About Arun Kumar N

Arun has been associated with India International Times since 2018 and he has been a key reporter in covering science and space related stories. He can be reached at arunKnn@indiainternationaltimes.com.

Global study finds the food commodities driving major global deforestation; Beef on top

Posted on March 24, 2026 by Arun Kumar N

A farmer clearing land for maize in one country, a rice field expanding in another. These local decisions, repeated millions of times, are now linked to a global pattern of forest loss.

New research from Chalmers University of Technology, a Swedish research institution, finds that staple foods consumed daily are driving more deforestation than many export crops long associated with environmental damage.

The study, published March 23, combines satellite land use data with agricultural statistics to map how 184 commodities have contributed to forest loss across 179 countries.

It offers what researchers describe as the most detailed global picture yet of how food production shapes deforestation.

Staple crops deforestation impact compared to cocoa coffee rubber

The analysis shows that maize, rice and cassava together account for about 11 percent of agriculture driven deforestation worldwide.

By comparison, cocoa, coffee and rubber combined account for less than 5 percent.

This contrasts with the dominant narrative that focuses heavily on export oriented commodities such as palm oil and soybeans.

Lead author Chandrakant Singh said earlier research has often centered on a narrow set of crops and regions.

“Deforestation’s links to food production have long been studied, but have often focused on some products, such as beef, soybeans and palm oil, which are well known in the context of deforestation,” Singh said in a statement released by Chalmers University of Technology.

The study confirms that beef production remains the single largest driver, responsible for about 40 percent of global deforestation linked to agriculture. Palm oil accounts for 9 percent, while soybeans contribute around 5 percent.

Staple crops differ in one key way. Their impact is spread across many regions rather than concentrated in a few hotspots.

Unlike palm oil in Southeast Asia or soybeans in South America, maize, rice and cassava are grown widely for domestic consumption, making their environmental footprint more diffuse and harder to track.

Agriculture driven deforestation global data and carbon emissions findings

The researchers estimate that 122 million hectares of forest were lost due to agriculture driven deforestation between 2001 and 2022. More than 80 percent of that loss occurred in tropical regions.

The study also examined carbon dioxide emissions linked to deforestation, often caused when forests are burned to clear land for farming or grazing.

Total emissions over the period were estimated at around 41 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide, averaging close to 2 billion tonnes annually.

That figure is lower than previous global estimates, which had placed annual emissions at more than twice that level. Singh said the difference reflects a more detailed method of linking specific commodities to land use changes.

Even at the lower estimate, agriculture driven deforestation accounts for about 5 percent of global carbon dioxide emissions, according to the study.

wikipedia.org

Domestic food production role in deforestation policy response

Co author Martin Persson said the findings highlight the need to look beyond international trade when addressing deforestation.

“The debate on deforestation has circulated a lot around how people in rich countries like ours cause deforestation with our commodities imports, and this is absolutely important to get to grips with,” Persson said.

“But we mustn’t forget that a large proportion of deforestation is driven by agricultural production for domestic markets.”

The study suggests that policies focused only on supply chains linked to exports may overlook a significant share of forest loss driven by local food systems.

Researchers say their Deforestation Driver and Carbon Emissions model, known as DeDuCE, could help governments, companies and civil society identify where interventions are most needed.

The model links specific commodities to deforestation patterns, offering a tool for more targeted decision making.

Singh said future work will expand the model to include non food sectors such as mining and energy, which also contribute to forest loss.

For now, the study reframes a familiar issue. The drivers of deforestation are not only tied to global trade or distant markets.

They are also rooted in everyday food systems.

More about global deforestation
The figures relate to agriculture-driven deforestation between 2001 and 2022

Commodities driving global deforestation

Beef (40 per cent)
Palm oil (9 per cent)
Soy beans (5 per cent)
Maize (4 per cent)
Rice (4 per cent)
Cassava (3 per cent)
Cocoa (2 per cent)
Coffee (1 per cent)
Rubber (1 per cent)

Countries responsible for the biggest shares of global deforestation

Brazil (32 per cent)
Indonesia (9 per cent)
China (6 per cent)
Democratic Republic of Congo (6 per cent)
USA (5 per cent)
Ivory Coast (3 per cent)

Also Read:

Global demand for meat and dairy set to rise, but climate and nutrition gaps remain

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Moby Dick ‘ship sinking’ sperm whales caught headbutting, camera captures moments [Watch Video]

Posted on March 24, 2026 by Arun Kumar N

The first sign came as two massive bodies turned toward each other just below the surface. Moments later, their heads met in a controlled strike.

That interaction, recorded on drone footage between 2020 and 2022, now forms the basis of a study led by the University of St Andrews, a research university in Scotland. [1]

The findings, published March 23 in Marine Mammal Science, mark the first systematic scientific documentation of sperm whales headbutting one another.

Researchers say the behavior has long been suspected but never directly observed in a structured, repeatable way.

Sperm whale headbutting behavior documented using drone footage

The footage was captured during fieldwork in the Azores, an autonomous region of Portugal in the Atlantic Ocean, and the Balearic Islands, a Spanish archipelago in the Mediterranean Sea.

Scientists used aerial drones to observe whales from above, allowing them to track interactions that are difficult to detect from boats at sea level.

Lead author Dr. Alec Burlem said the observations confirmed a hypothesis that had persisted for decades without direct evidence.

“It was really exciting to observe this behaviour, which we knew had been hypothesised for such a long time, but not yet documented and described systematically,” Burlem said in a statement issued by the University of St Andrews.

The study found that sub adult whales, rather than large adult males, were most frequently involved in the headbutting interactions.

Earlier assumptions had linked such behavior to competition among dominant males. The new findings suggest a broader social function that may involve younger members of whale groups.

Researchers say the behavior appeared deliberate and repeated, often occurring alongside other forms of social interaction at the surface.

The function remains unclear. Scientists note that additional observations will be needed to determine whether the behavior relates to play, social bonding, or competitive practice.

(Courtesy: Popular Science Podcasts)

Moby Dick and Essex whale attack accounts gain scientific backing

Accounts of sperm whales using their heads as weapons date back to the 19th century, particularly during the era of open boat whaling.

One of the most widely cited incidents involves the Essex, a 27 meter sail powered whaleship that sank in 1820 after being struck by a sperm whale in the Pacific Ocean near the Galapagos Islands.

Owen Chase, the ship’s first mate, described the encounter in a contemporary account:

“I turned around and saw him about one hundred rods directly ahead of us, coming down with twice his ordinary speed of around 24 knots, and it appeared with tenfold fury and vengeance in his aspect. The surf flew in all directions about him with the continual violent thrashing of his tail. His head about half out of the water, and in that way he came upon us, and again struck the ship.”

The incident later inspired Herman Melville’s novel Moby Dick, which depicted a powerful whale attacking ships.

Other reports from the same period, including the sinkings of the Ann Alexander and Kathleen, describe similar head on strikes by whales.

Such accounts have often been treated cautiously in scientific contexts due to the lack of direct observational evidence.

The new study does not replicate ship attacks, but it provides evidence that sperm whales do engage in controlled head first contact with each other.

Evolutionary risks and questions about whale communication systems

The findings also raise questions about how such behavior fits within sperm whale biology.

Some researchers have suggested that headbutting may originate from physical contests, potentially linked to mating competition between males.

Others have argued that repeated use of the head as a weapon could pose risks. The sperm whale head contains structures critical for producing sound, including clicks used for echolocation and social communication.

Damage to these structures could affect navigation and group coordination, making the behavior potentially costly.

The study does not resolve these competing explanations. It documents the behavior and outlines possible interpretations based on observed patterns.

