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Subject: Science and Technology

  • What is Fields Medal, the ‘Mathematics Nobel’?

    Ukrainian mathematician Maryna Viazovska was named as one of four recipients of the prestigious Fields Medal, which is often described as the Nobel Prize in mathematics.

    What is Fields Medal?

    • The Fields Medal is awarded by the International Mathematical Union (IMU), an international non-governmental and non-profit scientific organisation.
    • It is awarded every four years to one or more mathematicians under the age of 40 in recognition of “outstanding mathematical achievement for existing work and for the promise of future achievement”.
    • The winners are announced at the International Congress of Mathematicians (ICM), which was supposed to be held in Russia this year, but was moved to Helsinki.

    Belongings of the award

    • The honour carries a physical medal of 14K gold, 63.5 mm in diameter and weighing 169 g, and with a unit price of approximately 5,500 Canadian dollars.
    • There is also a cash award of CAD 15,000.
    • The obverse of the medal is embossed with the head of Archimedes facing right, and some Latin quotes.

    History of the Medal

    • According to the IMU website, the 1924 ICM in Toronto adopted a resolution that at each conference, two gold medals would be awarded to recognise outstanding mathematical achievement.
    • The Canadian mathematician Prof J C Fields, who was secretary of the 1924 Congress, later donated funds to establish the medals, which were named in his honour.
    • In 1966, it was agreed that, in light of the great expansion of mathematical research, up to four medals could be awarded at each Congress.

    Indian-origin winners

    • Among the more than 60 mathematicians who have been awarded the Fields Medal since 1936, there are two of Indian origin.
    • Akshay Venkatesh of the Institute for Advanced Study at Princeton, won in 2018, the last time the honour was announced.
    • Manjul Bhargava of the Department of Mathematics at Princeton University was awarded in 2014.

     

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  • Outer Space

    Recently, the UK hosted the fourth summit for Space Sustainability in London in collaboration with the Secure World Foundation.

    What does Sustainability in Outer Space mean?

    • One of the hot issues when it comes to space sustainability is orbital crowding.
    • With the emergence of large constellations and complex satellites, there is a risk of collisions and interference with radio frequencies.
    • It poses a direct threat to the operations and safety of a mission and is likely to cause legal and insurance-related conflicts.
    • Space debris is another prominent issue.
    • After the completion of a mission, an ‘end-of-life protocol’ requires space objects to be moved to the graveyard orbit or to a low altitude.
    • Other causes of concern are solar and magnetic storms which potentially damage communication systems.
    • Such space weather threats need to be addressed along with the efforts to identify the terrestrial carbon footprint of outer space missions.

    Why was a conference held in the UK?

    • Long-term sustainability looks toward space research and development of technology to ensure the reuse and recycling of satellites at every stage.
    • The UK plan proposes active debris removal and in-orbit servicing.

    Policy measures so far

    • As the outer space is considered a shared natural resource, the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) in 2019 adopted a set of 21 voluntary, non-binding guidelines.
    • They aim to ensure the long-term sustainability of outer space activities.

    What does the UK plan for space sustainability entail?

    • The UK calls for an “Astro Carta” for space sustainability, based on the Artemis Accords model for sustainable space exploration.
    • The UK Space Sustainability plan mentions four primary elements:
    1. To review the regulatory framework of the UK’s orbital activity
    2. To work with organisations such as the G-7 and the UN to emphasise international engagement on space sustainability
    3. To try and develop safety and quality-related metrics that quantify the sustainability of activities; and
    4. To induce additional funding of $6.1 million on active debris removal
    • The UK also confirmed investments in its National Space Surveillance and Tracking Programme, which works on collision assessment services for UK-licenced satellite operators.

    Where does India stand on space sustainability?

