[Newsbits] 1-8.05.2024: Goldene, Covishield Controversy & More

The Batagaika Crater in Siberia, also known as the “gateway to the underworld,” is the largest permafrost crater in the world. It was initially formed in the 1960s and became prominent due to satellite imagery in 1991. The crater is expanding rapidly, currently at a rate of more than 10 meters per year, largely because of permafrost thaw induced by rising global temperatures and historical deforestation. This permafrost thaw releases significant quantities of carbon dioxide and methane, exacerbating global warming. The Batagaika Crater provides vital insights into the effects of climate change on permafrost areas and serves as a natural laboratory for studying ancient geological conditions. Researchers are emphasizing the urgent need for global strategies to monitor and mitigate the effects of permafrost thaw to prevent further environmental degradation.

Gagan Strike-II was a joint military exercise conducted by the Indian Army’s Kharga Corps and the Indian Air Force (IAF) in Punjab. This exercise focused on refining mechanized unit processes within the Army and validating the use of attack helicopters in complex terrain. Key elements included integrating Apache and ALH-WSI helicopters, unmanned aerial vehicles, and special forces, with an emphasis on enhancing synergy between ground and aerial operations. The Kharga Corps, a vital component of India’s defense strategy, particularly in operations against Pakistan, has a history dating back to the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971. The exercise underscores the ongoing commitment to inter-service coordination and technological integration in modern warfare.

Last week, the Sun emitted two substantial solar flares from a newly identified sunspot called AR3663, causing significant radio blackouts in parts of Australia, Japan, and China. These flares are part of the Sun’s normal 11-year magnetic cycle, where it experiences a polar reversal. The first, an X-class flare, and the second, an M-class flare, both occurred within hours of each other, highlighting the unpredictable nature of solar activity. Solar flares affect Earth by disrupting radio communications, satellite functions, and even power grids through associated coronal mass ejections (CMEs). These events underscore the importance of monitoring solar activity to mitigate potential disruptions in our increasingly technology-dependent world.

NASA’s Innovative Advanced Concepts (NIAC) program is currently developing several forward-thinking space exploration technologies, including a Lunar Railway System to facilitate transportation on the moon, the Fluid-Based Telescope (FLUTE) for advanced space observation, and the Pulsed Plasma Rocket for rapid interplanetary transit. These projects are in the exploratory and research stages with ongoing development in Phase II of the program, which involves further research and funding of $600,000 over the next two years. While these ambitious projects hold the potential to revolutionize how we interact with space, they face significant technical challenges that need resolution to move from concept to reality.

Scientists have developed a groundbreaking ‘all-in-one’ broad coronavirus vaccine aimed at providing protection against multiple strains of coronaviruses, including those yet to emerge. Published on May 6, 2024, in Nature Nanotechnology, the vaccine utilizes a complex nanoparticle structure to which viral antigens from various coronaviruses are attached. This broad-spectrum approach not only targets current strains like SARS-CoV-2 but also aims to preemptively tackle future outbreaks, leveraging a proactive vaccinology approach. This method could revolutionize how we prepare for potential pandemics, providing a more robust defense against the evolving threat of coronavirus diseases.

Goldene is a groundbreaking new material created by scientists at Linköping University in Sweden. This one-atom-thick sheet of gold, comparable to graphene, represents a significant advancement in material science, particularly in the realm of two-dimensional materials. Known as “goldene,” this development could potentially reduce the use of gold in various industries, enhance catalytic processes, and is being considered for future applications in carbon dioxide conversion, hydrogen production, and more. The method used involves complex processes of layering and chemical treatments to achieve the ultra-thin sheets, opening doors to further research into similar applications for other noble metals.

India is collaborating with Kenya to discuss the translocation of cheetahs to the Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh as part of Project Cheetah. This initiative, launched by the Government of India in 2022, aims to reintroduce cheetahs after their local extinction in 1952. The project plans to bring 8 to 14 cheetahs annually over the next five years, contingent on cheetah availability from Kenya. This collaboration includes a visit from Kenyan officials to evaluate the preparations and assess the sanctuary, which hosts diverse flora and fauna, for the project’s next phase.

Archaeologists have unearthed a 7000-year-old prehistoric settlement near the Tamiš River in northeastern Serbia, believed to be from the late Neolithic period. The site covers 11-13 hectares and features several ditches, revealing artifacts tied to the Vinča culture. This discovery, led by Martin Furholt from the Kiel University, is crucial for understanding social structures and technologies of early European societies. It offers insights into the Banat region’s prehistoric culture, enhancing knowledge of early human history in Southeast Europe.

