The Delhi High Court is set to physically inspect the Central and Southern parts of Delhi Ridge to assess the extent of afforestation and cutting of trees in the area.
Deforestation in Delhi Ridge:
Over 308 hectares of the ecologically sensitive Delhi Ridge area has been encroached and another 183 hectares “diverted” for “non-forestry purposes”. ( Data by Central Empowered Committee (CEC) report to the Supreme Court, 2023.)
About Delhi Ridge
Delhi Ridge is located in the National Capital Territory of Delhi, extending as a northern extension of the ancient Aravalli Range.
Composed primarily of quartzite rocks, it spans approximately 35 kilometres from Tughlaqabad in the southeast to Wazirabad in the north along the Yamuna River.
Ecological Significance:
It acts as the “green lungs” of Delhi, providing crucial ecological services such as carbon sequestration and habitat for wildlife.
It protects Delhi from the hot desert winds originating from Rajasthan to the west.
It supports diverse flora and fauna, making Delhi one of the world’s most bird-rich capital cities.
Efforts are ongoing to maintain biodiversity through biodiversity parks and wildlife sanctuaries like the Northern Ridge Biodiversity Park and Asola Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary.
Geographical Features
The ridge is believed to be over 1.5 billion years old, making it an ancient geological formation compared to the Himalayas (50 million years old).
It functions as a watershed, dividing the Indus Plain to the west from the Gangetic Plain to the east within the Indo-Gangetic Plain.
Administrative Divisions:
Divided into four main zones: Northern, Central, South-Central, and Southern Ridge.
Each zone has distinct characteristics and faces varying degrees of urban encroachment and conservation efforts.
Following Mizoram and Nagaland, Meghalaya has also refused to rename its health and wellness centres as Ayushman Arogya Mandirs as per the Centre’s directive.
Context: Demographic composition of NE and its implications on policy decisions
Christian Majority: About 75% of Meghalaya’s population practices Christianity, similar to the demographics of Mizoram (90%) and Nagaland (90%).
State Asserts Autonomy: Meghalaya’s Health Minister emphasized that health being a State subject grants them the right to decide independently of the Centre’s advisory.
About Ayushman Bharat Health and Wellness Centres (AB-HWCs)
AB-HWCs were launched to move away from selective health care to a more comprehensive range of services spanning preventive, promotive, curative, rehabilitative and palliative care for all ages.
There are 1.6 lakh such centres across India under this initiative.
The National Health Policy of 2017 envisioned these centres as the foundation of India’s health system.
The Union Health Ministry renamed AB-HWCs as Ayushman Arogya Mandirs (AAM) with the tagline ‘Arogyam Parmam Dhanam’.
States and Union Territories were urged to complete the rebranding by the end of 2023.
Back2Basics: Ayushman Bharat – Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY)
Details
Details
World’s largest fully government-funded health insurance scheme.
Launched in 2018.
Provides Rs 5 lakh per family for secondary and tertiary care.
Health Benefit Package
Covers the cost of surgery, medical and daycare treatments, medications, and diagnostics.
3 days of pre-hospitalisation and 15 days of post-hospitalisation, including diagnostic care and expenses on medicines.
No restriction on family size, age or gender.
All pre-existing conditions are covered from day one.
Beneficiaries
An entitlement-based scheme targeting beneficiaries identified by the latest Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC) data.
Flexibility for States/UTs to use non-SECC data with a similar socio-economic profile to identify remaining SECC families.
Financing
Jointly funded scheme: 60:40 between Centre and legislature for all States and UTs.
90:10 for North-Eastern States, J&K, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand.
100% central funding for Union Territories without legislature.
Nucleus Agency
The National Health Authority (NHA) is an autonomous body under the Societies Registration Act, 1860, responsible for the effective implementation of PM-JAY.
State Health Agency (SHA) is the apex body of the State Government responsible for implementing AB-PMJAY in the State.
PYQ:
[2022] With reference to Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission, consider the following statements:
Private and public hospitals must adopt it.
As it aims to achieve universal health coverage, every citizen of India should be part of it ultimately.
