In News:

A recent study by Texas A&M University has uncovered a concerning new risk for dogs in Texas related to Chagas disease—the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi), which causes the disease, can survive in dead kissing bugs (Triatominae). This discovery was published in the Journal of Medical Entomology in October 2024 and has raised alarms about how dead insects, which might be found in insecticide-treated dog kennels, could still pose a transmission risk for dogs.

Key Findings:

• Chagas Disease is primarily spread by kissing bugs, which carry T. cruzi in their gut. Dogs can contract the parasite by ingesting the bug's feces, especially when they lick their bite wounds.
• The study shows that even dead kissing bugs, which are often discarded in kennels, can still carry viable T. cruzi. This is particularly worrying in areas where insecticides are used to control the insects but dead bugs remain accessible to dogs.
• Researchers collected live and dead triatomines from six Texas kennels between June and October 2022, using both genetic testing and culture methods to assess whether the bugs were carrying live T. cruzi.
  • 28% of the collected bugs tested positive for T. cruzi.
  • A dead kissing bug (Paratriatomalecticularia) was found to still harbor live T. cruzi cultures, demonstrating that the parasite can survive even after the insect has died.

Transmission and Risks:

• Kissing bugs typically feed on the blood of animals like dogs, rodents, and raccoons, defecating near the bite site. If the dog licks the contaminated area, they can ingest the parasite-laden feces and become infected.
• The new discovery suggests that dead kissing bugs may pose a secondary transmission route for T. cruzi. Dogs that ingest these dead bugs, either in insecticide-treated areas or natural environments, could still contract the parasite.
• Researchers noted that dead bugs with intact gut contents showed a higher rate of infection than desiccated ones, which suggests that the condition of the bug after death impacts how long the parasite survives.

Implications for Management:

• The findings challenge current insecticide-based control methods. While insecticides kill the bugs, dead insects could still serve as a source of infection, necessitating new approaches for managing Chagas disease transmission in dog kennels.
• The study underscores the importance of regularly removing dead insects in kennels and reconsidering control strategies beyond just using insecticides.

About Chagas Disease:

• Chagas disease is caused by the Trypanosoma cruzi parasite, commonly found in the feces of kissing bugs. It can cause long-term heart and digestive issues if left untreated.
• The disease is common in parts of South America, Central America, and Mexico, but it has been increasingly reported in the southern United States.
• Treatment focuses on killing the parasite in the acute phase, but once it progresses to the chronic phase, treatment is aimed at managing symptoms.

Next Steps and Ongoing Research:

• The Texas A&M team plans to explore how long T. cruzi survives in dead triatomines and whether insecticides affect the parasite’s ability to persist. They are also looking into developing integrated pest management strategies for environments with high kissing bug activity.
• The study also forms part of a broader "One Health" approach, recognizing that both human and animal health are interconnected, and research on Chagas disease in animals can help inform public health strategies.

In News:

• A rare Imperial Eagle (Aquila heliaca) was spotted in the PulluzhiKole wetlands. This marks a significant event as the species was last reported in Kannur in 2003.

Key Highlights:

• Habitat and Migration:
  • The Imperial Eagle primarily breeds in southeastern Europe, west, and central Asia.
  • During the winter months, it migrates to regions including northeastern Africa, West Asia, and parts of Southeast Asia.
• Conservation Status:The IUCN Red List lists the Imperial Eagle as a vulnerable species, indicating its potential risk of extinction, underscoring the need for its conservation efforts.
• Importance of Conservation:
  • The Kole fields are a Ramsar-protected area, emphasizing their critical role in preserving migratory bird habitats.
  • Ongoing conservation and observation efforts in these wetlands are essential for protecting the diverse bird species that use the area.

Features of the Imperial Eagle:

• Scientific Name: Aquila heliaca
• Physical Characteristics:
  • Size: Length ranges from 68 to 90 cm, with a wingspan between 1.76 to 2.2 meters.
  • Color: It has a pale golden crown and nape, with a grey base extending to the tail. Its wings feature prominent white "braces" on the scapulars.
  • Sexual Dimorphism: Males are typically smaller than females.
• Habitat: Prefers old forests, mountainous regions, and riverside forests.
• Feeding: It has strong legs and curved talons for capturing and killing prey, and exceptional eyesight to spot prey from high altitudes.
• Conservation Efforts: Continued monitoring and protection of the Kole wetlands and other vital habitats are crucial for the survival of this vulnerable species and other at-risk birds.

