In News:

Centre for Science and Environment release a report on Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for Plastic Packaging

Key Findings:

• EPR Guidelines (2022) were a step towards enforcing the "polluter pays" principle, but the system faces significant issues in its implementation and registration processes.
• Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) report, released on October 29, 2024, highlights gaps in the EPR system for plastic packaging and suggests corrective actions.

EPR Guidelines Overview:

• Issued by: Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC).
• Objective: Hold producers, importers, brand owners (PIBOs), and plastic waste processors (PWPs) responsible for managing plastic packaging waste.
• Key Requirements:
  • PIBOs must register on a centralized portal and set targets for collection, recycling, and reuse of plastic packaging.
  • Registration involves compliance with targets on end-of-life recycling and recycled content usage.

Problems Identified in the Current EPR System:

• Low Registration and Enrollment:
  • 41,577 registrations on the EPR portal, but a significant discrepancy in the type of stakeholders registered.
  • 83% of registered entities are importers, 11% are producers, and only 6% are brand owners.
  • Producers contribute 65% of the plastic packaging in the market but have low registration.
• Absence of Key Polluters:
  • Manufacturers of virgin plastics are notably absent from the portal, despite being required to register.
• Fraudulent Practices:
  • 700,000 fake certificates were generated by plastic recyclers, far exceeding the actual certificate generation capacity.
  • The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) found that such fraudulent activities are undermining the integrity of the system.
  • For example, end-of-life co-processing units (e.g., cement plants) claimed to have processed 335.4 million tonnes per annum of plastic waste, while their actual capacity is just 11.4 million tonnes per annum.
• Underreporting and Mismanagement:
  • Despite 23.9 million tonnes of plastic packaging being introduced into the market, the CPCB’s estimation of plastic waste generation (4.1 MT annually) is underestimated.
• Lack of Stakeholder Representation:
  • Urban local bodies and informal waste collectors—key contributors to plastic waste management—are not included in the EPR framework, which limits their incentives and support.

Recommendations for Improvement:

• Incorporate the Informal Sector:
  • Recognize informal waste collectors and waste management agencies in the EPR framework to improve traceability and ensure better waste management.
• Eliminate Fraudulent Practices:
  • Strict actions need to be taken against fraudulent recyclers and fake certificate issuers to restore credibility to the EPR system.
• Establish Fair Pricing for EPR Certificates:
  • Undertake baseline cost studies to determine the true costs of plastic waste management, ensuring fair pricing for recycling certificates and preventing undervaluation.
• Standardize Packaging:
  • Focus on product standardization to ensure that packaging materials are uniform and easily recyclable.
• Strengthen Monitoring:
  • Improve oversight on the registration process and ensure that all polluters (producers, importers, brand owners) comply with the system’s guidelines.

EPR and Plastic Waste Management: Context and Importance

• Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) is a policy approach where the responsibility of managing the entire lifecycle of plastic products (from production to disposal) lies with the producer.
• It is an essential part of India’s Plastic Waste Management Rules (2016), which mandate the recycling and proper disposal of plastic packaging waste.

Key Elements of EPR:

• Producer Accountability: Producers are responsible for the take-back, recycling, and final disposal of plastic packaging.
• Waste Minimization: Encourages reducing waste at the source by promoting sustainable packaging designs.
• Lifecycle Approach: Considers the entire lifecycle of the product, focusing on sustainability from production to disposal.
• Polluter Pays Principle: Ensures that the cost of waste management is borne by those responsible for generating the waste.

In News:

Scientists have discovered a "black hole triple" system, which is a rare configuration in space involving one black hole and two stars.

Overview of the Discovery:

• Location: The system is located 8,000 light years away from Earth, in the constellation Cygnus.
• Key Features:
  • A black hole at the center, currently consuming a star that is spiraling very close to it.
  • A second, more distant star that orbits the black hole every 70,000 years, and another star that orbits it every 6.5 days.

What is a Black Hole Triple System?

• Black Hole and Two Stars: Unlike typical binary systems (comprising a black hole and one other object), this system contains a black hole surrounded by two stars, one nearby and one far away.
• V404 Cygni: The central black hole in the system is the V404 Cygni, one of the oldest known black holes, roughly 9 times the mass of the Sun.

Significance of the Discovery:

• Questions on Black Hole Formation: The discovery raises new questions about how black holes are formed. Traditionally, black holes are thought to form after the explosion of a massive star (supernova), but this system does not follow that model.
• New Formation Theory: Researchers suggest the black hole may have formed via a "direct collapse" process, where a star collapses into a black hole without undergoing a supernova explosion. This is referred to as a "failed supernova".
  • In a failed supernova, the star's collapse happens too quickly for the explosive outer layers to be ejected, leading to the formation of a black hole without the typical violent explosion.

Implications for Other Binary Systems:

• The black hole’s gradual consumption of one of its stars may imply that some binary black hole systems could have originally been triple systems, with one star eventually being consumed by the black hole.

Research and Collaboration:

• Study: The discovery was made by researchers at California Institute of Technology (Caltech) and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).
• Published in: The findings were published in Nature in October 2024.

