Watch: Osiris-Rex drops rock, soil sample from asteroid Bennu on Earth
The samples collected weigh more than 250 grams and have been preserved in pristine condition. These samples are expected to provide scientists with key insights into the origins of our solar system. Key Points
India TodayOsiris-Rex mission: Nasa lands rock samples from asteroid Bennu on Earth
The US made history as the space agency landed rock samples on Earth. With this, the spacecraft's seven-year-long journey came to an end. Key Points
India TodayDelhi Lt Governor seeks CBI probe over 'non-standard drugs' supplied to hospitals
Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena has recommended a CBI probe into the "non-standard drugs" being supplied to Delhi government hospitals. He said these medicines were being given to lakhs of patients in Delhi government hospitals and possibly supplied to the mohalla clinics. Key Points
India TodayGovt working with spice makers to ensure EtO norm compliance; asks Everest to take corrective action
New Delhi, May 20 (PTI) The government has found that some samples of Everest Spices were non-compliant under the strictest standards (0.1 mg per Kg) regarding presence of ethylene oxide and it has been asked to take corrective measures, an official said on Monday. In view of the reports on the recall of two Indian […] Key Points
ThePrintCovid JN.1 variant found common in Bengaluru wastewater, 96% positivity found in samples: Study
Covid JN.1 Updates: A recent study conducted by Tata Institute for Genetics and Society (TIGS) in Bengaluru has found that the JN.1 variant of Covid-19 is the predominant strain in wastewater samples. The study analyzed samples from 26 Sewage Treatment Plants across the city, revealing a city-wide wastewater positivity rate of around 96% for SARS-CoV-2. Key Points
Economic Times
New Jersey Keeps Newborn DNA for 23 Years. Parents Are Suing
All US states take pinpricks of blood from newborns to test for diseases. New Jersey stores them for decades and may allow them to be used in police investigations. Key Points
WIREDZika virus detected in mosquito species in Karnataka's Chikkaballapura district
Health awareness is being created; people have been made to understand the importance of maintaining cleanliness and hygiene in and around houses. Mosquito fogging is being done near the area where the Zika virus was detected and the revenue department has also been urged to cooperate with the health department and take necessary action to contain further spread of the virus. Key Points
Economic TimesChandrayaan-4's objective revealed: Here's what it will do on the Moon
The primary objective will be to collect samples from the lunar surface and return the samples safely to Earth for scientific studies. But there's more. Key Points
India TodayYou be the judge: should my girlfriend stop taking free samples from the same shop?
Mike is mortified by Irene going in for free hot chocolate. She says she’s boosting its sales. You decide who is in the right Key Points
the GuardianDrug regulator calls for cancelling licence of firm related to Uzbek deaths
Marion Biotech’s Dok-1 cough syrups allegedly led to the deaths of the children in December 2022. Noida police on Friday arrested three officials of the company on the basis of an FIR lodged by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO). | Latest News India Key Points
Hindustan Times
COVID-19: 436 cases of XBB1.16.1 mutated sub-variant found in India
XBB1.16.1 is a mutation of Omicron's infectious XBB1.16 variant. The XBB 1.16 variant was first found in January when two samples tested positive for the variant Key Points
FirstpostXBB.1.16 has potential to drive fresh Covid wave? Former AIIMS director answers
A total of 76 samples of XBB.1.16 variant of coronavirus have been found which might be behind the recent rise of cases in the country, according to INSACOG data. | Latest News India Key Points
Hindustan TimesAndhra Pradesh: We better mask up
The WHO recommends that everyone adopt all COVID precautions amid the new COVID-19 variant XBB.1.16 fast spreading in the country Key Points
The HinduNASA seeks cheaper ideas for Mars sample return mission amid budget crunch
Agency officials expect alternative plans submitted for review this fall or early winter. NASA is seeking a cheaper, simpler approach to one of its top... Key Points
The Tribune IndiaIsrael embassy blast case: FIR yet to be lodged, Delhi Police question 11 people
Forensic teams have visited the spot of the blast and samples have been collected. CCTV footage of nearby areas being analysed. Key Points
ThePrint
Four acquitted of making, distributing Mephedrone
Four men accused of manufacturing Mephedrone in a village near Dahanu in August 2018 have been acquitted by a special NDPS court in Mumbai. The court ruled that police failed to comply with the mandatory process of drawing samples from the alleged contraband, and that prosecution failed to provide evidence of the partnership between the accused. Mephedrone is a synthetic stimulant and is banned in India. | Mumbai news Key Points
