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India.com
a day ago
- Science
- India.com
Scientists Crack Star-Birthing Mystery: Indian Team First To Measure Magnetism Near Infant Massive Star
For the first time in the world, a groundbreaking study led by researchers at the Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST), Thiruvananthapuram, has directly detected and measured magnetic fields near an infant massive star, a discovery that could revolutionise our understanding of how stars and galaxies form. Massive stars, those more than 8 to 10 times the mass of our Sun, have long baffled astrophysicists. Their formation process remained largely theoretical, especially because measuring magnetism around such nascent giants was nearly impossible, until now. A Peek Into Star-Birthing Nurseries The study focused on a massive protostar named IRAS 18162-2048, situated 4,500 light years away. Using cutting-edge data from the Karl G Jansky Very Large Array (VLA) in the US, the team observed a rare phenomenon: circularly polarised radio emissions. This form of emission is a telltale marker of magnetic fields. Thanks to this detection, the researchers were able to measure the magnetic field in the star's immediate surroundings, finding it to be between 20-35 Gauss, which is about 100 times stronger than Earth's magnetic field. Why This Matters? This is a landmark achievement in astrophysics. Previously, such magnetic fields had only been inferred or observed in low-mass protostars, like those that form stars similar to our Sun. But this study shows that even massive stars may follow similar magnetic pathways during formation, suggesting a universal mechanism behind star births. Dr Sarita Vig, the lead scientist from IIST who conceptualised the study, emphasised its importance: 'These magnetic field values are now scientifically measured from near the protostar, unlike earlier studies that relied on theoretical models.' Proving a Universal Theory The findings also support a long-standing theory in astrophysics, that jets seen erupting from stars and black holes are all powered by the same magnetic engine. 'This is the first strong evidence that jet formation physics is universal, whether it's a young star or a distant black hole,' said Amal George Cheriyan, a PhD researcher at IIST and co-author of the paper. Global Collaboration The work was a joint effort between IIST and leading institutions including the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), and Universidad Nacional de Córdoba (Argentina). Published in The Astrophysical Journal Letters, this pioneering research not only solves a decades-old cosmic puzzle but also opens new paths to explore how magnetic forces influence the birth and evolution of galaxies.
New Indian Express
3 days ago
- Science
- New Indian Express
Study sheds light on formation of stars, galaxies
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Massive protostars in our galaxy, that would later evolve to have mass of over 8-10 times that of the Sun, have remained an enigma for astrophysicists for decades. For the first time in the world, a team of researchers at the Indian Institute of Space Science & Technology (IIST), Thiruvananthapuram, in association with international scientists, have detected and measured magnetism near an infant massive star. The finding opens an exciting window into the understanding of how massive stars form, which later go on to shape entire galaxies. A protostar is the earliest known stage of a star that is beginning to form. The study was carried out on protostar IRAS 18162-2048, located 4,500 light years away using the National Radio Astronomy Observatory's Karl G Jansky Very Large Array in the US. 'The Astrophysical Journal Letters' brought out by the American Astronomical Society has published the study in detail. The researchers detected radio emission, with a special property known as circular polarisation near IRAS 18162-2048. The emission offers the first direct clue to the strength of magnetic fields in the immediate surroundings of a forming massive star. While strong magnetic fields have been observed earlier in low-mass protostars that go on to form stars like the Sun, measuring such fields around massive protostars has been a tough task until now. The new data allowed researchers to infer the magnetic field near the protostar to be about 20-35 Gauss, roughly 100 times stronger than Earth's magnetic field.
