Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla is poised to become the first Indian astronaut to journey to the International Space Station (ISS) as part of Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4). This mission signifies India's return to human spaceflight after four decades, highlighting its increasing role in global space exploration.
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Scientists in the UK have successfully revived living cells from a southern white rhino that passed away in 2021. Nature's SAFE, a conservation charity, cultivated millions of cells from a preserved skin sample. This breakthrough offers new hope for restoring endangered populations by potentially creating viable egg or sperm cells, marking a significant advancement in conservation efforts.
Scientists have made a surprising discovery: penguin droppings in Antarctica may contribute to cooling the continent. Ammonia released from penguin guano combines with compounds from phytoplankton, boosting the formation of cloud-seeding aerosols. These aerosols then create low-lying clouds that reflect sunlight, potentially offsetting some warming effects, highlighting the intricate link between ecosystems and climate.
Chinese scientists have engineered a laser-based imaging system capable of reading millimetre-sized text from 1.4 kilometres away, overcoming atmospheric distortion through active intensity interferometry. This breakthrough, achieving a 14-fold resolution improvement, could revolutionise archaeology, environmental monitoring, and infrastructure inspection. Researchers are now focused on enhancing usability and integrating AI for real-time image rendering.
A new study suggests a massive meteorite impact 3.26 billion years ago, far larger than the dinosaur killer, may have acted as a "giant fertilizer bomb" on early Earth. This impact, releasing vital nutrients like phosphorus and mixing ocean layers, potentially spurred a microbial explosion. The event highlights how catastrophic events could foster biological innovation and diversification in early life.
A recent study by sociologists at the University of Cologne reveals a paradox: parents find life more meaningful than childfree individuals, yet report lower life satisfaction. This disparity, highlighted in the Journal of Marriage and Family, stems from challenges exacerbated by inadequate family policies. Scandinavian countries, with robust childcare and parental support, show minimal difference in satisfaction between parents and non-parents.
In Jerusalem's Walls National Park, a 2,300-year-old gold ring with a red gemstone was unearthed, offering insights into the Early Hellenistic period. Discovered in a large structure's foundation, it likely belonged to a wealthy resident. Archaeologists believe it was intentionally buried, possibly for an engagement or coming-of-age ritual.
SpaceX's Starlink is poised to launch in India, armed with a Letter of Intent from the Department of Telecommunications. The initial phase targets urban areas with 600-700 Gbps bandwidth, serving 30,000-50,000 customers. Plans may start at $10 per month, offering high-speed internet, especially benefiting underserved regions, with aims to expand to 3 Tbps by 2027.
A groundbreaking study reveals that a combination of rapamycin and trametinib extends the lifespan of mice by up to 30%, while also improving their health in old age. The drug cocktail reduced inflammation, delayed tumor growth, and enhanced physical function. This discovery offers hope for developing anti-ageing treatments for humans, potentially slowing or reversing ageing-related decline.
The James Webb Space Telescope has spotted MoM z14. It is the most distant galaxy ever seen. This galaxy existed 280 million years after the Big Bang. It redefines our view of galaxy formation. Scientists found carbon and nitrogen in MoM z14. This suggests earlier galaxies existed. The telescope's discovery is reshaping the understanding of the early universe.