[Newsbits] 24-31.07.2024: Oropouche Virus, SearchGPT & more

The Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) launched the ‘One DAE One Subscription’ (ODOS) initiative at Tata Memorial Hospital in Mumbai, aiming to enhance access to scientific research for its 60 units. This initiative, part of the broader One Nation One Subscription (ONOS) program, includes agreements with Wiley India Private Limited and Springer Nature Group, significantly increasing the number of accessible journals. The agreements also support open-access publishing, allowing DAE researchers to publish without paying Article Processing Charges (APC). This initiative promotes scientific growth, collaboration, and contributes to India’s development. Additionally, ODOS is a term used in the tourism sector for subscription models offering access to various travel experiences.

Sturgeon poaching and trafficking in the Lower Danube Basin, affecting over 1,000 sturgeon between 2016 and 2023, threaten four endangered species: Sterlet, Stellate Sturgeon, Russian Sturgeon, and Beluga Sturgeon. The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) reports significant illegal fishing activities in Bulgaria, Romania, and Ukraine, using banned methods like unbaited hook lines. This poaching jeopardizes the self-reproducing sturgeon populations in southeastern Europe. Efforts to combat this crisis involve strengthening enforcement of fishing bans, increasing conservation efforts, and promoting awareness. The WWF, established in 1961, continues to focus on wildlife conservation and sustainable practices globally.

Union Minister Bhupender Yadav has launched the Ideas4LiFE initiative at IIT Delhi, aiming to gather innovative ideas to promote environmentally friendly behaviors. This initiative supports Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of sustainable living and is part of the global Mission LiFE movement. Ideas4LiFE invites students, researchers, teachers, and innovators to submit ideas via Ideas4Life.nic.in. The launch was attended by notable figures, including Minister of State Kirti Vardhan Singh, highlighting the government’s dedication to environmental issues. The initiative seeks to create a culture of innovation focused on environmental protection and sustainability.

SpaceX is preparing to launch its Polaris Dawn mission on August 19, 2024, with Jared Isaacman set to become the first private individual to conduct a spacewalk. The mission, initially scheduled for 2022, faced multiple delays, most recently due to prioritizing the Crew-9 mission and addressing rocket explosion issues. Polaris Dawn aims to explore new aspects of human spaceflight, traveling beyond low Earth orbit without docking at the ISS. This mission is a significant milestone in space tourism, showcasing the potential for private space travel and contributing to spaceflight research. The launch will use SpaceX’s Crew Dragon spacecraft, focusing on spacewalks, communication, in-space refueling technology, and human behavior in microgravity.

The launch of the NISAR satellite, a collaborative project between NASA and ISRO, has been delayed until after February 2025 due to ongoing work on its large deployable antenna and specific orbit-related needs. NISAR, a $1 billion project, aims to enhance Earth observation by monitoring glacier movements, volcanic activity, and other phenomena. The delay stems from the need to apply a special coating to the 12-meter antenna to manage temperature change issues. Once launched, NISAR will map the entire Earth every 12 days, supporting climate change studies and demonstrating significant international cooperation in space research.

A report by the Rights and Risks Analysis Group (RRAG) on International Tiger Day reveals that Project Tiger in India has led to the displacement of approximately 550,000 Scheduled Tribes and forest dwellers, a significant increase since 2021. This displacement is due to the expansion of tiger reserves, with the most significant impacts in Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary, Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary, and Ranipur Tiger Reserve. The report highlights systemic human rights violations, including forced evictions, loss of homes, resources, and cultural sites, and government bypassing of legal consent processes. While Project Tiger has successfully increased Bengal tiger numbers, it faces criticism for its severe impact on indigenous communities.

