Also in News
Posted 20 Aug 2024
8 min read
Scientists discover liquid water on Mars
A recent study, "Liquid water in the Martian mid-crust," suggests Mars may contain oceans’ worth of liquid water deep in the rocky outer crust of Mars.
- The liquid layer is located at 10 to 20 km in the Martian crust.
- Data from NASA’s Mars Insight Lander was used
Significance
- This is the first time scientists have discovered liquid water on the planet.
- Better understand the water cycle of Mars, which in turn could unlock questions related to the evolution of the planet’s climate, surface, and interior.
- Tags :
- Mars
- Mars Insight Lander
- Martian crust
Purandar figs
The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) facilitated the export of India's first ready-to-drink fig juice, made from Purandar Figs, to Poland.
About Purandar Figs
- It was awarded the GI Tag in 2016.
- The fig is cultivated in many villages of Purandar Taluka in Pune district.
- Maharashtra has the highest area 2242 hectares under fig plantation.
- It is bell-shaped, larger in size than other varieties, and has a distinctive violet skin colour that differentiates itself from other varieties.
- Tags :
- APEDA
- Figs
- Purandar Taluka
Directorate General of Quality Assurance (DGQA)
Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has handed over the Authority Holding Sealed Particulars (AHSP) of ‘Nipun’ munition to DGQA.
- NIPUN is a Soft Target Munition designed and developed by the Armament Research & Development Establishment.
About DGQA
- It’s an Inter-Service Organisation functioning under the Department of Defence Production in the Ministry of Defence.
- It's responsible for second party Quality Assurance of all defence stores and equipment, both imported as well as indigenous.
- It does quality checks for the Army, Navy (excluding Naval Armaments) and common user items for the Air Force procured from Private Sector, Public Sector Undertakings and Ordnance Factories.
- Tags :
- DGQA
- Department of Defence Production
- NIPUN
Articles Sources
Rapid Innovation and Start-up Expansion (RISE) Accelerator
Atal Innovation Mission, in collaboration with CSIRO,Australia is inviting applications from start-ups and MSMEs for the Climate Smart Agritech cohort of the India-Australia RISE Accelerator.
About RISE Accelerator
- Launched in 2023
- The program is designed to aid businesses aiming for international expansion between India and Australia.
- The platform has been instrumental in aiding start-ups and MSMEs in validating, adapting, and piloting their technologies for new markets.
- Focus themes: Climate Smart Agriculture, Clean Energy, Circular Economy and Waste Management, Climate Smart Mobility.
- Tags :
- Atal Innovation Mission
- RISE Accelerator
Articles Sources
AI guardrails
Media reports have raised concerns around lack of guardrails in recently launched two AI models, Grok-2 and Grok-2 mini by Elon Musk's xAI.
About AI Guard Rails
- These are frameworks and mechanisms designed to ensure ethical, legal, and technical compliance with AI systems.
- They prevent AI from causing harm, making biased decisions, or being misused.
- AI guardrails are a critical component of AI governance and the development, deployment and use of responsible AI.
- Tags :
- Responsible AI for All
- AI Guard Rails
Zoopharmacognosy
Recently scientist highlighted a case of Zoopharmacognosy in Sumatran orangutan.
- Orangutan treated a wound on his body by using local plant Fibraurea tinctoria.
About Zoopharmacognosy
- Process by which wild animals use medicinal plants for treatment of diseases and protection from parasites.
Examples of Zoopharmacognosy
- Dogs: Chew grass and vomit it to get rid of infections in the stomach.
- Pregnant lemurs: Nibble on tamarind leaves to aid milk production.
- Pregnant elephants: Eat leaves of plants of Boraginaceae family to induce delivery.
- Tags :
- zoopharmacgnocy
- Sumatran orangutan
- medicinal plants
Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD)
Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying recently reviewed measures taken towards achieving goal of FMD-Mukt Bharat by 2030.
About FMD
- It is a highly contagious viral vesicular disease of cloven-hoofed animals such as cattle, buffaloes, sheep, goats and pigs etc.
- It does not affect horses, dogs, or cats.
- FMD is caused by an Aphthovirus of the family Picornaviridae.
- Symptoms: Fever and blisters on tongue and lips, in and around mouth, on mammary glands, and around hooves
- Impact: Reduced milk yield, reduced growth rate, infertility, trade restrictions on animal products etc.
- Steps taken:
- National Animal Disease Control Programme: For eradicating FMD and Brucellosis.
- Tags :
- FMD
- NADCP
Articles Sources
Microplastic contamination in Food
Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) launched an innovative project to tackle growing concern of microplastic contamination in food.
About Project:
- Project is named “Micro-and Nano-Plastics as Emerging Food Contaminants: Establishing Validated Methodologies and Understanding Prevalence in Different Food Matrices.
- Objectives: Developing standard protocols for micro-plastic analysis, conducting intra- and inter-laboratory comparisons, and generating critical data on microplastic exposure levels among consumers.
About Microplastic & Nanoplastic:
- Small plastic pieces less than five millimeters long are called microplastic while particles less than 100 nm (1 μm) are considered nanoplastics.
- Can cause health issues such as endocrine disruption, weight gain, insulin resistance, decreased reproductive health, and cancer.
- Tags :
- FSSAI
- Microplastic
- nanoplastics
Articles Sources
News Today (Aug 18-19-20, 2024)