A team of researchers has recently suggested that taking zinc supplements can significantly inhibit the rapid growth of cancer cells in the human body. Key Highlights About Zinc (Source: DD News)
Category: Science&Tech
Zinc supplements can halt growth of cancer cells
Long Range Acoustic Device (LRAD)
Amid mass protests in Belgrade, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic has denied allegations that police used a banned military-grade Long Range Acoustic Device (LRAD)—also known as a “sonic cannon”—to disperse demonstrators. What is an LRAD? Why the Controversy? What’s Behind the Protests? (Source: BBC & Indian Express)
Vikram 3201 and Kalpana 3201
ISRO’s Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre and Semiconductor Laboratory (SCL), Chandigarh have jointly developed 32-bit Microprocessors — Vikram 3201 and Kalpana 3201– for space applications. Key Highlights This development reduces reliance on foreign tech, boosts India’s semiconductor self-sufficiency, and enhances security in critical space missions
Melioidosis
A recent study by microbiologists at AIIMS Bhubaneswar and climate scientists at IIT Bhubaneswar, published in Current Research in Microbial Sciences, has identified environmental factors that influence the occurrence of melioidosis in Odisha. Key Findings of the Study (Source: The Hindu)
Plastic Ice VII
Recently, scientists have confirmed a fourth form of ice, called Plastic Ice VII. The research study was published in journal Nature. Water’s Ubiquity in the Universe Beyond the Three Common States Discovery of “Plastic Ice VII” What is Plastic Ice VII? Why is This Important?
Scrub Typhus
Rural communities face a high risk of potentially life-threatening scrub typhus infections, according to a study conducted by researchers from the Christian Medical College (CMC) Vellore, released on 13 March. Key Findings from CMC Vellore Study What is Scrub Typhus? (Source: DD India)
Mycelium bricks
What is Mycelium? How are Mycelium Bricks Made? Why Mycelium Bricks? (Source: The Hindu)
NASA’s PUNCH Mission: Unraveling the Mysteries of the Solar Wind
Mission Overview: Scientific Objectives: (Source: NASA)
NASA launches SPHEREx to study universe’s origins
NASA’s newest astrophysics observatory, SPHEREx was launched into space from California on 11 March, 2025. Mission Overview: Scientific Goals: Significance of SPHEREx: (Source: NASA)
Detection of ferrihydrite in Martian red dust
Mars’s iconic red color has long been attributed to iron oxide (rust) forming through interactions with water and oxygen. However, exciting new research published in February 2025 suggests that Mars’s red dust contains more water history than previously thought. Key Findings of the Study (Source: Nature)
Dragon Copilot
Microsoft has introduced Dragon Copilot-a new voice-activated AI assistant designed to help doctors and healthcare professionals transcribe clinical notes and draft paperwork as well as quickly search for information from medical sources. Key Features of Dragon Copilot Why It Matters?
Ferrihydrite
While Mars has long been known as the “Red Planet” due to its rusty appearance—historically linked to deities like the Roman god of war and the Egyptian “Her Desher”—new research published in February 2025 suggests that the red color of Mars is more likely due to water-bearing iron oxides rather than dry iron oxides. Key Points:
Base isolation
A research team at the Advanced Structural Engineering Lab, BITS-Pilani, Hyderabad campus, has developed low-cost base isolation solutions. Key Highlights (Source: Business Line)
Blue Ghost Mission 1 successfully lands on Moon
Firefly Aerospace’s Blue Ghost Mission 1 successfully landed on moon on 2 March 2025 near a volcanic feature called Mons Latreille within Mare Crisium. Mare Crisium is a more than 300-mile-wide basin located in the northeast quadrant of the Moon’s near side. (Source: NASA)
Aditya-L1 Captures Unprecedented Solar Flare Details
India’s Aditya-L1 mission has made a ground-breaking discovery, capturing the first-ever image of a solar flare ‘kernel’ in the lower solar atmosphere. The observation was made by the Solar Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope (SUIT), one of Aditya-L1’s key scientific payloads. Key Discovery Details Why Is This Important? About Aditya-L1 Mission (Source: ISRO)