[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.