Additional Context:

• Distance: The system is about 8,000 light years away, which is vast but still observable with advanced telescopes.
• Mystery of the "Failed Supernova": The concept of a failed supernova offers new insights into the life cycle of massive stars and their transformation into black holes.

In News:

In a significant leap for the country’s space exploration aspirations, India has embarked on its first analogue space mission in Leh, a landmark step that will attempt to simulate life in an interplanetary habitat to tackle the challenges of a base station beyond Earth.

Mission Overview:

• Objective: To simulate living conditions in an interplanetary habitat, addressing challenges astronauts may face during deep-space missions (e.g., Moon, Mars).
• Goal: Study long-term isolation, habitat design, resource management, and psychological effects on astronauts.
• Partners: ISRO’s Human Spaceflight Centre, AAKA Space Studio, University of Ladakh, IIT Bombay, Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council.

Rationale for Ladakh:

• Geological Similarities: Ladakh’s terrain mirrors Martian and lunar surfaces, making it ideal for testing space technologies.
• Climate: Cold, dry, high-altitude conditions simulate the extreme environments of space.
• Focus Areas: Testing habitat construction, microbial studies, and survival strategies for long-duration space travel.

What are Analogue Space Missions?

• Definition: Simulated space missions on Earth designed to replicate the conditions of space exploration.
• Purpose:
  • Test technologies (e.g., life support, habitat design, in-situ resource utilization).
  • Study human behavior, psychological impacts of isolation, and operational readiness for extended space travel.
• Relevance: Crucial for preparing astronauts for missions to the Moon, Mars, or asteroids.

Significance of Analogue Missions:

• Technological Testing: Analogue missions help in evaluating systems for habitat design, life support, and health monitoring.
• Human Factors: They provide insights into crew health, teamwork under pressure, and performance during isolation.
• Psychological Studies: Address the impact of confinement, isolation, and communication delays on astronauts.
• Training: Participants (analogue astronauts) are trained for real-world space missions by conducting scientific experiments and managing emergencies.

Global Examples of Analogue Missions:

• NASA’s NEEMO: An underwater mission simulating microgravity conditions to train astronauts for space tasks.
• SIRIUS Program (UAE): Focuses on the psychological impacts of long-duration space isolation, featuring international collaborations.
• Arctic Mars Analogue Svalbard Expedition (AMASE): Uses the extreme Arctic environment of Svalbard to test Mars exploration technologies and procedures.

Relation to India’s Space Aspirations:

• Gaganyaan Mission: ISRO’s human spaceflight mission aiming to send Indian astronauts into space.
• Interplanetary Exploration: The analogue mission supports India’s broader goal of advancing human space exploration and technology development for Mars and beyond.

In News:

LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) is a cutting-edge remote sensing technology that uses laser pulses to measure distances and create detailed 3D maps of Earth's surface. This technology has recently played a crucial role in discovering a lost Mayan city hidden under the dense Mexican jungle.

What is LiDAR?

• Definition: LiDAR is a remote sensing technology that uses pulsed laser light to measure distances and generate precise 3D models of Earth’s surface.
• Components: The system includes a laser, a scanner, and a GPS receiver. It is usually mounted on an aircraft to map large areas of terrain.
• Data Accuracy: LiDAR can create high-resolution 3D models with vertical accuracy up to 10 cm, making it highly precise for mapping ground elevation.

How LiDAR Works

• Laser Emission: LiDAR sends out rapid laser pulses toward the ground.
• Reflection: These pulses hit the Earth’s surface, reflecting off features like vegetation, buildings, and terrain.
• Measurement: The time it takes for the laser light to travel to the ground and back is measured, allowing the system to calculate the distance between the sensor and the surface.
• Point Cloud Data: The reflected light data is collected as a "point cloud", representing all the surfaces it hits, including trees, buildings, and other features.
• Refinement: This point cloud can be processed into a Digital Elevation Model (DEM), stripping away vegetation and structures to reveal the “bare earth,” which highlights features like roads, buildings, and hidden settlements.

Why LiDAR is Useful for Archaeologists

• Large-Scale Surveying: Traditional archaeological methods often involve labor-intensive fieldwork, such as walking over every square meter and manually cutting through thick vegetation. LiDAR, however, allows researchers to quickly survey vast areas of land, even through dense jungle, from the comfort of a lab.
• Visibility Under Vegetation: LiDAR’s ability to penetrate dense foliage and reveal features beneath the surface is a game changer. Even thick tree canopies that obscure the ground are no match for the laser pulses, which can pass through gaps to illuminate hidden structures.

The Discovery of the Lost Mayan City

• The City of Valeriana: Using publicly available LiDAR data from a forest monitoring project in 2013, archaeologist Luke Auld-Thomas discovered a lost Mayan city in Mexico’s Campeche region. The city, named Valeriana, had been hidden for centuries by the thick jungle.
• City Features: The city has all the hallmarks of a Classic Maya political capital, including:
  • Multiple enclosed plazas
  • Broad causeways
  • Temple pyramids
  • A ball court
  • A reservoir formed by damming a seasonal watercourse
• Historical Significance: Valeriana is believed to date back before 150 CE and may have been a key political and cultural center in the Maya civilization.

