Science News

Nithin Kamath hails Indian startup behind world’s first commercial OptoSAR satellite

Updated : May 11, 2026

'We were floored by their audacious...': Zerodha's Nithin Kamath praises Bengaluru startup's Mission Drishti

Mission Drishti, launched aboard SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket on May 3, is billed as the world's first commercial OptoSAR satellite

Mega cities with dense populations create ideal conditions for disease transmission.

Updated : May 10, 2026

From Norovirus to Hantavirus and COVID-19: What’s fueling the surge in global infections?

Modern air travel allows infected individuals to move across continents within hours. Diseases that may once have remained localised can now spread internationally before symptoms are even detected.

Outbreaks of infectious diseases, three viruses — norovirus, hantavirus and COVID-19 — are once again drawing public attention.

Updated : May 10, 2026

Norovirus vs Hantavirus vs COVID-19: Which one is more lethal? Symptoms, deaths & vaccines

Health experts say hantavirus is unlikely to become “the next COVID” because its transmission patterns are very different and sustained human-to-human spread remains rare.

Experts note that alcohol-based hand sanitisers may not always be fully effective against norovirus, making soap-and-water handwashing especially important.

Updated : May 10, 2026

Norovirus outbreak: Is India safe? A look at symptoms, treatment & how to stay safe

In severe cases — especially among young children, elderly people and those with weakened immune systems — hospitalisation may be needed if dehydration becomes serious.

The virus is not related to influenza, despite sometimes being referred to as a “stomach flu.”

Updated : May 10, 2026

What is Norovirus? Caribbean Princess cruise ship outbreak sparks global concern

Norovirus is a group of viruses that causes sudden gastrointestinal illness, primarily affecting the stomach and intestines. It is considered extremely infectious because even a very small number of virus particles can make a person sick.

Researchers also described the technology as environmentally friendly because it does not produce chemical waste or encourage viral resistance. (Representational photo)

Updated : May 10, 2026

‘Popcorn effect’ against viruses? Researchers find ultrasound can destroy COVID-19, flu

Researchers say the ultrasound frequencies used are similar to those employed in diagnostic medical imaging and do not trigger harmful heating or tissue damage.

Public interest in UFOs surged after the Pentagon confirmed the authenticity of several military videos showing unexplained aerial encounters recorded by Navy pilots.

Updated : May 8, 2026

Are we alone? What Pentagon's never-seen-before files on UFO, aliens disclose

One widely discussed file details an FBI interview with a drone pilot from September 2023. The pilot reported seeing a “linear object” emitting an intense light in the sky, bright enough to reveal “bands within the light” before it vanished.

According to WHO, the MV Hondius departed Ushuaia in southern Argentina on April 1 on a 24-day polar voyage carrying passengers and crew from multiple countries.

Updated : May 8, 2026

Hantavirus explained: What it is, how it spreads, and what India needs to know after the cruise ship outbreak

The virus linked to the MV Hondius outbreak is not circulating in India, but past studies suggest Hantavirus infections may be underdiagnosed in parts of the country

Experts say outbreaks are no longer rare “once-in-a-generation” events. Climate pressures, ecological disruption and global connectivity have fundamentally changed how diseases emerge and spread.

Updated : May 8, 2026

From COVID to Hantavirus: Why disease outbreaks are becoming more frequent worldwide

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), nearly 60% of emerging infectious diseases originate in animals, while around 75% of newly emerging pathogens are zoonotic — meaning they jump from animals to humans.

Most hantaviruses spread to humans through contact with infected rodents, especially exposure to urine, droppings or saliva particles.

Updated : May 8, 2026

Hantavirus vs Covid-19: How WHO declares a pandemic & where the latest outbreak stands

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), a pandemic is defined as “the worldwide spread of a new disease.” But the label is not based only on death counts.

Hantavirus outbreak: AIIMS professor explains if hantavirus is like COVID

Updated : May 8, 2026

Is Hantavirus similar to COVID? AIIMS professor explains after cruise ship outbreak

Hantavirus: Dr Puneet Misra said Indians do want a whole lot of information when it comes to diseases, which is a good thing, but they should not panic over it

Experts say Antarctica’s transformation could reshape global climate systems over coming decades.

Updated : May 8, 2026

Antarctica ice melt is speeding up: How it threatens sea levels, storms and global climate

Several recent studies also suggest that Antarctic sea ice and ice shelves are becoming more unstable because of trapped subsurface heat and changing wind patterns around the Southern Ocean.

Experts say the MV Hondius outbreak demonstrates how remote expedition tourism can create both environmental and public health risks.

Updated : May 13, 2026

BT Explainer: Why scientists are warning against Antarctica tourism after Hantavirus outbreak

Antarctica has become one of the world’s fastest-growing luxury adventure destinations, attracting tourists eager to witness glaciers, icebergs, penguin colonies and polar wildlife before climate change alters the region permanently.

