Tech

Scientists Revive Dire Wolves Using Ancient DNA and Modern Gene Editing


Three live dire wolf pups have been born using reconstructed DNA. The extinct species had last roamed North America around 12,500 years ago. The milestone was reached by a Dallas-based biotech firm that focuses on genetic conservation. Ancient DNA samples from fossilised remains were analysed. Modern gene-editing tools were used to mimic key characteristics of the extinct predator. These pups were brought to life by implanting modified embryos into domestic dog surrogates. The young wolves have been named Romulus, Remus and Khaleesi.

Ancient DNA edited in lab to recreate species

According to a study shared by Colossal Biosciences, DNA samples had been collected from two ancient dire wolf fossils. One was a 13,000-year-old tooth, while the other was a 72,000-year-old skull fragment. These fragments were compared to modern wolf relatives and grey wolves were chosen for DNA alteration because of their evolutionary proximity. Gene sequences that were found only in dire wolves were isolated. These were introduced into the DNA of grey wolves through targeted editing.

Cloning technique used to implant embryos

The altered genetic material was inserted into grey wolf egg cells after removing their original nuclei. These prepared cells were placed inside domestic dogs. Each surrogate received multiple embryos. Interestingly, only one embryo survived in each of the first two dogs. Both gave birth by caesarean section, while the third pup was born in a second round of implantation.

Physical traits match fossil record

The new pups have been observed to develop features consistent with known dire wolf fossils. Thick white coats, larger teeth and body structure have been reported. These results came from identifying changes in 14 genes. The gene edits were introduced using CRISPR technology.

The same company had previously cloned red wolves. The team had also created “woolly mice” as part of a mammoth revival effort. The successful dire wolf birth marks a new phase in gene-driven species restoration.

 

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Tropical Tree in Panama Evolves Shocking Defense, Strikes Rivals with Lightning Bolts


Lightning is commonly considered a sign of disaster in the forest, as lightning kills or damages trees. On the lowlands of Panama, the tonka bean tree (Dipteryx oleifera) might have evolved to capitalize on this natural occurrence. New research suggests that lightning strikes could help the tonka bean tree (Dipteryx oleifera). According to Live Science research, these trees not only survive these electrical interactions unharmed, but the lightning also harms their competitors and the parasitic vines that cling to the tonka bean plants.

The researchers published their findings on March 26 in the journal New Phytologist. Lightning is a major cause of tree mortality in tropical forests, particularly among the largest and oldest trees, which play important roles in carbon storage and biodiversity.

Lightning as a Canopy Weapon

On average, each lightning hit destroyed over 2.4 tons (2 metric tons) of adjacent tree biomass and approximately 80 percent of the lianas (parasitic vines) that plagued the tonka bean canopy. As per Gora’s assumption, the key to these trees’ lightning resistance comes from their physical structure.

A few studies describe the tree as having strong internal conductivity, letting lightning current flow through without building up damaging heat like a well-insulated wire. Because they tend to grow large — up to 130 feet (40 meters)—and live for centuries, a single tonka bean tree is estimated to be struck at least five times after reaching maturity. Each strike helps to clear out vines and competitors, opening up the canopy to help it thrive.

Ecological Impact and Evolutionary Marvel

Gregory Moore, a horticulturalist from the University of Melbourne who was not involved in the study, thinks the results will apply to other species. “The sort of work could also apply to other tree-dominated plant communities, such as woodlands or low woodlands where trees are widely separated, so it’s nothing like a tropical forest,” he said, adding that other tall trees are also possible targets of lightning strikes.

More Than Just a Tree

“We have long known that some trees can withstand multiple lightning strikes,” Moore said, noting that some tall trees survive Australian bushfires and grow up towering over their neighbors, making them prime targets for lightning strikes. “They are often referred to as stags because the top of the crown has been blown out, but they can survive for centuries after being hit by lightning,” he added.

 

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NASA’s Jonny Kim Heads to Space With Russian Crew on Soyuz MS-27


On April 8, 2025, an American-Russian crew launched a combined spaceflight mission early Tuesday. The Soyuz MS-27 was launched from Kazakhstan’s Baikonur Cosmodrome. NASA astronaut Dr. Jonny Kim, a former U.S. Navy SEAL and doctor, along with Russian cosmonauts Alexey Zubritsky and Sergey Ryzhikov are the part of the crew. In what will be Kim’s maiden voyage, the spacecraft blasted off on a Soyuz 2.1a rocket at 1:47 a.m. EDT and will spend eight months on board the ISS.