It has seamless portability across the country.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Mains: Q) National Education Policy 2020 isin conformity with the Sustainable Development Goal-4 (2030). It intends to restructure and reorient education system in India. Critically examine the statement. (UPSC CSE 2020) Q) “Demographic Dividend in India will remain only theoretical unless our manpower becomes more educated, aware, skilled and creative.” What measures have been taken by the government to enhance the capacity of our population to be more productive and employable? (UPSC CSE 2016)
Prelims:
Q) Consider the following statements: (UPSC CSE 2018) 1. As per the Right to Education (RTE) Act, to be eligible for appointment as a teacher in a State, a person would be required to possess the minimum qualification laid down by the concerned State Council of Teacher Education. 2. As per the RTE Act, for teaching primary classes, a candidate is required to pass a Teacher Eligibility Test conducted in accordance with the National Council of Teacher Education guidelines. 3. In India, more than 90% of teacher -5 education institutions are directly under the State Governments. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (a) 1 and 2 (b) 2 only (c) 1 and 3 (d) 3 only
Note4Students:
Prelims: National Education Policy 2020; Digital India Campaign of 2015;
Mains: Social Issues and Justice; Education; Population; Literacy Rate;
Mentors Comment: Digital literacy is essential for full participation in India’s rapidly digitizing society and economy. As critical services like banking, healthcare, and government services have become increasingly digitized, the ability to effectively use computers and technology is crucial for accessing these essential services and enhancing quality of life. The COVID-19 pandemic further highlighted the importance of digital skills, from online education to managing financial and medical needs remotely. However, India’s computer literacy rate stands at just 24.7%, with wide disparities between urban and rural areas as well as across age groups and socioeconomic status. Unless serious efforts are made to universalize digital literacy, a significant portion of the population, especially in rural and marginalized communities, will face exclusion from the digital economy and public services.
Let’s learn.
—
Why in the News?
According to the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) and National Statistical Office, India still has lower levels of literacy than many other nations, though.
The literacy rate is 77.70%, with literate males at 84.70% and literate females at 70.30%,
Context:
The latest NSS survey shows computer literacy in India stands at only 24.7% among individuals aged 15 and above, with rural areas lagging behind at 18.1%. This digital divide puts a significant portion of the population at risk of exclusion from digital public services.
The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the importance of computer and internet access for everyday tasks.
Unless serious measures are taken to universalize digital literacy, rural India’s population, which is nearly 70%, will face significant disadvantages in accessing critical services.
Initiatives taken up by government:
Digital India campaign in 2015: The Digital India campaign launched by the Indian government in 2015 has had a mixed impact on computer literacy rates in the country. The campaign aimed to transform India into a digitally empowered society and improve digital infrastructure and services.
National Education Policy (2020):
The NEP 2020 lays emphasis on the use of technology to provide high-quality education to students, irrespective of their geographical location. Digital education will be an integral part of the curriculum, with a focus on developing digital literacy, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.
Present Scenario: Progress of Digital India campaign and present literacy rates in India:
The Digital India campaign launched by the Indian government in 2015 has had a mixed impact on computer literacy rates in the country:
Limited Success: The latest National Sample Survey (NSS) data shows that computer literacy in India remains low at just 24.7% among individuals aged 15 and above .
While this represents an increase from 18.4% in 2017-18, the figures still highlight a significant digital divide.
In rural areas, computer literacy stands at only 18.1%, compared to 39.6% in urban areas.
Nearly 70% living in rural areas, remain excluded from accessing digital services and public amenities.
Cohort Effect:
Computer literacy peaks at 45.9% among 20-24 year olds, but drops to just 4.4% for 65-69 year olds.
Even among younger working-age cohorts (20-39 years), computer literacy is only 34.8% on average.
Variations in computer literacy across Indian states:
Economically disadvantaged states like Assam, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh have very low rates (under 30%). Prosperous states like Kerala have much higher rates (72.7%)
Bridging the digital divide requires sustained efforts by government, private sector and civil society.
Understanding the Causes:
Lack of infrastructure and qualified teachers in schools/colleges for adequate computer training limits job prospects and employment opportunities. It creates a digital divide and skill gap in the job market.
Gaps in access and quality of computer education in the formal education system leads to social isolation and financial exclusion from online services.
Lack of motivation and access to learning resources among older age groups restricts access to information and resources in the digital age.
