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Showing posts from January, 2025

New Study Uses Math to Decode Creativity and Idea Formation

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A new research study has examined the mathematical principles governing creativity and innovation, shedding light on how novel ideas emerge. By analysing data across different domains, researchers have identified patterns that could refine the understanding of how individuals and societies generate new concepts. The study investigates two types of novelty—discovering an entirely new element and forming unique combinations of existing elements. The findings could be crucial in fields such as science, literature, and technology, where innovation plays a vital role in advancement. Mathematical Framework for Creativity According to the study published in Nature Communications, researchers introduced a framework to model how new ideas emerge. Led by Professor Vito Latora from Queen Mary University of London, the team focused on higher-order novelties—combinations of familiar elements that create something new. Speaking to Phys.org, Prof. Latora stated that the study is part of a broader...

'Airlines To Cut Fares By 50% For Maha Kumbh': Minister's Big Announcement

Civil Aviation Minister K Ram Mohan Naidu has announced a 50 per cent reduction in airfare for passengers traveling to the Kumbh Mela. The new reduced fares came into effect starting today. The government has already directed airlines to cut the ticket prices. Three meetings were held with airline companies before implementing the fare reduction. Airlines were reminded that such a grand event happens once in 140 years, and they must be mindful of the significance. At the same time, the government has ensured that airlines do not suffer financial losses due to the fare reduction. from NDTV News- Special https://ift.tt/vJnyu4a

Researchers Spot Unusual, Overmassive Globular Clusters in Ultra-Diffuse Galaxy FCC 224

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A team of researchers has observed an ultra-diffuse galaxy, FCC 224, uncovering an unusual system of globular clusters. The galaxy, located in the Fornax cluster approximately 65 million light-years away, has been found to host luminous and overmassive globular clusters. The study, conducted using the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) and supported by spectroscopic data from the Keck Cosmic Web Imager (KCWI), has provided insights into the formation and evolution of this galaxy and its star clusters . The findings indicate a single-burst star formation history, with the globular clusters displaying unique characteristics in terms of mass, size, and brightness distribution. Overmassive Globular Cluster System Identified According to the study published on the arXiv pre-print server, FCC 224 is a quiescent ultra-diffuse galaxy estimated to be around 10 billion years old. It has a major axis effective radius of roughly 6,160 light-years and a stellar mass of approximately 200 million solar...

Indian Astronaut To Pilot Private Spacecraft Axiom-4, Do Yoga In Space

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Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, set to become the second Indian to go to space after Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma's journey on board the Soyuz T-11 in April 1984, will take on the role of pilot on the Axiom Mission 4, or Ax-4. The Ax-4 will go to the International Space Station (ISS) from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA) Kennedy Space Centre in Florida no earlier than spring 2025, NASA told reporters on Thursday. Group Captain Shukla, who is serving in the Indian Air Force (IAF), has also been chosen as an astronaut for India's Gaganyaan Mission by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). It was ISRO that sent him to NASA for the Ax-4 mission to the ISS. Peggy Whitson, former NASA astronaut and director of human spaceflight at Axiom Space, will command the private Ax-4 mission, while Group Captain Shukla will serve as pilot, the American space agency told reporters. "I am really excited to go into microgravity and experience space f...

NASA SPHEREx Telescope to Map the Universe and Search for Life’s Ingredients

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A groundbreaking mission designed to enhance understanding of the universe's origins and the potential for life within our galaxy is set to be discussed in an upcoming NASA briefing. The SPHEREx (Spectro-Photometer for the History of the Universe, Epoch of Reionization and Ices Explorer) mission will be previewed during a news conference scheduled for 12 p.m. EST on Friday, January 31. The telescope, which is planned for launch no earlier than February 27, promises to offer critical insights into cosmic history and life-forming molecules. Insights from the SPHEREx Mission According to NASA's SPHEREx mission details , the observatory will survey the entire sky using near-infrared light. Its goals include exploring how galaxies evolved, understanding the structure of the universe, and locating water and organic molecules in regions where stars and planets are formed. Over 450 million galaxies and 100 million stars in the Milky Way are expected to be studied, providing vital da...

