🧪 Smart gel switches states with light, heat, and acid

Scientists at the University of Birmingham created a smart gel that shifts between solid and liquid states using external triggers. This breakthrough involves foldamer-based molecules and was published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society. The gel changes form with UV light, resets with heat, and breaks down when exposed to acid. This multi-responsive material could revolutionize drug delivery and advanced sensing systems. Future work focuses on scaling up these intelligent materials for practical use. 🧪

📜 Travancore refused extra Onam holidays back then

Travancore once debated increasing the Onam public holidays to ten during the 1930s. Members in the Travancore Sri Mulam Assembly persistently asked for more days off compared to the Christmas-New Year break. In May 1935, Chief Secretary Rao Sahib, Dr. N. Kunjan Pillai, maintained the government felt there were already enough annual holidays. This stance was reaffirmed in July 1935 and again in January 1938 by the administration. Currently, official public office holidays for Onam in 2026 run from August 25 to August 28. 🧐

🤒 Health Minister reviews H1N1 surge in Delhi

Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda is meeting with Delhi's Health Minister and senior officials today to review the H1N1 situation. This review is happening amid reports of rising swine flu cases in the national capital. The meeting will assess healthcare facility preparedness and containment measures as of August 21, 2026. The spike is linked to humid and variable weather conditions making respiratory infections easier to spread. Authorities will focus on strengthening surveillance and ensuring adequate hospital resources.

🌊 Subnautica 2 adds co-op buddy system and new chat

Subnautica 2 is rolling out a co-op 'Buddy System' update that also includes a unique new chat feature for players. This update is happening for players exploring the new alien world, which is a big shift from the game's solo focus. While specific launch dates aren't detailed, Unknown Worlds Entertainment is managing the rollout across official channels. The system aims to help teammates coordinate exploration and survive better in the vast underwater environment. Players should check official notes to confirm the exact functionality of these new features.

💔 All nicotine products risk your heart, study warns

A major new study in Nature Reviews Cardiology confirms that nicotine is harmful to cardiovascular health regardless of how it is consumed. This research looked at all major nicotine products, integrating data across cigarettes, vapes, and pouches. Globally, tobacco use is a huge issue, contributing to roughly 1.35 million deaths annually in India. While smoking is the worst, no nicotine delivery system is proven safe for the heart. Therefore, abstinence remains the only guaranteed risk-free option for cardiovascular well-being. 💔

😠 LoP visits police station over pellet gun incident

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi visited the Parliament Street police station with Sahil Lochab, a victim of pellet gun injuries. This happened in Delhi following the July 20 student protest where pellet guns were used. Congress sources stated the police had not filed an FIR for Lochab's injuries, which were supported by medical documents. The party demands answers from the central government about who authorized the pellet gun use at Jantar Mantar. The Congress is pushing for action regarding the alleged misuse of force against students. 😠

🎬 Tajdar Amrohi slams Preity Zinta's Rs 2 Cr claim

Tajdar Amrohi has broken his silence regarding the dispute with Preity Zinta over a Rs 2 crore claim. The rift started after Zinta sought repayment from Shandar Amrohi's legal heirs in November 2013. Tajdar stated there was no Rs 600 crore inheritance promised, and Shandar never adopted her as his daughter. He questioned why Zinta waited so long after Shandar’s death in August 2011 to ask for the money. The case is still pending in the Bombay High Court with only procedural orders issued so far. 🧐

⌚ Zomato founder shrinks Temple wearable device

Zomato founder Deepinder Goyal announced a major update regarding the wearable device, Temple. He shared this news on X, stating the device is now less than half the size of its previous version. This smaller design makes Temple the smallest and most powerful wearable on the market, according to Goyal. Pre-orders for the limited launch edition will start soon, with shipping expected before the end of 2026. PV Sindhu was recently seen wearing the device at the BWF World Championships 2026 in New Delhi.

🎓 68k+ secure tentative seats in TNEA 2026 third round

Over 68,000 students received tentative seat allotments during the third round of the TNEA 2026 counselling process on Friday, August 21, 2026. These allotments were made from a pool of 1,02,719 eligible candidates for the round. A total of 68,640 students were allotted seats out of 1,06,583 available engineering seats. Students must confirm their tentative allotment by 5 p.m. on Saturday, August 22, or risk cancellation. Historically, admission dropout rates mean some vacant seats usually remain after the process.

🐍 Man kills snake after bite, brings it to hospital

A 60-year-old man named Uttam Nayak was bitten by a five-foot black snake while sleeping in his field in Mahoba, Uttar Pradesh. Instead of fleeing, Uttam used a stick to kill the reptile after feeling sharp pain in his right finger. He then self-treated and brought the dead snake to the district hospital at around 5 am. Doctors examined him and confirmed there were no signs of venom, noting the bite was only once. Uttam continues his treatment but is reported to be out of danger. 🐍

🚀 Apple gearing up for massive product drop this year

Apple might drop over ten new products this year, including the iPhone 18 series and a foldable iPhone. The company is expected to unveil these devices at its annual September event next month. Key releases rumored include the iPhone 18 Pro, Apple Watch Series 12, and several smart home additions. The foldable iPhone is rumored to feature a book-style design with a large inner display. These launches signal a major product refresh for Apple's ecosystem. 📱