- Amateur Stargazers Spot Rare Exploding Star WSJ
- “I Literally Screamed with Joy”: In a Rare Stellar Discovery, Kilonova Project Citizen Scientists Have Made a Breakthrough The Debrief
- They Spotted a Flash in the Night Sky – It Turned Out to Be a Rare Exploding Star SciTechDaily
- Citizen astronomers see moment star explodes by playing ‘spot the difference’ London Evening Standard
- Amateurs helped identify Kilonova in record time Universe Space Tech
Blog
-
Amateur Stargazers Spot Rare Exploding Star – WSJ
-
Currency watch: Rupee ends 3 paise higher at 85.70 vs dollar; equities dip as tariff talks loom
The rupee ended 3 paise higher at 85.70 against the US dollar on Thursday, supported by optimism over a possible US-India trade deal, even as equity markets closed in the red.The local currency opened at 85.62 and moved between 85.53 and 85.70 during the session before settling 3 paise higher than Wednesday’s close of 85.73, according to interbank foreign exchange data, PTI reported.“Rupee traded with minor gains on a weak US dollar and an overnight decline in crude prices,” said Anuj Choudhary, research analyst at Mirae Asset Sharekhan. “However, weak domestic markets capped sharp gains.”Choudhary added that expectations of a US-India mini trade deal could support the rupee, though global sentiment remained cautious amid tariff uncertainties. He projected the USD-INR spot rate to remain in the Rs 85.40–85.95 range.On the trade front, a senior government official said a commerce ministry team will soon head to Washington for another round of negotiations. Talks are expected to address differences in sectors such as agriculture, automobiles, steel and aluminium.“We are negotiating a complete deal. Whatever is finalised can be packaged as an interim deal, and talks on the rest will continue,” the official said.India is also pushing for removal of additional import duties — 26 per cent on Indian goods — that the US has extended till August 1. It has reserved the right to impose retaliatory duties under WTO rules.Meanwhile, Brent crude fell 0.34% to $69.95 per barrel. The dollar index eased 0.15% to 97.41.In domestic markets, the Sensex dropped 345.80 points to 83,190.28, while the Nifty fell 120.85 points to 25,355.25. Foreign institutional investors were net buyers of Rs 221.06 crore in equities, according to exchange data.
Continue Reading
-
WTA Completes Inaugural LTA Coach Inclusion Program
The inaugural year of the LTA Coach Inclusion Program has come to a successful close. The program, which was created following the success of the Coach Inclusion Program in North America, saw the WTA partner with the LTA to deliver a combined version of the 2024-2025 Coach Inclusion Program. \
Four female coaches successfully applied for selected by the LTA were invited to partake in the program designed at breaking down barriers for female coaches to enter the professional coaching ranks.
The Coach Inclusion Program was delivered in three phases to cover all areas and aspects required to be a WTA Tour Coach. During Phase One, in December 2024, participants experienced a week of preseason training with several WTA players at the LTA National Tennis Centre, facilitated by current WTA Tour Coach and WTA Coach Educator Nicole Pratt. The Inclusion Coaches also attended several sessions each day with experts from the LTA’s Performance team.
Phase Two, which lasted from January to April 2025, was delivered virtually, with the coaches spread across the United Kingdom and internationally. Participants received individualized support from experienced performance qualified LTA mentors, who supported them as they covered a range of key performance topics relevant to their development. The group had access to a variety of subject matter experts in high performance sport and were brought together for regular live meetings from leading industry experts.
The program concluded with Phase Three at both the Internationaux de Strasbourg and the HSBC Championships at London’s Queen’s Club, with the four coaches shadowing a WTA Tour Coach and their player for these tournaments. This opportunity provided them with the ability to apply their knowledge while gaining valuable exposure within the WTA environment by shadowing an existing WTA coach and player during the tournament.
Participating WTA mentor coaches included Michael Joyce (Ashlyn Krueger), Mark Gellard (Magda Linette), Jorge Todero (Caroline Dolehide), Sascha Bajin (Donna Vekic), Rohan Fisher (Storm Hunter), Diego Veronelli (Heather Watson), and Craig Veal (Erin Routliffe and Desiree Krawczyk). While being immersed on tour, the Inclusion Coaches were able to visualize themselves coaching professionally one day.
Ella Taylor who coaches at a Performance Programme in Manchester, was able to evolve her coaching and how she relates with her player, “I learned a lot about myself this week. My communication style, and how I can work with my athletes and connect with them. Players need to know you care and the relationship doesn’t start and end when you walk on the court.”
