The Times of India

Brine pools, extremely salty, oxygen-free underwater lakes, are lethal to most marine life but teem with resilient microbes. Found mainly in the Red Sea, Mediterranean, and Gulf of Mexico, they create sharp boundaries, trap prey, and preserve sediments like natural time capsules. Studying them offers insights into early Earth conditions, extreme ecosystems, and potential medical applications from unique microbial life.

Andre Yarham, the UKs youngest known dementia patient, has died aged 24 after a rapid decline caused by frontotemporal dementia. Diagnosed at 22, he lost speech, mobility and independence within months as the rare condition progressed aggressively. His family cared for him through repeated hospital stays before he was moved to hospice care, where he died in December.

New research reveals ancient Roman wine was more complex and flavorful than previously thought. Studies of large clay jars, called dolia, show they acted as complete production units, influencing fermentation and aging. This suggests Roman wines possessed spicy, nutty notes and a range of colors, indicating a sophisticated winemaking industry.

Spanish archaeologists have revived the sound of 6,000-year-old Neolithic shell horns, capable of producing powerful notes exceeding 100 decibels. Discovered across various sites, these instruments suggest a sophisticated long-distance communication system for early farming communities, used in settlements, caves, and mines. The findings challenge previous assumptions about prehistoric wind instruments, highlighting their practical, rather than purely ceremonial, function.

The International Space Station saw a change of command as Crew 11 handed over duties to Roscosmos due to an astronaut's medical issue. NASA's Mike Fincke passed the station's symbolic key to cosmonaut Sergey Kud-Sverchkov. Crew 11, including Fincke, is scheduled to return to Earth on January 15th after a shortened mission.