Oct-16S&T Flashcards
Oct-16S&T -Index
5.1. Nobel Prize in Medicine/Physiology
5.2. Nobel Prize in Physics 2016
5.3. Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2016
5.4. Solution to Marine Oil Spills
5.5. Himansh
5.6. Hyperelastic Bone
5.7. GSAT 18 Satellite Launched
5.8. ICGS Ships Commissioned
5.9. India Shows Second Highest Growth in Science
Research
5.10. Biotech-Kisan and Cattle Genomics
5.11. Indian Researchers Produces Stable Solar Cells
5.1. NOBEL PRIZE IN MEDICINE/PHYSIOLOGY
Why in News?
Yoshinori Ohsumi, a Japanese cell biologist was awarded the 2016 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for “his discoveries of mechanisms for autophagy”.
About Autophagy
Autophagy is a greek term for “self-eating”.
It is a fundamental process for degrading and recycling cellular components.
This discovery of the mechanism of autophagy will aid in the fight against diseases such as cancer, Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s.
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5.2. NOBEL PRIZE IN PHYSICS 2016
Why in News?
The Nobel Prize 2016 in Physics was awarded to David J. Thouless, F. Duncan M. Haldane and J. Michael Kosterlitz for “theoretical discoveries of topological phase transitions and topological phases of matter.”
What is it?
Topology refers to the study of geometrical properties and spatial relations unaffected by the continuous change of shape or size of figures.
It is referred to as the modern version of geometry.
The scientists studied different phases (such as solid, liquid and gas) of different materials. These phases were characterized using topology.
Significance
The study is being applauded as the meeting point of topology and phase transitions.
It will help make the study of phase transitions easier.
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5.3. NOBEL PRIZE IN CHEMISTRY 2016
Why in News?
The Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2016 was awarded to Frenchman Jean-Pierre Sauvage, British-born Fraser Stoddart and Dutch scientist Bernard “Ben” Feringa for “developing miniscule machines at the molecular level.”
Significance
These molecular machines with controllable movements can perform a task when energy is added.
Machines will eventually prove to be invaluable - doing things no other machines can do.
5.4. SOLUTION TO MARINE OIL SPILLS
Indian researchers have developed a membrane with exceptional hydrophobic and high oil-loving (oleophilic) properties.
The membrane acts like a filter. When water-oil mixture is passed through the membrane, the oil permeates by rapid absorption while water is retained above the membrane. The oil permeation is 100 percent in the case of oil-water mixture.
Water-oil emulsification takes place in the seas when water gets mixed with oil under high water current conditions. The membrane is effective in separating oil and water from an emulsion and in solving the problem of oil spills.
5.5. HIMANSH
Why in News?
A high-altitude research station in Himalaya called HIMANSH has been established by the National Centre for Antartic and Ocean Research, under the Ministry of Earth Sciences at 13,500 ft (4000m) in a remote region in Sipti in Himachal Pradesh.
Objective
The centre has been established as a part of Indian government’s initiative to study and quantify the Himalayan glacier responses towards the climate change.
Significance of HIMANSH
Help researchers to quantify the glacier melting and its relation to changing climate.
For undertaking surveys using Terrestrial Laser Scanners(TLS) and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV).
Help in digitizing the glacier motion and snow cover variations with utmost precision.
Some of the glacier that are already being studied under this project include Bada Shigri, Samudra Tapu, Sutri Dhaka, Batal, Gepang Gath and Kunzam.
5.6. HYPERELASTIC BONE
Why in News?
Researchers from Northwestern University in Illinois have developed a 3D printable ink that produces a synthetic bone implant that rapidly induces bone regeneration and growth.
Hyperelastic vs autograft
An autograft is an option where a bone piece is taken from the patient’s body usually from hip or rib, and implanted where it’s needed elsewhere in the same patient’s skeleton.
Hyperelastic bone is a synthetic material that can be implanted under the skin for new bone to grow on, or used to replace lost bone matter altogether.
Significance
Hyperealstic bone is made of hydroxyapatite, a naturally occurring mineral in our bones and teeth will provide strength to create bones.
The hyperelastic material can be easily customised to any shape.
This discovery is a breakthrough in reconstructive surgery.
5.7. GSAT 18 SATELLITE LAUNCHED
Why in News?
India’s latest communication satellite, GSAT 18 was successfully launched from the spaceport of Kourou in French Guiana, South America.
It is been built by ISRO and ISRO’s Master Control Facility at Hassan, Karnataka is controlling the satellite.
The Master Facility will also perform the initial raising manoeuvres using the Liquid Apogee Motor (LAM) of the satellite, placing it in a circular Geostationary Orbit.
Challenges
India does not have any launcher capable of carrying heavier satellites like GSAT-18. However, Indian scientists are developing GSLV –III to overcome the challenge.
Box–GSAT Satellites
These satellites are India’s indigenously developed technologies of communications satellites used for digital, audio, data and video broadcasting.
5.8. ICGS SHIPS COMMISSIONED
Why in News?
