[Newsbits] 28.12.2023: Zombie Deer Disease, God of Chaos Asteroid & more

newsbits mindmap notes
MedTech Mitra mind map
Recent News
Launched
Date
25 December 2023
Why
Empower MedTech Innovators
Advance Healthcare Solutions
Reduce Import Dependence
Current dependence up to 80%
Enhance Medical Device Industry
India's target for 2030
$50 billion industry
Promote Indigenous Development
Affordable and Quality MedTech devices
Diagnostics
What
Online Portal
Aims
Assist MedTech Innovators
Clinical Evaluation
Regulatory Facilitation
Uptake of New Products
Features
Support
Research
Regulatory Approval
Collaboration
Funding
Handholding for Clinical Evaluations
Regulatory Compliance
Ease of Innovation
Research and Development
Rendering Service
Government Initiatives
Production-Linked Incentive Schemes
Investments in Medical Drug Parks
MedTech Research Policy
MedTech Research Incentive Scheme
National Medical Device Policy
Scheme worth Rs 5,000 crore
Promotion of Research
Pharma and MedTech Sectors
Where
India
Impact on Indian Healthcare Sector
Who
Collaboration
Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)
Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO)
Under Guidance of
NITI Aayog's Atal Innovation Mission
How
Virtual Launch
Government Support
Industry Collaboration
Significance
Empowers Start-ups
Reduces Import Dependence
Enhances MedTech Sector
Rapid Growth
Areas
Robotics
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Big Data
Virtual Reality
Nanotechnology
Boosts Economy
Target of $50 billion by 2030
Strengthens Universal Health Coverage
Reach to Innermost Corners
Contributes to Viksit Bharat Vision
Holistic Approach to Health
Vision for 2047
Challenges
High Import Dependence
Current State
Up to 80% Import-Dependent
Rapidly Changing Sector
Need for Continuous Adaptation
Way Forward
Encourage Indigenous Innovations
Increase Stakeholder Collaboration
Strengthen Research and Development
Expand MedTech Ecosystem

In simpler terms, the MedTech Mitra initiative is a groundbreaking effort by the Indian government to bolster the medical technology sector. Launched in December 2023, it aims to support and guide MedTech startups and innovators in India. This initiative will assist them in clinical evaluation, regulatory facilitation, and market entry of new healthcare products. It is expected to reduce India’s reliance on imported medical technology, stimulate indigenous innovation, and make healthcare solutions more affordable and accessible across the country. The MedTech Mitra initiative represents a significant step towards India’s goal of becoming a global leader in medical technology and healthcare by 2047.

/ Diseases
Zombie Deer Disease mind map
Recent News
Spreading across United States
Detected in Yellowstone
Case in November 2023
Affects
Deer
Elk
Moose
Spread to new locations
Rapid spread recently
Detected in 31 US states
Three Canadian provinces
Norway, Finland, Sweden, South Korea
When
First detected
Mid-1960s
Penned deer in Colorado
Why
Origin unclear
Possible species barrier jump
From sheep with scrapie
What
Chronic Wasting Disease
No cure
No test for living animals
Deadly neurological disease
Infectious
Long incubation period
Symptoms
Listless
Weight loss
Aimless behavior
Oblivious to danger
Emaciation
Drooling
Prion diseases
Always fatal
Affect different species
Creutzfeld-Jakob disease in humans
Bovine spongiform encephalopathy
Prion structure
Nearly indestructible
No genetic material
Resistant to high temperatures
Where
Confirmed locations
30 U.S. states
Four Canadian provinces
Norway, Finland, Sweden, South Korea
Who
Key researchers and organizations
Dr. Allan Houston
University of Tennessee
Ames AgResearch and Education Center
Dr. Cory Anderson
CWD transmission expert
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
How
Spread mechanisms
Bodily fluids
Faeces
Saliva
Blood
Urine
Environmental contamination
Social behaviors of deer
Contamination persistence
Decades in soil
Herdwide impact
Varies by location
Infection rates 1% to 100%
Cons and/or Challenges
No cure or vaccine
Hard to eradicate from environment
Potential species jump risk
Infection risk for non-human primates
Way Forward
Research efforts
Soil and twig sample analysis
Deer behavior studies
Early warning system development
Hunter involvement in research

Zombie Deer Disease, officially known as Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD), is a fatal, contagious neurological disorder affecting deer, elk, and moose. First detected in Colorado in the 1960s, it has since spread across various parts of the United States, Canadian provinces, and countries like Norway, Finland, Sweden, and South Korea. The disease, caused by prions, has no known cure or vaccine and is challenging to eradicate from the environment. It can spread through bodily fluids, and infected animals display symptoms like weight loss, listlessness, and drooling. While there are no recorded cases in humans, there is concern about its potential to jump species.