Applications of LiDAR Beyond Archaeology

• Geography and Mapping: LiDAR is widely used to generate precise, three-dimensional data about the Earth’s surface, helping geographers and planners.
• Environmental Monitoring: It is also used in forest monitoring, flood risk assessment, and environmental conservation.
• Urban Planning and Engineering: Engineers use LiDAR for creating highly accurate topographical maps and planning infrastructure projects.

In News:

• A novel anti-counterfeiting ink has been developed using luminescent nanomaterials, which significantly enhances security in currency, certificates, medicines, and branded goods.
• The ink utilizes the luminescent properties of rare earth ions and bismuth, enabling excitation-dependent luminescence under different light sources, providing a robust solution to combat counterfeiting.

Key Features:

• Multi-Wavelength Luminescence:
  • The ink exhibits distinct colors when exposed to various wavelengths of light:
    • Vibrant blue under 365 nm UV light
    • Pink under 395 nm UV light
    • Orange-red under 980 nm near-infrared (NIR) light
  • These varying color emissions make it difficult for counterfeiters to replicate, as traditional covert tags are visible only under UV light and can be easily duplicated.

• Enhanced Durability:
  • The ink remains effective under a wide range of conditions, including varying light, temperature, and humidity, ensuring long-term usability without degradation.
• Simple Application Method:
  • The luminescent nanomaterials are synthesized through a co-precipitation method at 120°C.
  • The resulting nanomaterials are then mixed into commercially available PVC ink using sonication, allowing for easy dispersion of nanoparticles.
  • The ink is applied using screen printing to create patterns and texts that exhibit distinct color changes under different lighting conditions.
• Security Features:
  • The ink combines rare earth ions with bismuth emissions, boosting its encryption and decryption capabilities. This creates a high level of security for applications on high-value items.

Applications:

• Currency and Certificates: Enhances the authenticity of financial instruments and official documents.
• Branded Goods: Protects products from counterfeiting and fraud.
• Medicines: Helps verify the authenticity of pharmaceutical products, preventing the distribution of fake medicines.

Benefits:

• Verification: Both consumers and manufacturers can easily verify the authenticity of products, providing an accessible solution to counterfeiting.
• Practical Solution: The ink offers a practical, reliable, and non-invasive method for detecting counterfeit products, addressing a global challenge in various industries.

In News:

India's first home-grown electric propulsion satellite to be launched in Dec.

Key Highlights:

• Objective of TDS-1:

• Purpose: To demonstrate electric propulsion technology for satellite steering, using solar-powered ionized gas.
• Goal: Reduce reliance on chemical fuel, making satellites lighter and more efficient.

• Key Benefits of Electric Propulsion:

• Weight Reduction: The technology can significantly cut down satellite mass. For example, a satellite weighing 4 tonnes could be reduced to around 2 tonnes.
• Fuel Efficiency: By using electric propulsion, the need for chemical fuel is minimized, allowing for a more efficient journey to geostationary orbit.

• Technology Details:

• Fuel Used: Gases like Argon are ionized using solar power to create propulsion.
• Process: The ionized gas is expelled at high speeds to generate thrust, pushing the satellite towards its desired orbit.

• Historical Context:

• The technology was first used in GSAT-9 (South Asia Satellite) in 2017 but with imported Russian components.
• TDS-1 marks the first fully indigenous development of electric propulsion technology by ISRO, highlighting India’s increasing space autonomy.

• Significance for India’s Space Program:

• Self-Reliance: TDS-1 reflects ISRO’s growing capacity to develop advanced space technologies domestically.
• Future Prospects: This breakthrough is expected to lead to more efficient satellite designs, enhancing India’s competitiveness in the global space industry.

In News:

The Space Commission also approved a joint moon mission with Japan called the Lunar Polar Exploration Mission. For LUPEX, ISRO is developing a different moon lander than the one it used for Chandrayaan-3

New Space Missions and Developments

• Chandrayaan-4 (Moon Mission):
  • Type: Sample-return mission.
  • Launch: Expected by 2027.
  • Cost: ?2,104 crore.
  • Objective: Sample collection of moon soil and rock to return to Earth.
  • Mission Details: Two LVM-3 launch vehicles will launch components that will dock in Earth orbit before heading to the moon. The samples will be sent back using a bespoke canister.
• Lunar Polar Exploration Mission (LUPEX):
  • Collaboration: Joint mission with Japan.
  • Objective: Exploration of lunar poles with a new lander design, intended for potential crewed missions in future.
• Venus Orbiter Mission:
  • Launch Window: March 2028.
  • Cost: ?1,236 crore.
  • Objective: Study Venus' surface and atmosphere to understand planetary evolution in the Solar System.
• Next Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV):
  • Development Budget: ?8,240 crore for first three development flights.
  • Objective: A new launcher developed with private sector collaboration for future space missions.

