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1. The recent collision event at Mumbai airport resulted in the death of approximately 39 flamingos, a protected species under the Wildlife Protection Act (1972). Flamingos, including the Greater Flamingo, are known for their characteristic pink color obtained from their diet of brine shrimps and algae. They form monogamous pairs and migrate to warm regions during winter, often found in coastal wetlands and saltwater lagoons. In India, nearly 100,000 to 150,000 flamingos migrate from Gujarat to Mumbai each November, establishing breeding grounds in the Thane Creek area. Meanwhile, wildlife authorities in Himachal Pradesh are conducting surveys to estimate the populations of blue sheep and Himalayan ibex, essential prey for snow leopards, which are classified as 'vulnerable' under the IUCN Red List.
2. Recent research has unveiled a fascinating adaptation in caterpillars: the ability to detect electric fields through setae on their bodies, known as electroreception. While this sensory capability is commonly found in aquatic and amphibious species, it has now been observed in terrestrial insects like caterpillars. Electroreception allows caterpillars to sense approaching predators, particularly by detecting oscillating electric fields generated by the flapping wings of insects such as wasps. This evolutionary adaptation likely evolved as a response to intense predation pressure, complementing other sensory defenses caterpillars employ. However, the potential threat of "sensory pollution," such as electromagnetic frequencies from power cables, could disrupt this delicate sensing mechanism, presenting a new challenge to their survival in an increasingly human-altered environment.
3. Planets' spherical shape is primarily due to gravity's influence, compacting matter uniformly towards their centers. This gravitational force minimizes surface area for a given volume, favoring a spherical form. While often termed spherical, planets are actually oblate spheroids, slightly flattened at the poles due to centrifugal force from rotation. Rotation induces a bulge at the equator, weakening gravity compared to the poles. Celestial bodies tend towards spherical shapes due to gravity, contrasting smaller objects like comets and asteroids, which maintain irregular shapes due to stronger electromagnetic forces.
4. Microcephaly, characterized by a small head and impaired brain development, has been extensively studied, with the SASS6 gene identified as a crucial factor. Children with microcephaly exhibit poor motor function, speech issues, abnormal facial features, and intellectual disability. The disorder originates during embryonic brain development when neuron precursor cells fail to divide correctly. Mutations in the SASS6 gene disrupt centriole formation, essential for cell division and neural growth. The Ile62Thr Mutation in SASS6 is associated with microcephaly, causing brain deficits while allowing survival. Consanguineous marriages increase the risk of inheriting mutated SASS6 genes, elevating the incidence of microcephaly.
5. The Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS) has launched "PRAGATI-2024" (Pharma Research in AyurGyan And Techno Innovation) to promote collaborative research and innovation in Ayurveda. This initiative aims to explore research opportunities and enhance collaboration between CCRAS and the Ayurveda drug industry. CCRAS, an autonomous body under the Ministry of AYUSH, is responsible for formulating, coordinating, developing, and promoting research in Ayurveda and Sowa-Rigpa systems of medicine in India.
6. NASA has launched the PREFIRE (Polar Radiant Energy in the Far-InfraRed Experiment) mission, deploying a pair of CubeSats to measure heat loss from Earth's poles. The mission utilizes CubeSats equipped with thermal infrared spectrometers to study infrared and far-infrared radiation emissions from the Arctic and Antarctica. By understanding Earth's energy balance, scientists can predict changes in ice, seas, and weather patterns more accurately. CubeSats, weighing less than 10 kgs, offer a cost-effective means for scientific research and technological demonstrations due to their standardized design and low cost.