West Bengal has launched an Emerging Quantum and Semiconductor Technologies (EQST) section at CSIR-CGCRI to attract investments and position the state as a hub for next-generation technology. Minister Kalyan Chakraborti highlighted India's need to invest in these crucial sectors and outlined the state's plans to collaborate with institutions and leverage budget initiatives to foster research and start-ups.
A study by the Wildlife Institute of India in the Asola-Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary reveals that abandoned mining areas have become the most bird-rich habitat, supporting 46 species. These former quarries, now featuring diverse scrub, grassland, rocky patches, and water pools, demonstrate nature's recovery after human disturbance ceased, highlighting the importance of habitat diversity for conservation.
Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT,M) have developed a novel "morphing skin" concept for aircraft wings, inspired by bird flight. This adaptive external skin dynamically reshapes in real time to prevent aerodynamic stalls, enhance lift, reduce drag, and significantly improve aircraft safety and fuel efficiency. The technology holds promise for commercial aviation, unmanned aerial vehicles, and defence applications.
Researchers have identified a new process, 'chronoferroptosis', where excess iron in neurons reduces their resilience to stress, increasing vulnerability to neurodegenerative diseases. This discovery highlights iron accumulation as a critical target for predicting, preventing, and treating conditions like Alzheimer's.
New research published in the European Heart Journal indicates that even low levels of night-time light exposure, as little as 3 lux, are associated with detrimental changes in heart structure and function. A study involving over 11,000 participants found that increased light at night led to thickening of the left ventricular walls and reduced myocardial contraction, suggesting early heart dysfunction and increased risk of heart failure. Researchers highlight night-time light as a modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular disease.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced that the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council's October 7 meeting will focus on 'GST 2.0' process reforms, including e-invoicing and input tax credit rules, while also addressing complex issues surrounding the taxation of the digital economy and cryptocurrency.
A new study reveals that past emissions from major oil, gas, coal, and cement producers will continue to impact Earth's environment for centuries, even if emissions cease today. The research highlights that the planet will remain significantly warmer than pre-industrial levels, leading to persistent climate damages and increasing the likelihood of future extreme weather events, forming the basis for accountability lawsuits against these "carbon majors."
Bengaluru-based deep-tech company RayVector Technologies is demonstrating its advanced multi-sensor module and wafer-handling technology at SEMICON India. This innovative solution uses sensing, imaging, and AI to detect minute irregularities in semiconductor wafers, helping manufacturers prevent costly production losses. The technology is already being utilised by major global players like Samsung, Intel, and TSMC, highlighting India's growing contribution to the global semiconductor ecosystem.
IIT Guwahati researchers have developed SH²RFSSM, a model inspired by how biological neurons communicate.
Climate scientist Tapio Schneider advocates for expanding early warning systems beyond rainfall events to include other disaster triggers like flash floods, citing the recent Nepal floods. He highlights the inevitability of 1.5 degrees Celsius global warming and discusses the role of advanced climate modelling and AI in improving predictions and research, particularly for regions like India.
An Indian-origin engineer couple, Anuradha and Vikas Sinha, have donated $20 million to the University of North Texas (UNT) to establish the Anuradha and Vikas Sinha College of Artificial Intelligence and Advanced Analytics. This significant gift aims to create new opportunities for students and faculty, focusing on building and deploying intelligent systems and understanding their operation within human contexts. The donation underscores the couple's belief in education and immigrant contributions to the American dream, supporting leadership, scholarships, professorships, research, and entrepreneurship.
Researchers have for the first time directly visualised how two DNA molecules, despite their identical negative charges, zip together. This breakthrough, achieved using high-powered atomic force microscopy and advanced simulations, confirms the 'DNA zipper' model, revealing that positively charged metal ions act as molecular bridges to facilitate this crucial biological process. The discovery has significant implications for understanding genetic recombination, gene silencing, chromosome packaging, cancer development, and future biotechnology.
