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AI and Machines: There is No such thing as Conscious Artificial Intelligence!

Khair ul Bariyah
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AI and Machines: There is No such thing as Conscious Artificial Intelligence!

“There is no such thing as conscious artificial intelligence”! It was stated in a study published in Nature in October 2025. The authors Anderzj Porebski and Jakub Figura further argued that the association between consciousness and the computer algorithms used today (primarily large language models, LLMs) and those that would be invented in the foreseeable future is deeply flawed. We believe that these flawed associations arise from a lack of technical knowledge and the way several new technologies (especially LLMs) work, which can create the illusion of consciousness.

The modern world attributes considerable credit to Artificial Intelligence (AI) for transforming lives, owing to its wide range of applications and benefits. AI pertains to the design of machines that require human intelligence. The capability of AI to think like humans has been a long-established debate in philosophy, cognitive science, and computer science. The discussion has intensified with the advancements in AI, which demonstrate capacities in reasoning, problem-solving, and creativity. The main question is, can machines be enabled to attain human-like consciousness? Are their intelligence parameters fundamentally different?

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Machine intelligence is the last invention that humanity will ever need to make -Nick Bostrom. (Credit: Possessed Photography/Unsplash)

AI encompasses a broad range of technologies, including machine learning, natural language processing, robotics, and cognitive computing. AI is divided into two main categories, Narrow AI (Weak AI) and General AI (Strong AI). Narrow AI is meant for specific tasks only, like image recognition, translation, or playing chess. It does not have any general intelligence or self-awareness. On the other hand, Strong AI is enabled to carry out any intellectual task like humans, with reasoning, learning, and adapting across various domains. It is often linked to self-awareness and consciousness. Currently, all AI systems fall under the class of Narrow AI, exhibiting excellence in specialized tasks but lacking true understanding.

For a decade, we have noticed a remarkable advancement in AI. This has sparked interest in time-hallowed questions about AI. One question is about the ability of AI systems to be conscious. Consciousness is one of the most complex and debated topics in neuroscience and philosophy. It generally refers to the subjective experience of awareness, thoughts, emotions, and perceptions. Consciousness has several key attributes like self-awareness, intentionality, subjectivity, and qualia. One of the principal theoretical questions is whether consciousness is solely a consequence of brain processes or if it requires something beyond computation.

There is a need to discuss artificial consciousness and the missing element of consciousness in current robots and AI systems. Consciousness is a crucial, yet often overlooked, topic in modern debates on AI and robotics ethics. We see constant integration of machines into our lives without much discussion on whether they are, or have a chance to become, conscious. The machines are becoming more social and lifelike, and so is the need to critically reflect on the role consciousness has in moral and legal considerations.

Phenomenal consciousness is based on subjective experience, and access consciousness deals with information obtainable for reasoning and behaviour; there is more focus on it while discussing artificial intelligence. Drew McDermott presented a computational theory of consciousness, whereby a machine becomes conscious if it is modeled for experiencing things.

There are a couple of arguments on the subject of developing consciousness in AI systems. The human brain has far more complex architecture, biochemical diversity, and developmental trajectory than current AI systems, as human consciousness emerged through complex, multi-level development. AI exhibits access consciousness, the capacity to broadcast and utilize information, but lacks phenomenal consciousness, which is based on subjective experience.

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AI exhibits access consciousness, the capacity to broadcast and utilize information, but lacks phenomenal consciousness. (Credit: Igor Omilaev/Unsplash)

The elements that are of prime importance in human-like consciousness are lacking in AI systems, such as emotions, embodiment, cultural development, and internal motivation. Spontaneous neural activity, healthy protein-based biochemistry and pharmacological modulation, evolutionary and developmental plasticity, embodiment, emotions, and evaluative capability are important brain features that are missing in AI and are difficult to incorporate.

Partial or alternative forms of consciousness, not necessarily a replica of human consciousness, might be attained. They may not be tagged as inferior or superior, but only that they may be qualitatively different. The type and level of consciousness aimed to be developed should be specified by AI researchers, with empirical biology as the basis of the work, not just abstract theory.

People tend to develop emotional bonds with social robots, and such interactions bring questions to light about whether robots deserve rights or moral status, as Sophia, a robot, was granted citizenship in Saudi Arabia. Modern robots still lack consciousness and sentience, so granting them human-like rights isn’t justified.

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A robot woman, Sophia, was granted citizenship in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Credits: Arab News/IIF)

Consciousness in machines doesn’t mean mimicking human behavior. It is a false assumption that only human-like traits indicate consciousness. According to neuroscience, the brain is necessary but not sufficient for consciousness, as some people function with very little brain matter. There are certain criteria for machine consciousness: we must consider consciousness as real, acknowledge that other beings (human or non-human) may have it too, accept the possibility of it arising from physical matter, focus on building machines that support the processes consciousness needs, and ensure that consciousness is observable.

According to some researchers, it’s not necessary to focus on human-like consciousness, as AI is meant for enhancing human life, not replicating human minds. If we consider for a moment that AI systems gain consciousness equal to that of humans, then a couple of genuine concerns arise, such as rights and legal recognition, moral responsibility in case of any crime, and the question of human identity if machines begin to think and feel like humans.

Whereas traditional AI models operate on predefined rules, modern AI mimics neural networks, the inspiration for which is taken from the human brain. However, even the most advanced neural networks lack true understanding, as they cannot comprehend meaning like humans do, although they can recognize patterns.

Philosopher John Searle proposed a “Chinese Room” thought experiment that challenges the idea that AI can accurately comprehend language. He gave an example of a person locked in a room, receiving Chinese characters and responding using a rule book, without understanding Chinese. AI, like the person in the room, only processes symbols but doesn’t understand them. AI may simulate emotions, analyze patterns, and make predictions, but it does not sense emotions as humans do. It is daunting develop systems with gut feelings shaped by life experiences.

Consciousness studies can be conducted scientifically by employing empirical neuroscience. For that purpose, a rubric of indicator properties was proposed, obtained from the main theories of consciousness. Recurrent Processing Theory (RPT), which showed that consciousness requires feedback loops for sensory-perceptual systems. Global Workspace Theory (GWT), which considers consciousness to involve broadcasting information to various cognitive systems, such as focus, memory, and logic. Higher-Order Theories (HOT), which define consciousness as requiring recognition of one’s mental states. Attention Schema Theory (AST), which views consciousness as a model of attention for self-control, and Predictive Processing, which holds that consciousness is based on prediction and error rectification in perception.

Modern AI systems were evaluated for the exhibition of any of these features by adopting a theory-heavy approach, in which theories of consciousness were used to derive testable markers called “indicators.” The design and function of AI systems were compared to these markers for assessment. It was concluded that no current AI system is conscious, although hope remains that it may be possible in the future.

There are certain specific computational and architectural characteristics that AI would require to meet the standards of consciousness, such as algorithmic recurrence, global information broadcast, metacognitive monitoring, predictive modeling of attention, and embodiment and agency. In current AI systems like GPT, some of these indicator properties are present, but not the whole set.

Although current AI lacks consciousness, some theorists have high hopes that future AI may develop self-awareness through advanced neural networks and self-learning algorithms. AI systems might become philosophical zombies, acting as if they are conscious but lacking genuine subjective experience. Machines may develop consciousness through increasing complexity, such as integration with biological neurons or brain-like structures. This approach may also help bridge the gap between computation and true cognition.

The rapid progress of AI cannot be ignored, but achieving human-like consciousness remains an awaited goal. The basic nature and definition of self-awareness and consciousness are not well understood, making it quite challenging to replicate them in machines. The ability of AI to perceive and think like humans is both a technological and philosophical concern, and the questions associated with it will continue to evolve as our understanding of advancements in both AI and human cognition grows.