Way Forward: There are some focus areas where we can concentrate:
For School level: School education should ensure that all graduating students possess computer literacy skills, as this is crucial to bridge the digital divide. The government should allocate resources towards the training of computer personnel and ensure sufficient staffing levels.
For Old-aged people: For the older population outside the formal education system, targeted programmes are essential.
These should involve various institutions, including local governing bodies such as panchayats and non-governmental organisations, to effectively reach and empower older individuals with computer literacy skills.
Quality Control and Monitoring: The government should also conduct a thorough review of such computer literacy and develop strategies to achieve higher literacy and reduce disparities in the coming years.
Q) If an amendment bill to the Whistleblowers Protection Act 2011 tabled in the Parliament is passed, there may be no one left to protect. Critically Evaluate. (UPSC CSE 2015)
Q) With consideration towards the strategy of inclusive growth, the new Companies Bill, 2013 has indirectly made CSR a mandatory obligation. Discuss the challenges expected in its implementation in earnest. Also, discuss other provisions in the Bill and their implications. (UPSC CSE 2013)
Note4Students:
Prelims: Whistleblowers Protection Act 2011,
Mains: Ethical issues in the Medical sector,
Mentor comment: On January 10, 2021, Rashida Bee, Nawab Khan, Rachna Dhingra, and Nausheen Khan alleged ethical violations in Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin trial at People’s Hospital, Bhopal. They cited informed consent breaches, enrollment of vulnerable groups, non-reporting of adverse events, and inadequate participant monitoring. They demanded intervention to halt the study and independent investigation. The outcome of their letter remains undisclosed.
Let’s learn!
__
Why in the news?
In India, the primary safeguards intended to prevent medical ethics abuse are ineffective.
What are the Primary safeguards?
Primary safeguards are fundamental measures or systems put in place to prevent unethical practices and ensure ethical standards are maintained.
These safeguards are designed to protect individuals and maintain integrity within processes, such as clinical trials.
They typically include regulatory frameworks, oversight committees, informed consent procedures, transparency requirements, and accountability mechanisms.
Ethical Abuse
Allegations of Ethical Violations in Covaxin Trial: Irregularities and ethical violations were alleged in the Covaxin clinical trial conducted by People’s Hospital in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. Violations included lack of informed consent, enrollment of vulnerable populations, non-reporting of adverse events, and inadequate monitoring and follow-up.
Regulatory Approval and Ethical Guidelines before the completion of Phase III study: The Indian drug regulator, Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), approved Covaxin for “Restricted Use under Clinical Trial Mode” before the completion of its Phase III study.This approval process was not defined in India’s Drug Regulatory Framework, creating ambiguity and potential ethical lapses.
Lacking in the effectiveness of Ethics Committees: Ethics committees at trial sites are meant to oversee and ensure ethical conduct in clinical trials. There were issues with the effectiveness of these committees, with allegations of gross violations of ethics guidelines.
Whistle-blowers show the various incidents of ethical violations: Whistle-blowers play a crucial role in exposing ethical violations in medical experimentation. Carl Elliott’s book, “The Occasional Human Sacrifice,” details various incidents of ethical violations in medical trials, highlighting the courage required to speak out.
Innovative therapies and ethics
Balancing Risk and Benefit: Developing life-saving medicines involves a delicate balance between the potential risks to patients and the projected benefits of the therapeutic candidate. This process requires specialised knowledge and experience to make informed decisions, which is often lacking, leading to ethical challenges.
Lack of Expertise in Clinical Development: India has a strong generic drug manufacturing industry but lacks deep expertise in developing innovative therapies. The management of clinical development is often overseen by medical doctors who may not have specialized knowledge in drug development, leading to ethical violations and inadequate oversight.
Ethical Violations in Pandemic Response: During the COVID-19 pandemic, there were examples of medical ethics being compromised, such as unrealistic projections of case numbers and the creation of terms like “emergency use authorization in clinical trial mode” to justify premature decisions. These actions highlight the need for better guardrails and ethical standards in managing the development and approval of new therapies.
Indian Patients and Clinical Studies
Violation of Informed Consent: There is a historic and repeated violation of informed consent in India, with poor and uneducated patients being enrolled in clinical studies without being fully informed of potential harm. Ensuring informed consent falls under the responsibility of institutional ethics committees, whose effectiveness is often questionable.
