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Sunday, February 22, 2026
TopicEarth science

Topic: earth science

South Asians became lactose-tolerant by accident & asteroids may be gold mines of cosmic treasure

ScientiFix, our weekly feature, offers you a summary of the top global science stories of the week, with links to their sources.  

Damage from Wayanad-like disasters can be minimised if agencies coordinate—Vigyan Yuva awardee Roxy Koll

Koll, awarded Vigyan Yuva in 'Earth Sciences’, says rainfall and landslide forecasts must be connected. He also emphasises the importance of a robust early warning system for India.

The UFO buzz is passe—NASA has a new term for it. Here’s why we’re still fascinated

Like political scandals and high-waisted jeans, UFOs trend in and out of collective awareness but never fully disappear.

Don’t judge fruit flies by their annoying buzzing behaviour. See their economic importance

We should open our eyes to their enormous economic and environmental importance. Try to imagine a world without flies to decompose dead animals.

Where did the Earth’s oxygen come from? US Study points to an unexpected source

At least some of the Earth’s early oxygen came from a tectonic source via the movement and destruction of the Earth’s crust.

On Camera

Youth Congress, your foolish protest helped the Modi govt climb out of the AI summit hole

In tactical terms, the shirtless protest was worse than a self-goal. Suddenly, the fiascos of the AI Summit were forgotten, and the Youth Congress’s disruption became the issue.

In the West, there’s anxiety. In India, optimism—Rishi Sunak says India poised to be leader in AI

On Wednesday, the former UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak was speaking in New Delhi at a Carnegie & Observer Research Foundation event on AI.

MoD, IAF agree on some exemptions to HAL for Tejas Mk1A, but no compromise on ‘must-have’ capabilities

IAF is fine with accepting the aircraft with 'must-haves', even if some other steps remain pending, which may take at least another year, it is learnt.

No country is ever fully sovereign. Cold War era taught India its real meaning

India’s fraught neighbourhood places multiple constraints on its strategic choices. It leaves no time to take a deep breath, lean back and reset.