References
  1. Butlin, Patrick, et al. “Consciousness in artificial intelligence: insights from the science of consciousness.” arXiv preprint arXiv:2308.08708(2023).
  2. Anwar, Nur Aizaan, and Cosmin Badea. “Can a Machine be Conscious? Towards Universal Criteria for Machine Consciousness.” arXiv preprint arXiv:2404.15369(2024).
  3. Farisco, Michele, Kathinka Evers, and Jean-Pierre Changeux. “Is artificial consciousness achievable? Lessons from the human brain.” Neural Networks180 (2024): 106714.
  4. McDermott, Drew. “Artificial intelligence and consciousness.” The Cambridge Handbook of Consciousness (2007): 117-150.
  5. Hildt, Elisabeth. “Artificial intelligence: does consciousness matter?” Frontiers in psychology10 (2019): 1535.
  6. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41599-025-05868-8

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Scientists Find a Natural SPF with UV-Protective Bacteria in Thailand’s Hot Springs

Smavia Ejaz
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Scientists Find a Natural SPF with UV-Protective Bacteria in Thailand’s Hot Springs

At the western Thailand’s Bo Khlueng hot spring, water temperatures rise close to 70 °C while sunlight reaches the surface with little attenuation. Heat and ultraviolet (UV) radiation are each stressful on their own; together, they create an environment that is hostile to most life. However, some microorganisms survive in these environments through biochemical adaptations that have evolved over long timescales.  Gloeocapsa species BRSZ, a thermophilic cyanobacterium, is one such organism currently attracting scientific interest to produce an unidentified UV-absorbing compound.

The finding is noteworthy as it advances our understanding of microbial survival in harsh conditions. It also guides us in developing  UV protection techniques that are safer for marine ecosystems and people alike. The discovery suggests new avenues for creating UV filters that are more efficient, biodegradable, and less detrimental to marine ecosystems than many of the ingredients found in sunscreens today.

Coping with heat and radiation at once

Researchers from Meijo University in Japan and Chulalongkorn University in Thailand isolated Gloeocapsa BRSZ from the Bo Khlueng hot spring in Ratchaburi Province. The research team was examining the responses of thermophilic cyanobacteria to overlapping stresses, which are increasingly prevalent in a warming world and include high temperature, salinity, and intense solar radiation. This strain produces a UV-absorbing molecule that has never been reported in cyanobacteria, according to chemical analysis.

The newly identified molecule, named β-Glucose-bound Hydroxy Mycosporine-Sarcosine (GlcHMS326), belongs to the family of Mycosporine-like Amino Acids (MAAs). This molecule carries three chemical modifications: glycosylation, hydroxylation, and methylation, which make it stand out among other MAAs. These chemical features are more than structural curiosities. 

They influence how the molecule absorbs UV radiation, how stable it remains under prolonged sunlight, and how it functions in the cells. They suggest a protective system finely tuned by long-term exposure to both heat and UV stress.

How nature shields from UV

MAAs prevent damage to DNA, proteins, or cell membranes by absorbing damaging UV radiation and releasing the energy as harmless heat. They are found in various life forms, such as algae, corals, fungi, and bacteria. MAAs are typically photostable and do not readily break down into reactive or toxic by-products when exposed to sunlight.

Gloeocapsa BRSZ increases  GlcHMS326’s production in the presence of both UV-A and UV-B. Genetic analysis confirms a unique set of biosynthetic genes that is responsible for the chemical modifications. Similar gene clusters appear to be uncommon, suggesting that this biosynthetic pathway may be restricted to a narrow group of heat-adapted cyanobacteria.

Interestingly, although eight thermophilic cyanobacterial strains were isolated from the same hot spring, only Gloeocapsa BRSZ produced substantial amounts of the novel MAA. This highlights how closely related organisms can adopt very different biochemical strategies even when exposed to the same environmental pressures.

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It is estimated that roughly 14,000 tons of sunscreen enter marine environments each year, much of it washed off swimmers in coastal waters.  Photo, Takeme tour

Savior of Coral Reefs

Interest in naturally derived UV filters has grown significantly due to the increased concern about the environmental effects of conventional sunscreens. It is estimated that roughly 14,000 tons of sunscreen enter marine environments each year, much of it washed off swimmers in coastal waters. Several widely used chemical filters, including oxybenzone and octinoxate, have been linked to coral bleaching, disrupted larval development, and DNA damage at extremely low concentrations.

Rising ocean temperatures and acidification pose threats to coral reefs. As a result, certain states, including Hawaii, have banned the use of sunscreens with specific chemical UV filters. While these limitations minimize local exposure, they also highlight the importance of good UV protection that does not harm marine ecosystems. MAAs derived from marine algae and cyanobacteria have emerged as promising alternatives.

The emerging data suggest that GlcHMS326 could provide UV protection as a sunscreen and has antioxidant activity that can protect from both UV-associated reactive oxygen species (ROS) and oxidative damage. Therefore, this compound might serve a dual purpose, protecting the skin from the damaging effects of UV radiation while reducing oxidative damage.

Additionally, cyanobacterial photosynthesis is a growing and effective production platform; it can be cultivated with three primary resources: light, water, and carbon dioxide. Some earlier work suggests that MAA biosynthetic genes can be transferred among different microorganisms, suggesting a bio-based, scalable means of producing MAAs.

Questions remain concerning GlcHMS326. Currently, we have no data on how long GlcHMS326 will remain stable (sufficiently long to survive, say, sunscreen formulations) or how long it will last over time when exposed to UV light. Lastly, we do not yet know if it will be economically feasible to produce GlcHMS326 at scale.

Organisms that can Adapt in Extreme Environments

While the discovery of GlcHMS326 does not directly create new sunscreen ingredients, it provides avenues for new understanding of the mechanisms. With these mechanisms, several organisms can stay adaptive over time to survive even in extreme environments.

Bo Khlueng hot springs are only one example of extreme habitats where organisms survive; similar metabolic pathways exist in polar, desert, marine, and deep-ocean environments.

References:

  • Samsri, S., et al. (2025). Discovery of a novel natural sunscreen from thermophilic cyanobacteria with a potentially unique biosynthetic pathway and its transcriptional response to environmental stresses. Science of the Total Environment.
  • https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2025.181006
  • Kageyama, H., & Waditee-Sirisattha, R. (2019). Antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, and anti-aging properties of mycosporine-like amino acids. Marine Drugs, 17(4), 222.
  • https://doi.org/10.3390/md17040222
  • Downs, C. A., et al. (2020). Sunscreen use and awareness of chemical toxicity among beachgoers in Hawaii before a ban on certain ingredients. Marine Policy, 117, 103875.
  • https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2020.103875

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The Modern Alchemy at CERN: Turning Lead into Gold is Possible Now!

Abdul Wahab
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The Modern Alchemy at CERN: Turning Lead into Gold is Possible Now!

For centuries, alchemists from ancient China, India, and Europe dreamed of transforming base metals like lead into precious gold. This long-standing quest, known as Chrysopoeia. They believed in a mysterious substance called the “philosopher’s stone” that could unlock this secret. While their dreams never came true, modern science has finally achieved what they could only imagine, thanks to the incredible work of scientists at CERN’s Large Hadron Collider (LHC) in Switzerland.

A Medieval Dream Realized – Through Science

This isn’t magic. It’s the realization of an ancient alchemist’s dream through modern nuclear physics. In the 20th century, we learned that heavy nuclei can transmute, either by radioactive decay or by particle bombardment in the lab. Recently, at CERN’s Large Hadron Collider (LHC), scientists ALICE (A Large Ion Collider Experiment) collaboration have observed the transmutation of lead atoms into gold.

However, this transmutation did not come from direct collisions, but through a phenomenon involving near-miss interactions between lead nuclei moving at nearly the speed of light. These near-collisions generate extremely powerful electromagnetic fields that can knock three protons out of a lead atom. Since gold has three fewer protons than lead, this results in the formation of a gold atom, at least for a very short moment (Space.com, 2024).

The Science Behind the Magic

Let’s break it down. An atom of gold has 79 protons, while lead has 82. So, turning lead into gold is essentially a matter of removing three protons. But protons are tightly bound in the nucleus by something called the strong nuclear force, one of nature’s strongest forces. To overcome this force, scientists used the LHC (the world’s largest and highest-energy particle accelerator) to speed up lead nuclei to 99.999993% the speed of light. When these nuclei barely miss each other, rather than crashing head-on, they generate a huge electromagnetic pulse (The Conversation, 2024).

