Jornais pelo Mundo

July 01, 2025 

Researchers at Binghamton University, USA, have found that when people submerge their hands in water, it causes their fingers to wrinkle in the same manner each time. According to researchers, the blood vessels located under the skin begin to contract when the skin is exposed to water for an extended period. This causes a wrinkled pattern on the skin, which stays consistent every time a person’s hand is immersed in water. Researchers believe our blood vessels do not shift much, causing the same pattern to develop. This discovery could be useful in forensics and other fields. 

July 01, 2025 

Scientists at Rice University, USA, have found bacteria that produce electricity through a unique process. These organisms employ extracellular respiration, a process in which they push electrons out of their cells with the help of natural molecules known as naphthoquinones. The mechanism operates similarly to how batteries release energy. It allows the bacteria to survive without requiring oxygen. This discovery gives scientists insights into how some bacteria live in oxygen-deficient conditions. It could be used to drive innovations in space research and medicine.

DID YOU KNOW?
A Dutch scientist named Antonie van Leeuwenhoek was the first person to observe bacteria.

July 01, 2025 

Abu Dhabi plans to introduce Aion Sentia, the first artificial intelligence (AI) cognitive city in the world, by 2027. This city will be designed to evolve according to the habits and needs of its residents. It will employ AI to provide residents with facilities that improve energy efficiency, public transport and healthcare. Residents of the city will have easy access to services through an AI-powered mobile application called MAIA. MAIA will be capable of providing users with suggestions, such as dining options and energy-saving tips, based on their preferences. This will enrich the residents’ quality of life.

DID YOU KNOW
Abu Dhabi covers 84% of the United Arab Emirates’ (UAE) land and its coastline stretches 700kms. It is UAE’s largest emirate. 

June 16, 2025 

Researchers at the Cambridge University Library, England, discovered a manuscript with stories about King Arthur and Merlin, which had been used as a book cover. This manuscript was part of the binding of a book from the 1500s that contained property records and had been overlooked for centuries. The manuscript comprises episodes from the story of King Arthur called ‘Suite Vulgate du Merlin’. To view the story without destroying the book and the delicate cover, scientists used numerous techniques including carrying out computed tomography (CT) scans. This helped them create a digital version of the cover, which they were able to read.

DID YOU KNOW?
Though the stories of King Arthur are an important part of British literature, historians aren’t sure if the character was inspired by a real person.

June 01, 2025 

• Marking a significant advancement, the University of Western Australia (UWA) intends to set up branch campuses in different parts of India.
• Mumbai will be designated as the main hub and the UWA has reached out to the University Grants Commission to facilitate the initiative.
• The university will offer different master’s and undergraduate programmes, including business and science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).
• The university will also facilitate academic exchange opportunities.
• This move was unveiled during a meeting between UWA’s chancellor, Maharashtra’s chief minister and Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit (WAVES) in Mumbai.

June 01, 2025 

A designer named Juyong Shim made use of waste and unused speaker parts to create furniture and other objects. The designer’s ‘Horn Series’, which included a table, shelves, a stool and a trolley, was part of Milan Design Week 2025. The series also includes a product that serves as both a lamp and a table. Shim integrated other elements with parts of speakers to create these objects. Through his creations, he demonstrates how waste objects can be redesigned for practical uses.

DID YOU KNOW?
Repurposing not only helps reuse objects, but also conserves water, trees and other resources.

June 01, 2025 

A huge power outage affected parts of Europe including Portugal, Belgium, Spain and some areas of France on April 28. The outage impacted communication services, transportation services, hospitals and other systems, bringing the lives of millions of people to a halt. While the exact cause of the outage is unknown, experts link it to an interconnector fault. Temperature changes due to an unusual atmospheric event are another possible reason being considered for the outage. Officials took prompt action to bring back electricity, however, achieving full recovery required about a week.

June 01, 2025 

• Japan has announced that it will provide India with Shinkansen trains from the E3 and E5 series as a gift. These trains will be used to evaluate the upcoming Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail Corridor.
• These trains will be fitted with instruments that help study how factors such as dust affect the operation of trains.
• Carrying out trials with the Shinkansen train sets will ensure efficient operations of the E10 trains expected to be introduced in 2030. These trains can travel at speeds as high as 400kms/hr.
• This move will further strengthen the relationship between Japan and India.

June 01, 2025 

Egypt is investing $51 million to transform the tourism experience at the Giza Plateau, home to the iconic Pyramids of Giza. The project, led by Orascom Pyramids Entertainment, aims to tackle long-standing problems such as animal mistreatment, overcrowding and unregulated street vendors that have marred the visitor experience. Key improvements include enhanced animal protection measures, the renovation of select tombs, relocating vendors to designated zones and introducing 45 electric buses to ease transportation. The initiative seeks to preserve the historic site while restoring its appeal as a world class tourist destination.

DID YOU KNOW?
The Giza pyramids were built around 4,500 years ago.

May 16, 2025 

• China is preparing to inaugurate the Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge, which is believed to be the tallest bridge in the world, in June 2025. 
• This bridge has been built over a canyon. It stands at a height of 2,050ft and stretches across 3.22kms. Constructed at a cost of around ₹2,200 crore, this structure will significantly decrease travel time in the region, making transport more efficient. 
• The bridge, located in Guizhou, China, is expected to attract tourists from around the world. 
• With a height that exceeds the height of France’s Eiffel Tower by 1,083ft, this structure highlights China’s prowess in infrastructure projects.