💰 Databricks bags $5B funding at $190B valuation

Databricks recently closed a major $5 billion funding round, setting its valuation at $190 billion. The company, based in an unspecified location, reported crossing a $7 billion revenue run rate in its second quarter. This massive funding comes amid intense global focus on AI agents and enterprise AI capabilities. CEO Ali Ghodsi noted that skyrocketing AI costs are actually boosting demand for their AI Gateway platform. Databricks intends to go public later but is currently prioritizing investment in its AI products.

🏭 Big Bids for Rare Earth Magnet Scheme

L&T, Coal India, and eighteen other companies have placed bids for the government's rare earth magnet scheme. The bidding process is for a significant contract worth Rs 7,280 crore. This major tender was announced recently by the central government to boost domestic manufacturing. The scheme aims to strengthen India's supply chain in critical magnet technology. The final selection process will determine which companies receive this substantial government funding. 🏭

🔬 Science needed for real knee pain freedom

Indian scientist Suresh Susurla called for a shift to objective, science-based rehabilitation for knee pain management. This call came from Startoon Labs during its Independence Day campaign in Hyderabad, Telangana. Millions suffer from avoidable pain, which is often diagnosed using subjective reporting rather than quantitative data. Startoon Labs developed Pheezee, an AI platform for objective muscle performance evaluation. The initiative encourages early assessment to achieve freedom through informed care.

🛠️ Galaxy Z Fold 8: Repairability Score Drops 📉

iFixit gave the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 a low repairability score of 4/10 due to its fragile inner screen and complex hinge. The device features standard screws and an 8.8% battery boost with new silicon-carbon tech. However, accessing batteries requires risking the outer screen, and the inner display/hinge assemblies are difficult to service. The IP4X rating also fails against fine debris, making DIY fixes almost impossible. Consumers planning long-term use should manage their repair expectations for this foldable.

☕ Coffee intake linked to body changes and hormones

New research suggests that regular coffee consumption can influence body composition to make it leaner. This study observed participants across various demographic groups in a controlled setting. The findings were compiled from data collected between January 1 and March 31, 2024. The research specifically looked at sex-specific hormone patterns alongside changes in body fat percentage. Further studies are planned to fully understand the long-term effects of coffee on health. ☕

🐾 Veterinary Hero: Meet Mukul Padalkar

Mukul Padalkar, MVSc, BVSc & AH, DABVP, has been named the 2026 Veterinary Hero general practice award recipient by dvm360. Raised in India, she studied at Bombay Veterinary College before doing an internship at North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine in the US. After five years practicing in India, she moved to the US and co-founded Revive Veterinary Care in San Carlos, California, in 2020. Padalkar credits her early experiences with limited resources for developing essential skills she uses today. She advises others to have faith in themselves, hoping to inspire people from India and minority women.

🌱 Sugarcane booms but climate change is a big threat

Sugarcane cultivation in parts of India’s Deccan Plateau is becoming more productive yet increasingly vulnerable to climate change. The study focused on five districts in Maharashtra and Karnataka, tracking trends from 1999 to 2021. Solapur was the largest producer with 10 million tonnes, while Ahmednagar and Nashik showed yield increases. Yield gains were often linked to better irrigation and farming practices, not just more land. Future policies need to focus on creating climate-resilient agriculture given these fluctuations. 🌾

🧐 Old Martian Rock Hints at Past Water Loss

A rare, brownish meteorite named Teghaza 001 offers a window into ancient Mars. This ancient Martian rock provides geoscientists with precious material to study the Red Planet's history. Recent studies based on this rock suggest Mars might have been losing its water. This finding is crucial for understanding the planet's past habitability conditions. Scientists will continue to analyze this sample to learn more about Mars's evolution. 🧐

🛰️ Game-changing satellite launched in 2014

The WorldView-3 Earth-observing satellite launched on August 13, 2014, by DigitalGlobe. It lifted off from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California aboard a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket. This high-resolution satellite can resolve features as small as 1 foot and peer through fog and smoke. Its data aids researchers in tracking methane emissions, deforestation, and natural disasters. Remarkably, its imagery also helped discover a lost Viking village in Newfoundland in 2015. 🛰️

🎤 BTS V opens up about hearing loss during tour

BTS member V shared that he has been facing hearing loss for nearly two-and-a-half years. The singer disclosed this condition during a livestream on Wednesday, noting his right ear functions at only 30% compared to his left. His hearing problems worsened while he was in military service, leading him to see doctors. Jungkook also shared a shin injury issue during the same livestream. The Arirang world tour continues with four North American stops before heading to South America and concluding in the Philippines on March 16, 2027. 🎤

🏢 US tech giant launches global engineering hub in Hyderabad

California-headquartered Cloudangles has opened its global engineering center in Hyderabad. This new facility aims to onboard 1,000 engineers over the next two years. The inauguration was attended by IT and Industries Minister D. Sridhar Babu. This center will focus on dedicated engineering, innovation, and AI capabilities for global clients. The move strengthens Hyderabad's ecosystem for advanced technology businesses. 🚀