🧠 Memory survives even when half the brain connections vanish

A new study found that long-term memory relies on clustered "core synapses" instead of individual connections. Researchers at Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) observed this in mice during hibernation-like states. Even after over 50% of hippocampal synapses were lost, fear and spatial memories remained intact on the 13th. This suggests memory storage hinges on core structures, not single synapses. This research could offer new ways to tackle dementia and brain injury recovery. 🧠

🚢 India's carrier dilemma: 1965 lessons vs 2026 reality

The Indian Navy is debating a third aircraft carrier, IAC-2, as China's Fujian carrier nears full operational capability in 2026. Historically, INS Vikrant spent the 1965 war in dry dock, leading to a doctrine shift towards mobile carriers. Currently, with two carriers, India struggles to maintain simultaneous deployment on both eastern and western coasts. A third ship is needed to allow for reserves or refits while keeping two operational at sea. This decision directly impacts India's goal to be a leading Indo-Pacific power by 2047.

🌍 US asks Netanyahu to speak out on Palestinian siege

US officials are urging Prime Minister Netanyahu to condemn the ongoing settler siege in a Palestinian village. This request comes from senior US administration figures who want a public statement from Israeli leadership. The siege has been reported to involve several settlers and has been ongoing in the village for some time. The move highlights growing international pressure regarding the conflict's human rights aspects. The administration is closely monitoring the situation and expecting a response from the Israeli government soon. 🌍

😠 Mahua Moitra refuses to vacate room amid chants

Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra alleged that local administration ordered her to vacate her Circuit House room late Friday night. This incident took place in Krishnanagar, where a large crowd was reportedly chanting “Jai Shree Ram” outside. The call from the Additional District Magistrate happened around 9:47 pm, while she was residing there after arriving at 6:30 pm. Moitra asserted she would not leave since she is an elected MP until 2029 and this is official accommodation. She further claimed the administration was trying to keep opposition MPs out of the area. 😠

⚖️ Citizens plead with CJI for Umar Khalid & Sharjeel Imam

A group of over 100 citizens, including Arundhati Roy, wrote an open letter to the CJI regarding Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam. These activists have been held for nearly six years in connection with the 2020 North-East Delhi riots conspiracy case in Delhi. The signatories invoked the 2021 K.A. Najeeb judgment, citing prolonged incarceration violates Article 21 rights. Despite this, their bail applications were repeatedly denied, including by a two-judge Supreme Court bench in January 2026. They urge the CJI to intervene and uphold that bail should be the rule. ⚖️

🕊️ Assassin calls for peace before protest march

Jagtar Singh Hawara, convicted for Beant Singh's assassination, has issued a video appeal for peace. This message surfaced amid rising discussions about Sikh political matters and the Beant Singh case in Punjab. The Quomi Insaf Morcha is actively campaigning for the release of Sikh prisoners and related demands. This renewed focus is drawing significant attention to historical political issues in the region. The next steps involve the planned Quomi Insaf Morcha march.

♻️ Built-in charge could revolutionize e-waste gold recovery

Researchers have developed a new method where a built-in charge can replace traditional chemical reagents for extracting gold from electronic waste. This innovative process was conducted by scientists at the National Institute of Technology, Warangal. The study detailed the efficiency improvements observed during testing conducted on October 15, 2023. This technology aims to make the gold recovery process greener and significantly less reliant on harsh chemicals. Future research will focus on scaling this method for industrial application. ♻️

🔬 GLP-1 drugs might have more benefits than expected

Researchers are currently investigating the unexpected positive outcomes associated with GLP-1 medications. This study involves various participants across different clinical settings to gauge these effects. The research data reviewed spans several trials conducted over the past year, focusing on long-term health markers. These drugs, initially prescribed for blood sugar management, are now being examined for broader metabolic advantages. Future studies aim to fully map out the full spectrum of benefits these medications might provide. 🔬

🤖 Google lets you ditch Gemini's visible watermarks

Google has rolled out a new feature in Gemini called Media Watermark to control visible watermarks. Users can find this setting in the left bar under Settings, near the bottom of the menu. When set to 'Off', the visible watermarks on images, videos, and music disappear. However, invisible SynthID watermarks and C2PA metadata will always remain embedded in the content. This change addresses a top user request gathered after consulting with the community. 🤖

🏞️ Minister checks tribal hamlets for basic needs

The Minister of Handlooms, M. Vijay Balaji, inspected remote tribal hamlets atop Alleri hillock in Vellore on Friday. He was accompanied by Collector P.S. Leela Alex and other officials. Currently, the area has three big tribal villages, totaling around 300 families. Residents demanded essential amenities like roads and health centers for the community. A ₹17 crore road project and a special tribal health center are planned for future development. 🏞️

🔬 AI 'tissue clocks' map organ biological age

AI-based 'tissue clocks' can now estimate the biological age of human organs using histological images. Researchers from CeMM and LBI-NetMed analyzed over 25,000 tissue samples across 40 different tissue types. The study, published in Nature Medicine, found that organs age at distinct rates and these changes are detectable in blood samples. This framework offers a new way to understand aging and potentially aids in early disease diagnosis. The clocks showed a mean prediction error of only 4.9 years across organs. 🔬