Science

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has achieved a major milestone with the successful sea-level test of its indigenously developed CE20 cryogenic engine. Conducted at the ISRO Propulsion Complex in Tamil Nadu, the test demonstrated the engine’s restart capabilities, a critical feature for India’s future manned missions, including the Gaganyaan spaceflight. The engine, now upgraded to deliver 20 tonnes of thrust, is set to enhance the payload capacity of the LVM3 launch vehicle. Additionally, innovative technologies like the Nozzle Protection System were successfully tested, streamlining the testing process and paving the way for more efficient evaluations.

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.

A groundbreaking study from the Karolinska Institutet and Columbia University has discovered that the heart contains its own nervous system, referred to as a "mini-brain," which plays a key role in regulating heart rhythms. This complex network of neurons within the heart wall challenges the long-standing belief that the heart is solely controlled by the brain. The research, conducted using zebrafish, identified specialized neurons with pacemaker properties that directly influence heartbeat, opening new possibilities for understanding and treating heart conditions like arrhythmias.

NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore marked six months aboard the International Space Station (ISS) this Thursday, with two more months to go in their extended mission. The duo launched in June aboard Boeing's Starliner capsule, initially meant for a short test flight, but due to technical issues, their mission was extended until February. Williams, who serves as the station commander, shared her excitement about life in space, calling it “super fun.” The astronauts have carried out vital tasks such as scientific experiments, repairs, and maintaining the station, while also staying connected to Earth by participating in marathons and sending holiday greetings. Despite the challenges, both astronauts remain positive, with Wilmore describing their journey as being “on a different path.”

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.