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Subject: Science and Technology

  • India joins Centralised Laboratory Network (CLN)

    Central Idea

    • India has recently become a member of the Centralized Laboratory Network (CLN), which is a part of the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI).

    Centralised Laboratory Network (CLN)

    • CLN consists of 15 partner facilities in 13 countries and aims to test vaccines for use during pandemics and epidemic disease outbreaks.
    • It focuses on testing vaccines for pandemic and epidemic disease outbreaks.
    • It is part of the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI).
    • The network aims to standardize testing methods and materials.

    New members of the CLN

    • Indian Council of Medical Research-National Institute of Virology (ICMR-NIV) joins CLN.
    • Institute Pasteur de Dakar (IPD) from Senegal is a new member.
    • KAVI Institute of Clinical Research (KAVI ICR) and University of Nairobi Institute of Tropical and Infectious Diseases (UNITID) from Kenya join CLN.
    • Synexa Life Sciences from South Africa becomes a member.
    • Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI) from Uganda is also a new member.

    Objectives of the CEPI-funded network

    • The CEPI-funded network aims to identify promising vaccine candidates rapidly and accurately.
    • The network focuses on emerging infectious diseases.
    • The goal is to support sustainable regional outbreak preparedness infrastructure.

    CEPI-Funded Network Objectives

    • The CEPI-funded network, which includes CLN, has the primary objective of identifying the most promising vaccine candidates rapidly and accurately against emerging infectious diseases.
    • In addition to vaccine testing, the expanded network also aims to support the development of sustainable regional outbreak preparedness infrastructure.
    • By working collaboratively and sharing standardized methods and materials, the network enhances global preparedness for potential disease outbreaks.

     

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  • The Global Implications of the AI Revolution: A Call for International Governance

    AI

    Central Idea

    • The second half of March 2023 may be remembered as the turning point when artificial intelligence (AI) truly entered a new era. The launch of groundbreaking AI tools such as GPT-4, Bard, Claude, Midjourney V5, and Security Copilot surpassed all expectations, defying predictions by a decade. While these sophisticated AI models hold great promise, their rapid deployment raises both positive and negative implications.

    The Existential Threat of Artificial General Intelligence (AGI)

    • Compromising Humanity: The development of artificial general intelligence (AGI) raises concerns about its potential impact on fundamental elements of humanity. A poorly designed AGI, or one governed by unknown “black box” processes, could carry out tasks in ways that compromise our core values and ethics.
    • Unpredictable Behavior: AGI’s ability to teach itself any cognitive task that humans can do poses a challenge in terms of predicting its behavior. As AGI surpasses human intelligence, its decision-making processes may become increasingly complex and opaque, making it difficult to understand and control its actions.
    • Superintelligence: AGI has the potential to rapidly surpass human intelligence and become superintelligent. This raises questions about whether AGI would act in the best interests of humanity or pursue its own objectives, potentially leading to unintended and undesirable consequences.
    • Unintended Consequences: AGI’s ability to optimize for specific objectives may lead to unforeseen outcomes. If these objectives are not aligned with human values, AGI could inadvertently cause harm or disrupt essential systems.
    • Lack of Control: AGI’s self-improvement capabilities could enable it to evolve and surpass human understanding and control. This lack of control raises concerns about the potential for AGI to develop its own goals and values, which may not align with those of humanity.
    • Accelerating Technological Progress: AGI could rapidly accelerate technological progress, leading to a potential “intelligence explosion” where AGI drives advancements at an exponential rate. This rapid pace of development could be challenging for society to adapt to and may have unintended consequences.
    • Ethical Dilemmas: AGI will face complex ethical dilemmas, such as decision-making in life-or-death situations or trade-offs between different values. Determining how AGI should navigate these dilemmas poses significant challenges and requires careful consideration.
    • Security Risks: AGI development could also pose security risks if advanced AI capabilities fall into the wrong hands or are misused. Malicious actors could exploit AGI for nefarious purposes, potentially leading to significant global security threats.

