Category Archives: News

Marine Fossils Reveal Baripada’s Ancient Undersea Past

Baripada, June 19(UDN): The discovery of fossilised shark teeth, molluscan shells and other marine remains in Odisha’s Mayurbhanj district has strengthened scientific evidence that present-day Baripada was once covered by a shallow sea millions of years ago.

Researchers have identified a rich assemblage of marine fossils at a site locally known as Asurahada, scientifically referred to as the Baripada Fossil Bed, situated in the foothill region near Baripada. The fossils are estimated to be between 12.6 million and 8.3 million years old, dating back to the Miocene epoch.

The findings were documented by Dr Debabrata Nandi, Assistant Professor in the Department of Remote Sensing and GIS at Maharaja Sriram Chandra Bhanja Deo University.

According to Dr Nandi, the fossil-bearing sediments indicate that the region once formed part of a coastal marine basin that supported diverse aquatic life.

“The fossils provide compelling evidence that this area was submerged under a shallow marine environment during the Miocene period, a time marked by major climatic changes, continental shifts and global cooling,” he said.

Among the most significant discoveries are fossilised shark teeth from extinct marine species and a wide variety of well-preserved molluscan shells. Scientists say these remains are helping reconstruct ancient ocean ecosystems and understand long-term changes in climate, sea levels and marine biodiversity.

The discovery has also opened new questions about the geological history of the region, particularly how the coastline gradually retreated to its present position.

“The sea appears to have receded nearly 60 kilometres from present-day Baripada. Understanding whether this happened due to climate change, tectonic activity or other geological processes requires further investigation,” Dr Nandi said.

Researchers believe the Baripada Fossil Bed could become an important geological archive for studying India’s palaeogeographic evolution and evidence of marine transgression in eastern India. The site may also help establish links with similar fossil-bearing formations found elsewhere in the country.

Dr Nandi noted that remote sensing, GIS-based mapping and advanced geospatial analysis played a crucial role in locating and documenting the fossil horizon. By combining field investigations with spatial technology, researchers were able to map fossil distribution and geological features with greater precision.

The discovery has generated significant interest among geologists, palaeontologists and academic institutions, who view it as an important contribution to understanding Odisha’s ancient marine history and the changing geography of eastern India.

India’s Office REITs Penetration Set to Reach 30 pc by 2030: Report

New Delhi, June 19: India’s office real estate investment trust (REIT) market is expected to witness strong expansion, with penetration projected to rise to nearly 30 per cent by 2030, according to a recent industry report.

The growth outlook is being supported by rising demand for Grade-A office spaces, increasing institutional participation, and a continued shift towards transparent and regulated investment structures in commercial real estate.

The report highlights that India’s office real estate sector is benefiting from sustained expansion in key growth segments such as IT services, global capability centres (GCCs), financial services, and emerging startups. This steady demand for modern workspaces is expected to remain a key driver for REIT growth over the coming years.

It further notes that REITs are helping formalise the commercial real estate market by improving transparency, enhancing liquidity, and enabling wider investor participation. The structure also allows investors access to stable rental income and professionally managed real estate assets.

Industry experts believe that the projected increase in REIT penetration reflects growing investor confidence and the strengthening of India’s commercial property ecosystem. Improved regulatory clarity and institutional-grade asset availability are also contributing to this positive outlook.

With continued urbanisation and corporate expansion, India’s office REIT segment is expected to play an increasingly important role in shaping the country’s real estate investment landscape.

The report concludes that India’s office REIT market remains well-positioned for sustained long-term growth, aligning with global standards of real estate investment.

Rajasthan Weather Alert: Storms and Rain Expected

Jaipur, June 19: A fresh western disturbance is set to influence weather conditions across Rajasthan over the next few days, bringing increased cloud cover, thunderstorms, and chances of light to moderate rainfall in several parts of the state.

Meteorological assessments indicate a shift from prevailing hot and dry conditions to a more unstable weather pattern. The system is expected to affect both eastern and western regions, leading to fluctuating temperatures and localized weather activity.

Some areas may experience thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds, while isolated pockets could also witness dust storms due to dry surface conditions in western districts. The intensity and distribution of rainfall are likely to vary across regions.

The incoming weather system is expected to provide partial relief from heat conditions in several districts, with daytime temperatures likely to remain comparatively moderate due to increased cloud cover.