This pulse triggers what’s called “electromagnetic dissociation,” where the atomic nucleus shakes and ejects neutrons and protons. If exactly three protons are removed, the lead atom becomes gold. These interactions are incredibly rare and last for just microseconds, but they are real, measurable, and profoundly significant. (CERN News, 2024).

Before you get excited about getting rich, here’s the reality check: between 2015 and 2018, scientists at CERN produced approximately 86 billion gold nuclei. Sounds like a lot? It only adds up to about 29 picograms, or 29 trillionths of a gram (Journee Mondiale, 2025). That’s so tiny it wouldn’t even be visible, let alone useful for making jewelry.

The production rate was impressive, to 89,000 gold nuclei per second during active experiments, but the atoms broke apart almost instantly after forming. They collided with the LHC’s beam pipe or other components and decayed into other particles (Space.com, 2024).

So why is this important if it doesn’t make us rich?

According to Dr. Elena Markov, a researcher on the ALICE experiment, this is about far more than gold. “It’s a beautiful demonstration of Einstein’s E = mc2 in action, showing how energy and matter can be transformed” (Journee Mondiale, 2025). The findings help scientists understand nuclear stability and reactions, and even how elements form in cosmic events like neutron star collisions.

What’s more, the advanced detection technology used, particularly the zero-degree calorimeters (ZDC) that detect subtle nuclear changes, opens new research pathways potentially beneficial for nuclear medicine, particle physics, and future clean energy sources (CERN News, 2024).

Interestingly, this isn’t the first time humans have made gold from lead. In the 1970s, Nuclear chemist and Nobel laureate Glenn Seaborg and his team at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory achieved lead-to-gold conversion using a powerful particle accelerator. While the result was groundbreaking at the time, the method was extremely expensive. A senator even criticized it for wasting taxpayer money. 

Even earlier, in 1937, physicist and Nobel laureate Ed McMillan created the first artificial isotopes of gold using early particle accelerators known as cyclotrons. Since then, nuclear transmutation has become routine in laboratories worldwide. Today, nuclear scientists regularly create elements and isotopes previously unseen in nature, contributing significantly to our understanding of atomic structure and fundamental physics. (Discover magazine 2024)

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Picture of the ALICE detector. Photo, CERN

From Myth to Measurement

The success of this experiment at CERN beautifully shows how ancient curiosities still inspire modern science. Alchemists, despite their mistaken theories and mythical approaches, were right to ask fundamental questions about matter. Today, with powerful machines and brilliant minds, scientists have not only proven that transmutation is possible but have also expanded humanity’s understanding of nature at its most fundamental level.

Scientists emphasize that the true goal of modern nuclear physics is not the production of gold but rather achieving gold-standard knowledge. The tiny amounts of gold produced in the LHC experiments symbolize something far greater: the extraordinary power of science to transform our understanding of the universe itself.

These advancements in nuclear transmutation could influence numerous scientific fields. As nuclear physics progresses, understanding these elemental transformations might inspire innovative approaches in medicine, such as targeted radiotherapy utilizing gold nanoparticles, or even in developing new materials and clean energy technologies.

Moreover, understanding nuclear processes at a deeper level helps predict and manage challenges in future particle accelerators. Insights from these experiments inform scientists about beam stability, energy losses, and potential enhancements to collider performance, guiding future technological advancements for exploring the tiny building blocks of the universe.

The CERN discovery bridges ancient alchemical dreams with modern science. While medieval alchemists tried to make gold for wealth and immortality. Today, scientists are not after wealth; they want to understand how the universe works. The tiny gold atoms created at CERN may be insignificant as treasure, but as scientific milestones, they’re invaluable.

The transformation of lead into gold at CERN is thus symbolic of a broader human quest: understanding the universe’s deepest secrets. The true wealth lies not in the tiny amounts of gold produced but in the immeasurable knowledge that emerges from pushing the boundaries of science.

Reference:

Similar Articles: LSM 2019: Interview with CERN’s Dr. Joao Antunes Pequenao

Adélie Penguin Weird Behaviors from Climate Change

Saadeqa Khan
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Adélie Penguin Weird Behaviors from Climate Change

Clips of an Adélie penguin, often refered “Nihist Penguin” from a video, are gaining significant traction online. Filmmaker Werner Herzog took to Instagram to share the context behind a scene from his 2007 documentary, “Encounters at the End of the World”. This particular scene has reemerged as the popular “lonely penguin“ or “nihilist penguin“ meme circulating widely across social media.

Herzog offered insights into how the scene was captured and why it continues to resonate with audiences. The viral trend centers on an image of a penguin wandering away from its colony towards Antarctica‘s desolate interior. Users have widely shared this clip across various platforms, pairing it with captions that explore themes like isolation, existential reflection, and detachment.

The original footage shows a single Adélie penguin breaking away from its group and wierdly heads inland, instead of remaining along the Antarctic coastline. Penguins are usually found in large colonies, and they travel in groups. Humans never disturb them while living or traveling in Antarctica.

Surprisingly, this disoriented penguin appeared at New Harbor, around 80 kilometres away from where it should have been. He was heading deep into the continent’s interior, with nearly 5,000 kilometres ahead, a journey that would most certainly end in his death.

The filmmaker Werner Herzog had spoken to scientists who study penguins’ unusual behaviours. He actually drew inspiration from the ominous tone of the crime television series ‘Unsolved Mysteries’.

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The viral footage shows a rare behavior where a penguin stops trying to survive.

Why do they behave weirdly? 

The viral footage shows a rare behavior where a penguin stops trying to survive. Dr. David Ainley, a scientist in the the docuemntary, explained that even if the penguin is brought back to the water, it will immediately turn around and walk back toward the mountains. This is scientifically called “death march behavior” among adelie penguins.

According to David Ainley, the penguin was disoriented and was facing a neural error. Since penguins rely on sun and magnetic field cues to navigate, a “biological error” or disruption in their internal compass can cause them to become disoriented, forcing them to misinterpret the barren inland as the sea. Changes in sea ice, such as deep cracks, can disorient penguins and force them to make unnatural decisions. 

Behavioral responses of Adélie Penguin

A research was published in Science Direct in September 2022, in which the researchers from the Korea Polar Research Institute analysed the weird behaviours of Adélie penguins while confronting a giant ice floe.

Climate change is contributing to the more extreme events worldwide, due to which animals are facing rapid and extreme changes in their natural habitats. Adélie penguins are generally a sea ice-dependent diving seabird, and have been an important study species for investigating the effects of ice conditions on ecological responses in Antarctica.

Penguins are categorized as krill-dependent species, which are animals that rely on Antarctic krill as a primary food source for their survival, reproduction, and growth within the Southern Ocean Ecosystem. These species rely on a specific, concentrated food source that they are highly vulnerable to fluctuations in krill populations caused by climate change, such as sea-ice loss or commercial fishing. 

These species are considered key indicator species in the CCAMLR Ecosystem Monitoring Program (CEMP) because significant habitat changes have appeared in response to changes in the sea ice environment. This program was initiated in 1984 to study the long-term changes in arctic marine ecosystem.

According to this study, recent extreme cases of sea ice extents have affected the Adélie penguin population, which suffered from total breeding failures twice in 2014 and 2017 in the Dumont d’Urville Sea.

These cases result in major reproductive failures. It is crucial to understand how extreme sea ice conditions alter the foraging strategies of seabirds. Studies conducted earlier show that the Adélie penguins have a long foraging trip in extensive sea ice, such as fast ice or extreme events like icebergs. They face major problems in food delivery to their chicks. As a result, sea ice showed a complex relationship with the reproductive performance of Adélie penguins.

This research suggests that the giant ice floe could alter the foraging paths, and penguins bypassed or crossed the ice to reach their foraging areas by spending more energy and time.

References: 

Similar articles: How Climate Change is Endangering the Iconic Wildlife Species

Gul Plaza Fire- Key Takeaways for Building Fires and Safety

Anam Ilyas
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Gul Plaza Fire- Key Takeaways for Building Fires and Safety

On the night of January 17, 2026, a devastating fire engulfed Gul Plaza shopping center in Karachi. The blaze spread with terrifying speed, ultimately claiming 63 lives and leaving a scar on the city. This tragedy, like many before it, underscores a critical reality: fires in buildings pose a severe threat that can escalate rapidly.