    The Imperative for Global Governance

    • Addressing Global Impact: The development and deployment of artificial intelligence (AI) have far-reaching implications that transcend national boundaries. Issues such as AI-driven job displacement, data privacy, cybersecurity, and ethical concerns require global cooperation to effectively address their impact on societies worldwide.
    • Ensuring Ethical and Responsible AI Development: Collaborative efforts can help define principles and frameworks that ensure AI is developed and deployed in a responsible and transparent manner, safeguarding human rights and avoiding harm to individuals or communities.
    • Promoting Fair and Equitable Access: Global governance can help bridge the digital divide by ensuring equitable access to AI tools, infrastructure, and benefits, particularly for marginalized and underserved populations.
    • Managing Global Security Risks: AI technologies have implications for global security, including cyber warfare, autonomous weapons, and information warfare. International cooperation is crucial to develop norms, regulations, and agreements that mitigate security risks associated with AI and ensure responsible use of these technologies.
    • Harmonizing Standards and Regulations: Harmonizing AI standards and regulations across countries can facilitate international collaboration and interoperability. Global governance frameworks can help establish common norms, protocols, and best practices that promote consistency and compatibility in AI deployment, fostering innovation and cooperation.
    • Addressing Transnational Challenges: AI-driven challenges, such as cross-border data flows, algorithmic biases, and the impact on labor markets, require international coordination. Global governance can facilitate discussions, negotiations, and agreements to tackle these challenges collectively, ensuring a cohesive and coordinated approach.
    • Balancing Innovation and Regulation: AI technologies evolve rapidly, outpacing the development of regulatory frameworks. Global governance can help strike a balance between fostering innovation and ensuring adequate regulation, promoting responsible AI development while allowing room for experimentation and advancement.

    International cooperation to address the challenges posed by AI and emerging technologies

    • Limiting Battlefield Use: International agreements are needed to limit the use of certain AI technologies on the battlefield. A treaty banning lethal autonomous weapons would establish clear boundaries and prevent the development and deployment of AI systems that can make life-and-death decisions without human intervention
    • Regulating Cyberspace: International accords should be established to regulate cyberspace, particularly offensive actions conducted by autonomous bots. Clear rules and norms can help prevent cyberattacks, information warfare, and the manipulation of online platforms, ensuring a safer and more secure digital environment.
    • Trade Regulations: Unfettered exports of certain technologies can empower governments to suppress dissent, augment their military capabilities, or gain an unfair advantage. International accords can establish guidelines for responsible technology trade and prevent misuse or misuse of AI capabilities.
    • Ensuring a Level Playing Field: International agreements are required to ensure a level playing field in the digital economy. This includes addressing issues such as fair competition, intellectual property rights, and appropriate taxation of digital activities.
    • Global Framework for AI Ethics: Supporting the efforts of organizations like UNESCO to create a global framework for AI ethics is essential. International accords can help establish ethical guidelines and principles that govern the development, deployment, and use of AI technologies. This framework can address issues such as privacy, bias, accountability, and transparency.
    • Ethical Standards for Data Use: International accords can establish ethical standards for data use in AI applications. This includes addressing issues of data privacy, consent, and protection. Establishing global norms for responsible data practices can ensure that AI systems respect individual rights and maintain public trust.
    • Addressing Cross-Border Implications: By establishing international accords, countries can address challenges related to cross-border data flows, algorithmic biases, and the impact on labor markets. Cooperation can enable a coordinated response to shared challenges and ensure the benefits of AI are equitably distributed.

    Way ahead: Engaging with Emerging Powers

    • Engagement with emerging powers, such as India, plays a crucial role in shaping the future of AI.
    • As India’s economy continues to grow and its influence in the digital sphere expands, it is imperative to develop strategies that accommodate its cultural and economic context.
    • Partnerships between Western economies and India, exemplified by initiatives like the US-India Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology and the EU-India Trade and Technology Council, should prioritize shared interests and mutual understanding.
    • By appreciating the nuances of different nations’ approaches to AI regulation, a prosperous and secure digital future can be achieved.

    Conclusion

    • The era of artificial intelligence demands global governance to harness its potential while addressing its risks. Embracing responsible AI deployment and fostering global cooperation are imperative to ensure a prosperous, equitable, and secure digital era.

