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

The West Nile Virus (WNV) has sparked a high alert in Kerala, India, with recent reports of twelve confirmed and four suspected cases. This mosquito-borne illness, primarily transmitted by the Culex mosquito from infected birds, was first identified in India in 1952. There is no vaccine for WNV, which can cause symptoms ranging from mild fever and headaches to severe neurological issues like encephalitis and meningitis. Preventative measures focus on reducing mosquito exposure. The virus, part of the Flavivirus family and first discovered in Uganda in 1937, poses an ongoing public health threat.

The Vibrant Village Program (VVP), initiated by the Indian government, aims to bolster infrastructure and stability in border areas adjacent to China. Launched on February 15, 2023, it focuses on enhancing the living conditions in 2,967 villages across five states by preventing out-migration, elevating living standards, and strengthening border security. A significant part of the ₹4,800 crore allocated for three years will be used for road construction, with an average cost of ₹2 crore per kilometer, reflecting the program’s emphasis on creating robust connectivity to facilitate easier livelihoods and enhanced surveillance capabilities.

NASA’s Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope, set to launch in 2026, aims to discover primordial black holes, remnants from the universe’s inception around 13.8 billion years ago. These black holes, which could range vastly in size and are theorized to be related to dark matter, might significantly alter our understanding of physics and the early universe. Recent research led by William DeRocco from the University of California, Santa Cruz, which was published in Physical Review D, describes methods the telescope will use to search for these ancient cosmic entities. This mission not only challenges existing theories, such as Stephen Hawking’s theory of black hole radiation but also promises advancements in astronomy and particle physics.

The Spices Board of India has introduced new guidelines to address the issue of ethylene oxide (EtO) contamination in exported spices following bans by Hong Kong and Singapore on popular Indian spice brands due to carcinogenic risks. The guidelines prohibit the use of EtO in the entire spice production chain, mandate regular testing and monitoring, and promote alternative sterilization methods. Additionally, they incorporate critical safety measures at all stages of spice processing and transportation. These measures aim to ensure the safety and quality of Indian spices, critical for maintaining and growing India’s significant share in the global spice market, valued at USD 4.25 billion. Ethylene oxide, a hazardous chemical used for sterilization, poses serious health risks, making these guidelines vital for consumer and workplace safety.

The Drishti-10 drone, also known as the Hermes-900 Starliner, is set to be delivered to the Indian Army on June 18, 2024, by Adani Defence Systems. This deployment is enabled by emergency powers from the Defence Ministry, promoting indigenous manufacturing in line with the ‘Make in India’ initiative. The Hermes-900 Starliner can fly for over 30 hours and cover distances up to 2,000 km, equipped with advanced technologies like satellite communication and collision avoidance systems. This capability enhances surveillance over the western frontier with Pakistan, stationed at the Army’s Bhatinda base in Punjab. This strategic move aims to boost both the technological and security frameworks of the region.

India has recently completed its military withdrawal from the Maldives, in accordance with President Mohamed Muizzu’s campaign promise. The withdrawal, which included 89 Indian soldiers managing military assets like two helicopters and a Dornier aircraft, comes amid heightened tensions and a perceived shift in Maldivian foreign policy towards China. This marks a significant change in Indo-Maldivian relations, traditionally strong due to strategic and security collaborations in the Indian Ocean region. The repatriation was carried out in stages, finishing just before the May 10, 2024 deadline. This move by the Maldives to assert sovereignty and recalibrate its foreign alliances reflects broader regional dynamics, including competition between India and China for influence in the Indian Ocean.

In Kerala, two temple boards have banned oleander flowers following the accidental poisoning death of 24-year-old Surya Surendran. Oleander, known for its toxic properties, is widely used in landscaping and traditional medicine despite its dangers. The ban, instituted by the Travancore and Malabar Devaswom Boards, aims to prevent similar incidents by restricting the flower’s use in temple offerings and prasad. The situation highlights the lethal potential of oleander and underscores the importance of safety in the use of traditional medicinal plants.

AI deadbots, also known as griefbots, are artificial intelligence systems designed to emulate deceased individuals based on their collected data, such as speech patterns and social media behaviors. These technologies serve to comfort those grieving by providing digital interactions with representations of their lost loved ones. However, the concept of deadbots raises ethical, privacy, and psychological concerns, highlighting the necessity for strict regulation. The technology has been gaining traction, particularly in the USA and China, with notable developments like Microsoft’s 2017 patent on the technology. The need for careful consideration in the design and implementation of deadbots is critical to safeguard users from potential harm and to address the diverse cultural implications of digital immortality.

The World Migration Report 2024, issued by the International Organization for Migration (IOM), presents an in-depth analysis of migration trends and statistics, emphasizing the significant role migration plays in economic and human development. It details various global transformations, such as geopolitical conflicts, climate change, and technological advances, that have impacted migration patterns. The report showcases both the benefits and challenges of migration, highlighting the crucial need for improved management and international cooperation to address the complex dynamics of global migration.

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.

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.

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 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 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.

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.