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ISRO and IIT Madras partner to launch research centre for spacecraft thermal management | – Times of India

The Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) has teamed up with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) to launch a new Centre of Excellence focused on "Fluid and Thermal Sciences." With an initial seed funding of Rs 1.84 crore from ISRO, the Centre will become a vital hub for thermal management research, targeting solutions for spacecraft and launch vehicles.The new Centre will concentrate on research related to spacecraft thermal management, combustion instability in hybrid rockets, and cryo-tank thermodynamics. This collaboration between ISRO and IIT Madras will also expand the research scope for the Department of Space, contributing to advancements in fluid and thermal sciences that are essential for India’s space exploration goals.This partnership not only provides vit...
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Nasa’s Roman Space Telescope gets major upgrade in its quest to search space – Times of India

The Roman Coronagraph is integrated with the Instrument Carrier for Nasa’s Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope in a clean room at Nasa’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland. (Picture credit: Nasa) Nasa’s Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope team has achieved a significant milestone by successfully integrating the Roman Coronagraph Instrument onto the mission’s Instrument Carrier. This crucial step took place at Nasa’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, where the space telescope is currently being developed. The integration marks an important step forward in Nasa’s efforts to search for habitable worlds and, potentially, life beyond Earth.The coronagraph, which was designed, built, and tested at Nasa’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Southern California, arrive...
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Is AI dominance inevitable? A technology ethicist says no, actually – Times of India

Representative Image (Picture credit: Reuters) BOSTON: Anyone following the rhetoric around artificial intelligence in recent years has heard one version or another of the claim that AI is inevitable. Common themes are that AI is already here, it is indispensable, and people who are bearish on it harm themselves. In the business world, AI advocates tell companies and workers that they will fall behind if they fail to integrate generative AI into their operations. In the sciences, AI advocates promise that AI will aid in curing hitherto intractable diseases. In higher education, AI promoters admonish teachers that students must learn how to use AI or risk becoming uncompetitive when the time comes to find a job. And, in national security, AI's champions say that either the nation invests he...
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AI agents more effective than GenAI for enterprise productivity: Deloitte Study – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Artificial intelligence (AI) agents can be a more effective tool compared to large language models (LLMs) or GenAI applications, opening up new possibilities to drive enterprise productivity and program delivery through business process automation, British professional services firm Deloitte said in a study. With the aid of an AI agent, cases that were previously deemed too complex for GenAI can now be enabled at scale in a secure and effective manner, the study said. By definition, the AI agent is an autonomous intelligent system that uses AI techniques to interact with its environment, collect data, and perform tasks without human intervention. Explaining the difference between Gen AI and AI agents, the study adds that typical LLM-powered chatbots usually have limited ability ...
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Scientists find another clue to uncover secrets of ageing – Times of India

NEW DELHI: In a bid to enhance our understanding of ageing, a team of scientists has uncovered the intricate mechanisms by which immunoglobulins influence the ageing process.By analysing millions of spatial spots across nine organs in male mice, the team from the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and BGI Research created high-precision spatial transcriptomic maps.These maps detailed the spatial distribution of over 70 cell types, offering a vivid picture of aging's spatial characteristics.The transcriptomic landscape, dubbed Gerontological Geography (GG), exposes the common threads of tissue structural disorder and loss of cellular identity as hallmarks of aging."This landscape is a significant step forward, pinpointing the epicenters of ageing within multiple organs and uncovering the acc...
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Nasa astronauts remain tight-lipped on hospitalization mystery after space station return – Times of India

After nearly eight months aboard the International Space Station, Nasa astronauts Matthew Dominick, Michael Barratt, and Jeanette Epps addressed the public Friday for the first time since their October 25 return, notably declining to specify which one of them required a hospital stay immediately after splashdown. The trio, along with Russian cosmonaut Alexander Grebenkin, endured an extended mission due to Boeing’s Starliner crew capsule delays and adverse weather, including Hurricane Milton.Their SpaceX capsule splashed down in the Gulf of Mexico near Florida, where they were promptly transferred to a Pensacola hospital. One of the three American astronauts spent the night for a “medical issue,” though NASA, citing privacy concerns, withheld both the identity and condition of the astronau...
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Could Saturn’s largest moon Titan hold key to life? New research reveals insights – Times of India