Burlem said drone technology is likely to expand what scientists can observe at the ocean surface.

“This unique overhead perspective for observing and documenting near surface behaviour is just one of the ways drone technology is transforming the study of wildlife biology,” he said.

He added that researchers are seeking additional footage from other observers to better understand how widespread the behavior may be.

For now, an observation once confined to maritime history and literature has entered the scientific record.

Also Read:

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‘Plenty of fish in the sea’? Not anymore, say UN experts in Nice

Wired for water: How electrification is transforming desalination

Posted on March 23, 2026 by Arun Kumar N

Pressure on the world’s water resources is rising steadily — and in many places, it is reaching critical levels. Growing populations, expanding cities, and increasing demand from agriculture and industry are all putting fresh water supplies under strain, particularly in regions that are already struggling.

To cope with this, many countries have turned to desalination — the process of converting seawater into usable fresh water. While this has helped ease shortages in some of the hardest-hit areas, it comes at a cost. Desalination can be energy-intensive, accounting for anything from a negligible share to as much as 15 per cent of a country’s total energy use, depending on how heavily it relies on the technology. Now, a shift is underway. Older, heat-based systems are gradually being replaced by electricity-driven methods, reflecting a broader transition in how energy is produced and used.

The scale of global water use highlights the challenge. Each year, more than 4,000 billion cubic metres of freshwater are withdrawn worldwide. Of this, nearly 1,500 billion cubic metres are consumed — meaning the water is not returned to its source. To put that into perspective, humanity uses roughly the equivalent of the entire volume of Lake Michigan every year.

Agriculture remains by far the largest consumer, accounting for around 70 per cent of total withdrawals and close to 90 per cent of actual consumption. As the global population has grown by about 30 per cent since 2000, water demand from cities has risen at a similar pace. A slight decline in industrial water use has done little to offset this broader increase.

The result is mounting water stress. In many regions, water is being extracted faster than it can be replenished, particularly from underground sources. Over time, this kind of overuse can permanently damage ecosystems and lead to what experts describe as “water bankruptcy” — a point at which natural reserves can no longer recover.

Over the past two decades, nearly one billion more people have come to live in areas facing high water stress, pushing the global total to over three billion. Much of this increase has occurred in regions already under severe strain. Today, about 30 per cent of the world’s population lives in areas classified as extremely water-stressed, with around 85 per cent of those affected residing in emerging and developing economies.

The situation is especially stark in fast-growing countries. In India, for instance, more than 70 per cent of the population lives in water-stressed regions. The scale of the problem is such that the number of people currently affected is roughly equal to the country’s entire population in the early 2000s.

The Middle East and North Africa face an even harsher reality. Home to around 490 million people as of 2024, the region has long grappled with limited water resources. About three-quarters of its population lived under water stress at the turn of the century, and despite some population shifts toward relatively less affected areas, more than 70 per cent still live in conditions of high or extreme water scarcity today.

Taken together, the trends point to a deepening global challenge. As demand continues to rise and climate pressures intensify, managing water resources — and the energy needed to sustain them — is becoming one of the defining issues of our time.

Also Read:

World enters era of ‘global water bankruptcy’

Newer ground water is linked with increased risk of Parkinson disease

TikTok’s mental health ‘minefield’ may be unreliable or misleading: Study

Posted on March 23, 2026 by Arun Kumar N

Social media platforms have become a go-to source for mental health information, especially among young users. But a new study suggests that much of what people encounter online, particularly on TikTok, may be unreliable or even misleading.

Researchers from the University of East Anglia (UEA) found that a significant share of posts related to conditions such as ADHD and autism contain inaccuracies or lack proper evidence. Their analysis, which covered multiple platforms including YouTube, Facebook, Instagram and X, points to a broader issue: misinformation around mental health is widespread, and in some cases, alarmingly high.

The study reviewed more than 5,000 posts across a range of mental health topics, from anxiety and depression to schizophrenia and eating disorders. It found that misleading content could make up as much as 56 per cent of posts in certain areas, highlighting how easily unverified claims can spread in highly engaging formats like short videos.

Among all platforms, TikTok stood out for having the highest levels of questionable content. According to the researchers, over half of the ADHD-related videos analysed, and around 52 per cent were found to be inaccurate. For autism-related content, the figure stood at 41 per cent. By comparison, misinformation rates were lower on YouTube, averaging about 22 per cent, and even lower on Facebook at under 15 per cent.

Experts say this matters because social media is increasingly shaping how young people understand their mental health. Many turn to these platforms to interpret symptoms or self-diagnose conditions. While this can sometimes prompt useful self-reflection, it also carries risks when the information is incomplete or incorrect.

Misleading content can blur the line between normal behaviour and clinical conditions, potentially leading people to wrongly believe they have a disorder, or, conversely, delay seeking help when they actually need it. It may also reinforce stigma, create unnecessary fear, or promote treatments that lack scientific backing.

The study also highlights a stark divide between who is creating content and how reliable it is. Posts made by healthcare professionals were consistently more accurate, but they represent only a small fraction of what users see. For instance, just 3 per cent of ADHD-related videos by professionals contained misinformation, compared to 55 per cent among non-professional creators.

wikipedia.org/

At the same time, the researchers acknowledge that personal stories and lived experiences shared by individuals can play a valuable role in raising awareness and helping others feel understood. The challenge lies in ensuring that such content is complemented by clear, evidence-based guidance from qualified experts.

Another key factor driving misinformation is the way platforms like TikTok operate. Their algorithms tend to prioritise content that is engaging and widely shared, regardless of its accuracy. Once users show interest in a topic, they are often fed a steady stream of similar videos, creating echo chambers where misleading ideas can quickly gain traction.

There are, however, some exceptions. The study found that YouTube Kids performed notably better, with no misinformation detected in content related to anxiety and depression, and relatively low levels, and around 8.9 per cent for ADHD. Researchers attribute this to stricter moderation and content controls.

Overall, the findings point to a growing need for stronger safeguards. The authors call for better moderation systems, clearer standards for identifying misinformation, and more active participation from clinicians and health organisations in creating accessible, trustworthy content.

As social media continues to shape public understanding of mental health, the study makes one thing clear: while these platforms can be powerful tools for awareness, without reliable information, they can just as easily become a source of confusion.

Also Read:

Social media culture can encourage risky and inappropriate posting behavior

Mass media linked to childhood obesity

Hydration strategy test for kidney stones is in water: Study

Posted on March 23, 2026 by Arun Kumar N

A large new clinical trial has taken a closer look at a long-standing piece of medical advice for kidney stone patients: drink more water. While the recommendation remains sound, the study suggests that actually sticking to it in real life is far harder than many assume.

Kidney stones are known for causing severe, often debilitating pain. In the United States, about one in 11 people will develop them at some point, and nearly half of those patients are likely to face a recurrence. Preventing that cycle has been a major focus for doctors, with high fluid intake widely seen as one of the most effective strategies.

To test how practical that advice is, researchers from the Urinary Stone Disease Research Network conducted what is now the largest behavioural study of its kind. The trial, coordinated by the Duke Clinical Research Institute and published in The Lancet on March 19, followed 1,658 adolescents and adults across six major U.S. medical centres over a two-year period.

Participants were split into two groups. One received standard care, while the other was enrolled in an intensive hydration programme designed to encourage higher fluid intake. This programme went beyond simple advice. It included smart water bottles that tracked how much participants drank, personalised daily hydration targets, reminder messages, financial incentives, and regular health coaching.

Each participant in the programme was given a tailored “fluid prescription,” calculated based on how much urine they typically produced and how much more fluid they would need to reach a target of at least 2.5 litres per day — a level believed to reduce the risk of stone formation.

