leaves from the Tikak Parbat Formation in the Makum Coalfield of Tinsukia district. Further study related to morphological and microscopic features indicated that the fossils belong to the Pandanaceae, or screw-pine family, to which the modern kewra (Pandanus) belongs. Scientists found that the fossil leaves share the same key features as modern kewra (Pandanus) plants, including long sword-shaped leaves, parallel veins, an M-shaped cross-section and sharp prickles along the edges, showing the species has changed very little over millions of years. The discovery bridges a major gap in the evolutionary history of the screw-pine family by linking older fossils from Europe and North America with younger ones from Asia and Australia. Researchers say the findings highlight the Indian subcontinent as a vital refuge for ancient tropical plants during global climate shifts. Although Pandanus is now restricted to tropical regions, its ancestors were once widespread across the Northern Hemisphere. “The Makum fossils suggest Paleogene persistence and ecological continuity of Pandanaceae across the paleotropics,” the researchers noted. It further added that the discovery collides with the evolutionary diversification of modern Pandanus species during the late Eocene-Oligocene. In addition, the study also indicated that Assam was covered by warm, humid forests, freshwater swamps and river ecosystems around 24 million years ago, providing ideal conditions for screw-pines. Researchers say the discovery further establishes the Makum Coalfield as one of India's richest fossil sites, with previous finds of palms, mangroves and rainforest plants offering valuable insights into the evolution of Northeast India's forests, biodiversity and ancient climate.

Scientists found that the fossil leaves share the same key features as modern kewra (Pandanus) plants, including long sword-shaped leaves, parallel veins, an M-shaped cross-section and sharp prickles along the edges.

Fossilised leaves surfaced from the Makum Coalfield of Assam have disclosed that the kewra (kevda) plant—best known for its fragrant essence used in sweets, perfumes, traditional medicine and temple rituals- has survived for at least 24 million years on the Indian subcontinent. The discovery has indicated that this plant is far older than human civilisation and predates the rise of the Himalayas. The discovery was published in the international journal Geobios by researchers identified as Harshita Bhatia and Gaurav Srivastava of the Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences (BSIP), Lucknow, an autonomous institute that falls under the Department of Science and Technology (DST). Also read: SpaceX aborts Starship launch seconds before liftoff after engine failure; Elon Musk says next attempt next week Fossils belong to screw-pine family The researchers recovered well-preserved fossil leaves from the Tikak Parbat Formation in the Makum Coalfield of Tinsukia district. Further study related to morphological and microscopic features indicated that the fossils belong to the Pandanaceae, or screw-pine family, to which the modern kewra (Pandanus) belongs. Scientists found that the fossil leaves share the same key features as modern kewra (Pandanus) plants, including long sword-shaped leaves, parallel veins, an M-shaped cross-section and sharp prickles along the edges, showing the species has changed very little over millions of years. The discovery bridges a major gap in the evolutionary history of the screw-pine family by linking older fossils from Europe and North America with younger ones from Asia and Australia. Researchers say the findings highlight the Indian subcontinent as a vital refuge for ancient tropical plants during global climate shifts. Although Pandanus is now restricted to tropical regions, its ancestors were once widespread across the Northern Hemisphere. “The Makum fossils suggest Paleogene persistence and ecological continuity of Pandanaceae across the paleotropics,” the researchers noted. It further added that the discovery collides with the evolutionary diversification of modern Pandanus species during the late Eocene-Oligocene. In addition, the study also indicated that Assam was covered by warm, humid forests, freshwater swamps and river ecosystems around 24 million years ago, providing ideal conditions for screw-pines. Researchers say the discovery further establishes the Makum Coalfield as one of India's richest fossil sites, with previous finds of palms, mangroves and rainforest plants offering valuable insights into the evolution of Northeast India's forests, biodiversity and ancient climate.

Scientists found that the fossil leaves share the same key features as modern kewra (Pandanus) plants, including long sword-shaped leaves, parallel veins, an M-shaped cross-section and sharp prickles along the edges.