Over 30 Million Years Old Pre-Historic Fossil Stolen From Meghalaya Village

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A rare pre-historic fossil, possibly 35 to 40 million years old, has been stolen from a village in Meghalaya, leaving people in shock and outraged. The fossil was discovered in May last year in the state's Tolegre village in South Garo Hills. The Geological Survey of India (GSI) had examined the site last year and collected samples. Following this, the villagers were safeguarding the remaining fossil by restricting access to the area, officials said. The fossil is possibly from the extinct Rodhocetus or Ambulocetus - early ancestors of modern whales. A case has been filed at the Siju Police Station and the police are on the lookout for the culprits, officials said. According to Meghalaya Education Minister Rakkam Sangma, the state government was planning to build a museum at the site. "The villagers informed me...They have filed an FIR. This is very unfortunate. It should not have happened...A portion of the fossil has been cut and taken away. This fossil is an asset t...

Astronomers Discover 19 New Quasars Using DESI Legacy Surveys Data

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A significant discovery has been made in the field of astronomy , with 19 new quasars , including strongly-lensed, dual, and projected types, identified through analysis of data from the DESI Legacy Surveys photometry catalog. This breakthrough highlights the potential of quasar observations in furthering our understanding of the universe. These objects, known for their extreme luminosity and powered by supermassive black holes, have long been pivotal for research into astrophysics and cosmology. Observations were conducted at the Palomar Observatory in California. Findings of the DESI Legacy Surveys According to the study led by Zizhao He of the Purple Mountain Observatory, the investigation confirmed two strongly-lensed quasars, six dual quasars, and 11 projected quasars. Observations were carried out on October 15–16, 2023, using the P200/DBSP instrument. The study noted that the lensed quasars, designated J0746+1344 and J2121-0826, were observed at redshifts of 3.1 and 2.39, res...

Pothugadda OTT Release: Where to Watch Raksha Veeran’s Telugu Thriller Online?

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The highly anticipated Telugu thriller Pothugadda, directed by Raksha Veeran, is set to make its OTT debut on January 30, 2025, after facing several delays. Originally scheduled for release in November 2024, the film's premiere was pushed to align with the Pongal festival before being confirmed for its digital debut. The film combines a gripping love story with a politically charged plot, following a young couple whose romantic getaway turns into a fight for survival after their bus is hijacked, leading them into a world of danger and intrigue. When and Where to Watch Pothugadda The movie will premiere exclusively on the OTT platform ETV Win. After facing multiple postponements, the thriller is now ready for streaming on January 30, 2025. The delays, attributed to undisclosed reasons, heightened audience anticipation, making this release a notable digital event. Official Trailer and Plot of Pothugadda The trailer of Pothugadda offers glimpses of its intense and layered story...

Why's 'Fit' Shami Not Playing vs Eng? Team Insider Says, "Gambhir, SKY..."

Pacer Mohammed Shami is not facing any fitness concerns but the call on him playing the remaining games in the T20I series against England will be taken by the captain and the head coach, India's new batting coach Sitanshu Kotak said on Monday. Shami, who has not played for India since the ODI World Cup final in November 2023, has been picked for the ongoing five-match series, the following three ODIs and the Champions Trophy. The 34-year-old not being picked for the first two T20s raised questions over his fitness but Kotak said the veteran pacer has no issues on that front. "Yes, Shami is fit but something about him playing or not playing, I am not the one who can answer," Kotak said when asked if the bowler will feature in third T20 here on Tuesday. Kotak added that it is up to captain Suryakumar Yadav and head coach Gautam Gambhir to manage Shami's workload in the lead up to important events like the Champions Trophy beginning on February 19. "There is def...