    • India is well on its way to create a subsystem that addresses global sustainability questions.
    • The headquarters of the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (In-SPACe) was formally inaugurated last month.
    • One can expect an increased role of the private sector in India’s space activities.
    • The ISRO has initiated ‘Project NETRA’ to monitor space debris.
    • To provide in-orbit servicing, ISRO is developing a docking experiment called ‘SPADEX’.
    • It looks at docking a satellite on an existing satellite, offering support in re-fuelling and other in-orbit services while enhancing the capability of a satellite.

    Way forward

    • Outer space in the 2020s can no longer be considered a ‘space race’ because of the cost, when compared to the beginning of this century.
    • Today, any entity (government or private) with the necessary access to resources and technology can invest in outer space.
    • Sustainable practices in outer space would directly help reduce orbital crowding and collision risk while nurturing future technologies.
    • As the natural course of evolution, the Plan for Space Sustainability, which includes private industries, is a timely move.
    • This would serve as a model for other space programmes.

     

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  • What is the Large Hadron Collider (LHC)?

    The world’s most powerful particle collider, the Large Hadron Collider (LHC), will begin smashing protons into each other at unprecedented levels of energy beginning July 5.

    What is the LHC?

    • The Large Hadron Collider is a giant, complex machine built to study particles that are the smallest known building blocks of all things.
    • Structurally, it is a 27-km-long track-loop buried 100 metres underground on the Swiss-French border.
    • In its operational state, it fires two beams of protons almost at the speed of light in opposite directions inside a ring of superconducting electromagnets.
    • The LHC’s second run (Run 2) began in 2015 and lasted till 2018. The second season of data taking produced five times more data than Run 1.
    • The third run will see 20 times more collisions as compared to Run 1.

    How does it work?

    • The magnetic field created by the superconducting electromagnets keeps the protons in a tight beam and guides them along the way as they travel through beam pipes and finally collide.
    • Just prior to collision, another type of magnet is used to ‘squeeze’ the particles closer together to increase the chances of collisions.
    • The particles are so tiny that the task of making them collide is akin to firing two needles 10 km apart with such precision that they meet halfway.

    Extreme conditions involved

    • Since the LHC’s powerful electromagnets carry almost as much current as a bolt of lightning, they must be kept chilled.
    • The LHC uses a distribution system of liquid helium to keep its critical components ultracold at minus 271.3 degrees Celsius, which is colder than interstellar space.
    • Given these requirements, it is not easy to warm up or cool down the gigantic machine.

    What is the latest upgrade?

    • Three years after it shut down for maintenance and upgrades, the collider was switched back on this April.
    • This is the LHC’s third run, and it will operate round-the-clock for four years at unprecedented energy levels of 13 tera electron volts.

    Note: A TeV is 100 billion, or 10-to-the-power-of-12, electon volts. An electron volt is the energy given to an electron by accelerating it through 1 volt of electric potential difference.

    Targets this year

    • It now aims to be delivering 1.6 billion proton-proton collisions per second.
    • The last time, the proton beams will be narrowed to less than 10 microns — a human hair is around 70 microns thick — to increase the collision rate.
    • ATLAS is the largest general purpose particle detector experiment at the LHC.
    • The Compact Muon Solenoid (CMS) experiment is one of the largest international scientific collaborations in history, with the same goals as ATLAS, but which uses a different magnet-system design.

    Previous runs & ‘God Particle’ discovery

    • Ten years ago, in 2012, scientists at CERN had announced to the world the discovery of the Higgs boson or the ‘God Particle’ during the LHC’s first run.
    • The discovery concluded the decades-long quest for the ‘force-carrying’ subatomic particle, and proved the existence of the Higgs mechanism, a theory put forth in the mid-sixties.
    • This led to Peter Higgs and his collaborator François Englert being awarded the Nobel Prize for physics in 2013.
    • The Higgs boson and its related energy field are believed to have played a vital role in the creation

     

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  • Researchers found gene regulating Nitrogen absorption in Plant

    Researchers led by those from the National Centre of Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Bengaluru (NCBS-TIFR), have found a new pathway that regulates nitrate absorption in plants.