The results showed that people in the programme did increase their fluid intake and produced more urine on average. However, the improvement was modest, and crucially, it did not translate into a significant reduction in the recurrence of symptomatic kidney stones across the group as a whole.

Researchers say this gap highlights a central challenge: adherence. Even with constant reminders, monitoring, and incentives, maintaining very high levels of daily fluid intake proved difficult.

Charles Scales, a senior author of the study and a professor at Duke University School of Medicine, noted that the findings underline how demanding such lifestyle changes can be. He pointed out that difficulty in maintaining these habits likely contributes to the high rate of recurrence seen in kidney stone patients.

Importantly, the study stands out for measuring actual stone recurrence rather than relying only on indirect markers such as fluid intake or urine output. Researchers used imaging and regular follow-ups to track whether new stones formed or existing ones grew, offering a more realistic picture of outcomes.

The findings are prompting experts to rethink a one-size-fits-all approach. Gregory Tasian, a co-senior author and paediatric urologist, said future strategies may need to be more personalised. Instead of asking every patient to meet the same hydration target, doctors may need to identify which patients benefit most from specific goals and why others struggle to maintain them.

The study also points to broader factors that may affect hydration habits — including work environments, daily routines, and individual health conditions — suggesting that behavioural solutions alone may not be enough.

Researchers are now calling for more tailored interventions, which could include customised hydration plans, better ways to address practical barriers to drinking more fluids, and even medical therapies aimed at preventing minerals from crystallising in urine.

For patients, the takeaway is clear but nuanced. Drinking more water still matters, but this study shows that turning that advice into a sustainable daily habit — and one that meaningfully reduces risk — is more complex than it appears.

As lead author Alana Desai put it, kidney stone disease is a chronic condition marked by sudden and often severe episodes that can disrupt everyday life. While many patients would welcome a simple solution, the path to prevention may require a more personalised and multifaceted approach.

Also Read:

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Summer Travel Time: Full List of India’s UNESCO World Sites

Posted on March 23, 2026 by Arun Kumar N

There are 44 World Heritage Properties in the country, while the Government has sent the following proposals to the World Heritage Centre for consideration for inclusion in the World Heritage List two more sites:

Ancient Buddhist Site, Sarnath (2025-26)
JingkiengJri / Lyu Charai Cultural Landscape (2026-27)

The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) undertakes conservation and maintenance of 3,686 monuments, including 27 World Heritage properties, along with the provision of amenities for tourists such as drinking water, toilet blocks, pathways and landscaping etc. for protected monuments/sites under the ASI’s jurisdiction. Conservation and maintenance of these monuments/sites is a continuous process and is carried out based on the needs of the monuments and the availability of resources.

(https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1570/gallery/–Author: ASI)

Properties on World Heritage List (44)

Cultural World Heritage Properties in India : 36
Natural World Heritage Properties in India : 07
Mixed World Heritage Properties in India : 01

CULTURAL SITES:

Under Protection of Archaeological Survey of India (27)

S. No	Name of Site	State	Year of inscription
	Agra Fort	Uttar Pradesh	1983
	Ajanta Caves	Maharashtra	1983
	Ellora Caves	Maharashtra	1983
	Taj Mahal	Uttar Pradesh	1983
	Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram	Tamil Nadu	1984
	Sun Temple, Konarak	Odisha	1984
	Churches and Convents of Goa	Goa	1986
	Fatehpur Sikri	Uttar Pradesh	1986
	Group of Monuments at Hampi	Karnataka	1986
	Khajuraho, Group of Temples	Madhya Pradesh	1986
	Elephanta Caves	Maharashtra	1987
	Great Living Chola Temples at Thanjavur, Gangaikondacholapuram and Darasuram	Tamil Nadu	1987 & 2004
	Group of Monuments at Pattadakal	Karnataka	1987
	Buddhist Monuments at Sanchi	Madhya Pradesh	1989
	Humayun’s Tomb, Delhi	Delhi	1993
	QutbMinar and its Monuments, Delhi	Delhi	1993
	Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka	Madhya Pradesh	2003
	Champaner-Pavagarh Archaeological Park	Gujarat	2004
	Red Fort Complex, Delhi	Delhi	2007
	Hill Forts of Rajasthan (Chittaurgarh, Kumbhalgarh, Jaisalmer and Ranthambhore, Amber and Gagron Forts) (Amber and Gagron Forts are under protection of Rajasthan State Archaeology and Museums)	Rajasthan	2013
	Rani-ki-Vav (The Queen’s Stepwell) at Patan	Gujarat	2014
	Archaeological Site of Nalanda Mahavihara(Nalanda University) at Nalanda	Bihar	2016
	Dholavira: A Harappan City	Gujarat	2021
	Kakatiya Rudreshwara (Ramappa) Temple, Telangana	Telangana	2021
	Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysalas	Karnataka	2023
	Moidams-the Mount-Burial system of the Ahom Dynasty	Assam	2024
27.	Maratha Military Landscapes of India	Maharashtra	2025

Under Protection of Ministry of Railways (2)

28.	Mountain Railways of India ( Darjeeling,1999), Nilgiri (2005), Kalka-Shimla	West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Himachal Pradesh	2008
29.	Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (formerly Victoria Terminus)	Maharashtra	2004

Under Protection of Bodhgaya Temple Management Committee (1)

30.

Mahabodhi Temple Complex at Bodh Gaya

Bihar

2002

Under Protection of Rajasthan State Archaeology and Museums (1)

31.

The Jantar Mantar, Jaipur

Rajasthan

2010

Under Protection of Chandigarh Administration (1)

32.

The Architectural Work of Le Corbusier, an Outstanding Contribution to the Modern Movement

Chandigarh

2016

Under Protection of Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (1)

33.

Historic City of Ahmedabad

Gujarat

2017

Under Protection of Bombay Municipal Corporation (1)

34.

Victorian and Art Deco Ensemble of Mumbai

Govt of Maharashtra

2018

Under Protection of Jaipur Municipal Corporation (1)

35.

Jaipur City, Rajasthan

Govt of Rajasthan

2019

Under Vice Chancellor, Visva Bharati (1)

36.

Santiniketan

Visva Bharati

2023

NATURAL PROPERTIES: (7)

Under Protection of Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Changes

37.	Kaziranga National Park	Assam	1985
38.	Keoladeo National Park	Rajasthan	1985
39.	Manas Wildlife Sanctuary	Assam	1985
40.	Sunderbans National Park	West Bengal	1987
41.	Nanda Devi and Valley of Flowers National Parks	Uttarakhand	1988, 2005
42.	Western Ghats	Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra,Tamil Nadu	2012
43.	Great Himalayan National Park	Himachal Pradesh	2014

MIXED PROPERTIES: (1)

Under Protection of Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Changes

44.

Khangchendzonga National Park (2016)

Sikkim

2016

This information was given by Union Minister for Culture and Tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.

Also Read:

Ahmadabad Joins 36 UNESCO’s World Heritage Properties in India

Want to shift a group’s opinion? Encourage opponents to sit on the fence

Posted on March 23, 2026 by Arun Kumar N

Efforts to change strongly held opinions often hit a wall. Push too hard, and people tend to dig in further, making consensus even harder to achieve. But a new study suggests a counterintuitive approach: instead of trying to convert opponents, it may be more effective to encourage them to step back and remain neutral.

Researchers at the University of Bath, led by mathematician Professor Kit Yates, have found that creating space for neutrality — such as allowing people to abstain rather than choose sides — can make groups more flexible and open to change. Their findings, published in Advanced Science, point to a quieter but more effective path to shifting group opinion.

The idea is simple. When individuals are not forced into binary positions, they gain room to reassess their views. This “breathing space,” as the researchers describe it, can make it easier for a group to gradually move toward consensus or adapt when circumstances change.