Reports indicate the ship was carrying roughly 147-150 passengers and crew members from 23 countries.

Updated : May 7, 2026

Inside luxury cruise MV Hondius: Where it went, fare, Hantavirus outbreak & deaths

The voyage included Antarctic excursions, island landings, lectures, guided expeditions and onboard accommodation during the nearly month-long cruise.

The World Health Organization (WHO) said May 7 that five confirmed infections have been identified.

Updated : May 7, 2026

Hantavirus global alert: US, Singapore among nations monitoring passengers of luxury cruise

Three people — a Dutch couple and a German national — have died since the ship departed Argentina last month, turning what began as a luxury Antarctic expedition into one of the most closely watched infectious disease incidents in recent years.

The current outbreak is linked to the Dutch expedition cruise ship MV Hondius, which sailed from Argentina in April.

Updated : May 7, 2026

Hantavirus outbreak: Is India at risk from the Andes strain spreading globally?

WHO first raised an international alert after passengers onboard developed severe respiratory illness during the voyage. The first death on the ship was reported on April 11.

Unlike most hantaviruses, which spread to humans through infected rodents, the Andes virus has caused limited outbreaks among close contacts in parts of South America, especially Argentina and Chile.

Updated : May 7, 2026

Hantavirus scare: What is Andes strain, the only type capable of human-to-human infection?

Researchers are still studying why Andes virus behaves differently, but evidence suggests it can remain in high concentrations in an infected person’s respiratory secretions during the early stage of illness.

Some forms of Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome have reported mortality rates of around 30-40 percent in severe cases.

Updated : May 7, 2026

Is Hantavirus the new Covid-19? Check symptoms, vaccine, how to stay safe

Scientists caution that changing climate conditions, urban expansion, and increased human interaction with wildlife may increase the chances of sporadic outbreaks in the future.

Hantaviruses are carried by rats, mice, and other rodents, with different strains circulating across Europe, Asia, and the Americas.

Updated : May 7, 2026

Hantavirus scare: What we know about the Dutch couple, the outbreak, and the risks

Though rare, hantavirus outbreaks draw concern because severe cases can have high fatality rates. Some forms of Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome have recorded mortality rates of 30% to 40%.

Mission Drishti combines two critical imaging systems — electro-optical (EO) and synthetic aperture radar (SAR) — into a single operational satellite platform.

Updated : May 4, 2026

From defence to disaster relief: How India’s new OptoSAR satellite could transform surveillance

The satellite was developed after five years of indigenous research, environmental testing, and payload validation. The company says the platform can support both civilian and strategic applications, making it a “dual-use” Earth observation system.

Scientists describe the AMOC as one of Earth’s key climate stabilisers. Changes to it could reshape global weather patterns for decades.

Updated : May 2, 2026

BT Explainer: Why scientists fear weakening Atlantic Ocean currents could alter Indian monsoon

Some climate simulations indicate that a weakened AMOC could reduce monsoon rainfall over parts of India, especially central and northwestern regions. Others suggest rainfall may become more uneven — with longer dry spells interrupted by bursts of intense rain.

Science News

'We were floored by their audacious...': Zerodha's Nithin Kamath praises Bengaluru startup's Mission Drishti

From Norovirus to Hantavirus and COVID-19: What’s fueling the surge in global infections?

Norovirus vs Hantavirus vs COVID-19: Which one is more lethal? Symptoms, deaths & vaccines

Norovirus outbreak: Is India safe? A look at symptoms, treatment & how to stay safe

What is Norovirus? Caribbean Princess cruise ship outbreak sparks global concern

‘Popcorn effect’ against viruses? Researchers find ultrasound can destroy COVID-19, flu

Are we alone? What Pentagon's never-seen-before files on UFO, aliens disclose

Hantavirus explained: What it is, how it spreads, and what India needs to know after the cruise ship outbreak

From COVID to Hantavirus: Why disease outbreaks are becoming more frequent worldwide

Hantavirus vs Covid-19: How WHO declares a pandemic & where the latest outbreak stands

Is Hantavirus similar to COVID? AIIMS professor explains after cruise ship outbreak

Antarctica ice melt is speeding up: How it threatens sea levels, storms and global climate

BT Explainer: Why scientists are warning against Antarctica tourism after Hantavirus outbreak

Inside luxury cruise MV Hondius: Where it went, fare, Hantavirus outbreak & deaths

Hantavirus global alert: US, Singapore among nations monitoring passengers of luxury cruise

Hantavirus outbreak: Is India at risk from the Andes strain spreading globally?

Hantavirus scare: What is Andes strain, the only type capable of human-to-human infection?

Is Hantavirus the new Covid-19? Check symptoms, vaccine, how to stay safe

Hantavirus scare: What we know about the Dutch couple, the outbreak, and the risks

From defence to disaster relief: How India’s new OptoSAR satellite could transform surveillance

BT Explainer: Why scientists fear weakening Atlantic Ocean currents could alter Indian monsoon

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