Sci &Tech

Life has flourished on Earth for billions of years, from primitive organic chemistry in ancient oceans to towering dinosaurs, and finally to humans who wonder if we are alone. Our curiosity is endless. From the provocative Fermi Paradox, which questions why we have not yet seen extraterrestrial civilisations, to NASA’s determined missions scanning our cosmic…

BENGALURU: The National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS) and the International Centre for Theoretical Sciences (ICTS), both centres under the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR) in Bengaluru, have announced the establishment of a new research facility — the Centre for Artificial Learning and Intelligence for Biological Research and Education (CALIBRE).The centre will be supported…

Bird flu cases are rising in the Northern Hemisphere, and outbreaks are likely to continue testing farmers and public health authorities determined to curb the spread this winter.The current circulating “clade” of H5N1, which is mainly carried by birds, is highly pathogenic, meaning it can cause severe avian influenza (or bird flu).Though H5N1 was first…

In a remarkable discovery that sheds light, quite literally, on the mysteries of the deep, scientists from CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency, have identified two new marine species off the coast of Western Australia. Among them is the West Australian Lantern shark, a small, glowing predator from the ocean’s twilight zone, and a delicate porcelain…

A team of international astronomers have discovered three Earth-sized planets orbiting two stars, in what researchers are calling a laboratory for studying planet formation.The finding, announced Friday in the journal Astronomy & Astrophysics, centers around the binary star system TOI-2267, located approximately 190 light-years from Earth. What makes this discovery particularly remarkable is that it…

A mysterious traveller from beyond our Solar System is paying Earth a rare visit. This interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS has captured the attention of astronomers and sky-watchers alike as it makes its closest approach to Earth on 29 October 2025. Racing through space at incredible speed, 3I/ATLAS is not just a spectacle of cosmic beauty but…

You know those moments when you’re watching a nature documentary and start wondering what Earth would look like if humans suddenly disappeared? It’s a haunting but strangely fascinating idea. Who would take our place at the top? What kind of creature would step up once we were gone?A peer-reviewed study published in Biology explored the…

For over a century, the Southern Ocean has served as a crucial buffer, silently absorbing vast amounts of carbon dioxide and heat produced by human activity. This process has delayed the most severe effects of global warming, helping to stabilise Earth’s climate. Yet, new research suggests this balance may not last. Scientists warn that once…

Bill Gates, once one of the most prominent voices warning that climate change could spark catastrophic destruction and even threaten civilisation, has shifted to a more optimistic outlook. In a new blog post, the Microsoft co-founder argues that global warming, while still a major challenge, will not lead to humanity’s extinction. Instead of “doomsday narratives”,…

The United States consulate in Lagos has revoked the visa of Nigerian Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka, the 91-year-old playwright confirmed on Tuesday, claiming that he was “content” with the decision.“I want to assure the consulate… that I’m very content with the revocation of my visa,” Soyinka told reporters at a press conference in Lagos.Soyinka, who…