Category: Science & Tech

• Scientists have released fresh details on a massive black hole 53 million light-years distant, which was first observed by the Event Horizon Telescope (EHT) in 2017.
• This momentous achievement offered the first visual confirmation of the existence of black holes, so proving a crucial prediction of Einstein’s general relativity theory.

Key Findings of EHT

• The new data, obtained with improved telescope coverage and resolution, supported the prior discovery of the black hole’s’shadow’.
• The results revealed the presence of an asymmetric ring structure, which is consistent with substantial gravitational lensing effects.
• Observations revealed a steady ring building process throughout time, with slight fluctuations indicating differences in the magnetic field structure.

About Event Horizon Telescope (EHT)

	Description
About	A big telescope array made up of a global network of radio telescopes.Very long baseline interferometry (VLBI) is used.Resolution: 25 micro-arc-seconds.
Collaboration	International collaboration including more than 300 participants and 60 institutions from 20 countries and areas
Launch Year	Initiated in 2009
First Image Published	April 10, 2019 (First image of a black hole, M87*)
Objective	Observing objects the size of a supermassive black hole’s event horizon.
Key Targets	Black holes including M87* and Sagittarius A* (Sgr A*)
Recent Developments	First image of black hole (March 2021), first image of Sgr A* (May 12, 2022)
Reconstructive Algorithms	Includes the CLEAN algorithm and the regularised maximum likelihood (RML) algorithm
Scientific Implications	Verification of general relativity, measurement of black hole mass and diameter, research into accretion processes

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/earth-wide-telescope-confirms-black-hole-shadow-is-real/article67828171.ece#:~:text=The%20EHT's%20previous%20run%20had,the%20general%20theory%20of%20relativity.

Neuralink, established by tech billionaire Elon Musk, reached a key milestone by successfully implanting their technology, Telepathy, in a human body, with the goal of restoring autonomy to quadriplegics through thought control of digital gadgets. Despite the excitement, substantial ethical and technical obstacles must be resolved, particularly those related to transparency, data ownership, and long-term safety.

Key highlights:

• Elon Musk launched Neuralink with the ambitious goals of restoring functioning to people with neurological impairments and improving human cognition.
• The lack of transparency and data sharing raises questions about the Neuralink device’s safety and efficacy.
• Ethical implications for data ownership and the potential misuse of recorded intents.
• The exclusion of those with specific medical issues from the research raises concerns about safety and long-term implications.
• The value of replicability, transparency, and oversight in scientific research and development.

Key challenges 

• Include a lack of transparency and data exchange.
• Ethical problems about data ownership and privacy.
• Ensures the Neuralink device’s long-term safety and efficacy.
• Addressing potential health hazards related to brain implantation and electrode insertion.
• Developing replicability and reliability in scientific research.

Main Terms:

• Elon Musk established Neuralink, a tech business that develops implanted brain-computer interface devices.
• Telepathy is Neuralink’s patented chip for recording and transferring neural signals.
• Quadriplegia: Paralysis or loss of function in all four limbs.
• ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis): A progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord.
• FDA (Food and Drug Administration): A federal agency responsible for regulating and overseeing the safety and efficacy of medical devices and drugs.

Key phrase: 

• “Restore autonomy for those with unmet medical needs.”
• “Opaque development and pre-clinical testing results.”
• “Ethical breaches and lack of transparency.”
• “Concerns about data ownership and privacy.”
• “Long-term safety and efficacy.”

Excerpts from the article: 

• “Neuralink’s ambition and vision extend beyond clinical use to enhance human cognition and possibilities.”
• “Secrecy does not instill confidence, and trust is something scientists have learned not to bestow on corporate entities too generously.”

Important Conclusions: 

• “The lack of transparency and data sharing raises concerns about the safety and efficacy of the Neuralink device.”
• “Ethical considerations around data ownership and potential misuse of recorded intentions are paramount.”
• “The exclusion of certain individuals from the trial raises questions about safety and long-term effects.”

Examples & References:

• Mention of Neuralink’s founder, Elon Musk.
• The Neuralink device’s features include the Telepathy chip.
• References to accounts of monkeys utilising the Neuralink device and suffering negative consequences.

Facts and data:

• The FDA has approved the Neuralink device.
• Discuss the trial’s 18-month primary observation period.
• The trial was not registered on clinical trial repositories such as clinicaltrials.gov.

