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A sample from asteroid Bennu , delivered to Earth by NASA's OSIRIS-REx mission in 2023, has revealed a collection of molecules and minerals that play a fundamental role in biological processes. Organic compounds such as amino acids, nucleobases, and ammonia, along with minerals formed in saltwater, have been identified. The findings suggest that the necessary conditions for life may have been present in various regions of the early solar system, raising the possibility that life could have developed beyond Earth. Key Findings from the Study According to the study published in Nature and Nature Astronomy, 14 of the 20 amino acids essential for protein formation and all five nucleobases found in DNA and RNA were detected in the Bennu samples. The presence of ammonia and formaldehyde was also noted, both of which are significant in the formation of complex organic molecules. These compounds, previously identified in meteorites, were found in an uncontaminated sample collected dire...

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Uttarakhand has become the first state in the country to implement UCC, but the Chief Minister of another hill state has ruled out a similar step. The implementation of Uniform Civil Code is neither practical nor appropriate, given the country's diverse cultural and tribal communities, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma said today. He, however, acknowledged that certain aspects of civil laws could be made uniform while protecting the rights of indigenous communities. Pointing at Uttarakhand, which became the first state to implement the UCC while excluding tribal customs from its purview, Mr Sangma said in a country as diverse as India, a Uniform Civil Code is not viable.  His statement comes amid growing debates on the UCC, with Assam expressing interest in following Uttarakhand's lead in implementing the code. "A Uniform Civil Code, as a concept of making sure that everything becomes uniform, is not possible in India," Mr Sangma said. "There are tribal...

A groundbreaking mission designed to enhance understanding of the universe's origins and the potential for life within our galaxy is set to be discussed in an upcoming NASA briefing. The SPHEREx (Spectro-Photometer for the History of the Universe, Epoch of Reionization and Ices Explorer) mission will be previewed during a news conference scheduled for 12 p.m. EST on Friday, January 31. The telescope, which is planned for launch no earlier than February 27, promises to offer critical insights into cosmic history and life-forming molecules. Insights from the SPHEREx Mission According to NASA's SPHEREx mission details , the observatory will survey the entire sky using near-infrared light. Its goals include exploring how galaxies evolved, understanding the structure of the universe, and locating water and organic molecules in regions where stars and planets are formed. Over 450 million galaxies and 100 million stars in the Milky Way are expected to be studied, providing vital da...

A Jharkhand family on Wednesday claimed to have traced their lost member at the ongoing Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, ending a search for 27 long years. The lost member, Gangasagar Yadav, is now a 65-year-old 'Aghori' monk Baba Rajkumar who belongs to a particular monastic order of sadhus. Gangasagar, who went missing in 1998 after travelling to Patna, was traceless so far, according to his family. His wife, Dhanwa Devi, was left to raise their two sons, Kamlesh and Vimlesh, alone. Murli Yadav, younger brother of Gangasagar said, "Over the years, we lost hope of ever seeing him again until one of our relatives attending the Kumbh Mela noticed a man resembling Gangasagar and took his photograph. The photo was sent to us and I, along with Dhanwa Devi and their two sons, rushed to the Kumbh Mela, determined to bring him back." Upon reaching the Mela, they came face-to-face with Baba Rajkumar, but he refused to acknowledge his previous identity as Gangasagar Yadav. Claimin...

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is set to achieve a major milestone with the launch of its 100th mission on January 29 from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre , Sriharikota. The GSLV-F15 mission will place the NVS-02 satellite into a Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit. The satellite, weighing 2,250 kg, is equipped with advanced navigation payloads in L1, L5, and S bands and a ranging payload in the C-band. The mission highlights ISRO's ongoing commitment to enhancing India's space capabilities. Details of the NVS-02 Satellite As reported by the Times of India, according to ISRO, the NVS-02 satellite is part of the Navigation with Indian Constellation (NavIC) system, designed to provide precise Position, Velocity, and Timing services across India and an area extending 1,500 km beyond its borders. Built on the I-2K platform, it replaces the IRNSS-1E at the 111.75°E orbital slot and features a combination of indigenous and procured atomic clocks for time accuracy. This s...

The remains of a young pregnant woman, who lived approximately 1,200 years ago during the Manteño period in Ecuador , have been unearthed by archaeologists. Her grave contained a striking combination of artifacts and evidence of violent death, which has led researchers to suspect ritual sacrifice. The discovery was made at the Buen Suceso site, where the burial was found to include the remains of another individual's skull and burnt offerings. The context and contents of the grave have raised significant questions about her societal role and the reasons for her tragic fate. Details of the Study According to a study published in Latin American Antiquity, the woman, aged 17 to 20, was in the late stages of pregnancy when she died. Fractures on her skull indicated a fatal blow to her head, while her hands and left leg had been severed post-mortem. Radiocarbon dating has placed her death between 771 and 953. Sara Juengst, a bioarchaeologist from the University of North Carolina at C...