Explainer

Israel’s Operation Rising Lion, launched on June 13, killed at least 14 Iranian nuclear scientists, aiming to disrupt Iran’s nuclear programme. The open targeting, coupled with military strikes, marks a rare, aggressive escalation in counter-proliferation strategy

Filip Vezdin, a Croatian missionary and scholar, pioneered Sanskrit studies in Europe. His printed grammar, cultural analyses, and comparative linguistics laid early foundations for Indology. Despite his influence, his legacy remains underrecognized in the history of Indian and linguistic studies

A new study published in Nature suggests that ancient Homo sapiens developed exceptional ecological flexibility long before their global migration around 50,000 years ago

Uranium enrichment involves increasing uranium-235 content using centrifuges. While Iran claims peaceful intentions, its enrichment to 60% raises global concerns, as 90% is considered weapons-grade

A new study reveals that sharks, despite their vast range in size and shape, follow the centuries-old two-thirds scaling law, which governs how surface area increases relative to volume

Gastroenteritis and food poisoning both cause symptoms like diarrhoea, vomiting, and abdominal pain, but differ in cause and onset. Gastro is typically a gut infection from viruses or bacteria, often spread via contaminated surfaces or people. Food poisoning occurs from eating food tainted with toxins, chemicals, or microbes

As tensions escalate, the US may consider aiding Israel with “bunker-buster” bombs to strike Iran's heavily fortified Fordo nuclear site, potentially shifting the conflict's dynamics

Natanz’s centrifuges and Fordow’s hardened underground facility are central to Iran’s uranium enrichment efforts. With uranium levels now enriched up to 60%—dangerously close to weapons-grade—and IAEA inspectors unable to access the sites post-strike, Iran’s stockpile is now effectively unmonitored

Dopamine, a key neurotransmitter, plays a central role in how we experience pleasure, motivation, focus, and learning. It not only helps us enjoy rewarding activities like food, social media, and love, but also drives us to pursue those experiences again

Hot showers and baths may feel relaxing in cold weather, but they can harm your skin by raising its pH, disrupting healthy bacteria, and drying it out

Goliath, a 135-year-old Galapagos tortoise at Zoo Miami, celebrated both his birthday and his first Father's Day after successfully siring his first offspring with female tortoise Sweet Pea

Friday the 13th is feared for its perceived bad luck, rooted in Norse mythology, Christian beliefs, and modern pop culture. The superstition grew after a 1907 novel and was cemented by the iconic Friday the 13th horror film franchise

Israel launched airstrikes on multiple Iranian nuclear and military sites. Key targeted sites likely included Natanz and Fordo enrichment facilities, Bushehr power plant, and others nuclear sites

This timeline outlines the most significant aviation disasters in India, spanning from 1978 to 2020—ranging from the Air India Flight 855 crash in the Arabian Sea to the Kozhikode runway overrun

AI chatbots may be a useful place to start when you're having a bad day and just need a chat. But when the bad days continue to happen, it's time to talk to a professional as well

Japanese walking is a simple workout that mixes fast and slow walking. It helps with weight loss, lowers blood pressure, and boosts fitness. Doing it regularly can improve health and may help you live longer

Dolphins are known for their impressive jumps and acrobatic displays, which may look like fun but also serve important purposes

Children are routinely given the measles-mumps- rubella (MMR) vaccine at 12 months and the measles-mumps-rubella-varicella (MMRV, with “varicella” being chickenpox) vaccine at 18 months. Babies at higher risk of catching the disease can also be given an additional early dose

There is sufficient evidence that household mould is associated with respiratory issues attributable to their allergic effects. However, there is no strong evidence mycotoxins from household mould – and in particular black mould – are associated with substantial health issues

The cloud extended some 3,200 km from Jamaica to well past Barbados in the eastern Caribbean and some 1,200 km from the Turks and Caicos Islands in the northern Caribbean down south to Trinidad and Tobago

Smartphones have radically changed our lives. So much so that most of us are rarely without them. Yet, despite their benefits, many of us are hostage to our phones and slaves to the endless scroll, unable to fully disconnect. Phone users are paying the price with a lack of sleep, weaker offline relationships and mood disorders

Understanding how animals respond to ecologically irrelevant tasks sheds light on how our own intelligence has evolved

A new study eveals how this hidden mountain chain emerged more than 500 million years ago when the supercontinent Gondwana formed from colliding tectonic plates. The findings offered fresh insight into how mountains and continents evolved over geological time

The war began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas militants attacked southern Israel, killing 1,200 and taking 251 hostages. Israel's massive retaliation has killed over 52,000 people in Gaza