China's AI Startup DeepSeek Hit By "Cyberattack", Limits New Registration

Chinese AI sensation DeepSeek on Monday said it was limiting the registration of new users due to large-scale cyberattacks on its services. The company, whose chatbot took over OpenAI's ChatGPT as Apple's top downloaded app on Monday, cited "large-scale malicious attacks" for outages and its inability to take on new users. DeepSeek, which was developed by a start-up based in the eastern Chinese city of Hangzhou, has shown the ability to match the capacity of AI pace-setters such as Nvidia. Its success on the US app store sent shares in AI-linked tech giants plummeting on Monday. The low-cost Chinese generative AI venture is thought to have matched US companies in its abilities but at a fraction of the cost. Analysts had long thought that the United States' critical advantage over China when it comes to producing high-powered chips -- and its ability to prevent the Asian power from accessing the technology -- would give it the edge in the AI race. Available a...

NDTV Explainer: Symptoms Of Guillain-Barre Syndrome And How To Prevent It

A man in Maharashtra, who was suspected to have Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) died in the Solapur district today while the number of cases of the immunological nerve disorder crossed 100 in Pune. This is reportedly the first death in Maharashtra due to GBS. The 40-year-old man , a native of Solapur, had come to Pune, where he is suspected to have contracted the disease. The Union health ministry has sent a team to Pune's Sinhgad area, where the outbreak is currently concentrated. Symptoms Of GBS GBS is a neurological disorder in which the body's immune system attacks the peripheral nervous system. This is part of the nervous system outside the brain and spinal cord. The onset of GBS is quite sudden and unexpected. The first symptoms of Guillain-Barre Syndrome include weakness or tingling sensations. They usually start in the legs and can spread to the arms and face, states the World Health Organization.  Many people have back pain or pain in the arms or legs. A nervous sy...

UK Man Cleans Graves As Side Hustle, Earns Enough To Buy His First Home

A 31-year-old man from Harlow, England, has turned an unconventional yet profitable side hustle—cleaning graves—into the means of fulfilling his dream of buying his first home. Shaun Tookey, who launched his business in May 2023 while working full-time as a tree surgeon, has since renovated over 300 graves. His services range from deep cleaning and repainting lettering to adding decorative chippings. According to the New York Post , Shaun Tookey was able to save for a deposit and secure a mortgage by earning between $187 (over Rs 15,535) and $562 (over Rs 46,673) per job. This allowed him and his family to move into their first home in December 2024. Reports state that Shaun spends his weekends and time off working on his side business, "The Grave Cleaner," where he cleans two to four graves each day. His transformation videos are popular on TikTok and Facebook, where he shares his work under the account @thegravecleaner. View this post on Instagram ...

England Captain Jos Buttler Sets Massive T20I Record vs India

England captain Jos Buttler etched his name in the record books by becoming the highest run-scorer against India in T20 Internationals. The milestone came during the second T20I of the India-England series at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, where Buttler surpassed West Indies star Nicholas Pooran to claim the top spot, as per Wisden. After losing the first match of the series in Kolkata by eight wickets, England sought a comeback in Chennai. Winning the toss, Indian skipper Suryakumar Yadav put England into bat. England's innings got off to a shaky start, with Phil Salt dismissed in the first over, bringing Buttler to the crease. The England skipper wasted no time in taking on the Indian bowlers, smashing 45 off 30 balls before falling to Axar Patel. He scored a half-century in the previous game in Kolkata, highlighting his form in the series. England managed to post 165/6, but their efforts proved insufficient as Tilak Varma's unbeaten fifty guided India to victory. D...

Watch: Saif-Kareena Step Out For The First Time Since His Attack

On Sunday morning, Saif Ali Khan and Kareena Kapoor were spotted outside their house, amid tight security. This marked the couple's first outing since the attack on Saif on January 16, after which he was admitted in Lilavati Hospital in Bandra, Mumbai.  The couple were spotted by the paparazzi outside their Bandra home, as they walked out and got into their car. They were also surrounded by police, who have been deployed following the attack on Saif.  In the video, Saif and Kareena are sporting a casual look. While Kareena is seen in a casual grey sweatshirt, with black track pants and a baseball cap, Saif is wearing a navy blue t-shirt and a pair of denims. He paired the outfit with dark sunglasses.  Watch the viral video here: View this post on Instagram A post shared by Varinder Chawla (@varindertchawla) For the unversed, Saif was attacked in his Bandra home around 2:30 am on January 16. He sustained six stab wounds. P...