Source: https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=2003884#:~:text=Ministry%20of%20Home%20Affairs%20(MHA,North%20Eastern%20States%20bordering%20Myanmar.

• Juno, a NASA spacecraft launched in 2011, is on a mission to discover the mysteries of Jupiter and its moons.
• Juno was en way to Jupiter when it hit fast-moving dust particles, causing significant damage to its solar panels.

About NASA’s Juno Mission

	Description
Launch Year	2011
Mission Objective	Study Jupiter, the solar system’s largest planet, to learn about Earth’s creation and evolution.
Focus Areas	Investigate Jupiter’s atmospheric composition and isotope ratios.Examine Jupiter’s magnetic field and how it interacts with the atmosphere, resulting in aurora generation.Discover Jupiter’s structure, atmosphere, and interior to better comprehend early solar system circumstances.
Earth Insights	The Juno mission’s advanced sensors include the Microwave Radiometer, which detects air temperature and water content.Scientists can determine the similarities and differences in planetary origins by comparing Jupiter’s composition to that of Earth.Understanding Jupiter’s magnetic field and auroras helps us learn about Earth’s magnetic field and auroras.Jupiter’s structure offers insights into early solar system conditions and Earth’s evolutionary processes.

Dust in interplanetary space

• Calculating Dust Flux: Scientists used Juno data to estimate the flux of dust particles encountered between 1 and 5 Astronomical Units (AU), providing insight into the density and distribution of interplanetary dust.
• Exploring Dust Sources: Analysis revealed that Mars’ moons, Deimos and Phobos, could be sources of interplanetary dust, providing tantalising hints to the mysterious origins of these cosmic particles.

How do the Martian Moons, Deimos and Phobos make this dust?

• Micrometeorite Impacts: Micrometeorites, tiny but powerful dust particles, attack Mars’ moons, causing ephemeral clouds of dust upon impact due to the lack of atmospheres.
• Deimos and Phobos’ low gravity allow dust particles to escape into space, contributing to the development of a dusty ring around Mars.

Insights From Observations

• Gravitational Dynamics: These models included gravitational influences, lunar shapes, and dust particle velocities, providing a thorough knowledge of dust dynamics in the Martian system.
• Future trips to Deimos and Phobos have the potential to validate current findings and shed new light on the dusty expanses of these intriguing moons.

Source: https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/serendipitous-juno-detections-shatter-ideas-about-origin-of-zodiacal-light

• The interim budget presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman calls for the growth of Nano DAP applications in agriculture.

Understanding Nano DAP

• DAP: DAP, or di-ammonium phosphate, is a phosphorus-rich fertiliser commonly used in India to promote plant root development.
• Nano DAPL: Introduced by the Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative (IFFCO), it is a liquid form of DAP with particle sizes fewer than 100 nanometers, which improves its efficiency.

Advantages of Nano DAP

• Nano DAP’s small particle size improves seed vigour, chlorophyll levels, photosynthetic efficiency, crop quality, and yields.
• Affordability: Nano DAP is less expensive than normal DAP, with a 500 ml bottle comparable to a 50 kg bag of DAP costing only Rs 600.
• Convenience: The liquid form is easier to transport, store, and apply, making it ideal for farmers.
• Reduced Imports: Using domestically manufactured Nano DAP from Kalol, Gujarat, decreases the need to import fertilisers, increasing self-sufficiency and benefitting Indian agriculture.

Government’s Perspective

• The government benefits from Nano DAP’s cost-effectiveness, which reduces the need for fertiliser subsidies and provides fiscal relief.
• Self-reliance: Producing Nano DAP domestically corresponds with the goal of fertiliser self-sufficiency, which reduces reliance on imports.
• Agricultural Advancement: Increased Nano DAP usage promotes agricultural growth, increases food grain yield, and benefits farmers.

Source: https://kisanvedika.bighaat.com/news-updates/liquid-revolution-how-iffco-nano-dap-liquid-is-reshaping-indian-agriculture/

• Researchers have successfully fused brain-like tissue with electronics to create a ‘organoid neural network.’
• This breakthrough represents a big step forward in neuromorphic computing by directly embedding brain tissue into computer systems.

Brain Tissues in Computers

• Scientists from Indiana University, the University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Centre, and the University of Florida collaborated to achieve a breakthrough in brain tissue technology for computers.
• Publication: The study, published on December 11, represents the convergence of tissue engineering, electrophysiology, and neural computation, broadening the scope of scientific and engineering disciplines.