Ineffectiveness of Institutional Ethics Committees: Despite existing on paper and in regulations, the functioning and effectiveness of institutional ethics committees in India are patchy. A study by Gayatri Saberwal et al. (2022) identified numerous issues, such as clinical trials without ethics committees and trials with more sites than functional ethics committees.
Abuse of Regulations by the Industry: A significant abuser of these regulations is a section of the industry promoted by the Ministry of AYUSH, which conducts poorly designed and executed clinical studies with zero oversight. These studies often aim to provide a veneer of scientific validity to various concoctions without proper ethical standards.
Comparison with Western Systems: Even well-designed and well-run systems in the West face challenges in maintaining checks and balances on accountability. India’s systems are far from achieving the same level of function and effectiveness, highlighting a significant gap in ethical standards and accountability in clinical studies.
Way forward:
Enhancing Training and Oversight: Provide specialized training for members of institutional ethics committees to ensure they have the necessary knowledge and skills to oversee clinical trials effectively. Regular audits and monitoring should be conducted to assess the performance and adherence to ethical guidelines.
Independent Audits: Conduct independent audits of clinical trial sites and ethics committees to ensure compliance with ethical standards and regulatory requirements. Establish clear consequences for non-compliance to deter unethical practices.
Clear Guidelines and Definitions: Define clear regulatory pathways and guidelines for clinical trials, including terms like “Restricted Use under Clinical Trial Mode.” This will reduce ambiguity and ensure consistent application of ethical standards.
On Tuesday, July 2, a stampede during a religious gathering in Uttar Pradesh’s Hathras district resulted in the tragic deaths of at least 121 individuals, predominantly women.
What is a Stampede?
A stampede is an impulsive mass movement of a crowd that often results in injuries and deaths.It disrupts the orderly movement of crowds, leading to injuries and fatalities, often triggered by panic, perceived danger, or the pursuit of something gratifying.
Why do Stampedes Kill?
Primary Cause: Most stampede casualties result from traumatic asphyxia, where external compression of the chest or abdomen restricts breathing.
Other Causes: Include myocardial infarction (heart attacks), direct crushing injuries, head injuries, and neck compression.
How Does Human Psychology Lead to Stampedes?
Panic and lacking in Cooperation: In panic-inducing situations, cooperative behavior is initially beneficial, but if disrupted, can lead to chaotic actions like pushing and shoving.
Positive Wish-Fulfillment Beliefs: A collective belief, rational or irrational, can mobilize large groups into actions that may compromise individual safety.
How Does the Physical Organization of Spaces Contribute to Stampedes?
Factors Contributing to Stampede Risks: Lack of light, poor crowd flow management, structural collapses, blocked exits, and inadequate design of hardware (like doors and barriers) increase stampede risks.
Crowd Density: High density can lead to prolonged evacuation times and increased panic.
How to Better Prevent or Mitigate Stampedes?
Planning and Design: Ensure adequate exit points relative to crowd size, improve crowd flow management, and use technologies for real-time crowd monitoring.
Communication and Coordination: Effective communication between organizers and attendees is crucial for issuing warnings and managing crowd movements.
Notable Deadly Stampedes and Their Causes:
Moscow, Russia (1896): Rumors of souvenir shortages led to a deadly surge.
Allahabad, India (1954): Lack of crowd control and barriers led to a surge at the Kumbh Mela.
Lima, Peru (1963): Tear gas used during a football match triggered panic in enclosed spaces.
Wai, India (2005): Slippery steps during a pilgrimage resulted in a tragic stampede.
Way forward:
Crowd Monitoring Systems: Implement technologies such as CCTV cameras, crowd density sensors, and real-time monitoring software to detect and respond to overcrowding or sudden surges in crowd movement.
Communication Systems: Establish robust communication networks between event organizers, security personnel, and attendees. Use public address systems and mobile alerts to convey emergency instructions and warnings promptly.
Emergency Response Plans: Develop and rehearse comprehensive emergency response plans that include rapid evacuation procedures, medical assistance points, and coordination with local emergency services.
In May 2024, an explosion at a reactor in a chemical factory within the Dombivli Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) area caused fatalities and injuries among workers and local residents.