Titan is Saturn's biggest moon (Photo: Reuters) A recent study conducted by planetary scientists at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa suggests that life could potentially exist on Titan, Saturn’s largest moon.The researchers propose that methane gas might be trapped beneath its thick ice crust, raising intriguing possibilities about the moon's potential to support life.This research not only highlights Titan's unique geological features but also explores its capacity for hosting life forms.'This was very surprising'The research team, led by scientist Lauren Schurmeier, observed that Titan’s impact craters are shallower than expected, with only 90 craters identified so far. “This was very surprising because, based on other moons, we expect to see many more impact craters on the surface an...
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Watch: Russia launches Soyuz rocket with Iranian satellites into orbit – Times of India

Russia’s space agency, Roscosmos, successfully launched a Soyuz rocket from the Vostochny Cosmodrome, carrying a dual mission payload. The rocket lifted two primary Ionosfera-M satellites aimed at monitoring space weather around Earth, while also deploying 53 smaller satellites, including two from Iran.The Soyuz-2.1 spacecraft’s main payload, the Ionosfera-M satellites, each weighing 430 kg, will orbit 820 kilometers above Earth’s surface. These satellites will form a crucial part of a broader system designed to monitor the ionosphere—a region between 50 to 400 miles above the planet where Earth’s atmosphere meets space. According to Nasa, understanding the ionosphere is vital for space weather forecasting, as this layer influences satellite operations and global communication systems. Ros...
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India gets its first analog space mission in Leh to plan its lunar mission experiments | India News – Times of India

Hab-1 inflatable habitat at Leh is equipped with essentials like a hydroponics farm, kitchen and sanitation facilities for analog space NEW DELHI: The country’s first analog space mission has taken off at Leh in Ladakh, where space agency Isro will simulate life in an interplanetary habitat as India is planning to send a human to the Moon in the near future.Analog space missions are field tests in locations on Earth that have physical similarities to the extreme space environments and play a significant role in problem solving for spaceflight research. Ladakh has been chosen for such a mission as the geographical features of the area — dry and cold climate, barren land, high-altitude terrain and extreme isolation — are considered to closely resemble Martian and lunar landscapes, and are an...
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Archaeologists uncover 11 sealed burials in ancient Egyptian Tomb at Luxor – Times of India

Egyptian officials announced that archaeologists from Egypt and the United States have uncovered a historic burial site featuring 11 sealed interments near the famous city of Luxor, as stated by the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities in an official announcement on Friday.The ministry revealed that the burial site, dating to the Middle Kingdom period (1938 BC-1630 BC), was discovered in the South Asasif necropolis, adjacent to the Temple of Hatshepsut on Luxor's West Bank of the Nile.According to Mohamed Ismail Khaled, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities in Egypt, the joint Egyptian-American mission excavating the necropolis has discovered coffins belonging to men, women, and children. This indicates that the site was a family tomb used across generations during the 12t...
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Lost for almost 50 years, Nasa reconnects with Voyager 1 spacecraft 15 billion miles away – Times of India

Sharing a ground breaking development, Nasa recently announced re-connecting with the 47 year old long lost spacecraft Voyager 1, following years of radio silence. The spacecraft recently turned off one of its two radio transmitters and experts are currently working to uncover the cause.According to the space agency, non-essential systems on the spacecraft are switched off if it draws too much power. However, it may take the team several days or even weeks to identify the root cause that triggered the fault protection system.When NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory flight team in Southern California sends instructions to the spacecraft through the agency's Deep Space Network, Voyager 1 sends back engineering data. The team then analyzes this information to assess how the spacecraft responded ...
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NASA and global leaders share inspiring Diwali messages of light and unity with stunning Omega Nebula image | – Times of India

NASA, known for its exploration of space and scientific endeavours, celebrated Diwali, the Festival of Lights, by sharing greetings on their official X account. This post included an awe-inspiring image taken by the Hubble Space Telescope, showcasing star formation in the Omega Nebula (M17), which visually represents the vast, luminous beauty of the universe. The message emphasised parallels between the wonder of the cosmos and the symbolic light of Diwali, stating, “Wishing you a joyful #Diwali! Just as the cosmos lights up our universe with endless wonder, Diwali illuminates our homes and hearts.” This highlighted NASA’s unique approach of merging cultural celebrations with scientific imagery.Sunita Williams' special Diwali message from spaceNASA astronaut Sunita Williams, stationed aboa...
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Watch: NASA Rover Perseverance discovers a “googly eye” phenomenon on Mars and explore Phobos’ role in the search for life | – Times of India

