Aquila Academy

20/09/2026

What happens when you get fever?

20/09/2026

Replacing social media with a video game controller could be a major boost to your mental health.

New long-term studies reveal that gaming beats social media scrolling when it comes to both stress relief and emotional well-being.

For years, digital screens have been lumped together as a monolithic threat to mental well-being, but pioneering research is rewriting that narrative. An 11-year study from the University of Cincinnati and Northwestern University tracking over 183,000 U.S. adults found a damning correlation: exceeding 150 minutes of daily social media use significantly elevates the risk of depression.

This passive, algorithmic scrolling traps the mind in a loop of social comparison and cognitive fatigue. Unlike other screen activities, mindless scrolling acts as a primary driver of adult depressive symptoms, leaving users feeling emotionally depleted.

In stark contrast, video games are emerging as a powerful, interactive tool for cognitive enhancement and emotional regulation. A study by the Boston University College of Communication highlights that video games offer structured, goal-oriented engagement that actively supports stress management and builds mental resilience. Rather than draining cognitive resources, gaming demands decision-making, puzzle-solving, and social teamwork, triggering a healthy state of mental flow. By shifting from the passive consumption of social feeds to the active engagement of gaming, users can transform their screen time into a restorative and purpose-driven break.

source: Breiter, H., Block, M. L., et al. (2026). Social media use and depression across 11 years of U.S. adult data. npj Mental Health Research.

20/09/2026

20/09/2026

Nature has a remarkable way of repeating similar patterns across completely different scales. The vast cosmic web of the universe can resemble the branching networks of brain cells, while the shapes of nebulae can remind us of cells, eyes, and even butterflies.

These similarities do not mean that these structures are directly connected. Instead, they show how similar patterns and shapes can emerge from very different natural processes, from the largest structures in the universe to the smallest forms of life.

25/01/2026

20/01/2026

Recruitment for the post of Postdoctoral Researcher in IIT Madras.