All You Need To Know About Mamta Kulkarni's Journey

Mamta Kulkarni has embarked on a spiritual journey. The actress has renounced the glitz and glamour and assumed a new identity of 'Mai Mamta Nand Giri.  Mamta Kulkarni has been honoured with the title of Mahamandaleshwar. She even performed her own Pind Daan, a symbolic ritual signifying the renunciation of worldly ties. For the unversed, the Kinnar Akhara is a spiritual order established by eunuchs and functions under the Juna Akhara, one of the largest and most prominent Akharas in Hinduism. As Mamta Kulkarni made a significant move in her life, let us delve into her journey – exploring her personal life, debut project, top 5 films, her final movie and the reasons behind her decision to step away from acting. Personal life  Born in 1972, Mamta Kulkarni never got married. Over the years, there were rumours linking her to Vicky Goswami. Several reports also claimed that the two were married.  In a candid conversation with India Times last year, Mam...

Furious Sabalenka Breaks Racquet After Losing Australian Open Final. Video

Madison Keys on Saturday finally claimed her long-awaited Grand Slam title, defeating two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka to win the 2025 Australian Open women's singles title. The 29-year-old American triumphed 6-3, 2-6, 7-5 in a thrilling final under the lights of Rod Laver Arena, lasting two hours and two minutes. With this victory, Keys etched her name in history as the first woman to defeat the world's top two players at a major since Svetlana Kuznetsova at the 2009 French Open, and the first to do so at the Australian Open since Serena Williams in 2005. At 29, Keys is one of the older first-time major champions. She becomes the fourth-oldest behind Flavia Pennetta, who was 33 when she won the 2015 US Open, Ann Jones, who was 30 when she won Wimbledon in 1969, and Francesca Schiavone, who was 29 when she triumphed at Roland Garros in 2010. Sabalenka was furious after the loss and smashed her racket.  Belarussian star #Sabalenka ( who won 20 Australian Open ma...

Joe Biden Removed From 'US Presidents' Search Results, Google Responds

Former US president Joe Biden's tenure at the White House was completely omitted from Google search queries that included "US Presidents", "United States Presidents" and "US Presidents in order", a report in The Independent has claimed. For a brief period on Thursday (Jan 23), social media users complained that Mr Biden was not featuring in the list of presidents to have served the USA. The list showed President Donald Trump to have served as the last two presidents of the US with Mr Biden's name nowhere to be found. However, prior to the Republican leader's 2016 tenure, the list showed correct results, naming Barack Obama, George Bush, and Bill Clinton, and going back to George Washington. Users posted screenshots of their results, showing how Mr Biden had been removed. It is not clear how long Mr Biden was written out of Google search history but the glitch was fixed around 2 am ET (12:30 PM IST). . @Google so if I type in US Presidents...

Two Mountains 100 Times Taller Than Everest Discovered Deep Beneath Earth

Earth's biggest mountains, more than 100 times taller than Mount Everest, have been discovered on the boundary between Africa and the Pacific Ocean, a groundbreaking research, published in the journal Nature, has confirmed. The two peaks lie deep beneath the Earth's surface and reach heights of around 1,000 km, far bigger than the 8.8 km height of Mount Everest. Researchers estimate that the mountains are at least half a billion years old but could date back to the formation of Earth four billion years ago.  "Nobody knows what they are, and whether they are only a temporary phenomenon, or if they have been sitting there for millions or perhaps even billions of years," said head researcher Dr Arwen Deuss, a seismologist and professor of Structure and composition of Earth's deep interior at Utrecht University, as per The New York Post.   According to the research, two monstrous structures sit on the boundary between Earth's core and the mantle, the semi-solid ...

