Category: Life & Style

Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun have been awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for their discovery of microRNA, small genetic components that regulate cell functioning. Their pioneering research, which began with worms, has identified an important mechanism for gene regulation in complex life forms.

MicroRNA, unlike traditional RNA, does not produce proteins but rather regulates the activation of specific genes, perhaps leading to new treatments for disorders such as cancer. According to a Nobel panel in Stockholm, this discovery is critical to understanding cell timing and development, with implications for molecular oncology.

Dr. Claire Fletcher of Imperial College London emphasised microRNA’s importance in drug research and disease markers, notably for cancer. As research progresses, scientists want to use microRNA to inhibit overactive genes that promote cancer growth.

Eric Miska of Cambridge University observed that Ambros and Ruvkun’s findings were unexpected and substantially altered our knowledge of cellular activity. Today, microRNA research is expanding into sectors such as infectious and neurological illnesses, perhaps paving the path for new treatments.

Ambros and Ruvkun expressed amazement at their victory. Ruvkun regarded the Nobel Prize as life-changing, but Ambros emphasised the importance of curiosity-driven science financed by taxpayers. The Nobel Prize carries a reward of 11 million Swedish kronor (about $1 million USD).

On October 6, the Indian Air Force (IAF) performed a spectacular air show at Chennai’s Marina Beach in celebration of its 92nd Air Force Day on October 8. The Sukhoi Su-30MKI and Sarang helicopter were among the fighter jets that enthralled the crowd, making it the first such event in Chennai in 21 years. The Garud Commandos exhibited their abilities in simulated rescue operations, which added to the excitement.

This year’s theme, “Bharatiya Vayusena: Saksham, Sashakt aur Aatmnirbhar” (Capable, Strong, and Self-reliant), highlights the IAF’s dedication to national security and modernisation. Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin, and other dignitaries attended the event.

Nearly 72 aircraft flew aerial displays, including Rafale, Tejas, Suryakiran, and heritage planes Dakota and Harvard. The Sukhoi Su-30’s “Loop-tumble-yaw” manoeuvre and Rafale’s refuelling demonstration wowed spectators. The climax featured Sarang helicopters in a magnificent pattern.

The IAF warned the public to avoid carrying food owing to fears about bird strikes. The event, which was coordinated by Air Vice Marshal K. Premkumar, had heavy security with approximately 6,500 personnel.

The Central Government has launched the pilot phase of the Prime Minister’s Internship Scheme, with a goal of 1.25 lakh internships in fiscal year 2024-25. Over the next five years, this program aims to provide internships to one crore young people to combat unemployment and boost job opportunities.

The plan is aimed at people aged 21 to 24 who are not working full-time. Graduates of IITs and IIMs, as well as those with CA or CMA qualifications, are ineligible; however, graduates of the Industrial Training Institute (ITI) and Kaushal Kendra are encouraged to apply. Interns would be paid a stipend of Rs. 4,500 from the government, with an additional Rs. 500 from participating enterprises.

Furthermore, a one-time aid of Rs. 6,000 will cover incidental costs, and the government will give insurance coverage through the PM Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana and PM Suraksha Bima Yojana.

The trial phase has already secured over 1,000 internships from firms including Mahindra & Mahindra and Max Life, and registration is open from October 12 to 25. By November 7, the selected candidates will receive a call, and the internship will start on December 2 of that same year.

The World Economic Forum (WEF) has launched the “Playbook of Solutions,” an innovative digital platform that aims to mobilise sustainable energy investments in the Global South. This playbook includes 100 legislative measures, financial tools, and risk-reduction methods based on 20 years of successful clean energy finance programs in 47 emerging and developing economies.

To accomplish the worldwide target of tripling renewable energy by 2030, annual investments must climb five to seven times, totalling at least $1.7 trillion by the end of this decade. Emerging markets and emerging economies (EMDEs) are predicted to account for 90% of global energy consumption by 2035, yet they now get less than 20% of clean energy investment due to perceived risks and regulatory constraints.

Samaila Zubairu, president and CEO of the Africa Finance Corporation, stated that the Playbook seeks to dispel myths regarding EMDEs.

The WEF portal also includes case studies from Brazil, Chile, Egypt, and India that demonstrate effective methods to sustainable energy investment. The Playbook intends to unlock the $1.7 trillion required to satisfy the Global South’s clean energy ambitions by providing governments and investors with a framework for risk reduction and financing.

According to LiveScience, scientists used sonar equipment to locate approximately 40 strange craters beneath Lake Michigan. These remarkable formations, extending between 500 and 1,000 feet in diameter, were discovered during a survey of the Wisconsin Shipwreck Coast National Marine Sanctuary. The craters, which are southeast of Sheboygan, Wisconsin, were confirmed in August 2024 by researchers from NOAA’s Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory (GLERL) and maritime archaeologist Russell Green.

Local shipwreck hunter Brendon Baillod first noticed the depressions while looking for a sunken vessel. He described them as irregularly shaped and 20 to 40 feet deep and said they could be generated by trapped gas or water upwelling. Kevin Cullen of the Wisconsin Maritime Museum argued that the craters could be linked to old underwater gorges caused by glaciers or sinkholes, given Lake Michigan’s partly limestone formation. However, no groundwater movement has been recorded in the craters thus far.

