Author: Rahul M

This is Berk. It snows nine months of the year and hails the other three. Any food that grows here is tough and tasteless. The people that grow here are even more so. The only upsides are the pets. While other places have ponies or parrots… we have… dragons as Jason’s Movie Blog takes an animated “cinematic flashback” look at DreamWorks’s classic How to Train Your Dragon (2010). HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON “One adventure will change two worlds” Director: Chris Sanders and Dean DeBlois Writer: Chris Sanders, Dean DeBlois, and Willam Davies Starring: Jay Baruchel, America Ferrera, Craig Ferguson,…

A remarkable discovery in the Bogotá Altiplano region of Colombia has offered new insight into the ancient populations that once roamed the Americas. Researchers studying human remains have uncovered a group of individuals who lived as long as 6,000 years ago. What makes this discovery especially significant is the genetic data: these ancient people have no known genetic ties to other populations, past or present. The finding raises new questions about early human migration in South America. Unearthed Remains in the Bogotá Altiplano The research, led by Andrea Casas Vargas, a scientist at the Universidad Nacional de Colombia, published May…

Octopuses have long captured the fascination of scientists and animal lovers alike for their remarkable intelligence, problem-solving abilities, and adaptive behaviors. Yet, a new breakthrough reveals that their cognitive complexity might be more familiar than we think—drawing an unexpected connection between these invertebrates and humans. The discovery, rooted in evolutionary science, sheds light on the shared origins of intelligence in both species. Tracing the Connection Recent research suggests that octopuses and humans may share an evolutionary link dating back 518 million years. This common ancestor, deep in our evolutionary past, could explain why octopuses have evolved such extraordinary intelligence despite…

In the summer of 1962, a French geologist named Michel Siffre embarked on an experiment that would soon disrupt our understanding of time itself. Armed with nothing but a torch and an unrelenting curiosity, Siffre descended into the Scarasson cave system, 130 meters below the French Alps. What began as a routine geological expedition quickly transformed into a pioneering study of human biology. Siffre, isolated for 63 days without clocks, calendars, or sunlight, would emerge with insights that no one had anticipated—and that would forever reshape the science of chronobiology. The Silent Abyss of the Scarasson Cave Siffre’s journey into…

Vijay Mallya — a name that was once synonymous with a life of luxury and indulgence. From being seen with bikini models at Kingfisher calendar launch events to appearing alongside Bollywood actresses like Shilpa Shetty and Katrina Kaif, his flamboyance knew no bounds. At times, he made headlines for purchasing a lavish mansion in the scenic city of Sausalito, and at other times, for acquiring the IPL team Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). But the man who was elected twice to the Rajya Sabha as an independent MP, saw his empire collapse so dramatically that he fled from India. Podcast Drama:…

A massive iceberg recently calved from the George VI Ice Shelf in Antarctica, revealing a surprising and vibrant marine ecosystem beneath the ice. This discovery, made by researchers aboard the Falkor vessel, challenges what we know about life in one of the most isolated, extreme environments on Earth. Located on the Antarctic Peninsula, this area has been significantly affected by climate change, which has caused rapid melting and collapse of the ice shelves in recent years. A Thriving Ecosystem in the Dark When the iceberg broke off earlier this year, scientists were unsure of what they would encounter beneath the…

OLD MOVES, NEW SPIRIT   The Karate Kid franchise has long thrived on cinematic purpose and nostalgic charm, revolving around the central theme of young protagonists trained in martial arts by seasoned mentors, enabling them to confront bullies or assert themselves in challenging circumstances. Originating with the iconic 1984 film, The Karate Kid laid the groundwork by chronicling Daniel LaRusso’s transformative journey under the guidance of Mr. Miyagi. The subsequent sequels, The Karate Kid: Part II (1986) and The Karate Kid: Part III (1989), continued LaRusso and Miyagi’s adventures, deepening the series’ lore. In 1994, the franchise pivoted with The…

Summary Former Washington Commanders President Jason Wright indicates the NFL is close to allowing foreign investment in team ownership Wright suggests the league will initially explore “partnership deals” with companies backed by foreign governments before direct investment The National Football League (NFL) is reportedly on the cusp of opening its doors to foreign investment in team ownership, according to Jason Wright, the former president of the Washington Commanders. Speaking on a sports business panel last week at Gabelli Funds’ annual Media & Sports Symposium in New York, Wright stated that his “experience in NFL circles suggests the league is close…

In a move that could reshape the future of clean energy, researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have unveiled a process that generates hydrogen fuel from an unlikely combination: recycled soda cans and seawater. This innovation could offer a cost-effective, sustainable path to hydrogen production, one that may have far-reaching implications for the global transition to clean energy. A Breakthrough in Hydrogen Production Hydrogen is often touted as a clean fuel due to its ability to burn without emitting harmful carbon dioxide. However, the current methods of hydrogen production are still heavily reliant on fossil fuels, making it…

“STITCH” ING TOGETHER A BETTER DISNEY REMAKE   In 2002, Walt Disney Animation Studios released Lilo & Stitch, an original animated feature directed by Chris Sanders and Dean DeBlois. Featuring the voice talents of Daveigh Chase, Chris Sanders, Tia Carrere, David Ogden Stiers, Kevin McDonald, Ving Rhames, Jason Scott Lee, Zoe Caldwell, and Kevin Michael Richardson, the film told the heartwarming and quirky story of Lilo, a spirited Hawaiian girl raised by her older sister Nani, who adopts a genetically engineered alien, Experiment 626, mistaking him for a dog and renaming him Stitch. Designed for destruction, Stitch initially uses Lilo…