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Time of India
21 hours ago
- Science
- Time of India
Elon Musk's Mars plan is a dangerous illusion, warns astrophysicist Adam Becker
Elon Musk's long-standing dream to colonize Mars has come under sharp criticism from renowned astrophysicist and author Adam Becker, who calls it "the stupidest thing" one could pursue. In a recent interview and in his new book More Everything Forever, Becker argues that efforts by billionaires like Musk and Jeff Bezos to settle Mars are nothing more than 'sci-fi fantasies' detached from scientific and ethical realities. Despite Musk's framing of Mars as a backup plan for humanity in the event of a global catastrophe, Becker insists that even a damaged Earth would remain far more habitable than the red planet. He believes these grandiose space ambitions are more about escaping fears than solving real problems. Elon Musk's Mars vision: 'Stupidest thing' says Becker Becker takes a blunt stance on Musk's idea of Mars as a 'lifeboat' for humanity. 'We could get hit with an asteroid, detonate every nuclear weapon, or see the worst-case scenario for climate change, and Earth would still be more habitable than Mars,' he told Rolling Stone. He cites the planet's lack of breathable air, radiation exposure, and extreme conditions as insurmountable barriers. His critique also targets the illusion that technology alone can make Mars livable. 'Any cursory examination of facts about Mars makes it clear, it's not a place for humans,' Becker asserts. Childhood wonder meets scientific reality Once a strong believer in space colonization, Becker admits that his views changed as he studied the harsh truths of space environments. 'As I got older, I realized, 'Oh, that's not happening.' We're not going to go to space, and certainly not to make things better,' he told The Harvard Gazette. He accuses tech billionaires of pouring resources into escapist dreams instead of addressing problems on Earth. According to him, their space crusades reflect deep-seated fears rather than rational strategy. Scientists warn of risks in billionaire space ambitions Becker isn't the only critic. Fellow astrophysicist Lawrence Krauss has also denounced Musk's Mars plan, calling it 'logistically ludicrous' and 'scientifically and politically dangerous.' Despite these warnings, Musk remains committed to his goal of building a Mars colony with at least one million people, positioning SpaceX as the spearhead of this vision. Yet experts argue that such ambitions, if rushed or poorly planned, could have disastrous consequences both scientifically and socially.
NDTV
2 days ago
- Science
- NDTV
Are Boys Better At Math Than Girls? Study Dissects Stereotypes
New research suggested that boys often outperform girls in mathematics, but this doesn't necessarily mean boys are inherently better at the subject. The study found that boys and girls start with equal math skills in early elementary school. However, a "gender gap in favour of boys became highly significant after four months of schooling," a study published in the journal Nature revealed. "These findings were repeated each year and varied only slightly across family, class or school type and socio-economic level," a study revealed. "Although schooling correlated with age, exploiting the near-orthogonal variations indicated that the gender gap increased with schooling rather than with age." The study noted that gender disparities in maths are thought to primarily reflect an "internalisation of the sociocultural stereotype that 'girls are bad at maths'". But where, when and how widely this stereotype becomes entrenched remains uncertain. The study is based on the results of a four-year assessment of language and mathematical performance of all French first and second graders - more than 2.5 million schoolchildren (2,653,082 children). The study revealed that boys tend to be more confident and have positive attitudes towards math than girls. This confidence gap can impact performance, with boys scoring higher on math tests. However, the way math is taught may contribute to the gap. Researchers suggest that early math instruction might favour boys, leading to a disparity in performance. Differences in math performance aren't due to inherent ability but rather a socioeconomic status and environmental factors. Countries with equal opportunities tend to have smaller gaps in math performance between boys and girls. "There are no differences in overall intrinsic aptitude for science and mathematics among women and men," Elizabeth Spelke, now Marshall L. Berkman Professor of Psychology at Harvard University, told The Harvard Gazette last week. "Competitive pressure affects girls and boys differently," Marta Macho-Stadler, a professor in the Department of Mathematics at the University of the Basque Country who was not involved in the new study, told the Spanish Science Media Centre. "A previous study conducted in a two-stage [math] competition in Spain would indicate [...] that the motivations and performance of boys and girls may differ in competitive environments." "In addition, expectations from the family and teaching environment may push girls to limit themselves and perform worse than boys in this type of test," she said. Encouraging curiosity, logical thinking and effort in both boys and girls can help reduce the gap. Teachers and parents should promote positive attitudes towards math and provide equal support to both genders.