Soyuz MS-27 docks after brief orbital journey

According to NASA’s official launch briefing, the Soyuz MS-27 capsule is scheduled to finish a two-orbit approach before docking with the ISS’s Prichal module at around 5:04 a.m. EDT. The crew will join Commander Alexey Ovchinin’s Expedition 72 after a successful docking and hatch opening. Currently, a combination of Japanese, American and Russian astronauts are stationed there.

Expanded crew to support multiple mission objectives

As outlined by Roscosmos and NASA mission updates, the three new arrivals, namely, Ryzhikov, Zubritsky, and Kim, will support various science experiments, maintenance tasks, and visiting vehicle operations. There are many spacewalks that are also planned. Kim had expressed his desire to participate in a spacewalk in an interview with NASA TV before launch. He described the physical and mental challenges as taxing.

Background of the crew and symbolic mission details

According to statements made to collect, Kim, aged 41, credited his diverse career path to opportunity and timing. He becomes the third U.S. Navy SEAL to enter orbit. Ryzhikov, a 50-year-old veteran cosmonaut, begins his third mission, while 32-year-old Zubritsky embarks on his first. The mission’s call sign is “Favour,” and the crew’s patch honours two key milestones in space history: the 60th anniversary of the first spacewalk and 50 years since the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project.

 

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First Future Type 1a Supernova Detected: White Dwarf Pair to Collide in 23 Billion Years


Two pair of compact white dwarf stars were located around 150 light-years from Earth. They have been identified by a group of astronomers. The two stars are orbiting each other. They are believed to be on course to eventually merge together. The collision is expected to take place in roughly 23 billion years. A Type 1a supernova is likely to result from this merger. This is the first time such a system which is destined to follow this path, has been clearly observed near our region of the galaxy.

First direct evidence linked to future Type 1a supernova

According to a study published in Nature, the system has a combined mass equal to about 1.56 times that of the sun. Such a high mass has confirmed that an eventual explosion is unavoidable. The heavier of the two stars is expected to draw matter from its lighter companion as their orbit gradually tightens. The investigation has been carried out by a team from the University of Warwick using data from large optical telescopes.

Closer orbit to drive merger over time

James Munday, PhD researcher and lead author of the study, shared in a press statement released to Space.com that the team acted quickly to verify the compactness of the system. Measurements revealed the stars currently orbit each other in just over 14 hours. Over time, the orbit is predicted to reduce to less than a minute. At that point, the final stages before the explosion will be reached.

Wider impact on cosmic measurements

Dr Ingrid Pelisoli. Assistant Professor at the University of Warwick and co-author, stated to Space.com that the proximity of this system suggests similar pairs might not be uncommon. Type 1a supernovas are considered useful to astronomers. Their consistent brightness allows measurements of vast distances in space.

 

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Major Disruption Has Left Arctic Polar Vortex Away from North Pole, Scientists Alert



A massive disruption to the Arctic polar vortex has pushed the ring of wind that circles the North Pole away from its perch and toward Europe. Scientists predict that the migration will cause colder-than-average temperatures in portions of the continent and the eastern United States in the next week. On March 9, the polar vortex began to drift off course when its powerful winds suddenly turned from west to east to blow in the opposite direction. Though this change generally occurs in mid-April, this year’s reversal occurred remarkably early based on a blog article made April 3 by NOAA.

Scientists Observe Displacement of Arctic Polar Vortex

According to the officials of NOAA, “the polar vortex is not likely to find its normal location above the North Pole.” It is doubtful it will recover its wintertime strength and will ultimately “enter hibernation” over Northern Europe.

As the polar vortex fades, temperatures in Northern Europe, portions of Asia, and the eastern United States will be below average. “Temperatures for the last week of March were pretty normal across the eastern US, but the latest forecasts do predict increased chances of below-normal temperatures for the next week,” they reported.

How the Vortex Disruption Impacts Weather Globally

If global warming is influencing the polar vortex, it could paradoxically increase the likelihood of catastrophic winter weather outbreaks in the mid-latitudes.

