1. Scientists Discover Six New Bent-Toed Gecko Species in Northeastern India
Tags: Science and Technology
Researchers have discovered six new species of bent-toed geckos in Northeastern India.
An Overview of the News
This Conducted by scientists from Wildlife Institute of India (WII), Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and Environment (ATREE), and the Natural History Museum London (NHM).
New Species Locations:
Two species from Arunachal Pradesh (AR)
Two species from Nagaland
One species from Manipur
One species from Mizoram
Bent-Toed Geckos:
Distributed across Peninsular India, Sri Lanka, the Himalayan foothills, Northeast India, Southeast Asia, and the Solomon Islands.
Significant diversity with approximately 346 species identified.
Highlights of New Species Descriptions
Arunachal Pradesh:
Namdapha Bent-Toed Gecko: Found in Namdapha and Kamlang Tiger Reserves; inhabits lowland evergreen forests.
Siang Valley Bent-Toed Gecko: Discovered in the Siang River valley, known for its unique biodiversity.
Mizoram:
Ngengpui Bent-Toed Gecko: Located in Ngengpui Wildlife Sanctuary; characterized by tropical semi-evergreen to moist evergreen vegetation.
Manipur:
Manipur Bent-Toed Gecko: Discovered near Lamdan Kabui village; found on shrubs along the road connecting Leimatak and Charoikhullen.
Nagaland:
Kiphire Bent-Toed Gecko: Found in regenerating jhum land at elevations between 740m and 1,300m above sea level.
Barail Hill Bent-Toed Gecko: Discovered in a reserved forest at similar elevations.
Research and Implications
Survey Duration and Locations:
Surveys conducted from 2018 to 2022 across 22 locations in Northeast India.
New Lineages:
Morphological and scientific tests revealed six previously undescribed lineages.
Species Diversity:
Higher species diversity south of the Brahmaputra River compared to the Himalayan foothills.
Each Northeastern state now has its own endemic bent-toed gecko species.
Biodiversity Significance:
Findings highlight the rich biodiversity and importance of exploring lesser-known areas.
Protected areas and abandoned jhum lands are crucial for documenting undocumented species.
2. MoHFW Launches U-WIN Portal for Digital Vaccine Tracking
Tags: Science and Technology
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) launched the U-WIN online vaccine management portal.
An Overview of the News
The objective of this portal is to create an electronic registry of routine immunization for pregnant women and children up to 6 years of age under the Universal Immunization Programme (UIP).
UIP Details:
UIP is a major global public health initiative offering free vaccinations to pregnant women and children.
The U-WIN portal is modeled after the Co-WIN system used for COVID-19 vaccine management.
It will be integrated with the existing eVIN platform for inventory management.
Features of U-WIN Portal:
Covers 12 Vaccine-Preventable Diseases (VPDs) under UIP:
Nationally: Diphtheria, Pertussis, Tetanus, Polio, Measles, Rubella, severe childhood Tuberculosis, Rotavirus Diarrhea, Hepatitis B, Meningitis, Pneumonia (Hemophilus Influenza Type B and Pneumococcal Pneumonia).
Sub-nationally: Japanese Encephalitis (JE) (only in endemic districts).
Provides age-appropriate immunization as per the National Immunization Schedule (NIS).
Contains 5 main modules:
Registration and scheduling (for beneficiaries).
Administrator module and session planning (for program managers).
Vaccinator module (for vaccinators).
Delivery point module (for healthcare workers at the delivery point).
Mobiliser module (for frontline workers).
Target Audience:
Aims to reach 2.9 crore pregnant women and 2.6 crore infants (0-1 years) annually.
Provides 11 vaccines against 12 VPDs through over 1.2 crore vaccination sessions across the country.
Related Recent News:
MoHFW plans to launch the National Health Claim Exchange (NHCX) portal to streamline health insurance claims.
NHCX, developed by the National Health Authority (NHA), is part of the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM).
