Category: Science&Tech

Water vapor heats the atmosphere much more than aerosols do: new study

New research has highlighted the combined role of aerosols and water vapour in shaping climate change impacts, suggesting that reliable climate projections must account for their interaction. Scientists note that these interactions can significantly influence regional atmospheric dynamics, particularly the Indian Summer Monsoon. Why Aerosols and Water Vapour MatterThe radiative effects of aerosols and water vapour are crucial for understanding the Earth’s radiation balance, which in turn governs global temperatures, Read More …

What are Biomaterials?

Biomaterials are materials derived wholly or partly from biological sources, or engineered using biological processes, designed to replace or interact with conventional materials. They are emerging as key enablers of sustainability and innovation across multiple sectors. Growing Applications Across SectorsBiomaterials are increasingly used in: Their adoption is driven by the need to reduce dependence on fossil fuels, lower carbon footprints, and improve material performance. Key Categories of BiomaterialsBiomaterials are broadly Read More …

ISRO Confirms Frequent Cosmic Dust Impacts Using Indigenous Detector

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has confirmed that a cosmic dust particle strikes Earth’s atmosphere roughly every 1,000 seconds, using India’s first indigenously developed cosmic dust detector — the Dust EXperiment (DEX). About Interplanetary Dust Particles (IDPs)Interplanetary Dust Particles (IDPs) are microscopic fragments originating from comets and asteroids. These high-speed particles form the atmosphere’s enigmatic “meteor layer” and occasionally appear as shooting stars when they burn up in the Read More …

Mpemba effect

Researchers from the Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR) have developed the first supercomputer-powered simulations that successfully capture the long-standing paradox of water freezing — where hotter water freezes faster than colder water. Understanding the Mpemba EffectThis counterintuitive phenomenon is known as the Mpemba Effect. Though first noted by Aristotle in his work Meteorologica, it was rediscovered in the 20th century by Tanzanian student Erasto Mpemba, after whom Read More …

What Are W Ursae Majoris–Type Stars?

Astronomers have gained fresh insights into the evolution and fate of binary stars through a detailed study of W Ursae Majoris (W UMa)–type contact binaries. These are short-period, dumbbell-shaped stellar twins that orbit extremely close to each other, sharing a common outer atmosphere while revolving around a common centre. Natural Laboratories for Stellar PhysicsBecause of their intimate configuration, W UMa systems act as natural laboratories for astrophysics. They allow precise Read More …

World’s second National Environmental Standard Laboratory

The Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology, Dr. Jitendra Singh, inaugurated the world’s second National Environmental Standard Laboratory and the world’s fifth National Primary Standard Facility for Solar Cell Calibration at the CSIR–National Physical Laboratory (NPL). Boost to Environmental GovernanceThe National Environmental Standard Laboratory marks a major step in strengthening India’s environmental governance framework. The Minister noted that India-specific calibration and certification of air pollution monitoring Read More …

January 2026 Wolf Supermoon Lights Up the Night Sky

The January 2026 Wolf Supermoon reached its peak brightness on the evening of January 2, offering skywatchers a slightly larger and brighter-than-usual full Moon. Why It Is Called the Wolf MoonThe Wolf Moon is the traditional name for the first full Moon of January. Such seasonal names, popularised through almanacs and folklore, were historically used to mark the passage of time before modern calendars. The name is associated with winter Read More …

PathGennie: New Computational Tool Speeds Up Drug Discovery Simulations

Scientists have developed PathGennie, a novel computational framework that can significantly accelerate the simulation of rare molecular events crucial for drug discovery. The findings have been published in the Journal of Chemical Theory and Computation. Why It Matters for Drug DevelopmentIn pharmaceutical research, understanding a drug’s residence time—how long it remains bound to a target protein—is often more important than binding strength alone. However, simulating drug unbinding is extremely challenging, Read More …

Abu Dhabi Hospital Administers World’s First ITVISMA Gene Therapy for SMA

Abu Dhabi’s Sheikh Khalifa Medical City has become the first hospital in the world to administer ITVISMA, a one-time gene therapy for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). The treatment was delivered on December 28, 2025, under the supervision of the Department of Health, Abu Dhabi. Regulatory Approval and Global SignificanceThe UAE approved ITVISMA on November 25, 2025, making it the second country globally, after the United States, to authorise the therapy. Read More …

What is Candida auris?

Candida auris is a multidrug-resistant fungal pathogen known for its unique ability to persist on human skin and spread rapidly in healthcare settings. First identified in 2009, it has since emerged as a major global public health concern. Key Findings of the Study High Mortality Rates Why is Candida auris Dangerous? Researchers identified several survival strategies that make C. auris particularly lethal: Global Spread and Public Health Concern

Plasser’s Quick Relaying System (PQRS)

The Alipurduar Division of the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) has achieved a major milestone by recording its highest-ever single-day mechanised track renewal output of 1,033 track metres on December 23. The record was achieved using Plasser’s Quick Relaying System (PQRS). Role of Advanced Technology and CoordinationThe achievement reflects the effective deployment of high-output mechanised track-laying technology, optimised traffic blocks, and close coordination between the engineering and operating departments of the Read More …