​

Bagworm caterpillars can be serious plant pests that defoliate evergreens such as arborvitae and Juniper (Image: Wikipedia commons)Insects often survive by using clever disguises. Few take it to the extreme as the strange bagworm moth larva. This caterpillar literally covers itself in debris including the remains of dead bugs. At first glance, it does not even look alive. This caterpillar looks like a tiny bundle made up of dust, twigs and fragments when it is clinging to the bark or leaves of a tree. The caterpillar builds and carries this protective case around its body at all times. This caterpillar is always carrying this protective case. These deceiving creatures are actually bagworms, larval Moths (family Psychidae), which are known for building portable cases out of silk, leaves, and twigs. Bagworm caterpillars begin building their portable shelter as soon as they hatch. It uses silk to stitch together any materials it can find, including plant fragments, sand and sometimes the discarded remains from other insects. As it grows, this structure is reinforced and expanded, like a living armour. Spiders (allegedly) keep this animal as a glowing prisoner to draw more prey to their websWhy wear the dead?This unusual behaviour serves two key purposes. First, camouflage. The caterpillar blends in with its surroundings, and looks like a pile of dead debris. This makes it difficult to spot. Story continues below this ad. The outer layer is tough and acts as a barrier to predators like birds and insects. Scientists also believe that the use of insect remains can mask the caterpillar’s scent and make it harder to detect. In a world filled with predators, being noticed can be deadly. The bagworm caterpillar’s best strategy is to blend in, even if it means wearing a coat made from the forest’s remnants.

 ​

Luxury fashion has always walked a thin line between inspiration and appropriation. In recent years, brands such as Prada and Ralph Lauren faced criticism for incorporating Indian elements into their designs, including Kolhapuri-style footwear, and traditional Indian jhumkas without acknowledging the origins. The latest controversy involves Ralph Lauren’s Bandhini print cotton skirt. The skirt is priced at Rs 44800 and comes in “Tie Dye Multi”. The product description highlights the visual appeal of the skirt, noting that it is “beautifully draped” and features a “vibrant design inspired by traditional Bandhini tie-dye techniques and motifs.”While the description references “Bandhini tie-dye techniques,” it stops short of explicitly mentioning India, the craft’s origin, or the artisan communities associated with it.This subtle omission has become the crux of the issue, with netizens questioning whether vague acknowledgement of inspiration is enough, especially when the design language is so clearly rooted in a specific cultural tradition.Screengrab of various comments (Photo: Instagram/viralbhayani)Bandhini skirt by Ralph Lauren (Photo: Website/ralphlauren.global)Why Bandhani is more than just a ‘tie-dye technique’Bandhani, also known as Bandhej, is one of India’s oldest textile arts, with a history that dates back centuries. The craft involves painstakingly knotting thousands of tiny little knots onto fabric before dying it. This creates dotted patterns. Story continues below this advertisement. Beyond aesthetics, Bandhani has a cultural and emotional significance. It is worn at weddings, festivals and auspicious events. ‘You mean stole’: Ralph Lauren faces backlash over South Asian jhumkas at Paris Fashion WeekWhere authentic Bandhani comes from in IndiaThere are several places in India where Bandhani can be seen in its truest form. In Gujarat’s Jamnagar, and Bhuj, artisans have a reputation for their intricate work and traditional motifs. From local bazaars to handloom stores, authentic Bandhani items, including sarees, dupattas, and skirts, can be found at prices that directly benefit artisan communities. Story continues below this advertisement. The controversy surrounding the Bandhani skirt involving the American fashion brand goes beyond one product. The controversy over the Bandhani skirt is not just about a single product. It reflects a shift in consumer consciousness, as buyers are now interested in ethical practices and origin stories, in addition to design. Fashion is being pushed towards a more responsible engagement with cultural heritage, whether through collaborations, storytelling or proper attribution.
Click here to join our WhatsApp Channel for more lifestyle news. You can also follow us on Instagram.