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    Also read:

    Artificial intelligence (AI): An immediate challenge flagged by ChatGPT

     

  • India discovers TOI 4603b Exoplanet

    exoplanet

    Central Idea

    • A new Jupiter-size exoplanet with the highest density known till this date has been discovered by an international team of scientists at the Exoplanet Research Group of the Physical Research Laboratory (PRL), Ahmedabad.
    • Massive giant exoplanets are defined as those with a mass greater than four times that of Jupiter.

    About the Exoplanet TOI4603b

    • The exoplanet is found around the star called TOI4603 or HD 245134.
    • It has a mass 13 times greater than that of Jupiter and a density of approximately 14 g/cm3.
    • Initially, NASA’s Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) declared TOI4603 as a possible candidate to host a secondary body of unknown nature.
    • Using PARAS, scientists confirmed the secondary body as a planet, and it was named TOI 4603b or HD 245134b.
    • The exoplanet is located 731 light years away and orbits a sub-giant F-type star TOI4603 every 7.24 days.

    Note: An exoplanet, short for “extra-solar planet,” is a planet that orbits a star other than our Sun. These planets are located outside of our solar system and are not part of our planetary system.

    Unprecedented Density and Proximity

    • TOI 4603b is one of the most massive and densest giant planets discovered to date.
    • It orbits very close to its host star at a distance less than 1/10th the distance between our Sun and Earth.
    • Comparisons between the TOI-4603 star-planet system and the Sun-Mercury and Sun-Jupiter systems highlight the close proximity of TOI-4603 b to its star.
    • The exoplanet is situated more than 50 times closer to its star than Jupiter is to the Sun.
    • TOI-4603b is 13 times more massive than Jupiter.

    Utilization of Indigenous Technology

    • The discovery of this massive exoplanet was made using the indigenously made PRL Advanced Radial-velocity Abu-sky Search spectrograph (PARAS) at the 1.2 m telescope of PRL at its Gurushikhar Observatory in Mt. Abu.
    • The mass of the planet was measured precisely using PARAS.

    Uniqueness of the Discovery

    • The planet falls into the transition mass range of massive giant planets and low-mass brown dwarfs, with masses ranging from 11 to 16 times the mass of Jupiter.
    • Only fewer than five exoplanets are currently known in this mass range.
    • The rarity of such discoveries makes this finding significant.

    Insights into Formation and Evolution

    • The exoplanet has a surface temperature of 1670 K and is likely undergoing high-eccentricity tidal migration with an eccentricity value of approximately 0.3.
    • The detection of such systems provides valuable insights into the formation, migration, and evolution mechanisms of massive exoplanets.

    India’s Contribution to Exoplanet Discoveries

    • This marks the third exoplanet discovery by India and the PRL scientists using the PARAS spectrograph and the PRL 1.2m telescope.
    • Previous discoveries include K2-236b in 2018 and TOI-1789b in 2021.

     

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  • Devastating Frog Disease: Chytridiomycosis

    frog

    Central Idea

    • A multinational study has recently published a breakthrough method in the journal Transboundary and Emerging Diseases to detect all known strains of the amphibian chytrid fungus.
    • This method will enhance our ability to detect and research the disease and work towards finding a widely available cure.

    Chytridiomycosis: The deadly frog disease

    • Chytridiomycosis, also known as chytrid, is a fungal disease that has been decimating frog populations worldwide for the past 40 years.
    • The disease has caused severe declines in over 500 frog species and led to 90 extinctions, making it the deadliest animal disease known.

    How does it infect?

    • Chytrid infects frogs by reproducing in their skin, damaging their ability to balance water and salt levels.
    • The mortality rate is extreme, and the disease has affected a high number of species, causing devastating declines and extinctions.
    • The disease originated in Asia and spread globally through amphibian trade and travel.

    Limitations in diagnosis

    • Researchers traditionally used swabs and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) tests, similar to COVID-19 testing, to detect chytrid in frogs.
    • The existing qPCR test could not detect chytrid strains from Asia, limiting research efforts.

    New and Improved qPCR Test

    • Researchers in India, Australia, and Panama have developed a new qPCR test that can detect strains of chytrid from Asia.
    • The test is also more sensitive, allowing for the detection of low infection levels and expanding the range of species that can be studied.
    • The test can also detect a closely related species of chytrid that infects salamanders.