    Nitrogen in plant nutrition

    • Nitrogen is one of the most important macronutrients needed for development of a plant.
    • It is a part of chlorophyll, amino acids and nucleic acids, among others.
    • It is mostly sourced from the soil where it is mainly absorbed in the form of nitrates and ammonium by the roots.
    • Nitrates also play a role in controlling genome-wide gene expression that in turn regulates root system architecture, flowering time, leaf development, etc.
    • Thus, while a lot of action takes place in the roots to absorb and convert nitrogen into useful nitrates, the absorbed nitrates in turn regulate plant development apart from being useful as a macronutrient.

    What is MADS27?

    • The gene MADS27, which regulates nitrate absorption, root development and stress tolerance, is activated by the micro-RNA, miR444, therefore offers a way to control these properties of the plant.
    • The researchers studied this mechanism in both rice (monocot) and tobacco (dicot) plants.

    Regulatory switches

    • In addition to this route, several gene regulatory switches that regulate nitrate absorption and root development, such as the micro-RNA, miR444, are known in monocot plants, such as rice.
    • The micro-RNA ‘miR444’ is specific to monocots.
    • When this is not made, its target, MADS27, is produced in higher abundance, and it improves biosynthesis and transport of the hormone auxin, which is key for root development and its branching.
    • This regulatory miR444 switch is known to turn off at least five genes called MADS box transcription factor genes.
    • The speciality of the MADS box transcription factors is that they function like switch boxes of their own.
    • They bind to their favourite specific DNA sequences and they switch the neighbouring genes “on.”

    Why is the discovery important?

    • Presence of nitrates is important for the plant development and also for grain production.
    • However, the overuse of nitrates in fertilizers, for instance, can lead to the dumping of nitrates in the soil which leads to accumulation of nitrates in water and soil.
    • This accumulation adds to soil and water pollution and increased contribution to greenhouse gases.
    • Also, since the whole process of nitrate absorption takes place in the roots, a well-developed root system is needed for this to take place optimally.
    • At one level, it is known that the hormone auxin is responsible for well-developed roots across all plants.
    • A number of genes are known to help with auxin production, improved nitrate transport and assimilation in plants.

    Significance of MADS27

    • The MADS27 transcription factor has a three-pronged effect on the plant.
    • First, it regulates nitrate absorption by switching “on” proteins involved in this process.
    • Second, it leads to better development of the roots by regulating auxin hormone production and transport.
    • Finally, and somewhat surprisingly to the researchers, it helps in the abiotic stress tolerance by keeping the main stress player proteins “on.”

     

     

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  • DRDO tests Autonomous Flying Wing Technology Demonstrator

    The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully carried out the maiden test flight of a new Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), an autonomous Flying Wing Technology Demonstrator, from the Aeronautical Test Range, Chitradurga, Karnataka.

    About the Indigenous Drone

    • The Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) is powered by a small turbofan engine.
    • It is developed under unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) programme.
    • It is designed and developed by Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE), Bengaluru, a premier research laboratory of DRDO.
    • The engine is Russian TRDD-50MT originally designed for cruise missiles.
    • A small turbo fan engine is being developed indigenously for meeting the requirement.

    Various initiatives by DRDO

    • DRDO is in the process of developing UAVs of different classes to met the requirements of the armed forces.
    • Rustom-2, the indigenous Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) UAV under development, had crossed a milestone by reaching an altitude of 25,000 feet and an endurance of 10 hours.
    • It is now being designed to reach an altitude of 30,000 feet and 18 hours endurance.
    • An Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle is also on the drawing board.

    Significance of the development

    • Operating in a fully autonomous mode, the aircraft exhibited a perfect flight, including take-off, way point navigation and a smooth touchdown.
    • This flight marks a major milestone in terms of proving critical technologies towards the development of future unmanned aircraft.
    • This is a significant step towards self-reliance in strategic defence technologies.

     

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  • What is PSLV Orbital Experimental Module (POEM)?

    The ISRO has launched three Singaporean satellites in precise orbit through the PSLV Orbital Experimental Module or ‘POEM’.

