German Scientist Awards

  New Delhi to Host 2025 Para Athletics World Championship      New Delhi will be the venue for the 2025 World Para Athletics Championships, marking a milestone as it is the first time India will host this prestigious event. Scheduled from September 26 to October 5, the championships will showcase the talents of para-athletes from around the globe. Event Overview      The 2025 World Para Athletics Championships will be the 12th edition of the event. It will also be the fourth time the championships are held in Asia. Previous Asian hosts include Doha in 2015, Dubai in 2019, and Kobe in 2024. Venue Details      The Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi will serve as the main venue. This stadium has a rich history of hosting major sporting events. It is equipped to accommodate a large number of spectators and provides facilities for athletes.      In addition to the championships, New Delhi will host a World Para Athleti...

  Before living on the moon, get ready to call a submarine your home Submarines are becoming an innovative research platform for studying human adaptation to extreme environments, including the depths of the ocean and the vastness of space. The European Space Agency (ESA), in collaboration with the Portuguese Space Agency and the Portuguese Navy, has launched the SubSea project, which aims to recreate the isolation and confinement challenges faced by astronauts during long-duration space missions. The first crew of the SubSea project returned to shore after completing a rigorous 60-day underwater expedition. This mission involved 25 volunteers living in cramped quarters, simulating conditions similar to those experienced by astronauts. A scientific team from universities in Germany , Italy, and Portugal is analyzing how stress, mood, and crew dynamics evolve in such confined environments.  Submarines provide an ideal setting for this research, as they replicate many oper...

  What is Boltz-1, an AI Model for Predicting Biomedical Structure?      In December 2024, MIT scientists introduced Boltz-1 , an innovative open-source AI model, that aims to enhance biomedical research and drug development. Boltz-1 matches the performance of AlphaFold3, a proprietary model from Google DeepMind, in predicting protein structures. Development Team and Objectives      Boltz-1 was developed by Jeremy Wohlwend, Gabriele Corso, and other graduate students at MIT. The team aimed to encourage global collaboration in scientific research. They believe that an open-source model can facilitate faster discoveries and improve biomolecular modelling.      Proteins play a critical role in numerous biological processes. Their three-dimensional structures are essential for creating new pharmaceuticals . However, accurately predicting these structures has historically presented challenges. Advances Over Previous Models    ...

  A tiny organism is mysteriously repairing its DNA to defy death in Chernobyl      Microscopic nematodes living in the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone (CEZ) have demonstrated remarkable resilience to radiation, showing no signs of genetic damage despite their exposure to one of the most radioactive environments on Earth.      This surprising discovery, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, suggests that these tiny worms may possess unique DNA repair mechanisms that could have implications for human medicine.      Researchers led by Sophia Tintori from New York University collected specimens of the nematode species Oscheius tipulae from various locations within the CEZ , an area that has been off-limits to humans since the catastrophic nuclear disaster in 1986.      The team utilised Geiger counters to measure ambient radiation levels and wore protective gear while gathering samples from decaying ...

  What is Gympie-Gympie, the World’s Most Toxic Plant?      The Gympie-Gympie, scientifically known as Dendrocnide moroides, is considered the most toxic plant globally. Native to Australia, it has gained notoriety due to its excruciating sting , which can induce unbearable pain and distress. This pain can last for weeks or even months, leading some individuals to contemplate extreme measures. Description and Characteristics      The Gympie-Gympie can grow up to 10 meters tall and features fine, needle-like hairs that are responsible for its painful sting. These hairs, known as trichomes , are found on all parts of the plant, including stems, leaves, and fruits. The sting feels akin to both electrocution and burning, creating an intense and lasting discomfort. Pain and Effects      Touching the Gympie-Gympie results in pain that can persist for an extended period. Reports indicate that the toxins from the plant can remain in the skin ...

  Humpback whale makes 19,000-km-long record-breaking migration across three oceans      A remarkable study led by Ekaterina Kalashnikova from the Bazaruto Centre for Scientific Studies (BCSS) has unveiled the longest recorded migration of a humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae).      Published in Royal Society Open Science, the research chronicles an extraordinary journey of an adult male humpback whale that traveled at least 13,046 kilometers, potentially reaching up to 19,000 kilometers, connecting breeding grounds across three oceans.      Subsequent sightings confirmed its identity through advanced photographic analysis using AI algorithms from the Happywhale platform. Notably, this whale was later spotted off the coast of Zanzibar in Tanzania , highlighting its extensive migratory behaviour.      This unprecedented migration raises questions about the motivations behind such long-distance travel.   ...

Alien predator discovered in ocean's depth. Scientists name it Darkness      The deep ocean, one of Earth's most mysterious and diverse regions, continues to reveal secrets about its unique ecosystems.      Recent research has uncovered a new species of amphipod , Dulcibella camanchaca, from the Atacama Trench, located off the coasts of Peru and Chile.      The species name camanchaca , which translates to "darkness", has been taken from indigenous languages in nearby western South America.      Found at a staggering depth of 7,902 meters during the 2023 Integrated Deep-Ocean Observing System (IDOOS) Expedition, this discovery sheds light on the hidden biodiversity of the deep ocean.      The Atacama Trench is a hadal zone, a term used to describe the deepest parts of the ocean, ranging from 6,000 to 11,000 meters. These areas are incredibly challenging to study due to their depth and the extreme conditions , b...

  Six asteroids to come dangerously close to Earth tonight      Earth is in firing line as six asteroids , including one classified as a "near-miss," are expected to pass unusually close to Earth, according to Nasa’s Center for Near Earth Object Studies (CNEOS).      These celestial objects, ranging in size from 4.7 to 48 meters, highlight the importance of continuous monitoring of near-Earth objects (NEOs). SIX ASTEROIDS ON THEIR WAY 2024 XL11: This small asteroid, measuring between 4.7 and 10 meters, will make its closest approach at midnight UTC, passing within 0.00791 astronomical units (AU) or approximately 1.18 million kilometers from Earth. 2024 XZ11: This asteroid, estimated to be 17 to 38 meters in diameter , will pass at a safe distance of 0.03143 AU or roughly 4.7 million kilometers. 2018 XU3: Slightly larger at 21 to 48 meters, this asteroid will approach at a distance of 0.04306 AU or about 6.4 million kilometers. 2024 XK1: Measuring be...

  Sunita Williams flew to space first time 18 years ago. She made this record      Astronaut Sunita Williams, who is on an extended eight month long mission to space, made her first venture beyond Earth eight years ago.      Sunita Williams flew with astronaut Joan Higginbotham on her inaugural flights to space aboard Space Shuttle Discovery during the STS-116 mission in December 2006.      This mission was pivotal not only for its technical achievements but also for its significance in advancing the presence of women and minorities in space exploration.      Joan Higginbotham, an electrical engineer and the third African American woman to fly into space, served as a mission specialist on this mission. Her primary responsibilities included operating the Space Station Remote Manipulator System (SSRMS), a crucial task in the ongoing construction of the International Space Station (ISS).      During the nea...