A new study in mice reveals that psychological stress can significantly alter the gut microbiome, leading to changes in blood-forming stem cells and increasing the risk of conditions like heart disease and diabetes. Researchers found that stress impacts specific brain regions, which in turn affect intestinal microbiota balance and hematopoietic stem cell function.
A new study reveals a link between the diversity of gut bacteria and the body's hormonal and stress response, suggesting the gut microbiome plays a role in regulating acute stress.
Researchers have developed a lightweight, wearable polygraph system that adheres to the chest and measures heart activity, breathing patterns, sweat response, blood flow, and temperature to provide a real-time, whole-body view of stress.
A new study has identified a shared biological process that could explain chronic exhaustion in conditions like long Covid, PTSD, rheumatoid arthritis, chronic fatigue syndrome, and multiple sclerosis. Researchers found that despite different triggers, these illnesses converge on common biological systems, including immune and metabolic regulation, leading to profound fatigue. The findings suggest a deeper connection between these seemingly disparate disorders at a network level, rather than at an individual gene level.
Researchers at IIT Kanpur are studying alpha waves in the brain to understand how stress affects cognitive functions. The study aims to build automated models of stress dimensions using EEG and correlating them with factors like loss of control, helplessness, and anxiety.
Former national selector Saba Karim has called on the BCCI to thoroughly examine the Indian team management's role, including Head Coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Shreyas Iyer, following the back-to-back T20I series defeats against Ireland and England.
The Indian contingent for the upcoming Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya will undergo orientation sessions focusing on empathy and mutual respect. For the first time, a Safeguarding Officer will accompany the 768-strong team to provide support, counsel distressed athletes, and enforce a code of conduct, ensuring a safe and conducive environment for performance. The officer's role, mandated by the Olympic Council of Asia, includes confidential reporting and potential accreditation suspension for serious violations.
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has announced the suspension of Shiv Sena Palghar city president Rahul Gharat following an alleged assault on hospital staff, including a doctor, by party functionaries. The incident occurred at Relief Hospital in Palghar over a dispute concerning medical bills for Dahi Handi participants. Shinde condemned the violence, stating that such behaviour would not be tolerated and that grievances should be addressed through legal channels.
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has expressed his determination to blacklist contractors and suspend officials responsible for delays and shoddy execution of infrastructure projects. He plans to personally inspect the delayed Mumbai-Goa Highway in October and urged the Goa government to develop roadside amenities and promote green initiatives along the route. Gadkari also highlighted the importance of infrastructure for economic growth and sustainable development.
Vantara, a Reliance-backed animal rescue centre, has announced its compliance with a High-Powered Committee order for elephant Madhuri's return to Kolhapur. Despite her chronic health conditions requiring ongoing veterinary care, Vantara will continue to monitor her health and assist with necessary arrangements, ensuring her welfare remains a priority under strict conditions set by the HPC.
India captain Harmanpreet Kaur has called on her team to maintain simplicity and trust their inherent strengths as they prepare to face Sri Lanka in the Women's Asia Cup final, aiming to avenge their previous defeat.
The Supreme Court has urged the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) to consider exempting Class 6 students from its three-language policy for the current academic year. The policy, which mandates the study of three languages including two native Indian languages, is challenged by petitioners who question CBSE's jurisdiction over classes 6-8. The court emphasized finding a solution that avoids student pressure and suggested a potential deferral for Class 6.
The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) has issued a strict anti-doping advisory after several Indian wrestlers, including two Asian Games selections, were implicated in doping and whereabouts violations. The cases, involving substances like Mephentermine and Stanozolol, have led to exclusions from major competitions and highlight a lack of awareness among athletes regarding anti-doping rules and personal responsibility.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing the BRICS summit, called for a fundamental shift in global governance, advocating for the replacement of the current 'pyramid of privilege' with a 'platform of partnership' where the Global South becomes a 'rule shaper' rather than a 'rule follower'.
Delhi Police have registered an FIR in connection with the Satya Niketan building collapse that killed seven people, alleging that the owners constructed additional floors on an old structure despite concerns over its load-bearing capacity and that further construction work was underway.
Union Minister Chirag Paswan has pledged to ensure justice for Nishu Azad's father, who was severely injured during protests at Jantar Mantar. Paswan has filed a formal complaint against Hindutva influencer Swatantra Bhardwaj, who allegedly assaulted Azad's father and boasted about it, claiming political connections. Bhardwaj has since been detained. Paswan also called for an investigation into molestation allegations against a state minister from his party.
India successfully facilitated a significant diplomatic meeting between Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and UAE Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in New Delhi. This interaction, a diplomatic breakthrough given ongoing West Asia conflicts, occurred as BRICS adopted a declaration urging restraint and protection of civilians in the region, highlighting the bloc's commitment to peace and stability.
Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has issued a stern warning that the Makkah Defence Alliance, a newly formed pact between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Turkiye, stands ready to activate its collective defence provisions in response to escalating Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia.
England captain Joe Root expresses confidence in overcoming his recent batting slump, citing his extensive experience and over 14,000 Test runs as proof of his ability to navigate difficult periods. He also addressed the team's responsible celebration following their series win.
The Delhi High Court has directed Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) co-convenors Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka to remove allegedly objectionable social media posts targeting BJP national spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia. The court emphasised the need for verified and articulate expression, even while acknowledging the youth's right to protest. The case involves a defamation lawsuit filed by Bhatia over posts containing a wrongly attributed quote.
