Why do we yawn when someone else yawns? Even reading about it could make you yawn

Contagious yawning happens when we see or hear others yawn, often triggering an urge to do the same. Researchers said, "This system helps us copy and understand the actions of others." This complex response involves mirror neurons and social bonds, showing how humans and animals stay connected through shared behavior.

Forget meat: Scientists say fruit and honey helped build the human brain

A new study published in the journal Science suggests fruit and honey helped build the human brain. Researchers said carbohydrates provided the energy needed for growth over four million years. "Our modern physiology and anatomy suggest genetic selection driven specifically by dietary carbohydrates," the team noted, challenging the meat-heavy evolution theory.

Monsoon not over yet: Satellite spots fresh rain build-up in Bay of Bengal

Satellite imagery shows a fresh rain build-up over the Bay of Bengal, proving the monsoon is not over. The IMD said, "The low-pressure area is very likely to concentrate into a Depression on August 17." This system will bring widespread rain to eastern, central, and northern India next week.

Japan aims for the moons of Mars

Japanese scientists are readying the Martian Moons eXploration mission to retrieve samples from Phobos. Set to blast off from Tanegashima Space Center, the craft will spend three years in orbit. JAXA said the mission will reveal "how a habitable environment for life might have arisen on the terrestrial planets."

Radio telescopes help scientists map molecules in space and uncover where and how stars form

Radio telescopes help scientists map molecules in space to uncover how stars form. Researchers study molecular clouds, which act as cosmic nurseries for infant stars. These regions reach temperatures between -279°F and -100°F. By mapping these areas, scientists learn how simple ingredients come together to form building blocks of life.

Scientists map the microscopic roots of chaos in dusty plasma using supercomputer simulations

Researchers from IIT Jammu and IIT Kanpur used supercomputer simulations to map chaos in dusty plasma. By tracking millions of particles, they showed how dust grains create swirling patterns and turn motion into heat. This study reveals how these particles act like elastic rubber, helping us understand complex fluid turbulence.

Giant crocodylians dominated the food chain in Miocene South America, fossil evidence suggests

Giant crocodylians dominated the food chain in Miocene South America, fossil evidence suggests. More than 10 million years ago, these massive predators hunted large prey near vast lakes. Researcher Oscar Wilson said, "Our new study shows that crocodylians in particular were the region's most important predators, especially when hunting large prey."

Tiny graphene wrinkles create surprisingly powerful electrical effects

Scientists found that tiny wrinkles in graphene create powerful electrical effects. By changing the shape of this thin material, researchers can control its properties without adding chemicals. "Our work shows that even an ordinary wrinkle can become an extraordinary electronic feature," said Pulickel Ajayan, who led the new study.

First industry-built PSLV launch slips to March 2027

India’s first industry-built PSLV launch now faces a delay until March 2027. The HAL-L&T consortium got this Rs 860-crore contract from NewSpace India Ltd in 2022. Many schedule changes pushed the mission back. This project shows how private firms play a bigger role in India’s growing space sector and future missions.

Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla’s advice to kids: You must 'obsess' over your dream if you want it to come true.

Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla discussed his space training and new book, The Second Orbit, at an Idea Exchange session. He said, "Today's kids are brilliant... you have to be with a dream for a long time, work on it, only then will it happen." He shared his unique experiences.

A cool way to make compact and affordable MRI scans

Bengaluru-based Voxelgrids Innovations launched a compact MRI scanner that costs 40 per cent less to build. The machine weighs 2.3 tonnes and uses a dry magnet approach, removing the need for liquid helium. Arjun Arunachalam said, "From proof of concept to a product is a long journey." Operations restarted in 2021.

Suitcase-sized spacecraft may reveal what happened before first stars formed

A suitcase-sized satellite called CosmoCube may reveal what happened before the first stars formed. By orbiting the Moon, the craft will use the lunar far side to block radio noise from Earth. Researchers said the mission could help scientists study the cosmic dark age and how early structures emerged.