Among the options is that the “preferred” position of the polar vortex might be sensitive to local changes in sea ice cover. One study, for instance, connected the decline in sea ice extent in February in the Barents and Kara Seas in the eastern Arctic to a change in the polar vortex toward Eurasia between the 1980s and the 2000s. Along with the vortex shift, winters were colder than usual in Siberia and the mid-latitudes of central Eurasia.

Overland stated, “Every way people have tried to look at this question has produced some evidence for a connection and some evidence against a connection.” One study team will find that Arctic sea ice loss is upsetting the atmospheric circulation in ways that result in harsh mid-latitude winters. Another team would contend that the peculiar patterns of air circulation come first and cause both the cold winters over the mid-latitude continents and the warm Arctic. From Overland’s perspective, insufficient data exists either way to either support or reject the hypothesis.

What Comes Next?

A massive disruption to the Arctic polar vortex has pushed the ring of wind that circles the North Pole away from its perch and toward Europe, according to a new animation.

Climate analysts say it would bring about below-average temperatures over the eastern United States next week and many areas of the country.

On March 9, the polar vortex wobbled and then snapped back the other way as mighty winds, suddenly shifting from the west to the east – something that typically happens once a year – usually in the middle of April, according to a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) blog post on April 3, 2020. This year, it happened pretty early.



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Court: State vs. A Nobody OTT Release Date: When and Where to Watch it Online?



Legal drama ‘Court: State Vs. A Nobody,’ directed by Hansal Mehta, is finally out and will be premiering on Netflix on April 11, 2025. The film examines a situation where an illiterate individual can become caught in the legal system’s web. The movie will be available Telugu, Hindi, Tamil, Kannada, and Malayalam languages, catering to a diverse audience. The court drama is for sure worth a watch due to its powerful story and performances.

When and Where to Watch State vs A Nobody

The movie will be available for streaming on Netflix, starting from April 11, 2025. Interested users can watch the movie on the platform in different languages, including Telugu, Hindi, Tamil, Kannada, and Malayalam.

Official Trailer and Plot of State vs A Nobody

Junior lawyer Surya Teja works for a law firm run by Mohan Rao (Sai Kumar). One day he hopes to be handed and win an individual case so he may do more than what his father was able to do—notarise documents. The 19-year-old Chandrashekar works at unusual professions to help his family and himself. His mother and sister accompany his father, a watchman on a piece of land.

Chandrashekar develops feelings for a 17-year-old girl called Jabilli, from a well-to-do family. With Jabilli’s father dead, Mangapathi, her uncle, is regarded as the family patriarch. Mangapathi bribes the police using his attorney, Damodhar, to fabricate bogus cases against anyone should he feel they have compromised the integrity of his family or honour.

The narrative revolves around the discovery of the matter by Surya Teja and the way he helps Chandrashekar get justice.

Cast and Crew of State vs A Nobody

Court – State Vs. A Nobody is written and directed by Ram Jagadeesh in his directorial debut. The movie is produced by Prashanti Tipirneni and presented by Nani under Wall Poster Cinema. The movie features Priyadarshi Pulikonda, Harsh Roshan, Sridevi, Sivaji, P. Sai Kumar, Harsha Vardhan, Rohini, Subhalekha Sudhakar, Surabhi Prabhavathi, and Rajasekhar Aningi in their pivtol roles.

Reception of State vs A Nobody

The early responses to the shows were good, and many complimented Priyadarshi’s fine acting and the emotional story of the film. ‘HIT 3′ director Sailesh Kolanu also supported the film by appreciating it in a tweet by dubbing it as a long-lasting, emotionally potent film. His support provides additional publicity and influence for the movie. Furthermore, viewers appreciate precise depictions of court events and subdued character excursions. Good pre-release buzz and word-of-mouth point to the movie’s appeal, particularly to viewers drawn to dramatic events with societal ramifications.

 



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Runway Introduces Gen-4 Turbo Video AI Model With Faster Generation Speeds



Runway on Monday introduced a new artificial intelligence (AI) video generation model in the recently released Gen-4 family. Dubbed Gen-4 Turbo, the latest AI model prioritises generation speed while optimising efficiency. The AI firm says this AI model will help users in faster iterations and exploring creative vision for a project. The new addition to the Gen-4 family is now available across all paid plans. Notably, the new generation of video AI models offers improved consistency across characters, locations, and objects throughout the scene, as well as better real-world physics.