India’s first sunken museum will open at the Humayun’s Tomb complex in Delhi on July 29, 2024, with public access starting July 30. This museum, inspired by traditional Indian ‘baolis’ (stepwells), integrates historical and contemporary elements to enhance visitor engagement. Exhibits include restored artifacts and rare historical items, with advanced technology like 3-D videos and scale models offering an immersive experience. Humayun’s Tomb, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, showcases Mughal architecture and serves as a key cultural landmark in Delhi. This museum aims to promote cultural understanding, showcase Mughal heritage, and enhance the overall visitor experience.

Money Dysmorphia is a condition affecting nearly 50% of Generation Z, characterized by an unrealistic perception of their financial situation, leading to constant anxiety and vigilance about finances despite no real financial problems. This anxiety is exacerbated by intense mental pressures, significant reliance on parental support, and unrealistic comparisons on social media platforms like Instagram. Gen Z faces unique challenges, including a decline in traditional pension plans and increased self-funding for retirement amid rising living costs and inflation. Addressing money dysmorphia requires improving financial education, providing mental health support, encouraging realistic financial goal-setting, and promoting healthy attitudes towards money management.

The long-term capital gains (LTCG) tax system in India underwent significant changes in the Union Budget 2024-2025, notably eliminating the indexation advantage. Indexation adjusts an asset’s acquisition price for inflation, reflecting a more accurate cost. The new regime lowers the LTCG tax rate from 20% to 12.5% and removes indexation for assets like gold and real estate, using fair market value for pre-2001 assets to reduce tax on inherited properties. While the government argues this streamlines the tax system and benefits most taxpayers, critics point out the lack of grandfathering clauses, potentially increasing tax bills for long-term investors. The government claims the lower tax rate compensates for this change.

India’s first integrated agri-export facility is set to be established at the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) in Navi Mumbai, with a Rs. 284.19 crore investment approved by Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal. This 67,422 square meter facility aims to enhance the logistics and storage efficiency of key agricultural products like maize, spices, onions, wheat, and non-basmati rice. The initiative is expected to improve agricultural pricing, create jobs, empower farmers and small exporters, and support rural development. JNPA, a key container port operating on a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, will integrate this facility, further bolstering India’s export infrastructure. The project complements the development of Vadhavan Port in Maharashtra, aiming to become one of the world’s largest ports.

The “Rajbhasha Gaurav Samman” awards for 2023-24 were recently presented to Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) in Visakhapatnam by the Town Official Language Implementation Committee (TOLIC) for their efforts in promoting Hindi. Organized by NTPC, the awards recognized performance in implementing Hindi across three categories, with winners including HPCL-Visakha Refinery, GAIL, and MSTC. Officials, including Atul Bhatt of RINL and Anirban Kumar Biswas from the Ministry of Home Affairs, praised the rising use of Hindi and stressed adherence to government guidelines. Established in 1986, the Rajbhasha Gaurav Samman promotes Hindi and regional languages through annual recognition of outstanding contributions, featuring citations and cash prizes.

The Oropouche virus, an arbovirus primarily spread by midges and mosquitoes, has recently caused its first fatalities in Brazil, with two women under 30 dying in Bahia. Discovered in 1955 in Trinidad and Tobago, the virus is prevalent in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. It causes symptoms similar to dengue fever, including fever, muscle pain, and headaches, and can lead to severe complications like meningitis. There are no specific treatments or vaccines available, emphasizing the need for research, rapid diagnostic tests, and improved public health preparedness. Preventative measures focus on avoiding insect bites through protective clothing, insect repellent, and fine-mesh mosquito nets.

India recently launched its 500th community radio station, Apna Radio 90.0 FM, in Aizawl, Mizoram, under the leadership of Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw. This event, which coincided with the 10th National Community Radio Awards, underscores the government’s commitment to enhancing local community engagement and connectivity, especially through the Act East strategy. Community radio plays a crucial role in giving a voice to local populations, promoting cultural diversity, and driving social change. The National Community Radio Awards recognized outstanding contributions in thematic impact, innovative engagement, cultural promotion, and sustainability. The initiative aims to empower local communities, promote cultural diversity, and encourage sustainable practices in media.