Yates argues that neutrality should not be seen as indecision or weakness, but as a useful feature of how groups function. According to the study, once neutrality is allowed, even basic one-on-one interactions — where one person influences another — can lead to meaningful shifts in collective opinion without the need for complex social dynamics.

To understand this, the researchers built a mathematical model of group decision-making. It revealed two distinct pathways to consensus. The first is familiar: persuading undecided individuals to pick a side. The second, less explored route involves “de-escalation,” where disagreement pushes individuals into a neutral position before they later adopt a stance independently.

This second pathway turned out to be particularly powerful. When more people move into a neutral state, the number of active decision-makers shrinks. As a result, small influences or random shifts carry more weight, allowing a new consensus to emerge more quickly.

The team tested this theory beyond models, looking at both animal behaviour and human decision-making.

In swarms of locusts, they observed that when the group changes direction, it first goes through a brief pause. Many locusts stop moving altogether, effectively becoming neutral. During this moment, only a small number remain active, and their movements disproportionately shape the swarm’s new direction. This temporary pause amplifies small changes, helping the group realign بسرعة.

Human experiments showed a similar pattern. In voting-based games, groups that were given the option to abstain shifted their decisions more smoothly and quickly than those forced to choose between fixed options.

The implications extend well beyond the lab. From corporate boardrooms to online debates, the findings suggest that reducing intensity — rather than escalating persuasion — may be key to breaking deadlocks. Encouraging strongly opposed individuals to adopt a neutral stance, even temporarily, could help groups reset and move forward.

Co-author Professor Tim Rogers notes that while fence-sitting is often seen as frustrating, it may actually play a constructive role. By easing tension and reducing polarisation, neutrality can create the conditions needed for more responsive and adaptive decision-making.

In a world increasingly defined by sharp divisions, the study offers a subtle but important insight: sometimes, the fastest way to change minds is not to push harder, but to allow people the space to pause.

NASA’s Artemis II Rocket Reaches Launch Pad 39B, Final Countdown Begins

Posted on March 22, 2026 by Arun Kumar N

Cape Canaveral, March 22, 2026: NASA’s Artemis II mission has reached a critical milestone, with the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and Orion spacecraft now standing at Launch Pad 39B at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, setting the stage for the first crewed lunar mission in more than five decades.

The towering 322-foot-tall Moon rocket arrived at the pad at 11:21 a.m. EDT on Friday, March 20, completing an 11-hour journey from the Vehicle Assembly Building. The slow and steady trek began at 12:20 a.m. EDT, as NASA’s crawler-transporter 2 carried the integrated SLS and Orion, secured atop the mobile launcher, along the 4-mile path at a maximum speed of just 0.82 mph.

With the rocket now in place at Pad 39B, the historic launch site of Apollo missions and numerous space shuttle flights, NASA teams are entering the final phase of prelaunch preparations. The mission is targeting liftoff as soon as Wednesday, April 1, with the early April launch window extending through Monday, April 6.

Artemis II will mark the first crewed test flight of the SLS rocket and Orion spacecraft, carrying a four-member astronaut team on a 10-day journey around the Moon and back. The crew includes NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman as Commander, Victor Glover as Pilot, and Christina Koch as Mission Specialist, alongside Canadian Space Agency (CSA) astronaut Jeremy Hansen as Mission Specialist.

The mission represents a pivotal step in what NASA describes as a “Golden Age of innovation and exploration.” Artemis II will pave the way for subsequent U.S.-crewed missions to the lunar surface, with the goal of establishing a sustained presence on the Moon that will ultimately enable the agency to prepare for human exploration of Mars.

As the world watches, the final countdown has begun for humanity’s return to deep space.

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ECI Mandates Enhanced Voter Facilities Ahead of Assembly Polls in Five States

Posted on March 22, 2026 by Arun Kumar N

With the General Election to the Legislative Assemblies of Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal, along with bye-elections in six states, scheduled to begin following the announcement on March 15, 2026, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has issued firm directives to ensure a seamless and voter-friendly experience across all polling stations.

The Commission has instructed Chief Electoral Officers (CEOs) of all states and union territories to guarantee that each of the 2,18,807 polling stations is equipped with Assured Minimum Facilities (AMFs) and robust voter assistance mechanisms on poll day.

As part of the AMF framework, every polling station will be provided with drinking water, a waiting area with shade, a toilet with water facility, adequate lighting, a ramp with proper gradient for Persons with Disabilities (PwD) electors, a standard voting compartment, and clear signage. In a move to enhance comfort, CEOs have also been directed to place benches at regular intervals along queues, allowing electors to sit while awaiting their turn to vote.

To strengthen voter awareness, four uniform and standardized Voter Facilitation Posters (VFPs) will be prominently displayed at all polling stations. These posters will contain key information, including polling station details, the list of candidates, do’s and don’ts, approved identification documents, and the voting process.

Additionally, Voter Assistance Booths (VABs) will be established at every polling station location. Staffed by Booth Level Officers (BLOs) and officials, these booths will assist electors in locating their polling booth number and serial number in the electoral roll. The VABs will feature prominent signage to ensure easy visibility as voters approach the premises.

In one of several initiatives aimed at voter convenience, a mobile phone deposit facility will be provided outside the entrance of each polling station. Voters can hand over their switched-off phones to a designated volunteer before entering, and collect them after casting their vote.

The Election Commission has reiterated that the provisioning of AMF and related accessibility measures is mandatory, and strict compliance will be monitored across all polling stations. All field functionaries have been directed to complete necessary works well in advance of poll dates to ensure a seamless and pleasant voting experience for every elector.

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Aquatic plant reduces antibiotics in water and genetic damage in fish, but risks remain

Posted on March 21, 2026 by Arun Kumar N

A new study from researchers at the University of São Paulo has shed light on a growing environmental concern: the presence of antibiotic residues in freshwater systems, and their impact on aquatic life and potentially human health.

The research, conducted in Brazil’s Piracicaba River basin, found traces of multiple commonly used antibiotics in water, sediments, and fish. Scientists also explored whether a floating aquatic plant, Salvinia auriculata, could help reduce this contamination. The findings suggest it can—but not without complications.

Pollution Builds Up in Dry Seasons

The team, led by Patrícia Alexandre Evangelista, monitored samples from a region near the Santa Maria da Serra dam, where pollutants from across the river basin tend to accumulate. The area receives runoff from urban sewage, agriculture, aquaculture, and livestock farming.

Twelve antibiotics, including tetracyclines, fluoroquinolones, sulfonamides, and phenols, were tracked across both rainy and dry seasons. A clear pattern emerged: during the rainy season, most antibiotics were barely detectable, likely diluted by higher water volumes. In the dry season, however, concentrations rose significantly as water levels dropped and pollutants became more concentrated.

Sediments, rich in organic matter and minerals, acted as reservoirs for these compounds, storing them and potentially releasing them back into the environment over time.

Contaminated Fish Raise Health Concerns

One of the study’s most striking findings was the detection of chloramphenicol, a banned veterinary antibiotic, in lambari fish collected from local fishermen. The substance appeared only during the dry season, but at levels significant enough to raise concern.

Because this species is widely consumed in the region, researchers flagged a possible route of human exposure through food.

A Plant-Based Solution, With Limits

The study also tested whether Salvinia auriculata, a fast-growing floating plant often considered a nuisance, could help remove antibiotics from contaminated water.

In controlled experiments, the plant proved highly effective at absorbing enrofloxacin, eliminating more than 95% of it within days under certain conditions. Its performance was less impressive with chloramphenicol, removing only 30% to 45%, and over a longer period.