Two Indian Coast Guard Ships: Aryaman and Atulya have been commissioned into the service.
What is it?
These coast guard ships are eighteenth and nineteenth in the series of twenty fast Patrol Vehicles (FPVs).
Aryaman and Atulya have been built by Cochin Shipyard Limited.
Atulya will be based at Kochi while Aryaman will be based at Vishakhapatnam.
Special features include Integrated Bridge Management System (IBMS) and Integrated Machinery Control System (IMCS).
Integrated bridge system (IBS) is a kind of navigation management system which links other systems to provide all the details pertaining to ship’s navigation at one place. (in box)
Significance
The ships are equipped with state-of-the-art machinery, navigational equipment and advanced communication.
They can be used for various jobs such as surveillance, search, rescue and interdiction.
5.9. INDIA SHOWS SECOND HIGHEST GROWTH IN SCIENCE RESEARCH
Why in News?
According to Nature Index 2016 Rising Stars report, India ranks second position, only behind China, among countries with the highest increase in their contribution to high-quality scientific research.
The Indian institutions that made to the top 100 highest performers across the globe include Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR), Indian Institute of Science (IISc) and Indian Institute of Technology (IITs).
Significance
The report reflects India’s emergence as one of the world’s largest economies.
The report shows that India is moving in the right direction and hopefully, it will stimulate not only the government and individual scientists, but also young people in schools to take science more seriously.
Hurdles to Scientific Research in India
The academic ambience in many universities does not encourage the research pursuits of faculties. Research management is another very serious problem.
Students drifting to other job-oriented courses after graduation in science is prevalent in India owing to the widespread impression among them that unlike professional courses, a career in basic science is not lucrative.
Lack of investment: India currently spends around one per cent of its GDP on research and development. In contrast, China spent about $209 billion on research and development in 2015, or 2.1 per cent of its GDP.
Way Forward
India needs to grow an attractive environment for research, so that students and academics who leave the country for higher studies and research opportunities have an incentive to return.
5.10. BIOTECH-KISAN AND CATTLE GENOMICS
Why in News?
The Ministry of Science and Technology has launched two farmer-centric initiatives known as Biotech-KISAN and Cattle Genomics.
Biotech-KISAN (Krishi Innovation Science Application Network)
For Farmers: The Biotech-KISAN is a Farmer centric scheme launched by of the Department of Biotechnology, where scientists will work in sync with farmers to understand problems and find solutions. By Farmers: Developed in consultation with the farmers. Biotech-KISAN aims to link farmers, scientists and science institutions across the country in a network that identifies and helps solve their problems in a cooperative manner.
Empower women: The scheme includes the Mahila Biotech- KISAN fellowships, for training and education in farm practices, for women farmers. The Scheme also aims to support the women farmers/ entrepreneur in their small enterprises, making her a grass root innovator.
Connects Globally: Biotech-KISAN will connect farmers to best global practices; training workshops will be held in India and other countries.
Hubs and Spoke. In each of these 15 regions, a Farmer organisation will be the hub connected to different science labs, Krishi Vigyan Kendra and State Agriculture Universities co-located in the region. The hub will reach out to the farmers in the region and connect them to scientists and institutions.
Cattle Genomics
Through this programme, the government aims to improve the genetic health of the cattle population through genomic selection. Genomic selection will ensure high-yielding, disease-resistant, resilient livestock.
Genome sequencing of indigenous cattle breeds from all registered cattle breeds of India by involving various stakeholders is to start soon.
The programme also envisages development of high-density DNA chips. This will reduce the cost and time interval for future breeding programmes and productivity of indigenous cattle would be enhanced.
5.11. INDIAN RESEARCHERS PRODUCES STABLE SOLAR CELLS
Why in news?
In a first, a researcher from Pune’s Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) has successfully produced a stable, high-efficiency, all-inorganic perovskite nanocrystal solar cells.
Significance
Silicone-based solar cells available currently are extremely expensive, so research to reduce their cost and increase efficiency is going on.
Traditional research on solar cells has been around a hybrid organic-inorganic halide-perovskite material which has a high efficiency of 22%, but is stable under ambient conditions for a very short time.
In earlier efforts on such a material the scientific community was developing bigger size crystals which made the product undesirable. Materials with perovskite structure have been the frontrunners in order to make solar cells cost-effective.
The researcher was able to remove the organic element and introduce nanocystals of cesium to develop a completely inorganic material which was also thermally stable.
What was done?
The team replaced methyl ammonium, the organic component, with cesium to produce the material of cesium lead iodide. The size and developed nanocrystals was reduced which made the now all-inorganic material stable.
Reducing the size of material to nanometer range, increases the surface to volume ratio tremendously, resulting into high surface energy making the high-temperature cubic phase crystal structure stable even at room temperature
The nano-crystals were assembled as a thin film having 10.77 per cent efficiency to convert sunlight to electricity and produce a high voltage of 1.23 volts
The team was also able to prepare a long-range charge conducting film using this material which demonstrates that the material could be amenable to be used to develop an opto-electronic device.