Ravichandran Ashwin has expressed his concern over Rishabh Pant's shot selection, stating that while his attacking style brings unforgettable moments, the wicketkeeper-batter needs to learn when to rein himself in and prioritise the team's needs over his natural instinct to attack.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman criticised commentators who express pessimism about India's demographic dividend, asserting that the country's youth are actively driving economic growth and innovation. She also highlighted the dual nature of AI and the need for robust safeguards in emerging technologies like quantum computing to balance innovation with safety.
'I have a vested interest -- to serve the people of Maharashtra and ensure safe food. That is my vested interest, if at all there is one.'
Chief Justice of India Surya Kant has stated that allegations of "maladministration" and "favouritism" made by Supreme Court judge Justice Sandeep Mehta against Acting Chief Justice of Rajasthan High Court Sanjeev Prakash Sharma cannot be adjudicated in the public domain, emphasising that Justice Sharma must be given a fair opportunity to respond.
Pakistan captain Babar Azam has declared himself 90 percent fit and available for the second Test against England at Lord's, aiming to lead a rejuvenated side after their innings defeat in the first match. He emphasised the need for senior players, including himself, to take responsibility and hinted at potential changes if performance doesn't improve.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay issued a stern warning against personal attacks, double-meaning insults, and derogatory language targeting women, particularly in political discourse. Speaking in the Assembly, he recalled past humiliations faced by late CM J Jayalalithaa and condemned recent incidents involving women personalities, stressing that such behaviour would face immediate legal consequences. He also outlined his administration's vision for public security and zero-tolerance against crime.
Indian football head coach Khalid Jamil believes playing five-time world champions Brazil and two-time winners Uruguay at home will be a historic turning point for the sport in the country. These high-profile matches are crucial for preparing the team for next year's Asia Cup qualifiers and will boost player confidence and learning.
A 20-year-old NEET aspirant in Kota, Madhya Pradesh, died by suicide, reportedly due to stress over her previous exam score. This incident marks the eighth student suicide in Kota this year, raising concerns about the immense pressure faced by coaching students.
BJP MP Raghav Chadha addressed the 12th IPU Global Conference of Young Parliamentarians in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, highlighting India's digital transformation journey. He emphasised how technology is widening access and promoting inclusion, citing UPI's success, affordable data, and robust data protection laws. Chadha also discussed India's digital cooperation with Uzbekistan and the importance of digital rights, safety, and skill development for all citizens.
Jose Mourinho, in his first Real Madrid press conference, emphasised non-negotiable commitment, unavoidable competition, and zero tolerance for selection frustrations, setting a clear tone for the upcoming LaLiga season.
Former Pakistan Test captain Misbah-ul-Haq has criticised the differential treatment of foreign and local coaches in Pakistan cricket, stating that foreign coaches enjoy more authority and less scrutiny. He also highlighted the need for consistency, patience, and long-term planning, drawing comparisons with India's successful cricket development model.
Chinese President Xi Jinping has ordered extensive rescue operations following devastating flash floods and mudslides near the China-Nepal border in Tibet. The disaster has caused heavy casualties, left nearly 400 people missing, including 105 Indians and 37 NRIs, and damaged infrastructure. Emergency teams have been deployed, and efforts are underway to evacuate residents and provide medical aid.
The family of Chongtham Vikram Singh, a Manipuri musician beaten to death in south Delhi, has appealed for justice and an impartial probe, stating they seek accountability, not revenge, for his sudden loss.
Any military response to a cross-border terror attack from Pakistan will have to take into account the new alignments beginning to take shape in the region, points out former foreign secretary Shyam Saran.
Former India fast bowler Javagal Srinath has underscored the critical role of Test cricket in developing depth within the game, despite the growing popularity of the T20 format. Speaking at an awards ceremony, Srinath advised young players to prioritise Test cricket, noting the difficulty for T20 specialists to transition to the longer format. He also stressed the responsibility of cricket associations, parents, and coaches in guiding emerging talent.
Gaganyaan astronaut Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair stressed the critical importance of AI sovereignty for national cybersecurity, citing the increasing difficulty in distinguishing between real and fake content due to AI. Speaking at the Kerala Cyber Suraksha Summit, Nair highlighted that future conflicts and industries would involve a 'whole-of-nation approach,' blurring physical and digital boundaries. He urged greater awareness of digital threats and emphasised India's need to build on its technological capabilities in AI and cybersecurity, drawing parallels with the success of Chandrayaan-3. Other speakers also underscored the rising threat of cyberattacks and the potential for Kerala to contribute to national technology requirements.
The BRICS grouping adopted a consensus joint declaration in New Delhi, successfully navigating differences on the West Asia conflict but notably omitting any direct mention of US strikes on Iran or Iranian military attacks on Gulf Arab nations. The declaration also criticised Israel's actions in Gaza and called for a concerted approach against terrorism.
Passenger traffic Y-o-Y fell 26.8 per cent in April and 24.6 per cent in May, while capacity declined 9.6 per cent and 11.3 per cent, respectively.
The Bombay High Court has identified a worrying trend of foreign nationals infiltrating India, fraudulently acquiring documents like Aadhaar and PAN cards to claim Indian citizenship. The court highlighted serious gaps in inter-agency coordination and document verification, noting that some individuals have engaged in anti-national activities. It urged the Centre to amend the Aadhaar Act to facilitate tracing and deportation, and to establish procedures for dealing with human trafficking and border infiltration. The ruling came during a case involving an Afghan national who overstayed his visa and obtained fake documents to secure an Indian passport.
OpenAI's chief scientist, Jakub Pachocki, has issued a stark warning about the accelerating pace of artificial intelligence, stating that "no one is prepared" for its rapid rise and potential consequences. He highlights concerns over autonomous AI agents taking unintended actions and calls for international coordination, voluntary slowdowns, and robust safety measures to ensure human control and alignment with human values as machine intelligence surpasses human capabilities.