Cabinet Approvals for Space Initiatives

• Human Spaceflight Programme (Gaganyaan):
  • Four new missions under Gaganyaan, including an uncrewed Gaganyaan flight.
  • Focus on developing technologies for India’s first space station, Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS), planned by 2028.
• Space-Based Surveillance (SBS) Missions:
  • Phase 3: Approval for building 21 ISRO satellites, with 31 additional satellites by private companies.
  • Total Cost: ?26,968 crore.
• Development of a Third Launch Pad:
  • To support the NGLV and additional space missions at Sriharikota.

Upcoming Satellite Missions

• NISAR (NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar):
  • Launch: Early 2025 on a GSAT launch vehicle.
  • Purpose: Earth observation using advanced radar technology.
  • Issue: Protective coating added due to high temperatures during testing.
• Proba-3 (European Space Agency):
  • Launch: November 29, 2024, aboard PSLV-XL.
  • Objective: Study the Sun’s corona using two satellites in formation, mimicking an eclipse to capture unique solar data.

Private Sector Involvement

• Manastu Space & Dhruva Space:
  • Collaboration: Testing green propulsion technology for the LEAP-3 mission.
  • Technology: Hydrogen-peroxide-based green propulsion system.
  • Launch: LEAP-3 mission in 2025.
• Bellatrix Aerospace:
  • Project: Prototype satellite for ultra-low earth orbit at 200 km altitude.
• Ananth Technologies:
  • Achievement: First private company to assemble, integrate, and test Space Docking Experiment (SpaDEx) satellites for ISRO.

Space Science and Research Updates

• Chandrayaan-3:
  • Findings: The crater where Chandrayaan-3 landed is older than the South Pole-Aitken Basin (4.2-4.3 billion years old).
  • Data Source: Optical High-Resolution Camera (Chandrayaan-2) and Pragyaan rover (Chandrayaan-3).
• Astrosat (India’s First Space Observatory):
  • Mission Life: Expected to last two more years (originally planned for 5 years).
  • Significance: Contributed to over 400 published papers based on multi-wavelength space observatory data.

In News:

• The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) have signed an agreement to conduct biotechnology experiments on the upcoming Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS).
• Timeline for BAS:
  • The BAS is expected to be operational from 2028-2035, with the initial module launches slated for 2028 and full expansion by 2035.
  • It will be located at an altitude of 400 km above Earth and will support 15–20-day missions in space.

Focus Areas of Research

• Health Impact:
  • Weightlessness & Muscle Health: Studying the effects of zero-gravity on muscle loss during space missions.
  • Radiation Effects: Investigating how space radiation impacts astronaut health over long durations.
• Bio-Manufacturing:
  • Algae Studies: Exploring algae for potential use in nutrient-rich, long-lasting food sources and biofuel production.
  • Food Preservation: Identifying algae varieties that can help preserve food for longer periods in space.
• Integration with Gaganyaan Mission:
  • Experiments may also be conducted during uncrewed test flights for the Gaganyaan mission (India’s first crewed mission to space, scheduled for 2025-2026).

BioE3 (Biotechnology for Economy, Environment and Employment) Policy

• Objective: The BioE3 policy aims to boost bio-manufacturing in India, which is projected to contribute $300 billion to the Indian economy by 2030.
• Key Focus Areas:
  • High-Value Bio-Based Products: Promotes the development of bio-based chemicals, biopolymers, enzymes, and smart proteins.
  • Climate-Resilient Agriculture & Carbon Capture: Aims to strengthen agricultural practices to withstand climate change and promote carbon capture technologies.
  • Healthcare & Nutrition: Focuses on advancements in biotherapeutics, functional foods, and regenerative medicine.
  • Marine & Space Biotechnology: Encourages research in space and marine biotechnology for new applications.
  • Innovation & Entrepreneurship: Supports R&D-driven entrepreneurship through the establishment of bio-manufacturing hubs, bio-AI centers, and biofoundries.
  • Employment Growth: Aims to create skilled jobs in the growing bioeconomy, promoting green growth and sustainable industries.

Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS) Overview

• Structure: The station will consist of:
  • Command Module
  • Habitat Module
  • Propulsion Systems
  • Docking Ports
• Objective: To support long-term research in space life sciences and bio-manufacturing, with a focus on human health, food sustainability, and biotechnology innovations.

In News:

IndiaAI and Meta have announced the establishment of the Center for Generative AI, Srijan (????) at IIT Jodhpur, along with the launch of the “YuvAi Initiative for Skilling and Capacity Building” in collaboration with the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), for the advancement of open source artificial intelligence (AI) in India.

Key Initiatives Launched

• Center for Generative AI, Srijan (????) at IIT Jodhpur:
  • Focus on Generative AI (GenAI) research and innovation.
  • Meta’s support for ethical and responsible development of AI technologies.
  • Aim to empower researchers, students, and practitioners with the tools for responsible AI deployment.
  • Focus Areas: Open science, AI policy advisory, and indigenous AI application development.
• YuvAi Initiative for Skilling and Capacity Building:
  • Target: Empower 100,000 students and young developers (ages 18-30) with AI skills.
  • Core Focus: Leveraging open-source Large Language Models (LLMs) for real-world solutions.
  • Skills Development: Generative AI, open-source tools, and sector-specific AI applications (healthcare, education, agriculture, smart cities, mobility, and financial inclusion).
  • Partnership: Collaboration with AICTE (All India Council for Technical Education).