Anna Brogan, who is currently coaching in Alicante, Spain felt privileged to be a part of the inaugural program, saying “It was amazing to be surrounded by so many incredible professional people on the WTA Tour.” Anna has since accepted an exciting new job opportunity back in the UK at the Scottish Player Development Centre!
The next 12 months will prove to be exciting as the Coach Inclusion Program looks to continue the progress achieved in recent years and seeks to expand across the globe.
For further information about the Coach Inclusion Program, please contact coach@wtatennis.com
Continue Reading
-
YouTube cracks down on low-effort videos: Here’s all you need to know about the major changes this year
YouTube will implement a new monetisation policy from July 15, 2025, aimed at limiting the earnings of channels that publish mass-produced, repetitive, or low-effort videos. The platform has updated its YouTube Partner Programme (YPP) guidelines to identify such content and prevent it from generating revenue.The year 2025 marks a decade of the content platform, which, according to Nielsen, has topped streaming watch time in the United States for two years. The platform has long advocated free speech and creative expression as part of its mission.
Last year, more than 50% of channels earning five figures or more in US dollars on YouTube made money from sources other than ads and YouTube Premium. Shopping recommendations are also becoming a key revenue stream for many creators, with more than a 40% increase in channel memberships, the company said.
Over the years, YouTube has been a voice to many. Whether it be Nikhil Kamath hosting a podcast with India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi or Raj Shamani giving the first glimpse of Vijay Mallya nine years since the latter’s departure from the country.
However, online content proliferating on the platform has also been a concern for a long time. According to a TOI report in January, tech companies, including Meta’s Facebook, Musk’s X, and Google’s YouTube, among others, have agreed to strengthen efforts against online hate speech under an updated code of conduct that will be incorporated into the European Union’s tech rules.
Here’s the list of major updates by YouTube this year:
July 2025: YouTube monetisation policyYouTube has outlined two specific rules that explain the kind of content the platform considers unfit for monetisation. First, content borrowed from other sources must be significantly altered to be considered original. Second, repetitive content must serve a purpose beyond gaining views. It must be either entertaining or educational.
The updated monetisation policy continues to require creators to meet eligibility standards to join YPP. A channel must have at least 1,000 subscribers and either 4,000 valid public watch hours in the past year or 10 million valid public Shorts views in the last 90 days.
June 2025: YouTube livestream
YouTube updated the livestreaming rules, increasing the minimum age to be eligible to broadcast a livestream to 16 years. Earlier, the minimum age was 13. The rule will come into effect on July 22.June 2025: Moderation of videos
YouTube allowed partial violation for ‘public interest’ content. Under this rule, content moderators are required to keep the videos online unless more than 50% of the content breaches YouTube’s policies. Earlier, it was a 25% threshold. In cases where free speech outweighs associated risks, such scenarios would be dealt with under YouTube’s existing EDSA framework.March 2025: Policy on content encouraging gambling
YouTube in March announced an age restriction of 18 years for accessing content that depicts or promotes online betting sites. However, content related to online sports betting and in-person gambling will not be subject to these restrictions.Additionally, creators are also not allowed to direct viewers to any gambling sites or applications unless Google has certified them. With the new update, even the URLs, links embedded in images or text, visual displays (including logos), or verbal references are considered for checks.
Continue Reading
-
AJCC Guideline Reassessment Aims to Improve HPV-Positive Throat Cancer Staging
An update of staging guidelines from the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) for human papillomavirus (HPV)-positive throat cancer—now more common in the United States than cervical cancer, according to the American Cancer Society—aims to make treatment of early-stage disease more consistent and appropriate. The update was published by Ho et al in The Lancet Oncology.
“Staging helps clinicians answer two questions,” said Allen Ho, MD, PhD, Professor of Surgery and Director of the Head and Neck Cancer Program at Cedars-Sinai and lead author of the study. “The first: How serious is the cancer? The second: What is the best treatment?”
Previous staging guidelines for HPV-positive throat cancer were so broad that as many as 80% of patients were classified as stage 1, with three different possible treatment strategies. Some patients considered to have stage 1 disease were treated with surgery alone, some with surgery plus radiation therapy, and some with surgery and radiation plus chemotherapy.
“The new staging will better inform clinicians and patients about a patient’s prognosis and will minimize inconsistencies in the treatments patients are offered,” Dr. Ho said. “Currently, a patient diagnosed as stage 1 might be offered surgery plus radiation and chemotherapy, while another stage 1 patient may be offered surgery alone. The new guidelines will help ensure each patient receives the most appropriate treatment.”