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman expressed strong confidence in India achieving over 10 per cent economic growth, advocating for increased technology adoption and innovation. She urged overcoming scepticism and highlighted technology's transformative role in agriculture and public sector reforms, while also launching a new fund and book at an IIT Madras event.
Two IIT Gandhinagar students have developed "TrustGate," an AI-based cybersecurity system designed to protect critical infrastructure like water treatment plants and power grids. The system uniquely combines network traffic and physical sensor data to detect sophisticated cyber attacks, identify affected equipment, and provide real-time alerts to operators, earning them an international award.
Researchers at the University of Cincinnati have discovered that insects, including fruit flies and mosquitoes, respond predictably to humidity cycles, suggesting humidity acts as a 'zeitgeber' or time giver for their biological clocks. This finding has broad implications for understanding circadian rhythms across animal systems, as insects' survival is closely tied to hydration levels.
New research from the University of Sheffield indicates that greenhouse gas emissions from petrochemical production could increase by 50 per cent by 2050 under a business-as-usual scenario. The study, published in Nature Sustainability, provides the first detailed global map of these emissions, identifying key sources and highlighting the challenge of decarbonising the sector.
Their message is blunt: Public scientific wealth should not be transferred at what they describe as 'throwaway prices'.capability, recruitment, promotional avenues and the voice of its employees.
Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel addressed AI Manthan 2.0, advocating for the comprehensive integration of Artificial Intelligence across all university subjects rather than as a standalone course. She urged universities to develop clear, time-bound AI roadmaps covering education, research, healthcare, and agriculture, emphasising indigenous AI development, employment creation, and the importance of "Safe and Trusted AI." The event also saw the formation of an AI Policy Advisory Group and an AI Implementation Group to drive these initiatives.
The Jammu and Kashmir government has removed over 4,700 books, including banned publications, from colleges across the Union Territory after a comprehensive review of nearly 2.2 million publications. This action follows a controversy over objectionable content and aims to uphold constitutional values and national integrity in higher education institutions.
'You cannot stop these models from getting better. There is competitive and business pressure and if the US stops then maybe China will go ahead.'
Scientists at IIT Mandi have identified the cellular signature of anaesthesia in plants, a discovery that challenges conventional understanding of consciousness. Their research shows plants respond to anaesthetics in a synchronised manner, reorganising cellular nuclei despite lacking a brain or nervous system, suggesting a more sentient nature than previously believed and resonating with ancient Indian philosophical thought.
Researchers from the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) and Technical University of Denmark have developed a recombinant antivenom that provides broad protection against the venom of spectacled cobras, monocled cobras, and Indian king cobra species in mice. This lab-produced antivenom offers a next-generation solution to traditional animal-derived antivenoms, addressing issues like variability and limited species coverage.
Industry leaders at an AIMA panel discussion emphasised the need for businesses to quickly adapt to changing market conditions and invest in technologies like artificial intelligence to build resilience and achieve long-term growth. They highlighted the current era of uncertainty driven by geopolitical tensions, supply chain disruptions, and rapid regulatory changes, stressing that tactical responses are as crucial as long-term strategy.
Indian benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty saw a rebound in early trade, driven by a moderation in crude oil prices, despite persistent selling by Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) and mixed global market cues.
India's IT Ministry sources state the country will not slow down its Artificial Intelligence development, distinguishing its focus on people-centric applications from global concerns over frontier models. The government acknowledges AI safety risks and is tightening incident reporting norms, with IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw emphasising regulation for user safety.
Indian stock market investors are closely monitoring crude oil prices, geopolitical developments in West Asia, and the implications of the US Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act, which could impose tariffs on countries, including India, that purchase Russian crude.
Indian firm Bharat Forge and US defence major Pratt & Whitney Canada have announced a collaboration to support the development of India's high-altitude, long-endurance (HALE) unmanned aerial vehicle. This partnership involves integrating advanced turboprop engines into a DRDO-designed UAV, bolstering India's indigenous defence capabilities under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative.
Indian benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty rebounded on Wednesday, driven by a decline in crude oil prices below USD 100 per barrel and optimism surrounding a potential de-escalation of the conflict in West Asia.