    What is POEM?

    • The POEM is a platform that will help perform in-orbit experiments using the final, and otherwise discarded, stage of ISRO’s workhorse rocket, the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV).
    • The PSLV is a four-stage rocket where the first three spent stages fall back into the ocean, and the final stage (PS4) — after launching the satellite into orbit — ends up as space junk.
    • However, in PSLV-C53 mission, the spent final stage will be utilised as a “stabilised platform” to perform experiments.
    • POEM is carrying six payloads, including two from Indian space start-ups Digantara and Dhruva Space.

    Features of POEM

    • POEM has a dedicated Navigation Guidance and Control (NGC) system for attitude stabilisation, which stands for controlling the orientation of any aerospace vehicle within permitted limits.
    • The NGC will act as the platform’s brain to stabilize it with specified accuracy.
    • POEM will derive its power from solar panels mounted around the PS4 tank, and a Li-Ion battery.
    • It will navigate using four sun sensors, a magnetometer, gyros & NavIC.
    • It carries dedicated control thrusters using Helium gas storage. It is enabled with a telecomm and feature.

    Has ISRO repurposed and used PS4 rocket junk earlier?

    • The Indian space agency first demonstrated the capability of using PSLV-C44 as an orbital platform in 2019.
    • It injected Microsat-R and Kalamsat-V2 satellites into their designated orbits.
    • The fourth stage in that mission was kept alive as an orbital platform for space-based experiments.
    • While in that mission, the fourth stage had Li-Ion batteries, solar panels are an addition this time.
    • The latest repurposing and upgrade of the fourth stage of the PSLV rocket involves the stabilization of the orbital platform.

     

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  • CAPSTONE: NASA’s satellite, newly launched

    NASA has launched CAPSTONE, a microwave oven-sized CubeSat weighing just 55 pounds (25 kg).

    What is CAPSTONE?

    • CAPSTONE, short for Cislunar Autonomous Positioning System Technology Operations and Navigation Experiment, is designed to test a unique, elliptical lunar orbit.
    • It aims to help reduce risk for future spacecraft by validating innovative navigation technologies, and by verifying the dynamics of the halo-shaped orbit.

    Its launch

    • It is heading toward an orbit intended in the future for Gateway, a Moon-orbiting outpost that is part of NASA’s Artemis program.
    • The orbit is known as a near-rectilinear halo orbit (NRHO).
    • It is significantly elongated, and is located at a precise balance point in the gravities of Earth and the Moon.
    • This offers stability for long-term missions like Gateway, NASA said on its website.

    Mission details

    • CAPSTONE will enter NRHO, where it will fly within 1,600 km of the Moon’s North Pole on its near pass and 70,000 km from the South Pole at its farthest.
    • The spacecraft will repeat the cycle every six-and-a-half days and maintain this orbit for at least six months to study dynamics.

     

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  • Typhi: A more drug-resistant Typhoid

    The bacteria causing typhoid fever is becoming increasingly resistant to some of the most important antibiotics for human health.

    What is the news?

    • The largest genome analysis of Salmonella Typhi (S. Typhi) also shows that resistant strains — almost all originating in South Asia — have spread to other countries nearly 200 times since 1990.
    • The researchers noted that typhoid fever is a global public health concern, causing 11 million infections and more than 1,00,000 deaths per year.
    • Antibiotics can be used to successfully treat typhoid fever infections, but their effectiveness is threatened by the emergence of resistant S. Typhi strains.

    What is Salmonella Typhi?

    • Salmonella Typhi (S. Typhi) are bacteria that infect the intestinal tract and the blood.
    • It is usually spread through contaminated food or water.
    • Once S. Typhi bacteria are eaten or drunk, they multiply and spread into the bloodstream.
    • The disease is referred to as typhoid fever. S. Paratyphi bacteria cause a similar, but milder illness, which comes under the same title.
    • Paratyphoid has a shorter duration, generally, than typhoid.
    • Typhi and S. Paratyphi are common in many developing countries where sewage and water treatment systems are poor.