Older than Himalayas: 85mn-year-old Kewra plant reached India 24mn years ago, fossil discovery in Assam shows

A planet with an atmosphere has been detected 48 light-years from Earth, in the first-of-its-kind discovery. "An atmosphere is essential for a planet to support life as we know it," lead author Collin Cherubim said. LHS 1140 b is an Earth-like, rocky planet orbiting a red dwarf within the habitable zone. The discovery is evidence that it is possible that other planets outside the solar system could harbour conditions for life. Astronomers have till now, found more than 6000 planets orbiting other stars, but never has one displayed a stable atmosphere.&nbsp;The research was published in Science. "This is the first time anyone has found an atmosphere on a rocky planet in the habitable zone of another star," Cherubim said. The study notes that the rocky planet is leaking helium gas into space, which shows it has held on to its atmosphere even billions of years after it was born.&nbsp;&nbsp;"The exciting part about this paper, and why I think it was accepted into Science, was that this is the first time that we're seeing a rocky, Earth-like planet that could still have an atmosphere," University of Florida Assistant Professor of Astronomy Jason Dittmann, who first discovered the planet in 2016, said.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/50mn-tonnes-of-sugar-from-deep-space-delivered-a-sweet-start-to-life-on-earth-1784028014232">50mn tonnes of sugar from deep space delivered a sweet start to life on Earth</a>&nbsp;The Magellan Clay telescope at Las Campanas Observatory detected helium escaping from the planet. Cherubim and the theoretical model created by his team predicted that LHS 1140 b has an upper atmosphere rich in helium. Dittmann says the rocky world should have a temperature similar to Earth's. There is a second planet in the system, LHS 1140c. It is located outside the system's habitable zone and doesn't have an atmosphere.<h2>LHS 1140 b atmosphere is over three billion years old</h2>Several rocky exoplanets have been discovered in the past. However, all of them lost their atmosphere at some point in time. But not LHS 1140 b. It has been around for nearly five billion years, but the helium has persisted. All of it would have been lost had it not been replenishing its own supply, clearly a sign that an atmosphere is present on this world. Cherubim now wants to study the complete composition of this planet and later investigate whether it has surface oceans or other signs that it could support life.&nbsp;

An exoplanet that is over three billion years old has sustained an atmosphere all this time. Astronomers detected helium leaking into space, a clear sign that it has been replenishing itself on its own. This is the first ever exoplanet to reveal an atmosphere.

A planet with an atmosphere has been detected 48 light-years from Earth, in the first-of-its-kind discovery. "An atmosphere is essential for a planet to support life as we know it," lead author Collin Cherubim said. LHS 1140 b is an Earth-like, rocky planet orbiting a red dwarf within the habitable zone. The discovery is evidence that it is possible that other planets outside the solar system could harbour conditions for life. Astronomers have till now, found more than 6000 planets orbiting other stars, but never has one displayed a stable atmosphere. The research was published in Science. "This is the first time anyone has found an atmosphere on a rocky planet in the habitable zone of another star," Cherubim said. The study notes that the rocky planet is leaking helium gas into space, which shows it has held on to its atmosphere even billions of years after it was born. "The exciting part about this paper, and why I think it was accepted into Science, was that this is the first time that we're seeing a rocky, Earth-like planet that could still have an atmosphere," University of Florida Assistant Professor of Astronomy Jason Dittmann, who first discovered the planet in 2016, said. Also Read: 50mn tonnes of sugar from deep space delivered a sweet start to life on Earth The Magellan Clay telescope at Las Campanas Observatory detected helium escaping from the planet. Cherubim and the theoretical model created by his team predicted that LHS 1140 b has an upper atmosphere rich in helium. Dittmann says the rocky world should have a temperature similar to Earth's. There is a second planet in the system, LHS 1140c. It is located outside the system's habitable zone and doesn't have an atmosphere. LHS 1140 b atmosphere is over three billion years old Several rocky exoplanets have been discovered in the past. However, all of them lost their atmosphere at some point in time. But not LHS 1140 b. It has been around for nearly five billion years, but the helium has persisted. All of it would have been lost had it not been replenishing its own supply, clearly a sign that an atmosphere is present on this world. Cherubim now wants to study the complete composition of this planet and later investigate whether it has surface oceans or other signs that it could support life.

An exoplanet that is nearly five billion years old has sustained an atmosphere all this time. Astronomers detected helium leaking into space, a clear sign that it has been replenishing itself on its own. This is the first ever exoplanet to reveal an atmosphere.