Investigators divided the large group of patients diagnosed as stage 1 into three separate groups, Dr. Ho said. They created new subdivisions of nodal staging and paired a more cohesive treatment recommendation with each.
“Perhaps the biggest change in the new staging system is that it takes into account something called extranodal extension, where the cancer has not only spread to the lymph nodes, but has progressed further to destroy the lymph node capsule and spill into the surrounding tissue. Inclusion of this factor is important, because it often changes both prognosis and the recommended treatment following surgery,” said Zachary Zumsteg, MD, Professor of Radiation Oncology and Biomedical Sciences at Cedars-Sinai and senior author of the paper.
Dr. Ho noted that cases of HPV-positive throat cancer (caused by the same virus that causes cervical cancer) have outpaced cervical cancer, because women are routinely screened for cervical cancer. Women are also more likely than men to receive the HPV vaccine, which can prevent both cancer types.
The new guidelines were developed by an international committee that analyzed data on more than 14,000 patients from 984 health-care facilities. They are set to become the official worldwide staging guidance in the coming year.
Dr. Ho suggested that patients with newly diagnosed HPV-positive throat cancer ask their care team how these new guidelines have shaped their staging and treatment options. “Patients should ask their [health-care providers] how these new guidelines impact the clinician’s thinking about the patient’s staging, prognosis, and which treatment to offer,” he concluded.
Disclosure: For full disclosures of the study authors, visit thelancet.com.
Continue Reading
-
Pakistan, Sri Lankan, Russian FMs discuss regional issues – RADIO PAKISTAN
- Pakistan, Sri Lankan, Russian FMs discuss regional issues RADIO PAKISTAN
- Pakistan reaffirms support for peace, multilateralism, and regional dialogue at 32nd ASEAN Regional Forum Ptv.com.pk
- Ishaq Dar meets Malaysian PM on sidelines of ASEAN forum The Express Tribune
- Dar meets Australian counterpart; vows to promote trade, education ties Daily Lead Pakistan
- DPM Dar commends Pakistani Community in Malaysia for strengthening bilateral ties Associated Press of Pakistan
Continue Reading
-
Enzalutamide Plus Leuprolide Yields OS Benefit in nmHSPC With Biochemical Recurrence
nmHSPC | Image credit:
© pikovit – stock.adobe.com
Enzalutamide (Xtandi) combined with leuprolide generated a statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in overall survival (OS) vs placebo plus leuprolide in patients with nonmetastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (nmHSPC; also known as nonmetastatic castration-sensitive prostate cancer [nmCSPC]) with high-risk biochemical recurrence at high risk for metastasis, meeting the key secondary end point of the phase 3 EMBARK trial (NCT02319837).1
Top-line results from the OS analysis of EMBARK also showed a favorable trend toward improved OS for patients who received enzalutamide monotherapy vs placebo plus leuprolide, although this difference was not statistically significant. Detailed OS results from the EMBARK trial are planned to be presented at an upcoming medical conference.
“These data demonstrate that treatment with [enzalutamide] can extend life for men with nmHSPC and high-risk biochemical recurrence who have relapsed after initial curative-intent therapy with prostatectomy, radiation therapy or both, further validating EMBARK’s metastasis-free survival [MFS] data,” Neal Shore, MD, FACS, of START Carolinas/Carolina Urologic Research Center in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, stated in a news release. “While men with nmHSPC with high-risk biochemical recurrence now have expanded treatment choices, these results demonstrate a clear clinical benefit, including both MFS and OS, supporting the clinical practice of initiating [enzalutamide] for these patients.”
The EMBARK investigators reported no new safety signals, and the safety findings were deemed consistent with the previously demonstrated safety profile of enzalutamide. Safety data from the initial analysis showed that the most common adverse effects (AEs) in the enzalutamide/leuprolide and placebo/leuprolide arms included fatigue and hot flashes. The most common AEs in the monotherapy arm were hot flashes, gynecomastia, and fatigue.
“[Enzalutamide] is the only androgen receptor inhibitor–based regimen to demonstrate a survival benefit in metastatic HSPC and nmHSPC with high-risk biochemical recurrence, as well as castration-resistant prostate cancer, highlighting its significant patient impact in advanced prostate cancer,” Johanna Bendell, MD, oncology chief development officer of Pfizer, added in the news release. “These positive results add to the robust clinical support for the use of [enzalutamide] and broaden clinical confidence, offering men with high-risk biochemical recurrence evidence that they might live longer when they start [enzalutamide] early.”