/ Space
Apophis (God of Chaos) Asteroid mind map
Recent News
OSIRIS-APEX Mission
Studying Asteroid Apophis
Using close approach in 2029
Insights into
Solar system formation
Planetary defense
Previous mission
Returned sample from Bennu
Renamed from OSIRIS-REx
When
April 13, 2029
Close approach to Earth
What
Apophis
S-type asteroid
Made of silicate materials, nickel-iron
named after the Egyptian god of chaos
OSIRIS-APEX Spacecraft
Arrival in April 2029
18-month operation near Apophis
Instruments
Imagers
Spectrometers
Laser altimeter
Goals
Map surface
Analyze chemical makeup
Observe surface changes
Post close encounter
Dipping within 16 feet of surface
Stir up surface material
Observations
Before and after close encounter
Earth-based telescopes involved
Why
Study
changes in Apophis
Due to Earth's gravity
Inform planetary defense research
Apophis' S-type classification
Common among hazardous asteroids
Where
Proximity to Earth
20,000 miles away in 2029
Who
NASA
Goddard Space Flight Center
Mission management
Dani Mendoza DellaGiustina
Principal investigator
University of Arizona, Tucson
Lockheed Martin Space
Built spacecraft
Provides flight operations
International partnerships
CSA (Canadian Space Agency)
JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency)
How
Preparing for encounter
Six close Sun passes
Three gravity assists from Earth
Significance
Planetary defense research
Understanding hazardous asteroids
Solar system formation insights
Tidal forces
Rubble pile material accumulation

The ‘God of Chaos’ asteroid, known as Apophis, is an S-type asteroid that NASA’s OSIRIS-APEX mission is set to study in 2029. This mission aims to observe the asteroid’s close approach to Earth, which will be within 20,000 miles, closer than some satellites. Scientists anticipate that Earth’s gravity will affect Apophis, potentially leading to surface changes like quakes and landslides. This mission is significant for understanding hazardous asteroids and solar system formation, contributing to planetary defense research.

/ Banking, Indices/Reports
Trend and Progress of Banking in India Report 2022-23 mind map
Recent News
Released on December 27, 2023
When
Covers 2022-23 and 2023-24 (so far)
Why
Statutory publication under Section 36 (2)
Banking Regulation Act, 1949
What
Performance of banking sector
Includes
Scheduled Commercial Banks (SCBs)
Co-operative Banks
Non-Banking Financial Institutions (NBFCs)
Key Metrics
Consolidated balance sheet of SCBs
Expanded by 12.2%
Driven by credit to retail, services sectors
Capital to Risk Weighted Assets Ratio (CRAR)
16.8% at end-September 2023
Meets regulatory requirements
Gross Non-Performing Assets (GNPA)
Improved to 3.2% at end-September 2023
Net Interest Margin (NIM) and Profitability
Higher due to net interest income, lower provisioning
Urban Co-operative Banks (UCBs)
Balance sheet expanded by 2.3%
Driven by loans and advances
NBFCs
Balance sheet expanded by 14.8%
Credit growth and improved asset quality
Where
Across India
Who
Reserve Bank of India
Central banking institution of India
Manages currency, monetary policy
Scheduled Commercial Banks (SCBs)
Major banking sector in India
Co-operative Banks
Provide financial services to rural areas
Non-Banking Financial Institutions (NBFCs)
Offer banking services without meeting legal definition of a bank
How
Through various banking and financial measures
Significance
Improved asset quality
Higher capital adequacy
Enhanced profitability
Challenges
Cyber threats
Unsecured retail loans
Over-reliance on bank funding by shadow banks
Way Forward
Vigilance around risks
Prudent risk management
Strong governance practices

The “Trend and Progress of Banking in India” Report for 2022-23 by the RBI provides an extensive analysis of the banking sector’s performance in India. It highlights the expansion and improvement in various areas such as the balance sheets of commercial and co-operative banks, asset quality, and profitability. The report also emphasizes the challenges such as cyber threats and the need for prudent risk management and governance practices to ensure resilient and inclusive growth in the banking sector.

Global Land Squeeze mind map
Recent News
Growing Competition for Land
When
By 2050
Agriculture land expansion
Twice the size of India
Wood demand increase
Size of the United States
Why
Rising Population
Increased demand for
Food
Feed
Fiber
Fuel
Climate Change
Need to protect and restore land
What
Carbon Harvest Model (CHARM)
Underestimation of climate implications
Four-pronged approach
Produce more on same land
Increase crop and grazing yields
Efficient use of inputs
Protect forests and ecosystems
Linking productivity gains to protection
Reduce demand
Reduce food loss and waste
Shift diets from meat to plant-based
Expanded recycling
Restore habitats
Forests
Native habitats
Where
Global Phenomenon
Who
World Resources Institute (WRI)
Research and strategies
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)
Climate change insights
How
Technological Progress
Political Will
Pros/Significance
Sustainable Management
Food Security
Climate Mitigation
Biodiversity Preservation
Equitable Rural Development
Cons and/or Challenges
Limited Land Availability
Need for Unprecedented Measures
Way Forward
Integrated Land Management
Nature-Based Solutions
Protect and restore ecosystems
Efficient production
Reduce land-intensive products
India Context
Initiatives of Land Restoration
Bonn Challenge
Restore 350 million hectares by 2030
India's target: 26 million hectares by 2030
G20 Global Initiative
Reducing land degradation
Enhancing conservation
MGNREGS funding
Reversal of land degradation
Best Practices in India
Holiyas
Water management systems in Gujarat
Plantopathy
Nature-based solution for plant diseases
Zero budget natural farming (ZBNF)
Traditional and emerging practices
Organic inputs sourced locally

The Global Land Squeeze refers to the increasing competition for land due to the rising demand for food, wood, and shelter, alongside the need to store carbon and protect biodiversity. With a growing global population, an area twice the size of India is projected to be converted to agriculture by 2050, and an area as large as the United States will be needed to meet wood demand. World Resources Institute’s report suggests a four-pronged strategy: produce more on the same land, protect forests, reduce demand for land-intensive products, and restore native habitats. In the Indian context, initiatives like the Bonn Challenge, the G20 Global Initiative, and practices like Holiyas, Plantopathy, and Zero budget natural farming are notable efforts towards addressing this challenge. The Global Land Squeeze underscores the need for sustainable land management, balancing human needs with ecological preservation.

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