    Understanding natural immunity in frogs

    • Some amphibian species, even those without an evolutionary history with chytrid, do not become sick when carrying the fungus, indicating natural immune resistance.
    • Frog immunity is complex, involving anti-microbial chemicals, symbiotic bacteria, white blood cells, antibodies, and more.
    • Research in Asia, where chytrid declines have not been observed, may provide insights into how resistance evolves and aid in finding a cure for affected regions.

     

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  • Shenzhou-16 successfully launches with 3 Astronauts to Space

    shenzhou

    Central Idea

    • China has achieved a successful launch of the Shenzhou-16 spacecraft carrying three astronauts to the Tiangong space station.

    What is Shenzhou-16?

    • Shenzhou-16 spacecraft is part of Chinese manned spaceflight missions and was designed to transport astronauts to the Tiangong space station.
    • This mission marks an important step in China’s space exploration efforts, with the crew set to conduct a range of tests and experiments during their five-month stay.
    • The Tiangong space station, operated by the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA), is an integral part of China’s ambitious space program and aims to be a hub for scientific research.

    Astronauts on Shenzhou-16

    • The crew of the Shenzhou-16 mission consists of three astronauts: Jing Haipeng as the leading commander, Zhu Yangzhu, and Gui Haichao.
    • Jing Haipeng is an experienced senior spacecraft pilot and one of China’s first batch of astronaut trainees.
    • Zhu Yangzhu, a postdoctoral fellow in aerodynamics and former university teacher, will serve as a spaceflight engineer.
    • Gui Haichao is the first Chinese civilian to travel to space and will be responsible for overseeing science experiments at the space station.

    Objectives of the Mission

    • The Shenzhou-16 crew will replace the previous crew from the Shenzhou-15 mission that has been aboard the Tiangong space station since November.
    • The new crew will carry out large-scale tests and experiments in various fields, including the study of quantum phenomena, high-precision space time-frequency systems, verification of general relativity, and the origin of life.
    • These scientific endeavors are expected to lead to significant achievements during the crew’s five-month stay.

    About the Tiangong Space Station

    • The Tiangong space station, operated by the CMSA, was developed by China after being barred from collaborating with NASA due to concerns of espionage.
    • The station’s first module entered orbit in 2021, with two more modules added subsequently.
    • China’s long-term plan is to expand the station, with the next module set to dock and create a cross-shaped structure.
    • The Tiangong space station aims to become a leading outpost for scientific research once the International Space Station’s operations conclude in 2030.

     

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  • ISRO successfully deploys NavIC NVS-1 Satellite

    isro

    Central Idea

    • The Indian Space Research Organisation has successfully launched its fifth satellite of 2023.
    • A 2,232-kilogram satellite named NVS-1 was launched into space as part of the NavIC

    What is NAVIC?

    • NavIC is a regional satellite navigation system consisting of seven satellites in orbit that provide positioning, navigation, and timing services to various sectors, including civil aviation and the military.

    (1) Origins and Motivation:

    • The idea of NAVIC emerged in the early 2000s as IRNSS (Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System) to address India’s need for an independent navigation system for strategic and civilian purposes.
    • The motivation behind NAVIC was to reduce dependence on foreign systems like GPS and enhance national security, sovereignty, and economic growth.

    (2) Satellite Deployment:

    • The NAVIC constellation consists of a total of 7* satellites.
    • The first satellite, IRNSS-1A, was launched in July 2013, followed by subsequent launches of IRNSS-1B, 1C, 1D, 1E, 1F, and IRNSS-1I.
    • Each satellite is placed in a geostationary orbit or an inclined geosynchronous orbit, providing continuous coverage over the Indian landmass and surrounding regions.

    (3) Renaming to NAVIC:

    • In 2016, the system was officially named NAVIC, which stands for Navigation with Indian Constellation.
    • The name change aimed to create a distinct brand identity for the Indian regional navigation system.

    Key Features and Technical Details

    (1) Coverage Area:

    • NAVIC provides coverage within India and extends up to 1,500 kilometres beyond its borders.
    • The system covers the Indian landmass, as well as the Indian Ocean region.

