Author: Subham Singh

A marijuana leaf on a plant. File photograph | Photo Credit: AP A team of researchers from Bengaluru-based NIMHANS have developed ‘Pre-CURB’, a digital learning resource for young people on preventing cannabis use and promoting responsible behaviour. This digital resource, released at a workshop conducted for college students by the Departments of Nursing and Mental Health Education on February 11, details the adverse health effects of cannabis, busts misconceptions with regard to its use, gives updates on the legal status of cannabis in India, and explains how young people can avoid cannabis use.Researchers at NIMHANS, Bengaluru, have developed a resource that…

The papal thriller Conclave emerged as the big winner at the 78th British Academy Film Awards (BAFTA), taking home four awards, including Best Picture. The Edward Berger-directed film, starring Ralph Fiennes as a cardinal navigating the political intrigues of electing a new pope, also won Outstanding British Film, Best Editing, and Best Adapted Screenplay.Conclave was nominated in 12 categories for Sunday’s prizes, including best picture, best director for Edward Berger and best actor for Ralph Fiennes, playing a cardinal corralling conniving clergy as they elect a new pope.Matching its awards tally, The Brutalist secured four trophies, including Best Director for…

NASA’s astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams inside the International Space Station’s Harmony module. NASA on Tuesday swapped out the astronaut capsule it plans to use for an upcoming routine flight to the International Space Station, a scheduling move that will allow a slightly earlier return for two Starliner astronauts who have been on the station far longer than expected.The US space agency said mission management teams opted to use a previously flown SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule for its Crew-10 mission to the space station, instead of a new SpaceX capsule whose production it said has been delayed.The decision moves…

Researchers conduct final inspections on a neutrino detection unit on a launcher vehicle aboard a research vessel to the seafloor in the Mediterranean Sea. Image released on February 12, 2025. | Photo Credit: Reuters Using an observatory under construction deep beneath the Mediterranean Sea near Sicily, scientists have detected a ghostly subatomic particle called a neutrino boasting record-breaking energy in another important step toward understanding some of the universe’s most cataclysmic events.The researchers, part of the KM3NeT (Cubic Kilometre Neutrino Telescope) Collaboration, believe the neutrino came from beyond the Milky Way galaxy. They identified 12 supermassive black holes actively guzzling…

The presence of a twin inside the body of the other twin may go undetected for years. Photograph used for representational purposes only At the moment of conception, twins begin a lifelong relationship that scientists think might answer some of life’s profound questions. While twinning is generally considered to be a natural and scientific marvel, mysterious circumstances due to accidents of nature can be devastating. In January 2025, doctors at the Buldhana District Women’s Hospital in Maharashtra detected a rare case of “foetus in foetu” in a pregnant woman. This condition occurs when a malformed foetus develops inside another foetus. The congenital anomaly…

Sci-Five | The Hindu Science Quiz: On Colossal Squid 1 / 5 | Where does the colossal squid live? Arctic OceanIndian OceanDeep sea surrounding AntarcticaPacific OceanThe colossal squid is a massive squid that lives in the deep sea surrounding AntarcticaNext 2 / 5 | What is the colossal squid’s claim to fame as an invertebrate?  It is the fastest invertebrateIt is the largest invertebrate on EarthIt has the longest lifespan among invertebratesIt is the most intelligent invertebrateThe colossal squid is the largest invertebrate on Earth.Next 3 / 5 | The colossal squid has the largest ______ of any animal. The…

Representational image. | Photo Credit: Getty Images The Indian Council of Medical Research ((ICMR) is looking at undertaking joint development and commercialisation of typhoid and paratyphoid vaccine and has now invited expression of interest from the eligible organisations, companies and manufacturers.Giving details about the process the Council noted that under the EoI, the manufacturers/companies who are responsive and fulfilling all the technical need will be shortlisted based on their research and development plan, facilities, and capabilities. After the execution of the agreement such companies/manufacturers shall be responsible to pay the royalty @ 2% on net sales, as applicable, according to…

The loggerhead turtle can learn and remember the magnetic signature of an area and does a ‘turtle dance’ when in a location that they associate with food, a study in Nature reports. The research presents mechanisms of how migratory species navigate using the magnetic field of the Earth.Sea turtles are renowned for their long-distance migrations and often return to feeding sites, even after seasonal journeys and displacements. Precisely how such species navigate remains undetermined, but growing evidence suggests the animals use the magnetic field of the Earth as a map and compass.To determine whether turtles can learn the magnetic signatures of geographical…

Based on field measurements, airmass trajectories, and particle dispersion and chemical transport model simulations, a study published in January 2025 has found that there is no linear correlation between stubble-burning events in Punjab and Haryana and fine particulate matter (PM2.5) concentration in Delhi-NCR. The study also underscores that crop residue burning in Punjab and Haryana contributes only about 14% of PM2.5 and is therefore not a primary source of particulate matter concentration in Delhi-NCR. The concentration of PM2.5 in Delhi-NCR remained fairly stable and constant despite the stubble-burning events in Punjab and Haryana declining by over 50% from 2015 to 2023, the study…

A general view of installed solar panels at the Khavda Renewable Energy Park of Adani Green Energy Ltd. (AGEL), in Khavda, Gujarat. File | Photo Credit: Reuters The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) has reviewed as many as 21 issues affecting 14 infrastructure projects in Gujarat and Rajasthan for their redressal, an official statement said on Saturday (February 15, 2024). The meeting chaired by DPIIT Secretary Amardeep Bhatia was attended by senior officials from central Ministries, State Governments, and project proponents, The meeting, it said, was focused on expediting issue resolution through enhanced inter-ministerial and State coordination…