'Eyeball Earth' older than our planet and leaking helium reveals an atmosphere

SpaceX's latest attempt to launch its giant Starship rocket ended dramatically on the launch pad after an automatic abort stopped the mission just moments before liftoff in South Texas.The countdown had reached zero, the launch pad's water deluge system activated and the Super Heavy booster began igniting its engines. But within seconds, the engines shut down and the mission was cancelled automatically. Soon afterwards, Elon Musk explained the reason on X, saying that some of the Raptor engines failed to start, triggering the onboard safety system. He added that SpaceX will replace two engines and target another launch attempt next week.<h2>What went wrong during launch?</h2>According to SpaceX's live broadcast, multiple engines failed to ignite properly during startup.The Starship system relies on dozens of Raptor engines firing in a carefully timed sequence. If enough engines fail to reach required performance, onboard software immediately aborts the launch to prevent a catastrophic failure. The automatic shutdown worked exactly as intended, avoiding damage to the rocket and launch infrastructure. Engineers must now safely drain thousands of tonnes of cryogenic methane and liquid oxygen before inspecting the affected engines and preparing the vehicle for another attempt.<h2>Why this mission mattered</h2>This was more than another Starship test.SpaceX planned to launch the first third-generation Starlink satellites, representing the next evolution of its global satellite internet network. Although the satellites were expected to burn up after deployment because Starship has yet to demonstrate a complete orbital mission, the flight would have validated key technologies for future operational launches. The mission also marked Starship's return after May's first Version 3 (V3) test flight, during which both the Super Heavy booster and upper stage experienced technical issues despite achieving several important milestones.The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) only cleared SpaceX to fly again earlier this week after reviewing corrective actions following the previous test.<h2>Starship remains central to SpaceX's future</h2>Despite the setback, Starship remains the centrepiece of SpaceX's long-term strategy.The fully reusable rocket is designed to carry massive satellite payloads, support future Moon missions under NASA's Artemis programme and eventually transport humans to Mars.It is also expected to deploy larger and more capable Starlink satellites that could significantly expand SpaceX's satellite broadband business—the company's biggest source of revenue. The launch attempt also came weeks after SpaceX's record-breaking public listing. Investor attention has intensified as the company works to prove Starship can become a reliable commercial launch system.While the aborted launch disappointed spectators, it also demonstrated the importance of automated safety systems. Rather than risking an explosion after detecting abnormal engine performance, Starship shut itself down exactly as designed. If repairs proceed as planned, SpaceX hopes to try again as early as next week.

SpaceX aborted its latest Starship launch seconds before liftoff after multiple Raptor engines failed to ignite. Elon Musk said two engines will be replaced before another launch attempt next week, delaying the company's first mission carrying third-generation Starlink satellites.

SpaceX's latest attempt to launch its giant Starship rocket ended dramatically on the launch pad after an automatic abort stopped the mission just moments before liftoff in South Texas. The countdown had reached zero, the launch pad's water deluge system activated and the Super Heavy booster began igniting its engines. But within seconds, the engines shut down and the mission was cancelled automatically. Soon afterwards, Elon Musk explained the reason on X, saying that some of the Raptor engines failed to start, triggering the onboard safety system. He added that SpaceX will replace two engines and target another launch attempt next week. What went wrong during launch? According to SpaceX's live broadcast, multiple engines failed to ignite properly during startup. The Starship system relies on dozens of Raptor engines firing in a carefully timed sequence. If enough engines fail to reach required performance, onboard software immediately aborts the launch to prevent a catastrophic failure. The automatic shutdown worked exactly as intended, avoiding damage to the rocket and launch infrastructure. Engineers must now safely drain thousands of tonnes of cryogenic methane and liquid oxygen before inspecting the affected engines and preparing the vehicle for another attempt. Why this mission mattered This was more than another Starship test. SpaceX planned to launch the first third-generation Starlink satellites, representing the next evolution of its global satellite internet network. Although the satellites were expected to burn up after deployment because Starship has yet to demonstrate a complete orbital mission, the flight would have validated key technologies for future operational launches. The mission also marked Starship's return after May's first Version 3 (V3) test flight, during which both the Super Heavy booster and upper stage experienced technical issues despite achieving several important milestones. The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) only cleared SpaceX to fly again earlier this week after reviewing corrective actions following the previous test. Starship remains central to SpaceX's future Despite the setback, Starship remains the centrepiece of SpaceX's long-term strategy. The fully reusable rocket is designed to carry massive satellite payloads, support future Moon missions under NASA's Artemis programme and eventually transport humans to Mars. It is also expected to deploy larger and more capable Starlink satellites that could significantly expand SpaceX's satellite broadband business—the company's biggest source of revenue. The launch attempt also came weeks after SpaceX's record-breaking public listing. Investor attention has intensified as the company works to prove Starship can become a reliable commercial launch system. While the aborted launch disappointed spectators, it also demonstrated the importance of automated safety systems. Rather than risking an explosion after detecting abnormal engine performance, Starship shut itself down exactly as designed. If repairs proceed as planned, SpaceX hopes to try again as early as next week.