NDTV
11-06-2025
- Health
- NDTV
This Plant-Based Meat Alternative Is Healthy And Hydrating, Celebrity Nutritionist Explains
Jackfruit is becoming a favourite in wellness food trends. A common food in India and other South Asian countries, the chewy fruit is now increasingly becoming a go-to plant-based meat alternative in the West. The world is recognising the health benefits of jackfruit. It is high in fibre, beta-carotene, and manganese, as well as has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, anticarcinogenic, anti-fungal, antineoplastic and more healthy properties, as shared in The Harvard Gazette. Nutritionist Ryan Fernando, who has given diet consultations to celebrities like Shahid Kapoor and Anushka Sharma, explains the benefits of this fruit in the latest Instagram video, along with explaining who should avoid it and the best ways to consume this fruit. Hydrating And Cooling Properties Jackfruits are packed with water, fibre and potassium - three things our body craves when the heat hits, explains the nutritionist. It keeps us hydrated, supports digestion, and naturally cools the body. Summer is a good time to include jackfruit in your diet. Raw jackfruit has a low glycemic index (low GI) when eaten in moderation. Low-GI foods are digested and absorbed slowly, leading to a slower and smaller rise in blood sugar levels. Studies have shown that a low GI diet may result in weight loss and lower risk of heart disease. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ryan Fernando (@ryan_nutrition_coach) Everyone's Eating Jackfruit, But Should You? While jackfruit has several health benefits, it may not be for everyone. Nutritionist Fernando cautions that if you're diabetic, you should check with your doctor first before including jackfruit in your diet. If you have kidney issues or are on a low-potassium diet, jackfruit might not be the best choice. How Much Jackfruit Should We Eat The health expert advises sticking to one cup of jackfruit a day. Excessive jackfruit consumption may spike your sugar levels. Toss it in your salad, smoothies or snack on it fresh but skip frying. Eat it in the morning or at lunch for the best possible digestion. Here Are 5 Healthy Jackfruit Recipes You Can Try: 1. Jackfruit Salad Dice raw jackfruit and toss it with chopped cucumber, tomatoes, onions, lemon juice, and a pinch of chaat masala. Add some roasted peanuts for crunch and garnish with coriander. This hydrating salad is refreshing, light, and perfect for summer snacking. 2. Jackfruit Smoothie Blend ripe jackfruit pieces with chilled yoghurt, some milk, honey, and cardamom powder. This creamy smoothie is a great breakfast drink, packed with nutrients and natural sweetness. You can also blend in some oats for extra fibre. 3. Jackfruit Flour Dry jackfruit seeds in the sun and grind them to make gluten-free flour. Mix some of this nutritious flour with your wheat flour to make chapatis or mix in with dosa batter. It's a healthy alternative to refined flour, rich in protein and B vitamins. 4. Jackfruit Strips Cut ripe jackfruit into thin strips and dry them in the sun or oven. These chewy, subtly sweet strips make a tasty snack that has a similar taste to mango. Sprinkle a pinch of salt or chaat masala for a tangy twist. 5. Jackfruit Paniyarams Mix jackfruit pulp with ragi four, grated coconut, jaggery, cardamom powder, and salt. Pour the batter into a paniyaram pan and cook until golden brown. These mini dumplings are crisp outside and soft inside - a great breakfast or tea-time snack. When was the last time you ate a jackfruit? Try these healthy recipes and eat jackfruit in moderation, as advised by nutritionist Fernando.
