Technology News
Browse all articles and features filed under the News desk.
Black hole big enough to swallow solar system
Astronomers have discovered that the M87 black hole is more than twice as heavy as previously thought, weighing 6.8 billion suns and large enough to engulf our solar system.
Earth ‘to get a second sun’
A red super-giant star, Betelgeuse, is predicted to explode into a supernova, potentially creating the appearance of a 'second sun' in Earth's sky for several weeks.
Scientists discover hottest ever planet
Astronomers have identified WASP-33b as the hottest exoplanet yet, boasting a scorching 3,200-degree Celsius surface temperature due to its extremely close orbit around a super-hot star.
NASA clicks first 3D image of the sun
NASA's STEREO mission has captured the first-ever 3D image of the sun's surface, a significant milestone achieved by two satellites orbiting on opposite sides of the sun.
BlackBerry tablet will be a winner: Market analysts
BlackBerry maker RIM is betting big on its new PlayBook tablet to compete with Apple's iPad and Android devices. Analysts predict its multitasking, powerful QNX operating system, and business integration could make it a strong contender.
Scientist sets Large Hadron Collider data to ‘music’
Physicist Lily Asquith has transformed complex data from the Large Hadron Collider into sound, offering a unique auditory dimension to particle physics research. This innovative approach allows scientists to "hear" particle interactions, complementing traditional visual data.
Microsoft plans new Windows operating system for mobile devices
Microsoft is developing a new Windows operating system specifically for mobile devices, focusing on energy-efficient ARM chips. This move aims to boost its presence in the competitive tablet and mobile market.
Now a chip that makes computers 20 times faster
Scientists have developed an ultra-fast computer chip, boasting 1,000 cores on a single chip, that is 20 times faster than current desktop processors. This innovation could revolutionize home computing with its high speed and energy efficiency.
Suspected debris of exploded rocket washes ashore
Debris from ISRO's recently exploded GSLV rocket, which failed during launch, has washed ashore near Pazhaverkadu. Officials are investigating the metal object, though ISRO had no prior plans for a debris search.
India to launch advanced communications satellite Dec 25
With investigations into a leak in a rocket engine’s valve providing satisfactory results Wednesday, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) will celebrate Christmas by launching an advanced communications satellite, an official. “The test results are satisfactory and the r
India twice successfully tests n-capable Prithvi-II
India Wednesday successfully conducted two tests of its indigenously developed nuclear-capable ballistic missile Prithvi-II from a military base in Orissa, defence officials said. The surface-to-surface missile, which has been inducted into the Indian armed forces, was blasted of
ISRO to decide on delayed rocket launch Wednesday
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) will Wednesday take a decision on the delayed rocket launch, meant to put an advanced communications satellite into orbit, after getting results of tests on a leaking engine valve. “The tests are not over. They are continuing and a de
Amazing iPhone application instantly translates words
It could be the perfect tool for bewildered tourists lost in a foreign city. A remarkable new iPhone application has been developed that instantly translates words viewed through the phone’s camera from Spanish into English, and back again. WordLens uses the iPhone’s inbuilt came
India’s rocket launch postponed
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has postponed Monday’s rocket launch, meant to put an advanced communications satellite into orbit, following the detection of a leak in its Russian-made cryogenic engine. The rocket, called a geosynchronous satellite launch vehicle (
‘Solar tsunami’ offers new clues about sun
It was the breathtaking solar event that sparked spectacular displays of Northern Lights across much of the northern hemisphere. In August, the sun’s surface suddenly erupted and blasted tons of plasma – ionised atoms – into interplanetary space. It took two days for the atoms to
Pills to bust blues raise heart attack risk
Pills to bust the blues carry fatal heart attack risks too, says a new research. The latest study by Mark Hamer of the University College, London shows that people on older drugs, tricyclic antidepressants, are at far higher risk of cardiovascular disease than those taking the ne
Possible ice volcano found on Saturn moon
NASA’s Cassini spacecraft has spotted what could be an ice volcano on Saturn’s moon Titan, scientists said Tuesday. The images were analysed by the US Geological Society, which noted the similarity of an area of the moon known as Sotra Facula to volcanoes on Earth. The findings w
Chocolate may ease symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome
Dark chocolate may ease the symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome, says a new research. It is characterised by extreme, persistent fatigue for six months or more with other problems as muscle pain, headaches and poor memory. Dark chocolate is rich in chemicals known to increase si
‘Kicking butt reduces lung cancer by 90 percent’
Quitting smoking can reduce the risk of lung cancer by nearly 90 percent, an expert said Wednesday. “Smoking causes about 90 percent of lung cancer deaths among tobacco consumers,” said Arun Goel, senior consultant of surgical oncology at Galaxy Cancer Institute in the capital. T
Researchers convert plastic bottles into porous cement
Researchers have converted discarded plastic bottles in combination with soil to form a porous cement like substance that could be the construction material of the future. It could also considerably ease ecological hazard caused by billions of plastic bottles discarded every year