Strategic Goals and Outcomes

• Research and Innovation:
  • Strengthen India’s AI ecosystem through groundbreaking research and collaborations.
  • Focus on open-source AI and indigenous AI solutions for national challenges.
  • Empower India to lead in AI through ethical and responsible AI deployment.
• AI Talent Development:
  • Bridge the AI talent gap by training young developers in open-source AI technologies.
  • Develop AI solutions for critical sectors like healthcare, education, agriculture, smart cities, and financial inclusion.
  • Program Components:
    • GenAI Resource Hub with courses, case studies, and open datasets.
    • Unleash LLM Hackathons for students to propose AI solutions for real-world challenges.
    • Support for AI startups through an Innovation Accelerator.

Sectoral Focus and Impact

• Healthcare: AI for diagnostics, personalized medicine, and healthcare delivery.
• Education: AI tools for enhancing learning outcomes and personalized education.
• Agriculture: AI solutions for precision farming, pest control, and crop management.
• Smart Cities: AI in urban planning, traffic management, and public services.
• Mobility: AI applications in transportation, logistics, and urban mobility.
• Financial Inclusion: AI in fintech, digital payments, and financial services for underserved populations.

Additional Programs and Opportunities

• AICTE Collaboration: Mobilizing technical institutions across India to build AI capabilities.
• Master Training Activation Workshops: To introduce foundational AI concepts to students.
• Mentorship and Grants: Top AI solutions from hackathons will receive mentoring, seed grants, and market support.
• Student Startups: AI Innovation Accelerator will incubate 10 student-led AI startups experimenting with open-source models.

In News:

Precision medicine is bringing in a new era of personalised healthcare. The field began to take concrete shape when scientists were wrapping up the Human Genome Project.

Introduction to Precision Medicine:

• Precision Medicine is a novel approach to healthcare that tailors treatments and preventive strategies based on an individual’s genetics, environment, and lifestyle, instead of using a one-size-fits-all approach.
• It leverages technologies like genomics, gene editing (CRISPR), and mRNA therapeutics to address various diseases such as cancer, chronic diseases, and genetic disorders.
• Recent breakthroughs include gene therapy for restoring vision and stem cell transplants for reversing diabetes, demonstrating the transformative potential of precision medicine.

Role of Biobanks in Precision Medicine:

• Biobanks are repositories storing biological samples (blood, DNA, tissues) along with associated health data. These samples are crucial for research and development of personalized treatments.
• Large and diverse biobanks are essential for ensuring that precision medicine benefits a wide demographic, as data from homogenous groups could limit the applicability of findings.
• Recent studies using biobank data have led to breakthroughs, such as identifying rare genetic disorders and developing organoid models for high-throughput drug screening.

Precision Medicine and Biobanks in India:

• Market Growth: India’s precision medicine market is growing at a CAGR of 16%, expected to surpass USD 5 billion by 2030, contributing 36% to the national bioeconomy.
• Policy Framework: The government’s BioE3 policy aims to promote biomanufacturing, with a focus on precision therapeutics and related technologies like gene editing and cancer immunotherapy.
• Biobank Initiatives:
  • Genome India Programme: Completed sequencing of 10,000 genomes from 99 ethnic groups, aimed at identifying treatments for rare genetic diseases.
  • Phenome India Project: Focused on collecting 10,000 samples for improving prediction models for cardio-metabolic diseases.
  • Paediatric Rare Genetic Disorders (PRaGeD) Mission: Aiming to identify genes that could help develop targeted therapies for genetic diseases in children.

Regulatory and Ethical Challenges in Biobanking:

• India’s biobanking regulations are inconsistent, hindering the full potential of precision medicine. Unlike countries like the U.K., U.S., and Japan, which have comprehensive laws addressing issues like informed consent, data protection, and privacy, India lacks a cohesive regulatory framework.
• Informed Consent Issues: In India, participants provide samples without full knowledge of how their data will be used, who will have access to it, and for how long it will be stored. This lack of transparency undermines public trust in biobank research.
• Ethical Concerns: Without a clear regulatory framework, there is a risk of misuse of biological samples, such as non-consensual data sharing and sample mishandling.
• International Implications: The absence of robust laws allows foreign pharmaceutical companies to access Indian biobank data and samples without ensuring that the Indian population benefits from the resulting research or profits.

Global Comparison of Biobank Regulations:

• International Standards: Countries like the U.K., U.S., and Japan have established comprehensive biobank regulations, addressing:
  • Informed consent for sample collection and data usage.
  • Privacy protection and secure storage of genetic information.
  • Withdrawal rights for participants at any stage of research.
• India’s biobank regulations lack clear provisions for data protection and participant rights, limiting the effectiveness of research and undermining public confidence in biobanks.