Present Scenario in India
India continues to witness frequent fatal industrial accidents, often due to non-compliance with safety regulations, inadequate inspections, and compromised safety practices.
Recent incidents, such as the Dombivli MIDC chemical factory explosion, highlight the recurring nature of these accidents and their devastating impact on lives and infrastructure.
There is a significant disparity between the number of registered factories and the inspection rates across states like Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Tamil Nadu.
Causes of fatal industrial accidents
Non-compliance with Safety Regulations: Many industrial accidents occur due to the failure of companies to adhere to mandated safety regulations and standards. Examples include improper maintenance of machinery, lack of safety equipment, and inadequate training of personnel in handling hazardous materials.
Inadequate Maintenance and Inspection Practices: Poor maintenance of industrial equipment and facilities can lead to malfunctions and accidents. Insufficient or irregular inspection practices contribute to undetected hazards and safety violations that increase the risk of accidents.
Human Error and Unsafe Practices: Accidents often result from human errors such as negligence, fatigue, or lack of training. Unsafe work practices, including shortcuts taken to save time or reduce costs, can compromise safety standards and escalate the likelihood of accidents.
Need for the right reforms
Strengthening Regulatory Framework: Reforms should focus on updating and strengthening safety regulations to align with international standards and best practices. There is a need to close loopholes and ambiguities in existing laws to enhance clarity and enforceability.
Improving Inspection and Enforcement: Enhancing the capacity and effectiveness of regulatory bodies responsible for inspecting industrial facilities. Increasing the number of qualified inspectors, improving their training, and implementing advanced inspection techniques like digital monitoring and real-time compliance checks.
Promoting Transparency and Accountability: Establishing transparent mechanisms for reporting and investigating industrial accidents to identify root causes and prevent recurrence.
What can be the solution? (Way forward)
Enhanced Regulatory Oversight: Strengthening and strictly enforcing safety regulations and standards across all industries. Regular updates to ensure regulations are comprehensive, up-to-date with technological advancements, and aligned with international best practices.
Improving Inspection and Compliance: Increasing the number of qualified inspectors and improving their training and capabilities.Implementing regular and surprise inspections using modern technologies such as digital monitoring and remote sensing to ensure compliance with safety standards.
Promoting Safety Culture: Encouraging a proactive safety culture within industries through training, awareness programs, and incentives for compliance.
Mains PYQ:
Q What is the significance of Industrial Corridors in India? Identifying industrial corridors, explain their main characteristics. (UPSC IAS/2018)
On June 30, during the first phase of the French elections called after President Emmanuel Macron unexpectedly dissolved parliament, the far-right National Rally (RN) and its allies emerged as frontrunners with a 33% vote share.
Why did French President Emmanuel Macron decide to dissolve parliament and call for snap elections?
Strategic Decision: Macron dissolved parliament three years early to seek a clear majority for governance. His centrist bloc suffered a major defeat in the European Parliament elections against the RN. The decision aimed to consolidate votes against the rising far-right influence.
Low Approval Ratings: Macron’s approval ratings plummeted to 36%. The snap election was seen as a gamble to prevent the RN from gaining more power.
How did the far-right National Rally become so popular?
Rebranding and Policy Changes: Under Marine Le Pen, the RN rebranded from the National Front (FN). The party softened its stance on extreme policies, like leaving the EU.
Response to Societal Issues: Capitalized on fears of cultural clashes, cost-of-living crises, and dissatisfaction with Macron’s policies. Opposed immigration and advocated for ‘national priority’ policies favoring French citizens in social services.
Political Strategy: Increased its presence in provincial towns and among blue-collar workers. Rose from 7 seats to 89 in the French parliament in 2022, aiming for 240-300 seats now.
How are the two rounds of elections conducted in France?
First Phase: Equivalent to a qualifying round where candidates need at least 12.5% of locally registered votes.Candidates who get more than half the votes win outright.
Second Phase: Candidates meeting the qualifying criteria move to the second round. Common practice of ‘horse-trading’ where parties form alliances to avoid splitting votes.
Overall Structure:577 seats in the French parliament. A party needs 289 seats for an absolute majority.
Why have left-wing parties also formed a bloc?
