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Recent reports from Kapena village, Odisha, highlight how communal tensions between tribal communities and Christians have disrupted the practice and sanctity of tribal sacred groves. Sacred groves are not only cultural and religious spaces but also ecological treasures, conserved for generations by local communities. What Are Sacred Groves? Sacred groves are patches of virgin or near-natural forests that local communities protect due to their religious, cultural, and spiritual signifi

Schizophrenia

Recent research analyzing data from more than half a million people has revealed that individuals with schizophrenia are more likely to have weaker bones and suffer fractures compared to the general population. What is Schizophrenia? Schizophrenia is a serious mental disorder that disrupts thought processes, perceptions, emotional responses, and social interactions. The severity and course of schizophrenia vary among individuals, but it is typically persistent, disabling, and lif

Sonic Boom

Recent studies have shown that seismometers can detect sonic booms created by debris from orbit falling back to Earth. This highlights that sonic booms are not only generated by aircraft but also by objects re-entering the atmosphere from space, producing detectable ground vibrations. What is a Sonic Boom? A sonic boom is a loud, thunderous noise produced when an object moves faster than the speed of sound (approximately 343 meters per second at sea level). When an object exceeds th

Bacillus subtilis

Recently, Kerala declared Bacillus subtilis as its “State microbe.” This recognition highlights the importance of this microorganism in agriculture, health, and scientific research. What is Bacillus subtilis? Bacillus subtilis is a type of beneficial (“good”) bacterium, commonly classified as a probiotic, meaning it can support healthy biological processes. It is naturally found in the human gut and in fermented foods. It is also widely present in s