'Man On CCTV Doesn't Look Like My Son': Father Of Saif Ali Khan's Attacker

Md Ruhul Amin Fakir, father of Mohammed Shariful Islam, the man accused in the recent attack on Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan, spoke exclusively with IANS on Thursday. He defended his son and called into question the allegations. Mr Fakir insisted his son had been wrongfully implicated in the incident. According to Mr Fakir, the images from CCTV footage showing a suspect with long hair do not match his son's usual appearance. "From what is shown in the CCTV... my son never keeps his hair long. I believe my son is being framed," Mr Fakir asserted, denying any connection between his son's typical appearance and the person seen in the footage. Shariful, who is from Bangladesh, had moved to India due to the political unrest in his home country. To a question from IANS, Mr Fakir explained: "He left Bangladesh and came to India for one reason — the political unrest in Bangladesh... He was working where he received a salary, and his employer even rewarded him......

Seismic Data from NASA’s InSight Might Solve the Mystery of Mars’ Dichotomy

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Recent seismic data from NASA's InSight lander could provide answers to a 50-year-old puzzle concerning Mars' unique structure. The planet is divided into the northern lowlands and southern highlands, separated by significant differences in elevation and crust thickness. This phenomenon, referred to as the "Martian dichotomy," has perplexed scientists for decades. Clues from seismic activity suggest ancient processes within the planet's interior may have caused this division, as opposed to external impacts like asteroid collisions. Insights from Seismic Data According to a study published in Geophysical Research Letters, seismic waves recorded by InSight were analysed to uncover differences between the planet's hemispheres . Situated near the boundary of the dichotomy, the lander captured how seismic waves traveled through the mantle beneath both the northern and southern regions. Researchers observed that seismic energy dissipated more rapidly in the sout...

Why Trump's Claims About Americans Splitting The Atom Angers New Zealanders

Imagine a newly-elected president of a country claiming the legacy of someone as foundational as Thomas Edison. That's the kind of appropriation New Zealanders are witnessing. The recent inaugural address of President Donald Trump has sparked a heated debate over the origins of a groundbreaking scientific achievement: splitting the atom. Trump's claim that American experts were responsible for this feat has been met with swift correction from New Zealanders, who proudly assert that their native son, Sir Ernest Rutherford, was the true pioneer behind this discovery. Rutherford's achievement in 1917 at Victoria University of Manchester in England marked a pivotal moment in the history of nuclear physics. His work not only earned him a Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1908 but also led to the discovery of radioactive half-life and the understanding that radioactivity involves the transmutation of one chemical element to another. Nick Smith, the mayor of Nelson, near Rutherford...

Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra With Snapdragon 8 Elite Chip, 200-Megapixel Camera Launched: Price, Specifications

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Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra was launched on Wednesday as the company's flagship model in the Galaxy S25 series of smartphones. At its Galaxy Unpacked event on Wednesday, the South Korean firm showed off the handset, which is powered by a custom Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy chip, along with 12GB of RAM and up to 1TB of storage. This year's model has an upgraded 50-megapixel ultrawide camera, and the smartphone is capable of recording Log video, just like Apple's iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro models. Like the other two models in the updated lineup, the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra comes with One UI 7, which is based on Android 15. It also offers support for a new Now Brief feature, which offers personalised summaries, and a new Now bar on the lock screen that surfaces important information inside a coloured pill. The company's apps have also been updated with support for Google's Gemini AI assistant, allowing users to interact with apps like Samsung Notes while using an...