The antibiotics were found to accumulate mainly in the plant’s roots, suggesting that filtration and absorption at the root level play a key role.

A Complex Ecological Trade-Off

However, the picture is not straightforward. Even when the plant reduced antibiotic levels in the water, fish did not always benefit. In some cases, absorption rates in fish actually increased, possibly because the plant altered the chemical form of the antibiotics, making them easier for organisms to absorb.

Chloramphenicol, in particular, showed a strong tendency to persist in fish tissue, with a half-life exceeding 90 days. Enrofloxacin, by contrast, was eliminated more quickly and showed lower accumulation.

The study also examined genetic damage in fish. Chloramphenicol exposure led to increased DNA damage, but this effect was reduced when the plant was present, suggesting a possible protective role. No similar benefit was observed for enrofloxacin.

Not a Silver Bullet

Researchers caution against viewing Salvinia auriculata as a simple fix. While it can reduce antibiotic levels, it may also change how these substances behave in the ecosystem. There are additional concerns about how to safely dispose of contaminated plant biomass, which could otherwise reintroduce pollutants.

Still, the findings point to the potential of low-cost, nature-based solutions in regions where advanced water treatment technologies are not feasible.

Bigger Picture: A Growing Environmental Threat

The presence of antibiotics in rivers is more than just a local issue. It contributes to the broader global challenge of antimicrobial resistance, raising the risk of so-called “superbugs” emerging in natural environments.

As co-author Valdemar Luiz Tornisielo noted, the study underscores both the scale of human impact on ecosystems and the need for integrated solutions that consider not just pollutant removal, but long-term ecological effects.

In essence, the research reveals a problem that is measurable and widespread—and solutions that are promising, but far from simple.

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Python Blood is finding itself into a new way of making safer weight loss treatments

Posted on March 20, 2026 by Arun Kumar N

According to scientists at the University of Colorado Boulder, the next generation of weight-loss therapies may be shaped with the help of an unexpected source namely the python blood.

Researchers did name a compound found in pythons, which was published in Nature Metabolism on March 19, that seems to naturally inhibit appetite but maintain the muscle and general metabolic well-being. The discovery may open the path to some weight-loss medications that do not have some of the side effects experienced with the existing drugs.

The study, which was carried out in partnership with the researchers at Stanford and Baylor universities, focuses on the way in which the pythons cope with the extreme feeding patterns. These snakes are able to eat enormous meals and then spend months and even longer without eating it without ill-effect on their organs and even muscle tissue.

The senior author of the research, Leslie Leinwand, remarked that the work was a feeling of learning through the extreme of nature: the scientific perspective. Animals such as pythons, according to her, are capable of doing biological things that mammals cannot, and this provides hints on medical innovation.

Pythons are also characterized by great metabolic plasticity. Once they have eaten, their bodies change dramatically: the size of their heart may grow by approximately 25 percent and their metabolism may kick into overdrive to digest food effectively.

In a bid to determine the cause of these changes, scientists examined blood samples of ball pythons and Burmese pythons after feeding cycles. They discovered over 200 metabolites that were highly increased after a meal.

A single compound, para-tyramine-O-sulfate (pTOS) was outstanding. Its levels increased in almost 1000 times following feeding.

Subsequent experiments, which were implemented along with Baylor researchers revealed that, when pTOS was given to mice, it worked on the appetite-controlling centre in the brain- the hypothalamus, resulting in weight loss. Notably, this has been achieved without inciting gastrointestinal distress, muscle wastage or energy deficiency.

Gut bacteria in snakes synthesize the compound which is not inherent to mice. It is found in humans at low concentrations, especially after meals, but has remained largely undetected, since most metabolic research is done on rodents.

The results are published when the use of drugs affecting the GLP-1 hormone like Ozempic and Wegovy is popular in weight loss management, but may cause side effects and may be quit in the first year.

According to Leinwand, the new discovered compound might be another course. She indicated that even the available GLP-1 medicines were nature-inspired, namely, a hormone present in Gila monster venom.

Based on the finding, the research group has started a start-up, Arkana Therapeutics, to examine how python-related metabolic compounds may be converted into medication.

In addition to the loss of weight, the scientists are also exploring wider applications. Sarcopenia or age-related muscle loss is a significant unresolved medical issue and no current effective treatments exist. The fact that the python can maintain muscle mass, even with many days of starvation, could be of considerable importance.

The researchers intend to explore more into the pTOS mechanism in human beings and examine other metabolites that were found in the study some of which rose by up to 500 to 800 percent following a meal.

The present findings, he said, are but the tip of the iceberg as there is much more to discover about nature-inspired metabolic therapies.

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Is your brain aging faster than you are? What holds the key

Posted on March 20, 2026 by Arun Kumar N

Accurate research indicates that the solution to that question of whether or not your brain is aging faster or slower may be in something as mundane as your sleep.

Scientists in the University of California, San Francisco and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, have discovered that subtle changes in how the brain puts up during sleep may be used to establish the risk of getting dementia many years before it occurs.

The study published on March 19 on JAMA Network Open applies machine learning to analyse brain waves captured by EEG on individuals at sleep. The findings indicate that there is an alarming pattern: the older a person is, based on such clues, the more prone to dementia.

Based on the findings every interval between 10 years during which the brain ages at a pace exceeding that of the body raises the chances of dementia by close to 40 percent. Conversely, people whose brain age is less than their real age are less likely to be in danger.

The study is based on the data of approximately 7,000 participants of the age between 40 and 94, none of whom had dementia in the beginning. They were followed up between 3.1/2 and seventeen years and in this time, about one thousand individuals contracted the condition.

Instead of using more traditional measures of sleep, including the overall duration of sleep or the duration of various sleep states, the researchers concentrated on more granular characteristics of brain-wave activity. Overall, the model analysed 13 micro-level features of EEG signals.

The authors claim that this method gives a more insight into the health of the brain. Conventional measures of sleep have never demonstrated significant relationships with dementia risks presumably due to the fact that they lack the complexity of the way the brain operates in sleep.

Yue Leng, the senior author, has indicated that sleep is a process that is extremely multidimensional in nature and broad indicators can fail to pick vital warning signs.

What the Brain Waves Reveal

Some of the brain-wave patterns that are associated with brain age are already known to play major roles in the cognitive process.

The slow rolling waves observed in the deep sleep (Delta waves) are linked to recovery and restoration. The spindles of sleep which are short periods of heightened activity are assumed to aid memory consolidation.

Sleep/en.wikipedia.org

Among other discoveries was the contribution of sharp spikes in brain activity which is referred to as kurtosis. These have been associated with reduced susceptibility to dementia and it can be concluded that some types of neural variability during sleep can be protective.

Notably, the correlation between an older age of the brain and dementia remained constant despite the broad-based consideration of other factors such as education, smoking status, body weight, physical activity, and the presence of other predisposing health conditions as well as genetic risk.

Toward Earlier Detection

Since EEG-based sleep monitoring is non-invasive researchers indicate that someday the results of the study can be applied to practical applications to screen early in life – possibly even outside the clinical environment using wearable devices.

The concept is simple sleep may provide a quantifiable, real-time measurement of brain aging.

An implication of the study is the broader implication, as well, which is that the enhancement of the sleep health can impact the aging of the brain. Past studies have revealed that therapeutic intervention of sleep disorders can have significant effects on the pattern of brain-wave.

Researchers, however, warn that this should not be seen as a problem-solving way. Change in lifestyle such as healthy weight and physical exercise especially in preventing a condition like sleep apnea may assist but there is no specific one-fit-all-purpose intervention that can reverse brain aging.

According to one of the authors of the study, there is no magic pill to the health of the brain yet, well, in any case.

