BIOLOGICAL PRODUCTION UNDER EXTREME CONDITIONS
Iran war reshapes US auto market as hybrids gain ground and EVs lose pace
Electric vehicle growth in the United States has slowed down while hybrid vehicles are gaining popularity. Rising fuel prices due to the Iran war are driving consumers towards hybrid options. Major car manufacturers like Nissan and Honda are increasing investments in hybrid technologies. Hybrid electric vehicle market share has reached a record 16.3 percent, while traditional ICE vehicles decline. Experts suggest hybrids could see significant growth in various vehicle segments.
Study across six states shows causal link between air pollution & poor mental health
“We see recurring seasonal exacerbations in patients—especially around festive and post-festive periods—which provides a critical window to screen their mental health,” said Dr Sam Bennihin D L, associate consultant, pulmonary medicine at Rela Institute & Medical Centre in Chennai.
MIT scientists kept growing ocean microbes that clung to test tubes; the sticky share rose from 6% to 85%, revealing a hidden way they release carbon into water
Prochlorococcus, a small but abundant marine microbe, was thought to exist mainly as solitary cells. New research findings reveal that it can form biofilms and attach to particles. This discovery has implications for understanding the biological carbon pump in the oceans. While these microbes can switch between free-floating and attached forms, they contribute significantly to carbon transport. Scientists are further investigating the role of attached Prochlorococcus in marine ecosystems.
Illinois drained two lakes for farmland for about 70 years; after conservationists bought Emiquon in 2000 and began restoring the wetlands, spring waterbird counts exceeded 119,000
Since its transformation from farmland into a flourishing wetland began in 2000, Emiquon Preserve has seen extraordinary returns in wildlife, famously attracting over 119,000 waterbirds during the spring counts. Although the project has greatly enhanced wetland habitats and ecological recovery, vigilant management is required to combat threats from invasive species and to maintain aging infrastructures, underlining the importance of ongoing human efforts in environmental sustainability.
Beyond Retirement: Why India needs a new architecture for ageing
India’s retirement planning focuses heavily on money and healthcare but often overlooks the need for continued cognitive stimulation, social connection and a sense of purpose in later life. Drawing on the Saptasopan model and personal experience, a structured senior-engagement programmes should be scaled through CSR, housing communities, educational institutions and hybrid platforms as part of India’s ageing infrastructure.
Illinois removed dams from Brewster Creek in 2006; by 2014, surveys had found 14 fish species not previously recorded in the restored stretch, including catfish
Since the dismantling of several dams in 2006, Brewster Creek has experienced remarkable ecological transformation. The removal of barriers allowed fish species like smallmouth bass and quillback to flourish in the area, leading to a notable increase in overall fish diversity, with 14 new species discovered. Moreover, the ongoing research highlighted natural channel evolution and sedimentary stability, making Brewster Creek a pivotal reference for future ecological restoration initiatives.
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IPL has to become longer so that all 10 teams play each other home and away: Mohit Burman
Mohit Burman, co-owner of Punjab Kings, emphasizes the need for a longer IPL window to facilitate a home and away format. He believes all teams should play each other twice, which would enhance the league's structure. Additionally, Burman stated that no new teams should be added until the scheduling allows for comprehensive competition. The recent trade for Hardik Pandya was a strategic move to strengthen the team's lineup.
Fed's Jefferson says he is taking his policy cues from inflation
Federal Reserve Vice Chair Philip Jefferson emphasized inflation as the main factor in determining monetary policy. He highlighted that economic growth and a stable labor market have been observed. Jefferson indicated that upcoming adjustments to policy should rely on data trends and the evolving economic outlook. Concerns about artificial intelligence displacing workers were also mentioned in his remarks.
Compulsory licensing of drugs only after exhausting all other measures: Department of Pharmaceuticals secretary Manoj Joshi
The government plans to address the high costs of innovative medicines by first negotiating prices. Compulsory licensing will be considered only after other alternatives are exhausted. Trade margins on high-cost drugs are being examined to enhance affordability. Discussions are ongoing with pharmaceutical companies to improve access and affordability of patented drugs. The government is also working on initiatives to support the local pharmaceutical manufacturing sector.
