NASA reported significant 20-years-low air pollution in Indo-Gangetic Plain amid lockdown
context :
According to the satellite data published by US space agency National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) stated that the air pollution over northern India has dropped to a 20-year-low for this time of the year. he data were retrieved by the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on NASA’s Terra satellite.
Report Highlights :
- The report highlighted that the sensors observed aerosol levels low after the imposition of a nationwide lockdown in India.
- As per the analysis, an optical depth or thickness of less than 0.1 over the entire atmospheric vertical column shows a “clean” condition. If aerosols are concentrated near the surface, an optical depth of 1 or above indicates very “hazy” conditions.
- The report tracked the aerosol optical depth (AOD). AOD shows how light is absorbed or reflected by airborne particles as it travels through the atmosphere.
Aerosols are very tiny solid and liquid particles suspended in the air. It reduces visibility and can damage the human lungs and heart.
Reverse Vaccinology
Context :
The Tamil Nadu Dr. MGR Medical University has developed a vaccine candidate (i.e. potential vaccine) against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) through ‘reverse vaccinology’.
Key Points :
- The use of genomic information with the aid of computers for the preparation of vaccines without culturing microorganism is known as reverse vaccinology.
- Reverse vaccinology helps in the examination of the genome of an organism in order to identify novel antigens and epitopes that might constitute vaccine candidates.
- Antigen is a toxin or other foreign substance which induces an immune response in the body,
- Epitope is a portion of a foreign protein, or antigen, that is capable of stimulating an immune response.
- With the unwrapping of the entire genomic sequence, it is possible to know what molecules make the genomic sequence.
- Reverse vaccinology has been used for developing vaccinations for meningococcal and staphylococcal infections all through the world.
- Meningococcal meningitis is caused by Neisseria meningitidis bacteria. It is a serious infection of the thin lining that surrounds the brain and spinal cord.
- Staphylococcal infections are caused by staphylococcus bacteria commonly found on the skin or in the nose of even healthy individuals.
- The technique has been available for the last 10 to 15 years.
- In reverse vaccinology identification of candidate antigens (potential target for vaccine preparation) is possible without the need to grow the pathogen in a shorter time.
- Earlier, a viral culture had to be done in the laboratory to develop a vaccine which was time-consuming. It would take time to find out the protein in the virus.
World Book Day
Context :
World Book Day is observed on 23 April. The day is celebrated by UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) and other related organizations. The global celebration of books and reading material is observed in more than 100 countries. This day is also known as World Copyright day.
Aim :
The World Book is celebrated to recognize the scope of books as a link between the past and the future. UNESCO and organizations representing publishers, booksellers, and libraries select the World Book Capital for a year to maintain the celebrations of books and reading.
Events :
- On this day many authors, publishers, teachers, librarians, public and private institutions, humanitarian NGOs, and the mass media gather to promote literacy and help everyone get access to educational resources as the books are the cultural and generational bridge.
- Kuala Lumpur was officially recognized as the 2020 UNESCO’s World Book Capital (KLWBC 2020). In 2019, Sharjah, UAE was declared as the World Book Capital.
- Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the day is celebrated online.
In India :
- In India, publishing houses including HarperCollins India, Penguin Random House, Hachette India, and Roli Books, launched online interactive sessions with authors. They launched it in digital and audio formats, and bookish games to cover unveiling, publishers.
- The online event will have sessions where the authors talk on different relatable themes, drawn from their areas of expertise. The audiences can post questions and interact further with their favourite authors
- Authors including Sanjay Dixit, Gautam Chintamani, Ziya Us Salam, Vijay, and Akshay Lokapally and Rituparna Chatterjee will participate in the event.
History :
The observation of the World Book Day was first initiated by Valencian writer Vicente Clavel Andres. The aim was to honour the renowned author, Miguel de Cervantes. The day was first celebrated on 7 October, Miguel de Cervantes’ birth anniversary. The observation of the day was finalized to be observed on April 23, his death anniversary.
The day was first designated by UNESCO in 1995 at UNESCO’s General Conference held in Paris, France. The day honours the world-famous author William Shakespeare, Miguel de Cervantes, and Inca Garcilaso de la Vega and all the authors.
Iran’s First Military Satellite
Context :
Iran has launched its first military satellite called Noor (meaning light) into orbit.
- The satellite reached an orbit of 425km after being carried by a three-stage Ghased launcher.
- This was a successful launch after months of failures. However, there was no immediate independent confirmation of the launch of the satellite.
Highlights :
- Launch by the Paramilitary Force
- The Satellite was launched by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The IRGC, which operates its own military infrastructure in parallel to Iran’s regular armed forces, is a hard-line force answerable only to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
- Previously unheard ‘Ghased’ or “Messenger” satellite launcher was used to put the device into space. It described the system as using both liquid and solid fuel.
- Concern: Despite the fact that Iran has been one of the worst-affected in terms of the Covid-19 cases, it has been engaged in serious strategic competition heightening the tensions in the region.
- Iran-US Tensions: The launch comes amid tensions between Iran and the US over the collapsed nuclear deal and after a U.S. drone strike in Iraq killed Iran’s most powerful military commander Gen. Qassem Soleimani in January, 2020.
- In 2015, Iran agreed a long-term deal on its nuclear programme with a group of world powers known as the P5+1 – the US, UK, France, China, Russia and Germany – Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.
- US Allegation:
- The Trump administration has warned that the technology used to launch satellites could help Iran develop Inter Continental Ballistic Missiles (ICBMs).
- It has asserted that such launches therefore violate a UN Security Council resolution, which calls upon Iran not to “undertake any activity related to ballistic missiles designed to be capable of delivering nuclear weapons”.
- Iran’s Stand: It has not violated UN resolution on its ballistic missile program as the resolution only calls upon it to not conduct missile tests (not satellite tests). Although there is technological overlap between space launches and intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), Iran denies that the aim of its space programme is to pursue ICBM technology.
World earth Day
Context :
Earth Day was celebrated on 22 April 2020. The day marks the anniversary of the birth of the modern environmental movement in 1970. The year 2020 marked the 50th anniversary of Earth Day. The day reminds all to take care of the planet Earth.
Events :
- The day raises awareness about the environment and its advocacy. On this day, schoolchildren take part in awareness rallies, environmentalists organize several events and symposium to educate people about every individual’s role in saving the environment.
- This year, the public programs have been called off due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
- People can do activities like starting an organic vegetable garden, plant more trees, teach children about the significance of saving nature, among others.
History :
The Earth day was initiated by Senator Gaylord Nelson, a junior senator from Wisconsin, US. Nelson had long been concerned about the deteriorating environment in the United States. In 1969, Nelson and the others who were worried about the environment chose 22 April and organized the campus teach-ins for the students. The event became a huge hit and the name of the event was changed to Earth Day. The day reminds us to fight against oil spills, polluting factories and power plants, pesticides, freeways, the loss of wilderness, raw sewage, toxic dumps, and the extinction of wildlife united on Earth Day around the shared common values. The first Earth Day was celebrated on 22 April 1970. Later, Senator Nelson received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest honor given to civilians in the United States, for his role as Earth Day founder.