    (2) Satellite Configuration:

    • The NAVIC satellites are equipped with atomic clocks to provide accurate timing signals.
    • They transmit signals on different frequencies, including L5 and S bands, for enhanced accuracy and reliability.

    (3) Applications and Services:

    • NAVIC has a wide range of applications, including terrestrial, aerial, and marine navigation.
    • It is utilized in various sectors such as transportation, agriculture, disaster management, surveying, and geodetic applications.
    • The system supports position determination, velocity measurement, and time synchronization services.

    About NVS-1 Satellite

    • NVS-1 is part of the second-generation NavIC satellite series and ensures continuity of existing services while introducing new services in the Li band.
    • The satellite features two solar arrays generating up to 2.4 kW of power, a lithium-ion battery for eclipse support, and thermal management and propulsion systems.
    • Notably, NVS-1 includes a Rubidium atomic clock developed in-house by the Space Applications Centre, showcasing India’s technical expertise in this advanced technology.

    India’s launch capabilities and recent missions

    • The NVS-1 launch marks the second successful mission in a month and the fifth launch of the year for ISRO.
    • In April, ISRO completed the PSLV-C55 mission, deploying two satellites, including TeLEOS-2 with a synthetic aperture radar payload.
    • The PSLV-C55 mission highlighted collaboration between India and Singapore in space exploration and technology.

    *Note: The numbers of satellites in this constellation is disputed. It is given as 7 and 8 on different sources. Total Nine satellites were launched out of which the very first (IRNSS-1A) is partially failed because of some issue in its Atomic Clock. Another and the last satellite had a launch failure. Hence the number 7/8.

     

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  • What is Foucault Pendulum?

    pendulum

    Central Idea

    • The Foucault pendulum is a device that proves the Earth’s rotation and has been installed in the new Parliament building in New Delhi.
    • It was designed and installed by the National Council of Science Museums (NCSM), Kolkata.

    Foucault Pendulum: A Unique Invention

    • Historical Context: In 1851, the Foucault pendulum experiment conclusively demonstrated the Earth’s rotation, settling debates about the planet’s movement.
    • Leon Foucault: The French scientist invented the Foucault pendulum and invited scientists and the public to witness the Earth’s rotation through the experiment.
    • Working: The pendulum consists of a heavy iron ball suspended by a steel wire and swings in a plane, mimicking the Earth’s rotation on its axis.
    • Exhibition at the Pantheon: The demonstration took place at the Pantheon in Paris, where the ball’s motion represented the Earth’s rotation.

    Significance

    • Earth’s Rotation as a Scientific Fact: The Foucault pendulum experiment solidified the understanding that the Earth rotates on its axis.
    • Supporting Astronomical Studies: The knowledge of the Earth’s rotation is crucial for studying various astronomical phenomena, such as day and night cycles and seasonal changes.
    • Continual Scientific Inquiry: The Foucault pendulum experiment encouraged further research into the Earth’s rotation and its implications for our understanding of the universe.

    Modern Applications and Further Exploration

    • Educational Installations: The inclusion of a Foucault pendulum in the new Parliament building in New Delhi provides an opportunity for public education and scientific engagement.
    • Technological Advancements: Advances in technology, such as precision instruments and digital monitoring, can enhance the accuracy and impact of Foucault pendulum installations.
    • Continued Research: Ongoing scientific studies and experiments can deepen our understanding of the Earth’s rotation and its relationship to other celestial bodies.
    • Space Exploration: Exploring the Earth’s rotation from space can offer unique perspectives and insights into its dynamics.

     

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  • XPoSat: India’s first Polarimetry Mission

    xposat

    Central Idea

    • The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is partnering with the Raman Research Institute (RRI) in Bengaluru to develop the X-Ray Polarimeter Satellite (XPoSat), set to launch later this year.

    What is XPoSat?

    • XPoSat aims to study various dynamics of bright astronomical X-ray sources in extreme conditions.
    • It is India’s first polarimetry mission and the world’s second, with NASA’s Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer (IXPE) being the other major mission launched in 2021.
    • IXPE carries three state-of-the-art space telescopes to observe polarized X-rays from neutron stars and supermassive black holes, providing insights into the geometry and inner workings of the light source.