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Stay Fit While You Fly: Ayush ministry launches Smart yoga regime to Air Travellers

Posted on March 20, 2026 by Arun Kumar N

Everything appears to get slower at 35,000 feet above ground, though the body does, as well. Even the most experienced traveller can get a sore back, tired and mentally exhausted because of hours in a tight seat. To combat such a contemporary issue of traveling, a very uncomplicated yet effective remedy is flying: Yoga for Air Travel – the 5-minute on-flight wellness system made with the intent of being very easy to follow.

An innovative project launched at Yoga Mahotsav 2026 by Shri Prataprao Jadhav, Hon. Union Minister of State (Independent Charge), Ayush This is an innovative project where the timeless yoga can be practiced in the octant and convert your seat into a rejuvenation zone. The protocol was designed by the Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga to suit the needs of the modern frequent fliers – giving a fast, safe and efficient method to refresh oneself in the air.

Emphasizing the idea behind the project, Hon’ble Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) of Ayush Shri Prataprao Jadhav, stated that yoga has an immense preventive health and well-being power. This in-flight yoga guideline is an indication of our desire to ensure that yoga is available in all environments including those at the 35,000 feet location so that people can remain active, relaxed, and balanced when people are on the move.

Why In-Flight Yoga Matters

Long-haul travel especially by air can cause a lot of immobility. This may cause muscle stiffness, lack of circulation, fatigue, jet lag and in some instances, more severe issues such as deep vein thrombosis (DVT). The necessity to have a basic wellness intervention is clear in a combination with travel stress and change of cabin pressure.

The 5-minute Yoga protocol will help with these challenges with the help of gentle movements, mindful breathing and short meditation, and will help to restore the balance in the body and mind.

Insisting on the scientific and preventive touch, Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, the Secretary, the Ministry of Ayush, stressed that the practice of yoga in everyday life, even in rather limited conditions such as flights, may play an enormous role in enhancing circulation, alleviating stress, and maintaining the well-being. This is because such practical interventions simplify preventive healthcare and make it accessible.

Eating and Exercising at Your Desk

The protocol is easy and accessible and does not need any special equipment or can be conducted when one is seated. It is a smooth combination of physical mobility and breath awareness and mental relaxation:

Centring (15 seconds): Start with a silent awareness or intent to get yourself grounded.
Light Joint movements (45 seconds): rotations of shoulders, stretching of ankle, and any simple movements to enhance blood flow and lessen stiffness.
Seated Yoga Poses: Altered poses include Tadasana (Palm Tree Pose), seated Cat-Cow, spinal rotations, and mild movements involving the legs in order to relieve tension and posture.
Pranayama (Breathing Practices): Deep breathing, Anulom Vilom, Bhramari, and Sheetali to relax the nervous system and improve the flow of oxygen.
Meditation (30 seconds): A short break to re-focus the mind and help bring about relaxation.
Enhancing the greater picture of changing behaviour, Ms Monalisa Dash, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Ayush, stressed, “The initiative shows how yoga may be effectively applied in day-to-day circumstances. We want to establish a culture of wellness, which will accompany a person wherever he or she may go by encouraging so easy habit.

Small Practice, Big Impact

Within five minutes, this routine can:

Improve blood circulation
Decrease muscle stiffness and fatigue.
Ease stress and anxiety
Help in digestion and hydration awareness.
Help manage jet lag
Most importantly, it enables travellers to be in-charge of their well-being- even in-flight.

Wellness, Anywhere You Go

Yoga is beautiful because of its flexibility. It finds you at home, in the office, or at the altitude of the clouds. This in-flight procedure is an instructional notice that wellness does not need additional time or area–only purpose.

The next time you buckle in your seatbelt, take a moment to pay attention to yourself. It is better to stop and rest to reconnect with oneself sometimes, the best way to travel far.

Fly well. Breathe easy. Stay balanced.

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ECI mandates all political Parties to get pre-certification of all political advertisements on electronic media

Posted on March 20, 2026 by Arun Kumar N

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has declared the program of the General Election to Legislative Assemblies in Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal and bye-elections in 6 states recently where in the rules have been spelt out for the political parties and independent contestants.

ECI has made a requirement of all registered political party and any group of organization/ association or any contesting candidate/individual seeking to be pre-certified by the Media Certification and Monitoring Committee (MCMC) on all political advertisements in the electronic media (e.g. TV, Radio, AV displays at public places, e-papers, bulk SMS/ voice messages) and social media.

Any individual or competing candidates may seek advertisement certification at District MCMC. A certification of such advertisements can be sought by all registered political parties with their respective head offices located in a State/UT by the State Level MCMC. The applications have to be submitted in accordance with the given timelines. The State level too constitutes an Appellate Committee headed by the CEO to listen to the appeals against the decision of District/State MCMC.

Without the prior certification of the MCMC, political parties/ candidates must not release any political adverts on internet based media/ websites such as social media websites.

MCMCs will also maintain a high alert on possible incidents of paid news in the media and act accordingly.

Moreover, the candidates must provide the information regarding their original social media profiles in their affidavit during nomination.

Section 77(1) of Representation of the People Act, 1951 and the guidelines of the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India states that political parties are also required to present a statement of expenditure incurred on campaigning using internet including social media websites to the ECI within 75 days after completion of assembly elections.

This spending among other things shall involve payment to internet companies and websites to carry adverts and campaign related spending on content development and operational spending incurred to maintain their social media accounts.

To this effect, the representatives of the Social Media Platforms (SMPs), the CEOs, State Police Nodal Officers and state IT Nodal Officers of all poll-bound States/UT were held to sensitise them of the above provisions and to validate and ensure a timely action against reported cases of misinformation, disinformation and fake-news during elections on March 19, 2026.

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AI sheds light on ancient board game mystery

Posted on March 20, 2026 by Arun Kumar N

The breakthrough that enabled a new form of unlocking past secrets using artificial intelligence (AI) was the first time an international research team utilized the code of an ancient board game and unlocked its secrets that have existed long before the new century.

The study of an engraved limestone object in the Roman Netherlands allowed the team to identify the probable game rules, depending on its specific markings.

A new study, which was published in the Antiquity journal, was directed by Maastricht University (The Netherlands) and Leiden University (The Netherlands) and contributed by Flinders University (South Australia), the Universite Catholique de Louvain (Belgium) and The Roman Museum and restoration studio Restaura in Heerlen.

The item, located in what is now Heerlen in the Netherlands, includes a design of bizarre crossing lines that for decades had bewildered archeologists.

Since majority of playing games in Roman world were drawn either in dust or in wood (where it was not likely to survive), this well-hewn limestone fragment provided a unique possibility of studying ancient rules.

The stone exhibits a pattern of geometric design and visible wear that are all conducive to sliding game pieces on its surface, a fact that highly suggests repeated play, and not an alternative use as to the stone, lead archaeologist, Dr Walter Crist, who is an archaeologist and ancient games expert.

In order to identify the type of game board the stone was and its functionality, the research team applied AI to run hundreds of potential rule sets, to identify which would generate identical patterns of wear on the object.

Can AI Recreate Simulated Play?

The fact that the carved lines are unevenly worn begs a major question regarding whether simulated play developed by AI can recreate the same pattern.

The researchers used the AI-driven play system Ludii to play two AI agents using the object as a board with rule sets of many of the board games in Europe recorded in the history, including haretavl of Scandinavia and gioco dell’orso of Italy.

Flinders University computer scientist Dr Matthew Stephenson states that it is possible to reconcile the historical and computational studies of games through the use of modern AI techniques.

The simulations were repeated, with the rules varied each time, to determine which movements would result in the same focused friction as in the original stone-surface, according to Dr Stephenson, of the Flinders College of Science and Engineering.