In News:

• Scientists have developed an ultrasound-based technique for detecting cancer, aiming to replace traditional biopsies, which are invasive and painful.
• Promising Alternative: The method uses high-energy ultrasound to release biomarkers (RNA, DNA, and proteins) from cancerous tissue into the bloodstream, allowing for early cancer detection with minimal discomfort.
• Presented at Acoustical Society Conference: The technique was discussed at the joint meeting of the Acoustical Society of America and Canadian Acoustical Association in May 2024.

Traditional Cancer Detection vs. New Ultrasound Approach

• Current Gold Standard - Biopsy: Traditionally, cancer is diagnosed using biopsies, where a tissue sample is extracted using a needle from suspected cancerous areas. Although effective, biopsies are invasive, painful, and carry some risks.
• Ultrasound as a Non-Invasive Alternative: The new method involves using high-frequency ultrasound waves to break off cancerous tissue into droplets, which are then released into the bloodstream. The biomarkers in the droplets can be analyzed for cancerous mutations.
• Enhanced Sensitivity: This ultrasound-based technique increases the levels of genetic and vesicle biomarkers in blood samples by over 100 times, enabling the detection of cancers and specific mutations that are otherwise undetectable in blood.

Key Findings of the Research

• Single Cancer Cell Detection: The technique allows for the detection of a single cancer cell in blood samples. It works by passing ultrasound waves through isolated blood samples, which break apart circulating cancer cells, releasing biomarkers into the blood.
• Cost-Effective: Traditional methods for detecting circulating cancer cells are costly (e.g., the ‘CellSearch’ test costs $10,000). In contrast, this ultrasound method can detect cancer with a much lower cost, around $100 (?8,400).
• Potential for Early Diagnosis: The research shows promise for detecting cancer at an early stage, even before symptoms appear, using blood samples.

Challenges and Next Steps

• Need for Large-Scale Clinical Trials: While the technique shows potential, large cohort studies involving diverse patient groups across different geographies and ethnicities are needed to validate the approach.
• Long-Term Study for Effectiveness: Further research is required to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the technique across various cancer types and to determine the ideal biomarker thresholds for early detection.
• Regulatory Approval and Commercialization: If the clinical trials yield positive results, the method could be commercially available in approximately five years, following regulatory approval.

Understanding Cancer and Its Types

• Cancer Definition: Cancer refers to the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells that can form tumors and spread to other parts of the body.
• Types of Cancer:
  • Carcinoma: Cancer originating in epithelial cells (e.g., breast, lung, prostate cancer).
  • Sarcoma: Affects connective tissues like bones and muscles.
  • Leukemia: Affects blood-forming tissues, leading to abnormal white blood cell production.
  • Lymphoma: Begins in immune cells, including Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
  • Melanoma: Cancer of pigment-producing skin cells.
• Key Differences Between Normal and Cancer Cells:
  • Cancer cells grow uncontrollably and evade immune detection.
  • Cancerous cells accumulate chromosomal abnormalities, unlike normal cells, which follow regulated growth patterns.

In News:

• The National Education Society for Tribal Students (NESTS) launched the third phase of the Amazon Future Engineer Program in 50 Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS).
• Schools involved are spread across Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Telangana, and Tripura.

Program Focus Areas:

• Emerging Technologies: The third phase introduces tribal students to key areas like:
  • Blockchain technology
  • Artificial Intelligence (AI)
  • Coding and block programming
• The program is designed to equip students with skills in computer science fundamentals.

Teacher Training:

• A four-day in-person training workshop for teachers was conducted to empower them with the skills necessary to teach emerging technologies effectively.
• Teachers also participated in the EMRS Coders Expo, showcasing top student coding projects from the previous academic year.

Target Audience:

• Students: The program targets students from grades 6 to 9. Class 10 students will participate in project-based virtual sessions aligned with the CBSE AI Skills Curriculum.
• The goal is to enhance students' understanding of computer science and technology and prepare them for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) careers.

Program Expansion:

• Future Plans: The program will be rolled out in the next phase to cover a total of 410 EMRSs across India.
• Impact: Over 7,000 students in grades 6 to 8 have already benefited from the program’s introduction to computer science and block programming.

Key Goals of the Program:

• Empower Tribal Students: Provide tribal students with modern technological skills to prepare them for future STEM careers.
• Capacity Building: Equip both teachers and students with the knowledge and skills to engage with emerging technologies.
• Fostering Technological Literacy: The initiative aims to foster technological literacy and modernize education in tribal areas.

Recognition:

• During the event, Top 3 Student Coding Projects were felicitated for their creativity and innovation.
• The Top 3 IT Teachers were also recognized for their dedication in guiding students through the program.

Partnership with Amazon:

• The program is a collaboration between NESTS and Amazon, showcasing a joint effort to improve educational access and technological skill development among tribal students.

In News:

The tiny nematode Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) has played an outsized role in scientific discovery, contributing to four Nobel Prizes over the years.

