News In Short-24-09-2024

Infrasound 

Syllabus: GS 3 / Science and Tech 

In News 

• The Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO) is hosting a workshop for scientists focused on infrasound research and its operational capabilities in global and regional networks.

What is Infrasound? 

• Infrasound refers to low-frequency sound waves, which are the opposite of ultrasound (high-frequency sound waves).
• These waves can be generated by natural phenomena like meteors, storms, auroras, volcanoes, earthquakes, and nuclear explosions.
• Historical Observation:The first recorded infrasound observation occurred after the 1883 Krakatoa volcano eruption, where the waves circled the globe and caused widespread damage.
• Applications: Infrasound can be used to check the structural health of buildings, dams, bridges, and aerospace applications like rocket stress detection and aircraft instability.
  • It is also used in mining to check mine shaft integrity and for wildlife tracking, such as monitoring whale movements
  • Infrasonic waves cause minute changes in atmospheric pressure, which can be measured by microbarometers.
  • These waves travel long distances without losing energy, making them useful for detecting distant nuclear explosions.
• Health Concerns:There are concerns about unknown effects of infrasound on human health, though this remains a topic of ongoing debate.

About CTBTO’s Mandate:

• The CTBTO’s main goal is to get more countries, including India, to sign the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT).
• The organization shares its monitoring technologies, including infrasound, with industries.
• The CTBTO’s International Monitoring System (IMS) is building the only global infrasound network, with 60 array stations planned across 35 countries.
  • Each array consists of several elements, a meteorological station, a processing facility, and a communication system for data transmission.
• The CTBTO workshop aims to enhance understanding of infrasound, with the goal of making it as common in usage as ultrasound.

Source : BL

Legacy waste management project of the Swachh Bharat Mission 2.0

Syllabus:GS 2/ Health 

In News 

• The legacy waste management project of the Swachh Bharat Mission 2.0 has been slow to start, with only 470 out of 2,424 dumpsites fully remediated, reclaiming 16% of the area three years since its launch.

Legacy Waste Dumpsites:

• Legacy waste dumpsites contain solid waste stored for years in an unscientific and uncontrolled manner.

About the Mission 

• The Swachh Bharat Mission was launched on October 2, 2014, with phase 2.0 starting on October 1, 2021, aimed at achieving “Garbage-Free Status” by October 1, 2026.
• Goals of Phase 2.0: The mission focuses on 100% source segregation, door-to-door collection, scientific waste management, and conversion of dumpsites into green zones.
• Financial Allocation: An action plan with ₹3,226 crore in Central Share (CS) assistance has been approved for remediation, and an advisory has been issued for landfill reclamation.
• State Performance: Tamil Nadu has reclaimed the most area (837 acres, 42%).
  • Gujarat is the top-performing state, reclaiming 75% of its landfills (698 out of 938 acres).

Do you know ?

• Solid Waste Generation: Municipal solid waste generation in India is estimated at 1,50,000 tonnes per day, according to the State of India’s Environment 2023 report

Source : TH 

Nagar Van Yojana (NVY) 

Syllabus: GS3/Biodiversity and Conservation

Context

• The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has achieved 100-Day Target of 100 Nagar Vans.

About

• The scheme, Nagar Van Yojana (NVY) was launched in 2020, for creation of Nagar Vans in urban areas, which promotes urban forestry by involving local communities, NGOs, educational institutions, local bodies, etc.
• The salient features of Nagar Van Yojana are:
  • Creating green space and aesthetic environment in an urban set up.
  • Creating awareness about plants and biodiversity and developing environment stewardship.
  • Facilitating in-situ conservation of important flora of the region.
  • Contributing to environmental improvement of cities by pollution mitigation, providing cleaner air, noise reduction, water harvesting and reduction of heat islands effect.
  • Extending health benefits to residents of the city and
  • Helping cities become climate resilient.
• The scheme provides financial assistance of Rs. 4 lakh per hectare for the creation and maintenance of these urban forests.
• Nagar Van areas range from a minimum of 10 ha to 50 ha. 
• The scheme covers all cities with Municipal Corporations, Municipalities and Urban Local Bodies (ULBs). 
• Presently, the Nagar Van Yojana aims to develop 1000 Nagar Vans by the year 2027 with the financial support of National Fund of National Compensatory Afforestation Management and Planning Authority (National CAMPA). 

Source: PIB

Indian Army Inducts Robotic Mules

Syllabus :GS 3/Defence/Science and Technology

Context

• The Indian Army has inducted 100 robotic mules (Multi-Utility Legged Equipment) in forward areas.

About

• The four-legged robotic mules have a sleek design and are equipped with thermal cameras and other sensors, which enable them to carry out surveillance. 
• They can climb stairs, steep hills and other hurdles and can operate in extreme temperatures, ranging from -40 to +55 degrees Celsius and carry a payload of 15kg.
• They can also be integrated with small arms, and can engage with an enemy without putting a human life at risk, if needed.

Source: TH

Nanozymes

Syllabus: GS3/Science and Technology

Context

• A CSIR-CLRI study has shown that nanozymes can ensure collagen’s integrity and enhance resistance to enzymatic degradation.
  • The study reveals that the MnN nanozyme confers remarkable resistance to collagenase, an enzyme that typically degrades collagen.

About

• Enzymes are biological catalysts that accelerate chemical reactions in living organisms.
  • They are typically proteins, although some RNA molecules can also function as enzymes (these are known as ribozymes). 
  • Enzymes play a crucial role in various biological processes, including digestion, metabolism, DNA replication, and cellular signaling.
• Nanozymes are the nanomaterials that function like enzymes.
  • They offer several advantages over natural enzymes, including enhanced stability, broader substrate specificity, and ease of production.
• Applications: Used in biosensors, drug delivery, and as diagnostic tools.
  • Potential for bioremediation and pollutant degradation.
  • Applications in catalysis for chemical synthesis and food processing.

Source: BL