MoHFW Leadership:
Union Minister: J.P. Nadda (Rajya Sabha - Gujarat).
Ministers of State: Anupriya Patel (Mirzapur, Uttar Pradesh), Prataprao Ganpatrao Jadhav (Independent Charge - Bulthana, Maharashtra).
3. IN-SPACE Authorizes Azista BST to Establish Satellite Tracking Facility in Hyderabad
Tags: Science and Technology
On 26th July 2024, the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACE) granted authorization to Azista BST Aerospace Private Limited to set up a ground station in Hyderabad, Telangana.
An Overview of the News
The facility will support Azista BST’s own satellites and offer Ground Station as a Service (GSaaS) for Telemetry, Tracking, and Command (TT&C) operations.
It will also handle data reception from remote sensing satellites for both Indian and international customers.
Operational Details
The ground station will operate in the Ultra High-Frequency (UHF) band ranging from 300 MegaHertz (MHz) to 3 GigaHertz (GHz).
This frequency band is utilized for satellite communications, including data relay, telemetry, and satellite control.
Applications and Support
The facility will support various applications such as weather forecasting, environmental monitoring, scientific research, and military operations.
Joint Venture Background
Azista BST Aerospace is a joint venture between Azista Industries and Berlin Space Technologies, based in Hyderabad, Telangana.
4. CWC Wins 'Water Department of the Year' at Global Water Tech Summit
Tags: Science and Technology
Central Water Commission (CWC) received the GEEF Global WaterTech Award for 'Water Department of the Year' at the Global Water Tech Summit 2024.
An Overview of the News
The award was presented by the Global Energy and Environment Foundation (GEEF) in New Delhi.
Award Categories
Focus Areas: Recognizes achievements in water, wastewater, and desalination sectors.
Criteria: Awards emphasize innovation, technology, conservation, and sustainable development.
CWC’s Contributions
Hydro-meteorological data collection
Flood forecasting
Reservoir storage monitoring
Water quality monitoring
Coastal area management
Appraisal and monitoring of water resources projects
Resolving inter-state water issues
New Initiatives
Enhanced Collaboration:
Interaction with State/UT Water Resources/Irrigation/Jal Shakti Departments to improve synergy.
Capacity Building:
Development in Urban Hydrology and Extended Hydrological Prediction (EHP).
Public Engagement:
Launch of the mobile app ‘Floodwatch India’ for flood information dissemination.
5. Department of Atomic Energy Launches 'One DAE One Subscription
Tags: Science and Technology
The inaugural ceremony for ‘One DAE One Subscription’ (ODOS) took place at Tata Memorial Hospital in Mumbai.
An Overview of the News
ODOS is an initiative by the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) designed to consolidate access to research papers and scientific journals across all DAE units under a single umbrella.
Consortium agreements have been signed with M/s. Wiley India Private Limited and M/s. Springer Nature Group to provide extensive access to their journals and support for open access publishing.
The agreements include perpetual rights to journals for 2024, access to historical archives, and coverage of Article Processing Charges (APC) for publishing in open access journals.
ODOS Agreements:
Agreement with M/s Wiley India Private Limited:
Provides access to 1,353 Wiley journals, including archives from 1997.
Covers the entire DAE community, expanding from 166 unique journals for 12 units.
Perpetual rights granted for all 2024 journals.
Includes Article Processing Charges (APC) for publishing more articles in open access journals.
Agreement with M/s. Springer Nature Group:
Grants access to 2,686 Springer Nature titles, including 553 Fully Open Access (FOA) journals.
Expands access from 1,752 unique journals for 14 units.
Perpetual rights for all 2024 journals.
Archives accessible from 1997 for Springer titles and from 2012 for Nature titles.
Enables DAE to publish 281 articles in Springer Hybrid journals as open access without APC.
Dr. A.K. Mohanty: Secretary of DAE and Chairman of AEC.
A.K. Nayak: Head of NCPW, DAE.
Dr. Sudeep Gupta: Director of TMC.
