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Magnitude 5.2 earthquake strikes northern Iran

Magnitude 5.2 earthquake strikes northern Iran

India Today2 days ago
A magnitude 5.2 earthquake hit northern Iran on Sunday, according to the European Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC). The quake occurred at a shallow depth of just 3 kilometres (1.86 miles), raising concerns about potential surface-level impact. No immediate reports of damage or casualties were available.In June, a 5.1-magnitude earthquake struck northern Iran's Semnan region, with the epicentre located 27 kilometres southwest of the city, according to the Tasnim News Agency. The quake occurred at a depth of 10 kilometres.advertisementThe epicentre's proximity to the Semnan Space Centre and the Semnan Missile Complex, both operated by Iran's military, raised questions about whether the quake could have been caused by a clandestine nuclear test.
The incident unfolded during heightened regional tensions, as Iran and Israel were involved in military exchanges. Iran has continuously said that it would not negotiate over its nuclear program under threat, while European nations continued to push for de-escalation and renewed diplomacy.Iran, located along the Alpine-Himalayan seismic belt where the Arabian and Eurasian tectonic plates meet, is among the most earthquake-prone countries in the world.Iran experiences frequent seismic activity, averaging around 2,100 earthquakes annually. Of these, nearly 15 to 16 quakes reach a magnitude of 5.0 or higher. Between 2006 and 2015 alone, the country recorded a staggering 96,000 earthquakes, highlighting its position as one of the most seismically active regions in the world.- EndsMust Watch
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Giant parachute responsible for landing 310-kg rover on Mars tested
Giant parachute responsible for landing 310-kg rover on Mars tested

India Today

time6 hours ago

  • India Today

Giant parachute responsible for landing 310-kg rover on Mars tested

A European-designed parachute system, the most complex ever built for a Mars mission, has successfully completed a critical high-altitude drop test on Earth, confirming its readiness to land the 310-kg Rosalind Franklin ExoMars rover on the Martian test, conducted on July 7, 2025, at the Esrange Space Center in Kiruna, Sweden, simulated Martian conditions by releasing a mock descent module from a helium balloon at 29 kilometers above Earth, roughly three times the cruising altitude of commercial capsule entered a free fall, accelerating to near-supersonic speeds before triggering a two-stage parachute deployment identical to what will be used on Mars. The Rosalind Franklin ExoMars rover. (Photo: ESA) 'This is the largest parachute ever designed for a Mars landing, and we've now confirmed it works,' said Luca Ferracina, system engineer for ESA's ExoMars Entry, Descent, and Landing Module. 'We've taken one big step closer to delivering the Rosalind Franklin rover safely to the Red Planet.'Landing on Mars is notoriously difficult. Within just six minutes, spacecraft must slow from 21,000 km/h to a complete stop on the ExoMars system uses a thermal shield, followed by two main parachutes, each extracted by its own pilot chute, and retro-rockets that fire just 20 seconds before first parachute, 15 meters wide, slows the vehicle through supersonic speeds. The second, an immense 35-meter canopy, the largest ever destined for another planet, ensures a soft chutes are built from lightweight materials and pack into compact 'doughnut' bags, with folding taking three days to ensure perfect deployment. Graphic: ESA Originally qualified for flight in 2021, the parachute assembly was stored when the ExoMars mission was suspended due to the war in Ukraine. The Swedish test was designed to validate its performance after prolonged and high-speed video from the test will now be analyzed by UK company Vorticity, which leads parachute design and testing."This test confirms our parachute system is mission-ready," said Vorticity engineer John Underwood. "And it's poised to help Europe land safely on Mars for the first time."ExoMars is aiming for launch later this decade, carrying Europe's best hope for detecting signs of past Martian life.- EndsTrending Reel

Superbugs could kill millions and trigger $2 trillion economic meltdown by 2050
Superbugs could kill millions and trigger $2 trillion economic meltdown by 2050

Time of India

time8 hours ago

  • Time of India

Superbugs could kill millions and trigger $2 trillion economic meltdown by 2050

A recent study highlights an impending global catastrophe: antimicrobial resistance threatens to claim millions of lives. By 2050, the global economy could suffer losses amounting to trillions of dollars. Major economies, including the US, UK, and China, are at risk of severe financial repercussions. Experts emphasize the urgent need for investments in innovative antibiotics and enhanced infection control measures. MRSA bacteria in a petri dish. The US, UK and EU economies are on course to be among those hardest hit by antimicrobial resistance. Photograph: Fabrizio Bensch/Reuters Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads By 2050, if the increase in antimicrobial resistance AMR ) is not stopped, superbugs could kill millions more people and cost the world economy around $2 trillion annually, according to new Centre for Global Development, a report supported by the UK government, cautions that rising AMR rates might deplete global GDP by $1.7 trillion a year over the next 25 read: Untreatable fungal infections are now killing nearly 3.8 mn each year, WHO experts sound alarm Economies such as the US, UK, and EU are projected to suffer some of the heaviest financial blows, leading critics to slam recent cuts to foreign aid budgets as short-sighted and harmful. Fleming Fund , aimed at AMR combatThese concerns follow the UK's recent decision to scrap funding for the Fleming Fund, a programme dedicated to combating AMR in lower-income nations. Similar aid reductions have been made by the US, which slashed its overseas aid by 80%, and various European to the study's worst-case scenarios, Anthony McDonnell, the principal author, cautioned that these aid cuts could hasten resistance rates worldwide. Even nations that are now efficiently handling the threat run the danger of seeing rising infection rates and death tolls in the absence of specialised AMR modelling, which examined the economic and health burden of AMR across 122 nations, forecasts stark worst-case scenario is that by 2050, China's yearly GDP losses might amount to $722 billion, the US $295.7 billion, the EU $187 billion, Japan $65.7 billion, and the UK $58.6 read: AI stuns scientists : Superbug mystery solved in 48 hours after decade long research According to data from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME), the number of deaths from AMR is expected to increase by 60% by 2050, reaching 1.34 million deaths in the US and 184,000 in the UK a sharp increase in drug-resistant bacterial infections is anticipated, which will result in more hospital stays, longer treatment durations, and higher medical cost of treating these infections is already around double that of treating non-resistant the health costs of AMR could rise to $176 billion a year. The UK's annual health bill could surge from $900 million to $3.7 billion, and the US from $15.5 billion to nearly $57 knock-on effect would shrink workforces too: 0.8% in the UK, 0.6% in the EU, and 0.4% in the US. However, the study suggests that investing in solutions, such as developing new antibiotics and improving infection treatment, could deliver substantial economic 2050, the US economy could grow by $156.2 billion annually and the UK by $12 billion if action is Dr. Mohsen Naghavi emphasised that AMR is becoming a bigger threat. Once-treatable illnesses could turn deadly in the absence of immediate, concerted read: Fighting superbugs: New paper-based platform enables rapid antibiotic-resistance screening Policy reforms, the creation of novel medications, and increased public knowledge of the limitations of antibiotics in treating viral infections are all necessary for solutions.A representative representing the UK government reiterated their dedication to combating AMR by developing vaccines, reducing the use of antibiotics in agriculture, and supporting novel treatments. According to the administration, it is still working with other countries to stop the development of antibiotic resistance.