Context of artificial intelligence (AI)

• AI’s foundation: AI is built on artificial neural networks, which are silicon-based representations of the human brain that can analyse large datasets.
• Memory and Processing Separation: Traditional AI hardware divides memory and processing units, resulting in inefficiencies when transmitting data between them.

Introducing Biological Neural Networks.

• Biocomputing Emergence: Scientists are investigating biological neural networks made up of live brain cells as an alternative. These networks can handle both memory and data processing.
• Energy Efficient: Brain cells store memory and process data without physically separating them.

Organoid Neural Network

• Brain organoids, three-dimensional collections of brain cells, were used to form a ‘organoid neural network.’
• Human pluripotent stem cells were differentiated into a variety of brain cells, including neuron progenitor cells, early-stage neurons, mature neurons, and astrocytes.
• The network was integrated into a reservoir computer, which included input, reservoir, and output layers.

Brainoware’s Capabilities

• Brainoware can anticipate complex mathematical functions, like the Henon map.
• Voice Recognition: The system correctly identified Japanese vowels voiced by participants with a 78% accuracy rate.
• Efficiency: Brainoware demonstrated equivalent accuracy to artificial neural networks while requiring minimal training.

Promising insights and limitations

• Foundational insights: The work sheds light on learning mechanisms, brain development, and cognitive aspects of neurodegenerative illnesses.
• Challenges: Brainware requires technical competence and infrastructure. Organoids have diverse cell populations and must be optimised for homogeneity.
• Ethical considerations: The merging of organoids and AI poses ethical problems concerning consciousness and dignity.

Future studies 

• It could focus on enhancing input encoding methods and ensuring homogeneity in organoids for longer tests.
• Complex Computing Problems: Researchers want to tackle more difficult computing tasks.
• Ethical Discourse: The argument over organoid awareness and dignity will continue to progress.

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/brain-organoid-computer-brainoware-neuromorphic-explained/article67692933.ece

• In a crucial attempt to strengthen India’s scientific research ecosystem, the Department of Science and Technology (DST) has announced the inaugural class of ‘Vaibhav’ fellows.

About the Vaibhav Fellowship Scheme

• The Vaibhav Fellowship, launched in June 2023, aims to encourage Indian-origin scientists living overseas for short-term cooperation with Indian universities.
• These collaborations seek to promote research excellence and innovation by using the knowledge of Indian scientists from throughout the world.

Benefits for Vaibhav Fellows

• Vaibhav Fellows can benefit from collaboration by spending a month or two annually in India for up to three years, working with host Indian universities.
• Financial support for Vaibhav fellows includes a monthly stipend of ₹4 lakh and accomodation in India.
• Renowned host institutions include the IISc, IIT, and Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, among others.
• Research Grant: Host universities get a research grant to support joint initiatives and technological start-ups established by fellows.
• Long-term Research Connections: Fellows are encouraged to establish long-term research relationships with host institutions, engage with professors, and contribute new ideas to the field, benefiting Indian universities and research settings.

Vaibhav and Vajra have distinct objectives

• The Vaibhav Fellowship Scheme primarily targets the Indian diaspora for cooperation, with an emphasis on translational achievements in crucial fields of scientific study.
• Vajra Scheme: Open to all foreign scientists, it encourages short-term visits by foreign professors to Indian institutions, providing a greater platform for international collaboration.

Source: https://dst.gov.in/callforproposals/2nd-cycle-first-call-vaibhav-fellowships

• NASA’s Mars helicopter, Ingenuity, has reconnected with Earth following a brief communication loss during its 72nd flight on the Red Planet.
• This astonishing solar-powered robotic helicopter has achieved unprecedented achievements in interplanetary aviation, including powered, controlled flight on Mars.

About Ingenuity 

• Ingenuity made its first landing on Mars on February 18, 2021, alongside the Perseverance Rover. On April 19 of that year, it made the first powered extraterrestrial flight in human history.
• Launch and Deployment: On July 30, 2020, NASA launched a spacecraft carrying the Perseverance rover with Ingenuity aboard. On April 4, 2021, the helicopter was deployed on the Martian surface after finding an appropriate “airfield” position.
• Experimental Purpose: Ingenuity’s primary purpose was to test powered, controlled flight on another celestial body.
• history Flight: During its first flight, Ingenuity hovered, covered the same area, and remained airborne for an impressive 39.1 seconds, setting a history record.