SpaceX aborted its latest Starship launch seconds before liftoff after multiple Raptor engines failed to ignite. Elon Musk said two engines will be replaced before another launch attempt next week, delaying the company's first mission carrying third-generation Starlink satellites.

SpaceX aborts Starship launch seconds before liftoff after engine failure; Elon Musk says next attempt next week

Even as El Niño wreaks havoc across the world, a rare Atlantic Niña is emerging in the tropics. The former has warmed the Pacific, while the latter, as the name suggests, is brewing in the Atlantic. It is different from La Niña, which is the opposite of El Niño. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) released a sea surface temperature anomaly map, clearly showing the difference between what is happening in the Atlantic and the Pacific. The phenomenon causes sea surface temperatures to drop below average, but instead of the Pacific, it happens in the eastern equatorial Atlantic Ocean.&nbsp;Experts say that if temperatures remain 0.5 degrees Celsius below average for two overlapping seasons, it will become the sixth Atlantic Niña of the last 40 years. The NOAA map shows El Niño stretching outward from the northeastern coast of South America, and the Atlantic Nina is off the southeastern coast of Africa. Even though the two work on opposite poles, they are in perfect alignment, says they are actually perfectly aligned in their atmospheric impact,” senior meteorologist Andrej Flis wrote in a piece for Severe Weather Europe.<h2>How does Atlantic Nina affect weather?</h2> According to NOAA, Atlantic Nina makes it harder for thunderstorms and tropical cyclones to form because the cooler waters cause a drop in the amount of heat and moisture needed to fuel convection. Expect half the number of tropical cyclones elsewhere, and hurricanes in the US, than an average year. This is similar to how El Niño works, which depletes the chances of storms turning into hurricanes. The forecast by NOAA for the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season includes eight to 14 named storms, three to six hurricanes, and one to three major hurricanes.&nbsp;The effects are already visible. By July 17, at least two named storms had formed in the Atlantic Basin. But there is just Tropical Storm Arthur for now, which brought floods to the southern US in June. There is no hurricane on the horizon yet; however, the first one starts developing around August 11 in a year. There are two Atlantic disturbances, and one of them could develop into a cyclone in the next seven days. In conclusion, the presence of both El Niño and Atlantic Niña at the same time means a year with fewer hurricanes and cyclones.<h2>Atlantic Nina effect on India</h2> The phenomenon has an inverse relationship with the Indian Summer Monsoon Rainfall (ISMR). A cooler Atlantic means stronger monsoon rains in India. Initially, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecast below-normal to uneven rainfall nationwide for July 2026; conditions have led to severe, extremely heavy rain events across multiple states. Heavy rainfall is predicted for many northern, eastern and central states during the active monsoon phase till July 20. Ladakh recorded 65% more rainfall than normal as of mid-July.&nbsp;

A rare Atlantic Nina has joined forces with the Super El Niño in 2026. So the Pacific waters are warm, and portions of the Atlantic are cooler. Here is how it will affect the hurricane season in the US and the monsoon in India.