The simulations strongly indicated some form of strategy game called a blocking game. In the blocking games, the player attempts to put their opponent in check by denying them any movements instead of capturing the opponent.

Since there is very little written evidence of blocking games prior to the Middle Ages, the results indicate that blocking games may have a more ancient history than previously written up, whilst the work also proves the transformative power of AI in archeology.

Archaeological Approach

This is the first attempt, which employs AI-based simulated play along with the archaeological approach to recognize a board game, says Dr Crist.

It provides an archeologist with a way forward in study of ancient games not similar to those studied in surviving texts or art.

It was done at Maastricht University and as part of the Digital Ludeme Project in Europe which applied artificial intelligence to create more plausible reconstructions of ancient games both historically and mathematically.

The combination of archaeology, digital modelling and the history of cultures made the team give a better explanation of something that previously appeared to be inexplicable.

The success of this method of finding indicates that there are numerous other puzzling artefacts that could hold some concealed stories that can be uncovered by the use of modern technology, as per Dr Stephenson.

It demonstrates how AI can be used in our knowledge of materials that otherwise cannot be analyzed.

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Shingles Vaccine Correlated with Stunning Plummet in Cardiac Risks: Study

Posted on March 18, 2026 by Arun Kumar N

New research provided at the Annual Scientific Session of the American College of Cardiology shows that a shingles vaccine could provide important protection against heart complications that are life-threatening in individuals who already have a cardiovascular disease.

The researchers used a huge population of over 246,000 adults with atherosclerotic heart disease in the United States to carry out the study and discovered that individuals who had at least one dose of a shingles vaccine had significantly lower risks of serious cardiac events within one year than those who were never vaccinated.

It was found that vaccinated people had almost twice the risk to experience major adverse cardiac events – which consists of heart attacks, strokes and cardiovascular-related deaths. These results complement an emerging body of literature that the shingles vaccine has some other positive effects other than protection against viral infection.

The analysis was performed based on 2018 to 2025 health records with the TriNetX database and comparing two matched groups (more than 123,000 patients each) one of them vaccinated with Shingrix or Zostavax and the other one unvaccinated. The respondents were 50 and above and with very similar demographic and health characteristics.

The changes were intense within a follow-up period of one month to a year after vaccination. It was discovered that vaccinated patients were 46 percent lower than unvaccinated ones to suffer a significant cardiac event and 66 percent less prone to death of any cause. Heart attack risk was reduced by 32 percent and the risks of stroke and heart failure also decreased by 25 percent.

Found in High Risk Individuals

The protective effect was found to be particularly potent in people who were already at high cardiovascular risk, said the lead author Dr Robert Nguyen of the University of California, Riverside. He observed that the risk reduction is equal to significant lifestyle change like smoking cessation.

It is not new to medical experts that shingles is an inflammatory condition caused by reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus and can result in development of blood clots that may cause cardiovascular complications. The vaccine can indirectly eliminate these risks by acting as a preventive measure towards infection.

U. S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention now suggest the use of shingles vaccination to all adults above 50 years of age and to those younger with compromised immune systems. Although the vaccine is mainly meant to stop painful rashes and long-term nerve damage related to shingles, the new benefits on the cardiovascular system can reinforce the arguments in favor of increasing the coverage.

Within One Year of Vaccination

Nevertheless, scholars warned that the research was looking at the results within one year of vaccination. The impact of long-term effect may be wavering, though previous studies pointed out that protective benefits might last many years.

There were also other limitations that were appreciated in the study. People who vaccinate might be better placed to adopt healthier behaviours on the whole, which would somewhat affect the outcomes notwithstanding the ability to control socioeconomic and lifestyle differences.

Nevertheless, the size of the dataset and the agreement of the results of the research conducted on several outcomes give credibility to the conclusion that the shingles vaccination is linked to the significant decrease in cardiovascular risk.

The evidence emerges against the backdrop of more general campaigns against vaccine hesitancy and misinformation, with scientists highlighting the possibility of established vaccines having broader health utility than previously realized.

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Hidden acid imbalance in kidney disease raises red flags: Japan Study

Posted on March 18, 2026 by Arun Kumar N

A massive national survey in Japan has found a massive gap in the routine care of chronic kidney disease (CKD), and one of the major metabolic complications used to remain undiagnosed by lack of testing.

The researchers under the leadership of Mai Tanaka have conducted the study using the data of the Japan Chronic Kidney Disease Database Extension and analyzed the clinical records of over 21 university hospitals in the period between 2014 and 2021. It targeted individuals with moderate CKD (stages 3a to 4) that already have high susceptibility to disease progression and complications.

The results indicate a glaring omission: a simple and cheap test such as serum bicarbonate, which is used to diagnose metabolic acidosis, was ordered less than 10% per year. Consequently, the condition, which, as known, deteriorates kidney outcomes and general health, seems to be considerably under-measured in the everyday care.

Metabolic acidosis is a condition that develops when the body retains too much acid in it because of a deteriorated renal strength. It has also been associated with muscle atrophy, bone mineral loss, insulin resistance with accelerated kidney disease, and an increased risk of dying. The clinical practice is to intervene in cases where the bicarbonate of the body is lower than 22 mEq/L.

Nevertheless, the Japanese statistics indicate that the burden of the condition is being hidden by the low level of testing. Although the general prevalence seemed to be low in the general population of CKD, a more detailed look at patients that indeed underwent a test showed a significantly different pattern. Almost half of them fit the criteria of metabolic acidosis, and the rates were getting higher as the kidney function declined.

Follow up care was limited even among the patients who depicted definite biochemical signs of the condition. It was determined by the study that a gap between detection and clinical response was significant, with only 8.6% actually diagnosed and only 7.5% actually treated.

Metabolic Acidosis Undetected

The results are similar to those reported in North America where individual studies of the U.S. and Canadian cohorts have also indicated that metabolic acidosis is commonly undiagnosed in CKD patients. In such researches, less than every five patients was given sodium bicarbonate treatment in spite of the facts that acid retention was associated with persistent damage to the kidney by inflammation and fibrosis.

According to experts, the problem is not about access or price, since bicarbonate testing is readily available, but it is more about the failure to integrate it into a normal monitoring practice. Current guidelines, such as those of nephrology societies, suggest routine evaluation and correction of metabolic complications in CKD but this is not done so consistently.

The paper highlights a larger issue of concern of health systems where there has been a progressive growth in cases of CKD worldwide due to aging, increased incidences of diabetes and hypertension. Researchers indicate that regular bicarbonate testing may be an intervention that is scalable and practical as a part of the regular care panel.

Early identification of metabolic acidosis would enable clinicians to start treatment, either the use of alkali therapy or diet change at a time that might allow it to delay disease onset and minimize complications.

The authors have come to the conclusion that there is not as much a problem with the rarity of the condition but its invisibility in existing practice. In the absence of regular testing, there is a high-risk chance that a high and manageable element of kidney disease can be ignored, which has long-term patient consequences.

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Father’s health key to pregnancy, healthy child’s birth: Study

Posted on March 18, 2026 by Arun Kumar N

In a significant international study, it has been observed that the health, life experience of fathers can have a significant effect on the pregnancy outcome and future well being of the children which argues the long held maternal-based approach to reproductive care.

The study, which was published in The Lancet and conducted by the team of scientists at the University of Southampton in collaboration with other international partners, claims that the prenatal health of men has long been disregarded despite its quantifiable effects on maternal health and child development.

Based on the evidence of biological, behavioural and social sciences, the study describes the ways in which the physical health of a father, his age, mental health, substance use and childhood experiences could influence the results of pregnancy. There are instances where scientists asserted that paternal factors can be as intense as -or even more so, than the conventional maternal.