This incident is a tragic case study in rapid-fire spread. The fire, which started in a single shop, quickly consumed the multi-story complex. According to local media, much of the structure has collapsed, and what remains may have to be demolished due to severe structural damage.

Fires can start anywhere, but what structural, systemic failures on the night of January 17 allowed it to spread on such a large scale? The question is on everyone’s mind right now. According to a rescue worker, access to the site was a major challenge on the night of the fire. The road was narrow, and a large crowd gathered around, blocking the entire road.

Another reason for the rapid spread and repeated flare-ups was the materials inside. The plaza was filled with shops selling clothing, plastics, and other highly flammable goods. This provided an abundant fuel source for the fire. The building lacked adequate fire-resistant barriers between shops and floors, allowing the fire, heat, and toxic smoke to travel unimpeded throughout the structure.

Critically, the building was missing essential safety features. Reports indicated there were no functioning smoke alarms, sprinkler systems, or fire hoses. Although extinguishers may have been present, the initial blaze was not controlled. According to the BBC, 13 of the building’s 16 exits were reportedly locked, trapping shoppers and staff inside.

Due to these multiple factors, the firefighters faced significant challenges, including traffic congestion and difficulty accessing the building’s interior. They had to break through walls to create entry points, losing valuable time as the fire raged.

Gul Plaza Karachi fire incident serves as a somber reminder of what can happen when preventive measures are overlooked and safety standards are compromised. This article aims to educate on the common causes of building fires, the importance of prevention, and the essential strategies for a safe escape. Understanding these elements is the first step toward building better fire safety.

What Causes Fires in Buildings?

Buildings are complex environments where numerous hazards can coexist. A small spark can quickly become a deadly inferno due to a combination of factors.

Electrical failure and Human errors

Electrical failures are a leading cause of fires. Faulty wiring, overloaded circuits, short circuits, and outdated electrical systems can generate intense heat, igniting nearby combustible material. Modern buildings are filled with items that burn quickly. Plastics, synthetic fabrics in furniture and clothing, and various chemicals can act as fuel, helping a fire spread rapidly.

Human Error and carelessness are often major contributors, as well. Unattended cooking, improper disposal of cigarettes, misuse of heating appliances, and children playing with matches can all lead to disaster.

Structural Weaknesses and Lack of Maintenance

The very materials used to construct a building can pose a risk. If building materials do not meet fire safety standards, they can fail quickly when exposed to heat, leading to structural collapse.

Neglect is a silent accomplice to fire. Poorly maintained heating systems, clogged vents, and uninspected electrical wiring create hazardous conditions. Crucially, a lack of maintenance on fire safety equipment like alarms and extinguishers renders them useless when needed most.

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The author has generated this photo with AI.

Fire Safety Standards and Building Regulations

To combat these risks, governments and municipalities establish rules to protect occupants. These regulations are the foundation of building fire safety. The primary goal of these standards is to ensure people can escape safely. This involves multiple layers of protection, representing different types of building fire safety. 

According to experts, every building must have a sufficient number of clearly marked emergency exits that should not be locked or blocked. Moreover, buildings should have active fire protection systems. These systems are designed to detect and control a fire and include smoke detectors, heat alarms, automatic sprinkler systems, and fire extinguishers.

Passive Fire Protection is another essential for buildings, which involves such types of construction materials and designs that resist fire and limit its spread. Fire-resistant doors, walls, and compartmentalization of floors help contain a blaze, buying precious time for evacuation.

The Building Code of Pakistan (Fire Safety Provisions-2016) outlines many of these requirements. However, the effectiveness of any code depends entirely on its enforcement. In many parts of Pakistan, inadequate inspections and a lack of accountability cause such incidents, and numerous buildings remain dangerously non-compliant.

How to Manage Fire Hazards in Buildings

Incidents like the Gull Plaza fire are no longer rare in Pakistan’s major cities, yet preventive measures continue to be overlooked by provincial and federal governments. In contrast, proactive fire management is widely practiced around the world to reduce risk and loss, placing responsibility on both building owners and those who occupy these spaces.

Regular inspections of electrical systems, heating units, and fire safety equipment are non-negotiable. Building owners must ensure proper storage of flammable materials and maintain clear, unobstructed hallways and exits. Investing in building fire safety is an investment in human life. This includes installing fire-resistant doors and windows, upgrading to modern wiring, and fitting comprehensive sprinkler and alarm systems.

Training and drills are also crucial for large and crowded buildings; knowing what to do in a fire is just as important as having the right equipment. Regular fire drills help familiarize occupants with evacuation routes. Training on how to use a fire extinguisher and basic first aid can empower people to respond effectively in the critical first moments.

How to Escape a Fire!

In a fire, panic can be as dangerous as the flames; Knowing the correct procedure to escape can save your life. Staying calm and composed can help control fear. A clear mind makes better decisions. While encountering a fire, alerting others and activating the nearest fire alarm immediately is a mandatory step to stop the spread.

Before opening any door, feel it with the back of your hand. If it is hot, do not open it. Fire is on the other side. Try to find an alternate route. Smoke and toxic gases rise. Stay as low to the floor as possible, where the air is cleaner and cooler, and crawl to the nearest exit.

Never use an elevator during a fire. It can malfunction, lose power, and become a deadly trap. Always use the stairs. If you cannot escape, seal the room. Use tape, towels, or clothing to cover vents and cracks around the door to keep smoke out. Call emergency services and tell them your exact location. Signal for help from a window by waving a flashlight or a brightly colored cloth.

The Role of Rescue Services: What Can Be Improved?

Firefighters and rescue teams are the last line of defense, but they often face immense challenges. As seen in the Gul Plaza fire, limited resources, traffic, and structural instability can severely hamper their efforts. To improve effectiveness, municipalities must:

  • Invest in Resources: There is an urgent need for more fire stations, modern equipment (like high-rise ladders), and protective gear for personnel.
  • Enhance Training: Firefighting is a high-risk profession that requires continuous and rigorous training to handle modern building fires and complex rescue scenarios.
  • Improve Emergency Planning: Coordinated emergency response plans that account for traffic management and access to dense urban areas are essential for reducing response times.

What Needs to Change: Long-Term Solutions

Preventing future tragedies requires a fundamental shift in our approach to building fire safety. Strengthen and Enforce Regulations is a crucial step. Fire safety codes and the Building Code of Pakistan (Fire Safety Provisions-2016) must be strictly enforced with zero tolerance for non-compliance. This requires regular, thorough inspections and meaningful penalties for violations.

Worldwide, public education and rescue training for fire incidents are mandatory, in which citizens are trained for fire risks, prevention techniques, and evacuation procedures. This knowledge empowers individuals to protect themselves and their communities.

A comprehensive review of building standards should be managed in crowded areas like Karachi Saddar. Authorities in high-risk cities must conduct a comprehensive review of existing building safety standards and retroactively apply them to older structures where feasible.

Gul Plaza Karachi fire incident is a painful lesson in the consequences of neglecting buildings’ fire safety. Fires are not just accidents; they are often the predictable outcome of human error, poor maintenance, and regulatory failure. While we cannot eliminate every risk, we have the power to significantly reduce the danger.

The responsibility is shared. Building owners must invest in safety, authorities must enforce the law, and every individual must learn how to prevent fires and what to do if one occurs. By taking fire safety seriously, we can work together to ensure that our homes, workplaces, and public spaces are safe for everyone.