Authorities have advised residents to remain cautious during thunderstorm activity, avoid open areas during lightning, and secure loose objects in view of strong winds. Farmers have also been urged to take precautions to protect crops and stored produce.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) is closely monitoring the system and will issue updated forecasts as conditions evolve.

Overall, Rajasthan is expected to remain under active weather influence over the coming days, with intermittent spells of rain, wind, and cloud development.

UAH Researchers Discover Ultrasound-Based Approach That May Help Reduce Harmful Inflammation and Support Joint Healing

By:-Russ Nelson

With an aging population experiencing joint pain and inflammation at an all-time high, researchers at The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH), a part of The University of Alabama System, have published new findings that suggest continuous low-intensity ultrasound may help shift the body’s immune response from prolonged inflammation toward tissue repair, a discovery that could eventually contribute to novel treatments for joint injuries and post-traumatic osteoarthritis.

The study, published in the Nature journal Scientific Reports, was conducted by a multidisciplinary team of UAH researchers under the leadership of Dr. Anuradha Subramanian, professor of chemical and materials engineering. The work brought together biological experimentation conducted by Dr. Shahid Khan as part of his doctoral work with computational and statistical methods developed by Dr. Satyaki Roy, professor of mathematical sciences, along with additional contributions from graduate student Owen Trippany. The research was supported by funding from the National Institutes of Health through an R01 grant awarded to Dr. Anuradha Subramanian.

The research examines how a non-invasive form of ultrasound affects macrophages, specialized immune cells that play a central role in both inflammation and healing.

“Following injury, the body recruits inflammatory ‘defender’ macrophages (M1) to clear damaged tissue and healer macrophages (M2) to support repair and recovery,” Subramanian explains. “Persistent dominance of defender macrophages can create a prolonged inflammatory environment that contributes to post-traumatic osteoarthritis.”

The UAH team investigated whether continuous low-intensity ultrasound could encourage macrophages to move away from this prolonged inflammatory state and toward one associated with tissue repair.

“In an ‘M1’ state, microphages promote inflammation to fight damage or infection, but prolonged M1 activity can also harm healthy tissue,” Subramanian notes. “In contrast, ‘M2-like’ macrophages support tissue repair and recovery. Shifting macrophages toward an M2-like state is important, because it may help reduce chronic inflammation while encouraging healing in damaged joints. Our findings suggest that continuous low-intensity ultrasound may help restore this balance by promoting a more reparative macrophage response.”

“Post-traumatic osteoarthritis is driven in part by persistent inflammation that limits tissue repair and accelerates joint degeneration,” Roy adds. “Our team is interested in continuous low-intensity ultrasound because it offers a non-pharmacological, non-invasive approach that may help regulate immune cell behavior and promote a more reparative healing environment in injured joints.”

To better replicate what happens after a joint injury, the researchers used fibronectin fragments – molecules produced during tissue breakdown – rather than relying solely on traditional laboratory methods used to trigger inflammation. This innovation allowed the team to create a model that more closely resembles the biological environment inside an injured joint.

To support the study, Roy combined “transcriptomics,” the large-scale analysis of gene activity, with an advanced computational technique termed as “differential clustering.” This technique provides a way to find groups of genes that behave similarly when something changes, rather than just grouping genes that look similar in general. Instead of examining individual genes in isolation, the approach allowed researchers to identify coordinated changes across groups of genes, providing a broader view of how immune cells respond to ultrasound treatment.

“This allowed us to study not only which genes changed, but also how groups of genes changed their coordinated behavior in response to ultrasound stimulation,” Roy says.

The results showed that continuous low-intensity ultrasound reduced markers associated with inflammation while increasing markers linked to a more reparative, M2-like macrophage state.

While the work remains at the laboratory research stage, the findings highlight the potential of non-drug, non-invasive technologies to influence immune behavior and support healing after injury. The researchers believe the approach could ultimately complement future therapies aimed at slowing the progression of osteoarthritis and improving recovery following joint trauma.

“The next steps will involve validating these findings in animal models of early post-traumatic osteoarthritis and studying how ultrasound-based modulation affects long-term tissue repair in joint injury settings,” Subramanian says.

India Stunned as Germany Clinch FIH Pro League Win

June 19: India produced a spirited performance but fell short against Germany in a closely contested FIH Pro League encounter, despite showing resilience and creating several key scoring opportunities throughout the match.

Both teams started on an aggressive note, with Germany managing to take control in crucial phases of the game. India responded with determined attacking play and solid defensive efforts, keeping the contest competitive until the final stages.

