Category: articles

A jumbo crisis in Madhya Pradesh 

A jumbo crisis in Madhya Pradesh  The Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve (BTR) in Madhya Pradesh witnessed the tragic deaths of 10 elephants, likely due to Kodo millet contaminated with cyclopiazonic acid. This incident highlighted concerns over human-wildlife conflict, inadequate resources for elephant management, and the need for research into Kodo’s effects.The government is working on preventive measures. Cause of Death Toxicity from Kodo Millet: Post-mortem reports confirmed that the elephants died from consuming Kodo millet contaminated with cyclopiazonic acid, a toxin produced by a fungus found in Kodo crops. The Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI) and ICRISAT confirmed high levels of…

Hokersar Wetland 

Hokersar Wetland  Lack of water due to excess deficit rainfall at the Hokersar wetland in the Kashmir Valley in recent years has impacted the arrival of migratory bird populations in the region. About Hokersar Wetland: It is known as the ‘Queen Wetland of Kashmir’, Hokersar (also known as Hokera) is a designated Ramsar site located in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir. It is a natural perennial wetland contiguous to the Jhelum basin. It gets water from the Doodhganga River (Tributary of Jhelum). It is located in the northwest Himalayan biogeographic province of Kashmir, back of the snow-draped Pir Panchal. Fauna: It…

Gluten: animator of the dough

Gluten: animator of the dough Gluten is a protein complex found in grains like wheat, barley, and rye that gives dough its elasticity.However, for people with coeliac disease, gluten triggers severe autoimmune reactions, and a strict gluten-free diet is required to manage symptoms. What is Gluten? Gluten is a protein network found in cereal grains, particularly barley, wheat, and rye. It forms when proteins gliadins and glutenins combine with water, creating an elastic structure. Role in Food Gluten gives dough its elasticity and chewy texture, allowing it to rise during baking. Due to these properties, it is widely used in…

Common Cat 

Common Cat  The elusive common cat snake was recently discovered in the Valmiki Tiger Reserve, Bihar. About Common Cat Snake: Common Cat Snake, also known as Indian gamma snake, is a species of rear-fanged snake endemic to South Asia. Scientific Name: Boiga trigonata In India, it is found all over the country, excluding north-east states after Sikkim; it is also, not found in Indian islands. Habitat: It can be found in almost all kinds of forests and wide ranges of elevations. While venomous, the Common Cat Snake’s venom is not considered highly dangerous to humans. It primarily uses its venom…

Great Indian Bustard 

Great Indian Bustard  In a groundbreaking feat, a baby great Indian bustard was born via Artificial Insemination (AI) at the Sudasari Great Indian Bustard Breeding Centre in Jaisalmer district of Rajasthan. About Great Indian Bustard: It is a bustard found on the Indian subcontinent. It is among the heaviest of the flying birds. Habitat: It inhabits dry grasslands and scrublands. Distribution: It is found mainly in the Thar Desert of Rajasthan that holds about 100 individuals. Also found in the arid regions of Maharashtra (Solapur), Karnataka (Bellary and Haveri) and Andhra Pradesh (Kurnool) Features: It is a large bird with…

Brown dwarfs: wannabe stars

Brown dwarfs: wannabe stars Astronomers recently re-examined the first discovered brown dwarf, Gliese 229B, and found it to be two brown dwarfs in a rare binary system. These “failed stars” are located 19 light-years away and orbit each other while circling a small star. What Are Brown dwarfs? Brown dwarfs are objects that are too big to be planets but too small to be stars. They lack enough mass to ignite nuclear fusion like stars but are more massive than the largest planets. Brown dwarfs can burn a heavy form of hydrogen called deuterium but not regular hydrogen like stars.…

Exercise Naseem-Al-Bahr

Exercise Naseem-Al-Bahr  Recently, INS Trikand and Dornier Maritime Patrol Aircraft, participated in the Indo-Oman bilateral naval exercise Naseem-Al-Bahr held in Goa. About Exercise Naseem-Al-Bahr: It is a bilateral naval exercise between India and Oman. It was initiated in 1993, symbolises the long term strategic relationship between the two countries. Oman is the first country in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) which has been in conducting bilateral exercises with India jointly. The exercise was conducted in two phases: with the harbour phase followed by the sea phase. As part of harbour activities, personnel from both Navies engaged in professional interactions, including…

Mount Adams

Mount Adams  Mount Adams, Washington’s largest volcano, has recently shown a surge in seismic activity after remaining largely dormant for thousands of years. About Mount Adams: It is a stratovolcano located in Washington State, United States. At 12,277 feet (3,742 meters) high and 18 miles (29 kilometers) wide, Mount Adams is the largest active volcano in Washington, surpassing Mount Rainier — the state’s highest peak — by volume. Mount Adams lies in the middle of the Mount Adams volcanic field—a 1,250 sq. km area comprising at least 120, mostly basaltic volcanoes that form spatter and scoria cones, shield volcanoes, and…

AI-generated medical images 

AI-generated medical images  As we consider how artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming various fields, one emerging area is the use of synthetic medical images in healthcare. What are Synthetic Medical Images? Synthetic medical images are AI-generated images created without using traditional imaging devices like MRI, CT scans, or X-rays. These images are constructed using mathematical models or AI techniques, such as generative adversarial networks (GANs), diffusion models, and autoencoders. Advantages offered Intra- and Inter-Modality Translation: Generate images from the same or different types of scans, helping when certain scans are unavailable. Privacy Protection: Created without patient data, reducing privacy concerns…

Doukhobor community

Doukhobor community The Doukhobor community gained attention due to their dwindling population in Georgia and the challenges they face in preserving their unique culture and traditions amid assimilation pressures. This situation reflects their historical struggle for identity and nonviolent principles in a changing society. Doukhobor Community: The Doukhobors are a spiritual community originating in Russia during the 18th century, known for their pacifist beliefs and rejection of the Orthodox Church. They believe in communal living, nonviolence, and a direct relationship with God, which they express through prayer and hymns without formal rituals. Their ancestors faced persecution for refusing military service…