Sci &Tech

A recently analysed skull discovered in Hubei Province, China, has prompted scientists to rethink the timeline of human evolution. Known as Yunxian 2, the fossil was previously classified as Homo erectus, but new digital reconstructions suggest it belongs to Homo longi, or “Dragon Man,” a lineage closely related to both Denisovans and Neanderthals. Dated to…

Offshore wind farms are widely recognised as a clean energy solution, helping countries meet climate targets and reduce dependence on fossil fuels. However, recent research reveals that the subsea cables connecting turbines to the shore may have unintended ecological effects. A study published in Environmental Science and Technology Letters discovered that female shore crabs respond…

BENGALURU: Preliminary results from Suite Ride, a diabetes study conducted during Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla’s (Shux) International Space Station (ISS) mission — Axiom-4 (Ax-4) — show that common tools like continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) and insulin pens used by millions of diabetes patients work reliably in space. The joint initiative by UAE-based Burjeel Holdings and…

Stanford University, in collaboration with Elsevier, has released its highly anticipated annual list of the world’s top 2% scientists, highlighting the most influential researchers across various scientific domains. The ranking evaluates over 230,000 scientists globally based on a composite citation impact score derived from comprehensive bibliometric data spanning decades. This prestigious list recognizes researchers whose…

Astronomers continue to expand humanity’s cosmic horizons. NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has confirmed and built upon the Hubble Space Telescope’s groundbreaking discovery of Earendel, the most distant star ever observed. This extraordinary star shines just one billion years after the Big Bang, offering a rare glimpse into the early universe. Studying Earendel provides…

On Sunday, September 28, 2025, SpaceX launched 28 Starlink satellites into low Earth orbit from Vandenberg Space Force Base in Southern California. The Falcon 9 rocket’s ascent lit up the evening sky, creating a striking spectacle for viewers across the region. Spectators captured dazzling images and videos, sharing them widely as the event quickly gained…

BENGALURU: Spacetech startup Agnikul Cosmos has announced plans to build fully reusable rockets, committing to ensure that no part of its vehicles is expended or left behind. The declaration came at the International Astronautical Congress (IAC) 2025 in Sydney, which is themed “Sustainable Space: Resilient Earth.”The Chennai-based start-up said its reusability push builds on a…

For decades, scientists have debated which animals first appeared on Earth and set the stage for the evolution of complex life. A recent study by MIT geochemists offers compelling evidence that the earliest animals were not dinosaurs or the unusual creatures of the Cambrian explosion, but ancient ancestors of today’s sea sponges. These soft-bodied, ocean-dwelling…

Expired medication may seem harmless, but taking it can pose serious health risks. Medications lose potency over time, and some may even become contaminated, particularly liquid forms like cough syrups or eye drops. Using drugs past their expiration date can reduce effectiveness, worsen symptoms, or trigger unexpected side effects, especially for chronic conditions or infections….

Source: National Park Service Deep beneath the rolling hills of Kentucky, in the extensive labyrinth of Mammoth Cave National Park, scientists have made an extraordinary discovery. Fossilised remains of two previously unknown prehistoric shark species, Troglocladodus trimblei and Glikmanius careforum, were uncovered, preserved in limestone for over 325 million years. These ancient predators provide a…