Here are today’s most important updates from the realm of Science and Space.
Mark your calendars! On April 12, 2025, the night sky will dazzle with the Pink Moon—a charming micromoon that kicks off spring’s first full lunar display. But don’t let the name fool you—this moon won’t actually glow pink! The title comes from the vibrant Phlox subulata, a wildflower that blankets North America in pink hues each spring.
What makes this full moon special? It’s a micromoon, meaning it’ll look a tad smaller than usual because it’s at its farthest point from Earth. Still, it’ll be a breathtaking sight!
For skywatchers in India, catch it at 5:00 AM IST on April 13, while folks in the U.S. can admire it on April 12 at 8:22 PM EDT. No fancy equipment needed—just step outside, look up, and enjoy nature’s springtime show!
Webb telescope documents alien planet's death plunge into a star https://t.co/jqDEQPpFSn pic.twitter.com/XCxs4bJGJh
— Reuters (@Reuters) April 12, 2025
(Credit - Reuters,X)
In 2020, astronomers witnessed something never seen before—a planet being devoured by its host star. At first, they thought the star had expanded into a red giant, engulfing the doomed world. But new findings from the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) tell a different, even wilder story.
Instead of the star growing to consume the planet, the planet spiraled inward, its orbit decaying until it plunged to its destruction. The aftermath? A blazing ring of hot gas and a swirling cloud of dust—cosmic evidence of a violent end.
The star, located 12,000 light-years away in the Aquila constellation, is slightly smaller and dimmer than our sun. The ill-fated planet was likely a "hot Jupiter"—a gas giant roasted by its close orbit. Researchers believe it had to be several times Jupiter’s mass to cause such a stellar tantrum.
This discovery hints at how planets may die—not just by being swallowed when stars expand, but by slowly spiraling inward. As for Earth? Don’t panic yet. Our sun won’t turn into a red giant for another 5 billion years. But when it does… well, let’s just say Mercury and Venus won’t be the only ones in trouble.
Believe it or not, the Moon is home to some unusual leftovers—96 bags of astronaut waste from the Apollo missions. Left behind between 1969 and 1972 to save space, these bags of human waste (yes, that kind) have just been sitting there… until now.
With plans for long-term Moon bases under the Artemis program, NASA launched the LunaRecycle Challenge, calling on innovators to transform this decades-old waste into something useful—like water, energy, or even fertilizer. The goal? Develop compact, efficient recycling systems that can support future lunar colonies while reducing reliance on Earth.
But this isn’t just about space. The same tech could help remote or disaster-struck areas on Earth with limited waste management.
The competition closed in March 2025, and a winner will soon take home $3 million—plus a shot at working with NASA. Who knew old astronaut waste could be the key to sustainable space exploration? Turns out, one Moon’s trash could be humanity’s future treasure.
Did you know the bacteria in your gut might hold the key to managing brain disorders like autism, Parkinson’s, and dementia? According to Dr. B. Sesikeran, former Director of India’s National Institute of Nutrition (NIN), groundbreaking research reveals that probiotics—the "good" bacteria—play a crucial role in brain health by producing neurotransmitters that communicate with the brain.
Speaking at a recent conference in Mysuru, Dr. Sesikeran explained that our gut doesn’t just digest food—it sends signals affecting appetite, mood, and even cognitive function. While modern medicine still struggles to fully treat neurodegenerative diseases, probiotics and their byproducts (postbiotics) offer promising solutions, especially for aging populations.
Interestingly, ancient wisdom backs this science—Ayurveda has long linked digestion to overall health, and even Hippocrates claimed, "All disease begins in the gut." Today, scientists believe gut bacteria could someday replace antibiotics in fighting infections.
Meanwhile, the global functional food market—fueled by demand for gut-friendly probiotics—is booming, expected to hit $689 billion by 2030. As Dr. Prakash Halami of CFTRI noted, "Food isn’t just nutrition anymore; it’s medicine." With gut health in the spotlight, the future of wellness might just start in our stomachs.
