Technology

AIG Hospitals has announced an ₹800 crore investment to introduce the Proteus ONE Proton Therapy System at its Gachibowli campus, making it the third Proton Therapy Centre in India and the first in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. This advanced technology offers highly precise radiation therapy, minimizing damage to healthy tissues and providing safer treatment for cancers near critical organs, including pediatric cases. The new oncology centre will strengthen AIG Hospitals' comprehensive cancer care services, positioning it as a leader in world-class cancer treatment within India.

On Wednesday, WhatsApp, Instagram, and Facebook experienced widespread outages, disrupting communication and social media activities globally. Over 50,000 Facebook users reported issues with logging in, uploading posts, and updating content, while Instagram and WhatsApp faced similar disruptions. Users struggled with slow or unavailable access to messages and posts across both desktop and mobile versions of the platforms. No official statement has been released by Meta, the parent company, regarding the outages.

Researchers at the Indraprastha Institute of Information Technology (IIIT-Delhi) have developed AgeXtend, an AI-powered platform that accelerates the discovery of molecules with anti-aging properties. By screening over 1.1 billion compounds in two years, the team identified several promising candidates, validated through experiments on yeast, worms, and human cell models. What sets AgeXtend apart is its ability to not only predict geroprotective properties but also explain the mechanisms behind its predictions. This breakthrough could significantly shorten the timeline for identifying viable anti-aging treatments and guide future research.

On December 5, 2024, ISRO successfully launched the PSLV-C59 mission from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, deploying two Proba-3 satellites from the European Space Agency (ESA). The mission, aimed at advancing solar research, saw the Coronagraph and Occulter satellites separated into their intended orbits. The Proba-3 satellites will work in tandem to study the Sun's corona, with the Occulter blocking the Sun's bright disk and allowing the Coronagraph to focus on the surrounding solar atmosphere. This mission follows ISRO's success with the Aditya-L1 mission, enhancing its role in global solar research.

Uber has launched Asia’s first water transport service, "Uber Shikara," in Srinagar's Dal Lake, allowing tourists to book traditional shikara rides through the Uber app. The service, introduced by Uber India and South Asia President Prabhjeet Singh, combines modern technology with Kashmir's cultural heritage, offering a hassle-free travel experience. Initially partnering with seven local shikara owners, Uber aims to expand based on demand. The rides are available at government-regulated rates, ensuring fair pricing, and each shikara can accommodate up to four passengers. The service operates daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with bookings available up to 15 days in advance.