India’s forwards tested the German defence on multiple occasions, while the midfield worked hard to maintain possession and build attacking transitions. However, Germany’s clinical finishing and structured gameplay gave them the edge in the decisive moments of the match.

Despite the result, India’s performance was marked by fighting spirit and tactical discipline, with several positives to take forward in their ongoing Pro League campaign. The team will look to build on this performance as they prepare for upcoming fixtures.

Coaching staff emphasized the importance of converting opportunities and maintaining consistency against top-ranked opponents, noting that such high-intensity matches are crucial for long-term development and preparation.

The encounter adds valuable experience for India as they continue their campaign in the FIH Pro League, with focus now shifting to upcoming matches.

UN Marks International Yoga Day with Global Participation and Wellness Focus

New York, June 19: The United Nations marked International Yoga Day with a global gathering that brought together diplomats, delegates, and wellness practitioners from several countries to highlight the growing global embrace of yoga as a holistic practice for health and well-being.

The event featured guided yoga sessions and demonstrations showcasing traditional practices aimed at improving physical fitness, mental clarity, and emotional balance. Participants underscored yoga’s relevance in promoting healthier lifestyles and managing stress in today’s fast-paced world.

Speakers at the celebration emphasized that yoga has evolved beyond a traditional discipline into a global wellness movement, widely adopted across cultures as part of preventive healthcare and daily well-being routines.

The programme also highlighted yoga’s role in fostering mindfulness, inner harmony, and a sense of collective well-being. Delegates noted that its universal appeal continues to bridge cultural differences and encourage shared approaches to health and wellness.

The observance at the UN reinforced the importance of international cooperation in promoting holistic health practices and sustainable well-being initiatives, reflecting yoga’s enduring contribution to global peace and harmony.

Fish Oil Supplements May Not Prevent Alzheimer’s-Related Decline

LOS ANGELES: Americans spend more than $1 billion annually on fish oil supplements, in part due to purported cognitive benefits from the omega-3 fatty acids they contain, essential nutrients that help form brain cell connections needed for cognition. 

However, a new Keck Medicine of USCstudy published today in eBioMedicine suggests that increasing omega-3 levels via supplements has little effect on brain health despite showing evidence that the nutrients directly reach the brain.

The two-year, placebo-controlled, double-blinded study of older adults with an elevated risk of developing Alzheimer’s showed that high doses of omega-3s did not improve memory, cognitive function or brain cell loss in areas of the brain related to Alzheimer’s.

“We all wish there was a silver bullet for preventing Alzheimer’s, but our findings showed that fish oil supplements do not appear to protect brain health,” said Hussein Naji Yassine, MD, director of the USC Center for Personalized Brain Health and lead investigator of the study. “While omega-3s play an important role in forming brain cell connections needed for cognition, our results do not support fish oil supplements as a preventive measure against Alzheimer’s.”

How the study was conducted

Researchers recruited 365 adults, ages 55 to 80 who rarely ate fish, which is rich in omega-3s, and who study authors considered at risk for Alzheimer’s. About half (47%) carried an APOE4 gene, the strongest genetic risk factor for late-onset Alzheimer’s. Participants were randomly chosen to receive either daily fish oil supplements or a placebo. The supplements contained 2,000 mg of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), a key omega-3 involved in brain function.

Researchers were first interested to learn whether the omega-3 in the supplement was able to reach the brain. 

They measured DHA levels in cerebrospinal fluid, which surrounds the brain, and found an average 17% increase of DHA levels in patients’ brains after six months, confirming the omega-3 reached its intended target.

Next, researchers tested participants’ memory and cognitive abilities at the beginning of the study and again two years later. Study participants who took DHA supplements did no better on the tests than those who took a placebo. Brain scans also showed that supplements did not prevent shrinkage of the hippocampus, a brain region important for memory that is often used as a marker of brain aging and Alzheimer’s risk.

Looking beyond supplements

Now, Yassine and his team are focused on solving why omega-3 supplements can reach the brain but not affect brain health. Based on their previous research, they believe omega-3s may work better as a part of a Mediterranean-style diet, which is naturally rich in omega-3s and linked with lower Alzheimer’s risk, than in a standalone supplement.

“We’re focused on better understanding how the brain processes omega-3s and whether factors, such as poor health, dietary pattern, genetic risk and age, may change the brain’s ability to effectively absorb and use omega-3s,” said Yassine. “We are working to develop medications that may help the brain better utilize these nutrients to preserve cognitive function.”  

