🧬 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. 🧐

⚽ Mourinho's Madrid pre-season takeaways

Real Madrid has concluded five pre-season friendlies, winning four and drawing one against Fiorentina. Jose Mourinho has focused heavily on intense physical preparation and tactical identity for the squad. Carlos Espi has made an instant impact, scoring two goals in his limited appearances. Bernardo Silva is adapting to a deeper midfield orchestrator role, crucial for control. Despite defensive upgrades, some players like Mbappe and Bellingham still show old habits.

🏛️ Savarkar family link in Rahul Gandhi case

The Pune court heard a case related to Rahul Gandhi, where the connection to Nathuram Godse was brought up. Savarkar's kin appeared before the court regarding the proceedings. This discussion involved details about Nathuram Godse's past involvement with the RSS. The court is examining these connections as part of the ongoing legal matters. Further developments in this case are expected to unfold soon.

🕵️ UK PM Burnham chats with fake Susie Wiles

UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham exchanged messages with an impersonator of Susie Wiles, Donald Trump’s chief of staff. This exchange happened after Burnham entered Downing Street. The incident was raised with the White House by the British embassy in Washington. Government officials worried about potential compromise of Wiles’ cellphone. A White House official later denied that Wiles' devices were hacked in this specific case.