In the double-blind, multi-national EMBARK trial, 1068 patients with nmHSPC with high-risk biochemical recurrence were randomly assigned to receive enzalutamide at 160 mg daily plus leuprolide (n = 355), placebo plus leuprolide (n = 358), or enzalutamide monotherapy at 160 mg (n = 355).2 Data from the initial analysis, which were published in The New England Journal of Medicine in October 2023, showed that the study met its primary end point of a statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in MFS for patients who received enzalutamide plus leuprolide vs placebo plus leuprolide. The median follow-up of 60.7 months. The 5-year MFS rate was 87.3% (95% CI, 83.0%-90.6%) in the enzalutamide/leuprolide arm, 71.4% (95% CI, 65.7%-76.3%) in the leuprolide/placebo arm, and 80.0% (95% CI, 75.0%-84.1%) in the enzalutamide monotherapy arm. MFS outcomes with enzalutamide plus leuprolide were superior to those with leuprolide plus placebo (HR, 0.42; 95% CI, 0.30-0.61; P < .001). MFS outcomes with enzalutamide monotherapy were also superior to those with leuprolide plus placebo (HR, 0.63; 95% CI, 0.46-0.87; P = .005).
Notably, in November 2023, the FDA approved enzalutamide for the treatment of patients with nmCSPC with biochemical recurrence at high risk for metastasis based on data from EMBARK.3
“Over 1.5 million men with advanced prostate cancer around the world have benefited from treatment with [enzalutamide] since its initial approval in 2012,” Shontelle Dodson, executive vice president and head of Medical Affairs at Astellas, added in the news release.1 “The scope and rigor of the EMBARK trial exemplify Astellas’ and Pfizer’s longstanding commitment to the prostate cancer community, and we look forward to sharing detailed findings in a future scientific forum.”
References
- Xtandi plus leuprolide significantly improves survival outcomes in men with non-metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer with high-risk biochemical recurrence. News release. Pfizer Inc. July 10, 2025. Accessed July 10, 2025. https://investors.pfizer.com/Investors/News/news-details/2025/XTANDI-Plus-Leuprolide-Significantly-Improves-Survival-Outcomes-in-Men-with-Non-Metastatic-Hormone-Sensitive-Prostate-Cancer-with-High-Risk-Biochemical-Recurrence/default.aspx
- Freedland SJ, de Almeida Luz M, De Giorgi U, et al. Improved outcomes with enzalutamide in biochemically recurrent prostate cancer. N Engl J Med. 2023;389(16):1453-1465. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa2303974
- Pfizer and Astellas’ Xtandi approved by U.S. FDA in earlier prostate cancer treatment setting. News release. Astellas. Updated November 17, 2023. Accessed July 10, 2025. https://www.astellas.com/en/news/28626
Continue Reading
-
August second on day two in Austria
AJ August produced one of the best rides of his young professional career after sprinting to a close second place on day two at the Tour of Austria.
The 19-year-old American hit out on the third-category uphill finish in Alpendorf but was narrowly edged out by Isaac Del Toro (UAE Team Emirates – XRG).
With six useful bonus seconds the Grenadier moved up to fifth place overall, with Felix Grossschartner (UAE Team Emirates – XRG) holding on to a nine-second lead, and a 20-second advantage over August.
The Grenadiers came to the fore on the uphill drag to the line to set up August, with Victor Langellotti backing up his teammate with a seventh place finish.
With three days to go, the GC fight takes a further step forward on Friday with a first category summit finish atop the Gaisberg.
Continue Reading
-
Natural Compounds Target Superbugs in Wastewater
Thank you. Listen to this article using the player above. ✖
Want to listen to this article for FREE?
Complete the form below to unlock access to ALL audio articles.Antibiotic resistance poses a significant threat to public health, and recent research highlights how wastewater may contribute to this global issue. Scientists analyzing samples from a wastewater treatment facility in Logan, Utah, identified multi-drug resistant strains of bacteria capable of withstanding several classes of antibiotics. While these bacteria are not usually harmful to healthy individuals, their potential to transfer resistance genes to more dangerous pathogens raises serious concerns.
Antibiotic resistance
The ability of bacteria to survive exposure to antibiotics that would normally kill them or stop their growth.
The study, conducted by researchers at Utah State University and published in Frontiers in Microbiology, assessed whether natural compounds could help curb this threat. The team found that curcumin – a compound from turmeric – and emodin – found in rhubarb – were particularly effective in limiting the growth and activity of some of the antibiotic-resistant strains.
How resistance emerges in wastewater
Antibiotic resistance develops when bacteria adapt to survive in the presence of drugs meant to kill them. This risk increases when bacteria are exposed to sub-lethal doses of antibiotics, such as those that pass through the human body and enter wastewater systems via urine and feces.