References:

  1. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-01-18/pakistan-gul-shopping-centre-fire/106241742
  2. https://cottongds.com/news/what-are-the-top-causes-of-fires-in-commercial-properties
  3. https://www.hec.gov.pk/english/services/universities/Monitoring-Evaluation/Documents/Fire-Safety%20Provisions.pdf
  4. https://www.geo.tv/latest/645891-gul-plaza-inferno-doused-fatalities-rise-to-14-as-rescuers-expand-search-for-missing
  5. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c1ev4z4n5dzo
  6. https://www.geo.tv/latest/645891-gul-plaza-inferno-doused-fatalities-rise-to-14-as-rescuers-expand-search-for-missing
  7. Kodur, V., Kumar, P., & Rafi, M. M. (2020). Fire hazard in buildings: review, assessment and strategies for improving fire safety. PSU research review, 4(1), 1-23.
    doi: https://doi.org/10.1108/PRR-12-2018-0033
  8. https://aito.com.my/escape-fire/?srsltid=AfmBOopeon8PByW2c4jEGcyZlhsAW35oWGPyu-aRaIsnU9NkMTgcRUBx

More from the author: Rape Cases in Pakistan: Behind Closed Doors, the Forensic Fight to Find the Truth

 

Building Fires and Safety – Key Takeaways from Gul Plaza Fire | SafetyFirst

Stopping Cancer Before It Starts: A Cellular and Preventive Perspective

Sadaf Sarfraz
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Stopping Cancer Before It Starts: A Cellular and Preventive Perspective

“Sorry, it’s too late. It has spread.” Those words resonate far beyond a medical report; they carry the weight of grief, regret, and the quiet horror of time lost. Cancer is rarely sudden. It develops silently over the years, often without symptoms, until it reaches advanced stages. Every day a disease remains undiagnosed, every symptom dismissed, every reassurance that delays testing increases the likelihood that treatment may no longer be effective. You hold their hand, wishing for a miracle, but sometimes the opportunity for intervention has already passed. The hardest question is not why, but what if it had been caught earlier?

“Cancer begins long before it is seen, in cells that whisper warnings we often fail to hear.” The silent interval between cellular mutation and the onset of detectable disease represents the period during which prevention has the greatest impact. It is within this period that lifestyle choices, environmental awareness, and medical intervention can truly make the difference between life and loss [1,2].

Cancer as a Multistep Cellular Process

Cancer is fundamentally a disease of cells, arising from a complex, multistep process that unfolds over years. Healthy cells are continuously exposed to a variety of internal and external insults. Reactive oxygen species, generated during normal metabolism, can damage DNA, proteins, and lipids [3]. Errors in replication and the byproducts of chronic inflammation add to this burden, while environmental exposures such as ultraviolet radiation, chemical carcinogens, and viral infections compound cellular stress [4]. 

Under normal circumstances, the body’s DNA repair mechanisms correct most damage, and damaged cells are eliminated through apoptosis. The immune system also plays a crucial role in recognizing and destroying aberrant cells. When these safeguards fail, mutations accumulate in oncogenes, tumor suppressor genes, and DNA repair genes, tipping the balance toward uncontrolled cellular proliferation and malignancy. Genomic instability, epigenetic dysregulation, failure of apoptosis, and evasion of immune surveillance are central hallmarks of this progression [1,2].

“The earliest victories are invisible; they happen at the cellular level, long before symptoms arise.” Understanding these mechanisms allows researchers and clinicians to identify biomarkers and interventions that target the earliest, most reversible stages of carcinogenesis [1,2].

Oxidative Stress and Inflammation

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) play a dual role in biology. While essential in signaling and immune defense, chronic excess levels induce damage to DNA, proteins, and lipids [3]. Over time, this damage contributes to mutagenesis, chromosomal instability, and the initiation of malignant transformation. Oxidative stress arises from both internal and external sources. Internally, metabolic byproducts and chronic inflammation increase ROS production. 

Externally, pollutants, tobacco smoke, poor diet, and certain infections act as additional triggers. The body’s endogenous antioxidant systems, supplemented by nutrients such as vitamins C and E, carotenoids, and polyphenols from a plant-based diet, help neutralize ROS. However, when oxidative stress overwhelms these defenses, cellular injury accumulates [3,6].

Chronic inflammation amplifies this damage, promoting cell proliferation, angiogenesis, and tissue remodeling [3,4]. Persistent inflammatory signaling produces cytokines, growth factors, and enzymes that favor a tumor-supportive microenvironment. Conditions such as obesity, metabolic syndrome, chronic viral infections, autoimmune disorders, and prolonged psychological stress all contribute to a state of chronic inflammation [5,9].

Over time, this environment facilitates DNA damage, impairs apoptosis, and allows abnormal cells to evade immune surveillance. The interplay between oxidative stress and chronic inflammation forms a central axis in early carcinogenesis.

“The body speaks in small signals; ignoring them is a risk no one should take.”

Lifestyle as Cellular Defense

Lifestyle factors profoundly influence cancer risk. Diet plays a critical role, with a plant-rich, whole-food approach providing antioxidants, polyphenols, and micronutrients that neutralize ROS, modulate gene expression, and support DNA repair [6,7]. Fiber-rich foods promote gut health and reduce exposure to carcinogenic metabolites, while healthy fats such as omega-3 fatty acids mitigate systemic inflammation.

Conversely, diets high in processed meats, refined sugars, and saturated fats exacerbate oxidative stress, promote inflammation, and increase carcinogenic pathways. Every meal, every choice, therefore, has the potential to influence cellular resilience.

Physical activity complements these effects. Regular exercise improves insulin sensitivity, reduces excess adiposity, modulates hormone levels, enhances immune surveillance, and lowers systemic inflammation [8]. Even moderate-intensity activity, sustained over time, reduces the risk of colorectal, breast, and endometrial cancers. Consistency, rather than intensity, defines its protective effect.

In parallel, managing psychological stress is crucial. Chronic stress dysregulates the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, alters cortisol and catecholamine levels, suppresses cytotoxic immune function, and promotes inflammatory signaling [5,9]. Practices such as mindfulness, meditation, cognitive therapy, and social support act as biological shields, reinforcing the body’s ability to repair and defend.

“Hope is not denial; it is listening to the early signs before silence becomes final.”

Environmental Risk Factors

Environmental exposures constitute a significant, often preventable, fraction of cancer risk. Tobacco smoke, both active and passive, remains the leading preventable carcinogen [4]. Excessive alcohol consumption contributes to oxidative stress and mutagenesis, while occupational or environmental exposure to chemicals such as benzene, asbestos, and pesticide compounds the risk [4]. Ionizing radiation, whether from medical imaging or environmental sources, adds potential for further DNA damage. Reducing these exposures through behavioral interventions, public health policies, and occupational safeguards is essential for primary prevention. Awareness and proactive avoidance of such risks can profoundly alter individual and population-level cancer outcomes.

Early Detection: The Life-Saving Window

While lifestyle and environmental measures prevent cancer initiation, early detection serves as a secondary prevention strategy. Screening methods, including mammography, Pap smears, HPV testing, colonoscopy, and genetic testing for high-risk populations, enable identification of pre-malignant or early malignant lesions [2,4]. Emerging technologies, such as liquid biopsies detecting circulating tumor DNA, promise to detect malignancy even before conventional imaging or symptoms appear. Timely detection dramatically improves prognosis, enabling intervention at stages when therapy is most effective and minimally invasive.

cancer
“I lost her to a late diagnosis. Let this be a warning: act early, detect early, save lives.” Photo, Author

Public Health Implications

Individual prevention is amplified through population-level interventions. Tobacco taxation, vaccination programs for HPV and hepatitis B, nutrition education campaigns, and widespread access to screening and genetic counseling all contribute to reducing cancer incidence [2,4]. Policies that facilitate healthy behaviors and early detection complement personal efforts, creating a societal framework where cancer prevention is proactive rather than reactive. Integrating molecular understanding, lifestyle guidance, and public health strategies constitutes a comprehensive approach to cancer prevention.

Final Words!

Stopping cancer before it starts is not merely aspirational; it is biologically plausible and evidence-based. Cancer begins silently, through cumulative DNA damage, oxidative stress, chronic inflammation, and environmental insults. Interventions like diet, exercise, and stress management are useful to avoid environmental carcinogens, and timely screening collectively reinforces cellular resilience. Telomere preservation and molecular biomarker monitoring provide additional layers of protection. Prevention is a cumulative, lifelong commitment, a deliberate choice to create an internal environment that resists malignant transformation.

“Every moment we act early is a moment gained, a life preserved, a loss prevented.” Through awareness, informed choices, and early intervention, cancer can be intercepted long before it reaches the point of no return.