Mars, the fourth planet from the Sun, has long fascinated scientists and space enthusiasts alike due to its potential to harbour life and its geological history. The Perseverance Rover, a key player in NASA's Mars exploration efforts, has been investigating the Martian surface since its landing in February 2021. Equipped with advanced scientific instruments, Perseverance aims to uncover the secrets of Mars, including the possibility of past life. The recent observations made by the Perseverance Rover, including the captivating solar eclipse caused by Phobos, contribute significantly to our knowledge of Mars and its moons. These findings enhance our understanding of the Martian environment and its geological history while fueling the search for signs of past life. As NASA continues to explo...
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India’s first Mars-Moon analogue mission kicks off in Ladakh’s space-like terrain | India News – Times of India

BENGALURU: Isro on Friday said India’s first Analogue space mission kicks off in Leh, in a collaborative effort by its Human Spaceflight Centre, Aaka Space Studio, University of Ladakh, IIT Bombay, and supported by Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council.“...This mission will simulate life in an interplanetary habitat to tackle the challenges of a base station beyond Earth,” Isro, which is in talks with multiple academic groups for a larger analogue research project, said.Aaka, which has initiated the country's first Mars and Moon Analogue mission in Ladakh is conducting a month-long project in partnership with Isro and other partners. Aaka founder Aastha Jhala, told TOI: “The habitat prototype, developed by Aaka Space Studio, features advanced technologies including an EVA (extra-vehic...
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Africa could split in two, forming a sixth ocean; study reveals | – Times of India

Africa’s landmass is gradually splitting due to tectonic shifts that scientists predict could lead to the formation of a new ocean in about 50 million years. This phenomenon reflects Earth’s ancient geological transformations, such as the breakup of Pangea around 230 million years ago.Fossil evidence, including the prehistoric Cynognathus found in both Africa and South America, supports the idea that these continents were once connected. At the core of this separation lies the East African Rift System (EARS), a vast fault line running through Kenya, Tanzania, and Ethiopia, where the African continent is slowly dividing.Over the last 25 million years, a rift has widened within the African tectonic plate, creating two distinct plates: the Nubian plate to the west and the Somalian plate to th...
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China launches new crew to Tiangong space station, in push for lunar ambitions – Times of India

China on the early hours of Wednesday completed the successful launch of Shenzhou-19 spacecraft, carrying a three-person crew to the Tiangong space station. The spacecraft took off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre in northwest China at 4.27am (local time), propelled by a Long March-2F rocket, a key component of the nation’s crewed missions. State broadcaster China Central Television confirmed the launch as a "complete success," reporting that all crew members were in good condition.During their time aboard Tiangong, the crew will conduct various experiments, including tests involving "bricks" made from materials mimicking lunar soil. These components are scheduled to arrive via the Tianzhou-8 cargo ship next month, and scientists hope to explore their viability for constructing a f...
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Astronomers discover black hole that may have formed without supernova – Times of India

An artist's impression shows a triple star system called V404 Cygni with a black hole and two ordinary stars. Material siphoned from the deformed nearby star (left) is pictured swirling around the black hole (right), as the third star (top right) shines in the distance. Astronomers traditionally believe black holes form when massive stars explode in supernovas, creating objects so dense that their gravitational force prevents even light from escaping. However, recent evidence suggests some black holes may also form without such explosive events.Scientists have discovered a black hole that likely formed when a large star's core collapsed without the typical explosion. This black hole exists in a unique arrangement, gravitationally connected to two regular stars.While binary systems contain...
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Climate change could affect region-wise trends in malaria, study in Kenya suggests – Times of India

NEW DELHI: A new study in Kenya has found that despite an overall decline in malaria cases, recent trends in rainfall and temperatures driven by climate change could have helped create conditions conducive for mosquito breeding, thereby significantly increasing disease risk in northern regions. Researchers found that while overall malaria prevalence in the African country fell from eight per cent to six per cent between 2015 and 2020, in places such as Turkana in northwest Kenya, the risk of the infectious disease increased by three to four times. The team, including researchers from the Kenya Medical Research Institute, said that the region-specific surge of malaria cases revealed unpredictable impacts of climate change and that public health measures need to adapt swiftly to combat the ...
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Nakshatra Mahotsav: A Thrilling Celebration of Astronomy in Uttarakhand | Dehradun News – Times of India