Key Discoveries from C. elegans Research

• C. elegans and Cellular Processes:
  • The worm has helped scientists understand programmed cell death (apoptosis), a vital process in development and disease. This work contributed to the 2002 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, addressing how cells are instructed to kill themselves and how this process goes awry in conditions like AIDS, strokes, and degenerative diseases.
• Gene Silencing and RNA Interference:
  • In 2006, a Nobel Prize was awarded for the discovery of gene silencing via RNA interference (RNAi), a process first explored using C. elegans. This discovery led to the development of a new class of RNA-based drugs.
• Cellular Imaging Techniques:
  • In 2008, C. elegans contributed to breakthroughs in cellular imaging, as its use helped invent cellular “lanterns” that allowed scientists to visualize the inner workings of cells, earning a Chemistry Nobel.
• Gary Ruvkun’s 2024 Nobel:
  • Gary Ruvkun’s Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 2024 was the fourth in a series of Nobel recognitions stemming from C. elegans research, reinforcing its role in fundamental biological discoveries.

Key Facts About Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans):

• Size: 1 millimeter long.
• Life Cycle: Completes in 3-5 days.
• Cell Count: 959 cells.
• Genome: First multicellular organism to have its full genome sequenced in 1998.
• Sexual Reproduction: Hermaphroditic (self-fertilizing) and male.
• Scientific Role: Used to study genetics, developmental biology, neuroscience, and cell biology.
• Nobel Prize Contributions: Four Nobel Prizes, including those in Physiology, Medicine, and Chemistry, for advancements in cell death, gene silencing, and imaging.

Why is it in the News?

For the first time, astronomers have observed the area right at the edge of a black hole where matter stops orbiting and plunges straight in at near-light speed.

What is the Plunging Region of a Black Hole?

• The plunging region of a black hole is an area where matter ceases to orbit the celestial object and instead falls directly into its incalculable depths.
  • This phenomenon was initially predicted by Albert Einstein's groundbreaking theory of general relativity, which continues to shape our understanding of the cosmos.
• As matter approaches a black hole, it is torn apart and forms a rotating ring known as an accretion disc.
• According to general relativity, there exists an inner boundary within this disc, beyond which nothing can maintain its orbit around the black hole.
  • Instead, the material is drawn towards the black hole at nearly the speed of light, marking the beginning of the plunging region.
• This region, situated just outside the event horizon, represents the point of no return for matter falling into a black hole.
• Despite the challenges posed by studying these enigmatic structures, researchers believe that investigating plunging regions could unveil new insights into the formation and evolution of black holes.
• Additionally, these studies may offer valuable information about the fundamental properties of space-time, potentially transforming our understanding of the universe and its most mysterious inhabitants.

What is a Black Hole?

• A black hole is a celestial phenomenon that arises from the remnants of a massive star that has exhausted its nuclear fuel and undergone gravitational collapse.
• It is characterized by an unfathomably dense core, known as a singularity, which is enveloped by a boundary called the event horizon.
• The event horizon serves as a point of no return; any matter or light that crosses this boundary is irrevocably drawn towards the singularity, making it impossible to escape the immense gravitational pull.

Black holes are classified into three categories based on their size and formation process:

• Stellar-mass black holes: These form when a massive star collapses at the end of its life cycle. They typically have masses ranging from approximately five to several dozen times that of our Sun.
• Supermassive black holes: Found at the centre of most galaxies, including our own Milky Way, these colossal structures boast masses that can reach billions of times the mass of the Sun.
• Intermediate-mass black holes: With masses between those of stellar mass and supermassive black holes, these entities are thought to form through the merger of smaller black holes or the collapse of dense clusters of stars.
• Due to their extreme nature, black holes have been the subject of extensive research and fascination in the scientific community.
• The study of these enigmatic structures continues to yield invaluable insights into the fundamental principles governing our universe.

Why is it in the News?

The Indian Science Congress, the largest gathering of scientists and students of science in the country and a permanent annual fixture in the calendar of the participant group for more than a century has been postponed.

Postponement of the Indian Science Congress:

• Unprecedented Interruption: The postponement of the Indian Science Congress holds unprecedented significance.
  • Since its inception in 1914, the Congress has been an annual event, except for the years immediately following the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic (2021 and 2022).
• Tradition and Prime Ministerial Engagement: A cornerstone of scientific tradition, the Indian Science Congress is inaugurated by the Prime Minister, making it a fixture on the PM's calendar.
  • Typically, it stands as the Prime Minister's first public engagement of the new year.

Why has the Science Congress Been Postponed This Year?

• This year's postponement stems from a protracted dispute between the Indian Science Congress Association (ISCA), the organizing body, and the Department of Science and Technology (DST) within the Union Ministry of Science and Technology.
• The DST, a key funding entity, withdrew support in September 2023, citing financial irregularities.
• The ISCA refuted the allegations and contested the DST's directive prohibiting government funds for Science Congress-related expenses, leading to an impasse that has resulted in the postponement.
• A legal challenge to the DST's decision is currently pending.

What is the Indian Science Congress (ISC)?