On May 3, 2024, NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL), a subsidiary of the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), signed a landmark agreement with the Bank of Namibia to develop a real-time payment system in Namibia, modeled after India’s Unified Payment Interface (UPI). This initiative aims to modernize Namibia’s financial landscape by introducing a system that enables instant person-to-person and merchant transactions, thereby promoting digital financial inclusion. The collaboration will focus on making financial services more accessible and affordable, especially to underserved populations, with full interoperability of payment instruments expected by 2025. This strategic move is set to enhance the digital transactions ecosystem in Namibia, support economic growth, and reduce cash dependency by leveraging advanced technology and experience from India’s successful UPI framework.

A recent ISRO study has highlighted significant findings of increased subsurface ice on the Moon, especially in the polar craters, revealing that these subsurface deposits are larger than those on the surface at both poles. This discovery is crucial for future lunar missions and human colonization efforts, as extracting this ice could support sustainable lunar exploration. The study utilized a variety of instruments from the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, pointing to volcanic activities from the Moon’s Imbrian period as a primary source. This enhances ISRO’s plans for in-situ resource utilization, which includes using lunar ice for rocket propellant and setting up a sustainable habitat on the Moon.

The first recorded instance of a walrus dying from bird flu in the Arctic occurred on Hopen Island, part of the Svalbard archipelago, which was confirmed by a German laboratory. Six walruses were found dead, with the specific strain of bird flu still unclear. The incident was reported by Christian Lydersen, a marine biologist from the Norwegian Polar Institute. Bird flu generally spreads through avian hosts and has already affected various mammals including sea lions and fur seals. Given the natural behavior of walruses and other predators like polar bears, there is a significant risk of the virus spreading further, prompting calls for increased surveillance to protect marine mammal populations in the Arctic.

The Blood Minerals Controversy around Apple involves accusations from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) against Apple for allegedly using minerals sourced from conflict-ridden areas of eastern DRC in its products. The DRC claims that these minerals are illegally transported to Rwanda, where their origins are obscured before entering the global supply chain. Apple denies the allegations, citing their due diligence reports. This controversy highlights the ongoing issue of conflict minerals, which has broader implications for global technology companies and their supply chains, underlining the importance of ethical sourcing and corporate responsibility in conflict zones.

The Indian Navy recently launched the LSAM 20, the sixth barge in the ACTCM series, designed to transport ammunition and support naval operations. Built by Suryadipta Projects in Thane, this launch is a part of the ongoing 11-barge project aimed at enhancing India’s maritime capabilities and operational readiness. The barges are constructed under strict naval regulations, reflecting the commitment to the ‘Make in India’ initiative and reducing dependency on foreign imports in defense.

The Taam Ja’ Blue Hole (TJBH), now recognized as the world’s deepest blue hole, is located in Chetumal Bay off the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico. Measuring at least 1,380 feet deep, TJBH surpasses the depth of the previous record holder, the Sansha Yongle Blue Hole. Formed from soluble bedrock like limestone, blue holes are water-filled vertical caverns which might provide access to extensive underwater cave systems. Recent explorations using advanced profiling tools suggest that TJBH could be even deeper than currently verified and might connect to hidden underwater tunnels. This discovery has significant implications for understanding marine biodiversity and geological formations.

This mindmap presents an extensive overview of Article 39(b) of the Indian Constitution, focusing on its implications for the distribution of community material resources and its current judicial interpretation. The main issue revolves around whether “material resources of the community” includes private resources, prompting a need for clarification by a nine-judge bench of the Supreme Court, led by Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud. This article is a Directive Principle aimed at promoting social and economic justice by ensuring that material resources are distributed for the common good, balancing individual property rights and societal welfare. The ongoing Supreme Court review seeks to offer a nuanced interpretation that aligns with modern economic policies and India’s development goals.

The Covishield controversy centers around AstraZeneca’s recent admission in a UK court that its COVID-19 vaccine, developed with the University of Oxford and sold in India as Covishield, can cause Thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (TTS) in rare instances. This admission surfaced during a class-action lawsuit, where claimants are seeking damages for severe injuries and fatalities allegedly caused by the vaccine. Despite the rare risk of TTS, which manifests as blood clots accompanied by a low platelet count, health professionals emphasize the vaccine’s crucial role in preventing severe COVID-19, which itself can lead to similar health complications. The situation highlights the ongoing balance between vaccine efficacy and the management of potential side effects.