Published on: June 6, 2024

Snippets : 6 JUNE 2024

Snippets : 6 JUNE 2024

  • The study of zircon crystals has revealed that Earth had the necessary conditions to support life much earlier than previously thought. It reveals the early interaction of water and land, challenging existing theories of a water-covered Earth.
  • A marine fungus called Parengyodontium album has been discovered to break down plastic polyethene (PE) in the ocean.
  • The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has launched ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ Campaign on the occasion of World Environment Day. Shri Modi’s planted a Peepal tree at Buddha Jayanti Park in Delhi.
  • The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has launched an initiative called “Industry 4.0 Transformation” to support MSMEs and startups in fostering digital transformation through 5G/6G technologies. The objective is to form a platform for policy interventions that will enable transformative adoption of Industry 4.0.
  • The Indigenous Air Quality Monitoring System (AQ-AIMS) was inaugurated along with the launch of the Air-Pravah App. Developed by C-DAC Kolkata, AQ-AIMS aims to monitor environmental pollutants efficiently. It offers three variants tailored to industry needs, monitors various parameters, and is cost-effective compared to traditional instruments. The Air-Pravah App provides real-time Air Quality Index (AQI) monitoring, unit conversions, data analysis tools, and is available on the Android Play Store.
  • A novel protein named “Neo” has been discovered in Klebsiella pneumoniae bacteria, aiding in defense against bacteriophages via reverse transcriptase. Reverse transcriptase is historically significant, used in COVID-19 diagnostics, molecular biology, and HIV treatment. It has evolutionary and biotechnological implications, impacting genetic evolution, viral resistance, and therapeutic strategies.
  • HAL in Bengaluru has introduced new facilities to support ISRO’s LVM3 programme, aiming to meet ISRO’s demand for six LVM3 launches annually by enhancing production capabilities.
  • A new satellite project called TRISHNA, a collaboration between ISRO and French CNES, aims to aid climate action by providing critical insights using advanced remote-sensing technology. It will monitor earth’s surface temperature, water quality, urban heat islands, snow-melt runoff, and atmospheric data, benefiting policymakers, agro-industries, and farmers.