Latest news with #Madhusudhan
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Business Standard
6 days ago
- Business
- Business Standard
Sumadhura enters coworking business with 1.3 lakh sq ft centre in Bengaluru
Realty firm Sumadhura Group has forayed into the co-working business with the opening of its first centre in Bengaluru, covering 1.3 lakh square feet area, as it sees huge demand for managed flexible workspaces from corporates. In a statement on Tuesday, Bengaluru-based Sumadhura Group said it has set up a separate vertical 'workship' to provide premium managed office spaces to corporates. "We have already opened our first centre in Bengaluru and the plan is to add 3 more centres this fiscal with a total portfolio of 5 lakh sq ft area," said Madhusudhan G, Chairman & Managing Director of Sumadhura Group. He said the workship will take office space on lease from the parent firm Sumadhura Group as well as from other builders. In the first centre, Madhusudhan G said the company is providing workspaces at around Rs 15,000 per desk. The first centre is located within Sumadhura's commercial complex - Capitol Towers- in Whitefield, Bengaluru. "India is witnessing a significant shift in how workspaces are perceived and utilised, with a growing demand for high-quality, flexible, and premium managed office spaces. Bengaluru and Hyderabad are leading this transformation,"Madhusudhan said. There is a strong interest from sectors such as IT/ITeS, agri-tech, and pharma, he added. Sumadhura Group has delivered 54 projects covering over 13 million square feet. The company is developing real estate projects mainly in Bengaluru and Hyderabad.
NDTV
24-05-2025
- Science
- NDTV
Doubt Cast On Claim Of 'Hints' Of Life On Faraway Planet
When astronomers announced last month they might have discovered the most promising hints of alien life yet on a distant planet, the rare good news raised hopes humanity could soon learn we are not alone in the universe. But several recent studies looking into the same data have found that there is not enough evidence to support such lofty claims, with one scientist accusing the astronomers of "jumping the gun". The debate revolves around the planet K2-18b, which is 124 light years away in the Leo constellation. The planet is thought to be the right distance from its star to have liquid water, making it a prime suspect in the search for extraterrestrial life. Last month, astronomers using the James Webb Space Telescope made headlines by announcing they had detected hints of the chemicals dimethyl sulfide (DMS) and dimethyl disulfide (DMDS) on the planet. These chemicals are only produced by life such as marine algae on Earth, meaning they are considered potential "biosignatures" indicating life. The astronomers, led by Cambridge University's Nikku Madhusudhan, expressed caution about the "hints" of a biosignature, emphasising they were not claiming a definitive discovery. Their detection had reached a three-sigma level of statistical significance "which means there is still a three in 1,000 chance of this being a fluke," Madhusudhan said at the time. Biosignatures 'Vanish' Two of Madhusudhan's former students, Luis Welbanks of Arizona State University and Matthew Nixon of Maryland University, were among the researchers who have since re-analysed the data behind the announcement. When deploying other statistical models, "claims of a potential biosignature detection vanish", according to their preprint study published online late last month. Like the other papers since the April announcement, it has not been peer-reviewed. In one model, Welbanks and colleagues expanded the number of possible chemicals that could explain the signals detected by Webb to 90 from the original 20. More than 50 received a "hit", Welbanks told AFP. "When you detect everything, did you really detect anything?" he asked. They are not saying the planet definitely does not have DMS -- just that more observations are needed, Welbanks added. 'Arguments Are Healthy' Madhusudhan welcomed the robust debate, saying that remaining open to all possibilities is an essential part of the scientific method. "These sort of arguments are healthy," he told AFP. His team even went further, releasing their own preprint study last week that expanded the number of chemicals even further to 650. The three most "promising" chemicals they found included DMS but not DMDS -- a major part of the team's announcement in April. The other two chemicals were diethyl sulfide and methyl acrylonitrile, the latter of which is toxic. Madhusudhan admitted that these little-known chemicals are likely not "realistic molecules" for a planet like K2-18b. Welbanks pointed out that "in the span of a month -- with no new data, with no new models, with no new laboratory data -- their entire analysis changed". 'Closest We Have Ever Been' Telescopes observe such far-off exoplanets when they cross in front of their star, allowing astronomers to analyse how molecules block different wavelengths of light streaming through their atmosphere. Earlier this week, a paper led by Rafael Luque at the University of Chicago combined Webb's observations of K2-18b in both the near-infrared and mid-infrared wavelengths of light. It also found "no statistical significance for DMS or DMDS", the paper said. An earlier paper by Oxford astrophysicist Jake Taylor using a basic statistical test also found no strong evidence for any biosignatures. Madhusudhan dismissed the latter paper, saying the simple exercise did not account for observing physical phenomena. He also stood by his research, saying he was "just as confident" in the work as he was a month ago. More data about K2-18b will come in over the next year which should offer a much clearer picture, Madhusudhan added. Even if the planet does have DMS, it is not a guarantee of life -- the chemical has been detected on a lifeless asteroid. However, many researchers do believe that space telescopes could one day collect enough evidence to identify alien life from afar. "We are the closest we have ever been" to such a moment, Welbanks said. "But we have to use the frameworks that are in place and build up (evidence) in a reliable method, rather than using non-standard practices and jumping the gun -- as has been done in this particular case," Nixon added.