Former Gujarat University Vice Chancellor Neerja Gupta resigned as Principal Investigator for the PMJVK scheme and returned over Rs 14 crore to the university. This comes amidst allegations of financial irregularities and a multi-crore rupee scam by the NSUI, which also led to the suspension of 10 temporary appointees made by Gupta. An audit is pending for the remaining Rs 2 crore.
Microsoft has officially launched its fourth cloud region in India, located in Hyderabad, as part of its USD 20.5 billion investment in the country's digital and AI infrastructure. This new facility, which became available on August 6, features zero-water cooling technology and aims to enhance capacity and resilience for organisations in India and Asia, supporting the nation's rapid digital growth and projected increase in data centre capacity.
India is strategically positioned to develop a robust domestic semiconductor ecosystem, driven by increasing electronics consumption, strong government support through incentives, and a global shift in supply chains. Boston Consulting Group Managing Director Ankush Wadhera highlights India's potential as a safe haven for investments, with the AI boom further fuelling demand for advanced chips. The nation aims to expand its capabilities across the entire semiconductor value chain, attracting significant global and domestic investments.
Experts at AI Manthan 2.0 in Kanpur stressed the need for Artificial Intelligence to be customised for India's specific requirements in education, healthcare, agriculture, and governance. Discussions highlighted the development of local language models, AI solutions for farmers like crop loss assessment and a single-window platform, and AI's role in healthcare for diagnosis and reducing doctors' workload, all while ensuring data privacy through federated learning.
A comprehensive study analysing data from over 88 lakh participants across four continents has found a significant association between the consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) and increased risks of various chronic diseases, including cardiovascular events, cancer, obesity, diabetes, and even mortality. The research highlights that even small increases in UPF intake can lead to higher health risks.
This article details the quarter-century journey of BRICS, from its inception as an economic acronym by a Goldman Sachs economist to its current status as an expanded eleven-member international bloc. It highlights its growth, key historical moments, and the significance of its upcoming summit, particularly with Iran's renewed importance in discussions.
A report by Scholars at Risk, 'Free to Think 2026', states that academic freedom in India is "severely restricted" due to increasing government influence over higher education, university governance, and curbs on student expression. India is listed among six countries in this category, with its Academic Freedom Index score sharply declining. The report cites instances of faculty dismissals, event cancellations, and pressure on student protests, highlighting the alleged use of the UGC as a vehicle for state influence.
Indian benchmark indices, Sensex and Nifty, experienced a sharp decline, with the Sensex tumbling 1,247.71 points and the Nifty settling below 23,100, primarily driven by a significant spike in crude oil prices and weak global market trends.
Pune police have filed a 5053-page chargesheet in the Ketan Agarwal murder case, detailing how his fiance Siya Goyal, her alleged lover Chetan Choudhary, and Ritesh Hange conspired to push him off Lohagad Fort. The chargesheet reveals the use of a fake Instagram account, online research, and even ChatGPT to plan the murder and avoid detection, after previous attempts failed.
JD(U) president Nitish Kumar and his son Nishant Kumar made a joint appearance at a party orientation programme, sparking speculation about Nishant's political future and potential leadership roles within the party. The event, aimed at training parliamentarians and legislators, also saw Nishant urging attendees to uphold his father's principles of "zero tolerance for crime, corruption and communalism."
Prof Ajit Kumar Chaturvedi, Vice-Chancellor of Banaras Hindu University, highlighted Artificial Intelligence's transformative potential in healthcare, emphasising its role in augmenting doctors' capabilities and enhancing efficiency. Speaking at PGIMER's Foundation Day, he stressed the need for India to develop AI solutions tailored to its unique healthcare realities, moving beyond being a mere consumer of Western-trained systems. PGIMER Director Vivek Lal also detailed the institute's expansion and commitment to affordable healthcare.
'When a glacier collapse or a major flood event does occur, the water will simply reclaim its original path, and anything built in that path will be swept away.'