Hindustan TimesUzbekistan cough syrup deaths: Centre seeks cancellation of Marion's license
The development comes a day after Indian authorities arrested three Marion employees and began looking for two directors. The company's products have also been linked to deaths in Uzbekistan. Key Points
mintUzbekistan cough syrup deaths| Marion Biotech’s licence cancelled
The Uttar Pradesh Ministry of Food and Drug Safety has cancelled the drug license of Noida-based Marion Biotech Pvt Ltd after 18 children died in Uzbekistan, last year, allegedly after consuming cough syrup manufactured in India. “Marion Biotech Company’s license has been cancelled by the State License Authority,” a senior State health official said on Wednesday. Key Points
The HinduCough syrup deaths: Marion Biotech’s license cancelled
The Uttar Pradesh Ministry of Food and Drug Safety has cancelled the drug license of Noida-based Marion Biotech Pvt Ltd after 18 children died in Uzbekistan, last year, allegedly after consuming cough syrup manufactured in India. “Marion Biotech Company’s license has been cancelled by the State License Authority,” a senior State health official said on Wednesday. Key Points
The Hindu76 samples of new COVID variant XBB1.16 found in India: INSACOG data
The XBB 1.16 variant was first found in January when two samples tested positive for the variant while in February a total of 59 samples were found. Key Points
The Hindu
Mother of Pune teen, who killed 2 with Porsche, arrested
Pune teen's mother was arrested on Saturday. Commissioner of Police said the investigation has revealed that the juvenile's blood samples were swapped with those of his mother. Key Points
India TodayPatna rainwater has high concentration of hazardous microplastics, finds '1st-of-its-kind' IIT study
Microplastics in atmosphere can lead to lung inflammation, increase chance of reproductive issues & cancer. Study by IIT Patna researchers published in Journal of Hazardous Materials. Key Points
ThePrintDelhi's groundwater has very high salt content: How bad is it for the kidneys?
One out of four groundwater samples in Delhi had a very high salt content. Doctors advise on how high salt water could threaten the kidneys. Key Points
India TodayIndia to launch Chandrayaan-4 in 2028 to bring rocks from the Moon
Chandrayaan-4 aims to build on the accomplishments of the recently concluded Chandrayaan-3 mission while attempting more complex objectives, confirmed Dr. Nilesh Desai, Director, Isro's Space Applications Centre. Key Points
India TodayMaharashtra logs 131 fresh COVID-19 cases
Maharashtra has reported 131 new COVID-19 cases after testing 12,405 samples at a 1.05 percent positivity rate. The state has logged 172 infections and 81,72,836 positive samples. With 51 patients discharged, the overall number of recoveries in the state is 80,23,576 at a recovery rate of 98.17 percent. Key Points
Economic Times
'Report symptoms, increase testing': Govt advisory amid Covid spike, new JN.1 variant
In view of an upsurge in the Covid-19 cases and the new JN.1 variant, which has been detected in India, the Centre has asked the states to increase the number of RT-PCR tests and send the positive samples for genome sequencing. Key Points
mintSprinter Dutee Chand to file appeal against four-year doping ban by NADA
Indian sprinter Dutee Chand is in process to file an appeal against a four-year ban from competing imposed by the National Anti-Doping Agency after two out-of-competition tests revealed she had used other anabolic agents/SARMs. The 27-year-old 100m national record holder was on Thursday served the ban after two samples taken in December last year were found to contain other anabolic agents/SARMS , which is listed under WADA's 2023 prohibited list of non-specified substances . Key Points
Economic Times436 cases of XBB1.16.1 mutated sub-variant found in India: INSACOG
The INSACOG data has shown that 2,735 cases of the XBB1.16 variant have been found in a total of 24 states and Union Territories. India has recorded 9,111 new coronavirus infections, while active cases have increased to 60,313, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Monday. Key Points
Economic TimesWhole genomic sequencing helped in early detection of XBB.1.16 subvariant: Expert
With the increase in the number of samples for genome sequencing, Dr Karyakarte said, Pune-CoG -- a consortium of five Indian SARS-CoV2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG) labs in the city -- will be activated. Apart from NIV and BJMC, the other three labs include National Centre for Cell Science, National Chemical Laboratory, and Indian Institute of Science Education and Research. Key Points
The Indian Express