Challenges and Impressive Record

• Vast Distances: Despite the comparatively short travel time, Mars’ distance from Earth of nearly 225 million kilometres causes signal delays of 5 to 20 minutes.
• Ingenuity must withstand Mars’ harsh conditions, which include low atmospheric density, “continent-sized” dust storms, and other threats.

The Significance of Mars Flight

• Historical Milestone: On April 19, 2021, Ingenuity’s first flight celebrated two great milestones. First and foremost, it was the first aeroplane to fly on another planet. Second, it worked in Mars’ thin atmosphere, which was unsuitable for conventional flight.
• Challenges of Martian Flight: Ingenuity’s flight on Mars proved difficult due to the planet’s reduced gravity, one-third that of Earth, and its relatively thin atmosphere, with only 1% of Earth’s surface pressure.
• Autonomous Operation: Ingenuity is an autonomous aircraft piloted by onboard guidance, navigation, and control systems that use algorithms developed by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Perseverance serves as a vital link between the helicopter and Earth.

Evolving Mission Role

• Ingenuity’s mission grew beyond limited flights to include scouting and exploration. It helped Perseverance navigate Martian terrain efficiently, avoiding unexceptional rocks and increasing mission efficiency.
• Impressive flying Record: Prior to the current contact breakdown, Ingenuity conducted 72 flights, amassing more than 128 minutes of flying time and travelling a total distance of 17.7 kilometres, according to the mission’s flight log.

Source: https://www.nasa.gov/news-release/nasas-ingenuity-mars-helicopter-succeeds-in-historic-first-flight/

• As significant sections of North India, including Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Haryana, Delhi, and Punjab, experience severe fog, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued alerts and advisories to keep inhabitants aware of the current circumstances.
• This essay aims to clarify the science underlying these alerts and the function of the INSAT 3D satellite in delivering critical data for fog monitoring.

Fog Situation in North India

• Persistent fog: Since December 2023, various portions of North India have been blanketed in dense fog.
• IMD Warnings: On January 16, the IMD issued “very dense fog” warnings in numerous states, including Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, and Madhya Pradesh, with visibility predicted to fall below 50 metres at night and in the morning.

Decoding satellite images.

• Perspectives from INSAT 3D: The INSAT 3D satellite monitors foggy conditions using photographs.
• Solar Reflectance and Brightness Temperature: These photos’ colours are influenced by two factors: solar reflectance and brightness temperature.
• Solar Reflectance: The ratio of solar energy reflected by a surface to the amount of energy received.
• Brightness Temperature: Relates an object’s temperature to the brightness of its surface as measured at various wavelengths.

Day’s Microphysics Data

• Solar Reflectance at Three Wavelengths: INSAT 3D’s ‘day microphysics’ component examines solar reflectance across three wavelengths: 0.5 µm (visible radiation), 1.6 µm (shortwave infrared radiation), and 10.8 µm (thermal infrared radiation).
• Colour Determination: The intensity of signals at these wavelengths determines the RGB (red-green-blue) colours in the picture.
• These photos are useful for analysing cloud kinds, thunderstorm phases, snow identification, and fire detection.

Night Microphysics Data

• INSAT 3D’s ‘night microphysics’ component determines two colours based on the difference between two thermal infrared signals.
• Colour Variables: The red colour corresponds to the difference between 12 µm and 10 µm signals, green to 10.8 µm and 3.9 µm signals, and blue to the intensity of the 10.8 µm signal.
• Identifying features: Night microphysics data helps to determine cloud kinds and their temperature differences.

Combining Day and Night Data.

• Comprehensive Insights: Meteorologists use day and night microphysics data to examine moisture droplets, temperature fluctuations, and the development, evolution, and depletion of meteorological phenomena like hurricanes.
• Advanced Warning Systems: Proposed uses include forecasting thunderstorms one to three hours in advance.

Radiometers & Sounders

• INSAT 3D and 3DR employ radiometers to monitor spectral properties and atmospheric sounders to analyse temperature, humidity, and water vapour levels.
• Improved Technology: Compared to their predecessors, these satellites have significantly higher spatial resolution and spectrum channels, improving India’s weather monitoring capabilities.

Future with INSAT 3DS

• Continued Advancements: The Indian Space Research Organisation intends to launch the INSAT 3DS meteorological satellite in February 2024.
• Enhanced Capabilities: This satellite will build on the achievements of its predecessors, improving India’s weather monitoring and warning capabilities.

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/insat-3d-night-microphysics-fog-map-north-india-explained/article67747369.ece