On July 26, 2024, India and the US signed a Cultural Property Agreement aimed at protecting cultural heritage, returning stolen artifacts, and preventing illegal trade of cultural property. The agreement, signed by key officials including Indian Minister of Culture Gajendra Singh Shekhawat and U.S. Ambassador Eric Garcetti, was the result of nearly two years of negotiations. It aligns with the UNESCO Convention of 1970 and underscores both nations’ commitment to cultural justice and global cultural exchange. The agreement is a significant step towards safeguarding cultural history and enhancing international cooperation in cultural property protection.

Vriksharopan Abhiyan 2024, launched by Union Minister Shri G. Kishan Reddy at Bharat Coking Coal Limited in Dhanbad on July 25, 2024, is part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” program. The initiative aims to combat climate change, reduce air pollution, enhance biodiversity, and promote sustainability through large-scale tree planting across 300 locations in 47 districts in 11 coal- and lignite-rich states. Advanced reforestation techniques like the Miyawaki method, seed balls, and drone technology are employed. The program seeks to involve local communities, schools, and NGOs, creating green jobs and raising environmental awareness. Challenges include ensuring sapling survival and securing continuous stakeholder participation.

Digital assets are increasingly used in cross-border transactions between Russia and China, primarily due to banking delays caused by international sanctions. Qifa, initially focused on importing Chinese goods to Russia since its inception in 2013, shifted in 2023 to facilitate trade between the two countries using cryptocurrencies, particularly Tether (USDT). This method bypasses traditional banking systems, enabling faster transactions. Russia is considering laws to legalize cryptocurrency use in international trade, which could further expedite these transactions. Despite challenges with compliance and dual-use goods, Qifa aims to expand its operations and explore new markets in Kazakhstan and other former Soviet countries.

South Africa’s new climate change law, signed by President Cyril Ramaphosa in October 2023, aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by limiting pollution from major polluters and requiring municipalities to create climate action plans. This law aligns South Africa’s efforts with the Paris Climate Agreement. It introduces a carbon budget system for large emitters, mandates sector-specific emission targets, and establishes the nation’s first legal framework for climate response. While the law is expected to significantly cut pollution and promote green energy, challenges include the need for clear regulations, sufficient funding, and effective implementation strategies.

Agristack, introduced in India’s 2024-25 Budget by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, is a digital framework to connect over six crore farmers to a formal land registry system. It compiles comprehensive data, including identity, land records, income, loans, crop information, and insurance history, using three main databases: Farmers Registry, Geo-referenced Village Maps, and Crop Sown Registry. Managed by the Ministry of Agriculture, Agristack aims to improve information access, reduce redundancy, and enhance agricultural record accuracy, aiding scheme implementation and monitoring. Challenges include outdated land records, digitization speed, and land disputes, necessitating robust solutions.

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations released the “State of the World’s Forests” report on July 22, 2024, detailing the global condition of forests. The report highlights both positive and negative trends: while the rate of deforestation has slowed, climate change continues to pose significant threats. The global forest area is approximately 4.1 billion hectares, or 31% of the Earth’s land, with the USA, Canada, Russia, and China covering 54% of this area. From 1990 to 2020, 420 million hectares of forest were lost, though the annual deforestation rate improved from 15.8 million hectares (1990-2002) to 10.2 million hectares (2015-2020). Countries like China and India reported annual forest growth by 2020, and measures in Indonesia and Brazil have notably reduced deforestation. Mangrove ecosystems, covering 14.8 million hectares, show resilience despite net losses from 2000 to 2020. The FAO, established in 1945 and headquartered in Rome, Italy, focuses on sustainable agricultural practices and climate resilience, with a mission to combat hunger and improve nutrition globally.