Straits Times
09-07-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
Woman who allegedly filed fraudulent tax claims of over $1.4m handed 97 charges
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Tan Kian Peng, 38, was also charged with multiple counts of transferring property representing her benefits of criminal conduct. SINGAPORE – Over a period of seven years, a woman is said to have set up multiple companies and filed fraudulent tax claims of over $1.4 million despite her firms engaging in no substantial business activities. On July 9, Tan Kian Peng, 38, was charged with 87 counts of making false entries in GST returns and four counts of hindering IRAS officers in carrying out their duties. The Malaysian was also charged with multiple counts of transferring property representing her benefits of criminal conduct. In September 2024, IRAS began investigations into Tan for her suspected involvement in setting up multiple GST registered entities for the purpose of claiming fraudulent GST refunds from IRAS. Investigations revealed that the GST registered entities had no substantial business activities and could not support their input tax claims. Between August 2017 and October 2024 , allegedly fraudulent GST input tax claims of more than $1.4 million were filed by Tan and the entities set up by her. From December 2019 to May 2024, Tan is also accused of transferring $213,000 suspected to be benefits of criminal conduct from her bank account to the account of another individual. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Singapore to hire 1,000 new educators annually in the next few years, up from 700 Asia Why Japan and South Korea are on different paths in the latest US trade salvo World Trump says steep copper tariffs in store as he broadens his trade war Opinion Is Donald Trump unstoppable? Opinion Hyper-competitive classrooms feed the corporate world's narcissist pipeline Singapore Man charged after he allegedly threw glass bottle at bus window, injuring passenger Business 'It's our grandfather's company, we won't sell', says Wong family as shareholders reject GE delisting bid Singapore Police officer taken to hospital after motorcycle accident on PIE Her case was adjourned to Aug 6. In a statement on July 8, IRAS and the police said: 'Singapore takes a serious view on fraudulent GST refund claims and related money laundering activities, and will not hesitate to take stern enforcement action against any individuals who commit these offences in accordance with the law.' Those who wilfully evade tax by submitting false GST returns can face a penalty of three times the amount of tax undercharged, fined up to $10,000, and/or be jailed for up to seven years .
Business Standard
03-07-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
RVNL appoints Chandan Kumar Verma as CFO
Rail Vikas Nigam said that its board has approved the appointment of Chandan Kumar Verma as chief financial officer (CFO) with effect from 2 July 2025. Chandan Kumar Verma, an IRAS officer of the 2000 batch, has been appointed chief financial officer (CFO) of HSRC Infra Services, a subsidiary of RVNL. A postgraduate in botany from the University of Allahabad, he brings vast experience in financial planning, budgeting, and tender evaluation. Verma previously served as Group General Manager (Finance) at RVNL, overseeing key financial operations and regulatory compliance. Rail Vikas Nigam is in the business of executing all types of railway projects, including new lines, doubling, gauge conversion, railway electrification, metro projects, workshops, major bridges, construction of cable-stayed bridges, institution buildings, etc. The company reported a 4.05% decrease in consolidated net profit to Rs 459.15 crore in Q4 FY25 as against Rs 478.56 crore posted in Q4 FY24. Revenue from operations slipped 4.27% YoY to Rs 6,426.88 crore in the quarter ended 31 March 2025. Shares of Rail Vikas Nigam rose 0.14% to Rs 393.15 on the BSE.
Independent Singapore
01-07-2025
- Business
- Independent Singapore
S$5 green tea for S$5.50? -— Nana's Green Tea under scrutiny for GST overcharging after customer complaint
SINGAPORE: The Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS) has called out Japanese café chain Nana's Green Tea over how it applied the Goods and Services Tax (GST) on a customer's order, after the customer raised concerns. The customer told Stomp that she was charged more than expected during a visit to Nana's Green Tea's Duo Galleria outlet near Beach Road on Jun 17. According to the customer, she had entered the café with her daughter, who asked for apple juice priced at S$5. They opted for takeaway and proceeded to pay at the counter. 'When the bill was presented, I thought I remembered the price wrongly,' she recounted. 'So I double-checked. It was still S$5.' She questioned the staff member when the final amount came to S$5.50. 'I asked the staff why the bill is S$5.50,' she said. 'The female staff member very confidently replied, 'GST'.' She pointed out that 9% GST on S$5 would be S$0.45, bringing the total to S$5.45, not S$5.50. 'Why was the bill rounded up?' she asked. The staff explained it was due to 'rounding.' 'I wondered whether this was even legal,' the customer told Stomp, 'Is this rounding up trending? I paid digitally. No change was required. So far, I have only encountered rounding down when paying with cash.' An IRAS spokesperson has since clarified that GST-registered businesses may round their bills to the nearest five cents only to facilitate cash payments, since one-cent coins are no longer in circulation. If a bill is paid digitally, there is no need for such rounding. 'In this instance, it is not right for the business to quote that the rounding from S$5.45 to S$5.50 is due to GST,' the spokesperson told Stomp. Iras confirmed it had engaged Nana's Green Tea over the matter and provided guidance on the proper way to handle GST invoicing and rounding. The authority also stressed that it takes any non-compliance seriously. See also Cyclist and kid spotted taking ECP expressway 'We will investigate and take necessary action against businesses that overcharge and wrongly collect GST on their transactions,' the spokesperson added, 'Businesses that commit such wrongdoings without reasonable excuse or through negligence may face fines and penalties.' Members of the public who encounter questionable GST practices can report them to IRAS at