6. Bajaj Auto Launches World’s First CNG-Powered Motorcycle "Freedom"
Tags: Science and Technology
On June 5, Pune-based Bajaj Auto launched the world's first CNG-powered motorcycle.
An Overview of the News
The motorcycle is priced between Rs 95,000 and Rs 1,10,000 and will be rolled out nationwide in phases.
Union Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari unveiled the bike.
Bajaj Auto Company launched an EV in 2022 and plans to make 10,000 CNG bikes every month.
Bike Specifications:
Named "Freedom", the bike has a 2-kg CNG cylinder and a 2-litre petrol tank.
It has a 125cc engine, longest seat length and state-of-the-art technology.
The bike can switch to petrol when the CNG runs out and has passed 11 safety tests.
Bajaj Auto
Founded - 29 November 1945
CEO - Rajiv Bajaj
Parent - Bajaj Group
Headquarters - Pune
7. Japan's ALOS-4 Earth Observation Satellite Launch
Tags: Science and Technology International News
Japan launched the Advanced Land Observation Satellite-4 "DAICHI-4" (ALOS-4) on July 1, 2024.
An Overview of the News
The launch took place from the Tanegashima Space Center using the third flight of the H3 Launch Vehicle (H3 F3).
This marked the third successful deployment of the H3 system.
ALOS-4 is designed for earth observation and was deployed into orbit from off the coast of Kyushu, Japan.
This launch marks a significant advancement in Japan's space exploration efforts, focusing on enhanced earth observation capabilities.
ALOS-4 Features:
ALOS-4 succeeds DAICHI-2 (ALOS-2) and expands its observation range significantly. Japan will continue to operate both satellites concurrently.
It features an infrared sensor developed by Japan's defense ministry, primarily designed for earth observation, disaster response data collection, and cartography.
Equipped with an infrared sensor, the satellite has capabilities for monitoring military activities such as missile launches.
About H3 Rocket System:
Developed by Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) in collaboration with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries.
Designed as a cost-effective successor to the H-IIA launch system, capable of carrying a 6.5 metric ton payload into space.
Each launch costs approximately 5 billion Japanese Yen (JPY) or USD 33 million.
About JAXA
Established- 2003
President- Yamakawa Hiroshi
Headquarters- Chofu City, Japan
Japan
Capital: Tokyo
King: Prince Naruhito (The reign of the 126th king will be known as 'Riwa'.)
Prime Minister: Fumio Kishida
Currency: Japanese Yen
Additional Information:-
1. | Japan introduced new 3D holographic banknotes starting from July 3. |
2. | South Korea, the US, and Japan launched their first trilateral multi-domain exercise named Freedom Edge on June 27. |
8. Aditya-L1 Completes First Halo Orbit around Sun-Earth L1 Point
Tags: Science and Technology
India's Aditya-L1 spacecraft, the country's first solar mission, has completed its first halo orbit around the Sun-Earth L1 point.
An Overview of the News
ISRO conducted a station-keeping maneuver recently to transition Aditya-L1 into its second halo orbit smoothly.
Launched on September 2, 2023, the Aditya-L1 mission is an Indian solar observatory stationed at Lagrangian point L1.
It was inserted into its targeted halo orbit on January 6, 2024.
Aditya-L1 takes approximately 178 days to complete one revolution around the L1 point in its halo orbit.
The spacecraft is subjected to various perturbing forces during its journey, which can cause deviations from its intended orbit.
ISRO highlighted the complexity of modeling the spacecraft's dynamics around the Sun-Earth L1 Lagrangian point.
Aditya-L1 Mission Overview
Objective: Study the solar atmosphere, solar magnetic storms, and their impact on Earth's environment.
