Science/Tech / The Times of India
Tim Friede, a former truck mechanic, intentionally subjected himself to numerous snakebites over two decades, aiming to develop immunity. His unusual experiment led to a breakthrough in antivenom research. Scientists discovered broadly neutralizing antibodies in Friede's blood, paving the way for a universal antivenom that could protect against various venomous snakes and save thousands of lives annually.
Freud didnt just invent psychoanalysis. He invented the modern notion of the self: that what we are is not just what we do, or say, or post on Instagram, but a bubbling cauldron of instincts, memories, and traumas buried beneath the surface. Born in 1856 in what is now the Czech Republic, Freud was a neurologist by training, but like all true revolutionaries, he broke his field before he built a new one.
SpaceX is set to launch a Falcon 9 rocket carrying Starlink satellites from Florida's Space Coast on May 6, 2025. The launch window opens at 8:22 p.m. EDT, offering a spectacular nighttime display visible from Jacksonville Beach to West Palm Beach. This mission aims to expand SpaceX's Starlink broadband constellation, providing global high-speed internet access.
The eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD buried Pompeii and Herculaneum, preserving Roman life in ash. Recent discoveries, including exotic animal bones, vitrified brains, erotic art, and children's graffiti, offer insights into Roman cuisine, trade, medicine, and culture. Ongoing excavations continue to reveal tragic stories and expand our understanding of this ancient civilization.
Recent discoveries have challenged previous assumptions about the space near Earth, revealing a potential population of undiscovered minimoons, some of which may be lunar debris. The identification of 2024 PT5, an asteroid-like object with lunar characteristics, supports this theory. These minimoons offer a unique opportunity to study the Moon's impact history and could serve as targets for future space missions.
Indian researchers from Shiv Nadar University have developed a bioinspired aluminium surface that repels water, resists corrosion and bacteria, and self-cleans using minimal water. Mimicking lotus leaves and insect wings, the eco-friendly process creates superhydrophobic and antibacterial surfaces ideal for marine, healthcare, and packaging industries. The innovation promises scalable, low-cost applications with support from CSIR.
A new study reveals North American bird populations are declining, especially in their traditional habitats, due to rapid environmental changes like climate change. Researchers analyzed vast eBird data using machine learning to pinpoint these trends. The study found that 97% of species face both population increases and declines, with 83% shrinking fastest in their most abundant areas.
Union Minister Jitendra Singh urged Indian researchers abroad to return, highlighting India's advancements in science and research. He emphasized a shift in national mindset and the need for industry-determined research with equitable financial commitments. India's global scientific presence is growing, reflected in its improved rankings in innovation, patent filings, and startup ecosystem, signaling a golden period for science.
Kosmos 482, a Soviet-era probe, is reentering Earth this month. Launched in 1972 for a Venus mission, it failed to escape Earth's gravity. Satellite trackers are monitoring its descent. Experts predict reentry around May 10. The lander module may survive reentry. Risk to humans is minimal, similar to a meteorite strike.
India's DRDO achieved a milestone with the successful maiden flight of its Stratospheric Airship Platform in Madhya Pradesh. The high-altitude airship, developed by ADRDE, ascended to 17 kilometers, transmitting sensor data for future improvements. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh lauded the achievement, emphasising its potential to enhance India's earth observation, intelligence, and surveillance capabilities.
A significant 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck off the southern coast of Chile and Argentina, prompting a tsunami warning. Chilean authorities initially ordered coastal evacuations in the Magallanes region, anticipating potential tsunami waves. Fortunately, the evacuation order was later lifted as no immediate injuries or damage were reported, though Argentina issued a localized evacuation order.
Human-induced climate change made the ultra-dry and warm conditions that fanned South Korea's deadliest wildfires in history this March twice as likely and more intense, researchers said Thursday. South Korea's deadliest wildfires were made much more likely by climate change, said Clair Barnes, a WWA researcher from the Centre for Environmental Policy, Imperial College London.
New Zealand faced severe weather conditions, prompting a state of emergency in Christchurch due to heavy downpours and river overflows. Wellington experienced destructive gales, leading to flight cancellations and warnings for residents to stay indoors. Heavy snow and large waves impacted other regions, causing power outages and disruptions to daily life, with the storm expected to ease on Friday.
In drought-stricken Iraq, farmers like Hadi Saheb are drilling wells to tap into groundwater reserves, enabling them to cultivate desert lands and increase wheat production. While this government-backed initiative boosts food security, experts warn that unsustainable groundwater extraction threatens to deplete this vital resource, mirroring past experiences in neighboring countries and raising concerns about long-term water availability.
In Chile's ancient rainforest, the 'Gran Abuelo,' a 5,400-year-old tree, faces a new threat from a proposed highway. Scientists warn the road will increase the risk of wildfires and endanger the Alerce trees, which are vital for climate research. Researchers are working to protect this ancient tree and its surrounding ecosystem.
The UK government and Italian energy company Eni Thursday announced a deal to create a major carbon capture and storage network to store millions of tonnes of CO2 beneath the Irish Sea. Eni plans to store 4.5 million tonnes of CO2 per year, a quantity that could rise to 10 million after 2030, equivalent to the emissions of four million cars.
A new study estimates that the world's largest corporations have caused $28 trillion in climate damage, aiming to hold companies accountable like tobacco giants. The research identifies 111 companies, with the top ten fossil fuel providers, including Saudi Aramco and Gazprom, responsible for over half of the damage.
Nepal's first nationwide survey of the threatened snow leopard estimated nearly 400 of the elusive big cats in the Himalayan nation, wildlife officials said Tuesday. It offers the most comprehensive national estimate of snow leopards -- also known as the ghosts of mountains -- previously estimated by the IUCN to be in the range of 301-400.
Pope Francis, deeply moved by the devastation he witnessed in Tacloban after Typhoon Haiyan, channeled his experience into his landmark encyclical Praised Be. This document framed care for the planet as a moral imperative, criticizing the global north's economic practices for harming the Earth and disproportionately affecting the poor.
From responding to weather disasters to rising competition in the fast-warming Arctic, militaries are exposed to climate change and cannot let it become a strategic lind spot, security experts say. What I worry about, as someone who worked in national security for a long time, is this blind spot puts the US at risk, she said.
It may be the gateway to the vast Sahara desert, but that doesn't mean it's free of that modern scourge of the environment -- the rubbish humanity discards. For him, a clean environment is vital for future generations, and he hopes the initiative will be just the first in a series of campaigns to clean up the desert. vid-anr/fka/srm/dcp/tym
An Indonesian soldier gives a thumbs up as he crosses a rice field on a combine harvester in remote Papua, where a government food security mega-project has raised fears of mass deforestation.the military had the resources and high discipline to accelerate the food project while securing stability and security in the region.
More than 110 wildfires have raged in the UK since the start of the year, according to satellite data released Monday, making it one of the worst years on record. The EFFIS data is based on satellite readings and only maps fires that are 30 hectares or larger -- accounting for the difference with records from the local authority.
Indian Institute of Astrophysics researchers have revisited the ultra-diffuse galaxy, NGC 1052-DF2, challenging previous assumptions about its dark matter deficiency. The study suggests the galaxy possesses a 'cored' dark matter halo, unlike earlier 'cuspy' models. This new model indicates a more evenly spread dark matter distribution, potentially aligning NGC 1052-DF2 with standard galaxy formation theories.