Straits Times
24-05-2025
- Science
- Straits Times
Doubt cast on claim of ‘hints' of life on faraway planet
The debate revolves around the planet K2-18b, which is 124 light years away. PHOTO: AFP Doubt cast on claim of 'hints' of life on faraway planet PARIS - When astronomers announced in April they might have discovered the most promising hints of alien life yet on a distant planet, the rare good news raised hopes humanity could soon learn we are not alone in the universe. But several recent studies looking into the same data have found that there is not enough evidence to support such lofty claims, with one scientist accusing the astronomers of 'jumping the gun'. The debate revolves around the planet K2-18b, which is 124 light years away in the Leo constellation. The planet is thought to be the right distance from its star to have liquid water, making it a prime suspect in the search for extraterrestrial life. In April , astronomers using the James Webb Space Telescope made headlines by announcing they had detected hints of the chemicals dimethyl sulfide (DMS) and dimethyl disulfide (DMDS) on the planet. These chemicals are only produced by life such as marine algae on Earth, meaning they are considered potential 'biosignatures' indicating life. The astronomers, led by Cambridge University's Nikku Madhusudhan, expressed caution about the 'hints' of a biosignature, emphasising they were not claiming a definitive discovery. Their detection had reached a three-sigma level of statistical significance 'which means there is still a three in 1,000 chance of this being a fluke', Dr Madhusudhan said at the time. Biosignatures 'vanish' Two of Dr Madhusudhan's former students, Dr Luis Welbanks of Arizona State University and Dr Matthew Nixon of Maryland University, were among the researchers who have since re-analysed the data behind the announcement. When deploying other statistical models, 'claims of a potential biosignature detection vanish', according to their preprint study published online late in April . Like the other papers since the April announcement, it has not been peer-reviewed. In one model, Dr Welbanks and colleagues expanded the number of possible chemicals that could explain the signals detected by Webb to 90 from the original 20. More than 50 received a 'hit', Dr Welbanks told AFP. 'When you detect everything, did you really detect anything?' he asked. They are not saying the planet definitely does not have DMS – just that more observations are needed, Dr Welbanks added. 'Arguments are healthy' Dr Madhusudhan welcomed the robust debate, saying that remaining open to all possibilities is an essential part of the scientific method. 'These sort of arguments are healthy,' he told AFP. His team even went further, releasing their own preprint study last week that expanded the number of chemicals even further to 650. The three most 'promising' chemicals they found included DMS but not DMDS – a major part of the team's announcement in April. The other two chemicals were diethyl sulfide and methyl acrylonitrile, the latter of which is toxic. Dr Madhusudhan admitted that these little-known chemicals are likely not 'realistic molecules' for a planet like K2-18b. Dr Welbanks pointed out that 'in the span of a month – with no new data, with no new models, with no new laboratory data – their entire analysis changed'. 'Closest we have ever been' Telescopes observe such far-off exoplanets when they cross in front of their star, allowing astronomers to analyse how molecules block different wavelengths of light streaming through their atmosphere. Earlier this week, a paper led by Dr Rafael Luque at the University of Chicago combined Webb's observations of K2-18b in both the near-infrared and mid-infrared wavelengths of light. It also found 'no statistical significance for DMS or DMDS', the paper said. An earlier paper by Oxford astrophysicist Jake Taylor using a basic statistical test also found no strong evidence for any biosignatures. Dr Madhusudhan dismissed the latter paper, saying the simple exercise did not account for observing physical phenomena. He also stood by his research, saying he was 'just as confident' in the work as he was a month ago. More data about K2-18b will come in over the next year which should offer a much clearer picture, Dr Madhusudhan added. Even if the planet does have DMS, it is not a guarantee of life – the chemical has been detected on a lifeless asteroid. However, many researchers do believe that space telescopes could one day collect enough evidence to identify alien life from afar. 'We are the closest we have ever been' to such a moment, Dr Welbanks said. 'But we have to use the frameworks that are in place and build up (evidence) in a reliable method, rather than using non-standard practices and jumping the gun – as has been done in this particular case,' Dr Nixon added. AFP Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Time of India
