The Proofs Historians Said Indian Mathematics Lacked

In December 1832, Charles Matthew Whish told the Royal Asiatic Society that Indian mathematicians used infinite series for calculus centuries before Europe. While many scholars said India lacked a tradition of proof, these manuscripts showed otherwise. Whish died in April 1833, leaving his work on the Yuktibhāṣā largely unknown for years.

A breakthrough in taste receptors could open the door to new culinary experiences

Researchers at The University of Osaka mapped a pufferfish umami taste receptor that grips two mirror-image forms of amino acids. Atsuko Yamashita’s team used X-rays to show how two tiny molecular latches hold the receptor closed. This flexibility allows the fish to taste more without changing how it touches food.

Explainer: How sugar from outer space became one of the backbones of life on Earth

A new study in Scientific Reports suggests ribose, a fragile sugar, helped preserve its own survival on early Earth. Researchers found ribose helped dissolve borate minerals, keeping boron available to protect the sugar. This two-way chemical relationship shows how life’s backbone molecules may have formed before life actually started here.

Proton accelerator can transform cancer care and scientific research in Assam

The Assam Cabinet approved Rs 600 crore to install a proton beam therapy accelerator at the State Cancer Institute in Gauhati Medical College and Hospital. This advanced machine will provide precise cancer treatment for patients across India. It also supports multidisciplinary scientific research, marking a major step for medical technology.

Hypersonic weapons, quantum tech: What India needs for future wars

At the India Today Conclave - South 2026, G. Satheesh Reddy said India must develop hypersonic weapons and quantum technology for future wars. He also stressed that India needs to become a global manufacturing power. "I am very confident that in the next 10 years, India will have its own engine."

Mathematics nightmare - This new geometrical shape has 8 sides, 26 edges, 24 corners and 3 holes

Mathematician Ruslan Mizhaev identified a new genus-3 polyhedron featuring eight faces, 26 edges, 24 corners, and three holes. This complex shape is not a regular cube or pyramid. Mizhaev said, "Mathematicians can use simple integer coordinates to create it." Experts are now checking if this unique figure exists anywhere on Earth.

Indian startup Astrobase plans to launch 1,000 tonnes into space every year

Indian startup Astrobase plans to launch 1,000 tonnes into space every year. Founder Nereraj Khandelwal said, "Everything depends on how much tonnage you can send to space." The company is building a methane-powered rocket engine called Everest to reach this goal. They use 3D printing to manufacture these engines quite rapidly.

Scientists identify a new penguin species for the first time in more than 100 years

Scientists identified a new penguin species for the first time in more than 100 years. A study published in 2026 showed that what was considered one gentoo penguin species is actually four. Researchers used DNA analysis to find the southeastern gentoo, which lives on the remote Kerguelen Islands in the ocean.

Starship's engine failure raises reliability concerns ahead of Moon landing plans

SpaceX's Starship reached orbit on September 28, but an engine failure during the test flight raised concerns about Moon landing plans. One Raptor engine shut down unexpectedly after separation. While the mission deployed 26 Starlink satellites, experts now wait to see if this issue impacts the upcoming Artemis lunar schedule.

Nasa to launch four Crew-13 astronauts to Space Station for a six-month mission

Nasa will launch four Crew-13 astronauts to the International Space Station on Thursday, October 1. The team, including Jessica Watkins and Luke Delaney, will start a six-month mission. They got ready after a dry dress rehearsal on Tuesday, September 29. The crew will conduct many experiments and maintain the station.

Crystal spacing predicts magnetic states in complex alloys better than electron count

Researchers led by Farid Labib found that crystal spacing predicts magnetic states in complex alloys better than electron count. The team studied Au-based Tsai-type crystals to identify these properties. Labib said, "Quasicrystals are among the most unusual materials discovered to date." Their study appears in the Journal on Sept. 30, 2026.

Sharks can hear nearly 250 feet away and pinpoint the source

A new study from Florida Atlantic University showed that blacktip sharks can hear sounds from nearly 250 feet away. Researchers used underwater speakers and drones to track the animals off the coast of Palm Beach County. The sharks got startled by low-frequency sounds and quickly turned away from the source.