China’s Chang’e-5 lunar probe discovered small amounts of water in lunar soil and rock samples returned in 2020, as published in Nature Astronomy. This significant finding, achieved through collaboration among multiple Chinese research institutions, enhances our understanding of the Moon’s geology and potential for human habitation. Historical efforts to detect lunar water, such as India’s Chandrayaan-1 mission and NASA’s early research, laid the groundwork for this discovery. The Chang’e-5 mission, which returned 2,000 grams of lunar soil from the Oceanus Procellarum area, utilized advanced technologies, demonstrating China’s progress in space exploration. The discovery of water in hydrated salts even in sunlit areas suggests that lunar dirt can hold water, crucial for future lunar exploration and habitation.

The Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), initiated by the European Union, aims to combat climate change and maintain the competitiveness of European businesses by taxing goods based on their greenhouse gas emissions. Key industries affected include iron and steel, cement, aluminum, and fertilizers. CBAM’s primary goal is to prevent carbon leakage by ensuring that companies outside the EU, who use the Emissions Trading System (ETS), face similar carbon costs as EU companies. This promotes global cleaner production methods. However, concerns arise about the fairness and impact on global trade, particularly on developing countries, which may face significant economic losses and increased inequality. The ETS, established in 2005, is a market-based pollution control system that incentivizes emission reduction through a cap-and-trade principle, supporting innovation and green technology investments. Ensuring fair implementation and providing support to developing nations are crucial for CBAM’s success.

Abhinav Bindra, India’s first individual Olympic gold medalist, will be awarded the Olympic Order on August 10, 2024, during the 142nd IOC Session in Paris, one day before the 33rd Summer Olympic Games. This prestigious award recognizes his significant contributions to the Olympic Movement and his achievements, including winning the men’s 10m air rifle event at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. The Olympic Order, the highest award given by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), acknowledges outstanding service to the Olympic cause and promotes values of unity, friendship, and excellence in sports. The selection process involves proposals from the Olympic Orders Council and final decisions by the IOC Executive Board. Bindra’s recognition highlights his influence and encourages future athletes and leaders to embody Olympic values.

The Henley Passport Index 2024 ranks Singapore’s passport as the most powerful in the world, allowing visa-free entry to 195 destinations, highlighting Singapore’s strong diplomatic network and ease of global movement for its citizens. India ranks 82nd, providing access to 58 countries, tied with Senegal and Tajikistan. Historical data shows a decline in rankings for the UK and USA from their joint first place in 2014, while Afghanistan remains the weakest with access to only 26 countries. Noteworthy improvements include the UAE, China, and Ukraine, while countries like Venezuela, Yemen, Nigeria, Syria, and Bangladesh have experienced declines. The Henley Passport Index, operational since 2006 and updated quarterly, provides crucial insights into global mobility and reflects international diplomatic relationships and agreements.

Researchers have discovered a novel form of oxygen production, termed “dark oxygen,” on the deep-ocean floor in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone of the Pacific Ocean, challenging the traditional belief that oxygen is primarily generated by photosynthetic organisms. Published in Nature Geoscience, the study revealed that oxygen levels below 4,000 meters have been steadily rising over a decade. The discovery was confirmed through various electrical tests and sensors. Dark oxygen originates from polymetallic nodules, mineral layers rich in cobalt, nickel, and lithium, which may be crucial for aerobic sea life. This finding expands our understanding of oxygen production, highlighting its significance in lightless environments and the potential environmental impacts of mining these nodules. Further research is needed to explore the ecological and mining implications of this discovery.

A Climate Finance Taxonomy is a systematic framework introduced by the Indian government to classify economic sectors that qualify as environmentally sustainable investments. Presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in the Union Budget on July 23, 2024, this taxonomy aims to enhance funding for climate adaptation and mitigation, aiding India in meeting its climate commitments and transitioning to a greener economy. The framework guides investors and banks, fostering genuine environmental benefits and mitigating risks associated with greenwashing. India targets significant investments in sectors like electric vehicles and renewable energy, aligning with global efforts to combat climate change and achieve net-zero emissions by 2070.