 ​

It turns out that marriage may have a side effect that no one mentions in the vows. People who have been married are less likely to get cancer than those who never got married. This provocative finding has raised questions about what keeps us healthy throughout our lifetime. If marriage is a “protective” factor in the data, does it matter if the couple has been married or if the marriage certificate itself? Or could there be something more important at play? Researchers analyzed cancer diagnoses for more than 4,000,000 adults in 12 US states. This represents a population of more than 100 million people. The researchers focused on cancers that were diagnosed after the age 30 between 2015 and 2020. This was a modern snapshot in an era where same-sex unions are legal across the country, which means more people can marry. Everyone was divided into two groups: those who have been or ever married, including widowed and divorced people, and others who had never been married. Researchers found that one in five adults were never married, a large minority whose health is often overlooked in traditional family research. Men who never married are 70% more likely to get cancer than men who have been married. Women who never married are 85% more likely to get cancer than women who have been married. Women appear to benefit at least as much if not even more from marriage. The gap widened with age, particularly after 50 when the effects of decades of habits (smoking and diet, exercise or lack thereof, medical checkups) finally surface. The differences were huge for anal cancer among men and cervical carcinoma in women, two diseases closely associated with infection by the sexually transmitted HPV virus. The rate of anal carcinoma in never-married men was five times higher than that of married men. Story continues below this adNevermarried women were three times more likely to develop cervical cancer. The cancers that are most likely to be prevented by HPV vaccination or regular screening for pre-cancerous changes include cervical cancer and anal cancer.The authors of the study suggest that being married could increase the likelihood that someone will be nudged to attend those appointments or have more stable healthcare and insurance. Elsewhere, this pattern echoed well-known biological themes. Cancers like endometrial cancer and ovarian carcinoma were more common among never-married women. This may be due to lower rates of childbearing.

The differences in cancers that are strongly influenced by organised screen- “breasts, prostates, thyroids” were smaller. Even if someone’s spouse reminds them of their appointments, screening levels the playing field. The study found that black men who were never married had higher cancer rates, but married black men had lower cancer rates. This suggests that marriage may be particularly protective in certain groups. (Freepik). Marriage is not magical. Does this mean that marriage protects us from cancer? Researchers are careful to say that no. The researchers’ study shows a pattern but not proof that marriage is to blame. The real question is if marriage makes people healthier or if healthier, wealthier, and better supported people are simply more inclined to get married. Marriage may not be the cause of cancer, but rather a sign that other benefits begin long before anyone steps down the aisle. There are also other reasons to be cautious. The “ever-married” group lumps together happily married people and those who are widowed or divorced, despite that these experiences can look very differently in practice. Researchers also cannot fully account of differences in incomes, education or accessing healthcare. All of these factors influence cancer risk. The study does, however, point out something important. People who are married or have been are more likely to receive encouragement from their spouse to visit a doctor and share resources, such as health insurance and financial resources. They are also less likely to smoke or avoid medical attention. This is not a health verdict if you have never been married. The study shows that marriage benefits such as social support, gentle “nagging”, easier access to healthcare, and more support for singles, widowed, or those living alone, are not only reserved for those with wedding pictures on their mantelpiece.

Leading oncologist says oral cavity cancer is competing with breast cancer: ‘I would run after them to spit it out’In the end, this study is less a love letter to marriage than a reminder that our bodies are shaped not just by genes and chance, but by the social structures we move through. People who notice that we are unwell, encourage that we book that test, or help us determine if we can afford that advice, may leave traces years later.