Professor Keith Godfrey, a principal researcher of the study, indicated that the results represented a breakthrough in the comprehension of the role of parental health on the future generation. He mentioned that although the health of mothers is important, paying attention to it only leads to the neglect of a larger number of factors that trigger well before pregnancy.

The study presents a framework based on preconception health, in which the upbringing, education, environment of a man and exposure to stress can be influenced and impact on his health in reproductive years. The same factors, in their turn, can also affect the health behaviours of a partner, such as access to prenatal care, and have direct biological impact on the developing foetus.

Next Generation’s Health

Co-author Dr Danielle Schoenaker emphasized the inter relatedness of parental health by stating that there is a chain of influence that starts in life and continues to the next generation. The study indicates that the problems would be improved by considering these factors and thereby the health of children and their pregnancies would be better in a population.

Another issue that the researchers concern themselves with is the social implication of making women the main responsibility in the health of children. They say that this kind of practice enhances gender disparities and ignores the aspect of collective responsibility in child-rearing.

Jonathan Huang, the lead author, emphasized the bigger picture of the structural context, how historical inequalities, such as racism and colonial heritage, have caused disruption in family and community roles, especially among black and brown men. The study indicates that these disruptions have led to disparities in health outcomes and health care access.

The authors advocate culturally sensitive public health that involves more active inclusion of men in the reproductive health planning as well as initiatives of strengthening the family and community support systems.

The research concludes that the enhancement of the health of the boys and the young males should be regarded as an investment in the public health in the long term. According to researchers, policies, clinical practices and awareness campaigns should be modified to be more cognizant of an inclusive model of reproductive care one that views the father as more of an active rather than a passive participant of the pregnancy and child development process.

The authors do not underline the fact that maternal health is still the core, but represent their results as the appeal to more balanced approach when both parents are taken care of prior to, during and after pregnancy to ensure better results in the following generations.

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Huge Craters On an Asteroid Psyche Could Provide Clues to Early Planets

Posted on March 18, 2026 by Arun Kumar N

Another investigation that forms the structure of massive craters on asteroid 16 Psyche is providing new perspectives on one of the most persistent mysteries of the Solar System, whether the metallic object is the open core of an unsuccessful planet or a complex of debris formed during numerous collisions.

The scientists in the Lunar and Planetary Laboratory of the University of Arizona are the researchers who conducted the study, which was published in JGR Planets, and dedicated to the possibility of unlocking the inner composition of Psyche due to a large impact basin located near the north pole of the asteroid. The results will likely inform the interpretation of the data of the NASA Psyche space probe, which will visit the asteroid in the year 2029.

The largest known metal-rich asteroid is psyche, which is found in the prime asteroid belt separating mars and Jupiter and is one of the heaviest bodies found in the area. Its bizarre structure has been a long-standing puzzle to scientists, and rival theories have proposed that it might be the rocky and metallic inertia of an early planet, or of violent impact that caused the mixing of metals and rock over time.

To experiment with such situations, scientists ran high-speed crashes on a 3-D model of Psyche which was how a crater similar to 30 miles across and three miles deep was formed. The differing impact conditions and internal structures allowed the team to come up with predictions regarding the way various compositions would form the resulting crater and the surrounding debris.

According to the simulations, porosity, which is the empty space in the asteroid, is an important factor that affects the crater formation. This is different to solid planetary bodies, most asteroids are loose or fractured and thus can absorb impact energy in a different manner. Impacts in more porous structures will create deeper and steeper craters and less material ejected on the surface.

Asteroid layered metallic core

There were two main models of the interior of Psyche tested in the study: the asteroid is layered reaching a dense metallic core and thin rocky mantle, and the second one is that the metal and silicate materials are evenly intermingled. Although both scenarios could result in the measured crater sizes, each scenario created a different ejecta pattern and internal compression pattern.

These variations, according to researchers, may turn out to be important suggestions when there would be direct observations. Equipments in the Psyche spacecraft will capture the surface composition of the asteroid, gravity and magnetic field, an assessment of the difference in density that could have occurred due to impact in the past.

Scientists compare the research to the reconstruction of a process that has been abandoned long ago based on its remains. Through surface studies of craters and patterns of debris those studying them hope to be able to determine the internal composition of a body that might be able to tell us about the very earliest phases of planetary formation.

Origin of Psyche

The theory of the origin of Psyche has more far-reaching consequences in the field of planetary science. The discovery of the asteroid as an exposed core would give an opportunity to study processes that formed rocky planets such as Earth processes that are otherwise not reachable since planetary cores are buried deep within thick mantles.

Another theme addressed in the study is the increased importance of advanced simulations in space mission preparation. Predicting tests set in advance before the arrival of the spacecraft, researchers want to speed up the analysis of the information once the real-time stream of information arrives.

Psyche mission, which was initiated by Arizona State University and is supported by NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory and other organizations belongs to NASA Discovery Program. By the time the spacecraft arrives at its destination towards the end of this decade, scientists are hopeful that it will provide the first close-up view of a metallic world – and possibly end a two hundred plus century long debate.

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PM Modi Lauds Retiring Rajya Sabha Members, Calls Their Experience ‘Nation’s Asset’

Posted on March 18, 2026 by Arun Kumar N

On Wednesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi honored retiring Rajya Sabha members and said their experience in parliament was a lasting asset to the nation and advised young legislators to learn the lessons of their seniors.

In responding to the members who are leaving in the upper house, Modi stated that these events are beyond politics, but above all they show respect to serving the people. He commented that the parliamentary terms can end, yet the contribution of long-term leaders to the life of a country does not stop.

The Prime Minister said in politics, there are no full stops, that the experience and works of experienced lawmakers are also a part of a democratic process in the country.

Outlining the works of the old parliamentarians, Modi named several old members like H. D. Deve Gowda, Mallikarjun Kharge and Sharad Pawar as role models to be followed by the new members. He also stressed the need to commit itself to the duty of serving the people and that this commitment enhances the credibility of the institution.

The Prime Minister praised the behaviour of the Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, Harivansh Narayan Singh, in dealing with proceedings especially when situations are difficult and also keeping members of the opposite party in his trust.

Considering the changes in the way parliament operates, Modi noted that the emergence of twenty-four-seven media coverage has shifted the character of politicking. Nevertheless, he said that the traditions of wit, debate and intellectual exchange still prevail in the parliamentary culture.

Speaking in the Rajya Sabha. https://t.co/TV2X34E4D1

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 18, 2026

He emphasized the importance of the session of turnover in the Rajya Sabha, where every three years, a third of the members retires, as a means of continuity, with new ideas coming in. This, he said, assists in sustaining institutional memory as well as reinforcing democratic performance.

Addressing the Rajya Sabha, which he referred to as an essential institution in the legislative process of India, Modi emphasized the role of the institution as a second opinion in legislation. He claimed that the bicameral form of governance enables more thorough questioning of decisions, which leads to more harmonious and sophisticated policy making.

The Prime Minister also reported that the retiring members were one of the members who served in the process of transferring the old building of Parliament to the new building to make a historical occasion in their careers.

He compared the Upper House to a great open university where members acquired experience about governance and national issues during their term in office. This is not just an experience that carries with it the contributions they make in Parliament but also prepares them to take further responsibility with the people even after leaving Parliament.

Ending his speech, Modi was sure that the members who are going will still have a significant role in the life of the people, whether in the formal political system or in the social work in general. He was appreciative of their efforts and he recognized their input in nation building.

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PM Modi Lauds Retiring Rajya Sabha Members, Calls Their Experience ‘Nation’s Asset’