According to GLERL’s Steve Ruberg, further research may yet reveal water circulation beneath the lakebed. Freshwater prawns, tiny fish and invasive quagga mussels have all been identified in the craters. The craters remain a geological enigma, with researchers planning additional investigations to better understand their creation and influence on Lake Michigan’s ecosystems.

NASA has established the LunaRecycle Challenge, a new competition that will provide a $3 million prize fund to inventors who develop groundbreaking recycling technology for deep space missions. This effort is consistent with NASA’s vision for a long-term human presence on the Moon and future space exploration beyond Earth.

The competition seeks energy-efficient, low-mass, and low-impact recycling solutions for inorganic waste such as food packaging, abandoned clothing, and scientific experiment materials. Unlike past contests that aimed to reduce waste mass and volume, the LunaRecycle challenge focuses on transforming trash into usable resources for space operations, advancing both on-surface and in-space production.

The competition includes two unique tracks: Prototype Build, which focuses on constructing actual hardware and systems, and Digital Twin, which challenges contestants to design virtual models of recycling systems. This dual approach attempts to encourage widespread engagement from innovators around the world.

NASA is focussing on three important areas with this initiative: habitat logistics tracking and trash management, manufacturing parts and goods from recycled materials, and space-based production from repurposed waste.

Amy Kaminski, program executive for NASA’s Prizes, Challenges, and Crowdsourcing program, emphasises the challenge’s larger benefits, pointing out that sustainable space operations may inspire advances in waste management on Earth.

The Chandrayaan-4 mission, India’s ambitious next step in lunar research, will analyse the Moon’s habitability by returning surface samples. The mission, expected to cost ₹2,104.06 crore, will launch in 2029 and consist of five modules: Ascender Module (AM), Descender Module (DM), Re-entry Module (RM), Transfer Module (TM), and Propulsion Module (PM).

These components will be launched in two stacks from two distinct LVM3 launch vehicles.

Upon touchdown, a surface sampling robot mounted to the DM will collect 2-3 kg of lunar samples from the landing site. In addition, a drilling mechanism will extract subsurface samples and transfer them to a different container in the AM. To maintain the samples’ integrity during their journey to Earth, the containers will be properly sealed to prevent contamination and leakage.

The entire sample collection process will be closely monitored using video cameras, allowing for extensive analysis.

This mission not only marks a great advancement in space exploration but also emphasises the employment of local technologies. Indian companies are projected to play a critical role in its success by supporting skill development, offering significant job opportunities, and pushing technological innovation.

On this Rosh Hashanah, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his best wishes for a year filled with hope, health, and peace to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli people, and the Jewish community around the world. He penned the words “Shana Tova!” on X.

Along with its Israeli friends, the Indian Embassy in Israel raised a glass to Rosh Hashanah.

The Jewish High Holy Days begin every autumn with Rosh Hashanah.

The prime ministers discussed about the worsening situation in West Asia on September 30. Ensuring the safe release of captives and preventing additional violence were his top priorities. “India is committed to supporting efforts for an early restoration of peace and stability,” the Prime Minister wrote on X.

When Iran fired roughly 200 missiles at Israel, the recent instability in West Asia escalated. Both the Israeli and American defence forces were able to deflect the missiles, owing to the assistance of the United States military. A “big mistake” had been committed by Iran, according to Netanyahu, who warned Tehran of repercussions.

Shukrayaan-1, the Venus Orbiter Mission (VOM) is planned for launch on March 29, 2028, by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). The Indian space program has made great strides forward with this mission. Venus is commonly referred to as Earth’s twin, and the mission of Shukrayaan-1 is to investigate this intriguing celestial body.

The orbiter, which will be launched into Venus’ orbit on July 19, 2028, will continue its 112-day voyage powered by ISRO’s LVM-3 rocket. The mission adds to the world’s understanding of our solar system and demonstrates India’s increasing space exploration capabilities.

The sophisticated scientific equipment on board Shukrayaan-1 can analyse the makeup of Venus’s atmosphere, create detailed maps of the planet’s surface, and even identify seismic or volcanic eruptions. This mission seeks to shed light on the perplexing phenomena caused by Venus’s thick atmosphere and harsh surface conditions.

Important scientific goals, as stated by ISRO, involve studying Venus’s airglow, subsurface features, solar X-rays near the planet, and atmospheric dust. Aerobraking and thermal management systems will be tested in Venus’s severe environment as part of the mission to demonstrate new technology.

The Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft from India touched down safely inside a buried impact crater that was probably there before the South Pole Atkin (SPA) basin, and it had a circumference of around 160 km and a depth of about 4.4 km. The Physical Research Laboratory and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) came up with this discovery, and they published it in the scholarly journal Icarus. The Vikram lander and the Pragyan rover are part of the mission that landed in the lunar highlands close to the southern pole.

The landing location showcases intricate geological formations that have been formed by multiple impact events. It is situated approximately 350 kilometres from the rim of the SPA basin, the largest impact basin in our solar system. Images taken by the Chandrayaan-2 Orbiter and the Pragyan rover’s navigation camera showed that the landing location had linear, groove-like structures that had been created by impacts from a distance.

Exploration of the surrounding area uncovered a severely degraded semicircular formation, which was identified to be an underground impact crater formed by ejecta from the SPA basin. Materials from the SPA basin and deeply excavated lunar materials are hosted by this ancient crater, according to ISRO. It is one of the oldest on the Moon.