The Royal Society, the world’s most prestigious scientific organisation, recently convened to discuss the conduct of its fellows. The meeting followed a wave of controversy, including the resignation of two high-profile fellows and a petition signed by nearly 3,500 scientists. At the centre of the debate was one particularly contentious figure: Elon Musk.
Musk, who was honoured with membership of the Royal Society in 2018 for his technological advancements, has recently come under fire for behaviour that appears to breach the Society’s code of ethics. His vocal criticism of science and scientists has drawn widespread condemnation, with many experts warning that his actions pose a serious “threat to science.”
Musk’s conduct has sparked outrage within the scientific community, particularly due to his involvement with the Trump administration’s “Department of Government Efficiency” (DOGE). His outspoken attacks on science—especially his criticism of Dr Anthony Fauci and other public scientists—have been seen as part of a broader campaign to undermine scientific integrity. Such actions stand in direct opposition to the values upheld by the Royal Society and risk damaging public trust in science.
According to the BBC, the Royal Society acknowledged these concerns, stating that its members were particularly alarmed by the growing threats to scientific research in the US, including potential funding cuts.
The Society pledged to “investigate possible further action” to “counter misinformation and ideologically motivated attacks on science and scientists.” Musk’s actions must also be viewed within the broader context of attacks on science during the Trump administration. Policies enacted under this government restricted scientific research, silenced climate scientists, and defunded critical programmes. As a highly influential figure during this period, Musk played a key role in amplifying anti-science rhetoric. His public behaviour—ranging from verbal attacks on scientists to obstructing evidence-based policymaking—only serves to weaken the foundations of scientific inquiry.
As an institution that prides itself on maintaining the highest ethical standards, the Royal Society has a responsibility to ensure that its fellows uphold these principles. If the Society were to take action against a fellow whose conduct clearly contradicts its values, it would send a strong message that ethical integrity takes precedence over status or influence. Musk’s actions, in this case, are evidently at odds with the Royal Society’s code of conduct. By failing to address his behaviour, the Society risks undermining its own credibility and reputation.
The decision not to act against Musk is not just an internal matter for the Royal Society—it carries significant consequences for the broader scientific community. Some argue that expelling Musk would politicise science and erode public trust, but this perspective ignores a fundamental truth: scientific institutions must be willing to defend ethical principles, even when doing so conflicts with political or corporate interests.
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This map shows radiation leftover from the Big Bang right after it happened. It depicts how the temperature of the radiation is anisotropic: different at different distances. What’s this radiation called? Credit: NASA
Published – April 23, 2025 01:05 pm IST
Vivo has launched a new T series model in India, the Vivo T4 5G, at under Rs.25000. The smartphone is packed with a massive 7300mAh battery, a Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 processor, and others, providing plenty of attractive features. But, does it compete with other smartphone models under the same price bracket? Well, to gain a greater understanding, we have compared the smartphone with Oppo’s latest F series model, the Oppo F29 5G, which was launched earlier this year with some great durability features. Therefore, know how the Vivo T4 5G compares to Oppo F29 5G and which smartphone should you buy under Rs.25000.
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The Vivo T4 5G is 7.9mm slim and weighs only 199 grams, which is impressive considering the massive battery size. It features a circular camera module on the rear panel housing two lenses and an LED ring light. It also offers IP65 and MIL-STD-810H ratings for enhanced durability. On the other hand, the Oppo F29 5G comes with a unique and durable design, as it has received military-grade certification as well as three IP ratings of IP66, IP68, and IP69.
For display, the Vivo T4 5G features a 6.77-inch quad-curved AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and up to 5000nits peak brightness. Whereas, the Oppo F29 comes with a 6.7-inch AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and up to 1200nits peak brightness.
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The Vivo T4 5G is powered by the Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 chipset paired with up to 12GB RAM and 256GB internal storage. On the other hand, the Oppo F29 is equipped with a Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 processor, offering smooth day-to-day performance. Both smartphone offers plenty of AI-powered features.
For lasting performance, the Vivo T4 5G is backed by a 7300mAh battery that supports 90W fast charging. Whereas, the Oppo F29 comes with,500mAh battery that comes with 45W SUPERVOOC charging support
The Vivo T4 5G features a dual camera setup that includes 50MP Sony IMX882 primary camera and a 2MP secondary camera. Whereas, the Oppo F29 also features a dual camera system with 50MP main sensor and a 2MP depth sensor. For selfies, Vivo T4 5G features 32MP selfie camera, and Oppo F29 features 16MP front camera.
The Vivo T4 5G comes at a starting price of Rs.21999 for 8GB+128GB storage variant, and the Oppo F29 comes at a price of Rs.23999 for a similar storage variant.
In a groundbreaking discovery that could rewrite our understanding of Earth’s inner dynamics, geologists have revealed that the Indian Plate, the massive slab of Earth’s crust carrying the subcontinent, is splitting in two. A part of it is peeling away and sinking deep into the Earth’s mantle, a process known as delamination. This hidden and previously undetected geological activity could have far-reaching consequences, not just for India but for the entire planet. It may alter earthquake patterns, reshape landscapes, and challenge long-standing scientific theories about plate tectonics. The findings have stunned experts and sparked urgent calls for deeper research into Earth’s shifting crust.
The Indian Plate has long been a key player in one of the world’s most dramatic geological collisions, the crash into the Eurasian Plate that formed the Himalayas. But now, scientists have found something even more astonishing beneath its surface.
Using advanced seismic analysis and helium isotope tracking in the springs of Tibet, researchers have uncovered evidence of delamination, a rare process where the dense lower part of a tectonic plate peels away and sinks into the Earth’s mantle. This means the Indian Plate is effectively tearing apart, creating a massive vertical rift deep underground.
“We didn’t know continents could behave this way,” said Douwe van Hinsbergen, a geodynamicist at Utrecht University. “This changes some of our most fundamental assumptions about solid earth science.”
The discovery has serious implications for earthquake risk in the Himalayan region, already one of the most seismically active zones on Earth. According to Stanford geophysicist Simon Klemperer, the tearing and sinking of the plate could create new stress points in the Earth’s crust, triggering more frequent and potentially more powerful quakes.
One major concern is the Cona-Sangri Rift in the Tibetan Plateau, a deep fracture that could be directly tied to the ongoing delamination. If this connection is confirmed, regions along this rift could face heightened seismic danger in the years ahead.
The study, published in the American Geophysical Union, not only reveals the Indian Plate’s splitting but also suggests that other continental plates might be undergoing similar processes. Scientists are now scanning regions worldwide for signs of comparable plate behaviour, a move that could revolutionise how we understand everything from mountain formation to plate tectonics itself.
“This could be a missing piece in our puzzle of how continents evolve and interact,” said Fabio Capitanio, a geodynamicist at Monash University, who cautions that the findings are still early-stage. “It’s just a snapshot, and much more data is needed to understand the full picture.”
If confirmed, this discovery could explain long-standing mysteries about how and why certain mountain ranges form, and even help scientists make better predictions about future earthquakes and geological hazards. More importantly, it opens a new frontier in Earth science, one that challenges old models and demands a fresh look at how our planet works.
For now, scientists continue to monitor seismic waves and chemical signatures in the region, hoping to unravel the evolving story of a continent in motion and the silent, subterranean split that could shake the world.
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