🔬 Bilayer Graphene's Secret Unlocked

Researchers have uncovered the fascinating properties of bilayer graphene, a two-layered carbon material. This breakthrough was achieved by scientists at the American Physical Society. The study details specific electronic behaviors observed in the material as of its recent publication. This discovery opens new avenues for developing next-generation electronic devices. Further research will explore the potential applications of this advanced material.

🏛️ Karnataka council slams ritual against Kharge stage

The Karnataka Legislative Council passed a resolution condemning the alleged 'purification' ritual performed on the stage. This incident involved Congress president M. Mallikarjun Kharge while he was at Ram Lila Maidan in Haldwani, Uttarakhand. The resolution was passed on Monday, August 18, 2026, following intense debate in the Council. A Congress member stated the BJP and 'Manuvadis' insulted Mr. Kharge by performing these cleansing rituals. Congress members questioned the BJP's moral standing, referencing the Rajya Sabha Chairman's prior condemnation.

🚨 Another student arrested in Amuthan murder case

Police arrested a final year student, R. Monishan, in the ongoing investigation into the August 10 murder of K. Amuthan. The incident took place at a private engineering college in Othakalmandapam near Coimbatore. So far, the number of individuals held in connection with the crime has increased to 15. Monishan was reportedly part of a group that assaulted Amuthan over old enmity near the campus around 8:30 a.m. The police are currently looking into the suspected involvement of additional persons in this murder.

🧬 Folic acid's secret role in preventing birth defects found

Scientists identified a molecular pathway explaining how folic acid helps stop neural tube defects. Researchers from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and Universidade NOVA de Lisboa made this finding. The study revealed that folic acid activates ALDH1L1, leading to retinoic acid production, published on July 30, 2026. This suggests folic acid might not act alone but helps regulate crucial developmental signals. The research offers a new perspective on preventing these defects, though more human study is needed. 🧬

🧠 Vitamin deficiency links to mild memory issues in seniors

A study from the National Institute of Nutrition (NIN) found a strong connection between low vitamin levels and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in older adults. The research examined 184 adults aged 55 to 85 years in Hyderabad. Specifically, 36.4% of participants displayed MCI and had lower levels of vitamins D, B1, B2, B6, B9, and B12. The findings emphasize the need for early nutritional checks and prompt care for seniors. Further trials are required to confirm if correcting deficiencies can actually stop cognitive decline. 🧐

🚨 Constable fired AK-47 during NEET protest, police tell SC

The Bihar Police informed the Supreme Court that a constable fired four rounds from an AK-47 rifle during the NEET-UG paper leak protests. This incident occurred in Bihar, and the affidavit was submitted on Monday, August 18, 2026. The police maintained that they used utmost restraint, despite admitting three protesters got minor firearm injuries from a 9mm pistol. Ballistic examinations are underway to determine the details of the firing incident. Furthermore, the police stated they are not taking coercive measures against students without criminal records. 🚨

🧠 Quantum network beats regular machine learning

Researchers combined boson sampling with neural networks for better machine learning classification. The team from the University of Electronic Sciences and Technology of China developed this hybrid framework. They tested it on four datasets, including Ionosphere and MNIST, showing superior performance on October 26, 2023. This addresses high-dimensionality hurdles in quantum computing by compressing data features effectively. The model can now potentially be extended to other supervised learning tasks. 🚀

🚗 3 apps leveling up Android Auto experience

Android Auto is a solid upgrade for driving, but specific apps can unlock its full potential. The author, a US driver, found value in WhatsApp for seamless messaging with family. SpotHero helps users find affordable parking options, especially in cities like Chicago. GameSnacks offers over a hundred mobile games to beat boredom while parked. Users must download these apps to their phone and customize the launcher settings to add them to Android Auto.

🤖 Claude Cowork vs ChatGPT Work: The AI showdown

A week-long test compared Anthropic's Claude Cowork against ChatGPT's Work to see which AI would be more trustworthy for tasks. The comparison involved three tasks, including setting up a recurring Google Chat message for a week. For the recurring task, Claude Cowork was preferred due to its thorough understanding before execution, while both tied on renaming a local folder. The final, most demanding presentation-building task remains to be seen. 🤖

🤝 Curry's Power Couple: Equal Force in Charity Work

Stephen Curry and Ayesha Curry maintain a united front despite past rumors surrounding their marriage. They discussed how they equally divide roles within their foundation, Eat. Play. Live. Over the last decade, their foundation has supported more than 10,000 underprivileged children and families in Oakland. Ayesha focuses on big ideas while Stephen aims to connect and build a community around their mission. Both continue their dedicated work while Curry focuses on his recovery ahead of the upcoming season.

🤔 Assam CM asks non-native Assamese to declare their mother tongue

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma appealed to natives of other states to list 'Assamese' as their mother tongue during the ongoing Census exercise. This announcement was made at Lok Seva Bhawan in Guwahati on August 17, 2026. The appeal comes amid a dip in Assamese speakers, dropping from 59.53% in 1971 to 48.38% in 2011. Sarma wants to counter the slide in identity as the 2027 Census approaches. This move follows previous political strategies to define the state's ethno-religious contours. 🧐