“This is for my mother, whom I lost, and for the hope that no one else has to watch a loved one slip away because it was caught too late.”

References:

  1. Hanahan D, Weinberg RA. Hallmarks of cancer: The next generation. Cell. 2011;144(5):646–674.
  2. Thun MJ, DeLancey JO, Center MM, Jemal A, Ward EM. The global burden of cancer: Priorities for prevention. Carcinogenesis. 2010;31(1):100–110.
  3. Reuter S, Gupta SC, Chaturvedi MM, Aggarwal BB. Oxidative stress, inflammation, and cancer: How are they linked? Free Radic Biol Med. 2010;49(11):1603–1616.
  4. Vineis P, Wild CP. Global cancer patterns: Causes and prevention. Lancet. 2014;383(9916):549–557.
  5. Cohen S, Janicki-Deverts D, Miller GE. Psychological stress and disease. JAMA. 2007;298(14):1685–1687.
  6. Anand P, Kunnumakkara AB, Sundaram C, Harikumar KB, Tharakan ST, et al. Cancer is a preventable disease that requires major lifestyle changes. Pharm Res. 2008;25(9):2097–2116.
  7. Key TJ, Schatzkin A, Willett WC, Allen NE. Diet, nutrition, and the prevention of cancer. Public Health Nutr. 2004;7(1A):187–200.
  8. McTiernan A. Mechanisms linking physical activity with cancer. Nat Rev Cancer. 2008;8(3):205–211.
  9. Giovannucci E, et al. Obesity and cancer risk: Epidemiology and mechanisms. Nat Rev Cancer. 2010;10(8):593–607.
  10. Blasco MA. Telomeres and human disease: Ageing, cancer and beyond. Nat Rev Genet. 2005;6(8):611–622.
  11. Shay JW, Wright WE. Telomeres and telomerase in normal and cancer stem cells. FEBS Lett. 2010;584(17):3819–3825.
  12. Aviv A. Telomeres, sex, reactive oxygen species, and human cardiovascular aging. J Mol Med. 2002;80(11):689–695.

More from the author: Humanity in Microgravity: How the ISS Is Transforming Medical Research

JWST observed dozens of Little Red Dots that may be Black holes in early Universe

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JWST observed dozens of Little Red Dots that may be Black holes in early Universe

James Webb Space Telescope has discovered “little red dots” (LRDs), compact, infrared-emitting sources in the early Universe, likely representing young supermassive black holes accreting mass near the Eddington limit within dense cocoons of ionized gas.

In a new study published in Nature on January 14, the researchers investigated the identity of little red dots. These mysterious objects from the early universe exhibit characteristics of both galaxies and supermassive black holes, yet do not fit the description of either of them.

JWST first observed these little red dots in 2022, shortly after its launch and began collecting data. Initially, researchers assumed them to be compact, star-filled galaxies; they changed their assumption as the dots were present too early in the universe to have formed so many stars, at least under our current understanding of galactic evolution.

Later on, several other researchers suggested that the unusual objects might be early supermassive black holes. Light emitted by energized hydrogen atoms around the dots shows that the gas is moving at thousands of miles per second, tugged along by the gravitational pull of the object at the center.

Rodrigo Nemmen, an astrophysicist at the University of São Paulo in Brazil, wrote an accompanying article published in the journal Nature. According to him, “Such extreme speeds are a smoking gun of an active galactic nucleus,” meaning a starving supermassive black hole at the center of a galaxy that is pulling in matter.

In comparison to supermassive black holes, these little red dots haven’t been observed emitting X-rays or radio waves. And regardless of whether the dots are black holes or early galaxies, they appear to have a gigantic mass to have formed as early in the universe as they did.

To better understand their nature, researchers studied the spectra emitted from 30 little red dots, each one collected with JWST’s infrared instruments. They found that the light emitted from these LRDs matches the light that the team predicted would be emitted from a supermassive black hole surrounded by a dense cloud of gas. That gaseous cocoon could have trapped X-ray and radio emissions from the growing black holes, blocking them from reaching JWST.

When the team recalculated the masses of these LRDs under the new interpretation, they found that the dots were about 100 times less massive than previously thought. Together, the evidence suggests that LRDs are growing supermassive black holes that are accreting the surrounding gas.

References:

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From Nobel Prize to Sugary Drinks: A 2025 Science Wrap on Health

Abeer Asif
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From Nobel Prize to Sugary Drinks: A 2025 Science Wrap on Health

When we think of a year wrap, we often think of Spotify Wrap, or maybe, if you’re more niche, LinkedIn or Duolingo wraps. In Science Discoveries 2025, however, the wrap looks very different.
Here, we give you our top 3 research wraps. From the immunology discovery that won the researchers a Nobel Prize, to stopping cancer in its tracks, to the drastic rise of diabetes and cardiovascular diseases because of sugary drinks.

The Immunology Discovery that Won the 2025 Nobel Prize!

Science Discoveries 2025
From left: Mary E. Brunkow, Fred Ramsdell, and Shimon Sakaguchi have been awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 2025. Illustration: Niklas Elmehed for Nobel Prize Outreach

The word “immunology” may bring up the instinct to skim the topic and move on to the next interesting read, but hear me out! Immunology is the study of the immune system, which is crucial to keeping you alive!
Think about it for a second. Isn’t it crazy how the immune system, essentially the security guards, can attack invaders while still recognizing and preventing damage to the body’s own cells?

When this fails to happen, autoimmune diseases arise. The term may seem unfamiliar to many, but diseases like type 1 diabetes, arthritis, multiple sclerosis, etc., are all autoimmune conditions, and they affect around one in ten people.
You probably know someone with these diseases. If yes, you also know that a cure is distant and difficult. However, a recent discovery has brought that dream much closer.

Key Discoveries in Immune Regulation

Mary Brunkow, Institute for Systems Biology in Seattle, Washington; Fred Ramsdell, Sonoma Biotherapeutics in Seattle, Washington; and Shimon Sakaguchi, University of Osaka in Suita, Japan, made a series of discoveries to solve this mystery.

This story starts with an unfortunate strain of mice termed the scurfy mouse, found in 1949. This mouse had an abnormal, unidentified X chromosome–linked mutation that causes severe autoimmune disease. This X-linked mutation meant that mice with the typical XY chromosomes were unable to survive, but females (XX) with a defective and a normal copy of the gene could survive.

This mouse was the reason we now understand that the Y chromosome is linked to maleness and was among the first discoveries on sex-linked genes. However, the reason for the abnormality was unknown, so the researchers kept the breed painstakingly alive for 300 generations.

This mutation was later found to be in Foxp3, which acts as a regulatory gene that, when mutated, fails to guide immune cells to the appropriate response. The immune cells in question are the T-regulatory cells (Tregs), which help suppress an overactive immune response. If Foxp3 is mutated, it is unable to tell the T-regulatory cells how to function, leading to a failed ‘brake’ response and an inability to prevent an overactive immune response.

Science Discoveries 2025
The Nobel Committee for Physiology or Medicine, Ill. Photo, Mattias Karlén 2025

Their discovery has been critical in understanding common diseases and is being used to discover new remedies for autoimmune diseases like lupus, type 1 diabetes, arthritis, etc.

Freezing Cancer Cells in their Tracks

“CELL”- The word brings images from class 6; a cell is a circular structure with a nucleus and different organelles that it holds in its tiny world. However, one may forget that there are different types of cells, each with its own unique shape—some thin and extended like neurons, or some flat and irregularly shaped like skin cells. These cells seem almost permanent in shape, but they are not the immobile blobs that we think they are.

How do cells move and adapt?

What makes them special is that they are able to move, alter their structure, and respond to their environment.
They do this with an internal cytoskeleton, which, much like our own, adds stability and structure. However, this cellular cytoskeleton isn’t made of calcium and bones; it’s made of proteins that assemble to form frames inside the cells, but also filaments or extensions outside the cell, like tiny hands or flippers.

