The landing site of India’s triumphant Chandrayaan-3 mission has been permanently etched in lunar history. On March 19, 2024, the International Astronomical Union (IAU) officially endorsed “Shiva Shakti” as the designation for the specific spot where the Vikram lander touched down on the Moon’s south pole at 69.373°S 32.319°E in August 2023. This precise location, … Read more
The enigmatic Luna structure, a massive 1.8-kilometer wide crater nestled within Gujarat’s Kutch region, has long captivated scientists. Initial theories proposed a link to the ancient Harappan civilization, sparking intrigue about potential structures or settlements. However, recent groundbreaking research published in March 2024 has debunked this notion, unveiling a far more awe-inspiring origin story – … Read more
Indian scientists have unveiled a groundbreaking solution to address the growing crisis of natural sand scarcity in the construction industry, a problem estimated to reach a global deficit of 50 billion tons by 2030 according to UN Environment Programme. Researchers at the Indian Institute of Science’s Centre for Sustainable Technologies (CST) in Bengaluru have discovered … Read more
Researchers have made a monumental stride in understanding human evolution by identifying a key factor behind our brain’s remarkable expansion, particularly the neocortex – the outermost layer responsible for higher-order functions like language and complex thought. This groundbreaking study, published in a leading scientific journal, utilized cutting-edge 3D brain organoids to pinpoint a molecule called … Read more
Researchers have unearthed a fascinating evolutionary hurdle in fungi, a critical point where seemingly minor tweaks can cause significant changes in their growth and form. This discovery, published recently in Cell Reports, sheds light on how subtle environmental shifts can have profound evolutionary consequences. Nature’s Decomposers Held Back by a Pressure Threshold Fungi play a … Read more
Magnetofossils, the fossilized fingerprints of magnetotactic bacteria, hold the key to unlocking ancient environmental secrets. These fascinating single-celled organisms, equipped with a built-in compass of magnetite or greigite crystals, navigate Earth’s magnetic field. As they die, their fossilized chains of magnetic particles – magnetofossils – become preserved within sediments, offering a glimpse into past oxygen … Read more
The European Space Agency’s (ESA) Gaia space telescope continues to rewrite the story of the Milky Way galaxy. In a recent revelation, Gaia has unveiled two previously unknown stellar streams, christened Shiva and Shakti, dating back a mind-boggling 12 billion years. This groundbreaking discovery offers a tantalizing glimpse into the earliest stages of our galaxy’s … Read more
In a recent expedition off the coast of Kollam, Kerala, researchers made a remarkable discovery – a new species of deep-sea isopod. This fascinating crustacean, belonging to the genus Brucethoa, has been named Brucethoa isro, a special tribute to the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and its trailblazing achievements in space exploration. A Celebration of … Read more
In a remarkable gesture of recognition, the International Astronomical Union (IAU) has named an asteroid after Professor Jayant Murthy, a distinguished Indian scientist known for his extensive work in ultraviolet astronomy and the interstellar medium. This rare honor celebrates Prof Murthy’s contributions to space science and his role in advancing our understanding of the cosmos. … Read more
Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati (IIT Guwahati) has taken a decisive step in safeguarding India’s vital ₹75,000 crore pig farming industry from the devastation of classical swine fever. On March 26, 2024, IIT Guwahati marked a significant milestone by successfully transferring a pioneering vaccine technology, valued at an estimated ₹10 crore, to BioMed Pvt. Ltd., … Read more