The Smile Man OTT Release: Sarath Kumar's Crime Thriller Premieres on January 24

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Sarath Kumar's crime thriller, The Smile Man, is set to make its digital debut after its theatrical run. Directed by the duo Syam and Praveen, the film follows a veteran cop grappling with Alzheimer's while investigating a string of murders. With a compelling narrative and a focus on psychological and investigative challenges, the film has captured the curiosity of crime thriller enthusiasts. Its OTT premiere has been confirmed for January 24, offering audiences a chance to watch it online. When and Where to Watch The Smile Man The Smile Man will be available for streaming on Aha Tamil starting January 24. The film's OTT release follows its theatrical run, which attracted significant attention due to its unique premise. Official Trailer and Plot of The Smile Man The trailer of The Smile Man introduced audiences to a seasoned police officer battling Alzheimer's while handling a complex serial killer case. The killer's modus operandi involves a chillingly simila...

"Golden Age Of America Begins Now": Trump Returns To White House

Donald Trump took oath as the 47th President of the United States Monday, capping a remarkable turnaround in fortunes that nosedived after the riots in Washington, D.C. in January 2021 and hit rock bottom in May 2024, when he was convicted of felonies by a New York court, including charges relating to falsifying business records to cover payment of 'hush money' to Stormy Daniels , an adult film actor. Trump's deputy, JD Vance, was sworn in as Vice President just before him. Almost immediately after Trump was sworn in, Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated his "dear friend" and wished him a successful term. "I look forward to working closely together once again, to benefit both our countries and shape a better future for the world," Mr Modi said on X. Donald Trump is now the first convicted felon to be President of the United States. He was already the first ex-President to be convicted of felony crimes - the jury found him guilty on all 34 cha...

New Soil Carbon Measurement Method Could Boost Trust in Carbon Credit Markets

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Direct soil carbon measurement techniques are being explored as a method to improve accuracy in carbon credit markets, especially in agriculture. Measuring stored soil carbon rather than relying on predictive models can provide solid data on the effectiveness of climate-smart agricultural practices. It is believed that this method will enhance the reliability of carbon credits, offering greater confidence to buyers and better supporting global climate goals. Soil carbon measurement is also being recognised as a tool to boost soil health and agricultural sustainability. Reliable Verification of Soil Carbon Changes According to a study published in Environmental Research Letters, using direct soil carbon measurement methods alongside epidemiology-based study designs could address the challenges of verifying carbon storage. By sampling approximately 10 percent of fields across large areas, the research team demonstrated that carbon storage could be accurately measured over extended p...

"India Will Be 20% Of Global Growth In Few Years": WEF Chief To NDTV At Davos

World Economic Forum (WEF) president and CEO Borge Brende has predicted India's growth has potential to reach 7-8% with the help of reforms. At Davos, where the WEF brings together some of the world's biggest leaders and thinkers, India has had a huge presence every year, and one of the primary themes has been growth. "India has a great potential, and it is still growing pretty well, 6 per cent this year. But there is no reason why India cannot pick up again and do 7 per cent, 8 per cent, provided that there are reforms on investments, infrastructure, investing in education and R&D [research and development]," Mr Brende told NDTV. "We do expect that in a few years, India will be 20 per cent of the overall global growth. That is quite incredible. And what works also for India is the enormous strength in startups. There are more than 1,20,000 startups in India. I think there are now more than 120 unicorns. So that ecosystem, I think, is the basis also for fu...

"Thanks For Forgiving": Coldplay's Chris Martin Apologises For Colonialism

Coldplay's highly anticipated India tour kicked off with an electrifying performance in Mumbai on Saturday, winning the hearts of millions as the band made a heartfelt effort to connect with the local audience.   During their concert at DY Patil Stadium, lead singer Chris Martin expressed gratitude to the audience for warmly welcoming the British band. In a poignant moment, he acknowledged the pre-independence history between the two nations, saying, "Thank you for welcoming us even though we are from Britain," and added, "Thanks for forgiving us for everything the Britishers did."   The crowd erupted in cheers in response to Martin's thoughtful gesture. See the viral video here: View this post on Instagram A post shared by Hunar Anand (@hunar_anand) In another viral video, Chris Martin greeted the audience in Hindi. After one of the songs, he expressed his gratitude by saying "shukriya," which del...