Runway’s Gen-4 Turbo Comes Released

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Runway said that the latest Gen-4 Turbo large language model (LLM) takes 30 seconds to generate a 10-second-long video. In comparison, the standard Gen-4 model can take up to a couple of minutes to generate a video of the same duration.

While improved speed is the main highlight of the AI model, it is also more credit-efficient. According to Runway’s website, the Gen-4 Turbo consumes five credits per second of video generation. A five-second-long video will consume 25 credits, and a 10-second-long video will consume 50 credits. In comparison, the Gen-4 AI model consumes 12 credits per second of video generation.

Credits are consumable units Runway provides with its plans. Each subscription tier offers a specific number of credits that users can access every month to generate videos. The lowest paid tier, Standard, offers 625 credits for $12 (roughly Rs. 1,034) a month. The most expensive tier, Unlimited, is priced at $76 (roughly Rs. 6,550) a month and offers unlimited credits to users.

Notably, the Gen-4 family of video generation models come with several upgrades over the previous generation. Runway says that with just one reference image, the models can generate consistent characters across different lighting conditions, locations, and camera angles.

The Gen-4 model can also use text prompts provided by a user to construct a scene with different camera angles, including close-ups and wide-angle side profiles. The models also improve upon the generation of real-world physics and motion. This means elements such as movements, object dropping, glass shattering, and wind effect will be more realistic.



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Oppo Find X8 Ultra Full Specifications Listed on TENAA; to Get Snapdragon 8 Elite SoC, 6,100mAh Battery



At the global launch of the Oppo Find X8 series last year, Oppo’s top-end Ultra model was missing. Just like the other Chinese smartphone brands, Oppo too refused to bring its high-end Ultra model to the global market, even though it let us review the Find X7 Ultra last year. Oppo’s approach this year hasn’t changed. Ahead of the Find X8 Ultra’s April 10 launch in China, we know that this phone isn’t headed to global markets but will be a China exclusive. Regardless, we finally have some details about its hardware specifications as the phone has been listed on TENAA and they seem to be worthy of the ‘Ultra’ tag.

The Oppo Find X8 Ultra has been listed on China’s TENAA website. The listing includes the phone’s design, and its specifications.

Oppo Find X8 Ultra Design (Leaked)

As per the images on the TENAA website, the Find X8 Ultra looks similar to the Oppo Find X8 and Find X8 Pro that launched late last year. However, unlike the Find X7 Ultra, its display is flat and so is its design does appear closer to the Find X8 than the Pro model. The rear panel also appears to get the Find X8 treatment with a circular camera module laid on flat glass and a metal frame with rounded edges.

While it does not appear as unique as the Find X7 Ultra’s design, it is listed to get an IP68/69 rating for dust and water, which is an improvement. The phone should also receive magnetic wireless charging, as per the listing. Hopefully, this will be built into the device, and does not require a case to function.

The Find X8 Ultra is listed to be available in Starry Black, Moonlight White, and Morning Light finishes at launch. Oppo will also introduce a new Action Button-like physical button with the Ultra model.

Oppo Find X8 Ultra Specifications (Leaked)

Coming to the specifications, the Find X8 Ultra is listed to have a 6.82-inch OLED panel with a 120Hz refresh rate and a resolution of 3,168 x 1,440 pixels. This is similar to the Find X7 Ultra’s panel, just that the new one appears to be flat and not curved. This display will also have an embedded ultrasonic fingerprint reader, as per TENAA.

The device is listed to be powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite SoC, which is different from the Find X8 and Find X8 Pro models that are powered by MediaTek SoCs. The Find X8 Ultra will reportedly be offered in 12GB + 256GB and 16GB + 512GB storage options in China. The device will also be available in a special Satellite Communication edition with 16GB RAM and 1TB of storage.