    How does it spread?

    • Salmonella Typhi lives only in humans.
    • Persons with typhoid fever carry the bacteria in their bloodstream and intestinal tract.
    • Symptoms include prolonged high fever, fatigue, headache, nausea, abdominal pain, and constipation or diarrhoea.
    • Some patients may have a rash. Severe cases may lead to serious complications or even death.
    • Typhoid fever can be confirmed through blood testing.

     

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  • What is Black Death?

    In a study published in the Science journal, researchers have claimed that the bubonic plague was originated in modern day northern Kyrgyzstan around 1338-1339 – nearly 7-8 years before it ravaged large parts of the world.

    What is Black Death?

    • The term Black Death refers to the bubonic plague that spread across Western Asia, Northern Africa, Middle East and Europe in 1346-53.
    • Most scholars agree that the Black Death, which killed millions, was caused by bacterium Yersinia pestis and was spread by fleas that were carried by rodent hosts.
    • The microorganism Y. pestis spread to human populations, who at some point transmitted it to others either through the vector of a human flea or directly through the respiratory system.

    Why this plague was called the Black Death?

    • It is commonly believed that the term Black Death gets its name from the black marks that appeared on some of the plague victims’ bodies.
    • In the 14th century, the epidemic was referred to as the ‘great pestilence’ or ‘great death’, due to the demographic havoc that it caused.
    • The world black also carried a dark, gloomy emotional tone, due to the sheer amount of deaths generated by the plague.

    Why is the new discovery significant?

    • The geographical origin point of the plague has been debated for centuries.
    • Some historians have argued that the plague originated in China, and spread across Europe by Italian merchants who first entered the continent in trading caravans through Crimea.
    • Another story argues that Mongol army hurled plague-infested bodies into the city during the siege of Caffa (Crimea) and led to the spread of the disease.

     

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  • What is Web 5.0?

    Former Twitter CEO recently announced his vision for a new decentralized web platform that is being called Web 5.0 and is being built with an aim to return “ownership of data and identity to individuals”.

    Various versions of Web

    • Web 1.0 was the first generation of the global digital communications network. It is often referred to as the “read-only” Internet made of static web-pages that only allowed for passive engagement.
    • Web 2.0 was the “read and write” Internet. Users were now able to communicate with servers and other users leading to the creation of the social web. This is the World Wide Web that we use today.
    • Web 3.0 is an evolving term that is used to refer to the next generation of Internet – a “read-write-execute” web – with decentralization as its bedrock. It leverages the blockchain technology and will be driven by Artificial Intelligence and machine learning.
    • Web 4.0 is not really a new version, but is a alternate version of what we already have. Web needed to adapt to its mobile surroundings. Web 4.0 connects all devices in the real and virtual world in real-time.

    What is Web 5.0?

    • Web 5.0 is aimed at building an extra decentralized web that puts you in control of your data and identity.
    • Simply put, Web 5.0 is Web 2.0 plus Web 3.0 that will allow users to ‘own their identity’ on the Internet and ‘control their data’.
    • Both Web 3.0 and Web 5.0 envision an Internet without threat of censorship – from governments or big tech, and without fear of significant outages.

    What are the use cases for Web 5.0?

    There can be two use cases for how Web 5.0 will change things in the future.

    1. Control of identity: A digital wallet that securely manages user identity, data, and authorizations for external apps and connections.
    2. Control over own data: Say, we can grant any music app access to settings and preferences, enabling the app to take our personalized music experience across different music apps.

    Try this question from CSP 2022:

    With reference to Web 3.0, consider the following statements:

    1. Web 3.0 technology enables people to control their own data.
    2. In Web 3.0 world, there can be blockchain based social networks.,
    3. Web 3.0 is operated by users collectively rather than a corporation.

    Which of the statements given above are correct?

    (a) 1 and 2 only

    (b) 2 and 3 only

    (c) 1 and 3 only

    (d) 1, 2 and 3

     

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