Latest news with #Madhusudhan
NDTV
a day ago
- Science
- NDTV
Is There Life Present On K2-18b Exoplanet? New Observations Provide Insights
A team of scientists claimed in April that a planet orbiting a distant star bore a possible signature of life, but the latest observations suggest otherwise. At the University of Cambridge, Nikku Madhusudhan and his colleagues claimed in April that they found hints of the molecules dimethyl sulphide (DMS) and dimethyl disulphide (DMDS) in the atmosphere on K2-18b using the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) data. On Earth, these sulfur-based compounds are primarily produced by marine microorganisms. Madhusudhan said those were the "first hints we are seeing of an alien world that is possibly inhabited". K2-18b is a super-Earth located 124 light-years away in the constellation Leo. It is approximately 2.6 times the diameter and 8.6 times the mass of Earth, orbiting a cool red dwarf star within the habitable zone. What did the other researchers say? Other researchers also analysed the same data using different statistical models and didn't find evidence for the presence of these molecules. Renyu Hu at the California Institute of Technology and his colleagues teamed up with Madhusudhan and his group to analyse the observations of K2-18b. "The paper does not provide conclusive evidence for the existence of this molecule in the atmosphere," Hu said as quoted by the New Scientist. The second team found no statistical evidence.. However, Madhusudhan told New Scientist that his colleagues analysed the data again, which made him "more confident" that DMS was the best explanation. James Webb's near-infrared camera was used by the second group of researchers to look at the light coming from K2-18b's star. It can reveal what molecules exist in the atmosphere after passing through the planet's atmosphere. The camera looked at a different wavelength of light compared to the mid-infrared measurements that were used for the analysis done in April. "This model dependency just speaks to the fact that it is a very weak signal, if there is any signal at all," Hu said. "I would just exercise caution". "This paper is very clear in saying that there is no evidence for dimethyl sulphide. There is no statistical evidence for any of these gases," Luis Welbanks at Arizona State University said as quoted. "We seem to be coming to the end of the debate on whether DMS is present in detectable levels in the [K2-18b] atmosphere, as the increased precision has not helped to detect it at a higher significance," Jake Taylor at the University of Oxford said, as quoted. Scientists previously proposed that K2-18b could be a "Hycean world," a planet with a hydrogen-rich atmosphere and vast ocean, making it a prime candidate for hosting life. Hu and his team found that for certain hydrogen-rich atmospheres, chemicals can produce DMS without the presence of life. "A key takeaway is that biosignatures are going to be hard, no matter what kind of planet we are talking about," Jacob Bean, an astronomer at the University of Chicago, who was not involved in the study, said as quoted by The New York Times. All researchers, however, agreed that the planet is rich in water. Strong evidence for the presence of methane and carbon dioxide was also found by Hu and his team. It implies the existence of water, Hu said. However, additional studies could provide insights into the planet's atmospheric composition, temperature profile and potential biosignatures.
Hans India
19-07-2025
- Health
- Hans India
OGH performs landmark emergency liver transplant
Hyderabad: The Osmania General Hospital (OGH) team has performed a life-saving emergency liver transplantation for a 17-year-old girl under the 'Super Urgent Category' within the Jeevan Daan programme. This marks the first instance of a financially disadvantaged patient benefiting from this specific category in a government hospital in India. According to doctors, Blessy Goud, 17, from Film Nagar, was admitted to Osmania General Hospital's Surgical Gastroenterology ICU in a critical condition (gasping state) with Acute Fulminant Liver Failure on 12 May 2025. She was intubated and connected to a ventilator due to Grade 4 Hepatic Encephalopathy (coma). Her history indicated a five-day fever with jaundice. Initially treated at a private hospital, she was transferred to OGH due to her worsening medical condition and financial constraints. Doctors reported that Blessy presented with severe jaundice and Grade 4 Hepatic Encephalopathy, with no prior history of liver disease or symptoms. She met the King's College criteria for emergency liver transplantation. While a living donor liver transplantation was considered, her family had no suitable donor; she had no other siblings and was from a single-parent household. Her mother, a tailor, also suffers from a medical condition. Blessy required an urgent liver transplantation within 48 hours to survive. Dr CH Madhusudhan, Professor and Head of the Department of Surgical Gastroenterology at OGH, explained that registering for a cadaver liver organ on the elective list in Jeevan Daan typically takes much longer due to a high waiting list, and there is no definitive liver dialysis for such acute fulminant liver failure patients. 'For the first time in the history of government hospitals, we performed an Emergency Liver Transplantation for Acute Fulminant Liver Failure under the super urgent category with the help of Jeevan Daan. It is a truly challenging surgery to operate on such a sick patient for 20 hours in a government hospital, and that too in a short period of time,' said Dr Madhusudhan. He added, 'We received organ allocation within 24 hours from Jeevan Daan. The brain-dead donor was from another private/corporate hospital. We performed the liver transplantation on 14 May 2025. The patient recovered very well and was discharged in fit condition after two weeks.' Dr Madhusudhan also mentioned that Blessy is now sitting her B Tech first-year examinations.
