NATIONAL UPDATES:
1. IIL Partners with ICMR for India’s First Zika Vaccine: Indian Immunologicals Limited (IIL) has joined hands with the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) to develop India’s first Zika virus vaccine. They have signed an agreement called a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) to work together on this project. The main goal is to conduct phase I clinical trials, which will test the vaccine for its safety and effectiveness in humans.ICMR will pay for the phase I clinical trials. This includes covering all the costs for running the trials, monitoring the participants, and performing the necessary investigations to see how the vaccine works. These trials will be done in different locations in India to make sure the vaccine is thoroughly tested.
2. Ecological Degradation in Veli-Akkulam Lake: A recent study presented by researchers from the University of Kerala at the ECSA 60 conference in Hangzhou has uncovered a significant ecological decline in Veli-Akkulam Lake. Over the past 30 years, the lake’s ecosystem has been deeply affected by the invasion of non-native species, which has changed its trophic status (how nutrients move through the food chain) and disrupted the natural food web.
3. India’s Second Largest Butterfly Species Discovered in TamilNadu: The Southern Birdwing was once considered the largest butterfly in India, with a wingspan of 190mm. However, in 2020, it was surpassed by the Golden Birdwing, which has a wingspan of 194mm, according to a British researcher, Brigadier William Harry Evans. It prefers areas close to water, such as the rivers and streams in the Western Ghats. The males of this species are known for their bright yellow and black colors, while the females, though larger, have more muted tones. The butterfly primarily feeds on the nectar of flowers like Bougainvillea and is the state butterfly of Tamil Nadu. As an indicator of ecological health, its presence shows the importance of maintaining a balanced and diverse environment.
4. Union Minister Launches Rangeen Machhli App for Ornamental Fisheries: The government sees great potential in the ornamental fisheries sector. It is expected to create jobs and contribute to the economy. The app also encourages more people to take up the aquarium hobby, which is becoming more popular in India. The “Rangeen Machhli” app can be downloaded from the Google Play Store.
5. Ozone Pollution Hurts Tropical Forest Growth, Study Finds: A recent study published in Nature Geoscience has revealed that ozone pollution is harming the growth of tropical forests, causing them to lose nearly 300 million tonnes of carbon every year. This is a big concern because tropical forests play a key role in fighting climate change by absorbing carbon dioxide from the air. The study highlights the urgent need to tackle air pollution to protect these important ecosystems.
INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:
1. India-Oman Joint Military Exercise AL NAJAH: The India-Oman Joint Military Exercise, called AL NAJAH, began in 2015 and focuses on improving the ability of both armies to work together. It is held in the deserts of Oman and mainly involves infantry tactics and counter-terrorism operations. The exercise reflects India’s strategic relationship with Gulf countries, especially with Oman, which is India’s oldest ally in the region, dating back to 1950. This partnership also helps improve maritime security in the Arabian Sea by addressing regional threats. Through these exercises, India and Oman continue to strengthen their mutual respect and understanding.
2. International Conference on Green Hydrogen (ICGH-2024): Green hydrogen is made by splitting water using renewable energy like wind or solar, unlike grey hydrogen, which uses fossil fuels. It doesn’t produce carbon emissions and can be stored and transported easily. Producing it needs a lot of electricity—about 50-55 kWh per kilogram. Japan leads in green hydrogen projects, with Chile and Australia also becoming important. Green hydrogen can power vehicles and industries and help reduce emissions in steel and ammonia production.
OTHER UPDATES:
DEFENCE
1. DRDO, Indian Navy Successfully Test VL-SRSAM Missile: The Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) was founded in 1958. It is a key organization in developing indigenous missiles and advanced defense systems in India. DRDO has over 50 labs and research centers across the country and has played a major role in creating important missile systems like Agni and Prithvi. In addition to missile technology, DRDO works on systems like the Akash surface-to-air missile and the Tejas fighter aircraft. It also collaborates with international partners on joint development projects, promoting self-reliance in defense technology. Notably, DRDO contributed to the development of the K9 Vajra Howitzer, a powerful artillery system used by the Indian Army.
2. Vietnam, Philippines Strengthen Defense Ties: Vietnam and the Philippines have agreed to work more closely on defence and maritime security. This agreement came during a visit by Vietnam’s Defence Minister, Phan Van Giang, to the Philippines. This cooperation aims to address rising tensions with China, particularly over territorial disputes in the South China Sea.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
1. Chandrayaan-3 Detects Historic 250 Seismic Signatures on Moon: India’s Chandrayaan-3 mission has achieved a significant milestone by becoming the first lunar mission to detect over 250 seismic signals from the Moon’s south pole since the Apollo missions. This discovery marks a major advancement in lunar exploration and seismic monitoring techniques. The Instrument for Lunar Seismic Activity (ILSA), which was part of the Vikram Lander, operated from August 24 to September 4, 2023. It recorded these seismic events from coordinates 69.37° S and 32.32° E. ILSA is notable for being the first instrument based on MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems) technology designed to measure seismic activity on the Moon, using advanced silicon micromachining techniques.
BANKING AND FINANCE
1. Union Cabinet Approves ₹2,000 Crore Mission Mausam Initiative: Mission Mausam is an Indian program that began in 2016 to study climate change and monsoon patterns. The initiative brings together multiple research organizations to improve weather forecasting accuracy and promote better farming practices. It also aims to develop systems to warn people about extreme weather events and raise public awareness about how climate change impacts agriculture and livelihoods.
2. SBI Foundation Launches 3rd Asha Scholarship Program For Students: The SBI Foundation has launched the 3rd edition of its Asha Scholarship Program, which aims to help 10,000 deserving students from underprivileged backgrounds across India. Applications for the scholarship opened on August 16, 2024, and will remain open until October 1, 2024. Interested students can find more details about eligibility and apply through the official website: www.sbifashascholarship.org.
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