These tiny hands shrink, grow, and shift positions depending on how the cell responds to external cues. In fact, cancer cells, when they begin metastasizing (migrating from one tumor lump to establish tumors in other parts of the body), use these very extensions to move away and into their new habitat.
Hence, these tiny hands are critical to understanding how cancer cells move around and how, in cancer therapy, they can be prevented.

Studying filopodia to stop cancer spread

Gregory M. Alushin published a paper in 2025 where he used cryo-electron microscopy, which flash-freezes cytoskeletal proteins to obtain a detailed view of proteins involved and how they interact with each other.

They highlight that these hand-like protrusions are called filopodia; they are made up of bundles or rods of actin, an abundant protein in the human body, that are glued together by another protein, fascin. How fascin helps assemble actin filaments was unknown before, and so Dr. Gregory and his team brought this to light. They find that fascin doesn’t grab actin rods the same way on either side; in fact, it has an almost unique ‘handshake’ that allows for a slightly lopsided linking of actin filaments.

Additionally, they found that a drug, G2, acts like a cap on fascin and prevents it from linking actin rods together. This is incredible because if fascin proteins no longer link actin rods, they can’t form the filopodia protrusions that help cells move around, offering a targeted strategy that could help stop cancer cells in their tracks.

The worrying link between diabetes, cardiovascular issues, and sugary drinks

As you walk into the familiarly decorated living rooms of your aunt or friend, you’re often asked the same question: “Kya len ge aap (what will you have) … Sprite, Coke, or water?” However, a recent study suggests that they may be better suited for offering diabetes.

Science Discoveries 2025
Trending drinks in 2025 pose health risks from sugary drinks. Photo, Unsplash

Laura Lara-Castor and her team at the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University link millions of cardiovascular and diabetes cases to the consumption of sugary drinks. In fact, they found that in Colombia, 48%, and in South Africa, 27.6%, of all new diabetes cases were linked to excess sugar in these drinks.

They explain that sugary beverages are digested rapidly, which may be beneficial in some situations, such as intensive sports, excessive amounts can lead to a sudden spike in blood sugar levels. They not only offer minimal nutritional value but are also reasons for excessive weight gain, insulin resistance, and multiple metabolic issues that are linked to cardiovascular diseases and type 2 diabetes.

The worrying thing is that these beverages are excessively sold in low- and middle-income countries without healthier or low-sugar alternatives. They become a natural choice for any meeting, guests, or events. Additionally, coupled with a lack of awareness about the detrimental effects of these drinks and a public system that isn’t equipped for their long-term consequences, a slippery slope is established that can easily lead to an increase in disease.

The paper suggests a multi-pronged approach to tackling this issue, ranging from public awareness campaigns, regulating the sale and advertisement of these sugary drinks, and actively offering other healthier alternatives sold as accessibly as these drinks currently are.

References:

  1. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-025-03193-3
  2. https://www.rockefeller.edu/news/38446-how-cells-move-and-change-shape-and-why-it-matters-for-our-health/

  3. Fascinating structural plasticity mediates flexible actin bundle construction

  4. https://now.tufts.edu/2025/01/06/new-study-links-millions-diabetes-and-heart-disease-cases-globally-sugary-drinks
  5. Burdens of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease attributable to sugar-sweetened beverages in 184 countries

More from the author: Tiny Giants: Bizarre and Mind-Blowing Tales from the Land of Ants!

 

Scientia’s TOP Ten Stories of the Year 2025

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Scientia’s TOP Ten Stories of the Year 2025

The year 2025 was a defining year for Scientia Pakistan, as the magazine strengthened its role and continued serving as a trusted bridge between science and society. From laboratories and courtrooms to classrooms and climate frontlines, our stories focused on how science shapes everyday life in Pakistan and beyond. This year, we leaned harder into clear, engaging storytelling for professionals and young readers alike— without diluting scientific rigor. The result was a growing, more engaged community that didn’t just read science news but discussed, questioned, and shared it widely.

Our Top Ten Stories of 2025 reflected the issues that mattered most to our audience. These included in-depth reporting on forensic science and justice, women breaking barriers in STEM, climate change, and extreme weather events in Pakistan and worldwide. We focused on debunking misinformation and spreading awareness about science communication, public health challenges, emerging technologies, and Pakistan’s growing footprint in global scientific collaborations.

Several of these stories went beyond headlines, unpacking complex research and policies while centering human experiences—scientists, students, doctors, and communities on the frontlines of change.

Together, these ten stories captured the spirit of a year marked by urgency, curiosity, and accountability. They showed why science journalism is not a luxury, but a necessity—especially in a region where scientific literacy can directly influence policy, justice, and survival. As we close 2025, Scientia Pakistan remains committed to asking better questions, amplifying credible voices, and making science accessible, relevant, and impossible to ignore.

1. The Secrets of Guitar: How Physics Creates the Perfect Chord

Have you ever tried blowing into a whistle? If yes, then you know a sound is made as air leaves the small opening on top, but why? The sound is produced when the air vibrates as it leaves through the small opening. In the same manner, the sound hole of a guitar is also a component in the sound being produced. The air inside the sound hole vibrates as the strings are plucked. This amplifies the sound being made as the air moves forward and backward while also giving the guitar its bass or its low notes.

Scientia

All these components combine to allow a guitar to make a sound. The chords mentioned earlier are formed by these factors. This teaches us that even daily objects that may seem inconsequential have some science going on behind them. Therefore, the next time you ever sit down to listen to music or hear someone playing a guitar, try to remember all the little things that allow it to work for our enjoyment.

2. Navigating Crisis: Dr Mujtaba Hassan on Space Technology’s Role in Disaster Management

Dr Hassan: The answer is yes. Pakistan is currently experiencing significant climatic changes. These developments represent not merely variability but a fundamental shift in temperature, precipitation, and hydrological patterns.

Over the decades, the country has warmed faster than the global average, and the signs are undeniable. Summers are hotter, heatwaves arrive earlier and stay longer, and temperatures in places like Jacobabad now touch the very limits of human survival. At the same time, rainfall is becoming less predictable but far more destructive. The monsoon is no longer a gentle season; it can now unleash devastating cloudbursts in a matter of hours.

Scientia

The warning signs have been building for over a decade. In 2010, unprecedented monsoon rains submerged nearly one-fifth of the country, displacing millions and leaving a humanitarian crisis in their wake. Twelve years later, in 2022, another catastrophic monsoon hit, this time bringing rainfall so intense that scientists confirmed climate change had made it far more likely. Those floods killed over 1,700 people and caused damage estimated at $40 billion, making them one of the costliest disasters in Pakistan’s history.

3. Against All Odds: HPV Vaccination Rollout Begins in Flood-Affected Regions Despite Societal Pushback

In Pakistan, an HPV vaccination campaign targeting girls aged 9–14 years is being held from September 15 to 27, 2025, across Punjab, Sindh, AJK, and Islamabad. This campaign is part of the government’s initiative, supported by organizations like the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF, the Global Vaccine Alliance (GAVI), to introduce the HPV vaccine and prevent cervical cancer. 

Scientia

Although the vaccination of 2.5 million out-of-school girls after the floods and rains, especially in remote areas and marginalised communities, could be challenging for the health teams.

This nation-wide vaccination drive is part of larger global strategy for elimination of cervical cancer and Pakistan is also a signatory of the 71st World Health Assembly Resolution of 2018 that sets a goal of 90-70-90 by year 2030, which means 90pc of girls vaccinated against HPV by age 15, 70pc of women screened by age 35 and again by 45, and 90pc of women with cervical cancer disease receive treatment/palliative care.

4. “Seena Roshan Ho”: Lahore Science Mela Inspires a New Generation of Innovators!

LSM serves as a dynamic platform to popularize science and technology by making these fields accessible, enjoyable, and engaging for individuals of all ages. Visitors can participate in a variety of hands-on activities, interactive workshops, and captivating demonstrations that spark curiosity and foster a love for learning.

This year’s Lahore Science Mela will be held on October 25-26 at Crescent Model Boys High School, Shadman, Lahore. The tagline for this year is “SEENA ROSHAN HO,” which translates to “Your heart enlightens with the light of knowledge and curiosity”, inspired by the poetry of Allama Iqbal.