The phone is said to have a 50-megapixel Sony LYT-900 primary camera (with OIS), a 50-megapixel Samsung JN5, ultrawide camera, a 50-megapixel Sony LYT-700, 3x periscope camera, a 50-megapixel Sony LYT-600, 6x periscope camera and another 2-megapixel camera, making it a total of 5 cameras this year. Selfies are said to be handled by a 32-megapixel camera.

Oppo’s Find X8 Ultra is said to pack a 6,100mAh battery, which is much bigger than the one on the previous model. It will support 100W wired charging and 50W wireless charging. The device will boot to Android 15 with Oppo’s ColorOS.

The Oppo Find X8 Ultra is expected to be announced alongside the Find X8s and a Find X8s+ on April 10 in China.

 



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Redmi Watch Move India Launch Set for April 21; Design, Key Features Teased



Redmi Watch Move will be unveiled in India later this month. Alongside announcing the launch date of the upcoming smartwatch, the company teased its design as well. More details about the watch are expected to surface online in the days leading up to the launch. Notably, earlier this year, the company introduced the Redmi Watch 5 in select global markets. Redmi has yet to confirm the India launch of the Watch 5, which was initially launched in China in November 2024.

Redmi Watch Move India Launch

The Redmi Watch Move will launch in India on April 21, an X post from the company confirmed. A live microsite on the official website confirms that the smartwatch will be available for purchase in the country via the Xiaomi India e-store.

The design of the Redmi Watch Move has been teased. The smartwatch appears with a rectangular display, black display and a crown on the right edge, which could be functional. A tag on the promotional poster suggests that the watch will be equipped with an AMOLED screen. No other features of the smart wearable have been confirmed yet.

Redmi recently introduced the Watch 5 with a 2.07-inch AMOLED rectangular screen with a 60Hz refresh rate, up to 1,500nits peak brightness, and Always-On Display support. It carries a 550mAh battery and is claimed to offer up to 24 days of battery life on a single charge. It has 5ATM water resistance and runs on Xiaomi’s HyperOS 2 interface. The base option was priced at CNY 599 (roughly Rs. 6,600), while the e-SIM version cost CNY 799 (roughly Rs. 9,000).

In India, the company unveiled the Watch 5 Active and the Watch 5 Lite last year, priced at Rs. 2,799 and Rs. 3,999, respectively. Both wearables are claimed to offer up to 18 days of battery life and have 5ATM water resistance. The Redmi Watch 5 Lite has a 1.96-inch AMOLED rectangular display, while the Watch 5 Active sports a 2-inch rectangular LCD screen.



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Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 With Second-Gen Oryon CPU Cores to Deliver 25 Percent Improved Performance, Tipster Claims



Qualcomm is expected to launch the Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 in the coming months, as its flagship chipset for smartphones and mobile devices. Details of the successor to the Snapdragon 8 Elite SoC have been leaked by a tipster on Weibo, the Chinese microblogging website. Qualcomm’s second generation Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 chip is said to deliver up to 30 percent improved GPU performance over the current model. It is also tipped to offer support for LPDDR6 RAM.

Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 Performance Improvements (Expected)

According to a post by Digital Chat Station (translated from Chinese), the upcoming Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 will be equipped with second generation Oryon CPU cores that are developed by Qualcomm. The tipster claims that these new CPU cores will deliver 25 percent improved performance when compared with the first generation Snapdragon 8 Elite SoC that arrived last year.

The Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 will offer support for LPDDR5x and LPDDR6 RAM, as per the tipster’s post. Smartphones equipped with LPDDR6 RAM could arrive later this year, alongside the Snapdragon 8 Elite 2, and these devices are expected to offer better performance than last year’s models.

GPU performance is also expected to see notable improvements, as per the tipster. Qualcomm is expected to increase the GPU’s independent cache to 16MB (up from 12MB on the Snapdragon 8 Elite). The upcoming Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 is said to offer up to 30 percent better GPU performance over the first-gen model.

Last year, the tipster claimed that Qualcomm was working on a new SM8850 chipset, which is expected to be the Snapdragon 8 Elite 2, will be manufactured by TSMC, using its advanced N3P fabrication process. The chip was previous said to offer a 20 percent jump in performance when compared with the current fflagship processor.

Digital Chat Station recently predicted that smartphones with the Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 would be launched in October, but some OEMs could unveil their flagship handsets as early as September. Qualcomm’s annual Snapdragon Summit is typically held in October.

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