Republican Front Strategy: Centrist and left-wing parties team up to prevent right-wing parties from gaining power.Formation of the New Popular Front is a reference to the 1936 alliance against far-right rioters.
Electoral Tactics: Over 200 candidates from centre and left alliances have dropped out to consolidate votes against the RN. Aimed at countering the RN’s rise and preventing fragmentation of the anti-RN vote.
Challenges and Unity: Presence of controversial leftist figures like Jean-Luc Mélenchon has made the unity fragile.Despite internal differences, the bloc aims to present a united front against the far-right surge.
Conclusion: The rise of the far-right National Rally in France may lead to stricter immigration policies, affecting Indian students, workers, and diaspora. Economic relations could face uncertainties, impacting trade and bilateral cooperation. So,India’s diplomatic strategies may need adjustments to navigate the changing political landscape in France.
Mains PYQ:
Q Critically examine the procedures through which the Presidents of India and France are elected. (UPSC IAS/2022)
Hindenburg Research received a SEBI show cause notice for short-selling Adani Enterprises Ltd stock before and after their report accusing Adani of fraud.
What is the Hindenburg Report on Adani?
On January 24, 2023, the New York-based Hindenburg Research accused the Adani Group of “brazen stock manipulation and accounting fraud scheme over the course of decades.”
The report led to a significant drop in the shares of Adani companies and the calling off of Adani Enterprises Ltd’s Rs 20,000-crore follow-on Public Offer (FPO). Adani Group denied all allegations, claiming the report was a “calculated attack on India.”
What is SEBI’s show cause notice about?
Hindenburg received a show-cause notice from SEBI on June 27, 2024.SEBI alleged that Hindenburg colluded with certain entities to use non-public information to short-sell Adani Enterprises Ltd (AEL) stock before and after the release of its report, making profits.
The notice named Hindenburg, its founder Nathan Anderson, investor Mark Kingdon, and related entities, accusing them of sharing the report draft and building short positions in AEL futures.
How has Hindenburg responded to the show cause notice?
Hindenburg dismissed the notice as an attempt to silence those exposing corruption. They stated their investment stance was legal and disclosed, and criticized SEBI for targeting them instead of investigating the Adani Group’s alleged malpractices.
Accusations: Hindenburg accused SEBI of pressuring brokers to close short positions in Adani stocks to protect the stock prices.
Where does Kotak come into this picture?
Involvement of Kotak: SEBI’s notice did not name Kotak Bank, which Hindenburg claims created the offshore fund structure used for shorting Adani stocks.
Response: Kotak Mahindra Bank stated that Hindenburg has never been a client and that their KYC procedures were followed with regard to clients, with investments made by Kingdon as a principal.
How much profit did Hindenburg earn by short selling Adani stocks?
Revenue: Hindenburg earned approximately $4.1 million in gross revenue through gains related to Adani shorts from its investor relationship.
Own Short Position: Hindenburg made about $31,000 from their short of Adani US bonds.After legal and research expenses, Hindenburg indicated they might only slightly come out ahead of break-even on their Adani short.
Way forward:
Conduct Investigation: SEBI should initiate an independent, comprehensive investigation into the allegations against both Adani Group and Hindenburg Research. This investigation should be conducted by a neutral third party to ensure impartiality and transparency.
Policy Review: SEBI could review and possibly update its regulations on short-selling and market manipulation to prevent similar incidents in the future. This could include stricter disclosure requirements for short sellers and enhanced monitoring of market activities.
Mains PYQ:
Q The product diversification of financial institutions and insurance companies, resulting in overlapping of products and services strengthens the case for the merger of the two regulatory agencies, namely SEBI and IRDA. Justify.(UPSC IAS/2013)
A study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) 1 has suggested that a pair of hormones work together to activate or suppress mosquitoes’ blood cravings.
Mosquito Species and Behavior
There are around 3500 mosquito species globally, found on every continent except Antarctica.
Female mosquitoes consume blood to aid in egg development.
After feeding, female mosquitoes lose their appetite for blood until they lay their eggs.
Research by Michael Strand and Team
Strand observed that levels of the mosquito gut hormone F (NPF) spiked when mosquitoes were seeking a host and dropped after feeding.
Their study analyzed mosquito enteroendocrine cells responsible for gut hormone production.
