🎾 US Open drama: Djokovic out, bets drop

The 2026 ATP US Open first round saw Novak Djokovic lose in five sets to Mariano Navone at the USTA National Tennis Center. On September 1, Djokovic and Jannik Sinner were absent from the tournament field. Carlos Alcaraz is returning to the competition after recovering from a wrist injury. The tournament features uncertain outcomes, highlighting the intensity of 'The world’s toughest tennis.' Experts are offering specific bets across several matches for the ongoing event. 🎾

💻 New malware targets Middle East and Africa tech scenes

Mirage Kitten is deploying new malware variants, NodeRabbit and PollCat, across the Middle East and Africa. These threats were first spotted in Afghanistan, with further variants found in Egypt and Ethiopia. The malware is delivered via spear-phishing linking to trojanized coding challenges on platforms like LinkedIn. NodeRabbit is a cross-platform RAT built with Node.js, marking a shift from the group's usual C/C++ tools. Operators will likely continue to use fake job postings for initial access. 😟

🔬 Sepsis immune response has three hidden stages

New research mapped the changing immune response in adults with sepsis by analyzing blood samples over time. Researchers found three distinct temporal immune states, named STImS1, STImS2, and STImS3, using machine learning. Notably, these biological states didn't consistently match the recognized clinical stages of sepsis. This asynchrony suggests that diagnosis timing might not reflect the actual immune activity inside the patient. Future work will focus on understanding what drives these immune transitions for targeted treatment.

😔 Nepal floods: three families claim one body

Devastating floods in Nepal have created a complex search for missing relatives amidst overwhelmed hospitals. Families are struggling to identify loved ones, with body number 1003 in Pokhara claimed by three different families. This dispute involves Gopal Dahit and Damodar Basyal, and both families agreed DNA testing was necessary. Identification relies on photos, features, and belongings, but DNA results are expected in one to one-and-a-half months. Authorities are preserving samples before burial due to decomposition issues. 😔

⚖️ SC to hear Delhi Police's plea to drop NEET protest FIRs

The Supreme Court will hear Delhi Police's request on Tuesday, September 1, 2026, to quash 13 FIRs against NEET protesters. The Delhi Police also filed a fresh case against 2,873 people present during the stir to probe violence. This plea comes as four other states, including Bihar, Assam, Maharashtra, and West Bengal, have filed similar applications. The Chief Justice of India had called for a protest march on Teachers’ Day, September 5, 2026. The court had previously set up an inquiry committee headed by Justice R. Subhash Reddy to look into police excesses.

🔬 GLP-1 drugs might fight infections, not just sugar

Recent research indicates that GLP-1 receptor agonists could offer benefits beyond metabolic health by lowering infection risks. An international study involving over 7 million people found these drugs reduced tuberculosis risk in type 2 diabetes patients. These findings suggest GLP-1 agonists might provide extra advantages in infection prevention. A separate US study of 50,000+ adults also linked tirzepatide to lower infection-related mortality. More research is needed to confirm if these medications directly reduce infection susceptibility. 🔬

📡 Bourns integrates LTCC bandpass filters for 5G

Bourns has integrated LTCC bandpass filters into their RF front ends designed for 5G applications. This integration is happening within the broader semiconductor and RF component industry. The components support operations in the C-Band spectrum crucial for 5G networks. These filters are key to ensuring signal purity and performance in advanced wireless systems. This move helps facilitate the deployment and optimization of next-gen 5G infrastructure. 📡

🌋 Robots find massive lava fields under Pacific volcano

Scientists discovered three huge lava flow fields around an active underwater volcano off Oregon's coast. Using robotic vehicles, researchers from Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute surveyed Axial Seamount along the Juan de Fuca Ridge. These flows, dating back up to 25,000 years, are up to 130 meters thick and much larger than past eruptions. This massive lava outpouring likely destabilized the volcano's summit caldera around 1,200 years ago. Continued monitoring is key to understanding the volcano's future activity. 🌋

📺 Ajay Devgn's ₹90 Cr hosting deal for Crime Patrol

Ajay Devgn has reportedly signed a 15-episode deal to host the latest season of Sony's true-crime show, Crime Patrol. He will be hosting the show on Sony TV and streaming on SonyLIV. His reported fees for the season amount to ₹90 crore across the episodes. While this makes him a top TV host, Salman Khan previously earned a staggering ₹250 crore per season. Ajay's hosting debut was announced in August, with the first episode premiering on August 31. 🧐

🌠 Alpha Aurigids shower: what to know

The Alpha Aurigid meteor shower peaks overnight on Tuesday, September 1, and Wednesday, September 2. This annual shower is active from August 25 through September 5, potentially offering five to 10 meteors per hour under dark skies. The meteors originate from comet C/1911 N1 (Kiess), which orbits every 2,490 years. While historically modest, the shower produced about 200 meteors per hour during a 2007 outburst. Stargazers in the Northern Hemisphere should observe in dark areas using only the naked eye.

🐚 Seashells hold secrets to ocean health

Seashells actually provide crucial indicators regarding the overall health of our oceans. Environmental journalist Cynthia Barnett notes that these shells record history with greater accuracy than human written accounts. The science behind these shells offers deep insights into marine ecosystems and human impact. Barnett's work, detailed in her book The Sound of the Sea, explores this connection. Further ocean stories can be explored by emailing shortwave@npr.org.