Here are today’s most important updates from the realm of Science and Space.
A remote clinical trial has shown promising results for depression treatment using a swimming-cap-like device to gradually stimulate the brain. The non-invasive therapy called transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) is developed to stimulate several areas of the human brain connected with mood regulation. The device provides a painless and weak electrical current through electrodes placed on the scalp. According to World Health Organisation (WHO), over 280 million people suffer from depression globally. If the device shows positive results in upcoming tests, it could be a game-changer as one-third of people with depression do not respond to standard treatments like antidepressants or psychotherapy.
NASA's C-130 Hercules aircraft has started a monumental journey to transport a crucial component of the Nasa-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) mission to India. The primary aim of this mission is to safely transport NISAR's radar antenna reflector to Bengaluru, India. There it will be integrated into the main spacecraft. During this journey, the aircraft will strategically stop at United States, the Pacific Ocean, and finally India. The NISAR mission, a collaboration between Nasa and ISRO, aims to gather unprecedented data on environmental changes and natural disasters. To ensure the safety of both the crew and the crucial cargo, the flight will take rest days and service stops during 80 hours journey.
Chennai residents were delighted to observe mesmerising natural spectacle as bioluminescent waves seen in the city's coastline. The East Coast Road (ECR) beach, near Thiruvanmiyur and Neelankarai, glowed with an ethereal blue light. The rare phenomenon immediately gathered attention from crowds. Meanwhile, Bioluminescence is a natural phenomenon produced by several marine organisms like microscopic plankton named dinoflagellates. They emit light through chemical reactions inside their bodies when agitated by wave action or other disturbances in the seawater, resulting into a stunning display of blue-green light waves. Some experts suggested it to be a consequence of rapid rainfall in last week. Mostly, bioluminescence is harmless, however, large blooms can potentially reduce oxygen concentration in the water, disrupting marine life.
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— Firecaptain and Jack (@Firecaptain16) October 19, 2024
Science break.
Approximately 41,000 years ago, Earth’s magnetic field briefly reversed during what is known as the Laschamp event. Scientists have created a model of what it would have sounded like. During this time, Earth’s magnetic field weakened… pic.twitter.com/fM73dsQGzT
(Credit - X/@Firecaptain16)
A recent video shows how Earth's magnetic field weakened and warped before temporarily flipping during a "polar reversal event”. The event that took place 41,000 years ago, has provided a haunting soundscape of "alien-like" creaking highlighting the strain put on Earth's invisible protective shield. The magnetic field or magnetosphere of the planet was first formed nearly 3.7 billion years ago, which protects us from solar and high-energy cosmic radiations. Recent fluctuations in the position of Earth's magnetic poles revealed that the magnetosphere is much more susceptible to changes than previously anticipated. According to NASA; polar reversal events usually happen only every 300,000 years.