Scientia

This tagline embodies the spirit of the event, encouraging attendees to explore and expand their understanding of the world around them. Expect to see an array of exciting projects and innovative exhibits from both local and international scientists and researchers. They will showcase their groundbreaking inventions and scientific experiments, providing a unique opportunity for the public to engage with and learn from experts in various scientific fields.

5. Cosmic Breakthrough: JWST Identifies Mysterious New Class of Black Hole Stars!

Astronomers may have finally found a clue to explain the strange “little red dots” that the James Webb Space  Telescope spotted in 2022. The newly discovered object, nicknamed the Cliff, hints that these dots could be something entirely new in the universe — “a black hole star.” This happens when a black hole feeds so quickly that the gas around it lights up, making it look like a glowing star.

Scientia

Before this, scientists thought the red dots might be huge early galaxies or supermassive black holes actively consuming matter.

Scientists are still debating what the mysterious “little red dots” really are. They might be exotic new objects, or perhaps just a stage in how galaxies and black holes grow. When the James Webb Space Telescope first spotted them in 2022, researchers even nicknamed them “universe breakers” because they looked too old to exist so early in cosmic history.

6. Crisis and Courage: Inside the Lives of Emergency Physicians in the War-torn Regions

“In my time working as a pediatrician in Gaza, I saw starving babies gasping for air and reaching for their mothers, who were buried under rubble. I treated an entire family who had sustained third-degree burns, eyes blistered shut, children’s genitalia scorched and disfigured from bombardment,” describes Dr Seema Jilani.

Dr Seema Jilani is a pediatric specialist with extensive experience working in Afghanistan, Israel, Gaza, the West Bank, Sudan, Lebanon, Egypt, and the Balkans. Her radio documentary, “Israel and Palestine: The Human Cost of the Occupation,” was nominated for a Peabody Award.

Scientia

“The war in Gaza has taken its toll on us as mothers. I chose to leave my seven-year-old daughter behind to treat war-wounded children who resembled her, except that their limbs hung by a thread of flesh and their bodies were charred black beyond recognition,” Dr Jilani writes while describing her painful experiences in Gaza.

7. When Nature Strikes: The Devastating Human Cost of Pakistan’s Flood Crisis

We all saw the tragedy in DHA, where a father and daughter were swept away in the floods. They were seen waving and calling for help, yet no one could save them. One video that spread rapidly online showed a family standing on a rock in the middle of a river in Swat, reportedly to take photographs, when a sudden surge of floodwaters swept them away within seconds. It left millions of Pakistanis asking themselves the same haunting question: Are we ever truly safe, even in our own homes?

Scientia

These “what ifs” echo in the minds of survivors and witnesses alike, planting seeds of fear and lasting mental distress. For rural families, the toll is even heavier. Elderly people and children, already the most vulnerable, face a lifetime of anxiety and grief. They lose not just their homes but also the very sense of security that anchors their lives. Many can only ask themselves in despair: Where do I go now? Everything is gone. My farm, my cattle, and my children are scattered. I no longer even have a home to return to.

8. When Science Meets Silence: Decoding Post-Mortem Techniques in the Humaira Asghar Investigation

The decomposition of the body depends on the dependability of environmental conditions, such as temperature, humidity, and exposure, as well as the enclosure of the body inside a room. But this degree of breakdown usually needs some weeks or a few months. Autolysis is the self-digestion of cells with the help of their own enzymes of the body. The human brain is soft and rich in enzymes.

Thus, it turns into sludge very rapidly, liquefying in most cases during the initial stages of the decay. Various body parts decompose at varying rates. Protected structures such as the skull and spine, and hard tissues such as bones, take longer, and soft bodies like muscles and organs decompose sooner, both in warm weather as well as wet weather [3].

Scientia

The missing maggots may indicate that the body had not been outside in the open for a long period, or the actions of the insects occurred earlier, and the larvae had already grown up and departed. It further indicates that the body was covered in a dry environment or a closed area [4].

9. Cracking the Enigma of Crimes by Nanotechnology with Dr. Shahid Nazir Paracha

Dr. Shahid: Nanotechnology is the manipulation and application of material at the nanoscale level, typically between 1 and 100 nanometers. At this scale, materials exhibit unique physical, chemical, and biological properties. Nanotechnology is not a very advanced field, or has a current past.

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With the help of nanomaterials, nanocomposites, or nanoparticles, materials are used to delve into the nanoscale, typically 1-100 nanometers. We adopted nanomaterials that can be utilized and are helpful in forensics.

For example, for fingerprint detection nanoparticle powders, normally we use simple dust or black powder, which are magnetic-based or chemical-based. Nanoparticles like gold, silver, and zinc oxide enhance the visibility of latent prints, and they are definitely environmentally friendly‑ they have very high sensitivity and specific results.

10. Karachi’s First Science Writing Workshop Set to Transform Public Understanding of Science

The two-day workshop was one of the first in-person events organised by Scientia in collaboration with the Natural Science Club (NSC), Habib University, Karachi, aimed to promote scientific writing and critical thinking among students, professionals, and researchers across the city. The workshop attracted a large number of students from Habib University and outsiders, demonstrating their enthusiasm for scientific research, science journalism, and communication.

The participants and speakers expressed immense appreciation to the entire Scientia team, sponsors from ACM-W, the NSC’s volunteers, and contributors both on and off-campus for making this event a success. This achievement was made possible by the energetic, dynamic, and professional speakers and facilitators. The audience comprised a diverse range of age groups, from teenagers to middle-aged adults.

Scientia

The two-day event featured several major highlights, including training sessions, keynote speeches, virtual lectures, and panel discussions. Renowned journalists and trainers conducted the training sessions, including Aleezah Fatima Hashmi, Sheema Siddiqui, Suhail Yusuf, and Ms. Rizwana Naseem.

These experts emphasised the importance of science stories in driving societal change and development. They taught participants the fundamentals of discovering stories in labs, fields, or communities, as well as “How to Pitch those Stories to Editors” and write them compellingly and engagingly for the general public.

2025 Scientific Triumph: Unifying the Laws of Physics through Mathematical Genius

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2025 Scientific Triumph: Unifying the Laws of Physics through Mathematical Genius

In a breakthrough more than a century ago, researchers solved one of the legendary problems posed by mathematician David Hilbert in 1900. In 2025, Zaher Hani of the University of Michigan, along with his colleagues, resolved a challenge that not only revisits the foundations of mathematics but also unifies several key laws of physics.

The problem—Hilbert’s sixth—called for deriving the laws that govern fluid motion from basic mathematical axioms. Hilbert believed that physics should rest on such first principles, but his vision remained unrealised for 125 years, until now.

In March 2025, Yu Deng from the University of Chicago, with his colleagues Zaher Hani and Xiao Ma from the University of Michigan, unveiled a framework that could connect classical mechanics and thermodynamics under a single mathematical framework.

The researchers outline a mathematically rigorous path from Isaac Newton’s particle-based view of matter to the large-scale equations that describe fluid motion.

Their approach builds on Boltzmann’s kinetic theory, which treats particle behaviour in terms of probabilities rather than individual trajectories. From there, the framework naturally connects to classical models, such as the Navier–Stokes equations, which are widely used to describe the flow of air and water.

The biggest problem for the researchers has been “time” itself. At the level of Newton’s laws, time is symmetric; the equations can only be run forward or backward and still get a valid result. But in thermodynamics, time clearly moves in one direction.

The researchers tackled this head-on by designing their methods to avoid contradictions. They used Feynman diagrams to track how particle interactions unfold over time without introducing paradoxes. Eventually, their approach helped to explain how time’s direction emerges from rules that don’t favor any direction at all.

Hani and his colleagues believe their equations could help improve models of air and ocean flow, particularly in complex environments such as hurricanes or turbulent currents. These settings are full of moving fluids that behave non-identically at different scales, making them ideal candidates for a unified approach.

By offering a bridge between the movement of individual particles and large-scale behavior, this new framework could refine how climate models account for heat and momentum.

Since the Navier-Stokes and Euler equations are used in weather simulations, adding deeper mathematical grounding could increase their accuracy and reliability – especially when tackling long-term predictions.

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