oxford word of the year 2024

A groundbreaking AI-designed vaccine for Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever has entered human trials, marking a world-first for medical research. Developed by Oxford University and Basecamp Research, this initiative showcases AI's potential to drastically accelerate vaccine development for emerging infectious diseases. The trial aims to assess safety and immune response, potentially ushering in a new era of AI-assisted medicine.

Billie Eilish, at just 15, emphasized the profound power of lyrics over fleeting musical trends. Her quote, "Words are more powerful than some noises," highlights the lasting impact of meaningful content. This perspective, evident in her own successful career, encourages listeners to focus on substance and truth, ignoring superficial distractions and societal pressures.

Greek proverbs, rooted in ancient wisdom, offer profound life lessons. The saying "The tongue has no bones, but it breaks bones" powerfully illustrates how words, though physically soft, can inflict deep emotional wounds. This ancient wisdom emphasizes the importance of mindful communication, urging kindness, respect, and self-control to foster stronger relationships and a more compassionate society.

The Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission (UPPSC) has announced that no candidate qualified for the next stage of the Additional Private Secretary (APS) Examination 2023. All 331 vacancies have been carried forward as no aspirant met the minimum Hindi shorthand speed requirement of 80 words per minute in the second-stage examination.

Canadian icon Celine Dion is set to grace the Paris stage in September 2026 for a 10-show engagement, marking a triumphant return after her 2022 Stiff Person Syndrome diagnosis. Despite health challenges that led to numerous cancellations, Dion's resilience shines through as she prepares to perform live again, calling it 'the best gift of her life'.

Contrary to societal shame, animals have long engaged in masturbation naturally. A recent study reveals this behavior is prevalent and healthy in birds, occurring across both sexes and age groups, even more frequently in wild populations. This challenges the notion that it's solely a sign of stress or captivity.

Fresh off its BAFTA win for Best Specialist Factual, Simon Schama: The Road to Auschwitz won the Documentary Emmy for Outstanding Historical Documentary on Thursday. Indian-origin producer Jyoti Mehta discusses the project

Popular online commentator Hasan Piker and media personality Cenk Uygur were barred from entering the United Kingdom. Their travel permissions were revoked just before scheduled speaking events. This unexpected development led to the cancellation of their appearances at SXSW London and the University of Oxford. The British Home Office stated their presence was not conducive to the public good.

Scientists unearthed Lokiceratops rangiformis, a massive, ornately horned dinosaur in Montana. This new species, discovered in 2024, boasts unique, asymmetrical frill horns and lacked a nose horn. Its existence in a small, ancient region alongside other ceratopsids suggests rapid local evolution, challenging previous ideas of widespread dinosaur populations and hinting at more undiscovered prehistoric life.

After a season that rewrote IPL batting records - 27,450 runs, 1,426 sixes, 65 scores of 200-plus and nine successful 220-plus chases - the 2026 final produced a modest aggregate of 316 runs. Was it an anomaly or part of a larger trend? The TOI Data Desk analysis of all 19 IPL finals reveals that the belief that finals are traditionally low-scoring is largely a myth. Yet recent seasons suggest title deciders may be gradually trending below the scoring pace set during the league stage.

Filmmaker Sanjay Gupta indirectly reacted to the trolling faced by Janhvi Kapoor over her Peddi scenes, saying social media is "literally destroying" young actors' careers. Without naming her, he wrote that actors face a ruthless and unforgiving world where the audience is "judge, jury and algorithm."

Actress Sonarika Bhadoria celebrated six months of motherhood, expressing profound love for her daughter Virika. She described the experience as life-changing and the most beautiful phase, highlighting how her daughter has brought new purpose and joy. The actress shared cherished moments from her journey, including pregnancy glimpses and solo vacation pictures.

In a candid discussion, Dolph Lundgren, renowned for his role as 'He-Man,' explored the theme of mortality, revealing that embracing our limited time can inspire a more vibrant and fulfilling existence. His remarkable life story, filled with academic milestones, martial arts expertise, and a triumphant fight against cancer, embodies the essence of resilience and seizing every moment to the fullest.