Even as El Niño wreaks havoc across the world, a rare Atlantic Niña is emerging in the tropics. The former has warmed the Pacific, while the latter, as the name suggests, is brewing in the Atlantic. It is different from La Niña, which is the opposite of El Niño. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) released a sea surface temperature anomaly map, clearly showing the difference between what is happening in the Atlantic and the Pacific. The phenomenon causes sea surface temperatures to drop below average, but instead of the Pacific, it happens in the eastern equatorial Atlantic Ocean. Experts say that if temperatures remain 0.5 degrees Celsius below average for two overlapping seasons, it will become the sixth Atlantic Niña of the last 40 years. The NOAA map shows El Niño stretching outward from the northeastern coast of South America, and the Atlantic Nina is off the southeastern coast of Africa. Even though the two work on opposite poles, they are in perfect alignment, says they are actually perfectly aligned in their atmospheric impact,” senior meteorologist Andrej Flis wrote in a piece for Severe Weather Europe. How does Atlantic Nina affect weather? According to NOAA, Atlantic Nina makes it harder for thunderstorms and tropical cyclones to form because the cooler waters cause a drop in the amount of heat and moisture needed to fuel convection. Expect half the number of tropical cyclones elsewhere, and hurricanes in the US, than an average year. This is similar to how El Niño works, which depletes the chances of storms turning into hurricanes. The forecast by NOAA for the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season includes eight to 14 named storms, three to six hurricanes, and one to three major hurricanes. The effects are already visible. By July 17, at least two named storms had formed in the Atlantic Basin. But there is just Tropical Storm Arthur for now, which brought floods to the southern US in June. There is no hurricane on the horizon yet; however, the first one starts developing around August 11 in a year. There are two Atlantic disturbances, and one of them could develop into a cyclone in the next seven days. In conclusion, the presence of both El Niño and Atlantic Niña at the same time means a year with fewer hurricanes and cyclones. Atlantic Nina effect on India The phenomenon has an inverse relationship with the Indian Summer Monsoon Rainfall (ISMR). A cooler Atlantic means stronger monsoon rains in India. Initially, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecast below-normal to uneven rainfall nationwide for July 2026; conditions have led to severe, extremely heavy rain events across multiple states. Heavy rainfall is predicted for many northern, eastern and central states during the active monsoon phase till July 20. Ladakh recorded 65% more rainfall than normal as of mid-July.

A rare Atlantic Nina has joined forces with the Super El Niño in 2026. So the Pacific waters are warm, and portions of the Atlantic are cooler. Here is how it will affect the hurricane season in the US and the monsoon in India.

5 times in 40 years: Rare Atlantic Niña could soon grip Earth as Super El Niño tightens its jaws. What to expect?

science

Science, News on Science, stories on Science, articles on Science, Science stories at Wion, Science news, Science latest news

science

Scientist finds a pattern to Earth's mass extinctions, and it's hiding in deep space

Watch a SpaceX rocket crash into the moon at 8,750 km/hr on THIS day

3,000 years ago, humanity spoke thousands of languages—then lost. What happened?

Why are brands turning to AI influencers for their marketing campaigns?

200-year-old 'unequalled' Gujarati scroll unlocks India's maritime secrets

Scientists say humans could live to a maximum age of 156 years. Here's how

Archaeologists uncover mysterious 3,000-year-old skeleton in El Salvador

100km asteroid exploded and changed Moon and Earth 800mn years ago

Latest study on meteorite that killed dinosaurs shows just how unlucky they were

DCGI clears Takeda's QDENGA, India's first-ever dengue vaccine

Our Sun was missing its silver. Scientists finally know what went wrong

China to strike asteroid at 26 times the speed of sound. How it outrivals DART

NASA warns humans have underestimated the strongest solar storms - 'There could be no upper limit'

500 days, -52 C, polar bears and total isolation: 12 humans leave for North Pole

How China's NEO brain chip differs from Elon Musk's Neuralink: EXPLAINED

WION Decodes | Terror groups no longer need training camps. AI may be enough

China reaches major brain-computer interface milestone ahead of Neuralink

India's first private orbital rocket, Vikram-1, launched from Sriharikota

Earthly microbes could turn deadlier on Mars, spelling doom for astronauts

25km meteor crater in Canada remained hidden for 390 million years

How is opening India's space sector to private firms transforming the industry?

Tracked by NASA since 1998, missing asteroid reappears as mysterious dark comet

85mn-year-old Kewra plant reached India 24mn years ago, fossil discovery shows

'Eyeball Earth' older than our planet and leaking helium reveals an atmosphere