Wastewater treatment plants may harbor bacteria exposed to trace amounts of antibiotics. In this study, researchers screened the wastewater for strains resistant to sulfamethoxazole, identifying nine that were resistant to several antibiotic classes. One strain – labeled U2 – carried a broad range of antibiotic resistance genes and resisted all drugs tested, including colistin, a last-resort antibiotic.
“Without improved treatment, wastewater could serve as a breeding ground for ‘superbugs’ that may enter water resources such as rivers, lakes, and reservoirs, posing potential risks to public health.”
Dr. Liyuan ‘Joanna’ HouThe strains belonged to species including Microbacterium, Chryseobacterium, Lactococcus lactis, and Psychrobacter. While these are generally not considered dangerous for most people, they are known to cause illness in immunocompromised individuals. More importantly, they may act as reservoirs of resistance genes that could be passed to more harmful bacteria like Escherichia coli.
Testing nature’s defenses
To explore alternative strategies for managing antibiotic resistance, the researchers tested 11 natural compounds for their effects on the resistant bacteria. These included compounds known for their antimicrobial or anti-biofilm activity, such as curcumin, emodin, quercetin and berberine.
Biofilm
A structured community of bacteria that grow on surfaces and produce a protective layer.
The bacterial strains were evaluated for changes in cell growth, metabolic activity and biofilm formation. Curcumin and emodin emerged as the most promising. Curcumin reduced cell activity and inhibited growth and biofilm development. Emodin, particularly at higher doses, also suppressed bacterial activity, though lower concentrations unexpectedly stimulated some strains. However, Gram-negative bacteria such as Chryseobacterium were not affected by any of the tested compounds.
Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria
Bacteria are classified based on differences in their cell walls. Gram-negative bacteria are generally more resistant to antibiotics due to an additional outer membrane, while Gram-positive bacteria are more susceptible to certain treatments.
These early results suggest that plant-derived compounds may help in controlling resistant bacteria in wastewater, particularly Gram-positive strains. However, the researchers stress that additional studies are needed to determine whether these compounds could be used effectively in real-world wastewater systems. Future research should evaluate how the compounds perform in complex wastewater environments, whether they work in combination with existing treatment methods, and their long-term effects on microbial populations.
Reference: Li M, Zhan A, Rahman TT, Jiang T, Hou L. From wastewater to resistance: characterization of multidrug-resistant bacteria and assessment of natural antimicrobial compounds. Front Microbiol. 2025;16. doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2025.1612534
This article has been republished from the following materials. Note: material may have been edited for length and content. For further information, please contact the cited source. Our press release publishing policy can be accessed here.
This content includes text that has been generated with the assistance of AI. Technology Networks’ AI policy can be found here.
Continue Reading
-
Space startup Varda raises $187 million to make drugs in orbit
Pavlo Gonchar | Lightrocket | Getty Images
Space startup Varda announced on Thursday that it has raised $187 million in Series C funding, led by venture capital firms Natural Capital and Shrug Capital, to continue advancing drug manufacturing in space.
The latest round included participation from Peter Thiel, Lux Capital, Khosla Ventures and Caffeinated Capital. It brought the total capital Varda’s raised to $329 million.
“By expanding, we can support work on more complex molecules and ultimately increase cadence to achieve the turnaround times the pharmaceutical industry expects,” Chief Science Officer Adrian Radocea said in a press release Thursday.
Varda’s main mission is to launch and return drugs made in space. The startup has said the medicines crystallize differently in orbit due to the gravity differences, which would allow it to complete drugs that are currently difficult to manufacture.
In 2024, the space startup’s W-Series 1 capsule received FAA approval to return after successfully creating the drug Ritonavir the previous year.
So far, Varda said the company has been able to complete three space launches. Now, a fourth is in orbit, and the company expects to launch a fifth by the end of the year. Varda’s system uses Rocket Lab’s Photon spacecraft for its operation and adds its manufacturing module and a heatshield-protected capsule.
“With this capital, Varda will continue to increase our flight cadence and build out the pharmaceutical lab that will deliver the world’s first microgravity-enabled drug formulation,” said Varda CEO Will Bruey.
Varda Space Industries is the first company to process materials outside the International Space Station.
Recently, the space company has also operated a testbed for the U.S. government to use the W-series reentry vehicles to advance technology.
Varda said it has expanded into Huntsville, Alaska, and opened a laboratory in El Segundo, California, to begin work to crystallize more drugs.
“Our new lab space is an investment in our belief that in-space pharmaceutical manufacturing will drive the foundation of the orbital economy,” Radocea said.
Continue Reading