Science

NASA scientists have determined that Earth will capture a second moon on Sunday, 29th September 2024. This small asteroid, named 2024 PT5, typically orbits the sun as part of the Arjuna asteroid belt. Unlike our long-term lunar companion, which has orbited Earth for over 4 billion years, this temporary second moon will only stay with

New research is shedding light on the brain‘s role in depression, particularly through the discovery of an enlarged salience network in people suffering from the condition. This brain network, located primarily in the frontal cortex and striatum, is responsible for processing rewards and focusing attention on significant stimuli. The findings open promising avenues for early

An asteroid, about the size of a city bus, will soon become a “mini-moon” as it will get caught in Earth’s gravitational pull. Named 2024 PT5, this asteroid is expected to enter Earth’s orbit on September 29, 2024, and will stay until November 25. While the term “mini-moon” may sound peculiar, it is used by

India has recorded its first case of the new mpox strain, known as Clade 1b, in Kerala. This new strain is highly transmissible and has been connected to the mpox outbreak in Africa. The case involves a 38-year-old man from Kerala who recently returned from Dubai. Mpox, a contagious virus previously called monkeypox, causes painful

Elon Musk’s Starlink satellites are causing significant disruption for astronomers worldwide. Scientists from the Netherlands, particularly the Netherlands Institute for Radio Astronomy (ASTRON), have reported that the growing network of Starlink satellites is interfering with radio waves used for vital space research. The satellites, designed to provide high-speed internet in remote areas across the globe, are blocking

Recent research indicates that Earth may have once had rings similar to those of Saturn. Scientists believe this ring system was created by the breakup of an asteroid around 466 million years ago. This event coincided with significant meteorite impacts around the planet’s equatorial region. Researchers propose that the ring’s formation might have contributed to

Earth might gain another Moon, a miniature one, due to a rare phenomenon called gravitational trapping. Carlos de la Fuente Marcos and Raúl de la Fuente Marcos, researchers from Universidad Complutense de Madrid, have announced an intriguing celestial event. A small asteroid, named 2024 PT5, is set to become Earth’s temporary mini-moon for approximately two months

A novel approach to improving the performance of MOF-based supercapacitors has been developed by researchers at the Institute of Nano Science and Technology (INST), Mohali. This laser-based technique allows for the controlled introduction of defects in the material, boosting energy storage capabilities. The method could offer a significant improvement over traditional methods used for defect

China is set to establish a moon base at the lunar south pole by 2035, with the project divided into two key phases. This ambitious initiative, led by China with Russia’s support, is part of the International Lunar Research Station (ILRS) programme. Initially outlined in June 2021, the plan will involve constructing a basic robotic

Japan has announced plans to start constructing the world’s first “zeta-class” supercomputer in 2025. Expected to be 1,000 times faster than today’s leading supercomputers, the project is set to cost more than $750 million and be operational by 2030. The supercomputer will help Japan stay competitive in artificial intelligence (AI) advancements and scientific research. This

China is set to launch its highly anticipated Tianwen-3 mission around 2028, aimed at collecting samples from Mars and bringing them back to Earth. Liu Jizhong, Chief Designer of the mission, announced this during the second International Deep Space Exploration Conference, known as the Tiandu Forum, held in Huangshan City, Anhui Province. The Tianwen-3 mission

Saturn’s rings, one of the most unique features of our solar system, are set to become nearly invisible in March 2025. This rare phenomenon will occur due to Saturn’s unique axial tilt, which will align the rings edge-on with Earth’s line of sight. The result is a brief period where these majestic rings will be

Indian researchers at the Institute of Nano Science and Technology (INST) in Mohali, led by Dr. Bhanu Prakash, have developed a new technique to address chromium contamination in wastewater. This technique employs sunlight as a catalyst in combination with microfluidic technology to convert toxic hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)] into the less harmful trivalent chromium [Cr(III)]. This

Saturn will reach opposition on the night of September 7 and 8, marking a key astronomical event. During the event, Earth is positioned directly between Saturn and the Sun. This alignment allows Saturn to appear at its largest and brightest in the night sky. This is the ideal time for those keen to observe Saturn

Tensions between Brazil and Elon Musk’s business empire ratcheted up further as the country’s telecoms regulator threatened to sanction his satellite broadband company Starlink hours after its top court stood behind a controversial decision to ban social network X from the country. Brazil’s President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva also backed the top court’s Judge

A recent study has revealed that SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic, might be using an unexpected method to infect the brain. Researchers found that mutations in the virus’ spike protein allow it to enter brain cells through a “back door,” a process that might explain the neurological symptoms observed in some COVID-19

India is celebrating its inaugural National Space Day today, marking a significant milestone in the country’s space exploration journey. This day commemorates the historic event of August 23, 2023, when Chandrayaan-3 successfully made a soft landing on the Moon. With this achievement, India became the fourth nation to land on the Moon and the first

Neuralink Corp., Elon Musk’s brain-computer company, said surgery for its second implant in a human “went well” and the patient is now able to design 3D objects and play video games like Counter-Strike 2. The procedure also appears to have successfully averted an issue that dogged the experience of the first patient, Noland Arbaugh, who

Elon Musk, the influential figure behind SpaceX, has expressed a pragmatic view on the timeline for human colonization of Mars. Speaking at the Satellite 2020 conference, Musk noted the slow pace of advancements in space exploration, he may not live to see a sustainable Martian settlement. Despite SpaceX’s strides, such as successful Falcon 9 and

When a 10-year-old Tegan strolled along a beach in south Wales with her mother, she didn’t expect to make a prehistoric discovery. To their astonishment, Tegan spotted five large dinosaur footprints imprinted in the rocks. These footprints, estimated to be over 200 million years old, have been identified as belonging to a Camelotia, a type