In News:

• The Chinar Boat Race 2024 was successfully organized in Dal Lake, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir.

Key Highlights:

• Organizers:The event was hosted by the Indian Army in collaboration with White Globe NGO and the Lake Conservation and Management Authority (LCMA).
• Purpose:The race aimed to celebrate Kashmir’s culture and traditions while promoting conservation of Dal Lake.The event emphasized the ecological importance of Dal Lake and the need for its protection.
• Cultural Impact:The race attracted a large crowd of both locals and tourists, highlighting the vibrant culture of Kashmir.The event fostered a sense of community and unity, with people cheering for the participants.
• Military Engagement:The Army organizes sports and cultural events in the region to strengthen Army-public relationships, engage local youth, and promote an honourable profession in the military.

Dal Lake Overview:

• Location: Situated in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, surrounded by the PirPanjal mountains.
• Area: 18 sq. km (lake); part of a 21.1 sq. km wetland.
• Islands: Includes 3 islands, two marked by Chinar trees: Roph Lank (Silver Island) and Sone Lank (Gold Island).
• Significance: Known as the “Jewel in the crown of Kashmir” or “Srinagar’s Jewel”.
• Floating Market: Famous for its floating market where vendors use wooden boats (Shikaras) to sell goods.
• Temperature: Can drop to −11°C in winter, sometimes freezing the lake.

In News:

Scientists have directly measured the hearing range of minke whales for the first time, finding that they can detect high-frequency sounds up to 90 kHz.

Key Highlights:

• Implication for Ocean Noise: The study suggests that baleen whales, including minke whales, may be more affected by anthropogenic ocean noise (e.g., naval sonar) than previously recognized, as their hearing range had been underestimated.
• Research Method: A novel catch-and-release technique was used to temporarily hold adolescent minke whales in Norway for auditory evoked potential (AEP) tests to measure their hearing sensitivity.
• Findings: Contrary to the belief that baleen whales are low-frequency specialists, minke whales can detect frequencies between 45 kHz to 90 kHz.
• Impact of Findings: The results could affect future regulations on ocean noise and its impact on marine mammals, as better hearing data is now available for baleen whales.

Minke Whale Overview:

• Family: Minke whales are members of the baleen or "great" whale family and are the smallest of the rorquals.
• Species: There are two recognized species:
  • Common minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata), found in various ocean basins.
  • Antarctic minke whale (B. bonaerensis), found in the Southern Hemisphere.
• Subspecies:
  • Dwarf minke whale: An unnamed subspecies of the common minke whale, mostly in the Southern Hemisphere.
  • North Atlantic (B. a. acutorostrata) and North Pacific (B. a. scammoni) subspecies of common minke whales.
• Distribution: Minke whales are widely spread across tropical, temperate, and polar regions (65°S to 80°N), with common minke whales in all ocean basins and dwarf minke whales mostly in the Southern Hemisphere.
• Feeding Areas: They feed in cooler waters at higher latitudes and can be found both inshore and offshore.
• Conservation Status (IUCN):

• Common minke whale: Least Concern.
• Antarctic minke whale: Data Deficient.

In News:

Over 1.76 crore school students from all 36 States and UTs participated in Project Veer Gatha 4.0.

Key Highlights:

• Activities: Students submitted poems, paintings, essays, videos, and other creative works in honor of the bravery and sacrifice of Armed Forces personnel.
• Objective: Instituted in 2021, the project aims to spread the inspiring stories of Gallantry Awardees to foster patriotism among students.
• Platform for Creativity: Students engage in creative projects based on the heroic deeds and sacrifices of Gallantry Award winners.
• Previous Editions:
  • Edition 1 (2021): 8 lakh students.
  • Edition 2 (2022): 19.5 lakh students.
  • Edition 3 (2023): 1.36 crore students.
• School-Level Activities: Schools conducted various activities from 16.09.2024 to 31.10.2024, uploading 4 best entries per school to the MyGov portal.
• Awareness Programs: The Ministry of Defence organized virtual and face-to-face awareness sessions across schools.
• Winner Recognition:
  • Past Editions: 25 winners in Editions I and II, and 100 winners in Edition 3.
  • Project 4.0: 100 National winners, each receiving Rs. 10,000.
  • District & State/UT Winners: 4 District-level and 8 State/UT-level winners will be felicitated by respective authorities.
  • Collaborative Initiative: The project is a joint effort of the Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Education.