Spacecraft Name: Aditya-L1
Developed By: ISRO and Indian Space Research Institutes
Orbit: Halo orbit around Lagrange point 1 (L1), 1.5 million km from Earth
Mission Director: Nigar Shaji
Launch: 2nd September 2023, aboard PSLV C57 at 11:50 IST
Orbit Achievement: Reached intended orbit about an hour after launch
Insertion at L1 Point: 6th January 2024, 4:17 pm IST
Significance: First Indian Sun observation mission
Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO):
It was established on 15 August 1969.
It is the national space agency of India. It launches its space rocket from Satish Dhawan Space Center in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh.
Headquarters: Bengaluru
Chairman: S Somnath
9. Central Railway Installs First Floating Solar Plant
Tags: Science and Technology National News
Central Railway installed a 10 MWp floating solar plant in Igatpuri lake, Western Ghats.
An Overview of the News
This is the first floating solar plant initiative by Indian Railways.
The plant is part of efforts to leverage renewable energy sources, including solar and wind energy.
Goal: Zero carbon emission by 2030.
Additional Solar Plants:
Commissioned 12.05-MWp solar plants on station rooftops and buildings.
4-MWp solar plants installed last year.
Saved Rs 4.62 crore in 2023-24 and reduced carbon footprint by 6,594.81 MT.
Plans to install an additional 7-MWp solar plant in the current year.
Current Renewable Energy Usage:
Utilising 56.4 MW of wind energy and 61 MW of solar energy.
Agreements for 325 MW of solar and wind energy on a "round-the-clock" basis.
Expecting an additional 180 MW of solar and 50 MW of wind power this financial year.
Environmental Impact:
Equivalent to saving 2.5 lakh trees.
70% of traction energy expected to be green after full commissioning of renewable sources.
Power Consumption:
Present monthly power consumption: 236.92 million units for traction and 9.7 million units for non-traction work.
Energy Efficiency Awards:
Bureau of Energy Efficiency awarded "Shunya-Plus" label to five buildings and "Shunya" label to two buildings of Central Railway.
Labels indicate efforts towards creating Net Zero Energy Buildings (NZEBs) and Net Positive Energy Buildings (NPEBs).
Reflects commitment to environmental conservation.
10. MoD Contracts SpacePixxel for Advanced Miniaturised Satellite under iDEX Initiative
Tags: Science and Technology
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) signed a contract on June 25, 2024, with Bengaluru-based SpacePixxel Technologies Pvt. Ltd.
An Overview of the News
The contract is for designing and developing a Miniaturised Satellite capable of carrying multiple advanced payloads up to 150 kgs for the Indian Air Force (IAF).
iDEX Initiative Significance:
This marks the 350th contract under the Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) initiative, part of MoD's flagship program.
It is the first-ever iDEX Prime (Space) Satellite Grant under the Mission DefSpace: Open Challenge.
Signing and Key Personnel:
Signatories included Awais Ahmed Nadeem Alduri, CEO of SpacePixxel, and Anurag Bajpai, Additional Secretary (Defence Production) & CEO of IDEX-DIO.
The signing took place in New Delhi, Delhi, in the presence of Defence Secretary Giridhar Aramane and other MoD officials.
Technological Advancements:
The contract aims to foster innovation in space electronics, facilitating faster deployment, economical manufacturing, scalability, adaptability, and reduced environmental impact.
Integration of Electro-Optical, Infrared, Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR), and Hyperspectral payloads into a single, compact satellite is expected to enhance earth observation and defence capabilities significantly.
Impact of iDEX Initiative:
The iDEX initiative continues to play a crucial role in transforming India's defence sector by nurturing startups and Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to develop cutting-edge technologies.
About iDEX:
Launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in April 2018, iDEX operates under the Department of Defence Production (DDP), Ministry of Defence (MoD).
It has organized 11 editions of the Defence India Start-up Challenge (DISC) and introduced the Acing Development of Innovative Technologies with iDEX(ADITI) scheme to foster innovations in critical and strategic defence technologies.
Currently collaborating with over 400 start-ups and MSMEs, iDEX has facilitated the procurement of 35 items valued at over Rs 2,000 crore.