Leh sit-in enters 2nd day; Sonam Wangchuk alleges house arrest; protesters plan hunger strike
Protests organized by Apex Body Leh are ongoing, led by climate activist Sonam Wangchuk. Despite a ban on protests, many have participated, showing their determination. Additionally, a hunger strike is set to commence to press for dialogue with the Ministry of Home Affairs. Parents of four civilians killed in September 2025 are still seeking justice and public disclosure of the judicial panel report.
Made in Pakistan beauty products seized in Maharashtra leave officials stunned: One cream found with 48,453 times the permissible mercury limit
Two Pakistani-labelled beauty creams seized by Nanded police have been found to contain dangerously high levels of mercury, with concentrations thousands of times above the permissible limit. Government laboratory tests detected 48,453.44 PPM in PARLEY 24K Gold Gleam Beauty Cream and 6,924.94 PPM in GOREE Beauty Cream. The products, worth Rs 39.69 lakh, were seized during a police raid in July.
Can Heartbreak kill you? Cardiologist explains Broken Heart Syndrome and why even winning a lottery can trigger it
Can heartbreak lead to deterioration of health? According to heart surgeons, yes, being emotionally devastated can have an impact on your physical well-being as well. In a chat with heart surgeon Dr Jigar Shah, health influencer Dr Vaishali Kukreja investigated broken heart syndrome. Dr Shah explained that broken heart syndrome is not just an urban legend but a real condition.
Brazil gives workers their lives back; India gives more work
Brazil has implemented a constitutional amendment to reduce the maximum working week from 44 to 40 hours. This change aims to enhance the work-life balance for over 30 million workers. In contrast, Indian employees often endure extended hours and find it challenging to disconnect from work. The shift in Brazil raises questions about work culture in India and employee well-being.
Jensen Huang quits as CEO of Nvidia: He was once caught getting cosy with Nvidia VP on camera. Who is Kimberly Powell, the second woman he has been linked with?
Nvidia founder Jensen Huang resigned as CEO on Thursday following reports of an affair with Kimberly Powell, the company’s vice president of healthcare. This follows reports that the billionaire was involved in an affair with Alice Huang, a Chinese executive who U.S. intelligence asserted was a spy for Beijing.
Scientists compared flies from cool California forests with those from hot Southwestern deserts; a 2025 study found their brains responded differently to heat
Two fly species, Drosophila persimilis and Drosophila mojavensis, showcase fascinating adaptations to their environments, revealing their opposing responses to heat. While forest-dwelling flies evade warmth, their desert counterparts thrive in it. These contrasting behaviors highlight significant neural changes that not only reflect physical adaptations but also altered sensory processing. This research is pivotal in predicting how species may cope with the challenges of climate change.
Manchester United sack Michael Carrick after worst league start in 40 years
Michael Carrick was dismissed as manager of Manchester United after their disappointing start to the season. The club has recorded just one league win and currently sits in the relegation zone. United's performance has been the worst in 40 years, leading to a necessary change in management. Mauricio Pochettino has been identified as a potential successor for Carrick.
Infosys Prize 2026 honours six young researchers across science & arts
At a recent press event, the Infosys Science Foundation celebrated the winners of the Infosys Prize 2026, honoring six promising early-career researchers for their remarkable achievements in diverse fields. Each recipient will be awarded a gold medal along with a substantial monetary prize of $100,000, designed to motivate emerging scholars and further their academic journeys, while reinforcing the foundation's commitment to fostering innovation and research excellence.
Bharat Forge defence subsidiary KSSL unveils 120mm Rapid Attack Mortar System
Bharat Forge Ltd's defence subsidiary Kalyani Strategic Systems Limited unveiled the 120mm Rapid Attack Mortar System. This new mortar system integrates with a 4x4 vehicle and enhances rapid-response capabilities. The system allows firing from the vehicle, minimizing crew exposure during operations. It is designed to function effectively in high-altitude and extreme weather conditions. KSSL focuses on various defence solutions for land, marine, and unmanned platforms.
Nagpur couple earns over Rs 4 lakh per month from a 400 sqft room business that has a profit margin of 80%
Nagpur couple earns over Rs 4 lakh per month from a 400 sqft room. Nagpur couple, Akshay Holey and Divya Lohakare Holey, has turned a 400-square-foot room into a saffron cultivation unit using aeroponic technology. By growing the expensive spice without soil, they have built a business generating annual revenue of Rs 40-50 lakh. Their saffron sells for around Rs 6.3 lakh per kg. After investing Rs 55 lakh, the couple targets to achieve Rs 1.3 crore earnings over in 5 years.