Hormonal Mechanisms:
NPF levels increasedbefore blood meals and decreased six hours after feeding.
Another gut hormone, RYamide, was found to influence mosquitoes’ blood lust. As NPF levels decreased after a blood meal, RYamide levels increased, and vice versa.
The researchers concluded that NPF and RYamide work together to regulate mosquitoes’ attraction to humans and other hosts.
Implications of the Study
Controlling the Deadliest Animal: Mosquitoes are the deadliest animal on the planet, acting as vectors for diseases such as malaria, dengue, West Nile virus, yellow fever, Zika, chikungunya, and lymphatic filariasis, which collectively kill more people than any other creature.
Pesticide Development: The discovery could lead to new pesticide targets for preventing mosquito reproduction and disease transmission.
Note: Mosquitoes are responsible for over 1 million human deaths per year worldwide. They transmit deadly diseases like malaria, yellow fever, dengue, and Zika virus
PYQ:
[2023] ‘Wolbachia method’ is sometimes talked about with reference to which one of the following?
(a) Controlling the viral diseases spread by mosquitoes
(b) Converting crop residues into packing material
(c) Producing biodegradable plastics
(d) Producing biochar from thermo-chemical conversion of biomass
A new study has revealed more spiral galaxies in the universe’s youth than astronomers had previously expected.
Universe’s Age and Galaxy Types
The universe is about 13.8 billion years old and hosts various kinds of galaxies, from spiral to elliptical.
Astronomers believed spiral galaxies formed about 6 billion years ago, but the new study calls this into question.
Younger galaxies tend to spiral, while older ones have a variety of shapes, making the study of older galaxies more challenging due to fainter light.
Back2Basics: Spiral Galaxy
Spiral galaxies are a type of galaxy characterized by their spiral structure.
They are among the most common types of galaxies in the universe.
Our own Milky Way is a classic example of a spiral galaxy.
Key Characteristics:
Central Bulge: A dense, spherical structure at the centre composed mainly of older stars.
Disk: Surrounding the bulge is a flat, rotating disk of stars, gas, and dust. The disk contains younger stars and spiral arms.
Spiral Arms: These are the defining features, winding outward from the central bulge. The arms are sites of active star formation and appear brighter due to the presence of young, hot stars.
Halo: A roughly spherical region surrounding the disk, containing old stars and globular clusters.
Formation and Evolution:
Spiral galaxies are thought to form from the gravitational collapse of gas and dust in the early universe.
They maintain their structure through the rotation of the disk and the gravitational influence of the central bulge and halo.
Interactions and mergers with other galaxies can distort or destroy their spiral structure, potentially transforming them into elliptical galaxies.
Formation of Galaxies
As the universe cooled from a dense plasma state, hot gas formed clumps that became galaxies.
These early galaxies had irregular shapes and lacked disks.
Spiral Formation Theory:
The traditional theory suggested that it took billions of years for hot, thick disks to become thinner and form spiral arms.
The new study suggests that cooling and spiral formation occur around the same cosmic time.
How is this verified?
Astronomers observe star formation in real time but study galaxy evolution through “astronomical archaeology.”
Understanding the fraction of spiral galaxies helps astronomers trace the biography of galaxies.
Infrared and optical wavelengths are used to detect early galaxies, requiring powerful telescopes due to the faint light of older galaxies.
The University of Missouri team used the JWST to study 873 galaxies and identified at least 216 spiral galaxies, some dating to 1.5 billion years after the universe’s birth.
Each of the six authors classified the images as spiral or non-spiral, ensuring the result is free of human bias.
Findings and Implications
The fraction of spiral galaxies increased from about 8% to 48%between 3 billion and 7 billion years after the Big Bang, higher than previously observed.
The study challenges existing models and suggests that galaxy formation theories need to be more complex.
PYQ:
[2022] Launched on 25th December, 2021, James Webb Space Telescope has been much in the news since then. What are its unique features which make it superior to its predecessor Space Telescopes? What are the key goals of this mission? What potential benefits does it hold for the human race?
![[4th July 2024] The Hindu Op-ed: Trials, medical ethics and the orbit of power](https://www.civilsdaily.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/4-july-2nd1-1568x882.jpg)