24-05-2025
- Science
- Time of India
Doubt cast on claim of 'hints' of life on faraway planet
Representative Image PARIS: When astronomers announced last month they might have discovered the most promising hints of alien life yet on a distant planet, the rare good news raised hopes humanity could soon learn we are not alone in the universe. But several recent studies looking into the same data have found that there is not enough evidence to support such lofty claims, with one scientist accusing the astronomers of "jumping the gun". The debate revolves around the planet K2-18b , which is 124 light years away in the Leo constellation. The planet is thought to be the right distance from its star to have liquid water, making it a prime suspect in the search for extraterrestrial life . by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trade Bitcoin & Ethereum – No Wallet Needed! IC Markets Start Now Undo Last month, astronomers using the James Webb Space Telescope made headlines by announcing they had detected hints of the chemicals dimethyl sulfide (DMS) and dimethyl disulfide (DMDS) on the planet. These chemicals are only produced by life such as marine algae on Earth, meaning they are considered potential " biosignatures " indicating life. The astronomers, led by Cambridge University's Nikku Madhusudhan , expressed caution about the "hints" of a biosignature, emphasising they were not claiming a definitive discovery. Their detection had reached a three-sigma level of statistical significance "which means there is still a three in 1,000 chance of this being a fluke," Madhusudhan said at the time. Biosignatures 'vanish' Two of Madhusudhan's former students, Luis Welbanks of Arizona State University and Matthew Nixon of Maryland University, were among the researchers who have since re-analysed the data behind the announcement. When deploying other statistical models, "claims of a potential biosignature detection vanish", according to their preprint study published online late last month. Like the other papers since the April announcement, it has not been peer-reviewed. In one model, Welbanks and colleagues expanded the number of possible chemicals that could explain the signals detected by Webb to 90 from the original 20. More than 50 received a "hit", Welbanks told AFP. "When you detect everything, did you really detect anything?" he asked. They are not saying the planet definitely does not have DMS -- just that more observations are needed, Welbanks added. 'Arguments are healthy' Madhusudhan welcomed the robust debate, saying that remaining open to all possibilities is an essential part of the scientific method. "These sort of arguments are healthy," he told AFP. His team even went further, releasing their own preprint study last week that expanded the number of chemicals even further to 650. The three most "promising" chemicals they found included DMS but not DMDS -- a major part of the team's announcement in April. The other two chemicals were diethyl sulfide and methyl acrylonitrile, the latter of which is toxic. Madhusudhan admitted that these little-known chemicals are likely not "realistic molecules" for a planet like K2-18b. Welbanks pointed out that "in the span of a month -- with no new data, with no new models, with no new laboratory data -- their entire analysis changed". ' Closest we have ever been' Telescopes observe such far-off exoplanets when they cross in front of their star, allowing astronomers to analyse how molecules block different wavelengths of light streaming through their atmosphere. Earlier this week, a paper led by Rafael Luque at the University of Chicago combined Webb's observations of K2-18b in both the near-infrared and mid-infrared wavelengths of light. It also found "no statistical significance for DMS or DMDS", the paper said. An earlier paper by Oxford astrophysicist Jake Taylor using a basic statistical test also found no strong evidence for any biosignatures. Madhusudhan dismissed the latter paper, saying the simple exercise did not account for observing physical phenomena. He also stood by his research, saying he was "just as confident" in the work as he was a month ago. More data about K2-18b will come in over the next year which should offer a much clearer picture, Madhusudhan added. Even if the planet does have DMS, it is not a guarantee of life -- the chemical has been detected on a lifeless asteroid. However, many researchers do believe that space telescopes could one day collect enough evidence to identify alien life from afar. "We are the closest we have ever been" to such a moment, Welbanks said. "But we have to use the frameworks that are in place and build up (evidence) in a reliable method, rather than using non-standard practices and jumping the gun -- as has been done in this particular case," Nixon added.