10 animals that can detect UV light humans cannot see
10 animals that can detect UV light humans cannot see

Time of India

time13 hours ago

  • Time of India

10 animals that can detect UV light humans cannot see

Imagine stepping into a world where hidden colours and patterns come to life—a realm of vibrant UV signals and secret messages invisible to human eyes. While human vision is limited to the visible light spectrum, certain animals that can see UV light access an entirely different layer of reality. These UV-sensitive species, ranging from insects and birds to sea creatures, rely on ultraviolet vision to navigate, hunt, and communicate in ways we can't perceive. Discover the fascinating science behind UV perception and explore 10 animals with ultraviolet eyesight that reveal nature's hidden code. Animals with UV vision including scorpions, butterflies and more Bumblebees Source: Live Science Bumblebees are more than just fuzzy pollinators; they're equipped with UV-sensitive eyes that make flowers glow in ways we can't imagine. Many flowers have UV-reflective markings—like hidden bullseyes or arrows—that direct bees straight to nectar. These 'nectar guides' enhance foraging efficiency and ensure successful pollination. Bumblebees can even differentiate between flowers that appear identical to humans, making them expert navigators of nature's secret maps. Butterflies Source: National Geographic Butterflies are known for their dazzling colors, but their vision reveals much more. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Is it better to shower in the morning or at night? Here's what a microbiologist says CNA Read More Undo Their eyes can detect UV patterns on flowers and on each other's wings. These patterns often signal a butterfly's sex, health, or readiness to mate. While humans may see identical butterflies, butterflies can identify individuals through UV signals. This ability plays a vital role in reproduction, survival, and pollination. Dragonflies Dragonflies have some of the most advanced eyes in the insect world. Their compound eyes, containing thousands of individual lenses, include UV receptors that help them detect prey, water surfaces, and rival dragonflies. This sharp UV vision gives them unparalleled hunting precision. Some researchers even believe dragonflies have the widest color vision spectrum of any known animal. Reindeer Among mammals, reindeer are rare in their ability to see UV light. In the Arctic, UV light reflects off snow and ice, allowing reindeer to see things that would otherwise be invisible—like the dark urine stains of predators or edible lichen. This vision offers a vital advantage in detecting threats and locating food in the harsh tundra landscape. Sockeye Salmon Sockeye salmon start their lives in UV-rich freshwater and transition to deeper, darker ocean habitats. As juveniles, they rely on UV vision to find plankton and navigate their environment. As they mature, their vision adapts, losing UV sensitivity in favor of deeper water wavelengths. This flexibility is key to their survival at every stage. Blue Tits Blue tits, common in European woodlands, use UV light to make better parenting decisions. Their feathers reflect UV in patterns that signal health and vitality. UV-reflective markings on chicks' mouths also help parents locate and feed them quickly. This ability improves reproductive success and enhances communication within the family unit. Mantis Shrimp The mantis shrimp boasts one of the most complex visual systems on Earth, including UV and polarized light sensitivity. With up to 16 types of photoreceptors, they can detect a range of signals far beyond human capability. This allows them to hunt, avoid predators, and communicate with other mantis shrimp using secret, UV-encoded signals. Pigeons Pigeons may seem ordinary, but their UV vision is extraordinary. This hidden sense helps them spot water, recognize fellow pigeons, and possibly even navigate using UV-reflective cues in the landscape. Their feathers reflect UV in ways that aid social recognition, making them more socially attuned and spatially aware than we realize. Butterfish Butterfish, despite their plain appearance, have evolved to see UV light. In their sunlit ocean habitat, this helps them detect prey like plankton and navigate complex environments. Their eyes filter UV rays, turning the underwater world into a glowing mosaic of signals used for feeding and survival. Scorpions Scorpions glow under UV light due to compounds in their exoskeletons. But they also appear to sense UV light, which may help them avoid sunlight or detect lunar cues. Scientists use UV flashlights to find glowing scorpions at night, revealing a strange synergy between UV perception and fluorescence. Also Read | Did The Simpsons really predict the Coldplay 'kiss cam' scandal? CEO's viral moment sparks AI confusion and meme buzz

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