 ​

Jacqueline Fernandez dressed to the nines (Image source: @jacquelienefernandez/Instagram)Jacqueline Fernandez recently opened up about the five wellness rituals she swears by to maintain balance in her fast-paced life. The actor, who made a Bollywood debut with Aladdin shared her wellness philosophy at the Vogue Beauty and Wellness Honours jury meet. Her wellness rituals focus on both mental and physically well-being. She revealed that each morning she starts on a positive note and that mental health is a major factor in the rest of her day. Staying hydrated is a ritual that she never misses. Jacqueline explained that she takes electrolytes to maintain her energy throughout the day. The actor also stressed the importance of meditation as part of her daily routine. It is very important. She said that it is good for both your energy and your skin.
View this post on Instagram
Skincare experts share their insights into cryotherapy and explain the medical technique’s benefits and side-effects. The technique can last from a few seconds to a few minutes. The treatment can last from a few seconds to a few minutes. “Facial and body cryotherapy treatments have been marketed by wellness and cosmetic facilities for their supposed benefits, including better blood circulation, decreased inflammation and tighter skin,” said Dr Prabhu. “When the skin returns to normal temperature, the blood vessels dilate and increase the blood flow to the facial area,” explained Dr Deepa Krishnamurthy. The technique is an adjunct to other treatments. Continue reading below this ad. Dr Prabhu also stressed that cryotherapy doesn’t replace regular skincare routines such as sun protection and moisturisation. He said that cryotherapy should be seen as a temporary cosmetic treatment for skin conditions, not an essential skincare procedure. Dr Prabhu also warned of the potential side effects of the method, including the damage to the skin barrier. He explained that the skin barrier, which protects from environmental damage and moisture loss will be damaged when people undergo treatment at excessive rates or receive treatment that does not match their skin requirements. Dr Prabhu also added that cold temperatures can trigger flare-ups in people with skin disorders like eczema or rosacea. “It’s the patients who exercise caution when using treatments because these procedures should compliment basic skincare methods that restore and protect skin barrier,” he said. Story continues below this advertisement.DISCLAIMER This article is based upon information from the public domain or the experts we spoke with. Consult your doctor before beginning any new routine.

 ​

Losing your brain may seem like the end of the world. For one small marine animal, it’s part of growing up. The tiny sea creature known as the Sea Squirt replaces its brain over and over again throughout its life. This marine animal is a member of the genus Ciona. It looks like a soft blob that’s attached to rocks. Sea squirts are not born as stationary blobs. Ciona intestinalis is a sea squirt that lives in temperate coastal water and is known as the sea vase. It’s a solitary, transparent, filter-feeding seasquirt. As larvae they look like tiny tadpoles, measuring between 1-2 mm in length. They have a simple cerebral organ (also known as a. The larval brain contains 200 neurons involved in sensory processing, according to electron microscopy studies. Studies using electron microscopy show that the larval brain contains ~200 neurons involved in sensory processing.Then, something bizarre happens: upon settling headfirst via adhesive papillae, metamorphosis triggers autophagy–self-digestion of ~80% of the central nervous system, including most of the brain, tail, and notochord tissues within hours.Why would an animal do that?Also Read | The frog that breaks its own bones to grow clawsAs an adult, it becomes a stationary filter feeder, staying fixed in one place and feeding by pulling in water. It uses tiny openings called gills to filter out nutrients and plankton. It can actually pump more than 100 times its body volume of water each day. It is expensive to maintain a brain, as they can consume a lot of energy. Scientists have discovered that genes that are linked to brain development are much less active when the animal settles. The body also produces enzymes to help break down the unused brain tissues. Continue reading below this ad. It retains only a small number of nerve cells, just enough to perform basic reflexes like closing its eyes when something touches it. So is the brain really replaced? The sea squirt develops a simple, free-swimming brain, and then absorbs the entire thing once it settles. It sheds traits that it briefly shared with chordates, from which it diverged around 550,000,000 years ago. This unusual life cycle challenges that brains are preserved in all closely related species. In a sense, the sea squirt is a lesson in efficiency. Intelligence is not always needed, but it depends on the situation. Scientists have found that the brain resorption can be delayed if an animal is prevented from settling down, proving it is not a fixed time frame but rather an adaptive response. In nature, survival doesn’t mean holding on to complexity. It’s about keeping what you need.