• The Indian Science Congress (ISC) is a unique event in the country that serves as a platform for scientific communities to interact with students and the general public on science-related matters.
• Organized by the Indian Science Congress Association (ISCA), an independent body supported by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) in the central government, the Science Congress is an annual five-day event from January 3 to 7, considered a permanent fixture on the Prime Minister’s calendar.
• The inaugural session of the Indian Science Congress took place in 1914 at the premises of the Asiatic Society, Calcutta.
• In recent years, the Indian Science Congress (ISC) has faced criticism due to issues such as a lack of substantial discussions, the promotion of pseudoscience, and outlandish claims by certain speakers.
  • This has led to concerns among prominent scientists, with some advocating for the discontinuation of the event or, at the very least, the withdrawal of government support.
  • While the government provides an annual grant for organizing the Science Congress, it does not play a direct role in its organization.

Why is it in the News?

The study by ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute (ICAR-IVRI), Izatnagar, Bareilly has found the exact status of EEHV and its subtypes circulating among the Asian elephant population in India.

What is Elephant Endotheliotropic Herpesvirus (EEHV)?

• Elephant endotheliotropic herpesvirus (EEHV) is responsible for one of the most devastating viral infectious diseases in elephants worldwide, especially young Asian elephants.
• EEHV is a double-stranded DNA virus that is classified in the family Herpesviridae.
• The mortality rate is very high (70-85%) and death occurs within a short period (2-4 days).
• In India, the incidence of EEHV-HD was first reported in 1997.
• 9 of 15 potential cases were confirmed from Southern India in wild free-ranging calves in Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu forest reserves, and Madras Zoo.
• Transmission of the disease: EEHV is mostly spread through mucosal secretions which include:
• Saliva, Breast milk, Nasal secretions, Trunk to trunk contacts etc
• The disease can only affect elephants and is not infectious to humans or other animals.
• Symptoms: Some elephants show symptoms such as reduced appetite, nasal discharge and swollen glands.
• Treatment: Treatment involves a combination of strategies such as antiviral therapy, aggressive fluid therapy to counter haemorrhaging, immuno-stimulant drugs like selenium and Vitamins C and E, as well as antipyretics and analgesics to manage fever.
• It's important to note that there is no definitive cure for herpesviruses in animals or humans since these viruses typically enter a latent state.

Why in the News?

The 9th edition of the India International Science Festival (IISF) 2023 will be held at Faridabad, Haryana from January 17th-20th, 2024.

About the India International Science Festival (IISF):

• The India International Science Festival (IISF) is an annual science festival organized by the Ministry of Science and Technology, the Ministry of Earth Science, and Vijnana Bharati in India.
• The festival aims to promote science and technology in India and to showcase the latest advancements in these fields.
• The IISF has been held every year since 2007.
• The festival typically lasts for four days and features a variety of events, including exhibitions, seminars, workshops, and competitions.
• The exhibitions feature displays of scientific and technological innovations from India and around the world.
• The seminars and workshops provide opportunities for scientists and technologists to share their knowledge with the public.
• The competitions encourage students to participate in science and technology.
• The IISF is a major event in the Indian scientific community and has been praised for its role in promoting science education and public awareness of science.
• The festival has also been successful in attracting international participation, with scientists and technologists from around the world attending the event.
• The 2022 IISF was held in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, from January 21 to 24.

India International Science Festival (IISF) 2023:

• It will be held at the Campus of Translational Health Science and Technology Institute (THSTI) and Regional Centre for Biotechnology (RCB) of the Department of Biotechnology in Faridabad.
• Theme: 'Science and Technology Public Outreach in Amrit Kaal'.
• IISF 2023 will have a total of 17 themes to showcase scientific achievements, offering diverse benefits to participants and the general public.

Why in the News?

The Euclid mission, which will investigate the mysteries of dark matter and dark energy, released its first five science images recently.

About Euclid Mission:

• Euclid is a European mission, built and operated by European Space Agency (ESA), with contributions from NASA.
• Euclid is designed to give important new insights into the "dark side" of the universe -- namely dark matter and dark energy, both thought to be key components of our cosmos.
• It was launched from Cape Canaveral, Florida, (USA) on 1 July 2023 and the launch vehicle used was ‘SpaceX Falcon 9’.
• The mission derives its name from Euclid of Alexandria, an ancient Greek mathematician from around 300 BC, who laid the foundations of geometry.
• Euclid Mission Objective: The primary goal of the Euclid mission is to create a three-dimensional map of the universe, with time as the third dimension.
• This will be achieved by observing billions of galaxies, extending up to 10 billion light-years away, and covering over a third of the celestial sphere.
• Euclid will explore how the Universe has expanded and how structure has formed over cosmic history, revealing more about the role of gravity and the nature of dark energy and dark matter.
• The Euclid Consortium – consisting of more than 2,000 scientists from 300 institutes in 13 European countries, the U.S., Canada, and Japan – is responsible for providing the scientific instruments and scientific data analysis.
• NASA provided the detectors of the Near-Infrared Spectrometer and Photometer, NISP.
• Euclid is a medium-class mission in ESA’s Cosmic Vision Programme.