    XPoSat Payloads

    • XPoSat will carry two scientific payloads in a low Earth orbit.
    • The primary payload, POLIX, will measure the polarimetry parameters of X-rays, observing approximately 40 bright astronomical sources across different categories during the mission’s planned five-year lifetime.
    • The XSPECT (X-ray Spectroscopy and Timing) payload will provide spectroscopic information on how light is absorbed and emitted by objects, allowing observations of X-ray pulsars, black hole binaries, low-magnetic field neutron stars, and more.

    X-Rays in Space

    • X-rays in space have higher energy and shorter wavelengths, ranging from 0.03 to 3 nanometers.
    • X-rays are emitted by objects with temperatures in the millions of degrees Celsius, such as pulsars, galactic supernova remnants, and black holes.
    • Polarized light, consisting of organized moving electric and magnetic waves, plays a role in X-ray observations, and polarized lenses are used by fishermen to reduce glare from sunlight.

    Significance of Polarimetry

    • Polarimetry involves measuring the angle of rotation of the plane of polarized light as it passes through certain transparent materials.
    • XPoSat’s primary payload, POLIX (Polarimeter Instrument in X-rays), developed by RRI and UR Rao Satellite Centre, will measure the degree and angle of polarization in X-rays from astronomical sources.
    • The emission mechanisms of various astronomical sources are complex, and understanding them poses challenges that polarimetry can help address.

     

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  • India to triple Supercomputing capabilities

    super

    Central Idea

    • India is set to significantly enhance its supercomputing capabilities by installing an 18-petaflop system this year.
    • This development aims to improve complex mathematical calculations, particularly in weather forecasting, by providing greater processing power and accuracy.

    Understanding Supercomputers

    • A supercomputer is a high-performance computer capable of processing massive amounts of data at extraordinary speeds.
    • Performance is measured in floating-point operations per second (FLOPS) rather than million instructions per second (MIPS).
    • Supercomputers have the ability to perform trillions (peta) of FLOPS.

    India’s Journey in Supercomputing

    • India’s supercomputing journey began in the late 1980s when the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) was established in response to technology embargoes imposed by the United States.
    • Since then, India has steadily progressed, unveiling the PARAM 800 in 1991, which was the world’s second-fastest supercomputer at the time.
    • The National Supercomputing Mission (NSM), launched in 2015 with a budget of ₹4,500 crore, has been instrumental in propelling India’s supercomputing capabilities.
    • The mission aims to create a network of supercomputers across academic and research institutions in the country, supporting academia, researchers, MSMEs, and startups.

    Current Supercomputing Infrastructure

    • India’s most powerful civilian supercomputers, Pratyush and Mihir, have a combined capacity of 6.8 petaflops.
    • Pratyush is located at the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) in Pune, while Mihir is housed at the National Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasting (NCMRWF) in Noida.
    • These supercomputers became operational in 2018 after an investment of ₹438 crore.
    • Both institutions are affiliated with the MoES.

    Acquisition of New Supercomputers

    • The new supercomputers, sourced from French corporation ATOS, were procured as part of a deal signed between the Indian and French governments in December 2018.
    • The Government aims to acquire high-performance computers worth ₹4,500 crore by 2025, with an estimated cost of ₹900 crore for the new earth-sciences Ministry computers.

    Enhanced Capabilities and Future Outlook

    • Upgrading the supercomputing systems every 4-5 years is essential to improve performance.
    • The new system will enhance resolution from the current 12×12 km to 6×6 km, providing greater clarity and accuracy in local weather forecasts.
    • The ultimate goal is to represent areas using 1 km-square grids, enabling the prediction of rapidly evolving weather phenomena such as cloudbursts.
    • The current fastest high-performance computing system in the world is the Frontier-Cray system at Oakridge National Laboratory in the United States, with a peak speed of 1 exa-flop (equivalent to 1,000 petaflops).

    Way forward

    To further enhance India’s supercomputing capabilities and maintain technological advancements, the following steps can be considered:

    • Continued investment in research and development to stay at the forefront of supercomputing technology.
    • Collaboration with international partners and organizations to leverage global expertise.
    • Encouraging academia, researchers, MSMEs, and startups to utilize the supercomputing infrastructure for scientific breakthroughs and innovation.
    • Strengthening the National Supercomputing Mission (NSM) by expanding its network and providing adequate resources.
    • Regularly upgrading supercomputing systems to keep up with evolving computational demands and maintain competitiveness on a global scale.