Time of India
08-05-2025
- Science
- Time of India
Indian-origin scientist's study reveals possible signs of life on THIS distant planet
Scientists have found something unusual in the atmosphere of a distant planet called K2-18b , and it's getting a lot of attention. Using 's James Webb Space Telescope , they detected chemical signs that are often linked to life on Earth. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now While it's too early to say anything for sure, the discovery has made researchers even more curious about the possibility of life beyond our planet. The notable discovery involves two specific molecules– dimethyl sulfide (DMS) and dimethyl disulfide (DMDS). On Earth, these are usually made by marine microbes and certain bacteria. Finding them in the atmosphere of K2-18b has raised the possibility that some form of life–or something similar–could exist there. 'This is a transformational moment in the search for life beyond the solar system, where we have demonstrated that it is possible to detect biosignatures in potentially habitable planets with current facilities. We have entered the era of observational astrobiology ,' Madhusudhan said, as quoted by India Today. These findings came from the James Webb Space Telescope, which offers clearer and more detailed views than ever before. Because of this, scientists are now even more interested in studying K2-18b closely. This isn't the first time K2-18b has caught scientists' attention. In September 2023, earlier observations with the James Webb Space Telescope found water vapour in its hydrogen-rich atmosphere. Along with that, carbon-based molecules like methane and carbon dioxide were also spotted– key ingredients that help scientists figure out if a planet might be able to support life. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now K2-18b is a massive planet, about 8.6 times heavier than Earth, and belongs to a type of planet called a ' Hycean world ' – a mix of the words 'hydrogen' and 'ocean.' These planets are thought to have deep oceans beneath thick, hydrogen-rich atmospheres, which in some situations could create the right conditions for life to exist. 'The only scenario that currently explains all the data obtained so far from JWST (James Webb Space Telescope), including the past and present observations, is one where K2-18b is a hycean world teeming with life,' Madhusudhan said, as quoted by India Today. 'However, we need to be open and continue exploring other scenarios.' While the discovery is fascinating, the researchers are approaching it with caution. According to Professor Nikku Madhusudhan, who led the study, it's important to explore other possible non-biological explanations as well. More observations are still needed to confirm whether the detected molecules truly have a biological origin. Madhusudhan said that with hycean worlds, if they exist, 'we are talking about microbial life, possibly like what we see in the Earth's oceans.' Their oceans are hypothesized to be warmer than Earth's. Asked about possible multicellular organisms or even intelligent life, Madhusudhan said, 'We won't be able to answer this question at this stage. The baseline assumption is of simple microbial life.' 'For reference, this is thousands of times higher than their concentrations in the Earth's atmosphere, and cannot be explained without biological activity based on existing knowledge,' Madhusudhan said, as quoted by India Today. The team is still carefully studying the data and plans to carry out more detailed research to find out where these molecules are really coming from. With the help of the James Webb Space Telescope, scientists are now trying to get a clearer picture of K2-18b's atmosphere and understand what's causing these unusual chemical signals. It's too soon to say if these life points, but the findings highlight how much progress has made– and how much more there is to discover beyond our solar system.
