[Newsbits] 9-13.05.2024: West Nile Virus, Vibrant Village Program & More

On May 11, 2024, Earth experienced a major solar storm, the largest in over two decades, due to multiple coronal mass ejections from the sun. These ejections, massive bursts of plasma and magnetic fields, significantly impacted communication, satellite operations, and power grids. The storm was visible as auroras from Tasmania to Britain, causing disruptions not only to technological systems but also to biological entities reliant on Earth’s magnetic field. The storm underscored the necessity for robust space weather monitoring and resilient technological infrastructures to mitigate such events’ effects.

The newly discovered catfish species, Glyptothorax punyabratai, identified by ICAR-NBFGR in Arunachal Pradesh’s Tung Stream, belongs to the genus known for their ability to cling to rocks in fast currents, thanks to their adapted bodies. Named to honor Dr. Punyabrata Das, this species plays a crucial ecological role in its habitat and aids in understanding aquatic biodiversity. The discovery highlights the ongoing research and conservation efforts of ICAR-NBFGR in managing and studying India’s fish genetic resources.

The debate around religion-based reservations in India, particularly concerning Muslims, involves balancing constitutional mandates of secularism, equality, and justice with the need for social upliftment of backward communities. These reservations have been implemented in states like Kerala, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu to address social and educational backwardness among Muslims. The current discourse is highly politicized, with major parties like the BJP and Congress clashing over the constitutional validity and secular implications of such policies. The matter also involves various legal challenges and judicial reviews which continue to evolve and shape the policy framework.

The Indian government is planning to set up a dedicated Research and Development (R&D) wing under the new India Semiconductor Research Centre (ISRC). This unit aims to advance semiconductor research with rapid development cycles, independent of other ongoing projects within ISRC. The initiative will involve significant funding through public-private partnerships, with an emphasis on creating intellectual property to strengthen national semiconductor capabilities. Educationally, the government will bolster academic infrastructure by integrating semiconductor studies into programs at top institutions like IIT Bombay and IISc Bengaluru. These moves are expected to enhance India’s standing in the global semiconductor industry.

The proposed policy to exclude stubble burners from Minimum Support Price (MSP) benefits is a response to the Supreme Court’s 2023 directive to introduce disincentives for stubble burning. This practice, which significantly contributes to air pollution, particularly in Northern India, will face stricter regulations from the 2024-25 Kharif season. Under the new policy, farmers who engage in stubble burning will not receive MSP benefits and will be marked with a ‘red entry’ in farm records. This measure aims to discourage environmentally harmful practices and improve air quality. The policy is being implemented with the help of protocols developed by NSRC and ISRO for accurate tracking of farm fires, although its enforcement faces challenges such as potential farmer protests and the complexity of tracking and penalizing offenders.

On May 9, 2024, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), through its National Institute of Nutrition, released new dietary guidelines aimed at combating the health issues arising from poor dietary habits in India. The guidelines, which stress reducing the intake of sugars, salts, and unhealthy fats and warn against the use of protein supplements, are part of a broader effort to address that 56.4% of India’s disease burden stems from unhealthy eating. Emphasizing the role of physical activity, food safety, and informed choices, these guidelines seek to reverse the trend of non-communicable diseases like heart disease and diabetes.