Holistic lifestyle remains the best prevention

While out of scope of the study, the researchers stress that overall healthy living — rather than relying on fish oil supplements alone —is the best way to protect brain health. 

“Staying healthy throughout life remains the most powerful tool we have for reducing Alzheimer’s risk, including regular exercise, quality sleep and a balanced diet,” said Yassine. “Living a healthy lifestyle is the brain’s equivalent of getting regular car maintenance and high-quality oil changes. The brain is more likely to lose greater function if health issues in other parts of the body go unaddressed, in the same way that car engines stop working if regular maintenance is skipped.”

Other USC authors for the study include Lina D’Orazio, PhD, a clinical psychologist and neuropsychology specialist with Keck Medicine; Lon Schneider, PhD, a professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at the Keck School of Medicine of USC; Michael Harrington, MD, a professor of research neurology at the Keck School; and Meredith Braskie, PhD, an assistant professor of neurology at the Keck School.

Amit Shah Reviews Steps to Strengthen Cooperative Banks and Boost Exports

New Delhi, June 19: Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah on Thursday reviewed a set of ongoing measures aimed at strengthening the cooperative banking sector and enhancing India’s export competitiveness.

 Pic Credit: https://x.com/AmitShah

The review focused on improving the financial stability, governance, and operational efficiency of cooperative banks, which play a key role in providing credit support at the grassroots level, especially in rural and semi-urban regions. Discussions also highlighted the need to deepen financial inclusion and expand the reach of cooperative institutions.

Alongside this, the meeting assessed strategies to boost exports by improving global competitiveness, supporting diversification of export products, and ensuring better institutional coordination for trade promotion. Emphasis was placed on enabling stronger linkages between financial institutions and export-oriented industries.

Officials noted that modernising the cooperative sector is essential to strengthening rural credit systems and supporting economic activity at the grassroots level. The Minister underlined the importance of ensuring transparency, accountability, and long-term sustainability within cooperative banking institutions.

The review forms part of the government’s broader effort to reinforce the cooperative sector as a pillar of inclusive growth while simultaneously advancing India’s export-led economic expansion.

Kolkata Metro to Begin Early Morning Services on June 21 for Yoga Day and NEET-UG

Kolkata, June 19: In a passenger-friendly move, Kolkata Metro Railway will commence services from 4:00 a.m. on June 21 to facilitate commuters on the occasion of International Yoga Day and the NEET-UG examination.

The early start has been planned to ensure smooth and timely travel for students appearing for the national medical entrance examination, as well as participants attending Yoga Day events across the city. Officials said the decision aims to reduce travel stress and provide convenient connectivity during peak early morning hours.

Metro authorities have advised passengers to plan their journeys in advance and make use of the additional services being introduced for the day. Security and operational arrangements will be strengthened to manage the expected rise in early morning footfall.

The special schedule reflects Kolkata Metro’s continued focus on passenger convenience, particularly during important national events and examinations, ensuring reliable and efficient urban transport for the city’s commuters.

Assam Strengthens Power Infrastructure, Targets Energy Surplus Status

Guwahati, June 19: Assam is making significant strides in strengthening its power infrastructure and is steadily progressing towards becoming an energy-surplus state, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said.

Underscoring the government’s commitment to building a robust and reliable energy ecosystem, the Chief Minister highlighted ongoing investments in power generation, transmission, and distribution networks across the state. These initiatives are aimed at ensuring uninterrupted electricity supply, meeting rising energy demand, and supporting Assam’s long-term economic growth.

Sarma noted that a stronger power sector is essential for attracting investments, promoting industrial development, and improving the quality of life for citizens. The state government has prioritized the modernization of energy infrastructure, expansion of grid connectivity, and enhancement of operational efficiency to deliver reliable power to both urban and rural communities.

The Chief Minister emphasized that Assam’s energy transformation is not only about meeting current demand but also about creating the capacity required for future growth. With several infrastructure projects underway, the state is laying the foundation for a self-reliant and sustainable power sector capable of supporting expanding industries, businesses, and households.

As Assam advances towards achieving energy-surplus status, the strengthened power network is expected to boost economic activity, generate employment opportunities, and enhance the state’s competitiveness as a preferred investment destination in Northeast India.

The government’s continued focus on infrastructure development reflects its broader vision of driving inclusive growth and ensuring that reliable energy remains a catalyst for Assam’s development journey.