    Also in news

    Recently, India’s AI Supercomputer ‘AIRAWAT’ has been ranked at No. 75 in the world at the International Supercomputing Conference (ISC 2023) in Germany.

    About Airawat

    • The supercomputer ‘AIRAWAT’ has recently been named in the 61st edition of the Top 500 Global Supercomputing List.
    • Installed at C-DAC in Pune, ‘AIRAWAT’ is an AI supercomputer implemented under the National Program on AI by the Government of India.
    • The manufacturer of ‘AIRAWAT’ is Netweb Technologies.
    • ‘AIRAWAT’ PSAI stands out as India’s largest and fastest AI supercomputing system, boasting an impressive speed of 13,170 teraflops.

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  • Study reveals unique Nervous System in Comb Jellies

    comb

    Central Idea

    • Comb jellies, or ctenophores, are marine animals with jelly-like bodies and iridescent combs.
    • They represent an ancient animal lineage and have a distinct nervous system.
    • A recent study published in Science examined the comb jelly nervous system and made surprising discoveries.

    What are Comb Jellies?

    • Comb jellies, also known as ctenophores, are marine animals that belong to the phylum Ctenophora. They are fascinating creatures with a unique and delicate appearance.
    • Despite their name, comb jellies are not actually true jellyfish.
    • They have a gelatinous, transparent body that is often luminescent and adorned with rows of cilia, or comb-like structures, which give them their characteristic shimmering appearance.

    Findings of the new study

    • The researchers aimed to investigate how nerve net neurons in comb jellies connect.
    • Contrary to expectations, synapses (junctions between neurons) were absent in the nerve net.
    • Instead, nerve-net neurons were continuously connected by a single plasma membrane.

    Significance of ctenophores

    • In the 1950s, electron microscopy confirmed the separate-cell nature of neurons connected by synapses.
    • Ctenophores challenge this notion by having a syncytial nerve net, as observed in the new study.
    • Ctenophores attracted attention due to their status as a potential early animal lineage.
    • Whole-genome sequencing studies supported the theory that ctenophores branched off early in animal evolution.

    Evolution of ctenophore nervous systems

    • The evolution of ctenophore nervous systems remains unclear to biologists.
    • Leonid Moroz proposed a controversial theory of independent nervous system evolution in ctenophores and other animals.
    • Ctenophores exhibit a unique nervous system lacking classical neurotransmitter pathways and common neuronal genes.
    • The absence of muscle-based movement and reliance on cilia might have driven the evolution of a different signal conduction system.

    Questions for further research

    • Researchers aim to study the development of nerve net neurons in ctenophores.
    • They seek to determine if adult ctenophores retain syncytial nerve nets or develop synapses.
    • The uniqueness of ctenophore nervous systems provides valuable insights into the evolution of the nervous system.
    • Comparative analyses of unique animal systems like ctenophores aid in understanding neuronal function and treating disorders.

    Conclusion

    • Understanding the functional and evolutionary significance of syncytial nerve net neurons in ctenophores requires further research.
    • This study serves as a crucial foundation for investigating the evolution of nervous systems in animals.
    • Comparative studies on small marine creatures like ctenophores offer insights into the fundamental principles of brain function.

    Key Terminologies

    • Ctenophores: Another term for comb jellies, referring to marine animals belonging to the phylum Ctenophora.
    • Nerve Net: The diffuse nervous system found in comb jellies, composed of interconnected neurons.
    • Synapses: Junctions between neurons that allow for communication and transmission of signals in most animals, including humans.
    • Plasma Membrane: The outer membrane of a cell that separates its internal components from the external environment.
    • Neurotransmitter Pathways: The specific chemical signals used by neurons to communicate with each other in the nervous system.
    • Syncytial Nerve Net Neurons: Neurons within the nerve net of comb jellies that are interconnected without the presence of synapses.
    • Colloblasts: Specialized cells in comb jellies used for capturing prey by producing adhesive substances.

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