The Times of India

An Aramaic inscription found at Zerzevan Castle documents the closure of a Mithras temple. This ancient text provides rare written evidence of religious transition in Roman Turkey. The inscription, dating to the third or fourth century AD, mentions both Mithras and Jesus Christ. It also includes references to the Holy Cross, signifying a Christian presence. This discovery adds to other early Christian archaeological finds in present-day Turkey.

In an exciting twist of cosmic competition, China and the United States have sparked a modern space race aimed at lunar exploration. With NASA's Artemis program facing delays, China is quickly advancing its goals. This fierce rivalry focuses on securing lunar resources and establishing a lasting foothold on the Moon, potentially paving the way for humanity's next giant leap towards Mars.

Despite the vastness of Earth's oceans, only about thirty percent of the seafloor is charted to modern specifications, revealing a stark difference with Mars, whose surface boasts complete mapping. The Seabed 2030 initiative has dramatically improved ocean coverage from six to nearly twenty-nine percent. This meticulous mapping relies on ships and sonar, a time-intensive endeavor crucial for effective tsunami predictions and maintaining submarine cables.

In a radical move, Ignaz Semmelweis mandated handwashing in hospitals, drastically reducing maternal mortality rates. Despite evidence supporting his approach, he faced fierce opposition from fellow medical professionals, as he couldn't provide a scientific rationale for his findings. Much later, the establishment of germ theory validated his revolutionary work, leading to fundamental changes in medical practices that ultimately saved innumerable lives.

California's coast is witnessing a heartbreaking seabird crisis, with thousands of emaciated birds washing ashore. This alarming trend, driven by a prolonged marine heatwave and El Nio, is disrupting the ocean's food web. Scientists warn this could be a clear sign of climate change's severe impact on marine ecosystems, with potential long-term consequences for biodiversity and coastal economies.

In an extraordinary breakthrough, researchers have isolated ancient human DNA from prehistoric cave paintings found in Spain and Portugal. Published in Nature Communications, this pioneering work opens doors to identifying the creators of these works, including their gender and lineage. The DNA seems to have seeped through bodily fluids, giving us a fascinating link to the artists who crafted these enduring relics thousands of years ago.

Recent research has unveiled that giant ocean whirlpools, also termed mesoscale eddies, play a crucial role in transporting freshwater from the Congo River into the Atlantic Ocean. These dynamic currents, characterized by their power and fleeting existence, can capture substantial volumes of river water and transport it hundreds of kilometers away.

India's space agency, ISRO, has successfully tested the solid motor for its new SOLVE launch vehicle, a crucial step for the Gaganyaan human spaceflight program. This test platform will aid in validating the crew module's parachute system for safe return. SOLVE, adapted from PSLV technology, will offer flexibility in simulating mission conditions, paving the way for upcoming uncrewed Gaganyaan flights.