Laos is seeking investment in data centres, artificial intelligence, FinTech and other digital industries under its 2026-2030 investment plan. The strategy aims to reduce reliance on natural resources while attracting higher-value projects and creating skilled jobs. Deputy Finance Minister Phonevanh Outhavong said the government wants investments that introduce modern technology and connect Lao businesses with regional and global production chains. Data centres are a particular focus due to rising demand for cloud computing and storage. Laos also sees its hydropower resources as an a
Indian researchers have developed RK-251, a potential cancer treatment designed to activate mainly inside cancer cells. The drug was developed by researchers led by Dr. Asis Bala of IASST and Dr. K.P. Bhabak of IIT Guwahati. RK-251 works by responding to reactive oxygen species (ROS), which are found at higher levels in cancer cells. Once inside a cancer cell, these molecules activate RK-251 and release the anticancer compound NBDHEX. NBDHEX blocks proteins that help cancer cells survive and resist treatment. This mechanism could potentially reduce the damage to healthy cells associa
Seventeen-year-old Audrey Zheng has developed a blood-based method for detecting pancreatic cancer. The North Allegheny Senior High School student developed the project for the 2026 Regeneron Science Talent Search. Her research earned her a place among the competition’s national finalists. Zheng’s method uses magnetic nanospheres to isolate tumour-derived extracellular vesicles from blood samples. It combines this approach with KRAS mutation testing to identify signs of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. In testing, the method correctly identified 87% of patients with pancreatic c
Thirteen-year-old Aniket Sarkar has been named one of 10 finalists in the 3M Young Scientist Challenge. The seventh grader from Pine View School in Sarasota, Florida, developed a system to capture atmospheric moisture for agricultural use. His project aims to help farmers facing water shortages caused by drought and limited irrigation supplies. The system uses the principle that even dry air contains water vapour that can be collected under suitable conditions. Aniket designed the system keeping simplicity and accessibility in mind. However, details about its materials, water output,
The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams is evaluating a robotic dog for wildlife monitoring around the Tirumala temple. The quadruped robot uses AI, thermal and optical cameras, 360-degree LiDAR, and multiple sensors to detect wildlife in forests. Its system can identify large animals, humans, vehicles, and domestic animals. Wildlife detections can trigger geo-tagged alerts and live video feeds for control rooms and patrol teams. TTD is considering deployment along forest stretches near the Alipiri-Tirumala footpath. Early detection could help warn devotees and support quicker responses f
The Philippines is reportedly considering up to nine additional BrahMos coastal missile batteries from India. The proposed expansion would build on Manila’s existing three-battery BrahMos acquisition. The original $375 million deal was signed in 2022. The shore-based system is operated by the Philippine Marine Corps’ Coastal Defence Regiment. The agreement included mobile launchers, radars, command systems, training, maintenance, and logistics. The additional batteries could expand coverage across strategically important areas of the Philippines. The potential deployment could in
DayOne Data Centers has launched Singapore’s first Biological Data Center Prototype with Cortical Labs and NUS Medicine. The prototype features a 20-unit CL1 biological computing system operating within a research environment at NUS Medicine. The system combines living neurons grown from stem cells with silicon hardware to process information. The neurons receive electrical signals, respond to inputs, and adapt over time. The technology aims to provide a more energy-efficient alternative for specific computing applications. The project brings together NUS Medicine’s neurobiology
NASA astronaut Anil Menon and crewmate Jessica Meir harvested fresh kale and wasabi mustard aboard the International Space Station. The space-grown vegetables were cultivated for roughly one month before the astronauts harvested several leaves. They then prepared a simple meal using the fresh greens. Menon described the experience as “farm-to-table” and said the dish was possibly their best meal in orbit. He also credited NASA’s Veggie team for helping the crew grow the crops. Growing vegetables in space could provide astronauts with fresh produce during future missions lasting
ISRO and NASA marked one year of NISAR operations during an event held in Bengaluru on August 18, 2026. The NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar mission launched aboard ISRO’s GSLV-F16 on July 30, 2025. It is the first joint Earth-observation satellite developed by NASA and ISRO. NISAR carries dual-frequency L-band and S-band synthetic aperture radar technology. It can detect movements across land and ice surfaces down to the centimetre level. The satellite operates in a sun-synchronous polar orbit, roughly 747 kilometres above Earth. It observes almost all of Earth’s land and ice
Hyderabad-born astronomer Rohan Naidu left engineering school at 18 before joining Yale-NUS College in Singapore. His journey eventually led him to study the earliest galaxies and black holes in the universe. At Yale-NUS, Naidu discovered astronomy while researching blazars. He later studied at Harvard, earning a PhD in Astronomy in 2022. His research focused on “Galactic Archaeology” and ancient galaxies absorbed by the Milky Way. Naidu now studies the first galaxies formed after the Big Bang. His work examines their emergence and influence on the early universe. He has also become