Daily Mirror
18-07-2025
- Science
- Daily Mirror
'Strongest ever signs' of alien life found by scientists
A planet more than 100 light years away from Earth could be "teeming with alien life" after the "strongest ever signs of extraterrestrial life" were detected in the universe A leading scientist has suggested that an ocean planet could be "brimming with extraterrestrial beings," following a groundbreaking discovery. Planet K2-18b, situated some 120 light years from Earth, has shown potential signs of life, according to Professor Nikku Madhusudhan of Cambridge University's Institute of Astronomy, who utilised NASA's James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) for his research. In a conversation with the BBC, he remarked: "This is the strongest evidence yet there is possibly life out there. I can realistically say that we can confirm this signal within one to two years." The planet's atmosphere is believed to contain crucial molecules associated with life – dimethyl sulphide and dimethyl disulphide – similar to those produced on Earth by marine phytoplankton and bacteria. Professor Madhusudhan observed that the gas levels detected were "thousands of times higher than what we have on Earth" during just one observation period, reports the Daily Star. He elaborated: "So, if the association with life is real, then this planet will be teeming with life. If we confirm that there is life on k2-18b it should basically confirm that life is very common in the galaxy". Looking to the future, he speculated: "Decades from now, we may look back at this point in time and recognise it was when the living universe came within reach. "This could be the tipping point, where suddenly the fundamental question of whether we're alone in the universe is one we're capable of answering." The findings, published in The Astrophysical Journal Letters, delve deeper into the discoveries made – with the researcher asserting that his observations were "in line" with prior predictions. He further bolstered his assertion that the planet might be brimming with extraterrestrial life. He penned: "Earlier theoretical work had predicted that high levels of sulfur-based gases like DMS and DMDS are possible on Hycean worlds. "And now we've observed it, in line with what was predicted. "Given everything we know about this planet, a Hycean world with an ocean that is teeming with life is the scenario that best fits the data we have. The signal came through strong and clear." Supporting his statement, report co-author Måns Holmberg, from the Space Telescope Science Institute in Baltimore, remarked: "It was an incredible realisation seeing the results emerge and remain consistent throughout the extensive independent analyses and robustness tests."
New Indian Express
11-07-2025
- Health
- New Indian Express
State board schools in Telangana join ‘Sugar Board' drive to curb diabetes
HYDERABAD: In tune with the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) directive to tackle the growing problem of childhood obesity and diabetes, several state board-affiliated private schools in Telangana have launched awareness campaigns titled 'How Much Sugar is Hiding in Your Child's Diet?' While CBSE-affiliated schools, including Kendriya Vidyalayas, were instructed to implement awareness measures and submit proof by July 15, the Telangana School Education department has not issued any official circular. Nevertheless, many private state board schools have taken proactive steps for students' well-being. These include poster-making competitions, health tip displays, and campaigns encouraging healthy food habits. Notably, all posters and charts are student-created, and schools are conducting regular workshops and seminars on diabetes and nutrition. Speaking to TNIE, Madhusudhan, Principal, Pragathi Vidyaniketan, Amberpet, said, 'Though we haven't received any directive from the Telangana School Education department, we have launched several programmes from this academic year to raise awareness. With increasing cases of childhood diabetes and obesity, we are conducting monthly parent orientation sessions to highlight the harmful effects of sugar and promote healthy eating. We are also distributing health-related booklets to senior students and conducting yoga classes thrice a week, with support from health consultants.' Shekar Rao, Adviser of the Telangana Recognised School Management Association (TRSMA), added, 'Many state board schools are following CBSE's path. We have initiated workshops where students collect junk food wrappers, study nutritional labels, and host peer sessions to encourage active learning about health. Our goal is to engage students meaningfully so they truly understand the benefits of a healthy lifestyle.' A teacher at a private school in Kukatpally said, 'We have partnered with voluntary organisations to raise awareness among parents. Strong support from staff and families is helping our campaign gain momentum, and we are already seeing a shift in children's understanding of health basics.'
Time of India
01-07-2025
- Time of India
HC reserves order on bail plea of APPSC job scam accused
1 2 Vijayawada: The high court on Tuesday reserved orders in the bail petition filed by P Madhusudhan, director of Camsign Media, in the case registered against him over alleged irregularities in the evaluation of Group-1 answer sheets. Madhusudhan moved the high court seeking regular bail, and also sought interim bail on medical grounds. The HC earlier asked jail authorities to submit a medical report on Madhusudhan. Arguing on behalf of the petitioner, senior counsel YV Ravi Prasad said while the main accused in the case — senior IPS officer and former Andhra Pradesh Public Service Commission (APPSC) secretary P Sitarama Anjaneyulu — was enlarged on bail, Madhusudhan has been in jail for the last 56 days and is suffering from kidney and gallbladder issues, which need immediate medical attention. The allegations in the case are against the main accused, and the petitioner only did what he was supposed to do according to the contract agreement. As the main accused in the case is out on bail, Madhusudhan should also be given bail on the same footing, he argued. Opposing the grant of both regular and interim bail, public prosecutor Menda Lakshmi Narayana said the argument of the main accused being enlarged on bail is not true, as he was given temporary bail for treatment. He stated that the petitioner conspired with the main accused and knowingly committed the crime. He hired ineligible people in violation of norms and made payments to them from his account. Considering the arguments on both sides, Justice K Srinivas Reddy reserved orders. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Doctor's Day 2025 , messages and quotes!
