Lunch salad may boost health

Elon Musk’s SpaceX rocket has crashed into the Moon’s surface while travelling at a speed of 5,400 miles per hour while a telescope in Chile captured evidence of the impact. The European Southern Observatory’s (ESO) Very Large Telescope observed the impact on August 5 and detected colorful spectral lines of sodium and lithium gas. These were produced by clouds of lunar dust that were thrown up by the impact. The ESO telescope recorded the “chemical fingerprints” of the gas cloud which remained visible for around 5 to 10 minutes. The cloud was estimated to extend across dozens of kilometers. Experts had previously said that the impact could provide valuable data for future space experiments and help scientists analyze the effects of collisions involving human-made space debris. As NASA plans to establish a permanent human base on the Moon in the future understanding what happens when space debris strikes the lunar surface will be important. Impact site The impact occurred at a location on the Moon that is considered to be near the boundary between the sunlit and dark regions. When the impact sent clouds of dust into the air, they briefly became illuminated by sunlight. However, observing them with the naked eye from Earth was almost impossible. Although several satellites are currently orbiting the Moon, none was positioned at the time of the impact to directly observe it. The rocket fragment was approximately as tall as a five-story building and weighed around 4 tons. NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter and South Korea’s Korea Pathfinder Lunar Orbiter are being considered for photographing the impact site. These images could help determine how much damage was caused by the rocket although it may take several days to collect and analyze the information. It is worth noting that the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket was launched in January 2025 and carried two landers toward the Moon. Its boosters returned to Earth while the upper stage continued carrying the landers toward the Moon.

The role of media should not be confined to disseminating news and information but must also highlight public awareness regarding climate change. The media, in its reporting, is required to use appropriate terminology and diction to raise awareness, highlight the causes, and provide a way forward. The media, in its reporting, is expected to project the environment not as a resource to be used by humans but as a living environmental and ecological process that must not be disturbed by humans. For example, while writing such reports, if the media says that natural resources are diminishing or facing extinction, it must similarly highlight that the environmental system is being affected or impacted negatively . Recent studies have also reinforced this perspective. Penz and Fill (2022) observe that ecolinguistics promotes and fosters environmental awareness while supporting and strengthening the connection between humans and nature for sustainable development. In this context, Alexander and Stibbe (2014) argue that ecolinguistics plays a key role in highlighting the relationship between humans and the environment, as well as its impact on addressing environmental challenges and shaping a sustainable future. It is pertinent to highlight that while reporting any incident about environmental degradation or natural disasters, the media, apart from reporting, is also expected to provide solutions and a way forward to help face such incidents in the future. In reports about floods, wildfires, and rising temperatures, the media is also required to provide guidance and suggestions on how to combat or lessen the impacts of such environmental changes. The reporting must not be based only on presenting news and subsequently creating fear or chaos but must also give a sense of hope among people that through various techniques and the use of technology, such natural disasters can be managed effectively. The media must not consider floods, droughts, fires, or other environmental disasters merely as natural disasters but should link such impacts with environmental changes, industrial pollution, deforestation, human intervention with nature, and so on. Fairclough (1995), in his study, states that media should cover and highlight the areas that , on the other hand, are ignored and not given consideration by the masses. Therefore, the media is expected to sensitize the masses regarding such disasters and create a way forward to combat or tackle such environmental change disasters and their impacts on people and society as a whole. On the other hand, equally important is environmental equity or justice in society. It has been widely observed and noted that in floods, droughts, disasters, and environmental changes, the major impacts are faced by the underprivileged in society. It is the role and responsibility of the media to highlight and become a voice for such voiceless people, representing them and creating a sense of ownership among the poor and marginalized sections of society. The media is also required to highlight and create awareness among people about science and technology related to the environment and provide them with knowledge that through the use of such technology, they can tackle the horrors of disasters. The study of ecolinguistics reminds the media that humans are, in no way, different from society and can never be detached from society and vice versa. Hence, media reports are also expected to discuss humans, rivers, oceans, flora, fauna, biodiversity, and the ecosystem as a whole to give them significance and bring them into the limelight of the coverage. Media reporting is also required to use environment related terminology and diction, such as environmental war, ecological emergency, and other relevant terms, in its reports to highlight environment related information. Recent studies highlight that similes and metaphors have a significant impact on human thinking. Hence, the media is encouraged to resort to this method to mould public opinion towards environmental conservation and protection. Moreover, media personnel are required to engage in investigative journalism and cover incidents and events from different angles , examining their pros and cons deeply. If there are frequent flash floods in any area, the media is expected to discuss the causes and the role of concerned authorities in handling the incidents . Media houses, along with environmental protection organizations and other stakeholders, are required to impart knowledge and training to journalists. There is also a significant role for environmental funding organizations in sensitizing media personnel. In training sessions, they are expected to invite environmental experts, scientists, and scholars who have made significant contributions in this area. Media reports and the diction used therein have great significance. They must highlight a green and stable future through sustainable development initiatives and become partners in facing the challenges and effects of environmental degradation. They must give hope to people that the media stands with them and will continue contributing its responsible and positive role. This is the major objective of ecolinguistics. Societies such as ours widely need the use of ecolinguistics in the media.

Some habits are considered by people to be signs of foolishness or poor mental ability. In fact, many people associate such habits with a lack of concentration, poor discipline or mental decline. However, one such habit that may seem strange to others has been linked to intelligence in some research reports. Yes, the habit is talking to yourself which is often viewed negatively by people. According to research reports, if you have a habit of talking to yourself, it does not mean you are crazy. Instead, it could be a sign that you are more intelligent than other people. Although people may not generally view this behaviour positively, there is evidence suggesting that talking to yourself can benefit the brain. It may improve memory, boost confidence and help with concentration. A 2012 study found that people who talked to themselves were able to identify objects in pictures more quickly. Similarly, a 2023 study found a connection between self-talk and self-control or self-discipline. The study suggested that people who talk to themselves often have a better understanding of themselves. However, these benefits may occur when self-talk is practiced in moderation. Negative self-criticism, on the other hand, can have harmful effects. So, if you have a habit of talking to yourself, there is no need to feel embarrassed about it. This unusual habit may help you analyze details, improve concentration and sharpen your mind.

Beijing: Chinese scientists have proposed a new planetary defense strategy to deflect or destroy potentially hazardous asteroids that could collide with Earth. According to the proposed approach, placing a nuclear device inside an asteroid and detonating it could be one of the most effective ways to deal with a major impact threat. According to a report, researchers at the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology said that large asteroids have always posed a serious threat to human civilization. In the distant past, asteroid impacts caused mass extinctions and triggered devastating environmental changes. The scientists noted that astronomers have discovered several asteroids hundreds of meters wide passing very close to Earth in recent years prompting increased research into new planetary defense methods. The study suggests that a nuclear explosion could be the most effective strategy for either destroying a large asteroid or deflecting it away from Earth particularly when there is very little time to respond. Under the proposed plan, a spacecraft would first create a deep crater on the asteroid. A nuclear device would then be placed inside the crater and detonated to alter the asteroid’s trajectory or break it into smaller pieces. According to the research, a 100-meter-wide asteroid could be completely destroyed by an explosion with a yield equivalent to 200 times the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima. Similarly, detonating a nuclear device at a depth of 20 meters inside an asteroid about one kilometer wide could change its velocity enough for it to safely miss Earth. The researchers said the study could help pave the way for future planetary defense strategies against large near-Earth asteroids.