Nainital: The annual Nakshatra Mahotsav, organised by Nainital tourism and Astrostops Observatory, concluded in Takula village in the district on Saturday. The three-day event featured a plethora of activities centred around stargazing and astronomy.Many participants from across the country, including youths and girls from rural areas in Uttarakhand engaged in activities, including constellation exploration, planet and star observation, deep-sky viewing, telescope sessions and solar observation. Bonfire and jamming sessions, jungle trekking, light painting, and a hydro rocketry competition were also highlights of the event. Scientists from Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences (ARIES) also led sessions on astronomy.Astrostops co-founder Rahul Pangti said, "We aim to inclu...
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Poor sleep in early middle age related with accelerated brain ageing, study finds – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Brain scans have revealed higher levels of shrinkage -- a sign of brain ageing -- among people having poor sleep quality in early middle age, according to a study. A group of 589 people aged 40 years on average responded to sleep questionnaires both at the beginning of the study and again five years later. The participants had their brains scanned 15 years after the study began. "Our study, which used brain scans to determine participants' brain age, suggests that poor sleep is linked to nearly three years of additional brain ageing as early as middle age," Clemence Cavailles, from the University of California San Francisco and corresponding author of the study published in the journal Neurology, said. Poor sleep habits have been linked to poor thinking and memory in later lif...
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Watch: Nasa’s SpaceX Dragon spacecraft returns to Earth after 236 days in space – Times of India

Nasa's Crew-8 mission has safely returned to Earth after 236 days in space. The team, consisting of Nasa astronauts Matthew Dominick, Michael Barratt, Jeanette Epps, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Alexander Grebenkin, successfully splashed down off the coast of Pensacola, Florida, marking the end of their extensive mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS).The SpaceX Dragon spacecraft, which carried the crew back to Earth, completed its deorbit burn as planned, with splashdown confirmed at 3.29am EDT. The mission saw the crew orbit Earth 3,776 times, covering an impressive distance of approximately 100 million miles. During their time aboard the ISS, they witnessed the arrival and departure of eight spacecraft, reflecting the ongoing operations at the station.Smooth descent and landing...
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Deep Blue Aerospace launches 2027 space tourism tickets: Experience zero gravity for $211,000 | – Times of India

Space tourism is quickly becoming a reality as companies around the world work to make commercial space flights accessible to the public. With the growing interest in private space exploration, more firms are entering the market, offering unique opportunities for civilians to experience the wonders of space. From suborbital flights to longer-term plans for lunar missions, the race to make space travel more affordable and frequent is accelerating.Among the players in this industry, Chinese companies are making significant strides, contributing to the global competition in space exploration.Deep Blue Aerospace, a leading Chinese aerospace company, will begin selling two tickets for its highly anticipated commercial spaceflight, scheduled for 2027. Each ticket is priced at 1.5 million yuan (r...
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Nasa unveils new telescope that can potentially detect gravitational wave – Times of India

Nasa has revealed the first look of a full-scale prototype for six telescopes that will enable, in the next decade, the space-based detection of gravitational waves—ripples in space-time caused by merging black holes and other cosmic sources.This advancement is part of the LISA (Laser Interferometer Space Antenna) mission, a collaborative effort between Nasa and the European Space Agency (ESA).The mission will utilize an array of spacecraft to measure minuscule changes in distance—down to picometers, or trillionths of a meter—across a vast configuration larger than the Sun itself. The triangular formation of spacecraft will span approximately 1.6 million miles (2.5 million kilometers) on each side.Highlighting the crucial role of twin telescopes aboard each spacecraft, Ryan DeRosa, a resea...
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Loneliness increases risk of dementia by over 30 per cent, review of studies suggests – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Loneliness is a major risk factor that increases the risk of dementia by over 30 per cent, regardless of age or gender, a review of 21 long-term studies involving over six lakh participants worldwide has found. Loneliness, which involves one feeling dissatisfied with their social relationships, was also linked with symptoms preceding the stage of being diagnosed with dementia, such as cognitive impairment or decline. Both conditions affect decision-making, memory and thought process. However, dementia's symptoms are severe enough to interfere with one's daily functioning. The psychological state of feeling disconnected from society is now widely regarded as a risk factor for ill-health, even though studies have shown that loneliness cannot directly cause the disease. "Dementia i...