These mid-caps have ‘strong buy’ & ‘buy’ recos and an upside potential of over 25%, according to analyst
No doubt, the mood in the market has changed and the bulls seem to be back in a determined fashion. Don’t, however, expect the indices to keep climbing daily. There will be pauses. Also, though the things troubling the market have receded for now, they can still return. And these troubles are likely to be global rather than local.
Nvidia scandal: In 1960s, a Chinese spy pretended to be a woman for 20 years to honeytrap French diplomat; here's the bizarre story
Jensen Huang is at the center of a scandal involving Chinese espionage, capturing the attention of intelligence agencies. This incident has brought the historical tactic of honeytrapping back into public discourse. A notable example is the French Dip Affair, where diplomat Bernard Boursicot was manipulated by Shi Pei Pu, leading him to divulge sensitive information. This intriguing case also served as the inspiration for the Broadway play M.
Americans are already paying more for candy. Could El Niño make chocolate even costlier this Christmas, Valentine’s Day, and Easter?
Meteorologists warn that El Niño is expected to drastically impact cocoa production in Ivory Coast, the leading cocoa producer globally. Anticipated shifts in rainfall and temperature could lead to a potential reduction in cocoa yields by up to 25%. This disruption threatens the supply chains for chocolate, likely raising prices for consumers in the U.S., particularly during festive seasons, given the crucial role cocoa plays in the Ivorian economy.
Two former SpaceX engineers built a 25-pound machine that turns seawater into drinking water at the push of a button; here's how it works
It was co-founded by Jonathan Criss and Andrew Harner. Both are former SpaceX engineers. Criss is the company's CEO, and Harner is the COO. They gained engineering experience at SpaceX, and then applied aerospace-level precision and efficiency to the systems. It was reportedly designed for people who are outdoor enthusiasts, boat owners and living in remote locations.
Government extends ₹2,700-crore PLI scheme for medical devices till 2035-36, eases eligibility norms
The government has extended the ₹2,700-crore production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme for domestic medical device manufacturing until 2035-36 and invited fresh applications with relaxed eligibility and investment conditions. The revised rules remove the minimum sales threshold for claiming incentives and lower the minimum investment requirement to attract more manufacturers.
Anthropic unveils Fable 5.2 and Mythos 5.2, its most powerful AI models yet: All you need to know
In a blog post, Anthropic said both models improve on coding, reasoning and vision, and cost less than the 5.1 versions. “Testers have found that Fable 5.2 and Mythos 5.2 communicate more clearly than past Fable and Mythos models,” it added.
Who are Sassie Duggleby and Andrew Duggleby? Houston couple behind America's first rotating detonation rocket engine raised $91 million; what is their Mach 4 jet dream?
Venus Aerospace was founded in 2020 by husband-and-wife team Sassie Duggleby and Andrew Duggleby. They established the company with an ambitious idea. It was to develop a new propulsion system that could make extremely fast passenger aircraft commercially viable. They spent several years working on the technical challenge on making the engine withstand the extreme heat generated by rotating detonation.
USDA revokes James Ritterspach's licence after over 1100 chinchillas rescued from Ohio breeder
In a concerning case of animal neglect, James F Ritterspach, the owner of R & R Chinchilla Inc., faced the permanent revocation of his breeding license. Inspections by the USDA uncovered severe neglect, revealing over 1,100 chinchillas imprisoned in hazardous living conditions. To further escalate the situation, Ritterspach attempted to conceal additional chinchillas and neglected their fundamental care.
Unilever announces €35 million investment for R&D expansion in India’s Mumbai and Bengaluru hubs
Unilever announced a plan to invest an additional €35 million in its Indian research and development operations. The investment aims to enhance product innovation and biotechnology capabilities at its Mumbai and Bengaluru centers. Unilever has already invested €20 million over the past five years towards developing various research facilities in India.
India leads on non-animal testing and its draft lab animal rules threaten to undo that
India's draft Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Rules 2026 proposes significant changes to animal research regulations and oversight. It allows for harsher experimental practices that could cause severe suffering to animals. Local committees would gain power to approve experiments without thorough central review, raising concerns about ethical standards. This shift contradicts the existing legal framework established by the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1960.
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