Yahoo
02-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
More Black babies are dying than white infants. Scientists are blaming healthcare inequality
Although the disparity in the number of overall deaths reported between Black and white Americans has narrowed over the course of the last 75 years, researchers say that the same does not hold true for infants. Black infants are dying at twice the rate of white infants – and it's largely thanks to healthcare inequality. 'This is like a red alarm,' Harvard University associated professor Dr. Soroush Saghafian explained. 'Our findings are saying: Look, we could have saved five million Black Americans if they had the same things as white Americans have,' he told The Harvard Gazette. The authors analyzed mortality data collected by the U.S. Census Bureau and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, calculating life expectancy, mortality rates, and years of potential life lost for both white and Black Americas. Saghafian was an author of the research published in the journal Annals of Internal Medicine. Their analysis found that there was a 20.4 percent increase in life expectancy for Black Americans and a 13 percent rise for white Americans, although Black adults still have an 18 percent higher mortality rate. While the mortality rates for both Black and white infants have improved, the disparity between races has worsened. For Black infants in the 1950s, the mortality rate was 92 percent higher than white infants. Today, that percentage has risen to 115 percent. While Saghafian noted that the purpose of the study was not to examine the reason for their findings, he stated that the main reasons for excess mortalities are medical. 'Our work raises the critical question of why, over seven decades post-World War II, we still haven't figured out a solution for this enormous problem,' he said. The American healthcare system has long been under scrutiny for its astronomical costs and hurdles to patient care. A new study released Wednesday from the West Health Institute has found that the inability to pay for healthcare in the U.S. has reached a new high. More than a third of Americans – or an estimated 91 million people – report that they could not access quality healthcare if they needed it, according to the latest West Health-Gallup Healthcare Affordability Index. Rates were higher among Black and Hispanic Americans, with 46 percent of Black Americans reporting that they would be unable to afford quality healthcare. The center called for policy action - so did Saghafian. 'As I mentioned, we didn't go into the details of the causes, and I think that needs a lot more attention from both researchers and public policy and public health authorities. At the same time, our findings raise important questions for both researchers and authorities,' he said.
The Independent
02-04-2025
- Health
- The Independent
More Black babies are dying than white infants. Scientists are blaming healthcare inequality
Although the disparity in the number of overall deaths reported between Black and white Americans has narrowed over the course of the last 75 years, researchers say that the same does not hold true for infants. Black infants are dying at twice the rate of white infants – and it's largely thanks to healthcare inequality. 'This is like a red alarm,' Harvard University associated professor Dr. Soroush Saghafian explained. 'Our findings are saying: Look, we could have saved five million Black Americans if they had the same things as white Americans have,' he told The Harvard Gazette. The authors analyzed mortality data collected by the U.S. Census Bureau and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, calculating life expectancy, mortality rates, and years of potential life lost for both white and Black Americas. Saghafian was an author of the research published in the journal Annals of Internal Medicine. Their analysis found that there was a 20.4 percent increase in life expectancy for Black Americans and a 13 percent rise for white Americans, although Black adults still have an 18 percent higher mortality rate. While the mortality rates for both Black and white infants have improved, the disparity between races has worsened. For Black infants in the 1950s, the mortality rate was 92 percent higher than white infants. Today, that percentage has risen to 115 percent. While Saghafian noted that the purpose of the study was not to examine the reason for their findings, he stated that the main reasons for excess mortalities are medical. 'Our work raises the critical question of why, over seven decades post-World War II, we still haven't figured out a solution for this enormous problem,' he said. The American healthcare system has long been under scrutiny for its astronomical costs and hurdles to patient care. A new study released Wednesday from the West Health Institute has found that the inability to pay for healthcare in the U.S. has reached a new high. More than a third of Americans – or an estimated 91 million people – report that they could not access quality healthcare if they needed it, according to the latest West Health-Gallup Healthcare Affordability Index. Rates were higher among Black and Hispanic Americans, with 46 percent of Black Americans reporting that they would be unable to afford quality healthcare. The center called for policy action - so did Saghafian. 'As I mentioned, we didn't go into the details of the causes, and I think that needs a lot more attention from both researchers and public policy and public health authorities. At the same time, our findings raise important questions for both researchers and authorities,' he said.
